Thomas Acres Public School

Engaging Students in the 21st Century

Telephone02 4626 4577

Emailthomasacre-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Welcome to our school

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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Upcoming events

Wednesday

29

March

Moving into Year 7 in 2025

Date

06 March-10 April

Time

All day

Location
Online

Visit Moving to high school for detailed information on the Expression of Interest process. There is also a short video of the process for moving in Year 7. Online link available from 6 March 2024 to 10 April 2024 To enrol your child in Year 7 for 2025, you will need to complete an Expression of Interest for Year 6 to Year 7 transition. The Expression of Interest (EOI) lets you indicate which school(s) you would like your child to attend in Year 7. The EOI process is available online from 6 March 2024. Please note: The EOI closes on 10 April 2024. Please make sure you submit the EOI before that date. IMPORTANT: if you miss this deadline, you will need to apply directly to your chosen High School. It is also important to note that the residential address you provide on the EOI is the same as the residential address we currently have on our system. After you submit an EOI and it has been assessed, your child will be offered a place at a high school. If you are unsure whether they will be attending a NSW Government school (you’ve applied for a private school, or you are moving interstate), we ask that you still complete an EOI Placement not required application and follow up with your school once a decision has been made. The online process will guide you through your options and collect the information required to make the process as smooth as possible. For parents/carers who are not able to complete an application online, a paper EOI form can be collected from the school office. For more information about moving to high school, visit Going to a public school. Direct links to start the application process (open from 6 March 2024 until 10 April 2024) Applying for a NSW government school Placement not required at a NSW government school

Friday

29

March

Good Friday public holiday

Date

29 March

Time

All day

Location
School closed

Public holiday - school closed

Monday

01

April

Easter Monday public holiday

Date

01 April

Time

All day

Location
School closed

Public holiday - school closed

Thursday

04

April

Yarn meet for our First Nations families

Date

04 April

Time

3:15-4:00 PM

Location
Library

We would love to see our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to share with you what’s been happening in First Nations Education and meet our Junior AECG Leaders and Committee members. We would also love to hear your feedback regarding some of our plans for the upcoming year and any ideas about how we could further support your children. This is a great opportunity to have a yarn and get to know each other a little better.

Thursday

04

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.

Friday

05

April

PSSA summer gala day No.2

Date

05 April

Time

All day

Location
Various sporting fields

PSSA Gala Day No.2 (selected students only) As part of the PDHPE syllabus, students will learn how to maintain a happy and active lifestyle. By allowing your child to attend the primary Gala Day they gain the opportunity to enjoy sports and live a healthy lifestyle. PSSA (Primary Schools Sports Association) organises Gala days to allow students to compete against local schools. Each term, schools have the opportunity to participate in three (3) Gala days. They are full days commencing at approximately 10:00 am and concluding at approximately 2:00 pm. During the day students play a total of three/four games. See the Information sheet below. As a condition of being selected for a Gala Day team, you and your child must sign a contract in order to be accepted into the team - see Gala day contract below. Your child will be participating in training sessions held at Thomas Acres Reserve. Due to this, students will be required to walk to and from the Thomas Acres Reserve during Friday sport sessions. Your child's signed notes and first payment ($12.50) are due to the office no later than Wednesday, 8 March 2024. The total cost for Summer PSSA gala day is $37.50. However, pull payment upfront is optional. If chosing to pay for each gala day individually, please ensure payment of $12.50 is paid prior to each gala day. Basketball Coach - Mrs Mullen Venue - Minto Indoor Sports Centre, 9 Redfern Road, Minto Softball Coach - Miss Bligh Venue - Rosemeadow Sports Complex, Dickens Road, Rosemeadow Teeball Coach - Miss Bligh Venue - Rosemeadow Sports Complex, Dickens Road, Rosemeadow Tiger Tag Team 1 - Mr Buckley Team 2 - Mr Tasker Team 3 - Miss McDonald Venue - Eschol Park Rugby Fields, Epping Forest Drive, Eschol Park

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