The Toon Times Newsletter Friday 13th March 2020

Be respectful| Be a good friend| Be a team player

Be a good learner

Class of the Fortnight – Middle School

Middle School takes pride in their role in the school community, being responsible for the

school’s worm farm maintenance and sustainability. Grade four has made a wonderful job of

helping the new grade threes settle into our class routines.

During February we worked on the structure of recounts and together we wrote about

exploring our school. The following snippet was taken from our class recount:

The trees are the most of Middle School’s favourite place to play, because we can climb and

make cubbies. Up in the trees we can feel the breeze, this is especially good on a hot day.

We feel free in the trees! We use our imaginations pretending to be our favourite animals

and characters, such as pirates or koalas.

During history, the story of the First Fleet has become a favourite with the children. They

have learnt some amazing facts: The youngest convict transported was nine-year-old John

Hudson!

In mathematics, they have discovered a new card game which takes the ten facts to twenty.

The record is eight cards that add up to twenty. Ask a middle school student to teach you the

game.

Middle School has had a great start for the 2020 and earned their first class reward last week.

Toongabbie Primary School

150 Years of Education 1866—2016

Principal: Alison Stewart

Victoria St Toongabbie 3856 Ph: (03) 5192 4384

Email: toongabbie.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

Web: www.toongabbieps.vic.edu.au

From the Principal

The last two weeks seems to have flown by as students and teachers have been working diligently on

their learning. Thank you to all the parents who took time out to attend our Goal Setting meetings

where the children talked about their goals and what they are going to do to try and achieve them. If

you have not had the chance to attend so far, I encourage you to make an appointment with your

child’s teacher to do so.

Last week was the first of our Tuck Shop lunches for the year. There were a lot of happy faces amongst

the children and a very big smile on Mrs Garnett’s face as she tucked into her delicious lunch. Orders

are due next Wed for the next Tuck Shop lunch on Friday 20th. The Parents and Friends group also

finalised the bun orders and we are all longingly awaiting their arrival.

Grade 4, 5 & 6 have been busy training for our interschool athletics and are heading off to Harold

Preston Reserve in Traralgon next Tuesday to participate. We are going on the bus and will have a few

spare seats if you are able to come along we would love to have you there cheering for Toongabbie.

What’s happening in Art & Library?

It has been a busy time as the children again settle into school art and library sessions.

All children created colourful masks to wear as part of the Karneval celebrations.

Foundation children have been borrowing and returning books and completing some art sessions

based on picture story books such as The Rainbow Fish. Many of the sessions have included fine motor

skills of cutting and drawing curved, straight and zig zag lines.

Foundation children have also created designs for the cubby town cubbies.

The children in Junior, Middle and Senior School classes have been completing Exploding Graffiti Name

artworks. This has involved the process of creating a bubble writing graffiti style name, designing a

border, gluing and ripping the explosion before ‘monkey folding’ a spring to hold the name. Children

will hopefully be finishing these next week.

SCHOOL COUNCIL ELECTIONS

Our new school council members for the 2020 year are:

Sarah Morgan and Bronwyn Parsons along with the return of Eleena Fothergill-Sherson.

Sadly we are saying good bye to Dave Guy, as he is taking a break from this role. On behalf

of the school council I thank Dave for his contribution toward making Toongabbie a

wonderful school.

Foundation designing what they would like the cubbies set up as.

Camp Reminders

Twilight House Athletics and

Family Fun Night

We invite you all to join us for a fun filled evening of athletics and

team games.

Thursday 26th March Athletics and games from 3:30 – 5:30

Please bring along a family picnic or use the BBQ at the end of the activities. Children are encouraged to dress up for the day in their house colours.

Grade 3 and 4 will be heading off to Woorabinda on May 24th for 2 nights. The cost of the camp is

approximately $165 per student plus the cost of the bus

Grade 5 and 6 are going to the Phillip Island Adventure resort on July 20th for 2 nights. The cost of

the camp is approximately $225 plus the cost of the bus.

If you would like to commence a payment plan or use your CSEF funding then please see Jeanette in

the office.

Toongabbie Primary School

Victoria St Toongabbie 3856

Acting Principal: Alison Stewart

Ph: (03) 5192 4384 Email: toongabbie.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

Web: www.toongabbieps.vic.edu.au

ABN: 39418338632

Dear parents and caregivers,

We understand there may be some concern in the community with regard to the virus known as

COVID-19. Please be assured that the Department of Education is sending out regular and updated

advice to all government schools.

Currently the best advice regarding COVID-19 is to maintain good hygiene practices – washing hands

thoroughly and avoiding touching your face, sneezing into tissues and/or your elbow if you have to.

We have been encouraging students to do this at school but we would also encourage you to discuss

the importance of good hygiene practices with your children and provide them with hand sanitiser.

We do have some hand sanitiser available at the school.

If you or your children are unwell, normal advice applies, you should seek the guidance of a medical

practitioner. It is natural that we may suspect that colds or coughs are more serious during this time,

however, maintaining a calm response with your children will help alleviate their fears and concerns.

Again, seeking medical advice, is the most appropriate course of action.

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 and or instances where individuals have been in close contact with a

confirmed case of COVID-19 are reportable to the Department of Health and Human Services. We

currently have no confirmed cases within our school.

School closures at this stage, would only occur on the recommendation of Victoria’s Chief Health

Officer.

If you are planning on travelling over the school break, we would encourage you to exercise good

hygiene and/or seek medical advice immediately if you are unwell. There are currently no bans in

place for students returning to school from overseas, EXCEPT where students have returned from

countries with significant outbreaks. Check the government’s smart traveller website for advice.

For further information regarding COVID-19, check the information sheet we sent home and there is

also helpful information at:

https://www.health.gov.au/ and at https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/

Kind regards,

Alison Stewart

Acting Principal