PRINCIPALS WELCOME

OUR VISION: 

Tongala PS will provide high quality education in a safe, supportive and engaging learning community that leads to all students achieving their potential.

You can also visit our facebook page for recent events, happenings and information. https://www.facebook.com/tongala.primary.school

Tongala Primary School is located in the rural town of Tongala in Northern Victoria approximately 200km north of Melbourne. We have a currently have approximately 145 students from Foundation to Year 6.

Our current strategic plan focuses on improved teaching and learning, with a focus on Mathematics and Literacy, and incorporating the Victorian Curriculum in all learning areas, along with greater parent participation. Our student growth also led us to be eligible for a Multi-Purpose Room, which provides additional space for Visual and Performing Arts, as well as before and after school care, school performances, music lessons and extra-curricula activities.

Staffing consists of a Principal, seven full time class teachers, full time Wellbeing Officer, Mental Health in Primary School practitioner, Learning Specialist, 0.4 Tutoring, PE teacher, 0.4 Environmental Studies teacher, 0.4 Visual Arts teacher, 0.4 Indonesian teacher, full time Business Manager, Wellbeing Dog and 5 Education Support Workers.

Tongala Primary School’s enrolment includes approximately 10% indigenous students, 8% with EAL backgrounds and 4% receiving funding through Tier 3 individualised support.

All enrolment enquiries can be directed to the school, or can sent via the Contact tab on our Website. Our enrolment enquiries align with departmental guidelines, and are available for families from the school office. Our Parent Payment policy can be found on the policies page of our school website.

To manage student diversity we have a full time Student Wellbeing Officer, who works with students and their families. Students also take part in mindfulness daily and Community Circles, as well as being a School Wide Positive Behaviour school.  Tongala Primary School is working with leading Educational Experts, Real Schools, to develop a culture of Restorative Practices.

Each day we begin with 15 minutes of Huff n Puff to get the brain going and ready for school. A Breakfast Club runs 3 mornings a week allowing students to meet and eat before school and fruit and emergency lunches are provided as needed every day. Our school also provides Before School Care (7am-8:30am) and After School Care (3:15pm-6:00pm), 5 days a week.

Our school prides itself on providing our students an innovative and progressive curriculum, with access to many hands on learning experiences, through our large Environmental Garden area, Music lessons, Auslan language, Library sessions and our Community Programs. These Community Programs see our students take part in a range of activities within the Tongala Community. Some of these include working at the local hardware store, serving lunches at the Senior Citizen club, visiting aged care residents and growing vegetables for members of our community.

The new school building was completed in 2013 under BER funding. It provides flexible open spaces and incorporates a range of digital technologies including a 1:2 iPad ratio in the junior school and a BYOD iPad program in the 3-6 area. Our school also provides netbook computers and high speed access to the internet. Each classroom has an interactive screen, allowing students and teachers to connect with their learning more efficiently.

Through the student leadership program, students are involved with the running of school assemblies and represent the school at community events throughout the year. We also have House Captains elected by the students who have responsibilities around sporting and special events and organizing lunchtime activities for students, as well as leading our monthly house meetings. Year 6 students have a buddies program with Foundation students to ensure they feel safe and valued at school. Part of the year 6 leadership program sees the students taking an active role in the community through the running of services for the RSL on ANZAC Day, Remembrance Day, Legacy and Beersheba Day. Students  assist with Morning Tea at the local Community Centre and are strongly linked to work with the Lions Club for Public Speaking Competitions and a Scholarship program. The introduction of the Tongala Young Leaders group, has provided a student voice around what they want to see happening in our school.

Our school is part of the Dogs Connect program. We have a full time wellbeing dog at our school. Charlie, a male Groodle, provides a unique offering to our anxious and somewhat disengaged students, but is part of our school community and is adored by all students, staff and families.

Transition at Tongala Primary School is very comprehensive and takes into account all levels of transition. Kinder to Foundation transition occurs throughout the year with students visiting the kinder and the local kinders visiting school. Throughout term 4 transition sessions operate every week with pre-school children coming to work in the classroom for the last session of the day. Year 6 to 7 transition sessions are organized by the Secondary Colleges and involve information sessions, hands-on learning activities and familiarization tasks. Students requiring additional transition visits are catered for by Tongala Primary School to ensure they are confident as they leave us and go on to the next level of education. Transition between grades occurs throughout the year with multi-aged activities and other organized experiences.

Our grounds are expansive and consist of two playgrounds with various equipment, two ovals, an undercover asphalt area, a synthetic basketball court, Gaga pit and a large environmental area. The installation of the Tongala Community Fitness Hub has been a huge asset to our school. This consists of a 400 metre running track and 18 piece exercise fitness station. The redevelopment of our Lone Pine memorial at the front of the school, provides a great space to host services.

Staff are constantly developing their own capacity through undertaking relevant Professional Development, both internally and externally. These sessions relate directly to school needs and priorities and aim to support the academic and emotional development of our students. This work has led us to become a Professional Learning Community (PLC) Link School. This involvement has seen our school lead the way in PLC's and provide opportunities for other schools to come and view the work we are doing. Our school was also part of the Primary Maths Specialist program, which has transformed the way we deliver and learn Mathematics, resulting in great learning outcomes.

Please feel free to contact the school for more information.

Rob Hogan