IMPORTANT DATES

Issue 08 – 20th March 2025

Monday 24th March
– NAPLAN Catch-Up Testing
– Year 4 Think U Know Presentation

Tuesday 25th March
– School Tour (9:30AM)
– Year 4-6 Assembly – Hall (2:45PM)
– Japanese Study Tour Information Session
   for Year 5 Parents (6:00PM)

Wednesday 26th March
– Year 5 & 6 Think U Know Presentation

Thursday 27th March
– VSSS Dance Rehearsal – Hall
– Senior Choir – Hall (3:45PM)

Friday 28th March
– Year 3 Chesterfield Farm Excursion
– Year 2 Dinosaur Day
– Year 5 IMAX Excursion

Monday 31st March
– Year 4 MCG & Eureka Tower Excursion

Tuesday 1st April
– Prep to Year 3 Assembly – Hall (2:45PM)
– Parent Group AGM (6:30PM)

Wednesday 2nd April
– VSSS Mass Choir Hub Rehearsal – Hall

Thursday 3rd April
– Bentleigh District Summer Sport Finals

Friday 4th April
– End of Term 1 – Early Dismissal (2:30PM)
– Prep–Year 2 Easter Hat Parade  (9:00AM)
– Whole School Assembly – Hall (1:50PM)

Monday 21st April
– Easter Monday Public Holiday – No School

Tuesday 22nd April
– Start of Term 2

SOMERS CAMP

Twenty-eight lucky OSPS students had the incredible opportunity to spend nine action-packed days at Somers School Camp, joining 132 students from other schools across the region!

From outdoor adventures like the Challenge Swing, Surfing, Flying Fox, and High Ropes Course to teamwork-based activities such as Initiative Challenges and Boating, students embraced every challenge with enthusiasm. Throughout the camp, they developed valuable life skills, built resilience, and formed friendships that will last a lifetime.

A huge thank you to everyone who made this experience so unforgettable!

CSEF (SPORTS, CAMPS AND EXCURSIONS FUND)

The Victorian Government provides the Camps, Sports & Excursions Fund (CSEF) to assist families with the cost of school activities. Families who hold a valid means-tested concession card are eligible to apply, and a special consideration category is also available.

Eligible primary school students will receive a $154 payment, which is paid directly to the school to help cover the cost of camps, sports, and excursions.

CSEF payments to schools will begin from 19th March. Schools can continue processing applications until the end of Term 2.

Apply now: CSEF Application Form

How to submit your application:

• Submit your completed application form with a copy of your concession card as soon as possible.
• Families who were eligible in 2024 will be automatically rolled over and do not need to reapply.

For any questions or assistance, please contact Carlyn at carlyn.backers@education.vic.gov.au.

OSPS EASTER RAFFLE

The annual OSPS Easter Raffle is back!

Tickets are now on sale at $3 for 5 tickets.

To make this raffle a success, we kindly ask families to donate nut-free Easter eggs where possible (traces of nuts are fine) to help create our prize hampers.

Please drop off any donations at the office by 1 April 2025. Winners will be announced at our End of Term Assembly on 4 April and via Compass.

Last year, thanks to our generous school community, we had over 125 winners—let’s see if we can match or even exceed that this year!

How to Purchase Tickets:
Tickets can be purchased online—please check Compass for the link.

For any questions, please contact Parent Group at osparentgroup67@gmail.com.

Please note: Some raffle prizes may contain nuts.

GEM AWARDS 

An An N. – Prep CD – Empathy: For always helping out your classmates and for being a kind friend to everyone in Prep CD! We appreciate you, An An!

Hayley E. – 1NM – Empathy: For being a thoughtful and caring classmate who always lends a helping hand and supports her peers. Thank you, Hayley!

Isaac W. – 2TM – Empathy: For always looking out for his classmates and being a kind and caring friend. You’re a star, Isaac!

Shannon L. – 3NM – Mindfulness: For always concentrating on her work, listening to instructions, and being mindful of others. Keep shining, Shannon!

Sofia M. – 4CR – Empathy: Showing a great understanding of her Prep buddy’s needs and always making sure they are happy and having fun while in her care.

Fifi R. – 5MJ – Empathy: For demonstrating outstanding empathy and maturity. Your ability to understand and support others makes a meaningful difference in the lives of those around you. Keep being amazing, Fifi!

Jayla F. – 6CM – Empathy: Jayla demonstrates care and compassion for her friends that is incredibly impressive. Good on you, Jayla!

GEM CHATS

GEM Chats are daily conversation starters provided by TRP that encourage reflection on the GEM values: being grateful, empathetic, and mindful. We encourage parents to ask their child the prompt and engage in a discussion about these values. By making GEM Chats a part of your routine, you can help reinforce these positive habits and support your child’s ongoing wellbeing and emotional literacy.

YEAR 1 SHOWCASE

GRANDPARENTS’ DAY

YEAR 1 GEM

We are grateful for the opportunities we have as students at OSPS, especially swimming lessons, celebrating our grandparents, and the upcoming Easter Hat Parade.

We showed empathy on Harmony Day by appreciating and learning about our friends’ diverse cultures and backgrounds.

We have been practising mindfulness by exploring body maps—identifying emotions, where we feel them, and how they affect our bodies. We have also been learning different calming strategies.

PARENT GROUP FOOD DAYS

Over the past two Fridays, Parent Group has delighted students with special food days for each year level, serving up delicious popcorn and pizza. Our wonderful volunteers served over 1,250 slices of pizza and popped more than 200 bags of hot, buttery popcorn – a huge effort!!

We’ve received fantastic feedback from students and families, and look forward to bringing more special food days to the school community in Term 2.

Stay tuned!