|
The Oak Leaf |
|
Address: Willett Avenue, Oak Park VIC 3046
T:(03) 9306 9182 E: [email protected] |
Issue 22
December 17th 2020 |
Oak Park Primary School will work collaboratively to provide a stimulating, safe and challenging learning environment that promotes resilient, innovative thinkers.
|
Calendar of Events
|
|
PLEASE NOTE SCHOOL DISMISSAL TIME ON THURSDAY 17TH DECEMBER, IS 3.30pm
|
|
Principal's Column
Welcome to the final newsletter of 2020. And what a year it’s been. 2020 will long be remembered for the worldwide pandemic, for lockdowns, shutdowns, social distancing and terrible losses. Our communities were hit hard, we had to find different ways of doing things and ‘remote and flexible learning’ became a thing. Our thinking was tested and many of the old ways were challenged. We had to start doing some things that we weren’t used to doing and we had to stop doing some things that we had always done. Some of the things that we thought were important seemed less so. We missed little things. We missed going out, we missed our friends and we missed family members. People talked a lot about getting used to a ‘new normal’ when all we wanted was for everything to be like it was before. But the year also brought out the best in people. We started the year reflecting on the bravery of firefighters and then marvelled at the courage and dedication of the people who looked after the health of vulnerable people. We heard many stories of people in our own community reaching out and helping others. Most things evolve over time and we learn to adapt to changes, sometimes slowly, but in 2020 there were so many sudden changes that had to be made in order to protect ourselves, that we had to adapt more quickly than ever before. Schools, students and their families were asked to operate in ways that were vastly different to anything we had ever seen before. Kids had to learn how to manage themselves and their own learning to an extent not seen before. I believe we all learned a lot about ourselves. We learned to slow down and be more mindful. We learned to be patient and we found new ways to connect to others. So they were some of the learnings from 2020. I recently asked our Grade 6 Graduates what were the three big things they learned in primary school. It was really interesting to note that most of the responses I received were not about the maths they learned or the readings they did, even though they learned a lot there – they were mostly about other kinds of learning - how to be a friend, stepping out of your comfort zone and challenging yourself to be better than you are. They were actually about values and people and connections. And that’s another thing about this year. It highlighted our interconnectedness and demonstrated how small the world really is. It showed that what happens in other countries, in other states and in other cities can have a significant impact on all of us. It showed that the decisions we make and the things that we do can affect many others. And this is an important point I think, for the future we are creating together; that what we think, what we say and especially what we do are critical to not only our own individual future but the future of all of us. It’s easy to dwell on how difficult a year it has been. But we should also take the time to reflect on some of the things we have that we are grateful for. Our families, our friends but so much more. GOODBYES The end of the year is always a mixture of the happy and the sad. Happy because the holidays and Christmas are nearly here but also because we have to say goodbye to some friends. We say farewell to Tania Haimon, Emily Wade and Tet Corso. It’s been great working with all of you this year and on behalf of the Oak Park Primary School community, thank you for your dedication and commitment to the kids. In 2021 we will be welcoming back Kathy Seator, Denise Anderson and Amy Devlin. To our Grade 6 students who leave us at the end of the year – thank you for your contributions to our school throughout your time here, but particularly this year. You have been a FANTASTIC bunch of kids and we are very proud of you. We will miss you! Good luck! To those families who will no longer be at Oak Park Primary School next year – we wish you well. Several families have been associated with the school for many years and it is something of an end of an era, in many ways, for the family and the school. Good luck too, to those children who are moving house and transferring to new schools in 2021. Finally, a Happy Christmas and a fantastic New Year to you and your families. I hope you get the opportunity to spend time with people close to you - and have a very relaxing break! Grade 6 Graduation
Foundation News
On Wednesday afternoon, the Foundation students received a surprise delivery from the North Pole! After writing letters to Santa last week, students were very excited to each receive a letter in return from one of Santa’s elves (Santa himself is obviously very busy at the moment and needed some help to write all of the letters). The most special part of the delivery was that the letters themselves were covered in ice! After some very careful smashing by the teachers, students got to feel a piece of ice from the North Pole and read their letters with their Grade 6 buddies. What an exciting afternoon
COVID-19 – Wearing of Masks for Pick up and Drop off at School
A reminder about mask wearing in and around school areas. When you are gathering in groups, please be mindful of students and parents if they can’t pass you within the 1.5m distance – and if you need to pass anyone at a distance closer than 1.5m, please use your mask. Masks should be carried at all times Library
Dear Families, Please don’t forget to return any overdue Library books that may be hiding under beds or in cupboards in your house. Students should keep reading for at least 10 minutes a day over the school holidays to set themselves up for a great start to the new school year. It will keep their brains active, develop overall reading skills and their love of reading. To help families keep their reading momentum rolling over the holidays, Scholastic are releasing some reading resources at the end of term, including
Happy summer reading! Michelle School Library Lost and Found
Bomber jackets that are named have been sorted by the office staff and returned to students earlier this week. There are still many pieces of non-school uniform and assorted uniform pieces in our lost property. Items of uniform in good condition and not claimed by the last day of term, will be passed to the PFA. All plastic wear (lunch boxes, drink bottles etc) not claimed by the last day of term will be discarded. Many of these items are mouldy and have been in lost property for months. If your child has also ‘lost’ their Grade 6 bomber jacket, (with all grade 6 names on back), please call the office. We also have a pair of black Speedo brand swim goggles in the office. Kids Artwork
We have received an update from Kids Artworks that our order will not arrive before the end of term on Thursday. We are now hoping to receive the artworks by the 22nd or 23rd next week. If you would like to receive your products before the start of the 2021 school year, could you please email [email protected] with your home address so that we can work out a way to get your products to you once they arrive. Sending apologies for any inconvenience caused! TeamKids – School holiday program
Community News
|
|
We are running a kids' cooking class a few days before Christmas - great for parents who need some time for last minute 'stuff', without kids in tow.
School Contacts
|
