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The Oak Leaf |
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Address: Willett Avenue, Oak Park VIC 3046
T:(03) 9306 9182 E: William.Nolan@education.vic.gov.au |
Issue 6
March 11th 2021 |
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
We had a group of people who came over to our place for my son, Tim’s birthday last year. It was in between the two lockdowns so it was legal. My son doesn’t live with me anymore of course, but we thought it would be nice for him if we offered our place for his birthday. Anyway, during the evening one of his friends came up to me and asked me something like, ‘Oh so you’re a fan of the Goo Goo Dolls?’ And I knew that Tim would have jokingly said something to him, because Tim makes fun of the fact that I am a fan of the Goo Goo Dolls. Which doesn’t make a lot of sense because Tim actually put me on to the Goo Goo Dolls. I think the joke is that he put me on to them many, many years ago and I am still a fan whereas he and everyone else have moved on. I’m loyal to the music I like. From my kids, I have grown to love a range of music. Through them I’ve come to be fans of the Foo Fighters, Gin Wigmore and the Dropkick Murphys. One tried to get me into techno music and I was open to it, and listened, but in the end decided it wasn’t for me. But we talked about it and what he liked about it and what I couldn’t quite connect with it – I mean, you can appreciate it without actually liking it. And I like to think I gave my kids some music too. They all like the Beatles and the Eagles, for example. Hotel California is a favourite of all of them – especially the 2 minute guitar intro on the live version. This is a bit different to when I was younger. I was not so open-minded about Music – It had to be the songs of my generation and nothing else. My parents were that way too. They hated the Beatles. They thought they were outrageous and would not listen to any of their songs. We couldn’t talk about music in my house. I am writing this down because I wanted to share something that I have learned as a parent. I think it is important to know about the things your kids are in to. Don’t criticise anyone’s taste in music – especially your kids. It’s a great thing to talk to them about. And if you can’t talk to them about music, or if they feel they can’t talk to you, what can you talk about? School Photos
School Photos will be taken on Monday 24th May. Students are to ensure they have full school uniform on for the photos. Further information will be sent out in the newsletter and on Compass closer to the date On Monday 8th March, 2021, it was International Women’s Day. Given the public holiday, the next day Oak Park Primary School staff celebrated with an afternoon tea, courtesy of the Australian Education Union. CHICKEN POX
We have had a confirmed case of chicken pox this week in the Grade 3 area. Chicken pox is highly contagious, therefore we ask parents (particularly within the Grade 3 area) to be aware of their child showing any symptoms:
Choose to Challenge
This year’s theme was ‘Choose to Challenge,’ and given we have all been under some pretty challenging circumstances everyone came to celebrate, reflect on our success and commit to our future endeavours. We discussed the path laid before us, the gendered consequence of the pandemic and gender equality. We discussed that gender equality comes from setting great examples such as a shared responsibility not just in the workplace, but in our classrooms and our homes. We discussed how we all have a responsibility to model to our children what gender equality really looks like. From this, the staff of Oak Park Primary School chose to challenge gender stereotypes and biases, as well as call out gendered actions or assumptions (see our commitment in the pictures below). Oak Park Primary School is proud to be an all-inclusive school, and we endeavour to keep striving towards greatness. How will you ‘Choose to Challenge’?
Positive Education - Kindness 3C (Jane)
As part of our Positive Education program, we asked students to record in their Gratitude Journals what kindness means to them and here are some of their responses:-
Maria Giordano ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL 
Somers Camp
Somers Camp will be returning for 2021 for all students in Grades 5 & 6. Dates: 15th - 23th June. For further information: https://www.somersschoolcamp.org/ If you are interested in having your child attend this unique experience, could you please email Liam. Liam.sutuwan@education.vic.gov.au Sustainability
3/4 BIRDS IN SCHOOLS PROGRAM – S.T.A.C.S. (SUSTAINABILITY) At school, we are participating in Birds in Schools, an education program developed by BirdLife Australia and its Urban Birds Program. BirdLife Australia is an independent, not-for-profit organisation and Australia’s largest bird conservation organisation. BirdLife’s Urban Birds Program is focused on research, conservation and education about birds that live in urban areas. Through Birds in Schools, we will participate in citizen science, investigate local environmental issues, and problem solve to develop action-oriented responses to these issues. We will learn about Australian birds and biodiversity within local habitats, make recommendations based on our research, and develop and implement an action plan to make our school more bird-friendly! We will learn to identify and record the birds we see to complete bird surveys and enter our survey results into BirdLife’s Birdata database. Our data will help BirdLife Australia in understanding how our amazing native birds are faring and help in their conservation. We are really looking forward to this and if it sounds like something you would like to do too, you can do your own surveys at home at any time of the year. To find out how, pop on over to: https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/getinvolved/How-survey. 
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Year 6-7 Transition
ATTENTION GRADE 5 PARENTS: The Process for Applications to Secondary College for 2022/Year 7 students start approximately April 2021. Information will be added to the newsletter as it comes in, and will be forwarded to all families of Grade 6 students at this time. Penola Catholic College Families of Grade 5 students who are looking at enrolling their children at Penola Catholic College in 2023, will need to take note of the following information. Enrolments for Year 7-2023 are now open at Penola Catholic College. Applications close on the 20th August 2021.
Rosehill Secondary College
Essendon Keilor College
School Contacts
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