Thank you to Mrs Young

As we come to the end of another successful semester, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to our Principal, Mrs Young, for her outstanding leadership, dedication, and commitment to our school community.

Mrs Young works tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that Thomastown West Primary School continues to provide the very best opportunities for our students. From supporting student learning and wellbeing, to working closely with staff, families, School Council, and community partners, her leadership helps create a positive and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Thank You to TNH and CityLife Church

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Thomastown Neighbourhood House and CityLife Church for their ongoing support of our school community.

Yesterday, Thomastown Neighbourhood House generously hosted a fun and free barbecue for our families. It was wonderful to see members of our school community come together, enjoy a meal, and connect with one another in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Events such as these help strengthen the relationships that make our community so special.

We would also like to acknowledge CityLife Church for their continued partnership with our school. Through their mentoring program, dedicated volunteers regularly support our students, building positive relationships and providing encouragement that helps students thrive both socially and emotionally. They  have made many meaningful donations to our school and families.

We are incredibly grateful for the generosity, care, and commitment shown by both organisations. Their support makes a meaningful difference to our students, families, and wider school community.

Thank You to Our Volunteer, Ms Jeanette

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our amazing volunteer, Ms Jeanette, for her ongoing support of our school community.

Every Tuesday, Ms Jeanette generously gives her time to open our Wellbeing Room during recess and lunch times, providing a calm and supportive space for students who may need it. She also takes the time to check in with students, offering a caring presence and helping to support their wellbeing in meaningful ways.

Her kindness, consistency, and genuine care for our students make a valuable difference to our school each week. We are incredibly grateful for her commitment and the positive impactshe has on our students and wider school community.Thank you, Ms Jeanette, for your wonderful support.

Soccer World Cup

We are excited about the FIFA World Cup and are cheering on our Socceroos! We are lucky to have so many families from all over the world in our school community and wish the best of luck to the other teams 

Looking Ahead to an Exciting Term 3

Term 3 is shaping up to be a busy and exciting term, with many wonderful opportunities for students and families to come together and celebrate learning.

We will begin the term by recognising NAIDOC Week in Week 1. NAIDOC Week is an important opportunity for students to learn about and celebrate the histories, cultures, achievements, and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Throughout the week, students will participate in activities that build understanding, respect, and appreciation of Australia's First Nations peoples and cultures.

One of the highlights of the term will be Book Week, which will take place in Week 7. This year's theme is "A Symphony of Stories". We look forward to celebrating the joy of reading and the power of storytelling across the school. Our annual Book Week Parade will be held on Wednesday 26 August, and we can't wait to see the creative costumes inspired by students' favourite books and characters.

Another major event on our calendar is our Whole School Concert, which will be held in Week 8 on Wednesday 2 September. Students and staff have already begun preparing for what promises to be a fantastic showcase of talent, creativity, and teamwork. The concert is always a highlight of the school year, and we look forward to sharing this special event with our families and community.

We encourage families to keep an eye on upcoming newsletters and Compass notifications for further details about these exciting events. We look forward to a wonderful Term 3 filled with learning, creativity, and community celebration.

School Council Child Safe Standards Training

We are pleased to share that our School Council has recently completed Child Safe Standards training, further strengthening our shared commitment to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for all students.

This training ensures that School Council members are up to date with current expectations and responsibilities in relation to child safety, and are well equipped to support the school in upholding the highest standards of care, wellbeing, and protection for all children.

We thank our School Council members for their time, engagement, and ongoing dedication to the safety and wellbeing of our students. Their commitment plays an important role in ensuring that our school continues to be a safe place for every child to learn, grow, and thrive.

Short term staffing updates for Term 3

Mr Crotti will be on an internship with a principal at another school for the first four and a half weeks of term 3, on an internship as part of his Principal Preparation program through the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Learning. While Mr Crotti is learning at Ivanhoe East Primary School, Mrs Rocca will be Acting Assistant Principal. She will be teaching her class on Thursdays, and Kathy Peters, our lovely Art teacher, will take the class on Fridays for the first four weeks. While Mrs Rocca is stepping up into this role, Miss Galea will be supporting year level planning sessions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Mrs Deneise will be teaching Room 18 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to enable this. Congratulations to Mrs Rocca and Miss Galea, we are excited to see them both step up into these roles and lead our school’s teaching and learning. Mr Crotti’s Science and STEM classes (usually Wednesday and Friday) will be all taught on Thursdays, with Mr Aranui, who teaches Science and STEM on Tuesdays all year. They have planned the term of Science and STEM together.

Thank You for a Wonderful Semester

As we come to the end of another successful semester, we would like to take this opportunity to thank our entire school community for their ongoing support, dedication, and commitment to our students.

To our staff, thank you for the care, professionalism, and passion you bring to your work every day. Your commitment to providing engaging learning opportunities and supporting the wellbeing of every student has made a significant difference throughout the semester.

To our School Council members, thank you for your leadership, guidance, and countless hours of voluntary service. Your support helps ensure that our school continues to grow and provide the best possible opportunities for our students.

To our parents, carers, and families, thank you for your partnership and support. Education is most successful when schools and families work together, and we greatly appreciate your involvement in your children's learning and in the life of our school.

Most importantly, we congratulate our students for their hard work, persistence, and achievements throughout the semester. We are incredibly proud of the growth they have shown in their learning, wellbeing, and relationships with others.

We wish everyone a safe, restful, and enjoyable break and look forward to another exciting semester of learning together.

Education is Powerful,  Student Agency Matters, Teachers Make a Difference 
&  Every Minute of Learning Counts!

  James Crotti                                            Sandi Young                                                 
 Assistant Principal                                      Principal

TWPS CURRICULM DAYS 2026
*Students do NOT attend school on these days*

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

TERM DATES 2026

CUP OF LIFE

Term 1 Week 9 Student Attendance Report

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 for their year level.

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 room that had the BEST ATTENDANCE for Week 9 Term 2 is Room 05.

Congratulations to the following students who have achieved 100% attendance in Term 1 & 2.

Congratulations to the following students who achieved 100% attendance in Term 2. 

Pyjama and Donut Day Success!

Our Pyjama and Donut Day, held on Wednesday 17 June, was a wonderful success! Students and staff came dressed in their cosy pyjamas and enjoyed a delicious donut for morning tea.

Thanks to the fantastic support of our school community, we raised an amazing $530.65. A big thank you to our wonderful parent helpers and to everyone who participated and helped make this fundraiser such a fun and memorable event.

We are looking forward to more exciting and enjoyable fundraising activities next term!

As Winter settles across Thomastown and we reach the end of Semester One, it is the perfect time to pause, warm our hands around a cuppa, and reflect on a remarkable six months at Thomastown Neighbourhood House.

From community-led improvements to our facilities, to celebrations that brought people together, this semester has once again demonstrated the strength, generosity and spirit of our community. Alongside these visible achievements, important work has continued behind the scenes as we pursue new opportunities to strengthen the future of TNH and expand the support we can provide. 

Looking ahead, we are excited about new projects on the horizon, including creative partnerships bringing local schools, families and community members together as part of Walking Thomastown.

This newsletter shares just a snapshot of the many activities, partnerships and achievements that have shaped Semester One. Thank you to everyone who has participated, volunteered, supported or simply cheered us on—you are what makes TNH a place of connection, learning and belonging.

We hope you enjoy the stories below and look forward to welcoming you back for Semester Two.

 HANDY VOLUNTEERS TO THE RESCUE

~Thanks Don and Mark

Visitors to TNH may have noticed exciting improvements to our outdoor spaces this semester, thanks to volunteers Don and Mark.

With the TNH Room at the Library temporarily closed for upgrades and winter approaching, our Outdoor Undercover Area needed urgent attention. Working over the Long Weekend and using recycled materials, Don and Mark transformed the space with corrugated iron, insulated walls, cottage-style doors and weatherproof blinds—creating a warm, functional and welcoming area for year-round use, including our Community Coffee Cart.

They also installed a charming white picket fence, improving safety for families attending Playgroup and Little Diggers while adding a touch of neighbourhood character.

This is just the beginning. TNH is currently seeking funding to further extend and improve this outdoor area, including upgraded fencing and pathways to create a safer, more accessible space for our diverse community.

A huge thank you to Don and Mark—and if you'd like to help sand and paint the fence, we’d love to hear from you!

LITTLE DIGGERS END OF TERM SAUSAGE SIZZLE

After School snacks and good times at Little Diggers

Little Diggers Family Fun Club will wrap up Semester One this Thursday with a community sausage sizzle, bringing families, children and community members together to celebrate a fantastic term of play, creativity and connection.

Thank you to CityLife Church for providing the sausage sizzle and sharing information about local supports, including their upcoming Circuit Breaker Anger Management Course.

Little Diggers continues to grow each week, welcoming families from Thomastown West Primary School, Thomastown Primary School, St Clare’s Primary School, Thomastown Meadows Primary School and the wider community.

Each Thursday afternoon (3.15–5.00pm), children enjoy crafts, outdoor play and social connection, while parents and carers share a cuppa and build local support networks.

In an age where screens are ever-present, it is wonderful to see families choosing connection, movement and community. We look forward to seeing everyone this Thursday and welcoming even more families next term.

 WORKING TOWARDS DGR STATUS

While much of TNH’s work is visible in community spaces and programs, important behind-the-scenes work is strengthening our future.

TNH has been working towards Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status, which would allow donors to claim tax deductions and open access to a wider range of philanthropic funding.

With support from Maddocks Law Firm and Justice Connect through the Unlock DGR campaign, significant progress has been made. While our initial application was not successful, we are continuing through the appeal process.

Achieving DGR status would be a major milestone, strengthening long-term sustainability and expanding TNH’s ability to respond to community needs.

We are grateful for the ongoing support and will keep you updated as the appeal progresses.

SAVE THE DATE: WALKING THOMASTOWN

Saturday 29 August | 6.00–9.00pm

One of Thomastown’s most magical community events is returning this winter!

Families and friends gather in costumes and fairy lights for an evening of music, performance and light. From the Community Stage at Main Street Recreation Reserve (behind Thomastown Library), participants follow a 5km journey through illuminated artworks, giant lanterns, live music, street performances and unexpected surprises.

Walking Thomastown is proudly produced by the City of Whittlesea in partnership with Friends of Westgarthtown, TRAC, Yarra Plenty Regional Library and Thomastown Neighbourhood House.

TNH leads the Community Dance Project, which opens the event on the Community Stage. During Term 3, dancer and TNH team member Sandrine Dower will work with students from Thomastown Primary School and Thomastown West Primary School to create a special opening performance.

We welcome additional schools—if your school would like to participate, it is not too late to join.

Mark the date for an unforgettable night of creativity, connection and community spirit.

 THANK YOU & LOOKING AHEAD

Thank you to all participants, volunteers, tutors, partners, Committee of Management and supporters for another wonderful semester.

We are pleased to confirm the TNH Room at the Library reopens Monday 13 July, with smaller programs such as Meditation and English Conversation returning to this space.

At the same time, TNH continues to grow at TNH @ The Hub, 1112 Main Street, now our home for playgroups, community activities, events and the Community Coffee Cart.

Together, these spaces allow TNH to continue expanding opportunities for connection, learning and belonging.

We look forward to welcoming you back for Semester Two.

Stay warm, stay connected, and thank you for being part of TNH.

M. 0488 224 439
E. manager@tnh.org.au

Warm wishes,
Liz Skitch & the TNH Team

 
Activities available for you and your family

SPECIAL NOTES

• All TNH activities are free and everyone is welcome to attend.
• Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• TNH is a child safe organsiation.
• No bookings are needed, simply come and try and register on arrival.
• Gold Coin Donations are welcome and every bit of support helps us to support our community.
• TNH activities only take place during School Term

Need Help or Have Questions?

You are always welcome to visit us.

Open: Monday – Friday, 9am – 3pm

Thomastown Neighbourhood Hous