Tamworth West Public School

SASS Recognition Week

Next week is School Administrative and Support Staff Recognition Week. This week is all about recognising, respecting and celebrating what our SAS staff do to make schools accessible, safe, supportive and engaging places to learn.  

Our SAS staff play an important role in our school community. They are often the first people you see when you enter a school and are essential to maintaining positive relationships with students, parents and the community. They do an amazing job to keep schools running and learning continuing. 

It’s time to celebrate everything they do as Administration Officers, Business Managers, IT Officers, Learning Support Officers, Aboriginal Education Officers, General Assistants, Para-Professionals – every single one of these amazing professional roles support education in our school and it’s essential that we recognise just how important the work they do is!

Thank you to all our SAS staff. We are so fortunate that you work with us!

Roof Restoration

Our roof restoration work is continuing. A mix-up in ordering has resulted in another delay but we are hoping that work resumes next week and is completed by the end of term.

I am sure the finished product will be worth the wait.

Education and Book Week celebrations

Next week we are celebrating Education and Book Week here at Tamworth West and we really hope you can join us. 

We postponed these celebrations earlier in the term to give us the opportunity to have the fencing and scaffolding associated with the roof restoration works removed. Unfortunately, this still hasn’t happened, and we have decided to move ahead regardless.

Our Education Week assembly, open classrooms and sausage sizzle are being held on Monday, our Book Parade will take place on Wednesday and our Book Fair will operate across the week, and until 6:00 pm on Wednesday and Thursday.

Families and visitors to our school are advised to be mindful of the construction areas and move around our school with care.

Invitations and information flyers have been sent home with students and are available on Sentral.

School Protocols

Recently, there have been a few concerns raised around the safety of our students. Please be mindful of the following:

• Parents/carers and visitors are very welcome to wait for children inside the school grounds. We recommend waiting on the top grass area (off William Street), on the middle grass area (near the Church Street pedestrian crossing) or under the canteen COLA (near the Denne Street canteen gate). You are reminded that unless previously organised with the classroom teacher, parents/carers and visitors are not to enter classrooms without signing in through the front office and explaining the reason for the visit.

• The school office and school gates open at 8.30 am each morning. Unfortunately, we continue to have students at school from as early as 7:30 am. This is not acceptable. The Department of Education’s legal services offers the following information in relation to supervision of students:

The School's supervision roster starts from 8:55 am. There are no staff available to supervise your child in the playground prior to this time.

We understand that many parents may have commitments at work which require them to start early. There is a Before and After School Care service which      operates within the school from 6:30 am every school morning. As an alternative, you may be able to make arrangements with friends or neighbours for the     supervision of your children before school. Some families in our school who have working parents take turns to take each other's children to school.

Whatever arrangements you make, you need to understand that you remain responsible for your child prior to 8:55 am when the school’s supervision         begins.

• Students should not be using the play equipment before or after school without teacher supervision.

We are transitioning to a new finance system - School Bytes

We are excited to announce our school will be transitioning to an upgraded School Bytes finance system on 12 September 2023! 

In preparation for the transition to a simplified finance system for both you and the school, we will be required to implement a short payment lockout period where we will not be able to receive any payments. 

What this means for you:

• No payments can be made online from 9am, Tuesday 5 September 2023. 

• Last day to make cash, cheque or EFTPOS payments will at 1pm on Wednesday 6 September 2023. 

• We will advise you when payments can resume closer to the above date 

• Any existing payment links that have been sent to you previously in emails can still be used after the transition and will automatically redirect to the new system 

• After the transition, a School Bytes portal will be available for you to register and begin using 

(Link: https://portal.schoolbytes.education) 

• All previous payments made will be migrated to the new School Bytes finance system and portal 

• Moving forward, when making a payment online, you will be redirected to a Service NSW page to complete an online payment. This is the new payment platform for online as directed by the NSW Department of Education. 

• Payments made online will display as 0SCHOOLSONLINE 0000 PARRAMATTA AUS on your bank statements moving forward. 

What is the School Bytes portal? 

The School Bytes portal provides flexibility for you to conveniently: 

• Make school payments online (including paying for multiple siblings at once) 

• Use a family credit to pay for an activity or school contributions 

• Download a receipt for payments made 

• View all historical payments in one place 

• Complete and submit digital permission notes 

• View the status of all permission notes 

• Request a refund if required 

This can be done where you want at any time: day or night. 

Through the portal, you will easily be able to download a receipt once a payment has been made and have access to view all historical payments when needed. Online payments are processed in real-time and can be viewed by school staff immediately.

While our preference is for payments to be made via the portal, we will still accept payment via cash, cheque, money order and EFTPOS.

Lost Property

I hope you are enjoying the lovely weather over the last few days. It is at this time of year, every year, that I remind our families to be sure to check your child’s jumpers and jackets and make sure they are labelled with their name. As the weather warms up, students tend to leave their winter clothes around the school. If you are missing a jumper or two, drop in and check out lost property.

Child Safety Update

The “NSW Police Legacy Child Safety Handbook” is a comprehensive and free resource to assist parents, carers as well as teachers on a range of topics essential to child safety.  

The updated digital edition includes important content updates from: NSW Rural Fire, NSW Ministry of Health, NSW Police Force, Fire and Rescue NSW, Transport NSW, State Emergency Services, NSW Department of Family & Community Services, eSafety Commissioner and NSW Office of the Children's Guardian.

We are pleased to advise that a new edition of this valuable safety resource is now valuable online with updated safety content. Please read the Child Safety Handbook here.

We urge all parents and carers to download this latest edition and discuss the safety content with your children.

In addition, families are encouraged to visit the Child Safety Hub.

Check-in Assessments

Before the end of term, Year 6 will sit the Check-in Assessment over three days. This is an online assessment for students in NSW and will assess their reading, numeracy and writing skills. The best way to prepare for these assessments is to ensure students get quality sleep beforehand. You will be advised when students will be participating in these assessments.

Father’s Day

Thank you to the P&C who organised the Father’s Day Stall for our students today. The students had a lovely time shopping for some special people in their lives. We hope all dads, grandads, stepdads, uncles and those stepping up as father figures for our students enjoy a special day on Sunday.

Terrie Kay

Principal

Yaama, 

This month has seen the continuation of our Didgeridoo and weaving lessons. It is wonderful to see the progress students are making and their confidence growing.

Drawing Us Together

The Drawing us Together winners will be announced in a presentation at Tamworth Square next Thursday. Those students whose artwork was displayed in the shopping centre will walk over to Tamworth square on Thursday afternoon at 1:15pm. 

Term 4 Cultural Excursions

Plans are underway for our cultural excursions. At this stage we are hoping to go ahead in week 3 of term 4. The venue will be Trelawney Station (near Somerton).

Yaluu

Father’s Day Stall

Thank you to everyone who volunteered to run the Father’s Day stall. We hope that all of our Tamworth West families have a fantastic day on Sunday.

Next meeting

Our next meeting will be on Monday 11 September at 5:30 pm in the staff room. New members are always welcome.

Hi from the canteen!

I just would like to say a thank you for the support for the canteen made winter warmer meals. They have been a massive success and it makes me happy knowing the kids are enjoying them! As the weather warms up, these will be in limited stock, and I will be making some creative and fresh salads to go on the menu. I am always open to ideas/suggestions to add to the menu, providing I can do it within the Healthy Canteen Strategy that we follow.

Prices

As you know, the cost of everything continues to rise and we too must raise prices on a few items. We understand times are hard for families and the decision to do so hasn’t been taken lightly. We have raised only some items by very minimal amounts to try and keep the impact on families as little as possible.

Term 4 Menu

Please see a copy of the new term 4 menu with up pricing and some new additions to the available snacks, which will be available from September 5 2023.

Thank you

Amy Reading

Canteen Manager

Canteen Menu [Download]

Tamworth West Public School is a Positive Bevahiour 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

What’s happening in Kinder…

Mathematics

The new Department units of work in Mathematics are a lot of fun. Kindergarten Math is mostly hands-on activities, using different resources both inside and outside the classroom. Over the last few weeks, Kindergarten has been developing their skills at making equal groups when sharing objects. We have been using language like ‘fair share’, ‘equal groups’, and ‘same as’.  Kinders are now learning how to record this information accurately on paper using pictures and numbers. 

Kinder have continued to develop their understanding of patterns. We are learning to identify the core of the pattern, which is the part that ‘repeats over and over and over again’. Students continue to make repeating patterns using drawings, clapping and moving and using link cubes. 

In week 7 of this term, Kinder completed a fun math activity titled, ‘How Long is Your Hug?’ In this task, we had to compare lengths using direct comparison. Students had to look around the classroom and predict something that was the same length as our outstretched arms. We then tested our predictions. If incorrect, we had to find a different item in the room which was the same length as our arm span. 

Sport

For sport, students have been participating in games to refine their skills and hand-eye coordination. With a focus on the sport, ‘T-ball’, students worked on how to hold a baseball bat correctly, and the way to position our body next to the tee, ready to strike. During a modified game-based scenario, students learnt how to strike the ball, run between bases and field the ball. 

Up next, we will be continuing to work on our hand-eye coordination and the fundamental movement skills involved in the sport, basketball.

Creative Arts

This week Kindergarten were introduced to the famous artist, Picasso and his style of art, cubism. We were asked to produce a colourful artwork using templates and coloured card. Here are some of our creative pieces, which show a great first effort in creating a piece of cubism artwork. 

Coming Up...

Week 8:     Education Week and Book Week.

Week 10:   Tuesday - Kindergarten 2024 Information Session 

Term 4:      Kindergarten Orientation – Weeks 1,2,3 & 4 - Wednesdays

Georgie Wilson & Kahla May

Kindergarten Teachers

Reading

Ms Deaves and Miss Dwyer have been absolutely blown away by the improvement in our students' reading. Thank you to parents for all the extra reading you are doing at home; this is making a big difference in the classroom. Remember a special award is given out at assembly when 5 pages of your child’s home reading diaries are completed.

Writing

In writing, we have been making comparisons between characters in imaginative and informative texts. We explored facts about ants and also how an ant can be portrayed as a character in different stories.  

Science

Students investigated the ways Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples combine different materials to produce utensils. We were able to understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples make utensils for many different purposes. We designed and made a utensil from natural materials It needed to have a purpose, and we had to decide on the best materials to make it.  

Assemblies

1SD will be presenting our assembly in Week 8 – Friday 8 September. 

1D will be presenting our assembly in Week 10 – Friday 22 September. 

Assemblies begin at 2.45 pm, please come along and support our classes.

Samantha Deaves & Nadine Dwyer

Year 1 Teachers

Reading

Stage 1 have been doing an amazing job with our decodable readers. Reading is a fundamental part of our life, and it has been a pleasure to see students develop a passion for reading. We regularly practise sounds using our Phonic PowerPoints and the consistence has made a difference for our kids. 

Spelling

In Year 2 there has been a massive growth in our spelling results. Our spelling is differentiated to further help cater for all students. In 2P we completed our Term 3 Mid Spelling Test and there has been a massive jump of students going from red to orange and green spelling words. We compared our results from Term 1 and we are very pleased. 

In Year 2 our homework is a great way to practise our spelling at home. We have differentiated passages and activities to further support our understanding of our weekly spelling rules and sounds.

Assembly

2P presented their assembly item in Week 6. Students created a video on: ‘What we aspire to be’.

For anyone who missed the assembly, you can watch the video below. 

Kathleen Harris & Jordan Pollock

Year 2 Teachers

What a fabulous month we've had in Stage 2.

Sport and STEM

Over a fortnight, students are involved in several activities that allow them to work with different students from their peer group, including students from 1-4M and 3-6L. Every Thursday, students complete two different sporting rotations working with all the teachers and staff within the stage.

Students join in on different STEM activities every second Friday (odd weeks). This term students are creating straw rockets with Mrs Lyon, lava lamps with Mrs Wirth, roller coasters with Miss Rivenell, pencil towers with Miss Firth-Panetta and cardboard boomerangs with Mr Lyon. Over the course of the term, students will have the chance to complete all 5 activities.

Personalised Learning Pathways (PLP)

Congratulations to Isla Eldridge for being one of our first Stage 2 students to complete her PLP goal. She received her chosen reward of a Zooper Dooper from Mrs Lyon.

Reciprocal Reading

During Reciprocal Reading this month, we have been learning about Australian Animals including the platypus, sugar glider and the numbat, as well as the introduced rabbit. During these lessons, we are clarifying our understanding of words, questioning what we have read, and learning how to summarise the information we have read. Up until now, they have been teacher-led lessons, but we are starting to become more independent learners.

Sydney Excursion

It was great to see such a great turnout at out parent information night for our upcoming excursion. If you were unable to make it please be assured that all classroom teachers are available to answer any of your questions and that any information will be sent home with your child.

A reminder that the final payment for the excursion was due today (September 1) as well as any outstanding medical notes.

 If you have any questions please contact your child’s classroom teacher.

Courtney Lyon

Classroom Teacher, 3L

Learning in the classroom

In English, students are really enjoying our poetry unit and it has been amazing to see the creative language that the students have been putting into their writing. Students have been writing colour, simile and diamante poems and are working on haiku, limerick and cinquain poems in coming weeks. We hope we can show you their amazing work during the upcoming classroom visits in Education Week. 

Stage 3 are still working hard with the Strategic School Support team to further our knowledge and skills in multiplicative thinking in Mathematics. The students are really enjoying engaging in intentional mathematics talks and verbalising their strategies used to solve problems.

In Science, we have been completing experiments to look at the differences in solids, liquids and gases and this has been exciting for the students to work with their peers to conduct these experiments. 

High School Transition

As we get closer to the end of the year, the high school transition days are starting for our year 6 students. With the exception of one taster day for Peel High School in Term 3, these taster and orientation days will be happening throughout term 4, so please keep an eye on notes as they come out closer to the dates. This is a great opportunity for students to familiarise themselves with their high school for confidence and a smooth transition. 

Year 6 Formal Change of Date

Last week, we sent out a note to our year 6 parents about the change of date for the Year 6 Formal. We have been lucky enough to secure the Jockey Club again this year for the formal, however, our original date was booked. The new date for the Year 6 Formal is Tuesday 5 December 2023 (Term 4, Week 9). Please note that the Year 6 graduation assembly will remain on the original date of Monday 11 December and it is just the formal date that has now changed. 

Mini Muddies

We are very excited to be going back to participate in the Mini Muddies day on 15 September. The children always come back with massive smiles after a wonderful day and are already very excited about it. 

We thank you for your ongoing support and we look forward to seeing you all this week for our Education Week assembly, open classrooms and Book Week parade.

Sally Nuske and Kirrily Milton

Assistant Principals - Stage 3

This month in the support unit we have continued our learning journey. There are so many activities happening for our class members at the moment.  

CAPERS

We have students practising for the CAPERS spectacular run by the region. This involves thousands of students from across the region and showcases the talent hidden in plain sight in our schools. This will continue and culminate in two days of performances at the TRECC on 10 and 11 November. It is always exciting to watch them join with their peers from many other schools and work together to create something wonderful!

Canberra Excursion

Some of our students have just been on the Canberra excursion with Mr Ward. Mr Lyon checked in regularly to make sure that Mr Ward was eating his vegetables and behaving himself. They had a fantastic time and our classes have heard about their many adventures. Did you see our photos on the school’s Facebook page? 

Stage 3 CPR

Our Stage 3 students were excited to celebrate with Mr McFarland, teaching his 50 000th student CPR. Mr McFarland taught us all about the emergency procedure, DRSABCD. We practised doing the recovery position with our friends and we were very handy! We learnt that CPR stands for Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation and consists of 30 compressions to two rescue breaths. We practised on dummies and it was surprising to find out how intensive it was on our energy reserves. 

Stage 2 History

Our stage 2 students continue to study the history around the establishment of Sydney, including some of the less than kind occurrences and behaviours of the time, in preparation for their excursion in week 2 next term. Students have expressed their dismay at how people treated each other in the past and explained how we are better now. This is one of the main reasons we study history at school and it is fantastic to see how they express their views.

School Photos + Multi Sports Day

School photos and the ‘Multi-Sports Day’ were back to back and have gone off without any issues. The students enjoyed the many different sporting activities and had lots of laughs and fun throughout the day.

We’re all looking forward to the Book Parade on Wednesday 6 October! So don’t forget your costumes!!

Chris Lyon                           Kylie Taber                     Linda McEnerny

3-6L                                     3-6T                                     K-4M

Boys State PSSA Football Trials

Both Jaylen Krog-Hazlewood and Jett Gleeson recently attended the State PSSA Boys Football Championships in Nelsons Bay. The boys thoroughly enjoyed the week representing the North West team. Whilst the team was not able to grab a win in the round games, they did beat Barrier in their playoff 2 – 1 to finish the week on a win. Well done, Jaylen and Jett. 

Zone and Regional Athletics Trials

We had 32 students qualify for the Zone Athletics Carnival after their impressive results at our own carnival. The Zone Carnival was Friday 11 August. A big thank you to Francine Wrigley for assisting our students on the day. Also thank you to Jayden Grainger for his time in taking a lot of amazing photos of our kids. 

Students who were in the top 4 of the track events and those in the top 2 of the field events, and made the required qualifying distances, went onto the Regional Carnival which was held last Wednesday 30 August. 

Jonathan Willis

Sports Coordinator