Thornton Public School

Developing learners for life

Telephone02 4964 1369

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

Parents, carers and the community

As a parent or carer, you are an important part of our school community. We offer a range of services to support you and your family.

Parents and Citizens’ Association (P&C)

Our Parents and Citizens’ Association (P&C) is made up of parents and carers, teachers and community members. The P&C meets regularly to contribute to decision-making, developing policies and management plans as well as fundraising.

Counselling for families

The school counsellor can assist when families undergo a trauma or big change. Contact us to make an appointment. For information in community languages, see school counselling service.

Outside of the education system, free telephone counselling services are available to support families who may be going through a difficult time.

  • Lifeline – 24-hour telephone counselling service. 13 11 14.
  • Mensline Australia – 24-hour telephone counselling service for men. 1300 789 978.
  • Parent line – an advice and information service. 1300 1300 52.

Interpreting and translations

We will help you communicate with our school. If you’d like an interpreter for a school meeting, let us know and we will arrange one, if available.

If you don’t speak or understand English well and want to contact us, call TIS National on 131 450 and ask for an interpreter in your language. The operator will call the school and get an interpreter to help. This service is free.

For more information, listen in your language.

Visit the department’s translated documents section for important information that’s relevant for your child’s education in many languages.

Parent Pal program

Our Parent Pal program assists students who are struggling to achieve age-appropriate literacy goals and for whom there is no other idividual assistance available. The program is run by a team of volunteers from the school and wider community guided by the classroom teacher. We have been operating since 2003 and have an average of 15 Pals helping 30 to 40 students each year.For the last three years we have incorporated a Land Care lunchtime program that promotes self esteem while it enhances our grounds.

How does the program work?

Each week the parent Pal gives one or two half-hour sessions to the student who has the same Pal each week. The class teacher provides the work for the child to do and it is carried out either in or close to the classroom. The teacher is the one in control of what work is covered. The Parent Pal encourages the child to stay on task and provides explanations and practice of the work being covered.

Why give children individual support?

We know that often children struggle with the basics of literacy because they don't take in instruction when it is being given inthe whole class environment. They often have difficulty staying on task unless the teacher is directly supervising them. In some cases too, learning needs to be repeated several times. We know that such children benefit from individualised instruction and can often catch up with the rest of the class.

How can you get involved?

Volunteers receive training in confidentiality, motivation and literacy and we have a morning tea each term. Volunteers can be parents, grandparents or any members of the community. We have the motto 'We can make a difference!' We share a strong commitment to children and their learning. If you want to be part of that contact the school office or your child's teacher for more information.