Toongabbie West Public School
Term 3, Week 10 2024
Upcoming Events
2024
TERM 3
Wednesday 25 September - Preschool to Year 2 Responsible Pet ownership incursion
Friday 27 September - Last day of Term 3
Term 4
Monday 14 October - Staff and Students resume for Term 4
Tuesday 15 October - Early Stage 1 Excursion to Calmsley Hill City Farm
Principal Report
Celebration of Learning assembly
Toongabbie West Public School holds Celebration of Learning assemblies at the end of each term to acknowledge and recognise the learning and achievement of our students.
It was wonderful to see the students who earned their Gold and Silver awards come on stage to receive their certificate and the many parents who were part of this special assembly. These students were invited to enjoy morning tea with their parents and myself after the assembly.
Congratulations to our Gold and Silver award recipients.
Planning for 2025
If you are moving or intending on leaving Toongabbie West PS at the end of the year, could you please let us know via the link below:
https://forms.office.com/r/VZS6faUwUC
This does not include Year 6 students who will be going to high school in 2025. Accurate numbers are important for our class planning and staffing for 2025.
After School
Please remind your children to head straight home at the end of the school day. We have many students who are unsupervised at the park on Derbyshire Avenue after school.
I appreciate your support in this matter.
Intention to Apply for Year 7 Placement in a Selective High School in 2026
Selective high schools provide a learning environment designed for academically gifted and high potential students.
From 2025, the placement tests for selective high schools and opportunity classes will move from single version paper-based tests to computer-based tests.
There will also be changes to the application process for 2026 entry to selective high schools and opportunity classes.
These changes will result in:
a more engaging experience for students with computer-based testing
a longer application period for parents and carers to apply
more choice for parents and carers of when their child will sit a placement test
outcomes being released earlier to parents and carers.
The key changes are outlined on this webpage: https://education.nsw.gov.au/schooling/parents-and-carers/choosing-a-school-setting/selective-high-schools/application-process/changes-to-applying-for-entry-in-2026
Key dates – applying for entry in 2026
7 November 2024 to 21 February 2025 – parents and carers apply for selective high school or opportunity class entry in 2026.
2-4 May 2025 – students sit the selective high school or opportunity class placement test for entry in 2026.
19 May 2025 – make up test date (approved illness/misadventure requests)
Term 3, 2025 – placement outcomes and offers released to parents and carers
Term 1, 2026 – students who gain entry begin attending their opportunity class or selective high school
Smartwatch Update
Just a reminder that Smartwatches fall under the same category as 'mobile phones'.
I encourage students to leave these devices at home. However, we also respect that for some families, these remain an important communication tool after hours.
I do ask that if you do require your child to wear a smartwatch daily, that these devices follow the same procedure as regular mobile phones.
Our school procedure is that mobile phones and smartwatches must be handed in to the office at the start of the school day. These can be collected from the office at the end of the school day.
What’s new at TWPS
Our beautiful mural outside the canteen is now complete. It was mesmerising to watch the very talented artists transform what once was a brick wall, to a bright and cheerful space.
Facebook
Our school’s Facebook page showcases the wonderful learning that happens at our school. Toongabbie West Public School’s official Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/ToongabbieWestPS
Kindergarten Enrolment 2025
We are now taking online enrolments for our Kindergarten students commencing in 2025. We have our Orientation Days scheduled on Thursdays 31 of October and 7 and 14 November. Your child must be enrolled to attend these sessions.
To enrol, please visit our school website https://toongabwst-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/about-our-school/enrolment.html
WONDERFUL WORK BY THE STUDENTS
It is my absolute pleasure to see students achieving their learning goals.
I love having them visit me in my office.
Look at the amazing work that the students have shared with me this fortnight.
Wendy Kayello
Principal
K-2 Athletics carnival
Alina 2D
This morning when I was changing, I was really excited because it was the athletics carnival. I ate my breakfast as quick as I could and raced down the stairs. I finally arrived and I thought I was late, but I was actually ten minutes early! It was time for the athletics carnival. Mrs Stanford said ‘’can everybody get their water bottle?’’ Then everybody went to line up. Mrs Sangalang told everybody to go to their special lines.
I started at the relay race. Mrs Bae asked Ariah and me to have a photo to send it to Facebook. I ran as fast as a I could, and I didn’t expect that I Was 1st!! Then we went to discuss. I threw my discuss as far as I could and it landed right next to a tiny tree. My friend was very excited because her discuss went the furthest and highest. After we went to shot-put, hurdles, 100m sprint and lastly egg and spoon race. I was excited to see if I will win a ribbon at the assembly. I was also first in most of the races so I think I will get a better chance winning.
This is all about the athletics carnival.
Suyen 2D
At the K-2 Athletics carnival we did the 100m sprint. I did the race at the grass area in our school. The teacher there was Miss Stanford. As the whistle went, I ran as fast as a cheetah. I came first two times in running and first one time in skipping. Although I came second one time, I’m still proud of myself. Something funny that happened was Hudson said ‘no way Suyen you came before me to Drew. When we were coming back Paula kept on telling us to walk. Then we did discus. I kept on coming last. My dad kept on telling me what to do but I kept on coming last. We did more events like shotput, egg and spoon race, hurdles and relay race. There was more teachers like Mrs Sangalang, Mrs Bae, Mrs Ellis, Mrs Lui Chan, Miss Lohan and Miss Kalintas. I had so much fun!
PBL
In the Week 8 assembly, we congratulated these students for receiving a Bronze award. These students are on their way to receiving their first, second or possibly third silver award. Well done to all of these students on their hard work!
Over the last fortnight, (Term 3 Weeks 8 and 9) our PBL focus was to be safe by keeping our hands and feet to ourselves. This week’s PBL focus is to be respectful by always speaking politely.
Additionally, at the Week 9 Monday morning assembly, we congratulated these students in our school who have consistently demonstrated the PBL expectations. A huge congratulations to the students below!
Stage 1 Sydney Excursion
Year 1 and 2 students had an exciting excursion to Sydney Zoo! The day was filled with fun and learning as the children explored different animals and their habitats. They were thrilled to see lions, giraffes, native Australian wildlife and even the saltwater crocodile up close! The highlight was the Aboriginal culture workshop, where we heard animal sounds played on a didgeridoo, and the students even got to pat an eastern long-necked turtle! The students asked thoughtful questions and showed great enthusiasm as they learned about traditional Aboriginal tools and lifestyle. It was a fantastic day that everyone will remember, and we're already looking forward to our next adventure!
Here are some students’ recounts about the trip:
P&C NEWSLETTER
Our next P&C meetings will be held in Term 4.
Week 4, on Thursday 7th November at 9am in the school hall.
Week 8, Tuesday 3rd December at 7pm in the school library,
The meetings are a great way to see what the P&C is about, determine how you can become more involved in our school community, or hear from Ms Kayello on what the school has planned and what has happened recently.
Thanks to our school community fundraising efforts, this term the P&C have been able to donate funds towards supporting the Wakakirri performance and for school classroom supplies.
We hope to see you at our next meeting.
CANTEEN NEWS…
With the last term of 2024 upon us, the canteen remains open on Mondays and Wednesdays. If you are able to spare anytime between the hours of 9am-12pm on Monday, Wednesday or Fridays, please contact us via email.
We are looking for volunteers for 2025.
You will need a valid Working with Children Check (WWC) before you can start. The WWC can be applied online for free, through Service NSW. If you are interested in volunteering, please, contact the P&C.
Our price list can be found here- https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NHUh5DTp18AHognRwMnHQlofKLj0OVMIglhyorQF40Q/edit
UNIFORM SHOP…
The uniform shop is open on Thursday mornings 8:45-9:00 am, and will have extended hours for 2025 Kindy Orientation on the 31st of October and 7th and 14th of November.
Our uniform shop price list can be found here - https://drive.google.com/file/d/16zb_81AdXmddCRvL7AwRIfmnL5rs0tsG/view?usp=drivesdk
Second hand or preloved donations are always welcome. Please drop any items you wish to donate to the uniform shop on Thursday morning or to the canteen on Mondays and Wednesdays.
FUNDRAISING…
Our Term 4 fundraising will be the Christmas Raffle. If you have any contacts and would like to donate a prize for the raffle please contact the P&C via e-mail twpandc@gmail.com
Need to get in touch with the P&C?
Contact us via Facebook @ Toongabbie West Public School P&C | Sydney NSW | Facebook
OR Email us @ twpandc@gmail.com
CHAPLAIN'S CORNER
Girl Power Program – Building confidence, resilience and friendship
This term, our Year 6 girls successfully completed the "Girl Power" program, designed to build resilience, boost their self-esteem, and foster a strong sense of identity. Through engaging and interactive activities, the girls explored key topics such as recognising personal strengths, understanding body image, developing confidence, and building healthy friendships. We had fun making friendship bracelets and playing games together. We believe that these essential skills have empowered the girls to navigate challenges with confidence and lay a solid foundation for their future success.
Tips for Parents to Support Their Girls Regarding Body Image:
· Encourage Self-Love: Celebrate your daughter’s unique qualities and remind her that beauty is about who she is, not just how she looks. Regularly acknowledge her efforts, talents, and character.
· Promote Positive Self-Talk: Teach your daughter to embrace her strengths and practice self-kindness. Encourage her to focus on what her body can do, rather than how it looks, and praise her for trying new things with confidence.
· Have Open Conversations About Body Image: Normalize talking about body image in a positive way. Help her understand that every girl’s body is different and that true beauty comes from being healthy, confident, and kind to herself.
· Model Body Positivity: Show your daughter what it means to have a healthy, positive relationship with your own body. Avoid critical comments about appearance and emphasise self-care and self-acceptance.
· Support Positive Friendships: Encourage your daughter to build friendships with girls who uplift and inspire her. Teach her to value kindness and support in her relationships, both for herself and for others.
· Teach Media Awareness: Help your daughter see through unrealistic beauty standards in magazines, TV, and social media. Teach her that real beauty is about confidence, personality, and being true to herself.
If you’d like for your child to be part of the chaplain run programs or need support, please contact the classroom teacher via the office on 9631 3610. I am available on Thursdays/ Fridays at school and appointments can be made though the office.
Kind regards,
Agnes Anandaraj
(School Chaplain)