The Turragraph Term 1 Week 10 - 4 April 2025
Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome to the final Turragraph for Term 1.
It's hard to believe we are nearing the end of Term 1. This term has certainly been busy and productive, which is a testament to the strong connections and support between home and school, as well as the consistent effort so many students have demonstrated to achieve their learning goals.
The Autumn holidays commence on Friday, 11 April, and students will return to school for Term 2 on Wednesday, 30 April.
Teachers and staff will return on Monday, 28 April, for two school development days.
The first days is dedicated to professional learning in High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE). During this professional learning opportunity, our staff will engage in a series of modules designed to enhance our capabilities across four key domains: creative, intellectual, physical, and social-emotional. This holistic approach aims to equip our teachers with the necessary tools and strategies to effectively support and nurture the diverse talents of all students.
Catering to students at all levels of ability is crucial for fostering an inclusive and enriching learning environment. By recognising and addressing the unique needs of our gifted and high potential learners, we can ensure they are appropriately challenged and engaged.
This work also benefits all students, as differentiated instruction and enriched learning experiences can enhance the educational journey for everyone. By investing in our staff's professional growth in HPGE, we are committing to providing a balanced and supportive educational experience that empowers every child to reach their full potential.
The second school development day will enable staff to work in teams to continue implementing the English and Maths syllabuses, including related lesson planning and the development of assessment strategies for the upcoming term.
Thank you
Your involvement in the parent-teacher interviews over the last two weeks has made a significant impact, and I would like to express my thanks for your participation.
Research indicates that when parents/carers are involved, it significantly boosts student performance and wellbeing. By engaging in conversations with our teachers during these interviews, you have had the opportunity to learn about your child's progress, collaborate on strategies, and address both academic and emotional development.
These discussions offer valuable insights into your child's strengths and improvement areas, enabling us to celebrate their successes and address any concerns collectively. Your contributions are important in nurturing a strong partnership between home and school, which is key to our students' success.
Our dedicated, hardworking and caring teachers also appreciate your positive feedback and recognition of their work with students, as well as the uninterrupted time for sharing and reflection. We look forward to continuing to develop our partnerships as we head into Term 2. Thank you for your ongoing dedication to your child’s education and our school community. We couldn't do it without you!
ANZAC Service
Parents and carers are invited to our school ANZAC Service on Monday, 7 April at 2:15pm in the hall.
All K-6 classes will attend and our SRC, class reps and Year 6 Student Leadership Team will have an important part in the commemorative service.
Easter Celebrations
This year's much-anticipated K-6 Easter Hat Parade, or the Crazy Hair Parade if your child prefers, will take place in the top quad on Thursday, April 10, from 9:15pm. Parents and carers are welcome to attend - feel free to wear a hat or style your hair in a crazy way too!
1SR are Stronger Together
UR Strong Friendship Fires
What is a Friendship Fire? In this podcast interview, learn all about why friendship skills are important and how we’re supporting kids through URSTRONG’s Friendology curriculum to put out their Friendship Fires.
https://urstrong.com/podcast-interview-friendship-fires-with-dana-kerford/
Assemblies
Our student-led assemblies are off to a great start.
They will continue in Term 2 with the following classes:
- Monday 12 May - 5D hosting the assembly
- Monday 2 June - 4/5E hosting the assembly
Parents and carers are very welcome to attend. If you can join us on the day, please make your way directly to the school hall for a 2:15pm start.
A Principal's Award Assembly is also being planned for Thursday, 3 July at 10:15am. More information to come.
Uniform for Term 2
As the weather can be quite variable at this time of year, students may choose to wear either their winter or summer uniform for the first weeks of Term 2, until the changeover day on Monday, 26 May. Dressing according to the day's temperature is important to ensure comfort during both learning and play.
Please remember to ensure that wet weather gear is available in school bags. Black shoes and a school hat are required on school days, while sports shoes and a school hat should be worn on sports days. For safety reasons, jewellery (other than sleeper and stud earrings) should only be worn on non-school days. Additionally, jackets, jumpers and hats from sporting teams and other activities, other than those from TNPS, should be reserved for out-of-school hours.
School Tours
If you’re considering joining our TNPS community or have friends who are interested, we invite you to take an informal tour of our wonderful school. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and learn more about what we offer.
To make a booking, please contact our office team at 02 9144 4107.
Small group tours will be held on the following days from 9:30am to approximately 10:15am, starting at the office. Our first tour this term welcomed 6 families, who took the opportunity to explore and ask questions about all that TNPS has to offer.
Tour 2 Wednesday 21/5/25
Tour 3 Wednesday 18/6/25
Tour 4 Wednesday 6/8/25
Tour 5 Wednesday 10/9/25
Tour 6 Wednesday 5/11/25
MindQuest
On Saturday & Sunday 14 & 15 June 2025 from 9:30am - 3:30pm the NSW Talent Enrichment Weekend, MindQuest will be held for primary students from Years 1-6 at Glenwood High School (Cnr Forman Ave & Glenwood Park Drive GLENWOOD 2768).
These include gifted and high potential students, gifted underachievers and students with above average ability with a special interest. Students will have an opportunity to participate in over 33 exciting, fast paced courses in the two day program. They include courses in chemistry, earth sciences, Lego robotics and much, much more.
Many of these highly successful courses have been run in the past and students’ evaluations suggest that they have been challenged and enriched by the experience. The cost of the weekend is $245 (including GST).
You can enrol online at www.mindquest.net.au.
Alternatively a brochure is available from the TNPS school office or by contacting Shelagh Poray - 02 9748 1084.
Closing Date: Friday 23 May 2025
Keeping up with Turramurra North School Happenings
Our SZapp (SchoolZine app) is probably the easiest way to stay in touch with school happenings.
The app will:
- enable the school to send messages to your smartphone regarding any important information e.g. cancelled sports events, reminders about special events, delayed bus returns from excursions etc.
- allow upload of important notes to the app to read on your phone/tablet.
- enable parents/carers to send in absence notes from ‘Absentee Form’ tab in the app.
- provide a link to the school calendar and school website
Exciting News... and then there were three!
After an extra week of waiting, Mackenzie arrived last Thursday evening...as gorgeous as can be! Mum - Mrs Muldrew, bub and dad are all doing well at home.
I look forward to seeing many of you this Thursday with your Easter hat or crazy hairstyle...and then, happy holidays!
If you can't be with us this time, we will see you again on Wednesday, 30 April for another exciting term of learning at TNPS.
Michelle Verhagen
Principal
Band
Band Workshop and Concert – A Huge Success!
Last Friday, our talented band students came together for a fantastic afternoon of music-making at our annual Band Workshop. The day included sectionals with seven experienced tutors, full band rehearsals, yummy sushi and pizza, and plenty of fun, teamwork, and confidence-building along the way.
The evening concert featured performances from our Junior Band, Performance Band and Extension Band. It was a wonderful showcase of their progress, and it was great to see so many families and community members in the audience.
A big thank you to our amazing tutors, conductors, and everyone who helped make the day such a success.
Enjoy a few highlights from the day below!
Rob Di Marzo
TNPS Band Director
Calendar - Term 1
Please note: any changes to dates and events, since the last Turragraph newsletter, are in red.
APRIL
- 7 - ANZAC Assembly 2:15pm
- 9 - Special Religious Education Easter Service in hall 10:20am - 10:55am - parents/carers welcome
- 10 - TNPS Easter Event 9:15am
- 11 - Final day of Term 1
- 30 April - Students return for TERM 2
Canteen - April Specials
