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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 4
February 21st 2025 |
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
February 2025
March 2025
April 2025
May 2025
June 2025
July 2025
August 2025
October 2025
November 2025
December 2025
Principal's Column
Upcoming Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country
Just a reminder regarding our upcoming Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country.
We are so lucky to have a representative from Djirri Djirri group to support again and welcome us back to the Indigenous land on which we learn. As per the dates in our newsletter, it is Monday the 24th morning at 10am out front of the Multi-Purpose room. Parents are welcome to attend. Welcome to new School Council members. A heartfelt thank you to all the parents who expressed interest in joining our School Council this year. Your willingness to support our school community is truly appreciated. We are pleased to announce our 2025 Parent Representatives: Lola Grech Andrew Ward Mark Griffin Anna Whitley Marika Wepener Prateek Jampani Sarah Tripp Sue Carruthers Maaz Athar We are grateful for the time, energy, and ideas these wonderful individuals will bring to our School Council. There is still one parent position available, and there has been strong interest in the remaining vacancy. If you're interested on putting forward an expression of interest for the final vacancy on School Council, please email me. Parents can put forward an expression on interest for 'Co-Option', a process where School Council determines the final candidate from a list of any interested parties. Thank you for your ongoing support. Road Safety and Parking Reminder A quick heads-up to ensure our afternoon pick-up remains safe and efficient! Please note that there is no parking in the vehicle loop on Summit Ave—this area is designed for quick drop-off and pick-up only. We also ask that you obey the ‘No Right Turn’ sign on the street to keep traffic flowing smoothly and safely. To support this, one of our dedicated staff members is out there every day managing vehicle traffic, so we appreciate your cooperation in following their guidance. Together, we can make pick-up a breeze for everyone! If poor driving behaviour continues, Merri-Bek Council and the Police may need to be contacted to ensure safe and legal use of the road. Thank you for helping keep our school community safe. Annual privacy reminder for our school communityOur school collects and uses student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy and the Schools’ Privacy Collection Notice. Our Photographing, Filming and Recording Students Policy describes how we collect and use photographs, video and recordings of students. The policy also explains when parent consent is required and how it can be provided and withdrawn. We ask parents to also review the guidance we provide on how we use Google Workspace for Education safely at the school and what parents can do to further protect their child’s information. If after reviewing the guidance, you have any questions or concerns regarding your child using Google Workspace for Education, please contact the school. For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ privacy policy: information for parents. This information is also available in ten community languages:
Kind regards, Michael Gill Principal WHAT'S HAPPENING @ OAK PARK
WHOLE SCHOOL
Assembly Timetable
Harmony Day
Harmony Day is a day to celebrate Australia's cultural diversity and respect for all people. It's held annually in March and coincides with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Our Grade 6 Student Wellbeing Leaders will be sharing information about Harmony Day at our school assemblies leading up to this important day. Celebrate Harmony Day by wearing something orange with your school uniform on Friday 21st March! Ideas: orange top, socks or head band! School Hats
Navy bucket school hats are now available at the Office, selling for $6 each. Breakfast Club
At Oak Park Primary School, we offer a Breakfast Club to students on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays. Breakfast club starts at 8.30am on these days, and students leave to return to class at the first bell at 8.50am. This club is open to all students and is held in the Staffroom. Zooper Doopers
Working with Children Checks
Just a reminder for parents/guardians etc who will be wanting to assist in the classroom or on excursions, you will require a valid Working with Children Check. Please ensure if your WWC has expired, that you renew if you wish to continue assisting at school events. Student Mobile Phones
If your child is bringing a mobile phone to school, please remind them that they must be handed in to the office at the start of the school day. Students can then pick them up at the end of the day. Breakfast Club
At Oak Park Primary School, we offer a Breakfast Club to students on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays. Breakfast club starts at 8.30am on these days, and students leave to return to class at the first bell at 8.50am. This club is open to all students. P.F.A
We are always super excited to welcome new members and new ideas. PFA meeting schedule 2025 as follows:
Feel free to reach out to PFA at [email protected] 
School Dental Van
Provisional date of Dental School Van is Monday 5th May. This date will be confirmed a week or two prior. Say goodbye to the hassle of making dental appointments, taking time off work, and disrupting your schedule just to ensure your child receives dental care. Smile Patrol is coming to OAK PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL so your child will benefit from dental care during school hours, so easy! Smile Patrol provides free dental health education to all students. If your child is eligible under the Childcare Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) treatments can be done for free depending on the remaining benefits. If your child is not eligible, we will send you an email with an option for a private checkup. But to do this we need your consent. CONSENT DUE DATE IS 7TH MARCH To sign up you can visit : https://smilepatrol.com.au/consent-form/ It’s very easy and takes less than 5 mins to complete. OR use the QR code: 
We also now have hard copies of the consent form in our office.
Lunch Orders
Lunch orders started this week. Please find attached lunch order form and information for ordering lunch orders via the QKR app. To our new Oak Park families: Lunch orders are supplied every Friday and are ordered via the QKR app. Lunch orders must be placed online via the app prior to 11am on the Thursday. No late orders can be accepted via the app or via the school office Thank you 
CSEF Application
Families who have a Health Care Card or Pension Card, may complete the application to receive CSEF. CSEF is an annual payment to the school to be used towards Camps, Sports and Excursion expenses for the benefit of the eligible student. The Primary School rate is $150 per year To be eligible for the fund, families must be a holder of a Health Care Card or Pension Card. Recipients of a Carers Card are not entitled. Forms are to be completed and given to the Office along with a copy of the appropriate card. 
Lost & Found
This album containing Pokemon cards has been in our office since last year. If this belongs to you, please call into the Office to collect. Thank you 
EARLY SCHOOL YEARS
Visiting Nurse Program
A reminder for Foundation families to complete the Health Questionnaire online. There are also hard copies in the office for families. The visiting nurse will be attending Oak Park Primary School on Wednesday 12th March These forms need to be returned by Monday 24th Feb. MIDDLE SCHOOL YEARS
3/4 Literacy
In preparation for our Personal Narrative unit in writing, the five 3/4 classrooms had a ‘Games in the Gym’ experience. Four activities were run by our enthusiastic teachers with Alyena on roving patrol. The games were:
3/4 Inquiry Immersion
This week, students have rotated amongst our five 3/4 classrooms to experience five immersion activities to tune in to our new Inquiry unit. Our Inquiry focus is OUR IDENTITY and we have begun exploring ourselves with rich tasks, mentor texts and hands on fun activities. If you have a child in 3/4, please ask them as to what they have been up to. Below are photos from our five classrooms. In 3/4 C students immersed themselves in The Story of Nian [nee-ann], discovering why the colour red, fireworks, fire and dragon are symbolic in Chinese New Year celebrations. They made firecrackers, just like those used in Chinese New Year celebrations, to 'scare away' Nian and bring good luck. In 3/4 H students read the story ‘My Two Blankets’ by Irena Kobald. This is an important story of immigration and belonging which follows a young girl’s arrival in a new country with its unfamiliar sights and sounds. The main character creates a safe place for herself under an 'old' blanket made out of the memories and thoughts of home. As time goes on, she begins to weave a 'new' blanket of friendship and belonging that is different from the old blanket, but it is eventually just as warm and familiar. 3/4 students were encouraged to discuss aspects of their own culture and identity and create their own patch work square on canvas which will be sewn into a ‘class blanket’. In 3/4 A students explored the words we can use to describe our identity and wellbeing. They drew a picture of themselves and listed all the words that describe who they are. Students then created an ‘identity word cloud’. In 3/4 L students explored themes of identity via exploring artworks created by Pablo Picasso. They analysed and discussed elements within artworks, paying close attention to the shapes, colours and tones used to represent different features such as eyes, noses and mouths. Each student then created their own artworks by combining different shapes and colours to produce their own ‘Shapes about Me’ self-portrait, demonstrating what makes up part of their identity as part of each class at Oak Park PS. In 3/4 M we explored the text Amma’s Sari by Sandhya Parappukkaran and how we can celebrate what makes you different and be proud of who we are and our families. In the story, the young girl sees her mother and her sari as a source of comfort and beauty. But when out on the streets, she is aware of the curious and surprised stares her mother’s clothing brings and she is uncomfortable and questions her mother about wearing a sari. Her mother’s responses highlight the deep connection to culture, place and nostalgia that the sari represents. It is more than clothing, it is connected to memories and identity and provides a sense of belonging. Students connected to the text by sharing what is important in their family and they also got to design and create designs for a sari.
SENIOR SCHOOL YEARS
Year 6-7 Transition
On Thursday 24th April 2025, Oak Park Primary School will distribute the Year 6-7 Placement Information Pack 2025-2026, which includes the Application form, to Parents of Year 6 students. Any information regarding Secondary Colleges open days and Information sessions will be included in our newsletters. It is advisable that families attend school tours and information sessions so they may have an idea of which school their child will be attending in 2026. Please be aware that some Secondary Colleges are very strictly zoned, and you will not receive a placement unless you reside within their school zone. It is always advisable to submit 3 preferences on your Year 7 Application for this reason Catholic Colleges and Private Schools are already accepting enrolments for Year 7, 2027 
YEAR 6-7 TRANSITION TIMELINE:
Thursday 24th April 2025: Oak Park Primary School will distribute the Year 6-7 Placement Information Pack 2025-2026, including the Application form for 2026, to Parents of Year 6 students. Friday 9th May: Parents/Carers submit the Application for Year 7 placement to Oak Park Primary School Tuesday 1st July: Oak Park Primary School will inform parents/carers of their childs Year 7 placement offer for the 2026 school year. Friday 25th July: Closing date for parents/carers to lodge a written appeal with their preferred Secondary School Tuesday 9th December: Secondary Schools host an Orientation Day for Year 6 students Open Days/School Tours for 2026 Year 7 enrolments
GLENROY SECONDARY COLLEGE Glenroy College holds small guided tours for prospective students and families every Friday at 9.30am during Term One and Term Two. The tours give you a chance to meet some of our staff and students, view our College facilities and see our classes in action. Bookings are essential and are made online via the link https://glenroycollege.vic.edu.au/enrolment/school-tours/ College tours can also be arranged at other times. If your child is currently enrolled in Grade 6, and you have a specific query regarding school programs or Year 7 Transition, please contact the College office, 9304 0400. ROSEHILL SECONDARY COLLEGE Whole School Open Day – Tuesday 29th April. Classes begin 9.15am. Dismissed 2.15pm Click the link to register https://www.rosehillsc.vic.edu.au/event/open-day COBURG HIGH SCHOOL We will be hosting a whole school Open Day and School Tours for Year 6 students on Wednesday 23 April 2025. Bookings can be made here, please make one booking per family. You may view a virtual tour here: https://www.coburg.vic.edu.au/open/ BUCKLEY PARK SECONDARY COLLEGE School Tour bookings are now open for prospective students and their carers/parents. These tours will be conducted by a member of the College leadership team and will provide an opportunity to see our school. To enable you to get the most out of a school tour and conversation, it would be helpful if you and your child attend, ready to ask the questions you're most interested to explore with us. Please arrive at our Reception Lobby, 10 mins prior to tour start time as visitors are required to sign in. Tour dates are available at www.buckleyparkco.vic.edu.au STRATHMORE SECONDARY COLLEGE Each year tours of the College are conducted to coincide with the Year 7 Transition program. Parents/Guardians of prospective students in Grade 6 are invited to attend. Tours in 2025 for Year 7 2026 enrolments commence in April and run through May. College Tour booking forms are available at https://www.strathmore.vic.edu.au/enrolment/collegetours/ ESSENDON KEILOR COLLEGE 
GLADSTONE PARK SECONDARY COLLEGE
School Tours are now open for 2025 and will run in March. You are invited to attend a tour of Gladstone Park Secondary College to view our superb facilities and to note, for yourself, our strong values, high expectations and strong supports at the college. Our students will greet you in the Administration Office. Tours run on Tuesdays at 8:55am and run for approximately one hour. Tour dates
Our Parent Information Evening is on Tuesday 1st April 2025 at 6:00pm. The College Open Day is on Wednesday 30th April 2025. School Tours will run from 9:15am – 10:00am. UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL https://unihigh.vic.edu.au/enrol/tours-information-sessions/ COMMUNITY NEWS
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School Contacts
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