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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.

Monday

April

School holidays

Date: 15-26 April
Time: All day
Location: School closed

We wish all our families a safe and restful school holiday. Whether you're traveling or staying close to home, we hope you enjoy this time to recharge and rejuvenate. We eagerly anticipate welcoming you back for Term 2 on Tuesday, 30 April 2024. Until then, take care, stay safe, and make the most of this well-deserved break. Print a calendar, subscribe or view NSW school holidays and term dates for Apple iCal, Microsoft Outlook Google Calendar and more

Monday

April

School development day

Date: 29 April
Time: All day
Location: Staff meetings and training

Schools provide opportunities for staff and school leaders to improve their skills and professional capacity to deliver key curriculum priorities and school strategic directions. Parents and carers should not send their children to school on school development days. 2024 school development days - students do not attend Term 1 - 30 January and 31 January Term 2 - 29 April Term 3 - 22 July Term 4 - 19 December and 20 December Purpose of school development days School development days are used by schools to improve the skills of our teachers, school leaders and school administrative support staff. They improve the learning outcomes of students by: providing targeted professional learning activities aligned to school strategic directions and Department of Education priorities enabling whole school planning and enhancing teacher quality, school leadership and management practices implementing legislative and policy requirements. The content of school development days is determined by the principal in consultation with the school community. Activities are based on the principles within the Australian Professional Learning Charter for Teachers and School Leaders (2012), which recommends that professional learning experiences: equip teachers and leaders to deal with both current and future contexts and challenges promote action research provide opportunity to explore and challenge own thinking and understandings promote innovative practice. Examples of school development day programs include: analysing student and school data to identify student needs and provide a focus for teaching induction and mentoring programs to support teachers new to their school identifying interagency support that is available to implement case management programs analysing school welfare support initiatives to meet student welfare needs using quality school learning models to enhance teaching and learning programs, assessments and classroom practice quality teaching in the digital age and incorporating digital components into teaching and learning programs developing programs to help students with special learning needs. Scheduling The dates are determined by the department’s Secretary and are scheduled to occur at the commencement of Terms 1, 2 and 3 and the final two days of the school year. From 2021, school development days will occur on the first 2 days of Term 1, the first day of Terms 2 and 3 and the last day of the school year. Always check with your local school as dates may change. Speed zones School speed zones operate on all notified school days, including school development days. Variations of school development days Schools that wish to vary the date of a school development day can consult with their school community and advise their Directors, Educational Leadership. Please contact your school principal for further information.

Tuesday

April

Students return for Term 2

Date: 30 April
Time: All day
Location: Classrooms

Get ready for an incredible Term 2 filled with learning, laughter, and unforgettable experiences. We can't wait to see everyone again! Print a calendar, subscribe or view NSW school holidays and term dates for Apple iCal, Microsoft Outlook Google Calendar and more

Friday

May

K-6 Cross Country carnival

Date: 03 May
Time: 9:15 AM-1:30 PM
Location: Thomas Acres Public School

The 2024 TAPS Primary Cross Country Carnival will be held today at Thomas Acres Public School. All students will be eligible to compete on the day. The Infants races will start at 9:15 am and conclude at 10:55 am. Primary will start at 11:35 am and should finish at approximately 1:30 pm. As with previous years, we will be using the school oval and adjacent grounds for the carnival, as this makes supervision of all children much easier and allows instant access to the school should an emergency arise. Students are strongly encouraged to wear their House Colours to the carnival. All students have been allocated a sports house according to their surnames. For your information, the house colours and surname allocations are as follows:

Tuesday

May

Years 1 & 2 (Stage 1) - Parent volunteer information session

Date: 07 May
Time: 2:00-2:55 PM
Location: To be advised

Join us for an informative session on supporting students' reading skills through volunteering in Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2). Learn how you can make a difference in a child's academic journey and contribute to their success. Together, let's inspire a love for reading and empower young minds! Please RSVP (or scan the QR code) to register your interest in attending the information session.