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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 2
February 7th 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
Term 1 Events: February 2025
March 2025
April 2025
Principal's Column
Supporting Our New School Captains
Our newly elected School Captains have been hard at work preparing for their very first assembly. Stepping into a leadership role is both exciting and a little nerve-wracking, but they have shown great enthusiasm and dedication in getting ready for this important moment. Over the past week, we have been working closely with them to build their confidence in public speaking, refine their scripts, and ensure they feel prepared to lead the school community with pride. Their commitment to representing their peers is already shining through, and we are excited to see them grow in their leadership journey. We look forward to their first assembly and encourage all students to support and celebrate their efforts. It’s going to be a fantastic start to their year as leaders! Thanks to School Captains and Melanie for her ongoing support of school assemblies. School Saving Bonus – Important Allocation Information Families using the School Saving Bonus must allocate funds via the online portal before making any payments for school activities. Please note that once funds are allocated, there may be a delay of several days before they are reconciled into the school’s payment system. To avoid any issues, we recommend allocating funds well in advance of payment deadlines. If you have any queries about logging into the portal, please contact the portal directly for assistance. Thank you for your cooperation, the School Saving Bonus organisation has been managed by the Department of Education it has a few bureaucracy and administration kinks along the way. School Council Nominations for New or Re-applying members A potential election is to be conducted for members of the school council of Oak Park Primary School, provided there are more candidates than vacancies. Parents on School Councils provide important viewpoints and have valuable skills that can help shape the direction of the school. Each year, approximately half of the School Council retires to allow new members to become involved. The school requires 7 parent members to fill vacancies left by outgoing members. Current members can also re-apply for an additional two year tenure. Nomination forms may be obtained from the office from today (or email Michael and he'll send you a copy) and must be returned by 4.00pm on Monday, 17th February 2025. For those self-nominating, please also provide a short statement (no longer than 150 words) about yourself and the skills or interests you bring to School Council. If an election is required, further information regarding the ballot will be sent. General Reminders for Term 1 Just a short list of general reminders that will be re-iterated in upcoming Term 1 newsletters: iPads will be introduced back into classrooms once the updated ICT consent forms are returned. The ‘Meet the Teacher’ event is upcoming on the 26th February, with timeslots between 2:30PM and 6:30PM. We advocate packing a rubbish-free lunch to reduce litter at school. We are also reenforcing messages to promote the use of sun-smart hats, sunscreen (student applied) and adherence to the school uniform policy. Student Communication & Smart Watches A reminder to all families that any messages for students during school hours must go through the school office. This ensures minimal disruptions to learning and allows us to manage communication effectively. We also ask that all smart watches have notifications turned off during school hours. If a device is misused, as outlined in our User Agreement, the student will be required to leave their device at home for a week. Thank you for your support in maintaining a focused and distraction-free learning environment. Kind regards, Michael Gill Principal WHAT'S HAPPENING @ OAK PARK
WHOLE SCHOOL
Assembly Timetable
Late Arrivals/Early Departures
Welcome back to 2025, especially to our new families. With regards to dropping your child late to school or picking up early: If you are dropping your child off late to school, we ask that parents/guardians bring them in via the office to sign in on the ipad to the right of the office window. You are required to bring your child into school when late, as it is unsafe to just drop them at the gate or drive through once the bell has rung. This also allows the exact time of arrival to be input. The receipt then given will need to be passed to your childs teacher. If you need to pick up your child early from school for an appointment or if ill, please do not go straight to the classroom. Once again, you are required to come into the office and sign your child out. You then take that slip to the classroom to pick up your child. Your child cannot be sent to the office to wait for a parent to pick them up early. Please do not sign in late, or complete an early departure from home via Compass. This is done from school at the time you are actually arriving or departing the school ABSENCES: Compass allows parents/guardians to notify the school of your childs absence. We would ask that you please attend to this each day your child will be absent, as this stops you from receiving a notification that your child is not at school and has an unexplained absence. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the office for further information. Thank you for your assistance regarding any absences Visitor Sign in
We ask that all visitors to the school please sign in via the Office. If you are a parent helper, or dropping something off to your child, or visiting the school during school hours, you MUST enter the school via the office and sign in as a visitor. Please do not enter during the day via the back gates or through the school playgrounds. Should you wish to speak to your childs teacher, we also ask that you email the teacher to request a meeting. In the morning prior to classes starting, teachers are busy preparing for the day. At the end of the day, they often have to attend after school meetings and may have no time to meet. Thank you for your assistance with regards this. Zooper Doopers
This week we had a successful first week of our Zooper Dooper trial, we raised $445.65! Students followed instructions, lined up respectfully and got their Zooper Doopers. Just a reminder for all students and families…
Thank you for your support, Kind regards, The Grade 6 Fundraising Team 
Working with Children Checks
Just a reminder for parents/guardians etc who will be wanting to assist in the classroom or on excursions, you will require a valid Working with Children Check. Please ensure if your WWC has expired, that you renew if you wish to continue assisting at school events. Student Mobile Phones
If your child is bringing a mobile phone to school, please remind them that they must be handed in to the office at the start of the school day. Students can then pick them up at the end of the day. Breakfast Club
At Oak Park Primary School, we offer a Breakfast Club to students on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays. Breakfast club starts at 8.30am on these days, and students leave to return to class at the first bell at 8.50am. This club is open to all students. Chess Club
I have attached the Term 1 2025 Chess form for those students who wish to attend our chess classes. For the new families to the school, we have Chess classes every Wednesday at lunch time throughout the year. Classes are taught by FIDE Master, Grant Szuveges. We apologise in advance for the cost increase. This was a difficult decision as we know the effect cost increases can have on families. We thank you for your understanding and appreciate that you see the value in our lunchtime clubs, as we do. Please complete the chess form and forward to [email protected], along with proof of payment. You may also collect a form at the office SCHOOL SAVER BONUS MAY BE UTILISED FOR CHESS 
Lunch Orders
Lunch orders started this week. Please find attached lunch order form and information for ordering lunch orders via the QKR app. To our new Oak Park families: Lunch orders are supplied every Friday and are ordered via the QKR app. Lunch orders must be placed online via the app prior to 11am on the Thursday. No late orders can be accepted via the app or via the school office Thank you 
Book Club
Book Club Issue 1 has arrived! Catalogues have been delivered to classrooms. Thank you to all who have placed an order already. Orders need to be submitted no later than Wednesday 12th February. The preferred method of payment is online via the LOOP platform, details are in the catalogue. Cash orders (correct money appreciated) can also be handed to the class teacher. If you have any questions please contact me via email or see me in the Library. I look forward to another successful year of Book Club and seeing the excitement on students faces when delivering orders to the classroom! Happy reading! Michelle Watson (Library) P.F.A
We are always super excited to welcome new members and new ideas. 
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. 
Kelly Sports
Term 1 Kelly Sports program starts next Friday 14th February for interested students. The program is every Friday after school from 3.30pm – 4.40pm 
Team Kids
There’s so much FUN waiting for you at TeamKids. Don’t miss out – join us for an adventure this term! Book TODAY ➡️ www.teamkids.com.au/venues Some BEAR-Y delicious fun awaits at our annual TeamKids Teddy Bears Picnic 🧸💕 It's going to be UN-BEAR-LIEVABLY adorable! Don’t FUR-GET to bring your FAVOURITE teddy bear 🐾 BOOK NOW ➡️ www.teamkids.com.au/venues
SENIOR SCHOOL NEWS
Grade 6 Uniforms
We are expecting the Grade 6 polo tops and bomber jackets to arrive at school, hopefully next week. If there are any issues with sizing etc, please contact the uniform supplier direct. A Plus 03 9354 8345. Grade 5/6 News
This week our 5/6 got creative while completing the 'Butterfly and Bird' project. Each student had to design a butterfly that would camouflage in plain sight somewhere in our classrooms. The 'Bird' aka Michael Gill then came and attempted to find all the butterflies within each classroom. We were blown away by our students creativity! Can you spot the butterflies below?
SPECIALISTS
Performing Arts
I warmly welcome all our returning families and also new members of our vibrant school community to the new year. This year promises to be an exciting learning journey filled with creativity, self-discovery, and the boundless joy that performing arts brings. Every student possesses unique talents waiting to be discovered and nurtured. Performing arts includes drama, dance and singing which provides a dynamic platform for self-expression, teamwork, and personal growth. It's not just about learning lines, mastering choreography, or hitting the right note – it's about discovering one's voice and building confidence which extends to all areas of learning. This year, our performing arts program will feature a curriculum designed to inspire and challenge students. From exploring classic stories and plays to creating original scripts and improvisation, every student will have the opportunity to shine and grow. Here's to a year filled with applause-worthy moments! I look forward to meeting new families at Meet the Teacher evening later this term. Melanie Ojczyk Performing Arts Teacher Japanese
Hello! I am excited to have grade three to six students in Japanese this semester. The Japanese Language program will focus on both language and culture. The aim will be for students to develop knowledge and skills in communicating in Japanese, as well as gaining an understanding of some aspects of Japanese culture including celebrations, traditions and customs. This week we have been learning about the Setsubun festival which was celebrated in Japan on Sunday 2nd February. Students have been finding out how the festival is celebrated in Japan and what traditions take place on the day. The Grade 5/6 students particularly enjoyed creating their own origami Oni after learning about Oni’s role in the festival traditions. If you have any questions, please get in touch. Natalie Smith 
School Contacts
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