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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 31
October 16th 2019 |
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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Uniform Award
This week’s Uniform Wearer of the Week Award goes to ABDUL KHALED 1H Congratulations Abdul for setting such a great example to the rest of the school! |
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Principal's Column
Now that the dust has settled on this year’s concert, I thought I’d share a few reflections. Our school has organised a concert every second year for quite a few years now and we have moved from a set of performances by individual grades on a loose theme to the extravaganza you all witnessed late last term. Along the way we have seen some kids not just step out of their comfort zone but absolutely smash their way through it. There are those who are obviously very comfortable with performing and others much less so, but all achieved a lot and will take with them many memories and a feeling of great personal success. Staff used to really dread the organisation of the concert. There was always a lot to do and a lot of anxiety about whether it would work out ok and how it would all come together. But it always does. And huge credit must go to Melanie Ojczyk for the vision, the encouragement and the sense of enthusiasm that she instils in the kids and the staff. She really does make it all so much easier for the rest of us. I was able to sit in the audience on the first night and was blown away by the performances of the kids. Each act was great and I loved how they connected with the central theme. And what good messages were promoted throughout! I was really pleased to see the performances of the principal players too – they were amazing – these kids put in so much work and dedication over a long period of time. And why do we do it? Well, we believe getting kids to practice and perform in front of an audience has many benefits for them. It provides some balance and adds to what they already do, but there also strong links with academic performance too. There’s also the socialisation aspect, a boost to self esteem, when you do things you didn’t know you could do, and it helps to promote an individual’s creativity and self expression. Apart from all that, it’s actually great fun – though I accept not for everyone. |
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2020 Classes – Parent Input
Often during this time of year the school begins to get questions about how class lists for the next school year are developed. Basically, we begin working on this early in Term 4. The following criteria are considered as the staff creates a recommendation to the principal for class composition that includes:
Please note that parent requests are considered when the request is based on the learning style of the student or other known factors that may have a positive or negative influence on the child. We do not place children based on simple choice. As noted above many factors are taken into consideration. Here are the steps to the process:
Walk to School Month
Every October, Walk to School encourages Victorian primary school kids to walk, ride or scoot to and from school. It’s a great way to help students learn healthy habits and achieve the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity, every day. It also encourages primary schools, local councils and communities to make active travel easy, safe and accessible. Along with the health benefits, walking to school has benefits for the whole community. It reduces traffic congestion, saves on parking, helps us connect with family and friends and even saves the environment! There are so many great reasons to participate in Walk to School this October. Oak Park Primary School is supporting this initiative. Please encourage your children to walk, ride or scoot to and from school this month! An easy way to get involved in Walk to School month is to join Oak Park’s Walking School Bus on a Tuesday or Thursday morning. Please contact Stacey Lowry if you are interested in joining. For more information on the Walk to School initiative please visit: https://www.walktoschool.vic.gov.au/ Lost Property
Parents, we still have an unbelievable amount of uniforms in our lost property area. There are also many drink bottles, lunch boxes etc. If your child has lost an item of uniform, please come and check if it’s in lost property. Sustainability Events Coming Up
We have been very lucky to secure some amazing experiences based on sustainability for our students. Keep your eyes out for these events on COMPASS, most of which are free! Thursday 17th October – WaterWatch, Merri Creek: our grade 5’s are attending activities to do with waterway health, a free event provided by WaterWatch and RMIT. Friday 8th November – a group of students from 4P has organised a Casual Day to raise money for the critically endangered orange bellied parrot. Gold coin donation! Also, there will be a raffle with tickets selling for $1 per ticket. All funds go to Zoos Victoria’s ‘Fighting Extincition’ program. Friday 8th November – Foundation students visiting Serendip Sanctuary in Lara, with the Serendip experience free courtesy of Parks Victoria. There will be a charge for transport – please keep an eye on COMPASS for further details. Friday 22nd November – A group of ten selected students will visit the ‘Fighting Extinction Showcase’ at Melbourne Zoo. This is a collection of schools who have been involved in the ‘Fighting Extinction’ program sharing their work and having some great speakers and learning opportunities. Zoo experience is free and I expect to be able to arrange free transport as well – keep watching COMPASS. Week 5/6 – I have earmarked these weeks as the most likely weeks for us to complete a Frog Census down at the Moonee Ponds Creek. Again, this is a free event, but I will be looking for parent helpers. More details soon. RESOURCE SMART SCHOOLS – WE’VE ACHIEVED OUR FIRST STAR! We joined Resource Smart Schools in 2017 as a means of receiving accreditation and support for the environmental and sustainability-based work we do at school. I have recently been advised that we have achieved our first star! We can now work up to a 5 star school with further accreditation a for our work. Signage will be arriving soon. NEW RECYCLING HUBS AT SCHOOL! We recently became involved with SCR Group, which re-uses and recycles clothing and electronics. The hubs for these are located in the drop off area so you can easily put things into the bins without needing to drag them through the school. We were recently visited by Mondo, SCR’s mascot, who showed us the hubs and how they help turn what people throw out into useful resources. There is also a financial benefit to the school, so please bring in your old clothes and electronics and make sure they can have a new life. Special recycling information for parents |
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Music Lessons
Re Music/Guitar lessons: Due to a death in the family, our Music program will not commence this term until Monday 21st October. Families will be advised by Michael or Amy, that invoices will either be credited or there will be an option of having make up lessons made available. Comedy Night
Lock in a baby sitter, this Saturday, 19th of October is Oak Park Primary’s social event of the year, our Comedy Night! Adam Rozenbachs and Johnny Katts will be here to make you laugh out loud. We have a new MC this year too, Russ Wigginton. Tickets are on sale now at the office for just $25 per head ($30 at the door). Grab your mates, or meet new ones there. BYO nibblies and drinks at 7pm for a 7.30 pm start. Bring some spare change for our Bottle in a Bag raffle. It’s bound to be another memorable comedy night and who doesn’t love a good laugh? 
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