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The Oak Leaf |
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Address: Willett Avenue, Oak Park VIC 3046
T:(03) 9306 9182 E: [email protected] |
Issue 02
February 10th 2022 |
Oak Park Primary School will work collaboratively to provide a stimulating, safe and challenging learning environment that promotes resilient, innovative thinkers.
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Calendar of Events
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Principal's Column
Rapid Antigen Tests – Second Distribution I would like to begin this newsletter by sincerely thanking all parents for their wonderful co-operation over the last week. The regular administration of the Rapid Antigen Tests and then timely communication with the school when students test positive is important for helping us to manage many complex operations at present. We have had some cases at school, which are communicated to entire cohorts by Compass notification and with parents in any affected class now receiving an additional SMS to inform them. We had previously phoned parents from the affected class but have found this process difficult due to un-answered calls and message banks. Our second shipment of rapid antigen tests has arrived, and we will distribute a box of tests to each student this Friday afternoon (please check the school bag this Friday). This new supply will support you to undertake two tests at home each week for each child during the remaining weeks of February. We ask that you contact the school’s main office immediately (9306 9182) if your child does return a positive test. We look forward to your continued support and understanding over the coming weeks as we do our best to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students, staff and parents. School Council Elections Sincere thanks to the several parents who responded to last week’s newsletter appeal for School Council nominations. The call for nominations will close at 4:00pm today – Thursday 10th February. At this stage, we still have three parent vacancies with a two-year commitment to fill. Further documentation will be forwarded to all families via Compass if an election process ensues, otherwise the council membership will be confirmed in next week’s newsletter if a ballot is not required. Membership on the council is for a period of two years and regular meetings are held twice a term. If you would like to know more about being a councillor or nominating, don’t hesitate to give me a call or send an email at [email protected] . Tokens and Positive Behaviours Last week we acknowledged all the students in Earth house for winning the token challenge in Term 4, 2021. Our token challenge has started for Term 1. It’s been great to see students begin to fill the token box and get further positive reinforcement for behaviours that reflect our school values of respect, responsibility and resilience. New students are learning their house colours and the names (Air, Earth, Water, Fire) and native animal mascots (Orange bellied Parrot, Corroboree Frog, Eastern Barn Bandicoot and Tasmanian Devil). Meet the Teacher – Wednesday February 23rd Please note our Meet the Teacher event has been moved to Wednesday February 23rd from 2:30 pm to 7:30 pm. This event allows the opportunity for families to talk directly with teachers for 10 minutes to build connectedness and enquire about the start to the year. Welcome to Country This Friday at 10:30am, we will host our annual Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony outside. A Welcome to Country is a ceremony performed by Indigenous Australian to welcome visitors to their traditional land. It’s a way of showing awareness of and respect for the original Indigenous custodians of the land on which an event is being held. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we can’t invite parents to this year’s ceremony but will gather students and staff with appropriate social distancing outside to ensure they can all be present for this important event. Tutor Program The Tutor program is an initiative of the Department of Education & Training (DET) to further support students who may not have achieved their regular learning gain over the last two years as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic. We expect around 30 students to participate in the program in Term 1 and 2. Documentation has been forwarded to relevant families confirming placement and further information. Please be assured that this is a very lengthy process of identification undertaken by the school to select students for this support and due to the finite resources available, access to this program is prioritised and unfortunately very limited. A further intake of students will be selected in Semester 2. Kind regards, Michael Gill Principal Late Arrival/Early Departure
Students arriving to school late, need to brought into the office and signed in by their parent/guardian. Please do not take your child directly to class if they are late. We also ask that they are not just dropped off to walk into class by themselves once the 9am bell has already gone, as the yard is not supervised and the roll is marked at 9am. Parents needing to pick up their child before 3.30pm will also need to come in via the office and sign their child out. We ask that parents not go directly to class to pick up their child. Student Absences
We note that many students have unexplained absences. If your child is going to be absent at school, you may notify their absence via Compass, which is a very easy process. Thank you for your assistance regards notifications. Action Plans & Medications
We ask families who have been notified that their childs medications (Ventolin or Epipen) or Action Plans are out of date, to please ensure they bring up to date medications to the office as a matter of urgency. We have quite a few students who have been notified that their childs Ventolin is past its use by date and needs replacing. Your urgent assistance regards this would be greatly appreciated. Interrelate
This is a reminder for parents of Grade 5/6 students to provide payment and consent for the upcoming Interrelate course that the students will be participating in. This course starts next Monday, 14th February. Payment and consent can be provided through the Events tab on Compass. If you have any questions or concerns, please direct them to your child's teacher. Many thanks for your ongoing support, 5/6 Teaching Team Working with Children Check
Any parent or family member who may wish to attend the school grounds as a parent helper in the future, must have a valid working with children check and be fully vaccinated. Parent helpers are not required at school until Term 2. Copies of WWC and digital Covid vaccination certificate may be emailed to [email protected] Physical Education
Grade1/2 students will commence 3 weeks of AFL skills with AFL Victoria next week. Lawn bowls teams have been filled for 56 students. 1/2B News
1/2B have been settling into the classroom and have been busy showing Sophie how much we know! |
Foundation News
Congratulations to the Foundation students on a wonderful start to school. This week they enjoyed meeting their Year 6 buddies, exploring the playground and learning each other’s names. All of the Foundation teachers are so proud!
Chess
For students starting Chess for the first time, please find attached in this newsletter, some information about how to play. It would be great if students could have a look at this information. 
Community News
Kelly Sports
Kelly Sports run their program from 3.30pm at Oak Park Primary School, so it’s perfect if you’d like your child to join in
AUSTRALIAN SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS
The Australian Girls Choir is holding and open day n Saturday Feb 19th and 26th for primary school aged girls. Flyers are available outside our office 
School Contacts
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