The Turragraph Term 2 Week 2 - 9 May 2025
Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome back! I hope you all enjoyed some relaxing and rejuvenating family time together. It has been wonderful to see our happy, engaged students returning to school for Term 2. Many have enthusiastically shared their recent holiday experiences, from exciting visits overseas to equally enjoyable activities closer to home.
We extend a very warm welcome to Alina and Alexandra, who have joined Year 2, and Skyla and Eddy, who have joined Year 5.
We have another busy term ahead! The stage newsletters and termly contributions emailed last week outlined many of the incursions, excursions, and other learning experiences planned.
Our teaching teams have created these guides to keep parents and carers informed and engaged with their children's learning for each school term. The stage newsletters also feature important dates for events and excursions. They outline class routines, including library and sports days, to help families prepare the necessary equipment and uniforms.
We encourage all parents and carers to take the time to read the relevant Stage newsletters, as they play an essential role in supporting and motivating our students in their learning journey this term. If you missed the termly newsletters, here’s another copy of each:
As we move deeper into autumn, the temperature is becoming distinctly cooler, particularly in the early mornings and evenings. Please keep an eye on the weather forecast and choose either winter or summer uniform to best suit your child’s needs for the day. However, we ask that students do not mix and match elements of winter and summer uniforms.
You are always welcome to come into the office or call if you need uniform advice. In recent weeks, we have noticed an increase in students wearing their own caps, jumpers, socks, and footwear - these are not part of the school uniform, so please ensure your child wears the correct uniform to school. Additionally, please ensure your child has wet weather gear available in their bag each day.
Thank you for your support.
The changeover date to winter uniform is Week 5 - Monday, 26 May.
Cross Country Carnival
What a fantastic day we had at this year’s Cross Country Carnival! The event was a resounding success, showcasing the spirit, talent, and "do your personal best, have-a-go" attitude of our students.
Participants from all year groups embraced the challenge, earning house points as they navigated the course with determination and enthusiasm. It was inspiring to see so many students pushing their limits, supporting one another and demonstrating true sportsmanship throughout the races. With families and friends cheering on our runners, the atmosphere was filled with a lovely sense of community and encouragement. We are so proud of all our participants.
Thank you to all our TNPS staff, especially our carnival organiser, Miss Fagan, who faced her own challenge in the Kindy "marathon" race alongside some very fast runners setting a strong pace!
We look forward to celebrating more achievements at our upcoming Athletics Carnival - more information to come!
Cross Country Carnival ribbons will be presented for first, second and third place in the following events:
- 12/13s girls and boys
- 11s girls and boys
- 10s girls and boys
- 8/9s girls and boys
- 6/7s girls and boys
- Kindy girls and boys
The ribbon presentation will take place during the assembly on Monday 12 May.
Please note: While the assembly commences at 2:15pm in the hall, the ribbons will be presented at approximately 2:30pm.
Parents and carers are welcome to attend.
Early drop off and late pick up
As we settle into a new term, this is a reminder that students should not be dropped off in the playground before 8:25 am, as teachers are not on supervision duty until that time. Students attending before-school activities such as dance, band and sport are reminded to make their way directly to the designated area.
Similarly, students are not supervised after school and are expected to go directly home unless collected by a parent or carer, or if they are participating in a prearranged activity. Students not collected by 3:10 pm will be taken to the office, and a phone call will be made to parents or carers. If you are running late (which happens to us all from time to time), please call the office.
If you need to drop off early or pick up late on a regular basis, please consider using our TeamKids Out of School Hours Care.
Their contact details are:
- Email: turramurranorthps@teamkids.com.au
- Website: teamkids.com.au (Type in Turramurra North when prompted to 'find a venue')
- Phone: 1300 035 000 (customer service, bookings etc)
Shining the Spotlight on 6B
Last term 6B created multimodal posters about endangered species in NSW. After selecting an animal, students researched facts about its habitat, threats, distribution and ways that the species can be protected.
They then had to create a hybrid text that included informative, persuasive and narrative elements. Combining typing and handwritten publishing, 6B designed posters that showcased their various paragraphs and included headings, maps, drawings and illustrations.
We would love you to check out some sections of our posters!
MindQuest
On Saturday & Sunday 14 & 15 June 2025 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).
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, drama, Lego robotics, art 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 school office or by contacting Shelagh Poray - 02 9748 1084.
Closing date: Friday 23 May 2025
School Tours
If you're looking to join the TNPS community and would like to have an informal tour around our terrific school, with an opportunity to ask questions, please contact the office on 02 9144 4107 to make a booking.
Small group tours will take place on the following days from 9:30am to approximately 10:15am, commencing at the office.
- 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 Tuesday 18/11/25 (for Kindy parents as part of Kindy Orientation)
I look forward to showing new and potential families around our beautiful school.
Attendance - every day matters
We want to do all we can to be sure your child achieves their potential and enjoys being in school. We know that school is the best place to learn and by attending school every day your child will get the most out of their learning. Consistent attendance improves student outcomes, increases career options, and helps students build relationships and confidence.
When your child is absent it is important you let the school know, including the reason why, on the day or the day before. This helps make sure we know where our students are and helps us to offer support for you and your family if needed. If your child is not at school on a given day and we have not received an explanation wwe will send you a text message. We appreciate your prompt response so we can update our records and ensure your child's teacher is aware.
If you are having trouble getting your child to school every day or on time, please talk to our school staff so we can work together, because every day counts.
Missing a day here or there may not seem like much, but absences add up and can negatively impact your child’s learning and wellbeing. When your child misses one day per fortnight, that's 4 weeks of missed learning in one year. Over an entire school journey this adds up to 1 year of lost learning.
Enrolments now open for 2026
We have already received our first enrolments for 2026. If your child is of school age for 2026, please visit our website and complete the online enrolment application. Alternatively, you are welcome to collect a paper form from our the school office.
If you have any questions about the enrolment process, the office team will happily answer your enquiries.
Celebrating Mothers and special others
A special part of Mother’s Day is the tradition of giving gifts that students purchase at the school stall. A big thank you to Kate B, the P&C Events Committee, and the many generous parents and carers who organised and worked at this year’s stall, making it a memorable experience for all.
The hall was filled with happy student faces as they chose that special gift or two!
I hope all mums and special carers are showered with hugs, thoughtful cards, words of thanks, and perhaps a special breakfast or lunch, enjoying a Sunday filled with joy and happiness. This special day provides a wonderful opportunity to honour the love, care, and support that mothers generously offer every day. Whether you are a mother, grandmother, or a mother figure, your kindness and commitment make a significant difference in the lives of those around you.
Congratulations to Mrs Jess McWilliam, who welcomed baby Evelyn (her second daughter) at the end of April. It’s an extra special Mother’s Day for Mrs Mac!
Michelle Verhagen
Principal
2025 Calendar - Term 2
TERM 2 - Changes are noted in red.
MAY
- 12 - Assembly hosted by 5D (2:15pm, hall - parents and carers welcome)
- 16 - HZSS Winter Comp
- 21 - School Tour - 9:30am meeting at the office
- 23 - HZSS Winter Comp
- 23 - Turragraph newsletter published
- 26 - Winter uniform changeover
- 27 - Hornsby Zone Cross Country Carnival
- 29 - P&C meeting (6:45 for 7pm start, venue: Hub)
- 30 - HZSS Winter Comp
JUNE
- 2 - Assembly hosted by 4/5E (2:15pm, hall - parents and carers welcome)
- 6 - HZSS Winter Comp
- 6 - Turragraph newsletter published
- 11 - Pyjama Day (more information to come)
- 11 - Maths Olympiad
- 12 - School Athletics Carnival (more information to come)
- 13 - Sydney North Area Cross Country
- 14 & 15 - Band Camp (more information to come)
- 16 - Assembly hosted by 3/4F (2:15pm, hall - parents and carers welcome)
- 18 - School Tour - 9:30am meeting at the office
- 20 - Turragraph newsletter published
- 23, 24 & 25 - Year 5 and 6 - Canberra camp (more information to come)
- 27 - HZSS Winter Comp
JULY
- 2 - Semester 1 Reports emailed to parents and carers
- 3 - Principal's Award Assembly - 10:15am, hall (more information to come)
- 4 - Turragraph newsletter published
- 4 - Last day of Term 2
- 22 - First day of Term 3 for students
Canteen - Local Lunches
Library - Meet the Monitors
This week, we shine a spotlight on our dedicated Library Monitors, a hardworking team that keeps our library running smoothly!
These inspiring students play an important role in making our library a welcoming place for everyone.
This week we hear from three of them....
My name is Elia. I am 9 years old and in Year 4. I love reading as much as I love writing. I believe everyone has a story they love. My favourite book is ‘Harry Potter’ by J.K Rowling. In my spare time I like to jump on my trampoline, videogame and read. I have only been a monitor for one term, but I love it. I wanted to become a monitor because I like to help people find a story they like. I really like helping in the library because I then can take the magic of reading outside the library.
Hi, I’m Lara. I’m 9 years old and I’m in Year 4. Being a library monitor is so much fun! I love helping out in anyway I can, stacking, scanning or putting books away. I am a huge bookworm, and the library is the perfect place to go! ‘Harry Potter’ is definitely one of my favourites. I love fantasy, adventure and romance. In my free time I do quite a bit of drawing, sometimes real things and sometimes crazy doodles that can’t be real. My favourite thing to do as a library monitor is scanning. I definitely recommend becoming a library monitor.
My name is Nur. I’m 9 years old and I love reading. I’m in Year 4. I’ve been a library monitor for a term and my favourite part of being a monitor is scanning. My favourite books to read are the Babysitters Club series. In my spare time I do homework. I like being a library monitor because it is calming, and it brings me joy.
Scholastic Book Club
Students received their Book Club catalogue this week. It is lovely to see so many happy faces when they receive their books. Remember that for each order that is placed, a proportion of the money is given to the school as rewards points to buy resources.
Happy reading!
Mrs Burnes (Teacher-Librarian) alison.burnes@det.nsw.edu.au