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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 17
November 12th 2020 |
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
Last week I wrote about World Teacher’s Day which was celebrated recently on October 30th. It gave me cause to reflect on some of the teachers I have known, worked with and learnt from over the years. And there were books and films depicting teachers that I remembered too. One film in particular, was a French documentary made several years ago called, ‘To Be and To Have’. Over the course of a whole school year, the filmmakers put a camera into the classroom of a small rural school in France. There were about 12 or so kids in the class ranging from kindergarten age to about grade 6. The kids lived on neighbouring farms, had lots of daily chores (both before and after school) and caught the school bus each morning. The teacher was a softly spoken, middle-aged man who developed beautiful relationships with each one of the students and he knew exactly what their individual needs were. There was a calmness and order to the classroom. There were kids with ‘personalities’ in the class, cheeky kids and a wide range of ages but he navigated it all superbly. One of the things I remember most was the way he lowered himself physically so that he was at the same level as the kids when he was helping them, and the way he spoke with them. They were little things, but anyone could see that he cared for them, knew what they needed to know next and the discipline was easy because of the positive relationships he had developed and the mutual respect. Kids just wanted to do the right thing because they valued the teacher and their relationship. I contrast this to a time when I was a student teacher. I had my final placement with a mentor who prided himself on being a ‘disciplinarian’. He would shout and scream at kids and had a technique, when berating an individual, of moving really close and waving his arms around causing the kid to duck and weave. Kids were literally scared of him. And they did the right thing because of that – they were petrified of what would happen if they stepped out of line. The difference between this example and the one of the French teacher is that the kids in the first example did the right thing even when no one was watching. It taught me a lot. I did not want to be the type teacher that my final mentor had become. So it’s the old story – you can learn nearly as much from the bad examples you see as you can from the good ones. Wellbeing
Dear Parents and Families, I’m very pleased to advise you about the School Breakfast Club program coming to our school soon! Starting approximately 23rd November, our new School Breakfast Club will run every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday morning from 8.30am to 8.50am. We surveyed a cohort of our Foundation-Year 6 students and 90% of our students said they ate breakfast at home, but would gladly have breakfast at school. The Victorian Government has continued its partnership with Foodbank Victoria to provide healthy meals that will help students focus better and participate fully in their education. Our School Breakfast Club aims to ensure our students start the day with a healthy meal, to improve their concentration, to help students make friends and to build strong social connections. To start up and run a successful Breakfast Club, we are inviting our wellbeing leaders to assist with the running of the program. We will trial the program this term, and then reassess for 2021 how many days breakfast will be offered and what modifications to the menu need to be made. Please note, the breakfast club is not replacing the before care program. It is there to provide breakfast for children unable to have it at home. More information will be provided once we have our food delivered to Oak Park Primary School. Most of our food items have a green health rating, are halal certified and are also vegetarian. Maria Giordano Assistant Principal 
Lost Property
Again today we have returned lost property (named) to students, but we still have a large amount of lost property. If there’s jackets and other miscellaneous clothing missing from your cupboard at home, please ask your child to check in the large white cupboard on wheels that sits outside the tiger turf entrance to the staff room and main office. As you will see we have many pieces of non-school clothing, bomber jackets, hats and beanies. There are also many drink bottles, lunch boxes and plastic containers. If you recognise any of these items please ensure they are collected.
Foundation 2021 Transition sessions
Parents have been advised via email, the group sessions their child will attend. Should there be any issues or you know of families who have not received this information, please email [email protected] With regard to the Transition sessions (split into colour groups) we ask that you enter via the school grounds, not the Administration building. Students are to be dropped off at the Library with parents leaving the school grounds immediately. We thank you for your assistance with regards to this. Please click here to view the 'Parent Information Session Questions' Please click here to view the 'Friend Preference Sheet 2021 Form' Community News
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School Contacts
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