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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 5
February 28th 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
March 2025
April 2025
May 2025
June 2025
July 2025
August 2025
October 2025
November 2025
December 2025
Principal's Column
Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country
On Monday, we were honoured to hold a Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country, led by Auntie Mandy a representative from the Djirri Djirri group. It was a special moment to acknowledge and pay respect to the Indigenous land on which we learn.
Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in this important cultural event. We are grateful for the opportunity to continue learning and deepening our connection to Country. 
Congratulations to Our 2025 SRC Representatives!
We are thrilled to announce our Student Representative Council (SRC) members for 2025! Congratulations to: 3/4A Cahill and Aarwin 3/4C Scarlett and Mattea 3/4H Wren and Rishi 3/4L May and Isabella 3/4M Zoe and Ai Vy 5/6D Ken 5/6M William 5/6R Holly 5/6Y Ethan Our SRC representatives will be working closely with our school captains to develop exciting improvement projects and lunchtime clubs that will make Oak Park Primary an even better place for all students. We can’t wait to see their ideas come to life!Well done to all our new leaders—we look forward to a fantastic year ahead! Thank You, Team Kids!
A big thank you to Team Kids for running the free Lunchtime Legends activity at Oak Park Primary School! This fantastic initiative provides students with another engaging and active opportunity to connect, have fun, and develop new skills during lunchtime.
We appreciate Team Kids' ongoing support in creating enriching experiences for our students and providing our ongoing before and after school care. Kind regards, Michael Gill Principal WHAT'S HAPPENING @ OAK PARK
WHOLE SCHOOL
Welcome to Country & Smoking Ceremony
Whole School Welcome to Country & Smoking Ceremony The Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony was delivered by Aunty Mandy from the Djirri Djirri Women’s Dance Group. It was a beautiful Welcome that included the healing properties of a Smoking Ceremony to cleanse visitors who are on Wurundjeri Country. Djirri Djirri are the only Wurundjeri female dance group and are Traditional Custodians of Narrm (Melbourne) and surrounds. Djirri Djirri means Willy Wagtail in Woiwurrung, their Mother Tongue. Mandy is the founder, singer and songwriter of Djirri Djirri. She has been part of other mixed dance groups for over 20 years and formed Djirri Djirri in 2013 with members of her family. Mandy is Wurundjeri, Dja Dja wurrung and Ngurai illum wurrung. Mandy's Spirit Protector is Gawarn the echidna. 
Introducing our School Leaders of 2025
We are proud to be Oak Park Primary School Captains of 2025. Our responsibilities include sharing school news at assembly, reading out Wow Awards and counting Values Tokens and keeping a tally of the house that is leading each week. We will help run SRC meetings with Michael and work with teachers to make our school the best we can. We will lead by example and show kindest and respect to all students in our school. Please come and say hello to us and talk about your ideas for school and we will make it happen this year! 
School Captains
Mac (middle left) and April (middle right) Vice Captains Zeynep (left) and Leo (right) Performing Arts Captains
We are excited to be the Performing Arts Captains for 2025. We are the first group of four and we are going to give it our all this year! School Leaders show initiative and we have already got clubs running this term and we have a clear plan for what we are going to achieve this year. This term we are running Dance Club together and then sharing the responsibly of running Oak Parks Got Talent and Choir Club. As Performing Arts Captains, we will show our younger peers our enthusiasm for dancing acting and singing and we all understand how important it is to be able to express yourself in the arts and give everything a go. We look forward to sharing our love of the arts with our Oak Park Primary School community! 
Student Wellbeing Captains
We are the Wellbeing Captains of 2025. We all feel excited for what we’re going to achieve at Oak Park Primary School this year. We believe that our school is place where everyone can feel included, happy, and supported. We want all students to have a chance to be themselves. This year we will be help organise whole school wellbeing events such as Harmony Day. We will also be responsible for breakfast club and making sure that all the students who attend have had a healthy breakfast before school. Breakfast Club is held in the staff room every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:30am- 8:50am. As part of our role, we will assist the Wellbeing Club each lunchtime and are looking forward to launching this space once works have been completed in Term 2. We will also be involved in our assemblies and in the yard promoting our school values and awarding tokens when we observe students following these values. We look forward to a wonderful year together! 
Visual Arts Captains
I’m very excited to introduce Duru and Ethan as Visual Arts Captains for the 2025 school year. They are both extremely passionate about art and love to do art activities outside of the art program at Oak Park. They have attended the art room at lunchtime to assist with organising equipment and materials, discussed upcoming events and how they may assist with organising these as well as helped with displaying artwork. They both look forward to what’s to come this year in the art program, and have already shown great dedication to making a difference in the art room. Duru says “Everyone has art talent (even if they don’t see it), and they should be proud of their artwork”. Ethan says “I can’t wait to help others explore their creativity, and also make the art room a fantastic place for everyone”. Thank you to both Duru and Ethan for putting their hand up to take on the role of Art Captain this year. They are a welcomed addition to the art program here at OPPS. 
Duru(left) and Ethan(right)
Physical Education Captains
As Sports Captains we are responsible for facilitating and promoting Oak Park’s Physical Education program alongside Liam. We all have a keen interest in sport and we are trusted role models for younger students to aspire towards. Some of our goals for this year include:
(Top Row): Holly, Asya, Patty, Alessandro and Indigo
(Bottom Row): Hugo, Michael and Valentino Fundraising Captains
We are the Fundraising Captains of 2025. We are excited to provide fun and new ideas this year to help raise money for our school. We fundraise for Grade 6 Graduation, and school projects. At the moment we are selling Zooper Dooper’s each Tuesday and Thursday for $1 and so far it’s been a massive success! Please look out for our notifications through Compass for fundraising events happening in the school. Thank you to Maree for helping us with our fundraising efforts this year! 
Demir, Arvin, Mackenzie, Isabelle, and Enna. Absent: Miran
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. Zooper Doopers
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.
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. 
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. SENIOR SCHOOL YEARS
Grade 5/6 Carlton Respects
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/ School Contacts
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