Oak Park Primary School
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The Oak Leaf

Address: Willett Avenue, Oak Park VIC 3046
T:(03) 9306 9182 E: [email protected]
Issue 35
November 21st 2025
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​
November 2025​​​
  • Friday 28th - Grade 1/2 - Fun night & Sleepover

December 2025
  • ​Thursday 4th - Family Carols Night
  • Tuesday 9th - Year 6-7 Orientation Day - Year 6-7 Government Schools
  • Thursday 11th - Grade 6 Graduation - Details to come
  • Thursday 18th - Whole School Assembly - 2:30pm (School Gym)
  • Friday 19th - Last day of Term 4 - Dismissal 1:30pm
Principal's Column
SRC Sports Morning – A great event, brought to life by the SRC
 
The Student Representative Council (SRC) recently introduced a fantastic new idea for a sports morning that brought excitement and energy to the school. While the Junior School enjoyed KaBoom Sports and the Year 5/6 students participated in Interschool Sports, there was a gap for Year 3/4 students. With the support of Liam, their teachers, and the SRC, these students developed their own “Sports Morning” event.
 
The event featured eight groups competing across eight round-robin activities, earning points as they raced through a fast-paced, action-packed morning. Students loved the friendly competition, teamwork, and the lively atmosphere. 
 
A big thank you goes to the SRC, Liam for his time and organisation, and to the teachers for their ongoing support. The success of the event highlights the enthusiasm and teamwork of our students and staff, making it a memorable day for everyone involved.
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Open Streets – Summit Ave, Thursday the 27th November
 
Our final Open Streets event is scheduled for next Thursday the 27th November, after three successful events earlier this year. We’ll own Summit Avenue between 8:15 – 9:00AM and 3:15-4:00PM for riding, scooting and playing. Thanks a Latte coffee van will also be onsite.
 
This program encourages students, families, and staff to walk, cycle, and scoot to school—fun, sustainable alternatives to driving, made possible with Merri-Bek Council’s support.
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Class Placements 2026 and Circle of Friends Lists
Thank you to everyone who reached out via email. Please note that the period for raising extenuating circumstances has now closed as we begin creating class lists.
 
As we start planning our new classes for 2026, several important factors will be carefully considered. Teachers will aim to ensure a balance of academic abilities, social competencies, behavioural traits, and inclusion needs in each class, so that classes at each level have an almost identical profile.
 
Additionally, students have completed their "Circle of Friends" sheet, where they listed five classmates who support them in their learning. It is important to note that students will always have at least one friend listed, with no hierarchy or preference implied. This activity helps us understand social connections and foster a positive classroom environment.
 
Thank you for your understanding and support.
 
Kind regards,

Michael Gill
Principal 
WHAT'S HAPPENING @ OAK PARK
WHOLE SCHOOL
Assembly Timetable
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Fun Run Winners
Congratulations to the following winners of a $10 canteen voucher:
  • Oliver L – FD
  • Liam S– FM
  • Arissa A – FS
  • Osheli S – 1A
  • Emir G – 2H
  • Zoe H – 3/4A
  • Elliott F – 3/4C
  • Elliott C – 3/4M
  • Ethan F – 5/6Y
  • Eleni K– 5/6Y
 
This was the last of our prize competitions from the School Fun Run. We hope you all enjoyed it.
Thanks from the PFA
Foundation Transition 2026
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PFA Social Event
The PFA are having a social event this Saturday 22nd November at Edward Abbot Wine Bar in Strathmore from 4pm.
Anyone is welcome, and we would love to get some new members.  We look forward to meeting everyone 
Book Club Issue 8
It's not too late!  One week to go before the last Book Club of the year closes.
Submit your orders no later than Monday 24th November to avoid disappointment.
Thank you to those who have already beat the rush and placed their orders.
Your support of Book Club is greatly appreciated.
Michelle Watson
Library Books
We would ask families to please be careful when returning Library books as recently there have been quite a few being returned to local libraries that actually belong to the school.
TeamKids
Fairy Bread Day is happening after school on MONDAY 24th at Oak Park Primary TeamKids! ✨
Get ready for a day that’s BUTTERED, BRIGHT, and SPRINKLED just right!
It’s going to be a slice of pure fun, and a day you definitely won’t want to miss!
Family Picnic Night
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EARLY YEARS NEWS
Grade 1 Fun Night
Grade 1/2 Fun Night Reminder - Friday 28th November
A friendly reminder that our Grade 1/2 Fun Night is coming up soon on Friday, 28th November. Please note that payment is due by Wednesday, 26th November. 
Grade 1 students are invited to join us at school from 4:45pm to 7:00pm for an exciting evening of activities, followed by dinner and dessert with the Grade 2 students.
  • For safety and smooth transitions, drop-off and pick-up will take place at the glass doors leading into the library. Please remember that all children must be signed in and out.
At 7:00pm, Grade 1 students will need to be picked up and signed out, bringing our fun night to a close.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your child’s classroom teacher.
The Grade 1 Team.    
Grade 2 Sleepover
Last week, students were given the packing list for our Grade 2 Sleepover on Friday 28 November 2025.
This packing list outlines the essential and necessary items that your child will need for the sleepover, and the next morning. Due to limited space, we ask that students only bring items needed for one night. Nothing extra is required. 

Please support your child over the coming weeks by practising how to roll up their sleeping bag and pack their belongings into their bag. This will help them feel confident and organised on the day.
Medication forms will be sent home in the week of the sleepover. These forms must be completed and returned with any medication on the day of the sleepover. The medication will need to be sealed in zip lock bag and named.

From Monday, each Grade 2 classroom will have a question box. We encourage you to chat with your child over the weekend and help them write down any questions or worries they may have. These can be placed in the question box and can be anonymous if preferred. Teachers will go through the questions with the whole cohort (no names mentioned) so that everyone feels informed and reassured.

If there are any specific circumstances regarding your child’s sleeping needs, please contact your child’s teacher as soon as possible so we can support them.
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We strongly encourage all Grade 2 students to attend the sleepover. It promises to be lots of fun and a wonderful opportunity to build confidence and resilience in preparation for future camps.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to get in touch.
 
The Grade 2 Team
Demi, Jordan, Kathy and Alex 
SENIOR SCHOOL NEWS
Year 6-7 Transition
Tuesday 9th December is a state-wide Year 7 Orientation Day for all Year 6 students attending a Government Secondary College in 2026.  Further information will be supplied by the relevant Secondary College.
Grade 6 Literacy Award
Each year at Graduation one of our grade 6 students is presented with the Beryl Trevaskis Literacy Award.  The Trevaskis family attended Oak Park Primary School many years ago, and this award is a legacy from Beryl Trevaskis. 
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Here is an anecdote shared by Beryl’s son, Leigh:
At the recent 'Bagpipe Bash' in Federation Square last Wednesday, the oldest piper there was Bruce Hocking. He is 98 years old.  Bruce’s children, Ross, Joy and Ian attended Oak Park State School as it was then. Ross was in my year, and Joy and Ian were in the same years as my two younger brothers.
The Hocking family lived on the eastern corner of Murphy and Marie Streets.
Bruce played his bagpipes as a member of Footscray City Highland Pipe Band and for many years the neighbourhood could hear him practise his bagpipes, especially at the weekends.
I doubt many people in the neighbourhood would hear bagpipes at a weekend now. But times change.
Best wishes to all at Oak Park.
SPECIALIST
Science
As part of our chemistry unit this term, the senior students explored the fascinating process of turning milk into plastic! By heating milk and adding vinegar, they observed a real chemical reaction in action as the casein proteins clumped together to form a polymer. This introduced the classes to the concept of polymerisation and how polymers are created in everyday materials.
Students then moulded their milk plastic into small shapes and decorative items, enjoying both the creativity and the wonderfully “gross” curds that formed during the experiment.
It was a fun, hands-on way to see chemistry come to life in the classroom.
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Japanese
Foundation students have been very excited to bring together their learning of colours and Kanji numbers to complete some fun Pokémon activities. Using the Kanji they now recognise (一 to 十) and the Japanese colour words they have been practicing.  Students followed the codes to reveal different Pokémon characters.
This activity has helped them build confidence in reading simple Japanese characters while allowing them to reveal characters they know and love.
Their focus and enthusiasm have been wonderful to see!
COMMUNITY NEWS
Penola Saints
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Restore + Thrive
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School Contacts
​Principal
Michael Gill
[email protected]​​
Office Manager
Fran MacDonough
[email protected] ​
Business Manager
Naomi Di Pasquale
[email protected]
School Council President ​
​Lola Grech​
​​[email protected]
​​​PFA President​​​
Sue Carruthers
​​[email protected]
School Email
-
[email protected]
Team Kids
Ramneet Kaur
[email protected]
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Copyright ©2025 Oak Park Primary School - Creating The Future together
  • Home
  • About Us
    • School Profile
    • Principals Welcome
    • Enrolment
    • School Values
    • OPPS Staff
    • Before & After School Care
    • Annual Implementation Plan & Strategic Plan
    • Annual Report
  • Curriculum
    • English
    • Mathematics
    • Inquiry
    • Science
    • Performing Arts
    • Physical Education
    • Japanese
    • Visual Arts
    • Technology
  • Students
    • Foundation Transition
    • Foundation
    • Junior School
    • Middle School
    • Senior School
    • International Students Program
    • Report Bullying
  • Parent Information
    • General Information
    • BYO 1-1 iPad Program
    • OPPS Policies
    • OPPS Forms
    • Child Safe
    • School Council
    • School Uniform
    • Lunch Orders
    • Parent Friends Association
    • Helpful Links
    • Music Program
    • Facilities Plan
    • Respectful Relationships
    • School Wide Positive Behaviours
    • TeamKids
    • Financial Assistance Available
  • School Virtual Tours
  • Compass
  • Newsletter
  • Contact