News

Coronavirus - Department of Education statement

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 19:05:33 AEDT

The department is working with the Ministry of Health to monitor and respond to the unfolding international novel coronavirus situation.

Get up-to-date information about the department's response to novel coronavirus.

#Ready2020 – a great year starts here

Tue, 21 Jan 2020 13:28:12 AEDT

Starting school is a big moment in a child’s life. Here’s how to make the most of it.

We can’t wait for you to join us for a great year – the first step towards a lifelong love of learning.

Visit the department’s primary school resources for hints, tips and checklists to make a great start to the new school year, whether your child is starting Kindergarten or Year 6.

You’ll find:

Getting ready for primary school booklet – everything you need to be #Ready2020
Daisy’s First Day – the story of Daisy the koala’s first adventure at Kindergarten
advice from teachers – they’ve been through this before.

Video – #Ready2020: First day of Kindy

Duration – 1:00

Staying healthy into the new school year

Fri, 20 Dec 2019 16:49:24 AEDT

Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way to protect your family from harmful diseases this holiday season and into 2020. Visit your doctor for general health and vaccination advice.

Immunisation not only protects you and your family but also others in your community, by reducing the spread of preventable diseases.

Children starting school in 2020 must have up-to-date immunisations to enrol.

These vaccinations help protect children from highly infectious and severe diseases including whooping cough and measles.

Travel health

If you’re travelling overseas during the school holidays, you may need vaccinations or medication – both for general health protection and for region-specific diseases.

If you’re travelling to the Northern Hemisphere, you may even need a flu shot.

Find out more about staying healthy while travelling.

NSW schools respond to bushfires

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 17:14:36 AEDT

Many schools are responding to the catastrophic fire rating that is affecting communities across the state this week.

We are continuously updating the School safety page with a list of government and non-government schools, as well as TAFE NSW campuses that are currently non-operational.

While some schools are temporarily non-operational due to localised fires, many others in high-risk areas are non-operational as a precautionary measure.

Schools in some areas are being used as emergency evacuation centres at the direction of the Rural Fire Service.

For schools that are currently operational, school pickups and dropoffs will continue as usual. If your school is currently non-operational, it will likely remain so tomorrow.

Large scale distressing events affect our school communities in many ways. Headspace’s mental health support resource (PDF 100.52KB) is available to help students, teachers and school staff respond to the bushfires.

Visit the School safety page for updates. The department’s Facebook and Twitter accounts will also provide updates during this period.

Grab a ticket to Schools Spectacular 2019

Tue, 22 Oct 2019 16:02:58 AEDT

Will you be joining us at Schools Spectacular 2019? Tickets are on sale now. Experience our live show featuring a cast of thousands of public school students from across metropolitan, rural and remote regions of NSW.

Students from different ages, cultures and backgrounds will share the spotlight as they dance, play and sing for you. Choose from one of our four massive performances at Qudos Bank Arena on Friday 22 November and Saturday 23 November.

This year's events will feature:

more than 380 schools
5,500 performers
a 3000-strong choir
2,300 dancers
an 80-piece symphony orchestra
a world-class stage band.

Group bookings

Need to make a group booking for over 10 people? Complete the Schools Preview Order Form 2019 (PDF 110KB) to attend the discounted 11am Friday matinee. The Friday matinee is discounted for school students and accompanying teachers.

If you’d like to grab a spot at one of the other three remaining shows complete the Group Booking Form 2019 (PDF 110KB).

Tickets for you and your family and friends

Save you and your family a spot online or by phone on 132 849.

Video – Schools Spectacular 2019

Duration: 0:26

Have your say on before and after school care

Fri, 13 Sep 2019 13:38:05 AEST

We want to better understand your needs for before and after school care in NSW.

Have your say today on before and after school care.

Fill out the survey by Service NSW to share your specific care needs and to register interest to stay informed of new developments.

Your input will provide insights into where there are gaps in service availability and help us to deliver extra places where they are needed.

You can also contact the team responsible for rolling out the before and after school care commitment at BASCreform@det.nsw.edu.au.

Book yourself in for Reading Hour

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 11:24:35 AEST

This Australian Reading Hour, encourage your child to discover or rekindle their love of a good book. Take the time to learn, escape and relax on Thursday 19 September and read for one hour.

Get involved at home

Join in at home and read your child a bedtime story. Studies show that reading a bedtime story six days a week can give kids almost a year’s head start when they begin school. Reading has also been shown to develop empathy, promote critical thinking and help children find a sense of self.

Join in from the classroom

Bestselling children’s author and illustrator Matt Stanton will broadcast live to primary school children across the country from the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday 17 September. We invite schools to register for the livestream of this free event.

Stanton’s author talk is among more than 140 events happening across the country involving more than 50 authors.

Take the Book Swap Challenge

We all have favourite books that we come back to again and again.

To help celebrate Reading Hour take our Book Swap Challenge. We want students, teachers, staff and parents to try reading something new on the day. To get involved, simply pair up with someone and swap your favourite books.

Take a photo and tag it with #ReadingHour so we can see how you got involved.

Video – #ReadingHour authors talk about their favourite place to read

Duration: 0:38

Looking for a good spot to open a book? We asked authors Benjamin Law, Morris Gleitzman, Jacqueline Harvey and Mick Elliott about their favourite place to read.

How to be smart and safe on social media

Thu, 05 Sep 2019 11:44:55 AEST

Use our new Digital Citizenship toolkit to empower your child to understand how their online behaviour affects themselves and others.

You and your child can find information on:

how to ‘be positive’ by understanding online behaviour and its effect
'be smart’ by thinking critically and being digitally aware
'be safe’ by protecting your security, privacy and wellbeing.

A toolkit to empower you and your child

You can find articles and videos to equip and empower your child to minimise the risks and maximise the opportunities in our digital future.

We’ve partnered with leading researchers to produce a curated toolkit – aligned to the curriculum – which teachers and you can share with the young people in your lives.

Guide your child through important concepts such as:

managing privacy settings in social media
collaborating online
avoiding scams and hoaxes
understanding the law when it comes to online speech
Internet banking, shopping online and much more.

Keep your child safe and happy online

Visit and bookmark the Digital Citizenship website. We’ll continue to add articles and resources to ensure the best possible tools are available to help you guide your child to be positive, smart and safe online.

Education Week – Every student, every voice

Thu, 01 Aug 2019 14:09:29 AEST

We are celebrating our students and their powerful voices this Education Week Monday 5 August to Friday 9 August. Every year Education Week celebrates the achievements of public schools, our students and the value of public education.

This year, the theme is Every student, every voice.

Join us for #EdWeek19 as we celebrate our students and their power to shape the world.

Video – #EdWeek19 – Every student, every voice

Duration: 0:34

Creative and Active Kids vouchers now available

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 11:39:54 AEST

Creative kids can now put a $100 voucher towards extra-curricular creative activities outside of school.

Together with Active Kids, this program aims to encourage more NSW children to participate in a range of extra-curricular activities such as coding, languages, circus, performing arts and visual arts.

Parents can apply for one $100 voucher for each child enrolled in school on the Creative Kids website and use it towards the cost of registration, participation or tuition. You just redeem the voucher with a registered provider in your area when making your payment.

This is a great opportunity for your child to become involved in a range of activities that will build on their education, growth and development.

Service NSW is working with industry bodies to deliver the program.

For more information, contact Service NSW on 137 788 or creativekids@service.nsw.gov.au.

The Game Changer Challenge is back

Fri, 31 May 2019 12:25:35 AEST

It’s not too late to become a Game Changer with applications for the Education Week challenge due by 7 June.

The Game Changer Challenge brings 16 teams from public schools across NSW – eight from primary and eight from secondary – to Sydney during Education Week in August for a three-day, intensive design-thinking workshop.

The Game Changer workshops, which start on Tuesday 6 August, includes teacher training in the use of design thinking as a teaching methodology and its application for school planning.

It also includes a team competition where schools will work under the guidance of experts from industry and academia to develop a solution to this year’s critical question: How might we humanise technology?

Department of Education Secretary Mark Scott has encouraged students and teachers to get behind the event as it highlights the critical thinking students will need to develop to succeed in the future.

“The Game Changer Challenge is an exciting initiative that helps educate and inform our students and teachers on how to integrate the problem-solving methodology of design thinking into the classroom,” Mr Scott says.

“It embraces the 21^st century skills our students will need to thrive in a globalised world such as collaboration, creative thinking and communication.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students at all levels to be involved in discussing and addressing a real-world issue that will affect their future lives. I encourage every school to get involved.”

The challenge is designed to make strong learning and teaching connections to the NSW syllabus specifically in the area of developing general capabilities such as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, communication and problem-solving.

The challenge also provides teachers with an opportunity to gain exposure to the design thinking process and includes teacher resources to introduce this creative problem-solving methodology into the classroom.

Finalists will be selected based on a 60-second video that showcases your team’s vision around the question of humanising technology.

For more information email edweek@det.nsw.edu.au or visit the Game Changer Challenge page.

Your NAPLAN questions answered

Thu, 09 May 2019 15:18:00 AEST

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. The tests assess the foundational skills in reading, writing, spelling and numeracy that are essential for every child to progress through school and life.

This year NAPLAN takes place between 14 and 16 May for paper tests and between 14 and 24 May for schools participating in NAPLAN Online.

NAPLAN data is used to help monitor student progress over time against a national measure and to identify areas of strength and improvement. It is used in combination with other school assessments to guide and support student learning.

Watch students ask an expert the tough questions about NAPLAN.

Video – Kids ask the hard questions

Duration – 3:45

Apply now for My Community Project funding

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 15:11:43 AEST

Do you have a great idea to improve your area?

My Community Project is a new NSW Government funding program that is all about local ideas, local projects and local decisions.

You can apply now for grants from $20,000 - $200,000 for projects that will make a difference to your community. Projects could include new playground equipment, sports facilities, paths or ramps to improve access, public art or a community service.

The local community can vote for their favourite projects in July and successful projects will be announced in September.

Project applications close 15 May 2019.

Apply for My Community Project funding

Bring back memories, not measles

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 15:21:46 AEST

With school holidays just around the corner, it’s time to visit your doctor to check that you and your family are fully protected against measles, before you travel overseas.

Measles is a serious, highly contagious, viral illness that is easily spread through the air when an infectious person coughs, sneezes or breathes. If you and your family are not fully vaccinated, or have never been vaccinated, you are at risk of contracting measles.

Not sure if you’re fully protected?

In Australia, the measles vaccine (MMR) consists of 2 doses. If you’re not sure whether you’ve had 2 doses of the measles vaccine, visit your doctor. It’s safe to receive another dose.

Children born in Australia

If your children were born in Australia, they may have received the measles vaccine at 12 months old and the second dose at 18 months, in accordance with the National Immunisation Program.
If you have a baby under 12 months old, consult your doctor about getting their measles vaccination.

Adults born in Australia

Born before 1966 – you were most likely exposed to measles as a child and are generally considered to be immune. If in doubt, ask your GP.
Born between 1966 and 1994 – you may not have received 2 doses. Talk to your doctor about the free vaccine if you’re unsure.
Born after 1994 – the National Immunisation Program offers 2 doses, and you can check your vaccination status using the Australian Immunisation Register.

For more information about the measles vaccination, visit NSW Health or consult your local doctor.

5 road safety tips for parents and carers

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 13:30:15 AEDT

Now that students are back to school after a break it’s a good time to chat with your child about safe behaviours when you walk or commute to school.

Here are our top tips to help our students make a safe trip:

1. Be alert and aware

Take note of the dangers you come across on your walk and bring them to your child’s attention. Point out dangers, such as vehicles coming out of driveways. Talk to your child about being alert in a road environment.

2. Hold hands

When on the footpath, at a crossing or in a car park always hold your child's hand. It is advised to do this up to the age of at least 8 years old and closely supervise until at least the age of 10.

3. Choose a safe crossing

Lead by example and choose a safe place to cross the road. Explain why it is the safest place to cross.

4. Set a good example

Your child watches everything you do, so if you cross at the crossing they will too. It is also important to share these messages with other carers who may walk with your child to school.

5. Stop, Look, Listen, Think every time you cross the road

Discuss this important road safety message. STOP! one step back from the kerb. LOOK! continuously both ways. LISTEN! for the sounds of approaching traffic. THINK! whether it is safe to cross.

Practise makes perfect

The more supervised practice your child can get the better, so why not make Term 1 the start of a new routine to walk with your child to school more often.

Older children may be ready to make the journey to school independently. Before they take this step, observe if they are road safe and reinforce the road safety messages.

For more information, check out the department’s pedestrian safety advice for students, parents and carers.

Back to school

Fri, 25 Jan 2019 15:01:59 AEDT

The first day of Kindergarten and the return to school in the new year are busy times for your child – and for the entire family. To help you make the most of this time and enjoy the experience, we’ve compiled some useful tips and checklists. We want every student to be known, valued and cared for in our schools.

Our film #FirstDay2019 captures the excitement – and the nerves – of the rite of passage that is the first day of Kindergarten.

Video – Back to School 2019: First Day at Kindy

Duration – 1:00

2019 school budget allocations

Mon, 12 Nov 2018 16:25:41 AEDT

Like all NSW public schools, this week we will receive a School Budget Allocation Report with our funding for 2019. The report will help us manage our total budget delivered through the Resource Allocation Model (RAM).

The RAM supports schools through needs-based funding to ensure a fair, efficient and transparent allocation of funds. Our school has the flexibility to make local decisions based on the specific needs of our students.

We will use our 2019 funding to support students and improve educational outcomes. The school executive will continue to work with the school community as we implement the school plan using this needs-based funding.

Learn more about the 2019 RAM funding.

Young Archie Exhibition

Wed, 05 Sep 2018 21:46:34 AEST

A quick tour of Stage 2's Young Archie Exhibition.

2018 Student Leaders

Wed, 05 Sep 2018 21:46:33 AEST

The 2018 Student Leadership program begins!

During Term Four all our current year five students will be participating in a Student Leadership program. This series of lessons will occur once a week with the purpose of preparing 2018's year six students for various school leadership roles.

Students who wish to stand for the Student Leader positions will need to return the Declaration of intention to run for the position of Student Leader in 2018 form (pdf 299 KB).

More information can be found in the 2018 Student Leader application process note (pdf 502 KB) that was sent home at the end of Term 3, 2017.

Students and families can also access our Student Leadership Site for details of each session, notes, FAQs and resources.

Any questions, please contact Gaby Gutjahr on gabrielle.gutjahr@det.nsw.edu.au or call the school on 02 4681 8476.

Visit our Conversation Cafe!

Wed, 05 Sep 2018 21:46:31 AEST

Come along and join our launch of our Conversation Cafe!

We look forward to spending time chatting with Thirlmere P.S.'s community members at our new Conversation Cafe on Monday 18 September.

Visit our Facebook page to show your interest in this event.

Please contact the school if you would like more information.

Education Week 2017

Wed, 05 Sep 2018 21:46:32 AEST

Education Week 2017

This year we are combining Education and Book Weeks, during the third week of Term Three.

Visit our school Facebook page to sign up for our parent information sessions!

We would also like to invite all community members along to our whole-school assembly on Thursday 3 August at 10am to celebrate our love of learning at Thirlmere!

2017 selection procedures for Year 5 Opportunity Class placement in 2018

Wed, 05 Sep 2018 21:46:31 AEST

Online applications are now open to current Year 4 students who intend to apply for placement in an opportunity class in 2018 (Year 5).

All applications must be made online by going to the following website: http://education.nsw.gov.au/selective-high-schools-and-opportunity-classes/year-5. Applications must be completed by Friday 12 May 2017.

A note will be going home on Wednesday 3 May that includes a notice to be returned to school. It indicates to us whether your child is intending to apply for opportunity class placement in 2018 (this notice is not the application however, please still apply online).

All students seeking Year 5 opportunity class placement in 2018 will be required to take the Opportunity Class Placement Test on Wednesday 26 July 2017.

For more information, please read the OC Information Booklet (pdf 329 KB).

Community/Parent Forums

Wed, 05 Sep 2018 21:46:32 AEST

Join us!

Each new school year brings with it the chance to make changes and improve our current practices, whilst still maintaining those opportunities and experiences that we value as a school community.

Over the coming term we will be holding informal community/parent forums to discuss and develop our school vision, reflect on our school strategic directions and look at ways in which we can continue to build a community that is striving for excellence academically, socially and emotionally for all children.

These meetings will be a brainstorming session and an opportunity to express your views and opinions about the school's current and future directions.

We would love to see as many parents attend as possible. To provide everyone with the opportunity to come along, two sessions will be held:

Monday 31 October at 9:15am (straight after assembly)

Wednesday 2 November at 5:30pm - 6:30pm

Applying to a Selective High School in 2018?

Wed, 05 Sep 2018 21:46:33 AEST

Intention to apply for Year 7 entry to a selective high school in 2018

Selective high schools cater for highly achieving academically gifted students who may otherwise be without classmates at their own academic and social level. These schools help gifted and talented students to learn by grouping them with other gifted and talented students, teaching them in specialised ways and providing educational materials at the appropriate level.

Applications for selective high school placement are considered mainly on the basis of the Selective High School Placement Test results and school assessment scores. The Selective High School Placement Test will be held on Thursday 9 March 2017.

If you would like to have your child considered for Year 7 selective high school entry in 2018, you need to do so soon. You will need to apply on the internet using a valid email address (not the student's email address).

Detailed instructions on how to apply online will be available from 11 October 2016 in a printed application information booklet and at www.schools.nsw.edu.au/shsplacement. The application website opens on 11 October 2016 and closes on 14 November 2016. No late applications will be accepted.

There are no paper application forms. If you do not have internet access, you could apply at a public library. If you have a disability that prevents you from using a computer, you can contact the Unit for assistance after 11 October 2016.

You must submit only ONE application for each student. Remember you need to complete an EOI available from the office, from Mrs Collins or via the link below.

2018 Selective High School EOI note (pdf 257 KB)

Note: The tear-off strip on the EOI is not an application and the school cannot apply on your behalf. THIS IS NOT AN APPLICATION FOR ENTRY TO A SELECTIVE HIGH SCHOOL. This is a notice to your primary school only that you intend to apply.

TO APPLY YOU WILL NEED TO REGISTER AND THEN APPLY THROUGH THE HIGH PERFORMING STUDENTS APPLICATION WEBSITE.

NEW! P&C Minutes available on the website!

Wed, 05 Sep 2018 21:46:33 AEST

You can now access the minutes from our P&C meetings via the P&C (under Our School).

Skoolbag Communication Centre

Wed, 05 Sep 2018 21:46:33 AEST

Our School has our own Skoolbag Smartphone App which we will be using to send you important information. Please download and install it by searching for our school name in either the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

You can also click the button below to view the Skoolbag Communication Centre which contains all of the content that we share via the App.

125 years Quasquicentennial celebration

Wed, 05 Sep 2018 21:46:31 AEST

Thirlmere Public School together with the P & C would like to extend an invitation to you to become involved in the celebrations of the schools 125th Anniversary to be celebrated with a Fair to Remember on 12th October 2013 9am - 3pm in the school grounds.

As you can appreciate these events take a considerable amount of organisation and effort to be successful. Your commitment to the school in the past did not go unnoticed, with many students, families... and teachers benefiting in the years gone by.

Together with the P & C of 2013 we would appreciate any involvement that you can offer if you would like to be part of this important occasion.

We hope you have marked Saturday 12th October 2013 'A Fair to Remember' on your calendar.

See the 125th link on this website for more details

Some of the activities we have planned are A Pet Show, Thirlmere Public School Big Band, TPS History Display, Pick a Stick Stall, Chocolate Wheel, Performances by local Singers, Dance Schools etc and many other stalls. If you are a business, sporting group, Community group or individual who wants ...to get involved with the "A Fair to Remember' either with a Stall, etc. Or if you are an ex-band member who wants to be involved in the T.P.S Big Band or just keep up-to-date with plans, keep following posts on the facebook page or send an email to leama73@gmail.com. or phone 46818476 (school office) to leave a message for the 125th Committee.

Meetings of the 125th Committee are held in the school Library every month. Check out our facebook page Thirlmere Public School 125th Anniversary to see more information. . Please feel free to join us and get involved with your school and Community.

Wollondilly Community Food Drive

Wed, 05 Sep 2018 21:46:34 AEST

Below is a letter received from Community Links thanking all the failies of Thirlmere Public School students for their generosity in donating items for the Food Drive.

Dear Staff and students,

Please find attached photos of all of the food and toiletries that you collected.

The generosity and community spirit demonstrated by your school will be felt across the whole shire, and on behalf of Community Links and Bendigo Bank I wish to thank you all.

I was moved to tears when I collected the food and am so happy that I was the one who was able to accept them on behalf of those in our community who are in need.

Kindest regards

Linda Difrancesco

Violia community grant

Wed, 05 Sep 2018 21:46:33 AEST

On Wednesday 4th September Mr Lord, accompanied by P&C representatives travelled to Goulburn to accept the community grant cheque for $15,000 from Veolia Mulwarree Trust. Thanks to Tracy Daley, who put together the submission on behalf of the P&C. The money is to help fund the cost to erect the new COLA above playground A, replacing the old shade cloth structure. A great new addition to the school providing shelter and shade to our students.

Earn and Learn resources

Wed, 05 Sep 2018 21:46:32 AEST

Last year we had dockets handed in by Parents and carers to support the school. Which gave us 41,000 earn and learn points to spend on Mathematics resources for our students.

11 boxes of goodies arrived this week and are being distibuted throughout the classrooms.

Thank you to everyone for helping support our school in this way.

Earn and Learn dockets are now being collected for 2013, please place your dockets in the dump bin in the school office so we can get lots more resources this year.

Maths resources from our Earn and Learn points in 2012

Earth Hour

Wed, 05 Sep 2018 21:46:32 AEST

On Saturday we turned our lights off to highlight environmental sustainability. Mrs Budd entered our school's yarning cirle as an example of creatively linking learning to nature and country. Thirlmere Public School was selected as one of only 5 finalists from schools entries across Australia in the Wildlife Fund Earth Hour Education Award. We were not lucky enough to win the award but congratulations go to Mrs Budd and the students involved for creating such a wonderful learning space and reaching the final 5