Tamworth West Public School

Principal's Report

It has been a remarkable and rewarding year at Tamworth West Public School, and I am very proud and humbled to have recently been appointed as the substantive Principal. I look forward to continuing to work closely with our students, staff, and families to make our school an even better place for learning and growth. 2026 is going to be another fabulous year at Tamworth West Public School. We are currently developing a plan for a school-wide focus on High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) and will continue to implement the new curriculum. There will be a change to assemblies next year. To accommodate HPGE groups on Friday afternoons, assemblies will now be held for K–6 students in Weeks 5 and 9 of each term, except in Term 4, when Presentation Day will take place in Week 9.  

As we approach the final weeks of the school year, I would like to share some important dates and events with you. Our much-anticipated P&C Carols will be held on Wednesday, 10 December from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. It’s a wonderful opportunity for families to come together and celebrate the festive season.

Presentation Day will take place on Friday, 12 December, with rehearsals scheduled for Thursday, 11 December. We look forward to celebrating the achievements of our students during this special event.

Our Year 6 Graduation is set for Monday, 15 December, followed by the Year 6 Formal at the Jockey Club that evening—a memorable milestone for our graduating students.

The fun continues with Party Day on Tuesday, 16 December. Please ensure all permission forms are returned as soon as possible to help us with planning.

The last day of school for 2025 is Friday, 19 December. Students will return to school for the new year on Monday, 2 February 2026.

On behalf of all the staff at Tamworth West Public School, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happy and safe new year. Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s education—we value your partnership and support.

Sara Spinks

Principal

Reading Awards

Congratulations to Maddy Ayers on completing 5 diary pages.

Congratulations to Theo Tang and Cooper Dawson on completing 10 diary pages.

-Jo Sheedy

Deputy Principal

Last term, we had the pleasure of welcoming our Real School facilitator, Daniel Vella, to visit our classrooms and work with our staff to implement circles more effectively during learning time. This is a valuable tool to add to the already well-equipped TWPS teacher toolbox!

Here is Daniel to explain in greater detail what ‘Circle Architecture’ is.

P&C Thank You and Goodbye

As we wrap up 2025, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to both Emily Crompton and Catherine Te Au. These wonderful women have given countless hours to our P&C, always showing up with dedication, kindness, and a genuine commitment to our school community.

Their contributions have made a meaningful impact on TWPS, and we are so grateful for everything they have done. While we are excited for the new chapter ahead for their families, their presence, support, and familiar faces will be dearly missed.

We wish them all the very best in this next stage and hope they stay connected with our TWPS family.

P&C Meetings – We’d Love You to Join Us!

Our next meeting will be held on Monday 8 December at the Calala Inn, starting at 6pm. If you are planning to attend, please RSVP to help us confirm numbers for the booking.

Looking ahead, our first meeting of 2026 will be on Monday 9 February at 5:30pm in the staff room, followed by our AGM on Monday 9 March 2026 at 5:30pm, also in the staff room.

As we move into a new year, we would love to welcome new members to our P&C. We completely understand that families are busy and that not everyone can help at every event. There are so many ways to be part of the P&C, and even simply coming along to share your ideas or join the discussion makes a meaningful difference.

To make it easier for everyone, Zoom links will be posted on our P&C Facebook group for those who can’t attend in person.

If you have any questions or would like to know more, please feel free to reach out.

We truly would love to see some new faces—there’s absolutely no pressure or commitment, just an opportunity to connect, contribute, and be part of something positive for our school community.

- Laura Jahnke

P&C Vice President

Term 4

Term 4 for canteen will see some changes to canteen days. They are as follows:

Thursday 11 December - Preordered salads only.

Friday 12 December -  Closed

Tuesday 16th December (Class Party Day) - Open all day for students to have lunch orders after they return, and icy poles at recess.

Thursday 18th December -  Last Day for canteen.

Presentation Rehearsal Day preorders are now available to order on Flexischools. Orders need to be in by 10am Tuesday the 9th December. No drinks can be ordered for that day. Preordered lunches will be delivered to the Town Hall for the children.

Class Party Day-Tuesday the 16th of December - I will have a special running of $3 cheeseburgers and $2.00 Juicebombs.

A reminder to please contact me via the school office if you need to speak with me. I will not answer messages on my personal Facebook, or in my personal time.

Lunch orders are required by 10.00am each day. Late lunch orders after this time will be a sandwich only. If your child has a lunch order and is leaving early or absent, please let the office staff know so they can pass the message on to me.

Have a great Christmas and Holiday!

-Amy Reading

Canteen Supervisor

Canteen Menu - SUMMER 2025 [Download]

Tamworth West Public School is a Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) school. PBL is a whole school program that encourages positive behaviour and allows students to become responsible for their own actions. Students and teachers work together to create a positive learning environment within our school using consistent procedures, language and expectations.

We have three expectations that underpin teaching and learning at Tamworth West Public School.

These are:

RESPECT

RESILIENCE

RESPONSIBILITY

We encourage students to uphold these expectations to a high standard. Our PBL motto is:

EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE, EVERY TIME

Positive Rewards

We have a school wide behaviour system that recognises and encourages positive behaviour. Students receive raffle tickets for displaying the correct behaviour. 

Weekly Lessons

Students participate in weekly school wide lessons that focus on a specific behaviour which is determined by data. There is a fortnightly focus area taught after each PBL assembly, for example, sportsmanship in games.

RESPECT

• We keep our areas tidy

• We use our manners

• We speak nicely to others

• We keep our hands and feet to ourselves

RESILIENCE

• We accept our consequences

• We use also inclusive

• We seek help when needed

• We solve problems peacefully

RESPONSIBILITY

• We look after our things

• We wear our school uniform

• We are honest

• We stay in the right areas

On Wednesday 19 November, our school was lucky to have the team from Be Skilled, Be Fit come and run a Ninja course!

The guys were here early with their trucks to set up 8 amazing activities including a rock climbing wall, balance beams, cargo net and the GREAT WALL (well 2 of them in fact). The Great Wall proved to be very popular with all students who continually challenged themselves to do better each time.

The student population was split in half with 8 groups in each half. We had 8 teachers plus SLSO’s  who rotated with their group showing them what to do and encouraging them at all times. At the end of the session, everyone was hot, thirsty and tired!

We were able to host this amazing event thanks to the Wellbeing team at school who paid for the visit, ensuring that all students would be able to attend.

Thanks to all the staff and students for their efforts on the day! We look forward to seeing them again soon!

Maths

This term in math, our Kindergarten students have been learning all about size and measurement in fun, hands-on ways! They are using words like longer, shorter, bigger, and smaller to compare the length of different objects. They have also been exploring how much space shapes take up by talking about which shapes have more or less area.

The children have been discovering volume by filling and packing containers, using language like more, less, and the same amount. Through simple activities, they are starting to feel and compare how heavy things are by saying if something feels heavier, lighter, or about the same as another object.

Most importantly, our Kindergarten learners are sharing their ideas and explaining their thinking to their friends, helping them become confident with new mathematical concepts.

Phonics

This term, our Kindergarten students are focusing on consolidating their phonics skills to build a strong foundation for reading and writing. This solid understanding will help them transfer their phonics knowledge as they move into Year 1, supporting their success in becoming confident readers and writers.

Writing

Over the past two weeks, our Kindergarten students have been exploring stories through a fun book called It’s a Miroocool! by Christine Harris. They have been listening to stories and looking at books to understand that stories can be shared in many different ways, like through reading, listening, and pictures. The children have also been learning about the important parts of a story and have been creating their own simple stories to practise their new skills.

We’re excited as we approach the last few weeks of kindergarten! There are lots of fun and engaging activities planned to keep our little learners busy and inspired. As the year draws to a close, we’ll be celebrating with creative arts and crafts projects that let the children’s imaginations shine. It’s the perfect way to finish the year with joy, creativity, and lots of smiles!

-Melinda Wilson, Jordana Cooper, Alle Wirth

Kindergarten Teachers

Writing

Over the past few weeks, our Year 1 students have been busy learning how to understand stories better by connecting characters and ideas to their own experiences. They have been using different books and texts to find information and learning important words that help us talk about specific subjects.

The children have also enjoyed comparing and thinking about different characters, asking questions to help them understand stories more deeply. One of the most exciting parts has been planning and creating their own inventions to solve real problems! The kids have absolutely loved using their creativity and imagination to design and build their own ideas.

It has been fantastic to see their enthusiasm and pride in their learning and creations!

Maths

Year 1 students are having lots of fun exploring 2D shapes and 3D objects. They have been investigating how to classify shapes and objects in different ways by looking at their features, such as sides, corners, and faces. The children are also learning that the flat surfaces on 3D objects are actually 2D shapes, and that 3D objects are named by their features.

Students have discovered that 3D objects can look different depending on how you view them and that objects with the same name can come in many sizes and appearances. 

It’s been wonderful to see the students working together, asking questions, and building their understanding through curiosity and play.

Writing

In recent weeks, our Year 2 students have been developing a deeper understanding of how language and images work together in stories and texts. They have been learning how pictures and symbols can show ideas and feelings, adding extra meaning beyond just words.

The children are also exploring figurative language, like metaphors and similes, and have been practising writing their own. They are discovering how personification—giving human qualities to things—can make stories more vivid and interesting.

It’s exciting to see the students enjoying these creative ways to express ideas and make their writing come alive!

Maths

Our Year 2 students have been making exciting discoveries in maths as they explore the world of shapes and objects! They have been learning that the flat surfaces on 3D objects, like cubes and prisms, are actually 2D shapes. The children are practising using mathematical language to name, describe and compare different 2D shapes and 3D objects.

Through hands-on activities, students have had fun building and taking apart prisms and cubes to understand how they are made. They have also seen how 3D objects can look different depending on the point of view or how they are turned.

We are proud of the students’ enthusiasm and curiosity as they explore and make connections in their maths learning!

From Years 1 & 2

We are super excited (and super sad) because the end of Year 1and Year 2 is almost here! We have many fun and interesting activities planned in the next few weeks.

We will be doing lots of hands-on activities, games, and group work to help keep learning in reading, writing, and math. These activities will be fun and help practise what we have learned this year.

This is a great time for our students to feel proud of all they have done this year and to have lots of fun as they finish the year. We can’t wait to make happy memories with them in these last few weeks.

Thank you for all your support this year!

End of Year

WOW! Can you believe that we are in December with less than 3 weeks to go until the end of the school year?? The year has gone so quickly, and this is the last newsletter for the year.

Homework Projects

Thank you to parents and carers who helped their children with their homework projects, focusing on how Christmas is celebrated around the world. Who knew that there are so many ways to celebrate Christmas and I am already seeing projects with different countries and traditions! Well done Stage 2 – we look forward to hearing all about your country.

Presentation Day

Presentation Day is fast approaching, and we look forward to celebrating our successes on Friday the 12th of December. The practice will be held the day before on Thursday 11 December. 

If you haven’t already given permission for your child to attend, please do so quickly. Well done to 4W who was the first class to have everyone’s permission given.

Class Party – Cinema excursion

Our visit to the cinema is coming up soon on the December 16. We look forward to having a fun day at the movies. Students can wear mufti clothing; however, they MUST wear their school hat. 

Payment is due Friday 5 December. 

As always, thanks to our families for the fabulous support they have given our staff this year. Mrs Lyon, Miss Roworth and Mr Willis and I are so proud to have taught such a great group of students, and we wish our students the best next year!

Thank you also to our fabulous team of teachers Mrs Lyon, Miss Roworth, Mr Willis and additional teachers and SLSO’s who have made a difference in the education and lives of our students.

We wish you a safe and happy holiday break.

-Felicity Bagshaw, Jonathan Willis, Hannah Roworth, Courtney Lyon

Stage 2 Teachers

And just like that, we have three weeks to go until the end of another incredible year! Year 5 are well on their way to becoming the leaders of the school, while Year 6 are saying their final goodbyes and soaking up the last few days of their primary school experience.  

In the Classroom 

Everyone has been working hard to wrap up their learning and consolidate their knowledge through post-assessments. Well done to all students for continuing to produce their personal best throughout such a busy term and making the most of their class time.  

Year 5’s CSI Detective Day at Peel High School

On Thursday 27 November, 14 Year 5 students participated in an exciting CSI Time Detective Day at Peel High School. During the event, students took on the role of archaeologists, studying ancient artefacts, mapping safe travel routes across various countries, and exploring the history and geography of past times.

The students demonstrated excellent knowledge and enthusiasm throughout the activities, engaging deeply with the challenges presented. Our school performed strongly in the competition, finishing in second place.

All students should be extremely proud of their outstanding efforts and achievements on the day.

Presentation Day

Presentation Day is just around the corner, on the 12th of December. Please make your child’s permission note has been given via SchoolBytes. 

Class Party – TenPins and More Excursion 

Our visit to Tamworth TenPins and More is coming up soon on the 16th of December. We look forward to having a fun day bowling and arcading. Students can wear mufti clothing; however, they MUST wear their school hat.

 Year 6 Graduation and Formal

The Year 6 Graduation Assembly will be held in the school hall on the 15th of December at 12:30 pm. That evening, Year 6 students will have their Year 6 Formal to celebrate the end of the primary school journey. 

Year 6, we are very proud of your accomplishments this year and hope that you continue to strive and follow your passions throughout your next chapter. You all will be very missed, and we wish you all the best in high school.

The last day of school for students will be Friday 19 December.     

As always, thank you to our families for the incredible support giving given our staff this year. Miss Burns, Miss Roworth, Miss Firth-Panetta, and I are so proud to have taught such a great group of students, and we wish all our students the best next year! 

Thank you also to our fabulous team of teachers Miss Burns, Miss Roworth, Miss Firth-Panetta, and SLSOs who have made a difference in the education and lives of our students.

The Stage 3 team wishes you a safe and happy holiday break. 

Thank .you  to all our families and staff for your ongoing support of our students.

-Kahla May, Grace Firth-Panetta, Emily Roworth, Dee Burns

Stage 3 Teachers

This term has been incredibly busy for both our students and teachers, filled with a variety of engaging school activities.

Our Year 6 students have participated in several high school transition days, which will greatly assist them in their upcoming move to high school. In addition, we have facilitated discussions and activities in the classroom to address any concerns and foster excitement about the positive aspects of this transition. As the school year draws to a close, we eagerly anticipate the Year 6 Formal. This is a joyful occasion for our Year 6 students, but it also brings a touch of sadness as we bid farewell and wish them well on their future educational journeys in high school.

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our families for their unwavering support of our staff throughout the year. We take immense pride in their achievements and wish them all the best for the coming year!

It has been a very busy and productive term in K-1N! Our students have worked incredibly hard to complete their end-of-year assignments, showing great effort and pride in their learning. 

We have also been preparing for our presentation performances, and the students have loved practising their roles, actions, and songs.

We are so proud of how confidently everyone has participated and how much growth we have seen throughout the term. K-1N has certainly earned a big celebration for all their hard work!

What an exciting term it has been for 2/6P! In English, we have been diving into the magical world of fairytales. The students have been exploring character descriptions and learning how to set the scene to captivate their audience. It’s wonderful to see their creativity shine as they bring these stories to life.

Maths

In Maths, we have been investigating chance and data. A highlight was our “delicious maths” activity, where we used tally marks to collect information and then created bar graphs to display our findings. The students really enjoyed this hands-on learning experience!

Museum Excursion

Stage 2 had a fantastic excursion to the Power Station Museum, where we explored how everyday objects and technologies have evolved over time. It was an inspiring trip that sparked lots of curiosity and discussion.

We are so proud of all the students and the progress they have made this year. A very special good luck to our Year 6 students as they head off to high school- we wish you all the best in your new adventures!

We look forward to continuing our learning journey together in 2026. Thank you for your ongoing support.

What a wonderful time we have had, exploring so many interesting things in math this term. We have been experimenting with angles in the environment, collating data to create graphs, examining 24hr times and discovering what the chance is of a number occurring within a set of numbers. Our favourite game has been Bingo to 100 and it has been fiercely competitive.

English

In English we have continued to progress with our phonics and reading. It is fantastic to see the progress everyone has made over the year and the smiles when the students realise how far they have come. We have continued to explore our fairytale’s theme looking at the Three Little Pigs, Rumpelstiltskin, and Hansel and Gretel. Analysing these Grimm tales has been interesting especially the discussion about why it is always the prince who saves the princess. The students had some insights into why this occurs in olden day stories. 

Assemblies

The students' efforts at the assemblies were outstanding! I was extremely proud of their presentation in all practices and the performances on the day. It can be very nerve-racking being on stage, but all students achieved so much. Well done to everyone.

Here are some photos of our class from the year. We have had some great fun doing lots of wonderful things. There are a few mask photos from that crazy and very loud assembly. Dress ups in our class is also a favourite. This is my costume from Book Week that still attracts kids to have a play with.

The last few weeks are upon us, and it can be a very overwhelming time. Please contact me on the class phone if anything arises so that we can work together to ensure a smooth and happy time for your child.

Oztag Primary School Gala Day

On Wednesday 5 November, four teams proudly represented Tamworth West at the Oztag Primary School Gala Day. Despite the challenging heat and playing up to six games throughout the day, all teams showed remarkable effort and determination.

While only one team advanced to the grand final, the Year 3/4 girls’ team gave their all right to the very end. Although they narrowly missed out on winning the final, their performance was outstanding. Every player displayed excellent teamwork and true sportsmanship, which is something to be very proud of.

Congratulations to all the players for their commitment and spirit throughout the day!

North West Cricket Selection

Congratulations to Cooper Hammond who recently was selected into the North West Primary Boys Open Cricket team. Both Cooper and Theo Tang were successful in making the Tamworth Zone team. They both travelled to Armidale on Thursday the 27th November to trial for the North West team. Cooper will head to Sydney very early next Year to represent the North West at the State Cricket Trials.  

Tamworth Junior Basketball Competition 

Our 5/6 Boys A Grade team, the Tamworth West Storm, have been successful in making the Grand Final of the A grade competition. The Boys will play the winner of St Edwards and Westdale this Thursday. We wish them all the best in the game. 

Well done to the ¾ Boys Tsunamis, who were recently knocked out in the major semifinal of the ¾ boys A grade competition. 

Well done to our 5/6 Boys b Grade West Thunder team who fought hard all season after winning a Grand final in C Grade earlier in the year. 

A big shout out to Bronte Rankmore and Kane Buttler who help coach our teams. We really appreciate your time and commitment. 

CHS Softball Team

Well done to Emily Vesey who has been selected to play for the North West Open Girls Softball team at Combined High Schools Carnival next year. It is an amazing achievement for a current Primary School student to make the team. Emily was able to attend the trials as will be in Year 7 next year making her eligible. Best of luck at the carnival next year Emily.  

We look forward to many more TWPS teachers being involved in QTR in 2026 and 2027.