Prep Transition
We have hosted our 2026 Preps for their second transition session today! Last week, while the children were engaged in transition activities, Mrs Young met with the parents and shared valuable information about our wonderful school. The Prep teachers were very impressed with how the 2026 Prep students were playing and learning together! We have very much enjoyed meeting our new students and families during the last fortnight. We look forward to them completing their transition next Friday.
Preps start school at 8:45am Tuesday 3rd February 2026.

Whole-School Transition 
Safely navigating transition from year to year is crucial to a child’s healthy development and wellbeing. This can lay the foundation for a future of learning and better outcomes. Likewise, children are able to grow, develop and learn best when they are feeling safe with a sense of belonging. At TWPS we pride ourselves on the purposeful and carefully planned transition sessions we facilitate at the end of each year. This week our students had their first session on Thursday afternoon, where they learnt about what to expect next year and some highlights to look forward to. We are looking forward to seeing a boost in their confidence and preparedness for a new year and a new teacher in 2026!
Students in Grades 1 - 6 start school at 8:45am Wednesday 28th February 2026. 

Community Hub Cleanup - Thank you!
A huge thank you to all the parents and community members who braved the rain on Saturday to help clean our Community Hub. Your time, effort, and teamwork made such a difference, even in the wet weather! We also want to give a special mention to the parents who kindly looked after the children of our volunteers — your support ensured everyone could lend a hand. We are so grateful to be part of such a dedicated and caring school community.

High School Transition for Grade 6s
High school transition is well underway for our Grade 6 students. Mrs Colakovski has been holding Student Support Group (SSG) Transition meetings with students and their families, along with representatives from the high schools they will be attending in 2026. These meetings ensure that each student’s individual needs are supported and that they are well-prepared for a smooth and successful start to secondary school.

RACV Road Safety Squad Visit
Our Prep–1 and Grade 1–2 students recently enjoyed a special visit from the RACV Safety Squad. During this engaging incursion, students learned important lessons about staying safe in different environments. Topics included passenger and pedestrian safety, bike safety, and how to identify potential hazards around the home. The sessions were interactive and practical, helping our youngest learners build awareness and confidence to make safe choices every day.


Communication Reminder
Class Dojo is a great tool to share updates and stay connected. When you have important questions or matters that need discussion, please contact your child’s teacher or the Principal Team by phone, email, or by booking an appointment.

Planning for 2026
It is important for us to have accurate enrolment numbers for children attending our school in 2026. So that the best possible class structures and class sizes can be organised, please inform the Office if your child is changing schools. We understand that some families are moving houses and there may be schools that are closer to your new address. We will happily support your child and their transition to a new school. As always, our children, their learning and development, will remain our top priority. 

Koorie Art Lesson with Special Visitors
On Thursday, our Koorie students took part in a special Koorie art lesson with guest artist Emma Bamblett and visiting Koorie students from Lalor North Secondary College. Emma, an Aboriginal artist and wife of our Koorie Education Support Officer, Ralph Bamblett, led a creative and meaningful session where students shared stories about their families and mobs. They then drew their own designs on pieces of possum skin that Emma brought along, which were made into keychains for each student to keep. It was a wonderful cultural learning experience that celebrated connection, identity, and creativity.

Thomastown West Primary School Choir – Intergenerational Day Success
Our Thomastown West Primary School Choir recently took part in a wonderful Intergenerational Day Experience hosted by the City of Whittlesea at the Barry Road Community Centre. The students walked to the venue, where they were warmly welcomed by members of a local elderly citizens group.

The morning began with a shared morning tea and friendly conversations, giving students and community members the chance to connect. This was followed by performances from our talented choir, as well as entertainment from some of the elderly participants, an exchange that brought smiles to everyone involved.

Students and community members then enjoyed lunch together, followed by games before the group walked back to school in the afternoon.

Our choir has participated in this event before, and once again it proved to be a memorable and meaningful experience. It provided a valuable opportunity for students to build social, emotional, and personal skills while strengthening connections across generations in our community.

Public Schools Funding Support Rally
Staff from the Thomastown West Primary School sub-branch attended the AEU rally in Heidelberg after school on Wednesday to show their support for the full funding of public schools in Victoria. It was a great opportunity to stand alongside educators from across the region, advocating for the resources and support all students deserve to thrive.

Please contact the school to let us know if your child/children will not be attending TWPS in 2026. Thank you to those families who have already done so.

TWPS CURRICULM DAYS
*Students do NOT attend school on these days*

*Whole School Professional Practice Day for Staff. Students do not attend school.

TERM DATES

Helping Your Child Manage Worry or Calm Their Mind

It’s normal for children to feel worried or unsettled sometimes, especially when school, friendships, or changes in routine feel challenging. When this happens, their nervous system can shift into “fight, flight, or freeze” mode, which makes it harder to think clearly or manage emotions.

• Fight means we might get angry or shout.

• Flight means we might want to leave or hide.

• Freeze means we might go very quiet or feel stuck.

These reactions are our body’s way of trying to protect us. Taking slow breaths, stretching, or talking to a trusted adult helps our brain realise we’re safe again and lets us calm down.

You can support your child by practising simple grounding strategies that calm the body and mind. Gentle breathing or stretching helps slow the heart rate and signals to the brain that it’s safe to relax.

Try this quick “Family Reset”

Find a quiet spot to sit or stand together.

1. Breathe in slowly through your nose for 4 seconds
2. Hold gently for 2 seconds
3. Breathe out through your mouth for 6 seconds
4. Repeat 3–4 times, keeping your voice calm and steady

You might also:
• Roll your shoulders or wrists to release tension
• Look around and name three things you can see and two things you can hear
• Finish by asking, “How does your body feel now?”

These small grounding habits help children (and adults!) feel calmer, regain focus, and manage worries in healthy ways.

Parent Reflection: When to Reach Out for support

If your child’s worries last for a long time, stop them from enjoying activities, or often cause stomach aches or headaches, please speak with your child’s teacher or a member of the Principal Team.

Together, we can explore gentle strategies that build confidence, calm, and coping skills.

Sometimes, a small conversation can make a big difference.

CUP OF LIFE

As part of the Department of Education Every Day Counts initiative, schools report attendance in percentages. 

The Government regard 95% as the minimum satisfactory attendance for a school student.

The percentages in the table below indicates the average attendance for each class for this week.

The shaded boxes  below indicate which classroom has the highest level of attendance.

Student Attendance Report

Every day of learning really does count!

At TWPS we want every child to achieve their full potential and we know that parents share this goal. There is a clear link between good attendance and educational achievement. If your child is not in school, on time, as often as possible they will be missing out on many important parts of their
education.                      

Why is regular attendance at school important?

Regular school attendance will mean that your child has a better chance in life. Your child will achieve better when they go to school all day, every school day...

*they learn better   
*they make friends      
*they are happier   
*they have a brighter future

If your child is sick, of course it is appropriate to keep your child at home but

other ‘days off’ school add up to lost learning.  See below:

CUP OF LIFE

Well done to all the boys and girls who are attending school every day. 
Congratulations! The rooms that had the BEST ATTENDANCE for:

* Term 4 Week 5 is Room 03

* Term 4 Week 6 is Room 05

Term 4

Term 3

Term 2

Term 1

TERM 4 WEEK 5

TERM 4 WEEK 6