Address: Willett Avenue, Oak Park VIC 3046
T:(03) 9306 9182 E: [email protected] |
Issue 05
March 1st 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
Principal's Column
Staff Professional Learning - Effective Rubrics and Goal Setting |
Recently staff began a series of learning working with Ben Lawless. Ben is an experienced consultant in this space, working with many schools to develop collective staff understanding around using rubrics effectively. There is ample research around the benefits of effective developmental rubrics and the positive impacts on student goal setting and feedback opportunities.
We have three workshop sessions planned with staff and individual feedback on the developmental rubrics produced. We had an enjoyable start to our learning on Wednesday and look forward further time with Ben to develop the best feedback rubrics for students to set and achieve their learning goals. Communication Survey – Please provide your thoughts and feedback We’re interested in improving and enhancing the school’s communication to families and the current use of Compass, Term Newsletters and our weekly Newsletter. We would appreciate you completing this short survey to let us know how we can improve. A thank you to Lola Grech and Kate Lamont of their support in developing the survey questions and content. We value your feedback to help make our great school even better! Communication Survey Link School Council - Welcome to our new and returning members. Thank you to interested parents that nominated for the vacancies on School Council this year. As there were the same number of nominations as vacancies, an election will not be required. The following people will be our parent School Council Representatives for 2024: Lola Grech Nick Karolidis Andrew Ward Jennifer Harding Elizabeth Bolte Marta Kawinska Kirti Crute Mark Griffin Anna Whitley Marika Wepener We thank our returning members of School Council and welcome Anna and Marika and new members of School Council. Below are their introduction statements: Anna Whitley – Parent Member My name is Anna and I have two kids at Oak Park Primary, in Grade 1 and Grade 4. I work as a Senior Clinician and have been at St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne for sixteen years. Outside of work I balance a busy life that includes postgraduate study, lots of kids’ activities, and weekends away when we can. Our family loves both the coast and the country so we try to head out of town on a free weekend. I love living in the Oak Park ‘village’ and think it has so much to offer. I’m looking forward to supporting and contributing more to the school community. Marika Wepener – Community Member I am excited to introduce myself as a community member for the Oak Park Primary School Council. Our family has been part of the school community for over 8 years, with 2 of my children still in attendance. I enjoy volunteering as a parent helper and am an active member of the PFA. I enjoy collaborating with the school families and community to organise fundraising and other events for the betterment of the school and the enjoyment of our kids so that they have the most awesome school experience possible. Kind regards, Michael Gill Principal School Assembly
Summer Sport Fixture
Permission Forms
A reminder for families to return signed Local Excursion, Media and Technology permission forms that were sent home last week. Your prompt attention to this would be greatly appreciated. 2025 Enrolments
2025 Enrolments are now open. Those families who will have a sibling attend next year, please email Fran at [email protected] for a full enrolment form. For new families to the school, please check your designated neighbourhood school at www.findmyschool.vic.gov.au You may email Fran with your residential address and an appropriate enrolment form will be forwarded to you. School tours will start in the 2nd term and families who have given an enrolment form will be contacted via email once dates are confirmed. Information will also be in our weekly newsletter as well on our website. All enrolments must be submitted by Friday 26th July. Buddy Teddy Bear Picnic
Hi Foundation and Year 6 families, On the 7th of March, we will be holding a Teddy Bear's Picnic for the Foundation students and their Year 6 buddies as we learn about the letters t and p that week. We ask that Foundation and Year 6 students bring a soft toy from home to the picnic. The students will be making (and eating) teddy bear biscuits using:
Please be in contact with me via [email protected] if there are any dietary or other concerns about your child participating. Thank you, Foundation and 5/6 Team Foundation News
Floppy ears? Check! Fluffy tail? Check! 64 adoring Foundation fans? CHECK! The Foundation students have been enjoying Basil the Bunny time and learning more about how to make him feel safe at school. We have even had a few students enjoy reading to Basil. We are so proud of how responsible the students have been. Welcome to Country & Smoking Ceremony
We had such special morning last Tuesday when Mandy Nicholson from the Wurundjeri dance group Djirri Djirri held a Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country. The students enjoyed learning some words in Woi Wurrung and about caring for Country. We are so grateful to Mandy for sharing her knowledge with our school community. Grade 1 Maths News
In Grade 1 we have been learning about patterns, specifically skip courting patterns when counting by 2s, 5s and 10s. This week we read the book ‘One is a Snail, Ten is a Crab : A Counting by Feet Book. It’s a wonderful book that helps students build their number sense. Students created their own flip book where the practised skip counting by 5s and 10s. They identified ways they could make each number in the skip counting pattern by creating a collection using the feet of different animals that were in the story, e.g.: 5 is a snail (one leg) and a dog (four legs).
It was wonderful to see how creative students were when making each number and how much fun they had building their skip counting confidence. Have a look at some of their wonderful work! Specialist
Science News In Science classes this week our junior scientists have become experts on ‘how wind happens’. This was a common wondering at the beginning of our weather unit. We spent some time finding out about air and the gases that make up our atmosphere. Our information gathering led us to understand that wind is caused by the sun! As the sun heats up the earth’s atmosphere, the warm air rises. This causes low pressure. When the air travels up higher it begins to cool down and then sink. This movement between the warm and cool air causes wind! The junior scientists captured their learning in their science journals and participated in an experiment to see if we could make hot air rise and cold air sink. Using hot water, we were able to heat up the air inside a bottle to push the air up and inflate a balloon. We then used ice water to cool the air in the bottle and watched the air sink down and the balloon deflate! Japanese News
In Japanese the Grade 5’s and 6’s have been using their fruit flashcards to play games where they can practice reading the Japanese names aloud with their classmates. Students have enjoyed playing the games together and even Zoe joined in with some groups! Students are now beginning to use the food vocabulary we have practiced to create their own menus in Japanese. It is wonderful to see the students ideas and the range of foods they are including, students are writing each item in Japanese which includes hiragana, katakana and kanji. Each menu is unique and students are doing an amazing job designing and illustrating them. I have been impressed with their use of the vocabulary we have practiced together as well as using the classroom resources to discover new food words they woud like to include. I look forward to seeing the finished products over the coming weeks. Visual Arts News
Grades 5 and 6 students have been working on creating half self and half cyborg portraits, blending traditional art techniques with futuristic creativity. They are using the classic medium of grey lead pencils, which not only requires precision and control but also allows for subtle shading to enhance the depth and realism of their portraits. The first half of the portrait focuses on the human aspect, emphasising the importance of position and proportion of facial features. Students are examining the intricacies of capturing the unique contours of their faces, the sparkle in their eyes, and the distinct shapes of their noses and mouths. The use of shading and detailing has been encouraged to create a more lifelike representation of themselves, moving towards a more sophisticated style of drawing human facial features. The second half of the portrait is where creativity starts flowing! Students are given the freedom to let their imaginations run wild as they transform the other half of their portrait into a futuristic cyborg counterpart. This is an opportunity for the students to showcase their creativity, incorporating robotic elements, metallic textures, and futuristic accessories. By seamlessly blending the traditional with the futuristic, students are not only improving their technical skills but also exploring the intersection of humanity and technology. This project encourages critical thinking, imaginative exploration, and a deeper understanding of the role art plays in expressing the evolving nature of our world. Physical Education News
Students from grades F-4 continue to work on multi-sport skills. Students in Foundation commenced their first ever skill circuit filled with catching, throwing and other movement activities. While students in grades 1-2 continued to refine their cricket bowling and batting skills. Grade 3 and 4 students had their first taste of tee-ball in class and had the opportunity to try out catching with softball gloves. Here is an update of the current standings for 5 and 6 Friday Sport. It is pleasing to see each team in the top 2 spots on the ladder. Next week we have a bye, followed by an eagerly anticipated matchup against historic rivals St. Francis at home. Performing Arts News
Over the last week or so in Performing Arts all grades are beginning their units of work using a story book/novel as a focus in their drama lessons. Over the next few weeks, students will be listening to stories and use different drama devices to explore characters and situations. The books chosen are relatively new to many readers so it’s very exciting to make predictions along the way, please don’t feel inclined to read these stories at home (the less spoilers the better!) This week Grade 1/2 students are trying to guess the storyline by looking at different artefacts from the book. Using artefacts/props creates wonder and helps learners with their storytelling and questions. Students sat in a circle and were shown an old suitcase, inside were objects from the story. Students asked questions and made statements about each artefact as they came out of the case. After all artifacts were shown students had an opportunity to share their ideas of the books storyline. Next week the book title will be revealed! Perhaps show this photo of the artefacts and share some of your own wonderings with your child. Can you guess the book title from these objects? Year 6-7 Transition
The Year 6-7 Transition process will start in Week 1 Term 2. Oak Park Primary School will distribute the Year 6-7 Placement Information Packs to all families of Grade 6 students after this time. Enclosed will be an Application form for completion by the families, FAQ and a timeline of the process. Parents/Guardians:
Information from Secondary Colleges regarding school tours and information days/nights will be placed in our newsletter as they becomes available. We would advise families to make the most of these opportunities so you may make an informed decision regarding your preferred school. After forms are distributed, should you require any further information please contact Fran at [email protected] Foundation Health Checks
A reminder to all Foundation families to return the health, wellbeing & Development Check forms by Monday 4th March. If families are having difficulty completing the forms online, you may collect a hard copy form from the office. Team Kids
We've been having the best time celebrating our special pancake events at TeamKids! We can't wait for more EPIC events that are coming up. Wildlife Day at TeamKids It'll be ROARING FUN on Wildlife Day! Hop, slither & fly into a day at TeamKids. Book NOW - www.teamkids.com.au/venues 👉 Chat to your DOS to find out when your venue will be celebrating Clean Up Australia Day at TeamKids
Let's dust off litter and make the world glitter together! Join us for Clean Up Australia Day and make a difference starting with our very own backyard. Book NOW - www.teamkids.com.au/venues 👉 Chat to your DOS to find out when your venue will be celebrating Code Club
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Community News
Penola Saints Basketball Cricket Victoria/Merri-bek Council
Oak Park Football Club
AFL Auskick
School Contacts
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