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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 36
November 15th 2024 |
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
Term 4 Events: November 2024
December 2024
2025 Term 1 Events: January 2025
February 2025
Acting Principal's Final Column
As I wrap up my time as Acting Principal, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on this experience. It has been a valuable opportunity, and while I’ve enjoyed the challenges, I’m also looking forward to resuming my role as Assistant Principal. The past few weeks have been a whirlwind, filled with activities and events that have kept us all on our toes, but the pace is only set to increase as we head towards the end of the year. I want to extend a huge thank you to our incredible teachers who have been juggling multiple assessments and working diligently on report writing. Your support and commitment during this term, especially in Michael’s absence, have not gone unnoticed. It’s been a demanding time, and I appreciate the extra effort everyone has put in to ensure our students continue to receive the best learning experience possible. A special mention goes to Amy and Melanie, who stepped up as Acting Assistant Principals. Their support and teamwork have been invaluable, and I am truly grateful to have had such dedicated colleagues by my side. On days that felt like we were constantly managing multiple challenges, I couldn’t have asked for a better team. As we approach the end of the year, it’s natural for everyone to feel the pressure building. This is a tricky time — we’re all busy, tired, and feeling the weight of what lies ahead. It’s also a time when stress can affect our interactions with one another. Let’s remember to be kind, supportive, and patient with each other. Clear and compassionate communication will go a long way in easing the strain we’re all feeling. Helping Your Child with Change The end of the school year brings transition, which can be a challenging time for children. Here are a few tips to support them:
Kind regards, Sally Morath Acting Principal WHAT'S HAPPENING @ OAK PARK
WHOLE SCHOOL
Assembly Timetable
Celebrating 70 Years of Oak Park Primary
On Friday, 8th November, Oak Park Primary School marked a significant milestone in its history, celebrating its 70th Anniversary with a special alumnus gathering. The event provided a wonderful opportunity for former students, staff, and members of the community to come together and reflect on the school’s rich history. The gym doors were open from the early afternoon, showing memorabilia from across the decades. Visitors were able to explore photographs, yearbooks, and other items that highlighted the school's evolution over the past 70 years. It was a nostalgic journey through time, with attendees reminiscing about their school days and the changes they had witnessed in the local area. The event’s first guest was Ian Lee, who attended Oak Park Primary in 1956. Ian shared some incredible stories from the school’s very first years, offering a unique glimpse into life at Oak Park in its early days. He recalled how the school was surrounded by paddocks and how, back then, the football goal was facing the other direction on the oval and only six portable classrooms were in use. The modest beginnings of the school stood in contrast to the wonderful buildings, tiger turf and playgrounds we have today. Ian’s recollections sparked lively conversations and further stories among the alumni, as others shared their own memories of the school. Grant Allen was the captain of yellow house (formerly known as Stevenson house) and shared memories of how assembly was organised back in the 1970’s. The house captains would stand all together and have the house flags touch before the school recited ‘God save the Queen’. Classes were then marched into their classroom by the beat of the drum, which Grant Allen and former student Tim Harrington both remembered and shared, we will definitely share that drum beat with the students! There were also teaching practises that we are glad to keep in the past. Grant and Tim both remember the brown belt which had the word ‘monstrosity’ written across it. This feared belt would come down on an open palm. There were also disconcerting stories of students been sent down to the local milk bar in class time to buy Winfield Red’s for a Grade 5 teacher. Imagine that happening at any school now! It seems like Oak Park has had a great impact on some of our former students, as a few are now teachers! Caitlin Browning Hull, Connor Ferris, Kaitlin Ferris and Jake Scalzo attended with Rachel Turner (a current Grade 6 teacher and former Oak Park student) and had a lovely time reminiscing about old times. Jo Murrone-Barr, Vince Murrone and Liz Bolte together with their families attended and enjoyed looking through the school’s history and remembering their own times as students and now also parents of Oak Park Primary School. The evening wrapped up with a sense of pride and appreciation for all that Oak Park Primary has achieved in its 70 years. It was a celebration not only of the school’s history but also of the ongoing contributions of its students, staff, and alumni. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended and made the evening such a special occasion. We are working towards creating an Oak Park Alumni Facebook page to find past staff and students far and wide as are planning a huge turnout for the school 75th Anniversary. Family Carols Night
C.S.E.F Applications 2025
Last week it was advised that for the first time State Schools relief is now offering a SUMMER Version of the Prep CSEF Uniform Package so that the new students in 2025 can start their school year all decked out. However, CSEF eligibility data for prep students and their families is not available to schools until the beginning of Term1, 2025. So, to ensure that any families in need can access State Schools relief support prior to the start of the 2025 year, SSR will accept any applications for the new CSEF Prep Uniform Package for students whose families hold a current/valid health care card. Attached is a copy of the information sheet for families and a copy of the order form. When submitting the order form to the school please ensure there is also a copy of your current/valid health care card. 
School Savings Bonus
Parent and carer School Saving Bonus code distribution The Victorian Government is delivering the School Saving Bonus – a one-off $400 support for government school students from Prep to Year 12 in 2025. From Tuesday 26 November 2024, you will receive an email from the Department of Education with your unique $400 School Saving Bonus code. The School Saving Bonus will help families cover the cost of uniforms, textbooks, excursions, activities and more. If you have multiple children enrolled in Victorian government schools for 2025, you will receive one School Saving Bonus code email per child. These emails might arrive on different days. Please make sure to check your spam/junk email folder. Parents and carers can use the School Saving Bonus code in store at school-nominated suppliers. Parents and carers can also choose to access the School Saving Bonus online system, where they can allocate part or all the $400 bonus to use at school nominated-online suppliers or for school activities. To learn more about the School Saving Bonus, visit School Saving Bonus | vic.gov.au (www.vic.gov.au). A step-by-step user guide will be available on the webpage on 26 November. If you have not received your School Saving Bonus code via email by Friday 29 November, please contact the Department of Education by emailing [email protected] 2025 Foundation Uniform
Foundation Uniform Discount Days. 
2025 Foundation Transition
We are looking forward to welcoming parents/guardians of our 2025 Foundation students to our Foundation transition sessions next term. During these sessions your child will get to meet one of our 2024 Foundation teachers, participate in some activities in the classrooms and meet some of their 2024 peers. Please see attached our timeline including the dates, times and important information for our 3 transition sessions as well as our final ‘Meet the Teacher’ session. If you already have a child at Oak Park Primary School and you will be enrolling that childs sibling for 2025, but have not yet completed an enrolment form, please email Fran to complete an enrolment form as soon as possible. [email protected] You may also collect a form from the office 
P.F.A. News
MEETINGS: Below are the PFA meeting dates for the reminder of the year to put in your diary! Meetings start at 7.30 pm and are held in the staffroom at the school. All are welcome to attend. Term 4 Tuesday 3 December (mtg/end-of-year celebration) School Start Time
We are getting an increasing amount of students (predominantly Grade 5/6’s) arriving earlier and earlier to play basketball in the mornings. Please do not send your child before 8:30am as there is no one to supervise them. If you need your child dropped off earlier, please enrol them in before care with TeamKids. Thank you for your understanding. SPECIALIST
Sustainability
Sustainability Crew News – Bee Conservation Photo in photo doc. Last week the Sustainability Crew invited the foundation students and some grade 5/6 students to come along and learn about bees. The sustainability captains asked the foundation students if they knew anything about bees. The captains then showed a Canva presentation about bees. The foundation students did a fun activity – making beehives out of craft materials.
Zoha 5/6C Sustainability Captain 
Visual Arts
Grade 1/2 Ken Done Inspired Artwork Grade 1 and 2 students have been learning about Australian artist Ken Done. They have viewed some of his artworks and discussed the colours he uses, and how simple painted lines can create recognisable objects. The students also learned about Done’s thoughts on the importance of art for kids in school. As an initial art piece, the students recreated their own version of Ken Done’s ‘Night Birds’ (1990), using pastel and collage techniques. Our next project will be another look at an artwork by Ken Done involving drawing, painting and collage techniques called ‘The Fish Waiting For Their Dinner’. Below are some examples of the ‘Night Birds’ artworks that students created. 
Community News
PENOLA SAINTS NETBALL
School Contacts
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