Oakleigh South Primary School
NEWSLETTER – ISSUE 8
20th March, 2026
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there” — Theodore Roosevelt
Week 9
Monday 23th March
- NAPLAN Testing – Years 3 & 5
- 3AP & 3MW Monash Sustainability incursion
Tuesday 24th March
- Beachside Division Swimming Carnival
- AEU Industrial Action
- Whole School Assembly @ 2:45PM
- School Council Meeting @ 6PM
Wednesday 25th March
- World Maths Day
- Year 5 Deadly Kultja Incursion
- Prep Responsible Pet Ownership Incursion
Thursday 26th March
- VSSS Mass Dance Rehearsal- Round 1
- Year 6 Interschool Sport Summer Finals
Friday 27th March
- Dino Day
- Year 1 Grandparents/Special Friends Day
- Halogen Youth Leadership Conference
Week 10
Monday 30th March
- House Cross COuntry
Tuesday 31st March
- Year 4 Excursion MCG and Eureka Tower
- 3WC, 3JM, 3LM, 3DH Monash Sustainability Incursion
- Whole School Assembly @ 2:45PM
Wednesday 1st April
- Regional Swimming Carnival
Thursday 2nd April
- Easter Hat Parade: P-2
- Year 6 Interschool Sport 2026
- Whole School Assembly @ 1:45PM
- Easter Raffle Draw
- Last Day of Term Early Dismissal @ 2.30PM
Friday 3rd April
- Good Friday Public Holiday – No School
Term 1 School Holidays
Friday 3rd April – Sunday 19th April
It’s been another busy and positive week at school, with lots happening across all year levels.
We are looking forward to celebrating Harmony Day this coming Monday. Students are invited to dress in their country’s traditional clothing or wear orange to show their support for inclusivity and respect. We will also be holding a multicultural lunch, where students are asked to bring a plate of food that represents their culture to share with their class. It’s always a fun day and a great way to celebrate the many cultures that make up our school community.
Our Year 1 and 2 students have had a fantastic time at their swimming lessons at GESAC this week. It’s been great to see them building their confidence in the water while learning important swimming and safety skills.
NAPLAN testing has continued this week, and we commend all students for their efforts and positive approach. They have worked hard, and we look forward to receiving the results later in the year.
As you may have heard in the media, there is planned industrial action next Tuesday, with some staff taking part in a strike. This may affect a number of classes, and we’ll let families know as soon as possible how the school will be impacted. Because of this, the school tour scheduled for Tuesday has been cancelled. We’ll be adding extra places to the next three tours to make up for this.
On Tuesday, our Prep students attended their first Junior Assembly in the hall. They were absolutely sensational, demonstrating excellent listening skills and respectful behaviour throughout a jam-packed assembly. It was a proud moment to see how well they represented themselves. Well done, Preps!
Warm regards,
Nikki Virtuoso
Acting Principal
BIGGEST CULTURAL LUNCHEON @OSPS MONDAY 23RD MARCH TO CELEBRATE HARMONY WEEK
Harmony Week – March 16-22
Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backrounds. To celebrate the diverse cultures within our school community we will be hosting ‘The Biggest Cultural School Luncheon at OSPS on Monday 23 March.
We warmly invite all students to bring a plate of food to share, representing their family’s culture or heritage. Please be aware that all food is nut-free and food is labelled with ingredients. This is an opportunity for our students to learn about and appreciate the many cultures that make up our school community. All students are welcome to wear their traditional cultural clothing or a touch of orange. See flyer attached for further information.
For more information: https://www.harmony.gov.au/
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:
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Oakleigh South Primary School – Purple Bins at the Year 3 Village
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Oakleigh Depot – 37–41 Oxford St, Oakleigh, in the OSPS bin onsite
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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!
OSPS ANNUAL EASTER RAFFLE
EASTER HAT PARADE
Our much loved Prep to Year 2 Easter Hat Parade will be celebrated on Thursday 2nd April (last day of Term 1).
Please start designing and creating your hats at home – be as fun, creative or crazy as you like!
Our parade will be held at 9.00am on the Junior Tiger Turf area with each grade dancing around the ‘catwalk’, singing songs and capping off a fabulous Term 1 before we hop into the school holidays! Parents & carers are welcome to hop along and take photos.
If you have any questions, please speak to your classroom teacher.
We can’t wait to see every bunny’s masterpieces!
FOODBANK HOME PACKS
Home food packs for school holidays
Remember to order home food packs in advance for the school holidays, for families who may need additional support over the school holiday period.
Contact Helen Paroukas to ensure you receive your food pack in time for the holidays. Send an email to: helen.paroukas@education.vic.gov.au
STATE SCHOOLS’ RELIEF (SSR) – PREP UNIFORM SUPPORT
Families who are CSEF recipients may also be eligible for State Schools’ Relief Prep Uniform Package support.
Eligible Prep students can receive:
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2 uniform tops (polo shirt, shirt or summer dress)
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1 uniform bottom (pants, trackpants, trousers or shorts)
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1 outerwear item (puffer jacket)
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1 pair of school shoes
Please note: PE items (i.e. School House tops) are not included. If SSR cannot supply a logoed item, an $85 voucher will be provided for use at the school’s preferred uniform supplier. Half shoe sizes are not available – use the shoe size guide on the SSR website.
Order your Prep uniform here: 2026 Prep Uniform Packs For CSEF Recipients Order Form
CAMPS, SPORTS & EXCURSIONS FUND (CSEF)
The Victorian Government provides the CSEF to help eligible families with the cost of school camps, sports and excursions.
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Eligible families hold a valid means-tested concession card (special consideration category also exists).
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Primary students receive $400, paid directly to the school to support activity costs.
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Applications are open until the end of Term 2, with payments commencing from 1 March.
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Families who were eligible in previous years may not need to reapply, unless you have a Prep student starting.
Apply here: CSEF Application Form 2026
For enquiries, contact Carlyn at carlyn.backers@education.vic.gov.au
WELCOME TO YOUR NEW OSPS PARENT GROUP COMMITTEE!
The OSPS Parent Group AGM was held on Tuesday, 17 March 2026, and I am delighted to introduce the committee for this year:
- President: Nicole Stenton
- Vice President: Kate McLay
- Secretary: Nelsie Fernandes
- Treasurer: Laurina Sofoulis
A huge thank you to each of these wonderful volunteers – your time, energy and dedication mean so much to our school community. We are looking forward to see what we can achieve together this year!
We would also like to extend a special thank you to Erik Albers for chairing the meeting.
Want to get involved? The Parent Group is always looking for enthusiastic parents to join the team or lend a hand at events throughout the year. No contribution is too small – reach out to the Parent Group on osparentgroup67@gmail.com and be part of something great!
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.
SENIOR VALUED STUDENT AWARDS
YEAR 1 VALUED STUDENT AWARDS
Eleni – 1AN
(Excellence)
For always following the school values and filling everyone’s bucket. Well done, Eleni!
Maximus – 1AN
(Working Together)
For being such an amazing friend and helper in 1AN. You truly are a superstar, Max!
Eric – 1JG
(Excellence)
For being a number ninja and completing his Maths Invaders with lightning speed. You’re a whiz, Eric!
Giorgia – 1JG
(Excellence)
For having an awesome ‘You Can Do It’ attitude and tackling all tasks with a happy mindset. Go, Gigi!
Ava – 1LB
(Working Together)
For always being the first to lend a hand to her peers and help clean our classroom. You’re a star!
Billy – 1LB
(Excellence)
For demonstrating superstar subtraction skills in Maths with a positive attitude. Keep it up, Billy!
Ethan – 1LC
(Excellence)
For always trying his best, working hard and never giving up. Well done, Ethan!
Adeel – 1LC
(Excellence)
For showing a positive attitude towards learning and writing fabulous narratives with great detail.
Samaira – 1NC
(Respect)
For the dedication she shows towards her learning and kindness when happily helping her classmates.
Liam – 1NC
(Excellence)
For his fantastic hard work, amazing story writing and the joy he brings to 1NC every day.
Eli – 1NM
(Excellence)
For always working hard during Literacy Groups and helping others when they need support.
Riley – 1NM
(Excellence)
For working hard in Maths and consistently demonstrating neat handwriting when completing tasks.
Hailey – 1SD
(Respect)
For always being kind and caring to her peers and teachers.
Krishiv – 1SD
(Respect)
For being respectful when sitting on the floor and consistently showing the 5L’s.
YEAR 2 VALUED STUDENT AWARDS
Ayaan – 2BB
(Working Together)
For helping his peers and teachers. You are always offering a helping hand and 2BB appreciate it!
Arabella – 2BB
(Resilience)
For staying positive and focused when facing challenges. Well done, Arabella!
Serene – 2GL
(Excellence)
For listening beautifully to her teachers and putting 100% effort into her classwork. Well done!
Jasper – 2GL
(Excellence)
For the fantastic effort he has been putting into his reading. Well done, Jasper!
Mirai – 2LD
(Respect)
For demonstrating kindness and respect towards both students and staff.
Chinh – 2LD
(Resilience)
For returning from his holiday ready to learn and completing every task to the best of his ability.
Helia – 2MV
(Resilience)
For always giving 100% in everything she does and happily taking on feedback to improve her work.
Vasistha – 2MV
(Excellence)
For fantastic work in writing creative stories in clear paragraphs and using many WOW words.
Ava – 2VF
(Excellence)
For showing excellence by always trying her best in all learning tasks. Ava, keep shining bright!
Atharv – 2VF
(Working Together)
For working collaboratively with his peers during our ‘Let Them Roar’ integrated unit. You’re a star, Atharv!
YEAR 3 VALUED STUDENT AWARDS
Shanelle – 3AP
(Excellence)
For her incredible effort to improve her work and help others. You are amazing, Shanelle!
Samuel – 3AP
(Working Together)
For his great contribution to class discussions and when working with others. Keep it up, Samuel!
Harriet – 3DH
(Working Together)
For always helping others and being a great friend.
Naami – 3DH
(Excellence)
For always trying her best in everything she does. Well done, Naami!
Ayushmaa – 3JM
(Respect)
For always helping her classmates and listening to her teachers.
Sose – 3JM
(Resilience)
For persevering through challenging tasks, particularly in Maths.
Eric – 3LM
(Excellence)
For approaching all classroom tasks with focus, determination and outstanding effort.
Alysa – 3LM
(Respect)
For showing respect by listening attentively and valuing the ideas of others. Keep it up!
Samantha – 3MW
(Excellence)
For writing excellent descriptive sentences that demonstrate strong understanding.
Ryan – 3MW
(Excellence)
For achieving his Accelerated Reader target with an excellent comprehension percentage.
Lachlan – 3WC
(Excellence)
For consistently completing his work to the best of his ability.
Taj – 3WC
(Respect)
For showing respect towards his peers and teachers, and for making a fantastic start to Year 3.
WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING IN YEAR FOUR?
This term our Year 4 students have enjoyed meeting their Prep buddies and building some lovely new connections. They’ve spent time having lunch together, playing outside, and sharing quiet activities in the classroom as they get to know one another.
To make the partnership extra special, the Year 4s are creating personalised picture story books for their buddies. Each story is written with their buddy in mind and includes a positive moral or lesson linked to school life, helping them feel welcomed, supported and confident at school.
LITERACY CORNER
A sizzling start captures the reader’s interest; makes them want to read on.
You only have seven seconds to grab your reader’s interest.
Sizzling starts:
- start at the action
- use dialogue
- ask a question
- use humour
- add onomatopoeia
‘The first sentence is the most exciting moment in the story because you’re opening the door to the unknown.’ – John Marsden
The Year 4s have been working on their sizzling starts. They could choose from a range of hooks to introduce their topic. They only had two minutes.
The Worst Christmas Dinner
Start with dialogue:
“What is this mess!!!” yelled mum. My little sister and I were trying to make the perfect Christmas dinner; however, nothing went as planned.
Travel to the Moon
Start by asking a question:
Have you ever felt like you wanted to do something you have been waiting for, your whole life, however, when you’re selected to do it, you’re really nervous? Well, that’s how I felt, when I found out, I was going to the moon!
Do Ghosts Really Exist?
Moment of action:
Lights flickered and doors opened and closed by themselves. While I was holding a flashlight, I didn’t feel protected. Who or what could be around me? In my mind, the same question echoed over and over. Do ghosts really exist? I was going to keep searching, until I heard a CRASH! As I ran to the door a shadowy outline appeared in front of me.
Terrified of Technology
Last Friday I learnt a valuable lesson. Kids and manic robots don’t mix well… especially when the lights go out!
THE RESILIENCE PROJECT – GEM
Gratitude:
The Year 4 students have shown a wonderful sense of gratitude. They are grateful to have met their buddies and have already enjoyed several “getting to know you” activities together, including sharing lunchtime. They have been enthusiastic and appreciative while participating in our production rehearsals of Finding Nemo.
WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING IN STEM?
PREP
In STEM Science, the Prep students are exploring, discussing and predicting what is a scientist?
They drew their predictions of what they thought a scientists looks like and the materials that they may use. They investigated questions like:
- What does a scientist look like?
- What materials do the use?
They also recognised and pronounced the sound and name of the letter ‘S’ for Science.
The students brainstormed and drew different pictures that was related to Science. They observed and participated making slime. They had the opportunity to explore its liquid and solid properties by applying different forces.
The students are developing their science skills through inquiry, prediction, observation, exploration, discussion and recording.
YEAR 1
In STEM Science, the Year 1 students are exploring Food Science and developing their science skills through inquiry, prediction, observation, exploration, discussion and recording.
The students are exploring the size / weight of different food, if they floats, how they taste, how many seeds are in side, what it looks like (shape /colour). Discussing and investigating if it’s a solid, liquid or gas, does it melt, if it can be reversible or irreversible and exploring the senses.
They are answering questions such as;
- How does it look?
- How does it feel?
- How does it taste?
- What happens after you wait for it to cool down?
YEAR 2
In STEM Science, the Year 2 students participated in a series of experiments, which focussed on the characteristics of living things, such as recognising common features of animals and plants. For example, describing the use of a mealworm’s body parts and the features of a bean plant. Through experiments they investigated the lifecycles of a mealworm and a bean plant. The students are learning the science inquiry skills through, responding to and posing questions and making predictions about the mealworms and the bean seeds.
Here are Year 2 scientists investigating their mealworms!
YEAR 4
This term the Year Fours had the opportunity to participate in Design Thinking warm activities to practice their listening skills with their peers and solve a problem. They conducted partner interviews by practicing their brainstorming and questioning skills, to come up with a prototype for one of their ideas to solve a problem.
The focus question was: What kind of issues do you see day to day during school?
The first part of the term, the students generated questions to explore the properties of light and investigate them through hands-on activities.
The students explored and described how light travels and discuss how light enables our eyes to see. Using a mirror and a torch, the students explored the understanding of the angle of the light hitting the water effects how we see rainbows.
They are exploring the science skills through inquiry, prediction, observation, exploration, discussion and recording.
Grade 4’s investigating light below:
YEAR 6
This term the Year Sixes had the opportunity to participate in Design Thinking activities to practice their listening skills with their peers and solve a problem. They conducted partner interviews by practicing their brainstorming and questioning skills, to come up with a prototype for one of their ideas to solve a problem.
The focus question was: What is the difference between physical and chemical change/reaction.
The students are exploring chemical science and developing their science skills through inquiry, prediction, observation, exploration, discussion and recording.
Through investigations they classify objects as a solid, liquid or gas and begin to develop a shared understanding of the observable properties of each state. Also, explored that when materials are combined the result is either a mixture or a new substance, for example: salt and water, bicarbonate of soda and vinegar.
Grasping their understanding of the difference between physical and chemical changes and recognise that physical changes are reversible, whereas chemical changes are irreversible.
Grade 6’s exploring physical and chemical change:
NOTICE FROM MCKINNON SECONDARY COLLEGE
Dear Parents and Carers,
For families considering McKinnon Secondary College for Year 7 in 2027, we have been advised of the following important information regarding applications.
- Out-of-zone applications are not accepted, except for siblings of current students (this may change as the school approaches capacity).
- Fee-paying international students are not accepted in Years 7 or 8. Families on international visas (e.g. 500 or 600) will need to make alternative arrangements for secondary school.
- A statutory declaration is now required for all enrolments, confirming your intention to continue living within the school zone.
From 28th April, 2026, during School Tours, McKinnon SC will provide a cover sheet and pre-filled statutory declaration outlining the required documentation. For families not attending a tour, the 2 documents are attached to this Compass.
When returning your Yr 6-7 Transition forms next term, applications for McKinnon SC must also include:
- 100 points of proof of residence, including a recent electricity bill (unless applying under the sibling rule)
- Birth certificate (translated if required)
- Valid visa or proof of citizenship (if not born in Australia)
- Witnessed statutory declaration
Incomplete or incorrect applications will not be accepted.
Thank you
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.
