Address: Willett Avenue, Oak Park VIC 3046
T:(03) 9306 9182 E: [email protected] |
Issue 32
October 18th 2024 |
Oak Park Primary School will work collaboratively to provide a stimulating, safe and challenging learning environment that promotes resilient, innovative thinkers.
Calendar of Events
Term 4 Events: October 2024
November 2024
December 2024
2025 Term 1 Events: January 2025
Principal's Column
Hats off to Teachers - World Teachers’ Day - 23rd October 2024
Next Wednesday, 23rd October, we will celebrate World Teachers' Day, and we want to take a moment to express our thanks to the incredible teachers at Oak Park Primary School. Their time, effort, and dedication to making learning fun and engaging and consistently going above and beyond for our students - thank you! To show our appreciation, we will be celebrating them next Wednesday with a special afternoon tea, generously supplied by some of our wonderful parents. It’s a small way to acknowledge the huge impact they have on our school community and to say thank you for their passion, commitment, and care. Thank you, teachers—we appreciate you! Class Placements 2025
Thank you to the families who have already submitted requests for class placements. If you haven't yet, please ensure all requests are sent by Friday, 25th October 2024. Many of the requests we are receiving focus on students you'd prefer your child not to be placed with. Please know that all requests are carefully considered and reviewed by our Wellbeing team. We strive to place each student with a balanced mix of friends they are comfortable with, as well as peers they collaborate well with. Creating the right class dynamic is a complex process that requires many hours of thoughtful planning. We understand that every parent wants to give their child the best chance to succeed at school. You want them to feel happy, safe, and supported – and so do we! Our challenge is to ensure that all students have equal opportunities. In some year groups, we only have three classes, which limits how we can divide students. If you have multiple requests regarding students your child should avoid, it may be difficult or even impossible for us to accommodate all preferences. Sharing a classroom with students they don’t get along with can be difficult, but it presents a valuable opportunity for growth. Early in their schooling, students begin to develop essential strategies for managing conflict, building resilience, and fostering healthy relationships. Learning how to navigate differences in a supportive environment helps them practice patience, empathy, and effective communication. These skills not only improve their ability to work with others but also prepare them for future challenges, both academically and socially. By addressing conflicts early on, students build a foundation for understanding and cooperation that will benefit them throughout their school years and beyond. Celebrating 70 years of Oak Park
As mentioned in our previous newsletter, we have some exciting events lined up this term to celebrate our 70th Birthday! The festivities will kick off in Week 5 with our Writer’s Festival on Wednesday, 6th November. Students have been busy crafting special pieces of writing around the theme "Celebrating Oak Park." The festival will officially launch with a whole-school assembly that morning, and we warmly invite the community to attend. Following the Writer’s Festival, the fun will continue with our Colour Fun Run after lunch. On Friday, 8th November, we are excited to welcome OPPS alumni for a special evening of catching up with old friends and sharing memories. The event starts at 7pm and will feature school memorabilia, artefacts, and photos showcasing Oak Park’s rich history. Work from the Writer’s Festival will also be on display. This is an adults-only event, with all attendees required to be over 18. Light refreshments will be served, with drinks available for purchase. Feel free to share the event on social media, and please RSVP via the Eventbrite link below. We look forward to celebrating this milestone with you! Kind regards,
Sally Morath Acting Principal WHAT'S HAPPENING @ OAK PARK
WHOLE SCHOOL
Assembly Timetable
Teacher Appreciation Day
No Hat/No Play
A reminder for all that hats are compulsory during Term 4 as UV levels are high and we should all be sun-safe. Should a student not be wearing a hat, they will be restricted to being undercover. Hats are not available at school for students to borrow, but we have a limited supply for purchase at $6 each. Should you need to purchase a hat, please come to the office. Students Leaving If your child will no longer be attending Oak Park Primary School in 2025 (other than Grade 6 students) please advise the office and your class teacher as soon as possible. Staff are now in the process of planning for 2025, so this information is crucial to that planning. You may also email Fran at [email protected] 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 12 November Tuesday 3 December (mtg/end-of-year celebration) Fun Run Challenge ALERT: GET READY FOR THE BEST SCHOOL DAY EVER! Big Show & Crazy Colour Fun Run: Sign up today! It's time for students to put on their running shoes and get ready for an exhilarating and vibrant event that promises fun, fitness, and a kaleidoscope of colours – the School Fun Run’s Big Show & Crazy Colour Day! Mark your calendars because on Wednesday 6 November, our school grounds will be transformed into a canvas of colours. The event aims to promote health, wellness and community spirit while having an absolute blast. This will be our major fundraiser for the year, and we’re raising funds for the development of the Wellbeing Hub. Sign up at funrun.com.au today to get involved! The class with the most profiles created by this Friday 18 October gets to run first on the day and receives a Quelch icy pole, so sign up today! Thanks, The PFA Anzac Appeal
“We Will Remember Them” Starting next Monday, students will be selling (on behalf of Glenroy RSL) poppies in various forms to raise funds. They will be selling these near the 5/6 area from approximately 8:30am until 8:45, and then after school from 3.30 – 3.45pm 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 Zooper Doopers
It's that time of year again, the weather is warming up! So Zooper Doopers are BACK and started this week. They will be sold every Tuesday and Thursday at the start of lunchtime. Please bring $1 to purchase a delicious Zooper Dooper and help raise money for our fundraising team. Thank you in advance Kate, Rachel and the Year 6 Fundraising Team MIDDLE SCHOOL
3/4 Billy Carts Excursion
In collaboration with Supreme Incursions, Year 3/4 students enjoyed an exciting afternoon learning about designing and building Billy Carts. This event was integrated into their inquiry unit on Design and Technologies, where they explored the engineering process behind constructing Billy Carts and prototype testing. Bryce, who led the incursion, provided students with various parts of a Billy Cart and explained the mechanics of movement. He showcased essential components such as the axle, wheels, and different nuts, bolts, washers, and body parts that can be used to create a moving object. Students worked collaboratively with their peers to construct a Billy Cart without any instructions!
Next, they engaged in the design process, planning, designing, building, and testing their prototypes. The highlight of the day was the opportunity to test drive the Billy Carts, racing them around the gym. It was exhilarating fun for everyone involved!
SENIOR SCHOOL
Cricket Gala Day
Cameron from Glenroy Central has organised a cricket Gala Day for the local schools in the area to participate in a friendly day of cricket action. We have 2 teams that we can fill for the day. If your child is interested in playing or you would like to help volunteer to coach/supervise in this tournament, please get in touch with me! Venue: J P Fawkner Reserve (awaiting council confirmation) Date: Friday 1st November 2024 Basic Outline:
After our Term 1 Grand final victory against Westbreen, our inter school cricket team is scheduled to play in the Division Finals at Heidelberg Park on Monday 28th October. All the students who represented Oak Park in this game will have the opportunity to compete again if they wish to do so Stay tuned for a compass event Liam 2025 Grade 6 Uniforms
GRADE 6 STUDENTS 2025 A representative from A PLUS UNIFORMS will be in attendance at Oak Park Primary School on MONDAY THE 14TH OCTOBER to size students for the GRADE 6 POLO TOPS and HOODED WINDCHEATERS. To enable the students to receive their garments by the start of 2025, order forms and payment must be received by FRIDAY 8th of NOVEMBER. Attached is an order form for your information. This form will be sent home with your child on the 14th of October listing items and sizes that have been tried on. NO LATE ORDERS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE 8TH OF NOVEMBER. Grade 6 to Year 7 Orientation Days
Tuesday 10th December 2024 & Wednesday 11th December 2024. Further information will be forwarded to families from the Secondary Colleges SPECIALIST
Performing Arts
The Moana Jnr concert performance was an wonderful showcase of talent, teamwork, and creativity!
Every student brought energy and enthusiasm to the stage, making the characters and story of Moana come to life in the most captivating way. What made the evening even more special were the smiles, laughter, and joy shared by both the performers and the audience. It was truly a community event, where students not only developed their performance skills but also created memories that will last a lifetime. Here are some photos captured throughout the performance as a beautiful reminder of these moments. Whether it’s a snapshot of Moana sailing across the sea, Maui’s larger-than-life presence, or each grades incredible teamwork, each picture tells a story of its own. Also a reminder that the USB orders will be sailing our way from Costello Filming by the end of this week! Science
In Science this term, our senior students are completing a physics unit that focuses on light and it’s properties. Students began by representing their current understanding as they described how they believed light travels how light enables our eyes to see. They have described and visually represented their understanding of reflection, absorption and refraction of light. In week one we used ‘think boxes’ to gather our prior knowledge about how light travels and how it helps us to see. Students worked in small groups to analyse their peers answers and looked for common ideas and understandings. In week two we have experimented with a dark space (Stephanie’s cupboard of mystery!) where they experienced how their eyes adapted to a very low light source. They then used this experience to inform responses to an imaginary scenario and then discussed their thoughts. As we move through our unit, students will think about light and its role in our lives and our community through hands-on activities. Their investigations will help them to understand and explain how objects reflect, absorb and refract light, and how we use light to meet our needs. Visual Arts
Your child(ren) will be bringing some artwork home this week, that they will have planned and made a start on in their Visual Arts classes. The artwork is being created for the annual PFA Kids Art Works fundraiser. Student artworks can be scanned and printed onto items such as calendars, diaries, greeting cards, mousepads and sketchbooks.
Artworks need to be finished at home (if not already completed) and must be returned to David Flint (Art Teacher) in the Art Room by Monday October 21st. Any art related questions regarding this fundraiser can be emailed to the OPPS Art Teacher here. Ordering will be done by parents online and information will be communicated shortly by the PFA. Ordering will most likely occur close to the end of October (further information from the PFA will be sent out on the Compass app). There will be a 2 week window for ordering to take place. Any order inquiries can be directed to the PFA at the email address below. [email protected] This is an annual fundraising initiative that has been quite successful over the past 9 years. A portion of the money generated by Kids Artworks orders will be reimbursed to the school, assisting with funding programs and initiatives for the 2025 school year. We highly value the continued support shown by the OPPS community for this fundraising initiative. Thank you! David Flint (Visual Arts Teacher) & OPPS PFA Physical Education
Dear Families, With great pride, I can announce some more amazing achievements from our young athletes at Oak Park. On the 5th and 6th of October Indigo in grade 5 and Arvin in grade 4 competed in the Gold Coast Budo Challenge. Indigo won gold in the Kata competition on Saturday followed by another gold medal in Kumite (full contact) competition on Sunday. Arvin won gold in Kumite individually and overall with his team! Also, we had a few elite runners compete in the Regional Athletics Championships this week. A huge congratulations to Jesse, Hugo and Georgia for your efforts! The results were: Jesse 2nd in the 12/13yo boys 800m Hugo 2nd in the 11yo boys 1500m Georgia 8th in the 9/10 girls 1500m and 4th in the 9/10 girls 800m. Hugo and Jesse will compete in the state championships next month. Good luck! In more local news, we have begun our net/wall games unit in PE at school. All students from Foundation to grade 6 will focus on developing their skills and knowledge relating to tennis and other similar games like volleyball. We look forward to spending valuable time in the sun during class. It is vitally important that your child remembers to always bring a hat and drink bottle TO PE. And lastly, I’d like to congratulate our Future Stars basketball team who competed in regional championships on Thursday. You all played so well together against some talented opposition. We are so proud of your efforts! Our All-Star Boys team is scheduled to play next month. TEAM KIDS
Community News
BASKETBALL FUN FOR ALL AGES!
Basketball is a popular sport for boys and girls of all ages and abilities. If your child already plays or wants to try, check out the affordable programs on offer in the area and help them improve their skills and confidence and make new friends in a fun, safe setting with professional coaches: Term 4 basketball programs: https://www.broncosbasketball.com.au/term-4-programs/ AUSTRALIAN GIRLS CHOIR
School Contacts
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