Oakleigh South Primary School
NEWSLETTER – ISSUE 1
31st January, 2026

“With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts” — Eleanor Roosevelt

Week 2
Tuesday 3rd February
  • OSPS Swimming Squad Training @ 7:30AM
  • Year 1 & 2 Information Evenings @ 6:00PM
Wednesday 4th February
  • OSPS Swimming Squad Training @ 7:30AM
  • Prep, Year 3, 4 5 & 6 Information Evenings @ 6:00PM
Thursday 5th February
  • No Senior Choir
Week 3
Tuesday 10th February
  • OSPS Swimming Squad Training @ 7:30AM
  • Whole School Assembly (except Prep) @ 2:45PM
Wednesday 11th February
  • OSPS Swimming Squad Training @ 7:30AM
Thursday 12th February
  • Senior Choir

    Welcome back to OSPS for 2026, and a very big welcome to the new families who have joined our school community for the first time.

    I hope you all had a fantastic break, filled with family time and plenty of rest!

    Yesterday, our new Prep children started, and although it was a short day for them, they settled in extremely well. It was wonderful to see all the mums, dads, and extended families supporting their little ones on such a big day in their lives. All the other year levels have also settled smoothly into their programs.

    A big thank you to all the staff who spent many hours at school preparing their rooms and programs in readiness for the 2026 school year.

    I would also like to welcome our new staff members to OSPS and extend a warm welcome back to all our staff, many of whom have taken on new roles this year. They, too, have settled in well and are looking forward to a fantastic year ahead.

    As always, all relevant information, notices, payments, and other updates will be sent to you via the COMPASS platform, including our weekly newsletter, which will be posted on Fridays.

    Finally, over the next couple of weeks, all year levels will be holding their annual Year Level Information Evening. Keep an eye out for the COMPASS notification with more details.

    At OSPS, we are all looking forward to a fantastic 2026!

    Nikki Virtuoso
    Acting Principal

     

    SUMMER UPGRADES

    We’ve used the summer break to make a number of improvements across the school to enhance safety, comfort, and learning spaces for students. Highlights include:

    • New carpets in Year 1, Year 2, and the library corridor

    • Hall upgrades including roof anchor points and replastered ceilings in the boys’ and disabled toilets

    • Outdoor improvements with Year 1/2 landscaping, new prep deck, ramp, and extended pergola underway

    • Upcoming classroom enhancements with new blinds being installed in junior and north-facing classrooms

    • Security and lighting upgrades in progress, plus preparatory works for senior bike storage

    These upgrades support a safer, more comfortable, and engaging environment for all students.

    Click the image to the right to see all the upgrade photos!

    SCHOOL SUPERVISION HOURS

    Please note that our school grounds are supervised by staff at the following times:

    • Before school: 8:35am – 8:50am

    • Recess and lunch: throughout

    • After school: 3:30pm – 3:45pm

    We’ve noticed some students arriving early or staying late and playing without supervision, which can pose a safety risk. Parents and guardians must stay with their children outside of supervised times, as staff are not available to oversee students before or after these hours.

    Students arriving before 8:35am must be enrolled in Before School Care, hosted on-site by Camp Australia.

    Similarly, students remaining on school grounds after 3:45pm must be collected promptly or booked into After School Care.

    If you need care outside supervision times, we recommend enrolling with Camp Australia. Same-day bookings are possible, though having an account set up in advance makes the process quicker and easier.

    Thank you for helping us keep all students safe.

    STUDENT HEALTH & MEDICAL INFORMATION

    If your child has a medical condition or functional learning need (including asthma, allergies, anaphylaxis, ASD, ADHD, or any diagnosed blood, organ, genetic, or other medical condition), please ensure the school has current information on file.

    If you have not yet provided your child’s 2026 Medical Action Plan and any required medication, this must be done as soon as possible. This is a Department of Education legal requirement for all students with medical conditions.

    If your child takes regular medication or receives treatment outside school hours, the school must also have a record of this information for emergency purposes, even if medication is not required at school.

    If your child does not have any medical or learning support needs, no action is required. If a condition is no longer ongoing, the school must receive written confirmation from a medical professional before it can be removed from school records.

    For any questions, queries, or updates, please email Bella at isabella.vandeursen@education.vic.gov.au

    Thank you for helping us keep our students safe and well.

    THANK YOU – KEEP THE DONATIONS COMING

    A wonderful community member recently visited the Keysborough Depot and returned 119 cans and bottles, requesting that the funds go to OSPS! We often receive notifications about deposits made to our school, so keep them coming.

    There are three ways you can recycle your cans, bottles, and containers to help us fundraise. OSPS receives 10c per item, with all funds going towards sustainability projects at the school:

    • Oakleigh South Primary School – Purple Bins at the Year 3 Village

    • Oakleigh Depot – 37–41 Oxford St, Oakleigh, in the OSPS bin onsite

    • Any Return-It Depot or Kiosk – donate to OSPS by scanning the barcode (see image)

    Thank you for helping us make a difference while caring for the environment!

    ATTENDANCE NOTES & SIGN-IN/OUT PROCEDURE

    All absences, late arrivals, and early departures must be entered in Compass. This lets staff know where your child is, ensures they are accounted for, and helps the school respond quickly in case of emergencies or changes during the day.

    ATTENDANCE REASONS

    Select the reason that best reflects your child/ren’s absence. “Sorry Business” is for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students attending legitimate cultural ceremonies or obligations only — please do not use this for any other reason. If you’re unsure, use “Parent Choice” or contact the office.

    ENTERING ATTENDANCE NOTES INTO COMPASS

    If possible, please enter your attendance note in Compass before 9.00am. This makes it visible during morning roll marking and ensures all staff are aware, even if your child’s teacher is away or your child is on an alternate program.

    If you enter a note after 9.00am, please add it in Compass and call the office. Teachers cannot check Compass while teaching, so a phone call ensures staff are informed and can have your child ready, avoiding delays or missed notes.

    IMPORTANT: You may email your child’s teacher to advise them of an upcoming absence or late arrival/early departure, but this does not replace an official Compass note. Accurate records are required for safety, emergency situations, and evacuation procedures.

    Please see images attached for how to add attendance notes and select the correct attendance reason on Compass. Please call the office if you are unsure or having issues.

    LATE ARRIVALS AND EARLY DEPARTURES

    Enter a Compass note with accurate start and end times. Sign your child/ren in or out at the office. If your child is not in the classroom by the 9:00am bell, they must be signed in by a parent/guardian. When doing early pick-up or late drop-off, please do not park in the staff carpark; please use oval or street parking.

    COLLECTION BY SOMEONE OTHER THAN PARENT/GUARDIAN

    If someone other than a listed parent/carer is collecting your child/ren, include their full name and relationship in the Compass note. Staff cannot release children without this information. Collectors must be at least 16 years old, including siblings, grandparents, or other relatives.

    Thank you for helping us keep attendance accurate and your children safe.

    BIKE SAFETY – GEAR UP AND STAY SAFE!

    Riding to and from school is fun, but safety comes first. In Victoria, all riders must wear an approved helmet. Make sure it is the correct size and fitted properly — a helmet that is too loose will not protect your child. Helmets should carry the Australian Standards Mark TM (AS/NZS 2063:2020).

    Children under 12 may ride on footpaths, with a supervising adult. Riders must give way to pedestrians and wheel their bikes over crossings. Children 12 and older must ride on the road, and younger children may need adult supervision.

    IMPORTANT: Bikes and scooters cannot be ridden on school grounds. Students must walk their bike or scooter when entering or leaving school.

    Just like helmets, seat belts are mandatory. By law, everyone must wear a seat belt while travelling in a vehicle in Australia.

    Following these rules keeps everyone safe on the way to and from school!

    UNIFORM SHOP – VOLUNTEER REQUEST

    Dear Parents and Carers,

    We are seeking volunteers to assist in our second-hand uniform shop. The shop operates on Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9.00 am to 9.15 am. Depending on volunteer numbers, each volunteer is usually rostered for 2 to 3 shifts per term.

    The uniform shop will reopen on Wednesday, 4 February 2026.

    Please note that all school volunteers must hold a valid Working with Children Check. Volunteer applications are free and can be completed online at https://service.vic.gov.au/services/working-with-children

    If you are available or would like further information, please contact the Parent Group at: osparentgroup67@gmail.com

    Thank you,
    Parent Group

    LUNCH ORDER PROVIDERS

    We are pleased to confirm the following lunch order options for our school community in 2025: TK Tuckshop and Classroom Cuisine will be available on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, while Subway will be available on Tuesday and Thursday.

    CLASSROOM CUISINE: Monday, Wednesday, Friday

    Register and order at www.classroomcuisine.com.au
    All orders must be placed by 8:30am the morning of delivery.

    TK TUCKSHOP: Monday, Wednesday, Friday

    Register at https://app.spriggyschools.com.au/login
    Download the Spriggy Schools app from your app store.
    All orders need to be placed by 7pm for the full menu or 8:00am the morning of delivery for a restricted menu.

    SUBWAY: Tuesday and Thursday

    Register and place your order at https://app.canteenhub.com.au
    All orders need to be placed by 8.00am the day of delivery.

    THE RESILIENCE PROJECT

    Since 2022, OSPS has partnered with The Resilience Project to support student wellbeing from Foundation to Year 6 through the Inspire Program. The curriculum, designed by teachers for teachers, aligns with Victorian and Australian Curriculum standards in Personal and Social Capabilities and Health and Physical Education.

    The program focuses on four key strategies to build resilience and happiness:

      • Gratitude: The act of being thankful and appreciating what you have in life.
      • Empathy: The capacity to understand and feel what another person is feeling.
      • Mindfulness: The practice of attention regulation.
      • Emotional Literacy: The ability to understand and express our feelings.

    Each week, students participate in formal lessons and complete entries in their Resilience Student Journals. Activities include gratitude posters, mindfulness colouring, and emotion-matching exercises. As a Partnership School, OSPS integrates The Resilience Project’s wellbeing curriculum across the whole school community.

    There are many ways to support your child’s mental health at home.

    For more information, visit: The Resilience Project – At Home

    Access the Parent Hub (no login required): Resilience Project Parent Hub

    Camp Australia offers independent before- and after-school care (7:00 AM–8:45 AM and 3:30 PM–6:00 PM) in a safe, fun, and engaging environment. We recommend families register and book to ensure support in case of emergencies or last minute change-of-plans. More info and enrolment: campaustralia.com.au

    We host a range of after-school programs and activities run by external providers here at OSPS. These programs operate independently from the school and are offered directly to families by the providers. All advertisements for these activities can be found in the OSPS Facility User Group section of our notice board and newsletters.

    For any enquiries or to enrol, please contact the program providers directly.

    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.

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