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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 32
October 24th 2019 |
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
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Principal's Column
In the media this week were reports of the behaviour of a group of Year 10 and 11 boys from a private boys’ school travelling on a tram. I won’t go into details in this column, but the headmaster of the school described the behaviour as offensive and misogynistic. The school has assured parents that the incident will be investigated and consequences would be implemented. The principal also mentioned in a letter to parents that the school had proactive programs in place that aimed to encourage respectful relationships. There were young people on the tram who felt threatened but called out the behaviour. That takes courage. The incident highlights some of the challenges parents and teachers face in trying to get kids to understand who they are and their place in the world. Where does this sort of behaviour come from? I have no doubt it would have shocked their parents as much as it did the passengers on that tram. I don’t believe kids are born racist, or sexist or any other ‘ist’. These behaviours are learned. As teachers we are often humbled by the strength we see in some students; their persistence in hard times and the things they achieve despite the odds. And sometimes we are challenged by certain behaviours we see that are unexpected and how they are often manifested when large groups get together. That group mentality is a key. The need to belong and be a part of the group is very strong and it does take courage to say that you won’t be a part of this. There is strength in unity, but there’s also weakness. I wondered how I would have responded had I been on that tram. You hope for support from the ‘good’ people but you understand people worrying about what might happen next. In Vietnam recently, I saw young children in villages who had very little. They played with sticks and they waved and smiled; they seemed really happy. I wondered how they would respond if they had the opportunity to live for one week in Australia. They would be blown away by all the things that we take for granted. And that’s part of this too. We are privileged to live where we do and how we do. And maybe it’s a result of being in a position where we often take things for granted that some people begin to think they deserve more, or are better than others? A very important lesson for kids, and all of us to learn, is the power of being grateful for what we have and the positive effect it can have your own health and the health of others. Riding to Fight Kids’ Cancer Speaking of kids doing great work for others… Two of our students, Sharkya and Shardya are taking part in the Great Cycle Challenge to fight kids cancer. The boys are riding and raising funds to support the Children’s Medical Research Institute to continue their work into the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and finding a cure for cancer. There is seven more days to go! Thanks to their family, friends and community they have already raised $1399.60! If you’d like to know more, please go to: https://greatcyclechallenge.com.au/Riders/SharkyaFernando
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2020 Foundation Transition
Transition Session 2 (Foundation Classroom Activities and Parent Information Session): Date: Thursday 31st October, 9.15am – 10.45am Session Outline: During our second transition session, future Foundation students are invited to participate in a variety of fun activities within the Foundation classrooms. The session will give your child an opportunity to familiarise themselves with our Foundation classrooms and current Foundation teachers. While your child is participating in these activities, parents are invited to our ‘Foundation 2020 Information Session’ which will take place in our school’s Multi-Purpose Room. The session is designed to provide parents with a detailed insight into Oak Park Primary and general requirements before your child commences school. A ‘Friends Form’ will be distributed during this session which will allow parents to indicate any current friendships your child may have that you would like us to consider when forming grades for 2020. This form can either be returned on the day or at the third transition session. (Please note that we aim to place your child with at least one friend or familiar face within their 2020 grade). During this session, our PFA (Parents and Friends Association) will also have a second-hand uniform stall set up where parents will be able to purchase pre-owned uniforms. Please note: Parents and children are both required to attend on this day. 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 Fran or call into the Office to get an enrolment form. Book Club
Did you know by reading 10 minutes a day you will learn over 600,000 words in one year? Issue 7 of Book Club is full of exciting books to read, enjoy and gift to others. Christmas is fast approaching, if you intend to purchase books as a gift, and would like them put aside, please notify me or use the GIFT function when ordering online. All orders need to be submitted by tomorrow, Thursday 23rd October. Thank you for your ongoing support. 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 Lost Property
Parents, we still have an unbelievable amount of uniforms in our lost property area. There are also many drink bottles, lunch boxes etc. If your child has lost an item of uniform, please come and check if it’s in lost property. Slapped Cheek
We have a student that has been diagnosed with Slapped Cheek. Summary
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/slapped-cheek-disease If your child has been diagnosed with an infectious condition, e.g. chicken pox or slapped cheek, we ask that you contact the school so we may advise the community. Names of students are confidential, but we have students and/or teachers whose immunity may be compromised. |
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CASEA Program Update
During Week Two of the CASEA Program the focus of the group is on Feelings. Children will discuss how they identify and express their own feelings, and talk about how to recognise how others are feeling. In particular the importance of recognising feelings by looking at facial expressions and body language, and listening to a person’s tone of voice, will be discussed. The session also focuses on Strong Emotions. The aim is to assist children in understanding that some emotions are more intense than others. They will learn to identify how to recognise their body’s “warning signals” so that they can identify when they are becoming angry. All children in Grades Prep to Three will participate in classroom activities that focus on identifying and recognising feelings. Next week: Managing Strong Emotion Grade 4
The Year 4’s have had an exciting start to the term! Kicking it off with an eventful and sundrenched trip to Waratah Beach Camp, they showed that they are up for anything! This week, students went to Penola Catholic College to participate in a range of activities from various learning areas – from holograms in Science to delicious cupcake decorating (and eating) in Food Technology. The students were well-mannered, engaged and most importantly, excited to be a part of a wonderful school partnership. They were awarded many little prizes in each group rotation as well as information on Penola Catholic College. Grade 3/4 Waratah Bay Camp
On Monday I went to camp. First I said goodbye to my mum, dad, sister and brother. I was all packed and went on the bus. It took two hours and a half. When we got there, we took our suitcase, had a chat and went to our cabins. That night I went looking for soldier crabs, there was also a giant swing that I loved. I went for three days, I went home with my mum and had a lollipop. By Savannah Tu 3JW Camp Poem By Mia Lopes 3JW Life was fun at camp. It was amazing because you couldn’t bring a lamp. We were very, very busy And that’s why I felt dizzy. When my cabin slammed the door, That meant we were off to the shore. It was peaceful at the beach, And for once I tried a peach. It was pitch black at night, except for our torches giving us light. I loved camp! Information about Waratah Bay by Makayla Hall 3JW Waratah Bay is 2 hours and 57 minutes from Melbourne Waratah Bay is in the south of Victoria and close to Sandy Point. Waratah Bay is a place to camp. Waratah Bay is good for night walks and spotting animals like soldier crabs, horses and deers. Aged Care Mini Concert
On Friday the Foundation students, along with 4T and 4P, performed a mini-concert for some visiting residents from the Hilltop and the Colton Close aged care residential facilities. It was a great event with many parents, grandparents, caregivers and siblings also able to attend and see our students perform their concert items one more time. The performance was followed by a morning tea which was served by the grade 4s to our guests, and included some yummy scones made by the Foundation Students. A big thanks to everyone who contributed a plate to share, with special mention to the parent helpers who assisted in the Foundation grades on the morning. It was a great event, strengthening the tie between the school community and the Hilltop Aged Care facility and broadening our community links to include the Colton Close aged care facility also.
SUSTAINABILITY
Save the OBP What’s the OBP? The orange bellied parrot! A critically endangered species under Zoos Victoria’s ‘Fighting Extinction’ program. Four students from 4P found out about the OBP and asked if I would help them raise money for conservation programs. I’m very keen to reward student initiative and especially for such a great cause. The students; Ruby, Ola, Tahlia and Donika are holding a casual dress day on Friday 8th November (Foundation has an excursion this day and must attend in full uniform). A gold coin donation is required and all money raised will go to the ‘Fighting Extinction’ program. The girls will also be running a raffle, with palm oil free chocolate prizes. $1 per ticket and they will be on sale at lunchtimes during the week from 4th-8th November, with the winners announced at assembly on Friday 8th November. Frog Census Local Excursions To go along with our study of frogs, I have planned for each 1/2 class to take a short trip to Moonee Ponds Creek to take part in the Frog Census. This is a citizen science project where community members visit local waterways to record images and/or the calls of frogs. This helps scientists assess the health of the waterway, be aware of the frog species that exist within it and helps planning for habitat improvement along the creek. Our plan is to use the Frog Census app to record and upload data about frogs in our local creek. The sessions are planned for the following times: 2M - Thursday 7th November, 12.10-1.05 2D – Thursday 7th November, 1.05-2.00 1PA – Friday 8th November, 9.00-10.00 1C - Friday 8th November, 10.00-11.00 1H - Friday 8th November, 12.10-1.05 I need parent helpers for each session, so if you have a WWCC registered at the office, a hat and some sturdy shoes then we’d love you to come along. Please let me know if you’re able to help ([email protected]). Art News
Grade 6 Visual Arts Legacy Project Each year the Grade 6 Students at OPPS, create something in Visual Arts classes that leaves their lasting legacy at the school. This year some “Athlete Silhouettes” were created and they have been installed in the school gymnasium. They stand at approximately 2.2 metres high and provide some very much needed colour in the gym. The silhouettes have been painted on plywood, each with a different background colour, then covered with an acrylic plastic to protect them. The paint for the project was very generously donated by Dulux. The sports depicted are those that the students saw as a representation of the sports they like to play most. Both male and female athletes have been represented along with an athlete in a wheelchair. If you get a chance to visit the gymnasium, please pop in and take a look at what a fantastic job this year’s graduate students have done in creating a lasting legacy at Oak Park Primary School for many years to come.
Taking it to The Streets
One of our students, Poppy Fenton in Foundation H, has been collecting donations from school and the Community, creating Care Packs for Melbourne’s homeless people. Poppy, along with her best friend Bella, took to the streets of Melbourne last weekend handing out care packs to those in need….Poppy and Bella certainly brightened the day for many people. How wonderful to see our youngsters learning to be compassionate, empathetic, non-judgmental and kind. Poppy commented that not everyone wanted a pack, but they were very happy to have a chat. Well Done Poppy and Bella.
COMMUNITY NEWS
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