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At Thomas Acres Public School we value respect, responsibility, co-operation, pride, and honesty.

Thomas Acres Public School features programs which are of high intellectual quality and centered on student engagement. The school's core values are Honesty, Pride, Cooperation, Responsibility, and Respect. These core values underpin a curriculum focused on Literacy, Numeracy, and Student Empowerment programs.

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Thursday

April

Apply for a Year 5 Opportunity Class in 2025

Date: 04 April-20 May
Time: All day
Location: Online

Opportunity classes Information for parents and carers - please also refer to resources at the end of this article What are opportunity classes? Opportunity classes cater for intellectually gifted and high potential Year 5 and 6 students. There are 77 schools with opportunity classes (including virtual opportunity classes) across NSW which form part of the public education system. What are the benefits of attending an opportunity class? Research shows that high potential and gifted students have specific learning and wellbeing needs. In opportunity classes learning is designed to provide an appropriate level of challenge with children of similar ability. Many high potential and gifted students report feeling a sense of belonging and understanding when they are grouped with similar-ability peers. How do I know if my child has high potential or is gifted? Children who have high potential or are gifted tend to: be intensely curious learn new ideas or skills quickly and easily display a good memory ask complex questions be creative enjoy thinking in complex ways require fewer repetitions when learning new things be highly focused in their area of interest or passion. If you observe your child demonstrating many of these characteristics it is recommended that you consider applying. How do students qualify for entry? Students sit a free placement test. The opportunity class placement test has three consecutive components: reading mathematical reasoning thinking skills. Equity Placement The department has implemented an Equity Placement Model to increase representation of high potential and gifted students from under-represented groups. Under this model a percentage of places are held for: students from communities of low socio educational advantage First Nations students students in rural and remote regions students with disability. There is no separate application process for equity placement. Students from each of the equity groups will be identified using data from the application form and other data held by the department. For more information go to: Fair access (nsw.gov.au) Do students need to practise for the test? The placement test identifies students with exceptional critical thinking ability, rather than skills that can be coached through rote learning. Students should look at placement tests on the Department of Education website to ensure they are familiar with the test format. Parents should be aware that there is no credible evidence that extensive coaching for the test makes any difference. You can see past opportunity class placement tests at: Placement test (nsw.gov.au) Who can apply? enrolled in a NSW government primary school enrolled in a NSW non-government primary school home schooled in NSW; or enrolled in an interstate or overseas school – if they expect to meet residency requirements by the time offers are made, and they will live in NSW by the start of Term 1, 2025. Age and school year Students are usually in Year 4 at the time of applying and when sitting the test. They are usually born between 1 January 2014 and 1 August 2015. These students will be aged between 9 years and 5 months and 11 years at the time they start Year 5. If your child is out of the age range or in another school Year when you apply, the online application will prompt you to explain why you want your child to skip or repeat a year. The selection committee reviews these applications and will carefully check the reasons you give. They may ask for more information or for an interview if the child is very young to determine whether there is specific support the school can provide. Applications from parents/carers who wish to have their child repeat Year 5 may not be accepted even after the student has sat the test. The selection committee may also: decide not to accept students who are much older than the usual age range. consider that students doing the test for a second time have gained an unfair advantage from their previous test experience. require evidence of consultation with the school principal if seeking acceleration from Year 3 in 2024 to Year 5 in 2025. They may also consider acceleration inappropriate for some students. When do applications open? Applications open on Thursday, 4 April 2024 and close on Monday, 20 May 2024. Key application dates and other information is available on the department’s website.: Selective high schools and opportunity classes – information for parents and carers (nsw.gov.au) Opportunity Class Placement Test Applications for opportunity class placement are considered on the results of the Opportunity Class Placement Test. Students who wish to be considered for placement are required to sit the Opportunity Class Placement Test on Thursday 1 August 2024. How to apply Parents/carers apply online between Thursday 4 April and Monday 20 May 2024 at: Selective high school and opportunity class placement (nsw.gov.au). You must use your own email address and not one belonging to your child. You must submit only one application for each child. Late applications are not usually accepted. If you do not have internet access you can apply at a public library or at your child’s school. If you have a disability that prevents you from using a computer, you can contact the Selective Education Unit for assistance after 4 April 2024. If you intend to apply for opportunity class placement for your child, please cut along the dotted line of the Intention to apply form and return the completed slip to school by 13 May 2024. Please note, the tear-off slip is NOT an application, it is advice to the school that you intend to apply. The school CAN NOT apply on your behalf. The application must be completed in English. Parents can nominate up to two schools with opportunity classes . They should list their choices in their preferred order on the application. Where students qualify for more than one school, they will be offered only their first choice of school. Parents with disability that prevents them from completing the application online should contact the High Performing Students Team for assistance on 1300 880 367. There is no cost to submit an application or for the placement test. Where are opportunity classes? Opportunity classes are located in NSW government schools across the state and are listed at: Opportunity classes (Year 5–6) (nsw.gov.au) Where can I get more information? Read the application information available on the website at: Selective high schools and opportunity classes – information for parents and carers (nsw.gov.au) Contact the High Performing Students Team Email: ssu@det.nsw.edu.au Telephone: 1300 880 367 OC Facebook: Opportunity Class Placement | Facebook Telephone interpreter service If you need an interpreter to assist with your enquiry please call the telephone interpreter service on 131 450, tell the operator the language you need and the phone number you want to call. The operator will call the number and get an interpreter on the line to assist you with your conversation. You will not be charged for this service.

Wednesday

May

Library Monitors badge induction

Date: 08 May
Time: 2:00-2:55 PM
Location: Library

CONGRATULATIONS! to our students who have shown enthusiasm and commitment in their role as one of our 2024 Library Monitors. We wish to confirm that they have successfully completed their trial period throughout Term 1. Accordingly, parent and cares of our Library Monitors are invited to attend the Library Monitor Badge Induction Afternoon to be held in our School Library on Wednesday, 8 May 2024 (Term 2, Week 2) at 2:00 pm. Light refreshments will be provided as part of this special celebration. At this time, we will discuss the aims of the Library Monitor Program, share the role that the students undertake and showcase the Library Monitors in action. In addition, the Library Monitors will be presented with their Library Monitor Badge and signed Library Monitor Contract. If you can attend, you will have the opportunity to pin the badge on your child. Attach is our Library Monitor Contract. Please discuss the contents of this with your child and have them sign it. We ask that you also sign the contract please, as the ‘witness’. Students are to return signed contracts to the library in the first week of Term 2, in readiness for our Badge Induction Afternoon. Please note that if your child was presented with a Library Monitor Badge in 2023, we kindly ask that you ensure your child still has their badge, as this will be used again for 2024. If possible, please have your child return it to the library with their Library Monitor Contract, as this will ensure we have everything ready for our presentation afternoon. We are excited that your child has volunteered to assist in the library this year and we look forward to working with him/her. We hope that you can join us for the Badge Induction. Sharryn Azevedo & Fiona Haviland Teacher Librarians

Thursday

May

P&C Mother's Day Stall

Date: 09 May
Time: Class timetable
Location: Hall

All gifts will be between $1.00 to $15.00 Available during school hours Students can purchase one gift with their class and return at recess to buy extra gifts from the remaining stock

Thursday

May

Support Unit excursion - Wooglemai Environmental Education Centre

Date: 16 May
Time: All day
Location: Wooglemai Environmental Education Centre - 45 Sheehys Creek Road, Oakdale NSW 2570

This excrusion is for Support Unit Students in Team LD and Team P only Students will explore the local natural area and look at the sustainable lifestyle and practices of the traditional Aboriginal custodians. They will explore the effects of our increasing population and our consumer-based lifestyle on the health of the planet. Students will be challenged to look at their own lifestyle and consider its impact on our planet. They will engage in hands-on activities like cooking using solar ovens and generating electricity using a wind turbine of their own design. A wholistic unit designed to make us all improve our lifestyle.

Friday

May

Zone Cross Country Carnival

Date: 17 May
Time: 8:45 AM-1:00 PM
Location: Ambarvale Sports Complex - Jiniwin Place, Ambarvale NSW 2560

Congratulations to all our students selected to represent Thomas Acres Public School at the Campbelltown Zone Cross Carnival. A parent or caregiver MUST transport students to and from Ambarvale Sports Complex. If you are UNABLE to arrange transport for your child, PLEASE let Mr Buckley know ASAP, Payment of $5 MUST be paid before the event at the school office. You CANNOT pay at the venue on the day. Mr Buckley will be supervising students on the day. Please be at the grounds by 8:45 am for the first marshalling. We wish all our students the very best of luck in their event.

Friday

May

Infants (K-2) Cross Country Carnival

Date: 17 May
Time: 9:00-10:55 AM
Location: School

Parents and carers are welcome to join us at our rescheduled Infants Cross Country Carnival which will be held today from 9:30 to 10:55am. Students are strongly encouraged to wear their house colours to the carnival. Students have been allocated a sports house according to their surnames (see image below) Students must wear a hat, appropriate footwear and apply sunscreen.