thurgoona news · 2020. 8. 24. · thurgoona public school—providing the foundation for life-long...

Thurgoona Public School—Providing the foundation for life-long learning

Thurgoona News

Excellence, innovation, opportunity – student success in a caring environment.

11 Bottlebrush Street, THURGOONA NSW 2640 Phone: 02 6043 1244 Fax: 02 6043 2045

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://thurgoona-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/

Principal: Theresa Kane

Office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Term 1 Week 6 5 March 2020

Providing the foundations for life-long learning

Principal’s Message

The Big Splash was a smile-soaked night of swimming and novelty races

at the Albury Swim Centre. The event raises money and awareness for

mental health. The event has become an annual event and major

fundraiser for mental health in Albury-Wodonga. Ethan Wong, Josh

Nichols and Holly Obbink represented Thurgoona Public School in the

primary school relay, finishing third overall.

3-Way Conferences will be held for students in Years 1 to 6 in Week 8,

Monday, 16 to Friday, 20 March. Meeting times are booked electronically

allowing parents to select the most suitable times available. Please refer to

the details within the newsletter explaining how to make a booking.

The first sports assembly will be held on Friday at 12:25 p.m. Students will be presented with ribbons for

the swimming carnival and the house shield will be presented to the winning house. Age champions will

be presented with their medals.

Lily Baumgartner, Koby Duff, Ella Whitehead, Ava Lowe, Ruby Heinrich, Savana Hika and Lillian Nichols

will represent Thurgoona Public School at the Riverina Swimming Carnival.

Thurgoona P&C are contributing $20,000 towards the installation of new equipment in the school play-

ground. A number of companies have been contacted to provide possible options for the school. In 2019,

students were involved in suggesting specific types of equipment and they will also have an

opportunity to contribute additional ideas this year. School staff and the wider school community will also

be consulted. The school is extremely grateful for this generous contribution and encourage parents to

support P&C fundraising events.

Updated information about COVID-19 (formerly referred to Novel Coronavirus) is attached to this newslet-

ter. Please contact the school if you have additional questions.

Don’t forget that James Fallon High School will be holding a parent information night tonight at 7:00

p.m. for parents with students entering Year 7 next year. See the accompanying ad inside this newsletter.

Theresa Kane, Principal


School News

Updated information about COVID-19 (formerly referred to Novel

Coronavirus)

Dear Parent or Carer The NSW Department of Education is working closely with the NSW Ministry of Health in response to the unfolding international COVID-19 (formerly referred to as Novel Coronavirus) situation. Further travel restriction Effective 1 March 2020 the Federal Government has issued a travel ban on foreigners coming to Australia from Iran. Only Australian citizens and permanent residents coming from Iran will be allowed entry to Australia, and from 1 March they are required to self-isolate for a period of 14 days after depart-ing Iran consistent with the restrictions for those entering from China. Additionally, Australians have been advised NOT to travel to Iran. Updated advice from the NSW Government for parents and affected staff regarding COVID -19 is: • Any student or staff member who has been in, or transited through, mainland China (not just Hubei

province) or has been in Iran is excluded from work, school or child care services for 14 days from the date they left mainland China or Iran (as the COVID-19 incubation period can be as long as two weeks).

• Any confirmed case of COVID-19 will be excluded until they are medically cleared to return. • Close contacts of a confirmed case of COVID-19 will be excluded for 14 days since last contact with

the confirmed case. • Students and staff who have returned to Australia from mainland China or Iran more than 14 days

ago and have shown no symptoms are able to return to school. • The NSW Ministry of Health has processes to identify any close contacts of cases confirmed in

Australia. Advice about not attending school would be provided to these close contacts by the NSW Ministry of Health.

Consistent with current guidelines, students who are unwell with respiratory illness should remain at home until symptoms resolve. In accordance with the NSW Department of Education ’s current practice, if any student becomes unwell, the school will implement infection control guidelines and follow the advice provided by the NSW Ministry of Health as appropriate. Maintaining good hygiene standards is an important way to reduce the risk of acquiring and spreading respiratory infections. Parents and caregivers are asked to promote good hygiene, including handwash-ing with soap as handwashing is the single most effective way to reduce the spread of germs that cause respiratory disease. The NSW Ministry of Health has advice and resources about COVID-19 in English and Chinese. The NSW Department of Education will continue monitoring the COVID-19 situation and provide parents and caregivers with updated information about the virus.

Please contact the school if you have additional questions.

Theresa Kane

Principal


School News


From the Deputy Principal

NAPLAN

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual national

assessment for all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. All students in these year levels are

expected to participate in tests in reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar and

punctuation) and numeracy. The results of the tests will provide important information to

schools about what each student can do and will be used to support teaching and learning

programs. A NAPLAN report will be issued to parents later in the year. The same report format

is used for every student in Australia. The NAPLAN tests will be conducted from 12-14 May

2020. A ‘catch-up’ day is scheduled on Friday, 15 May for students who miss a test. For more

information about NAPLAN, visit the NAP website www.nap.edu.au

Moving into Year 7 in a NSW Government school in 2021

It is time to start the transition of your child from Year 6 to Year 7. Last week, students in Year 6

received an Expression of Interest form asking parents/carers to indicate which school they

would like their child to attend. Please return this form to the Front Office on or before Friday,

20 March 2020. After this Expression of Interest has been processed, your child will be

offered a place at a government school. The high school will send you an Application to Enrol,

which you should complete and return. More information can be found at the following website:

https://education.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/main-education/public-schools/going-to-a-public-

school/media/documents/Moving_into_Year_7_in_2021.pdf

School News

https://education.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/main-education/public-schools/going-to-a-public-school/media/documents/Moving_into_Year_7_in_2021.pdf

https://education.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/main-education/public-schools/going-to-a-public-school/media/documents/Moving_into_Year_7_in_2021.pdf


School News

NAPLAN on paper – information for parents and carers

2020 Your child will do the NAPLAN tests on paper in 2020

Federal, state and territory education ministers agreed that all schools will gradually transition from the current paper-based NAPLAN to NAPLAN Online in order to provide a better and more precise assessment that is more engaging for students.

State and territory education authorities will determine when their schools move online. The current plan is for all schools to transition to NAPLAN Online by 2021.

Why do students do NAPLAN?

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assesses literacy and numeracy skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life.

Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in the annual NAPLAN tests in reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.

The assessment provides parents and schools with an understanding of how individual students are performing at the time of the tests. NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process – it does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance.

NAPLAN also provides schools, education authorities and governments with information about how education programs are working and whether young Australians are achieving important educational outcomes in literacy and numeracy.

What does NAPLAN assess?

NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through their regular school curriculum. All government and non-government education authorities have contributed to the development of NAPLAN materials.

Students are assessed on the same literacy and numeracy curriculum content, regardless of whether

they complete the test online or on paper. Results for both formats can be reported on the same NAPLAN assessment scale.

How can I help my child prepare?

On its own, NAPLAN is not a test that can be studied for and students are not expected to do so.

Help your child prepare by reassuring them that NAPLAN is just one part of their school program, and by reminding them on the day to simply do their best.

ACARA does not recommend excessive preparation for NAPLAN or the use of services by coaching providers.

Teachers will ensure students are familiar with the types of questions in the tests and will provide appropriate support and guidance.

See examples of NAPLAN questions at nap.edu.au/naplan

Participation in NAPLAN

All students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are expected to participate in the annual NAPLAN assessment. Students with disability may qualify for adjustments that reflect the support normally provided for classroom assessments. You should discuss the use of any adjustments for your child with your child’s teacher.

A student with a disability that severely limits their capacity to participate in the assessment, or a student who has recently arrived in Australia and has a non-English speaking background, may be granted a formal exemption.

Your school principal and your local test administration authority can give you more information on special provisions or the process required to gain a formal exemption.

http://nap.edu.au/naplan


School News

Paper test Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

Language conventions This test assesses spelling, grammar and punctuation

Year 3: 45 min. Year 5: 45 min. Year 7: 45 min. Year 9: 45 min.

Writing Students are provided with a ‘writing stimulus’ (sometimes called a ‘prompt’ – an idea or topic) and asked to write a response in a particular genre (narrative or persuasive writing)


Reading Students read a range of informative, imaginative and persuasive texts and answer related questions


Numeracy This test assesses number and algebra, measurement and geometry, and statistics and probability


What if my child is absent from school on NAPLAN days?

Where possible, schools may arrange for individual students who are absent at the time of testing to complete missed tests at another time during the testing week. Individual students are not permitted to sit tests after Friday 15 May 2020.

Individual student performance is shown on a national achievement scale for each assessment. A result at the national minimum standard indicates that the student has demonstrated the basic literacy and numeracy skills needed to participate fully in that year level.

A NAPLAN individual student report will be issued by your child’s school later in the year. If you do not receive a report, you should contact your child’s school.

NAPLAN 2020 timetable

The paper assessment starts on Tuesday 12 May and finishes on Friday 15 May 2020.

The paper test scheduling requirements are detailed in the table below.

How are NAPLAN results used? Students and parents may use individual results to discuss progress with teachers.

Teachers use results to better identify students who would benefit from greater challenges or extra support.

Schools use results to identify strengths and areas to improve in teaching programs, and to set goals in literacy and numeracy.

School systems use results to review programs and support offered to schools.

The community can see average school NAPLAN results at myschool.edu.au

Where can I get more information?

For more information about NAPLAN:

contact your child’s school

contact your local test administration authority at nap.edu.au/TAA

visit nap.edu.au

To learn how ACARA handles personal information for NAPLAN, visit nap.edu.au/naplanprivacy

http://myschool.edu.au/

https://nap.edu.au/contacts/test-administration-authorities-contacts

http://nap.edu.au/

https://nap.edu.au/naplan/privacy


School News

Tell Them From Me Survey for students in Years 4, 5 and 6

In Term 1 2020, our school is taking part in the Tell Them From Me student survey. The survey will provide us with

valuable feedback on what our students think about school life, how engaged they are with school and the different

ways that teachers interact with them. The survey is completed on-line and is run by an independent research

company, The Learning Bar, which specialises in school-based surveys. Staff in schools will not be able to identify

individual students from their responses. To ensure confidentiality, participating students will receive a unique

username and password. The survey typically takes 30 minutes or less to complete and will be administered by the

school during normal school hours. Participating in the survey is entirely voluntary. Your child will not take part if

either you or your child do not wish. If, during the survey, your child is uncomfortable, he/she can choose to stop the

survey at any time. If you do not want your child to take part in the survey, please complete a non-consent form

available from the front office, by Friday, 20 March.

More information about the survey and the research is available on the CESE website:

http://surveys.cese.nsw.gov.au/information-for-parents

http://surveys.cese.nsw.gov.au/information-for-parents


School News

CENTRE FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS AND EVALUATION

E [email protected] www.cese.nsw.gov.au

Tell Them From Me Student Feedback Survey non-consent form

If you do not want your child to participate in the student feedback survey, please sign this form and re-

turn it to the school by Friday, 20 March 2020

I DO NOT give consent for my child/children to participate in the Tell Them From Me student feedback survey. Name of student 1 Roll class of student 1 ………………………………………………………………… ………………………………. Name of student 2 Roll class of student 2 ………………………………………………………………… ………………………………. Name of student 3 Roll class of student 3 ………………………………………………………………… ………………………………. Name of student 4 Roll class of student 4 ………………………………………………………………… ………………………………. Name of parent/carer ………………………………………………………………………...

Signature of parent/carer …………………………………………………………………….

Date …………………...................

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.cese.nsw.gov.au


School News

Basketball Rep

Congratulations to Ava Lowe for being

selected to represent Albury at the Riverina

trials for basketball. The Riverina basketball

selections will be held on Thursday, 12 March

2020 at the Lauren Jackson Stadium, Albury.

Infants Sportsmanship Awards

Good sportsmanship builds teamwork and character, and teaches respect, discipline, kindness, inclusion,

resilience, perseverance, and more. When kids enjoy active play, they look forward to sports and exercise

as a chance to make new friends and develop new skills. Thurgoona Public School recognises the

importance of students displaying sportsmanship when participating in games, sports and athletic events.

At Friday’s Infants assembly, we will recognise students who display sportsmanship by awarding a

‘Sports Merit Certificate’.

How Can I Be a Good Sport?

• Have a positive attitude • Shake hands with the other team before and after the game

• Give your best effort • Support teammates and never criticise a teammate for trying

• Help another player up who has fallen • Treat the other team with respect and never tease or bully

• Follow the rules of the game • Accept calls and don't argue with officials

• Take pride in winning but don't rub it in • Accept a loss without making excuses

Mr Morrison

Years 3 to 6 Sports Assembly starting at 12:45 p.m.

This Friday 6 March will be our first sports assembly for the year. At the sports assembly we will present

the ribbons for Thurgoona Public School’s Swimming Carnival. The shield will be presented to the winning

house. Age champions will be announced and be presented with their medals. We will also congratulate

the students who have been selected to represent our school, Zone and Riverina in the various PSSA

Sports offered at our school.

Zone Swimming

Congratulations to all 32 students who attended the Zone Swimming Carnival at the Albury Swim Centre

last week. The students were sensational both in and out of the pool. We had some excellent results and

Thurgoona Public School came 2nd overall on the day. Well done to the 7 students who have now made it

to the Riverina Swimming Carnival in Week 7. The students competing at the Riverina Carnival are Lily

Baumgartner, Koby Duff, Ella Whitehead, Ava Lowe, Ruby Heinrich, Savana Hika and Lillian Nichols. We

wish them the best of luck.

NRL Respect Assembly

This week, students in Years 3 to 6 attended a NRL Respect Assembly. NRL staff provided students with

tools and tips they can utilise every day to display respectful behaviours not just on the sporting field but

in the classroom and everyday life.

Mortimer Shield

Due to inclement weather, the Mortimer Shield Gala Day has been postponed. Further details will follow.

Mr Shoard


School Library News

Book Club Orders

For those paying by cash, it would be best practice to use an envelope when ordering, writing your child ’s

name, class and amount of money included in the envelope. Please remember to write your child ’s name

and class on Book Club order form as well the item number.

Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC)

From Monday, 2 March 2020 to Friday, 28 August 2020

The PRC aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students, and to enable them to

experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more

and to read more widely.

To complete the challenge students must read a certain number of identified books from the booklists.

The Premier's Reading Challenge (PRC) is available for all NSW students in Kindergarten to Year 9. All

information about the PRC, including this year’s booklists can be found at https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/

prc/home.html There are also copies of the K-2, 3-4, 5-6 booklist in the library.

K-2 students will be completing the challenge during library time.

Thank you

Maryanne Peachey and Lara Obbink

Challenge Number of books

you must read Minimum number

of PRC books

Maximum number of Personal

Choice books

PRC booklists you can read from

K-2 30 25 5 K-2, 3-4, 5-6

3-4 20 15 5 3-4, 5-6, 7-9

5-6 20 15 5 5-6, 7-9

9:00 am Friday, 20 March

https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/home.html

https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/home.html


School News

Hume Bank School Banking

Program 2020

The Hume Bank School Banking Program is

back! The School Banking day is set for

Wednesday each week. Please note that the

School Banking day may vary from time to time,

and the school office will provide you with an

alternative School Banking day when this is the

case.

The Hume Bank School Banking Program is a

fun, interactive and engaging way for students to

learn about money and develop good savings

habits.

If your child has previously participated in the

program, they can start banking straight away

by bringing their ‘Clancy Koala’ deposit wallet

and passbook to school on School Banking day.

Alternatively, parents can choose to deposit

money directly into their child’s ‘Clancy Koala’

Account via recurring electronic transfer.

If your child is not part of the Hume Bank School

Banking Program and you would like to know

more, please ask for a 2020 School Banking

information pack from the school office.


School Library News


School News

3-Way Conferences for Years 1-6

Thurgoona Public School will be holding 3-Way Conferences for students in Years 1 to 6, in Week 8

(Monday, 16 March – Friday, 20 March). You will be able to book a time slot with individual

classroom teachers, depending on their availability. At our school we also have release teachers who

teach key learning areas such as science or art. You will also be able to make a time to meet with your

child’s release teacher if you wish to. If you are unsure who your child’s release teacher is, please ask

your child’s classroom teacher. Teachers of the Learning and Support programs such as MacqLit and

MiniLit, will also be available.

The conferences are a valuable opportunity for parents/carers, students and teachers to discuss goals,

aspirations and progress so that collectively we can plan and accommodate individual learning needs.

Interviews are strictly 15 minutes and spaces are limited. If you require more time with a particular

teacher, please arrange a separate meeting by telephoning the school on 02 6043 1244.To book an

interview time, please follow the instructions below:

Go to www.schoolinterviews.com.au

enter the code 96vs5

Enter your details

Select the teacher you wish to see

Select the appointment time that suit your family best

When you click FINISH your selected bookings will be emailed to you immediately. If you do not receive

your email, please check your junk-mail, or enter the event code again and check your email address

spelling. Update your details if email address is incorrect.

DO NOT DELETE the email you receive. Keep it somewhere safe. You may need to refer back to it at a

later date.

REMEMBER TO ADD YOUR APPOINTMENT TO YOUR CALENDAR - reminders will not be sent

home.

Bookings must be finalised by 5:00 p.m. Sunday, 15 March. You will not be able to make an online

booking after this time.

If you need to view, cancel, change or print your bookings:

Click on the link in the confirmation email you received after you made your bookings

OR return to www.schoolinterviews.com.au and enter the code and the email address you used when

making your bookings.

http://www.schoolinterviews.com.au

http://www.schoolinterviews.com.au


P&C News

Week Date Time

7 Wednesday, 11

March 2:30 - 3:00 p.m.

8 Monday, 16 March 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.

9 Wednesday, 25

March 2:30 - 3:00 p.m.

10 Monday, 30 March 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.

11 Wednesday, 8 April 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.

We are a small but committed group of

P&C members who run the Pre-Loved

Uniform Shop. It’s a great way to volunteer

your time and it’s very flexible. The shop

opening hours are set in accordance with

when we are available to make it happen.

WE WOULD LOVE YOU TO JOIN US!

We are a friendly, supportive team who

would teach you the ropes and make you

welcome. What a great way to support our

fantastic school.

If you would like to find out more, please

send us an e-mail with your contact details:

[email protected]

SHOP Term 1: 2020

NOW AVAILABLE

P&C News

At the latest P&C meeting a motion was passed

to contribute to the Thurgoona Public School

canteen the sum of $2000 to cover the cost of

equipment including printer for online ordering.

Another exciting motion passed was that the

P&C will contribute a sum of $20 000 to the

Thurgoona Public School for the purchasing of

playground equipment. This an exciting

outcome of hard work by our volunteers at

events such as our barbecues, school disco

and Spring market. This will be a direct positive

impact for the students at Thurgoona Public

School. This is supported by the annual

classroom contributions of $150 for all 26 of our

classrooms to a total of $3900 to assist

teachers with supplies such as readers.

We wish to invite all families to the P&C AGM

for 2020 on Monday, 9 March at 7:00 p.m. in

the school library.


P&C News/Community News

Canteen News

Meal Deal: 12 March 2020

Chicken and salad roll, plus a drink

$5.00

Term 1: Hours of operation

Every Tuesday, Wednesday,

Thursday and Friday


Community News


Term 1 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Week 6

March

2

Kindergarten Parent/

Teacher interviews

3


Teacher interviews

Yrs 3-6 Swim School

(Steelwood, Scribbly

Gum and Violet)

4


Teacher interviews

Yrs 3-6 Swim School

(Anigozanthos, Bank-

sia, Brachychiton,

Poa and Waratah)

Yrs 3-6 NRL

Respect assembly

10:20 a.m.

5


Teacher interviews

Yrs 3-6 Swim School

(Needlewood, Snow

Gum and Hakea)

6


Teacher interviews

Scripture begins K-6

K-2 Assembly 11:45 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.

Item: K - 2

Ann: Grevillea

Yrs 3-6 Assembly 12:25 – 12:55 p.m.

Sports assembly

Week 7

March

9

P&C Annual General

Meeting at 7:00 p.m.

in the school library

10

Yrs 3-6 Swim School


Gum and Violet)

11

Yrs 3-6 Swim School


sia, Brachychiton,

Poa and Waratah)

Riverina Swimming

12

Yrs 3-6 Swim School

(Needlewood, Snow

Gum and Hakea)

13

Week 8

March

16

Yrs 1 to 6

3-way conferences

K-2 AFL Clinic (at

school)

17

Yrs 3-6 Swim School


Gum and Violet)

Yrs 1 to 6

3-way conferences

18

Yrs 3-6 Swim School


sia, Brachychiton,

Poa and Waratah)

Yrs 1 to 6

3-way conferences

19

Yrs 3-6 Swim School

(Needlewood, Snow

Gum and Hakea)

Yrs 1 to 6

3-way conferences

20

Yrs 1 to 6

3-way conferences

Harmony Day

Albury Gold Cup

half-day holiday

from 12:00 p.m.

Week 9

March

23 24

Yrs 3-6 Swim School


Gum and Violet)

25

Yrs 3-6 Swim School


sia, Brachychiton,

Poa and Waratah)

26

Yrs 3-6 Swim School

(Needlewood, Snow

Gum and Hakea)

27

Week 10

March/

April

30

Yrs 3-6 Athletics

Carnival

31

Yrs 3-6 Swim School


Gum and Violet)

1

Yrs 3-6 Swim School


sia, Brachychiton,

Poa and Waratah)

2

Yrs 3-6 Swim School

(Needlewood, Snow

Gum and Hakea)

3

K-2 Assembly 11:45 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.

Item: Melaleuca

Ann: White Gum

Yrs 3-6 Assembly 12:25 – 12:55 p.m.

School leaders

Week 11

April

6

School Photos

7

Yrs 3-6 Cross

Country

8

Yrs 3-6 Swim School


Gum and Violet)

9

Last Day

K-2 Easter Hat

Parade

ANZAC Ceremony

10

Good Friday

Holiday

Term 1 Calendar

thurgoona news · 2020. 8. 24. · thurgoona public school—providing the foundation for life-long...

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