Address: Willett Avenue, Oak Park VIC 3046
T:(03) 9306 9182 E: nolan.william.b@edumail.vic.gov.au |
Issue 33
October 30th 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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Principal's Column
Last Friday was World Teachers’ Day. World Teachers’ Day was started by UNESCO in 1994 and is celebrated by more than 100 countries around the world each year to recognise the role of teachers in our community. It commemorates the formal recommendation of UNESCO concerning the Status of Teachers. We all remember that great teacher we had who had a significant influence on us in one way or another. We probably remember some who were not so good as well. Teaching can be a thankless profession where much is taken for granted. Our teachers often go well above and beyond any job description that could be written – last week’s sleepover, the recent 3/4 camp and the concert are just three very recent examples. Teachers teach, counsel, encourage, referee, laugh, cry, despair, rejoice (and that’s just before lunch time) and put their hearts and souls into trying to make a difference for each kid under their care. I know all of our teachers consider it to be a privileged position, where one can have a profound effect on the lives of young people, helping to shape who they will be. On behalf of our school community, thank you to every one of our wonderful teachers for all the work you do. It is demanding, never easy and exacts a physical and mental toll. We are especially fortunate at Oak Park to have such a terrific group of teachers committed to our school and community. We don’t always see eye to eye with each other and that’s ok, but I have no doubt that the hearts of all of them are in the right place and they constantly strive to do their best for the kids. And that’s all you can ask of anyone. |
Compass Updates
Compass have introduced new functionality which will allow parents/guardians to streamline their child’s events and excursions:
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
Thank you to everyone who placed an order from Issue 7 of Book Club. Your constant support amazes me and enables us to purchase current titles for the Library. Your generosity has allowed us to purchase over $450 worth of books which I am sure your children will enjoy reading. Hopefully all orders will be distributed to students by the end of the week. Thank you again for your support. Michelle Watson 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
There’s a lot of lost property still in the large white cupboard but we also have more personal items – little bracelets, reading glasses and watches etc in the office. Please come via the office and describe your item if you’ve lost something of value. Grades 1 / 2 Fun Night Sleep Over
The Grade 1s and 2s enjoyed a fun night at the school on Friday night. On arrival they made Worry Dolls, played games outside, enjoyed a bbq dinner followed by a groovy disco afterwards. After the Grade 1s went home the Grade 2s got set up for bed and settled down to watch the movie Storks. Apart from the snoring (by the students, not the teachers) everyone slept well. Thanks to a marvellous team of parent helpers the kids enjoyed a feast of fresh fruit, pancakes and toast for breakfast. Read on to see the wonderful quotes from some of the Grade 2s. “On a windy Friday we had the Grade 1 and 2 sleepover. It was fun. At the disco everyone grooved to the beat.” By Rahael “On Friday night we had a bbq for dinner and the sausages were so yummy I thought they it tool all my taste buds away. “ By Spencer “We got to sleepover at the school! I was up until 11pm. On Saturday morning we had pancakes with oozy honey and sweet jam. We played fun games in the morning and Martha read us a crazy book called “I Ate My Friend”.” By Maeve “I made a Worry Doll that takes all of you worry’s away so you don’t have to worry again. Do you want to make a worry doll? They look beautiful. After that we watched a movie called “Storks”, it was sensational.” By Santiago “After the Grade 1s left we made our beds. We had to sleep on the ground but we still slept. I couldn’t sleep for that long because people were snoring.” By Chris “You will never believe what I did on Friday night. I went to the best Grade 2 sleepover. We had a romantic disco and watched a funny movie. At the disco we sang, danced and even breakdanced. At the movie we got a cosy pillow and our soft teddy and we got to eat delicious popcorn.” By Zayden |
Merri Creek Excursion
The Grade 5's went on an excursion to Merri Creek in Coburg to see the launch or a GPS rubbish tracker. They put five bottles containing GPS trackers into the creek to see how far they could go. The point of the launch was to see the journey of a plastic bottle. We learnt about frogs, frog noises and how to test creek water. We also helped to pull out weeds. We had a great day! By Maya Ilievski Japanese News
In the holiday’s Ola went to Japan with her aunt for 2 weeks. She had a mini presentation at lunch time sharing some photos with friends. “I was always excited throughout the trip wondering what was going to happen next. I really enjoyed feeding the monkeys at Arashiyama Park and going to Miyajima Island. The deers were really funny and would eat paper and card! I noticed that the traffic lights were sideways and that number of people that were around was much more than here in Australia”. By Ola 4P Student Fundraising Initiative
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 (hughes.john.v@edumail.vic.gov.au). COMMUNITY NEWS
School Contacts
PLEASE NOTE NEW EMAIL FOR OUR O.S.H.C. PROGRAM
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