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The Oak Leaf |
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Address: Willett Avenue, Oak Park VIC 3046
T:(03) 9306 9182 E: oak.park.ps@education.vic.gov.au |
Issue 03
February 16th 2023 |
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
Professional Learning Communities – Term 1 Writing and Vocabulary Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are an approach to school improvement where groups of teachers work collaboratively at the school level to improve student outcomes. Working as a PLC is a proven way for schools to increase student learning by creating a culture that is:
This term we’re working together on a writing focus across the school and a tier three vocabulary focus in Specialist classrooms. As professional learning resources, teachers are using resources from the 6+1 Writing Traits, Narissa Leung’s Master Class Series and the DET Literacy Toolkit. If you’re interested in learning more about this content please follow the hyperlinks above. Inter-relate – Tricky Talk Parent Program - Thursday March 2nd To further support the student sessions planned in the Year 5 and Year 6 classrooms, the school is hosting parent and students sessions to assist families with ‘Tricky Talk’. Tricky Talk is two separate sessions to support parents and students in Year 3/4 and Year 5/6. The sessions are run by experienced teachers from Interrelate and will have the following foci: Session 1: Where Did I Come From? Audience: Year 3 and 4 students and their parents/carers Program focus:
Audience: Year 5 and 6 students and their parents/carers Program focus:
The cost is $35 per family, which allows parents and students to attend one or both sessions on the night. A Compass invitation for the event will be live shortly. School Council Nominations – Closed Thank you to parents that completed the nomination process for the available positions on School Council. Nominations have now closed and we’ll shortly announce the appointments or need for an election process. Softfall Top Ups and Fresh Sand A big thanks to Ali and Trevor German for helping spread the additional softfall tanbark and sand in playgrounds and our sandpits. All part of keeping our students safe and active during lunch and recess times. The sand was especially appreciated by students, evidence below! 
Meet the Teacher – Wednesday February 22nd
Please note our Meet the Teacher event is hosted on Wednesday February 22nd 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. Thanks to all families that have already booked their meeting times. Kind regards, Michael Gill Principal Dogs Connect
Welcome back Zoe! Zoe has finally started back at school this week! She had her first day in 5/6S on Wednesday and overall, the day was a success. Her morning started with greeting some of the teachers before she had some time with Maree in the classroom on her own. This was a chance for her to investigate the space and bond with Maree. While that was happening, Sally met with the students of 5/6S to discuss all things Zoe and prepare them for the day ahead. Being a puppy, Zoe was keen for attention and at times, barked and cried to get it. The students of 5/6S did an amazing job of ignoring her behaviour and she was quick to settle and relax. Zoe will be visiting classrooms on Friday morning while 5/6S are at Interschool Sport. She will continue to attend Wednesdays and Fridays this term and will build up to Monday, Wednesday and Friday in Term 2.
Interschool Sports
Assembly Schedule - Term 1
Meet the Teacher
Please note our Meet the Teacher event is hosted on Wednesday February 22nd 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. Thanks to all families that have already booked their meeting times. Wellbeing
Breakfast Club Hi I am Selin and this is Amany. We are the Wellbeing Leaders and one of our jobs is to promote and run the Breakfast Club. Breakfast Club is great if you have to come to school early and don’t have enough time to eat breakfast. Breakfast club promotes health and wellbeing. Eating your breakfast allows you to focus more at school and boost your energy. Your brain works even better when you eat something in the morning. So instead of sitting down outside, why don’t you come to Breakfast Club and eat some of our many breakfast options (see below). That way you can stay hyped up all day! We know, we do. See you there at 8:15am on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Some of the breakfast options: 
Free Fruit
This year, the Wellbeing Leaders are trying to promote healthy eating throughout the school. Our aim is to come around to your classroom each Monday with a basket full of fruit. But first, we need to survey each class to know how many students would like to have fruit or vegetables and which one they would like (apples, oranges, mini carrots and/or pears). The most voted fruits will be chosen, and we will make sure that your class gets the right amount. So, watch out for the Wellbeing team coming round to your classroom this week. By Vihara and Adam 
Year 2 News
Parent Hacks
This year we are creating a new space in the newsletter for parents to share their top tips which have made school life easier! Please send in your favourite schooling tips to Fran at frances.macdonough@education.vic.gov.au Parent Hack Number 3 Making lunches the night before is such a great way to save time in the morning. I put the whole lunchbox (sandwich included) in the fridge and my child just takes it out in the morning. It’s simple but a game changer! 
Specialist
Performing Arts The benefits of performing arts According to the Victorian Curriculum F-10: Performing arts are an essential method of communication and learning, and are strongly linked to language. We perceive the world through the senses, and the arts allows us to understand (observe), explore and experiment, and express ourselves: Children’s] communication and self-expression take many forms including sharing stories and symbols from their own culture, re-enacting well-known stories and using creative arts, such as drawing, painting and sculpture, drama, dance, movement and music to communicate with others. They create and explore imaginary worlds through dramatic play and through artworks. The performing arts provides another outlet for children to interact with others. When combined with dance, music and drama, children can use language to understand and express more complex ideas. 
Physical Education
This week in PE we have the students in grades 5-6 begin their first round of interschool sports for term 1.
Students who have been selected for the cricket, softball, and bat tennis teams are matched up against Glenroy west at home. If any parents wish to come down and support our teams, you're more than welcome to join us! All of our home games will be played at school, while our away games may be held at various locations. For further information regarding interschool sports, please consult the compass calendar. Liam Science
This week in the science room we will be thinking about how science is always all around us – it’s in our homes, part of the vehicles we drive, outside in nature and even in the foods we eat. It is exciting to know that science is present in our community and our daily lives and that there are many ways that we can interact with it. If you are keen to engage with some science in our local community I can recommend visiting the Merri-bek council webpage and getting involved in the Citizen Science project. https://merri-bek.vic.gov.au/living-in-merri-bek/environment/nature/citizen-science/ Citizen science encourages public participation and collaboration in scientific research, as well as creating opportunities for the community to come together to learn about and celebrate our wonderful natural environment. Merri-bek supports residents to get involved in a range of citizen science projects. There's something for everyone, whether you're a budding bug-catcher or a serious bird nerd! If you are keen to explore a little further from home, we are very lucky in Melbourne to have the ‘Scienceworks Museum’ - an incredible destination for curious minds of all ages. ‘Scienceworks’ specialises in interactive exhibitions and experiences to see how science works and is a wonderful place for children and families to explore science together. https://museumsvictoria.com.au/scienceworks Stephanie Japanese News
Here are some ways you can support your child’s learning in Japanese:
Natalie Visual Arts
In Visual Arts classes students often show the school’s core values of Respect, Resilience and Responsibility. This week’s newsletter item will focus on how respect is promoted and shown during your child’s weekly art session.
School Value – Respect, therefore we… Value and utilise each other's personal qualities, abilities, strengths and ideas. Acknowledge and celebrate achievements. Act in a polite and courteous manner. Are active and responsive listeners. Respect is shown in a number of ways during art classes. One of those is using a feedback system in all lessons with the acronym TAG. T stands for ‘Tell us something you like about the student’s work’. A stands for ‘Ask a question about the student’s artwork’ and finally G stands for ‘Give a suggestion about how the artwork could be improved’. All students get their chance to share their artwork and have other students give them feedback about it using the TAG feedback prompts. This is all done very respectfully and guided by myself to ensure students have a positive experience when participating in sharing their work. We regularly celebrate the abilities and achievements of students in the Visual Arts Program, and strive to treat each other courteously and politely when working with one another. It’s not ‘out of the ordinary’ to hear students complimenting each other about the artwork they are producing when you walk around the art room. David Flint Visual Arts Teacher Student Phones
A reminder that all students must hand in their phones to the Office on arrival at school. The phones are kept safely locked away during school hours. Zooper Doopers
Great news Oak Parkers, the Fundraising Team will be selling Zooper Doopers for $1 each every Tuesday and Thursday starting next week to help you cope with our scorching summer days, and to raise money for the Grade 6 Graduation. Our friendly and reliable Fundraising Team will deliver Zooper Doopers to the classrooms during eating time for the teachers to distribute. Please remember to put your wrappers in the bin to keep our school grounds looking fabulous. Thanks for supporting this worthy cause. From the Grade 6 Fundraising Team Year 6-7 Transition
The process for Year 6-7 Transition starts in Term 2. The placement information pack will be sent home to all families of current Grade 6 students at that time. The parent/carer pack contains:
Please keep an eye on the newsletter as Open Days and School Tour information will be posted as it is received. For those families wishing to enrol privately or at Catholic Schools, you will need to contact them directly as their transition process has already started. If your child has been accepted at a Catholic or Private school, you will still need to state this on the Application and return to the Office. 
Online Lunch Orders
A reminder that Lunch Orders can only be ordered online now via an app called QKR, which can be downloaded from the App store (details below). QKR is all set up now for Oak Park Primary School. 
Community News
Kelly Sports
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Ace Tennis School
Penola Saints Netball Club
Oak Park Football Club
Auskick
Auskick Intro is AFL Victoria’s introductory program and pathway into Community Auskick that will be delivered across Term 1. This program will be heavily focused on delivering a premium, first experience to football for kids aged between 5-12. We have 3 programs running:
This program is aimed at students who don’t already play Auskick or Juniors for a local centre or club. 
School Contacts
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