Address: Willett Avenue, Oak Park VIC 3046
T:(03) 9306 9182 E: [email protected] |
Issue 6
March 5th 2020 |
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
Many years ago, my dad went into partnership with his mate and they bought and trained a greyhound. I know that nowadays a lot of people are not comfortable with racing dogs or horses and I was a bit in that camp even back when Dad first got the greyhound. It was sort of meant to be a business, but I loved that dog (we called her Judi) and I looked after her. She had a strict diet and I walked her every day, sometimes twice a day and kept her clean. One day it was time to take her for trials. We went out to a dog track at Rockbank which was pretty much out in the bush in those days. Her first trial was amazing. It was one lap of the track and she ran around on her own in some really quick time and Dad and his mate Bob thought they had fluked something special. We went out to Rockbank again a couple of weeks later when she was scheduled to trial against other dogs. There was a lot of excitement in the lead up – Judi was actually going to be in a race! I put her into the box and she seemed very calm. I was a bit worried that she might be too calm. The lure came past, the boxes opened and off she flew. This trial race was meant to be a lap and a bit. Right from the start, Judi was blitzing the field. She was lengths in front of the other dogs as she headed towards the final turn. I could see the dollar signs in my dad’s eyes. When Judi rounded the turn she saw me standing behind the boxes and ran straight to me. Most of the other dogs kept chasing the lure, but number 3 came with her. Greyhounds are bred to chase, something moves, they chase it; the other dogs kept chasing the lure, and number 3 chased Judi. I thought it was very funny but Dad and Bob went nuts. They obviously had a good dog here but she didn’t actually finish the race. We trialled her a few more times after that, and she would be at the front of the pack, but every time she would just head to the boxes when she saw them. We tried lots of things to get her to keep running. I would scream and pretend to throw things at her as she came towards the boxes. Bob decided that he would put her in the box and I would hide so she couldn’t see me. But she had come to love those boxes. Something had burned into her brain and we couldn’t change it. We gave up. I think about this sometimes when trying to work out the best way to help kids to change certain behaviours. It can be hard and will often take a very long time. We usually want quick fixes but have to understand that something very powerful has caused the original issue and we need to be patient and determined and willing to try a range of strategies. Teachers understand this but it can be difficult for parents to accept that what we are trying to do will take time. Even though Judi proved to be no good as a racer, we kept her and she was the most beautiful dog I ever had. School Fees, Extras and Contributions 2020
Thanks to all our parents who’ve paid their fees for 2020. Thanks to all our parents who have paid their fees for 2020. We still have some family invoices outstanding, if you require a payment plan please contact Annette in the Office We would appreciate these fees being paid as soon as possible as they support the school in providing resources for the students. Please click here for information and for payment details. The Oak Park Primary School Parent Payment Policy is located on our website if you wish to review. Annette D'Elia Business Manager Easter Raffle
The eldest students in each family were sent home with Raffle Tickets yesterday. The tickets are $2 each or 3 For $5 1st Prize - $100 Coles Myer Voucher and an Easter Egg 2nd Prize - $75 Coles Myer Voucher and an Easter Egg 3rd Prize - $50 Coles Myer Voucher and an Easter Egg All tickets and money need to be returned to the school by Friday, 20th March 2020 Raffle will be drawn at end of term assembly on Friday, 27th March 2020 at 1.30 pm Additional tickets available at the office. We are very fortunate to have a full size oval at Oak Park Primary and the funds raised will be put towards the oval's maintenance. Thank you for your support. PFA 2021 Enrolments
Enrolments for 2021 are now open. If you have a younger child due to start school at Oak Park Primary School next year, you are welcome to complete an enrolment as soon as possible. Please email Fran on [email protected] and I am happy to forward one for your completion. We do end up with quite a few new families on our waitlist, so would appreciate sibling enrolments to be in as early as you can Our school tours and transition events will start around May 2020, and continue throughout the year. School Banking
Our students are able to start banking with the Bendigo Bank Strathmore. It’s a great opportunity for the students to start learning about saving money. Banking is collected on a Tuesday . Please pop into the Strathmore branch of the Bendigo Bank to collect a form. School Crossing Safety
Unfortunately there are still ‘accidents waiting to happen’ at our school crossing, particularly the one in Summit Avenue. The majority of drivers are still turning right out of the drive through. This is illegal and dangerous. Please follow the signs and help us make it safe for your children Matthew Baker
Many thanks to one of Oak Park’s wonderful parents – Matthew Baker. Matthew gave up a huge amount of his own time to repaint the lines in the drop off area and in the staff car park. Matthew has done a fantastic job and we are very grateful for his kindness! Thanks again Matthew! Japanese News
Exhibition: “Child’s Earth in Sumi-e” (5 – 30 Mar 2020) Following the exhibition Sumi-e in the Antipodes by adult sumi-e painters, there will be an exhibition of recent works by young sumi-e painters taught by Richard Liddicut in Thornbury. The exhibition will consist of works by 9 students, ranging from the age of 10 to 17. When: Thursday 5 March – Monday 30 March 2020 9:00am – 5:00pm weekdays (closed 1:00pm – 2:00pm) Where: Consulate-General of Japan in Melbourne Level 25, 570 Bourke St, Melbourne Cost: Free 2020 JLTAV Events Poster Competition Students studying Japanese in primary and secondary schools are invited to design a poster to be used on the front cover of the 2020 JLTAV Annual Conference book for conference delegates and the front cover of the 2020 Year 12 Morning book. Students are encouraged to be creative and to design a cover which reflects the Japanese language or Japanese culture. This is broad to enable students to be creative. For example students might like to design a cover in manga style. Students are able to submit a digital or hand drawn cover design. Please note that students are not able to use images that are already copyright (e.g. Hello Kitty etc.). No words are required on the poster. Audience: Teachers attending the 2020 JLTAV Conference and students/teachers attending the 2020 Year 12 Morning Size: A4 size (portrait size only) Rules:
For more information please feel free to come and see me. Melissa Ly Japanese Language Teache Grade 2 News
This week, Grade 2s have been learning about 3-digit numbers. We know that there are 10 ones in a ten and 10 tens in a hundred. We have been experimenting with a Base Ten equipment and making our own Base Ten castles and robots. Next, we checked each other’s and wrote the numbers they had made. Check out some of our creations Pascoe Vale Girls College - Open Day
Pascoe Vale Girls College invites prospective students and parents to attend our Open Day on Monday 20th April 2020
Information Sessions followed by tours of the College will be held at the following times: Morning: 9.00am – 10.30am Evening: 7.00pm – 8.00pm Parents and children only need to attend one session. There is no need to register attendance. APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN: YEAR 7 SEAL PROGRAM 2021 The SEAL Program provides differentiated teaching and learning that meets the needs of gifted and talented learners. The Program provides stimulating learning experiences that challenge, extend, and develop the gifts of students by offering acceleration and enrichment. SEAL students will study faster paced curriculum and have the opportunity to study concepts in greater depth. There is a greater emphasis on higher order thinking and learning skills and independent learning and research. The SEAL program is suited to students who are capable of studying curriculum at a faster pace, have a strong passion for learning, are capable of working independently, enjoy intellectual challenges and have superior problem solving abilities. Visit the College website for further information and to apply for the SEAL program: www.pvgc.vic.edu.au If you are unable to attend our Open Day sessions, the College also conducts tours with the Principal or an Assistant Principal throughout the year. Bookings can be made by contacting the College on 9306 2544 or online through the College website at www.pvgc.vic.edu.au Crazy Hair Day
Lunch Orders
School Lunch Orders have started Thursday is lunch order day, but please ensure your child brings the actual lunch order to school on Wednesdays. They are to place their order into their classroom tub Wednesday mornings. No late orders can be accepted and orders are not to be given directly to the café. Please vote for ours: School Crossing Supervisor of the Year
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