Newsletter

February 2025

Dates For Your Diary!

DateEvent 
17 FebruaryMeet the Teacher Information Session for K-2 classes
18 February Meet the Teacher Information Session for 3-6 classes
18 FebruaryScripture program begins
19 FebruarySwimming Carnival (Participating students only)
26 FebruaryP&C meeting 6:00pm
27 FebruaryClean Up Australia Day
28 FebruaryP&C welcome event for new families
5 MarchStEPs vision screening for registered Kindergarten students
5 MarchZone Swimming Carnival
12 March NAPLAN begins
21 MarchHarmony Day
26 MarchSchool Photo Day
31 MarchWhole School Assembly 2:15pm
7-8 AprilSemester 1 Parent Teacher interviews
11 AprilEaster Hat Parade
*Dates subject to change. Please ensure you regularly check for updates.

From the Principal

Welcome Back to School

I would like to formally welcome the community back to school for the 2025 school year, with a special mention to the new families who have joined us at Telopea Public School for the first time. We have started the year with 132 students across 7 classes. This includes 16 new Kindergarten students. I would like to thank the office staff for their hard work with the enrolment of our new families. 

Students have been placed into their classes for the 2025 school year and have settled well with their new teacher. Classes are formed based on enrolments numbers, along with consideration of the academic and social needs of the students. This year we have formed 2 composite classes in Stage 2 to meet the needs of these students. In every class within the school, including the composite classes, we have a range of abilities and teachers differentiate their program to meet each of the student's needs. 

Staffing 2025

I would like to welcome a number of new staff to our Telopea team. Ms Rebecca Kerr joins us as our new permanent Assistant Principal. We now have two Assistant Principal positions in the school (Ms Kerr & Mrs White). Mr Peter Waters will be teaching our Year 6 class. Mrs Jacqueline Bicanic joins us as the EAL/D and Learning Support teacher. We also welcome Mrs Melanie Robertson who joins our administration staff working in a job share position as the School Administration Manager with Mrs Di Losa. A full list of staff is available below. 

School Improvements

Over the school holidays and during the first week of school, you may have noticed some construction work. We have had carpet and whiteboards installed in the new Year 5 classroom. The breezeway has had a facelift with new pinboard installed and new vinyl flooring by the sink. Tree works have been undertaken throughout the school with extensive pruning and removal of dead branches. The K-2 playground has new soft fall mulch in place. Our most exciting change for the students has been the installation of 2 new bubbler troughs - one on the external wall of the toilet block and the other adjacent to the COLA area. Both troughs include a water bottle refill tap. The installation of these bubblers now means students can access water more quickly and without the need to enter the toilet building. Next week we will be calling for support from the community to assist with weeding and preparing our vegetable garden for the new school year. Please see the advertisement below and consider coming along to help refresh this very popular area of our school. 

I have had some inquiries about the upgrade of Telopea Public School. Once I have information about this project I will share it with the school community. Please check the School Infrastructure website for updates:

Telopea Public School upgrade

P&C Meetings

Our first P&C meeting for the year will be held on Wednesday 26th February at 6:00pm in the conference room. The P&C have a number of exciting initiatives planned for the year. I encourage all to come along. It is a great way to hear about what is going on in the school and to meet other parents & carers. 

Communication with the school

Please feel comfortable to reach out to the school when needed. Our friendly office staff are available to help by phone or email. If you are concerned about your child's learning or social development, your first contact should be the class teacher. Please phone the office and the teacher will contact you by phone or to arrange a time to meet. 

Please also feel comfortable to reach out to me when needed. I am in the playground most mornings or can be contacted by phoning or emailing the school. 

Mrs Erin Dooley

Principal (Rel.)

Around the grounds

Staff List 2025

 
Mrs Erin DooleyPrincipal (Relieving)
Mrs Lisa WhiteAssistant Principal Curriculum & Instruction (K-2 supervisor)
Mrs Elena MoutzourisKindergarten Koalas teacher
Mrs Jenny VasilareasYear 1 Quokkas teacher
Mrs Lisa WallaceYear 2 Bandicoots teacher
Mrs Anastasia TadrosYear 3/4 Kookaburras teacher
Ms Catherine MichieYear 3/4 Wombats teacher
Ms Rebecca KerrYear 5 Echidnas teacher & Assistant Principal (3-6 supervisor)
Mr Peter WatersYear 6 teacher
Mrs Antonia AndonenasScience & gardening RFF teacher (Wed-Thurs) and Year 5 Echidnas teacher (Fri)
Mrs Bridgette RamseyTeacher librarian (Wed, Thurs)
Mrs Jacqueline BicanicEAL/D & Learning Support teacher (Mon - Wed)
Mrs Rosa Di LosaSchool Administration Manager (Wed - Fri)
Mrs Melanie RobertsonSchool Administration Manager (Mon - Tues)
Mrs Jillian BelmeBusiness Manager (alt Mondays)
Mrs Leanne ChmetSchool Administration Officer (Tues-Thurs)
Mrs Pip MartinsSaCC Facilitator
Mr James IrvineGeneral Assistant (Mon & Thurs)
Mr Dennis GovenderSchool Counsellor (alt. Wed)
Ms Marina ZochilSchool Psychologist (alt. Wed mornings)
Mrs Mirna TadrosStudent Learning Support Officer
Mrs Maria RepousisStudent Learning Support Officer
Ms Breanna HartupStudent Learning Support Officer
Miss Mia NewcombeStudent Learning Support Officer

Student Attendance

At Telopea Public School we have very high expectations for student attendance to maximise learning and life opportunities. The expected rate of attendance is 95%. The school will communicate your child's attendance rate with you throughout the school year. We are here to support you. If you are experiencing challenges with attendance, please contact the school.

This week we are running our first 100% attendance challenge of the year with a great back to school prize to be won for a lucky student in each class. Be sure to come to school every day to have a chance to win!

Student Behaviour

Our school is committed to explicitly teaching and modelling positive behaviour, to support all students to be engaged with their learning and to develop and sustain positive, respectful relationships.  

By following our school expectations of Be Responsible, Be Safe and Be a Learner, we can maximise student wellbeing and learning time. 

Teachers have been working in the early weeks of school on setting class expectations. As a whole school, we have established positive behaviours for morning assembly. The students are to be commended on their efforts so far this year. A special shout out to Kindergarten who have settled so quickly into following our school expectations. 

More information about our Behaviour Support and Management Plan can be found on our school website:

Student Behaviour Support and Management Plan - Telopea Public School 

Meet The Teacher Information Sessions

Meet the teacher information sessions will be held next week.

Monday 17th February 3:15-4:00pm K to 2 classes

Tuesday 18th February 3:15 - 4:00pm 3 to 6 classes

All parents and carers are strongly encouraged to attend. This will be an opportunity to meet the class teacher and hear about the teaching and learning program and class organisational procedures for the year. Information sessions will be held in your child's classroom. Information sessions are for adults. Supervision for school age children will be provided in the SaCC rooms from 3:15 to 4:00pm with Mrs White and Ms Kerr. Please note - these information sessions are not individual parent teacher interviews. Please make an alternate meeting time with the teacher should you wish to discuss individual matters relating to your child. We look forward to meeting you all next week!

Welcome Afternoon Tea

Selective High School and Opportunity Class Placement 2026

Applications are open each year from November to February for both selective high school and opportunity class placement. Parents and carers will still apply online using the Selective high school and opportunity class placement application website. 

Applications for selective high school and opportunity class entry in 2026 were open from 7 November 2024 to 21 February 2025. There will be no late applications due to the longer application period, and the application closing date being closer to the test dates and logistical constraints around organising test centres and devices. 

This change to the application period means that parents and carers will now need to apply for opportunity class placement when their child is in Year 3 (or by the end of Week 4, Term 1 when their child is in Year 4). For selective high school placement, parents and carers will continue to apply when their child is in Year 5 and can now apply when their child is in Year 6 until the end of Week 4, Term 1.

Please follow the link below, to register your child.

https://shsoc.education.nsw.gov.au/

Gardening Working Bee - Help Needed

Next Tuesday 18th February, Mrs Andonenas, with the support of the SaCC project and the P&C, will host a working bee in the garden. Please consider volunteering some time to come along and help. You will have the opportunity to do some gardening, but also to meet new friends!

Late last year we had a team of Bunnings Head Office employees volunteer their time in the garden. They got to work on weeding and building some new garden beds for a pomegranate tree, avocado tree and cherry plum tree which were all kindly donated by Bunnings. Students in Year 1 had the privilege of planting these trees. A huge thank you to Kerri Dodge at Rydalmere Bunnings for organising this event for us and for all of the donations she has kindly organised throughout the year. We greatly appreciate it!

Here’s to a bountiful year 2025 with lots more produce to harvest! 

Mrs Andonenas

Library News

Welcome back to the Library in 2025! This year we have a new library timetable:

Wednesday

Year 1, 6 and 3/4 Kookaburras

Thursday

Year K, 2, 5 and 3/4 Wombats

 

Please remember to remind your child to return their library books on the correct day and include a library bag.

Students are only allowed to borrow if they bring a bag to help protect our books. If you don’t have  a library bag available a shopping bag will do the job 😊

I’m looking forward to a year of great reading and exciting activities in the library.

Mrs Ramsey

Teacher Librarian

Book Club

Book Club Issue 1 - Due: 23 February 2025

There are now 2 easy ways to pay: CREDIT CARD (LOOP) or CREDIT VOUCHER.

Cash payments will no longer be available.

PAYING BY CREDIT CARD

1.    Simply grab your child’s Book Club catalogue and either sign in or register your account on scholastic.com.au/LOOP or download the LOOP app.

2.    Click on ORDER and then select your school and your child’s class.

3.    Add your child’s first name & last initial (so the school knows who the book is for)

4.    Enter the item number from the Book Club catalogue.

5.    All orders are sent directly to the school for submission to Scholastic. Books will still be delivered to your child’s classroom if you order by the close date.

6.    Afterwards, there’s no need to return paper order forms or payment receipt details back to your school!

PAYING BY CREDIT VOUCHER

If paying with a credit voucher, please enter details on LOOP when placing your order online.

All purchases made help the school earn REWARD POINTS which allows us to purchase new resources for the library. 

P&C Association News

Come Along & Find Out More About What the P&C is Doing to Support Telopea Public School!

Whether it's fundraising, volunteering, playground upgrades, upcoming stalls, or BBQs and so much more, the P&C is dedicated to making a difference for our school community.

Principal Erin Dooley, along with other school representatives, will also share updates on the latest activities, teaching methodologies, NAPLAN results, School upgrades and budget priorities.

Attending these meetings is one of the best ways to stay connected to your child’s school journey and explore the many opportunities available.

“Get involved, have your say, and share your expertise!”

The next meeting is held in-person, on Wednesday 26th February at 6pm.  There are only two meetings per term held in week 4 and week 8 —just 8 per year—so don’t miss out!

All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend. Membership to the P&C is via the attached form and payment of $1 can be made at the meeting.

Uniform Shop

Please be advised that some items are currently out of stock.

We are awaiting stock of Sports Shirts (Sizes 6/8/10), Polo Shirts (Size 10) and Jackets (Various sizes). *Current at as of 12/2/2025

Once these items are back in stock we will notify you via Audiri. 

Alternatively if you would like to place an order, we can put these items aside for you once they arrive. 


Uniform Clothing Pool

We are currently running low on some items in our uniform clothing pool, particularly of smaller sizes. 

If you would like to donate any uniform items to our clothing pool which your child is no longer using, you can drop off these donations to the school office. 

We welcome these uniform donations. 

Important Reminders

COLLECTING STUDENTS FROM SCHOOL

A reminder that if you have made arrangements for someone to collect your child/ren that is outside of your normal arrangements, please ensure that you have notified the office so we are aware and can let other staff members know in a timely manner.  This applies to leaving early and for the end of the day. 

SAFETY

A reminder to all students and parents that entry to the School is via the Pedestrian gate on Chestnut Ave located near Block D. This is for everyone's safety. If you require disabled access there are two entry points into the school via the ramp into the school office and via the gate on the corner of Sturt and Manson Streets. 

NOTES SENT HOME

On occasion important notes will be sent home. Please ensure you remember to check your child's bag each day.

CELEBRATIONS

Here at TPS we enjoy celebrating student’s birthdays. You are most welcome to bring in something to celebrate but we ask that individual store bought small bite size cupcakes or individually wrapped sweets are brought in to school as this makes it easier for the students to eat. A large cake makes it difficult to distribute to their classmates. 

LOST PROPERTY

There are a number of items in the Lost Property box which do not have names on them. If your child is missing an item, please check this box which is located in the D Block breezeway.

CONTACT INFORMATION OR CIRCUMSTANCE CHANGE

Please ensure that your contact details are up to date. It is important that the School be able to contact you in case of your child being ill, a child not being collected from school or in case of emergency etc. If your family circumstances change, please also provide the school with any updated documentation. 

You can notify the school of any changes or updates via written confirmation or complete the template form located in the office foyer. 

MOBILE PHONES OR DEVICES

If you require your child to carry a mobile phone/device, you will be required to complete a permission note (please see the school office if you require this note). Student mobile phones/device are to be turned off and handed to the school office during school hours in the morning. Mobile phones/devices will be returned to the students at the end of each day. 

Schools as a Community Centre

Hi TPS and Telopea SaCC Communities, 

Welcome back to school following the summer vacation period. It has been a joy sharing holiday stories with students, parents and carers. 

A big welcome is extended to new students and parents joining our school this year.

Please take a moment look at the SaCC Project initiatives. The weekly program is included in this newsletter.

Monday through to Friday you may find a program you're interested to join... a parent program, playgroup, story time or if you have a new baby the Play and Connect group. 

Breakfast Club is popular with the students! 

Every Monday and Thursday ALL students are welcome to enjoy FREE breakfast. Breakfast is delivered from the school canteen 8:30-9:00. 

The SaCC Project has welcomed so many new families to its initiatives this year.....in particular Friday Playgroup. 

Last week we welcomed Aboriginal artist, Courtney Garstang, to our group.

Courtney, parents and children are collaborating to create an Aboriginal inspired artwork to hang in the SaCC rooms.  I am looking forward to sharing the finished partwork in the coming weeks. 

Please feel free to contact me by phone or email if you have any questions relating to the SaCC Project. Additionally reach out if you see me at school I am more than happy to assist.

Phillipa (Pip) Martins

Facilitator - Telopea 'Schools as Community Centres' (SaCC) Project

Ph: (02)9898 3448

email: phillipa.martins@det.nsw.edu.au

Community Notices

YAOOSH - Before and After School Care

Jubilee Community Services provide Before School, After School and Vacation Care Services. 

For more information you can contact them on 0421 225 694 or yaoosh@jubileecs.org.au 

Below is the link should you wish to enrol your child/ren.

http://ccs-yatesavenueoosh.kinderm8.com.au/enrolment-form

13YARN

Telopea Public School

''Success through Endeavour''