“You always pass failure on the way to success.” – Mickey Rooney

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

This week students from OSPS year’s 3 – 6 competed at the District Swimming Carnival at Oakleigh Recreation Centre. Students swam to their best abilities with some outstanding personal and team results across the day. OSPS finished equal 2nd overall. Thank you to the staff who contributed to coaching and accompanying the District Swimming team, in particular Marcus Mooney and Fiona Wells. Thank you to the parents who helped at the pool and breakfast. A great day.

The year 1 and year 2’s have been attending swimming lessons this week at GSAC. The basics of swimming and water safety are vital skills for children to acquire. Students have learnt independence skills with travelling by bus and being responsible for personal belongings and self-management getting changed after their lessons.

Along with many of our current lunchtime offerings such as black belt club (Japanese), sports training, art club, code club, student voice, animal club, band, junior choir, year 3 farming, writing club and GEM club, a new Dance club has been established open to interested year 4, 5 and 6 students run by Performing Arts teacher Claire Stevenson. We have had a great expression of interest and this will start next week.

The school council election process resulted in the election of 4 parent and 2 staff candidates. Congratulations to parent representatives Nadia Beauchamp, Sri Reddy, Melissa Clubb, Jon Couston and DET representatives Nikki Virtuoso and Nigel Hooley. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Anthony Rowe who has served 4 years on school council.

Have a great week,

Ron

SCHOOL MATTERS

PREP WELCOME BBQ

What a fantastic night the Prep Welcome BBQ was!

All our new families were served a delicious BBQ with yummy sausages and salads while being entertained by the hilarious Charlie Silly Pants.

It was as a perfect summer evening for all the families to get to know each other and create memories and bonds for their primary school years.

Thank you to Ron Cantlon, our Parent Group Volunteers and of course our Prep teachers for helping to make this night a success.

CAMP SPORTS AND EXCURSIONS FUND

The Victorian Government offer a Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund for families who hold a valid means-tested concession card are eligible to apply. A special consideration category also exists.

A payment of $125 for eligible primary school students will be paid directly to the school to be used toward camps, sports and excursion costs for the student’s benefit.
CSEF payments to schools will commence from 1 March onwards. Schools are able to continue processing applications until the end of Term 2

Please click below for the form  https://www.education.vic.gov.au/PAL/CSEF-application-form.docx

Please email or send in your application form and a copy of your concession card as soon as possible.
Those families that were eligible in 2023 will be rolled over, you do not need to reapply.
If you have any issues please contact Carlyn carlyn.backers@education.vic.gov.au

MOBILE PHONES – STUDENT USE

As you may be aware, the Mobile Phones – Student Use policy for Victorian government schools came into effect in Term 1 2020. This policy requires students to switch their phones off and securely store them during the school day.

The policy is designed to support teaching and learning, promoting learning environments that are free from unnecessary distractions. The policy also aims to increase physical activity and socialisation at recess and lunch times. A Review of the policy found that it has reduced the use of mobile phones during school hours, with a range of benefits noted by principals and teachers.

The Department of Education has also published a parent/carer support page on mobile phones in schools on its website. This website includes links to supports for parents/carers on safe and responsible technology use at home.

Our school has its own, local mobile phone policy, which implements the government’s mobile policy in line with our local context. A copy of our policy is available at: https://oakleighsouthps.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Mobile-Phones-Policy.pdf 

I encourage new members of our school community to read our policy, as it outlines the school’s expectations of staff, parents/carers, and students regarding the use of mobile phones by students at school.

If you have further questions about our local policy, please contact the administration office.

SUN PROTECTIVE MEASURES

With the increase in temperature in February and most likely in March it’s important to remember to support and educate your child regarding good sun protective practices.

By implementing good practices, you can help reduce skin cancer, dehydration and support your child’s engagement and learning in class.

Sun protective practices include:

• sending your child to school with SPF 50+ sunscreen
• apply sunscreen before school and every 2 hours at school
• a water bottle filled with water
• a nutritious snack and lunch to get them through the day
• ensure they have a wide-brimmed OSPS hat at school.

Teachers are regularly reminding students to apply sunscreen before recess, lunch and outdoor activities and checking hats are work outside. ‘No Hat No Play’

PSW ANNOUNCEMENT

PSW Cheltenham store will conduct its annual stocktake on Monday 4th of March therefore the store will be closed on this day.

PSW apologise for any inconvenience.

STUDENT SHOWCASE

PARENT GROUP

PARENT CORNER

CAMP AUSTRALIA

COMMUNITY NEWS

Disclaimer – The organisations advertised in this newsletter are not affiliated with and have no relationship to Oakleigh South Primary School. The publishing of these advertisements does not imply endorsement or recommendation of these products or services by the school. They are provided as a community service.