Address: Willett Avenue, Oak Park VIC 3046
T:(03) 9306 9182 E: [email protected] |
Issue 36
November 21st 2019 |
Oak Park Primary School will work collaboratively to provide a stimulating, safe and challenging learning environment that promotes resilient, innovative thinkers.
Calendar of Events
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2020
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Principal's Column
Term 4 is an extremely busy one for schools. There is a lot to do in terms of finalising assessments, writing reports, compiling class lists and setting up classrooms for next year. We will be having an extra class in 2020 which has required the relocation of the Japanese program to what we currently call the Sustainability room. These two specialist areas will share that portable next year. Another part of setting up for the next 12 months is to make decisions around staffing. For some schools, this seems a never ending job as people come and go with some regularity. At Oak Park, we are fortunate that staff movement is usually quite minimal. But just when you think things are all sorted, a change takes place! Hayley Evans has indicated that she won’t be returning to Oak Park in 2020, having secured a position at another school. Consequently I have advertised for a teaching position and we will go through that process over the next few weeks. Our proposed organisational structure for 2020 is made up entirely of non-composite grades. This is generally our preferred way to set up classes for several reasons which I have written about many times previously. The proposed organisation takes into consideration requests by some staff to change areas in order to further develop their teaching or to take on new challenges. I’m a great believer that teachers should not remain in the one year level for year upon year; a move can be great for a teacher’s professional development. Another important requirement of any structure is that we have a good balance of experience across the school and that the important role of PLC leader can be catered for in each area. This structure provides both. Here is the proposed grade structure for 2020: Oak Park Primary School Grade Structure 2020 Foundation Kira Hannah Foundation Lauren Heard Foundation Alex Macias 1 Amy McDonald 1 Tania Haimon 1 Marina Plesa (0.5) / Denise Anderson (0.5) 2 Kirsty Potts 2 Martha McKenzie 2 New Teacher 3 Meagan Ward 3 Jane Cardamone 4 Julia Prociw-Charalambous 4 April Tarollo 5 Carol Barty 5 Lacey-Rae Garner-Giumelli (0.5) / Christine Crivelli (0.6) 6 Emily Wade (0.8) / Tess Haycox (0.2) 6 Greer Arnold (0.8) / Jodie Sperling (0.2) 6 Kate Dyer Melissa Ly Japanese John Hughes Sustainability Liam Sutawan Physical Education Dave Flint Visual Arts Melanie Ocyzk Performing Arts *It should be noted that this structure could all change given further alterations to our staffing profile or a significant increase in student numbers. |
Compass Updates
Compass have introduced new functionality which will allow parents/guardians to streamline their child’s events and excursions:
2020 Enrolments
If you have a child already attending OPPS and you will be enrolling a sibling for 2020 Foundation, we ask that an enrolment form is completed as soon as possible. Please email or call into the Office to get an enrolment form. School Banking
We would love to see more students utilising the school banking. Our school banking is done through the Bendigo Bank Strathmore and is such a great initiative to get students saving up throughout their Primary School years. Forms can be collected from the Office, or you can go direct to the Bendigo Bank to complete a form. Banking is collected on Tuesdays each week. Great to see our regular students building up their savings Grade ⅚ Camp 2019
On Monday November 11th 2019, the 5/6 ‘s headed off to Neerim, Victoria to Forest Edge Camp. Camp was full of excitement and fun this year with a whole range of activities from dawn until dusk. Below is a recap of what we all got up to. Day Time Activities There we had five full days of exciting, tiring and challenging activities. The activities included, Frisbee Golf, Rogue Riddling, The Giant Waterslide, Raft Building, River Slide, Crate Building, Rock Climbing, Cage Soccer, Trampoline, Flying Fox, Scavenger Hunt, Low Ropes and a Bush Walk. The students were split into 6 groups accompanied with camp leaders. Every day there were 5 activities that were rotated amongst the groups. Each and every camper approached all their activities with enthusiasm and tried their best to achieve success in their hour and a half at each activity. Night Time Activities Every night after dinner, the campers were entertained until bedtime with a range of activities. On Monday night, we had a bush walk. The bush walk consisted of marching 300metres above sea level, a rather steep climb. At the top of the hill, we saw the sunset over the hilltops and enjoyed a sing-a-long for birthdays and merriment. On Tuesday night, we enjoyed the disco. The campers were overwhelmed with excitement to dance to their favourite songs. A highlight of the night was watching a student lead a large group of dancers for around an hour. Wednesday night lead into the famous Trivia night, where four rounds of questioning lead campers to sing, dance, rattle their heads to find answers to local, global and biological questions, as well as showcase their double-jointedness. Quite a variety, some would say. The final night to accompany the exhaustion was a movie night, where we all got changed into our pj’s, grabbed a pillow and sleeping bag and watched Toy Story 3. The campers were exhausted when they got back on Friday, but they had a great time. Don’t take our word for it though, here are some quotes from the students. “Camp was good. I got to go in the river!” Bevan (5/6P) expressed with enthusiasm. “Camp was really good and enjoyable. The Flying Fox was my favourite activity.” Exclaimed Bridget (5/6P) “The Flying Fox was incredible!” Kobi (5/6P) declared. “There was 7 meals a day!” Blurted Kelly (5/6G). Raft Building Raft Building was a highlight for most students at Forest Edge. This activity was an exciting challenge that required students to work as team, problem solve, build and test a raft made of pipes, barrels and rope. Students were grouped to create two teams to plan and construct a raft that would float approximately 50m down a stream. There were many volunteers to get in the water to navigate the raft to the finish line and it required all students to get their hands dirty and feet wet. With guidance from camp leaders, cooperation from each team member, some trial and error strategies and a few falling overboard the students had a barrel load of fun. CASEA Program Update - Week 5
During Week Five of the CASEA Program the focus of the group is on social problem solving using THINK and DO. The group continues to develop their understanding of the STOP, THINK, DO traffic light strategy as a method for solving social problems. There is particular focus on helping children to come up with multiple solutions and evaluate the consequence of their actions. There will be discussion around the importance of children understanding their own and other people’s feelings when deciding the best solution. All children in Grades Prep to Three will participate in classroom activities that focus on understanding the consequences of behaviour, generating possible solutions to a problem, and finally choosing how to act. Next week: Being Assertive School Fees, Extras and Contributions 2020
Please click here for the school fees for 2020. These fees support the school in providing resources for the students. Can you please organise payment of the fees before the 11th February, 2020. The Oak Park Primary School Parent Payment Policy is located on our website if you wish to review. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or wish to setup a payment plan. Annette D'Elia Business Manager Family Portrait Fundraiser – Christmas gift opportunity
There are still sessions available for the Aver and Line Family Portrait Fundraiser on Saturday 23rd November. It's only $20 for a 20 minute session, you get a free 8" x 12" print, and part of the proceeds get donated to the school. You are also welcome to bring the family dog/relatives/friends to be in the photos. Please tell your family and friends, as anyone can take advantage of this great offer and we would love to fill all the sessions. Bookings need to be made by 16th November, and the prints will be delivered before Christmas - great for gifts! Please refer to the booking form at the end of this newsletter. Kind regards PFA |
Final Book Club for 2019!
Issue 8 of Book Club has been distributed to students today (5/6 Grades will receive them after camp). Christmas is just around the corner and this issue is full of wonderful books perfect for gifting or stocking your home libraries, ready for reading over the long summer break. If you are purchasing items as gifts, please let me know so I can keep them for collection. If ordering online via LOOP please use the GIFT function, cash orders you will need to email me so I can keep orders aside. Last day for orders is - 28th November Book Club has been extremely popular and successful this year and has allowed the school to purchase over $2000 worth of books! Thank you for your continued support. |
FROG CENSUS – Grade 1/2’s
As part of their unit on frogs, all grade 1/2 classes recently visited Moonee Ponds Creek to listen and watch for frogs. I am pleased to say that all groups were successful in hearing several frogs, all of which we identified as the ‘Pobblebonk’ or Eastern Banjo Frog due to its distinctive call. Below are some photos from the day. The students were keen observers (though not quite as keen walkers; particularly on the way back!) and the silence when they first heard the frogs was amazing to witness – they were truly amazed by the sound and the number of frogs they could hear. The sounds were recorded and lodged on the Frog Census app to help scientists gain a better understanding of what frogs are inhabiting local areas. I would like to thank our parents helpers; Kirsten Ellis, Donna Caldwell, Eugenie Baulch and Allison Penno, for their assistance with the excursion. If you would like to visit the location we did it can be found at the end of Herbert St. Pascoe Vale, just a few streets south of the Oak Park pool. This is a project undertaken by Moreland Council and Melbourne Water to create a frog habitat, and it seems to have been quite the success! Weekly Lost Property Quiz – who’s the mystery owner?
Each week we’ll be adding just a couple of miscellaneous items we have in the lost property box at the office. This is separate from the overflowing lost property cupboard where there’s so many bomber jackets and lunch boxes we can just about fill the tram used in the TV series ‘War on Waste’! Bracelets, silver chains, reading glass and more…. From the Front Office Oak Park Family Carols Night
Thursday 5th December is the Family Carols Night. The kids have been rehearsing songs, the teachers have their tongs and aprons ready to BBQ, and we will have cold drinks and zooper doopers for sale, to help you cool down. We have lots of stalls, so bring some change and you might be able to get some Christmas shopping done. Carols are from 6:30pm-8:00pm, but the stalls and BBQ will be ready from 5.45pm. If you don't want to buy a sausage or burger, BYO picnic. It's going to be warm and outdoors, so bring a picnic rug, sunscreen and a hat. If all the children are good, they'll be in for a real treat when Santa arrives COMMUNITY NEWS
School Contacts
PLEASE NOTE NEW EMAIL FOR OUR O.S.H.C. PROGRAM
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