“One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world.” – Malala Yousafzai

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

What a busy term it’s been. Our prep children have settled beautifully, the building works are very close to completion, NAPLAN has been administered and the school review process has been finalised. Thank you to all the staff and everyone who have been involved in getting 2024 off to a great start.

This morning, we had our annual Easter Hat Parade on the junior running track. The track was surrounded by the children from Prep, years one and two, wearing their carefully created Easter hats. All the children looked fantastic, and they were very proud as they paraded around the track class by class showing their bright and colourful creations. Thank you to the parents and grandparents who were able be there to support the children.

The final school assembly will be held this afternoon at 1.50pm and will be streamed to the parents on OSPStv. The junior and senior Easter raffle winners will be announced then.

The Rotary Club raffle tickets are due back on the 19th April, which is in the first week back of term 2. Please try your best to sell these tickets to support our annual fete.

I’d like to remind everyone to spend some time on Mathletics, Reading Eggs, myON and to read over the holidays as much as they can. It’s important to touch base with these activities regularly and of course participate in lots of fun activities too.

We’ll see everyone back at school on Monday 15th April when we will be in full swing preparing for the Autumn Family Fete to be held.

Enjoy a wonderful break

Ron Cantlon
Principal

SCHOOL REVIEW

Last Thursday the school completed the final day of the review process. Schools undertake a school review every 4 years to inform the directions of the school’s 4-year School Strategic Plan (SSP).

There were 2 components of the school review. Firstly, the school completed the pre-review self-evaluation (PRSE) where the school reviewed its whole school data and other evidence to form a collective view of current practice and areas for improvement.

Following that, the school was allocated 4 review days facilitated by an independent school reviewer with a panel comprising the principal, school council president, the DET Senior Education Improvement Leader, challenge partners (the principal from Huntingdale Primary School and the principal from South Oakleigh College), and the school’s leadership team.

The first formal day of a school review was the ‘validation day’. The panel rigorously reviewed and discussed the information and evidence presented in the PRSE, and any other data or evidence presented to the review panel. The panel identified specific areas of the school’s practices, that required further investigation and analysis through 2 fieldwork days. The panel developed terms of reference questions to guide the fieldwork days and to understand how the school practices are impacting student learning and wellbeing outcomes.

During the fieldwork days, the reviewer, Rose Costa, lead fieldwork activities, supported by panel members including the senior education improvement leader (SEIL) and challenge partners where available. The fieldwork activities included classroom observations, and interviews with focus groups
that included teachers, students, and parents.

The review concluded with the Final panel day. The panel reflected on data and findings from the review process and came to a shared understanding of the schools’ strengths and areas for growth. The panel also agreed on the next steps, and collaboratively developed the key directions for the new School Strategic Plan (SSP), which articulated the most appropriate goals, targets and key improvement strategies based on the evidence gathered throughout the review process.

Currently, the school reviewer is preparing a report to document the findings of the review, including key directions for the next School Strategic Plan (SSP). When the final approved review report is completed, this will be presented to school council.

SCHOOL MATTERS

HARMONY WEEK

RESILIENCE PROJECT

GEM AWARDS

Congratulations to some of our fabulous G.E.M Award recipients, recognising students who have displayed excellence in gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness at school.

STUDENT SHOWCASE

LITERACY CORNER

This term our Year 6s worked hard to build their narrative writing skills. In particular, they have deepened their understanding of thoughtful planning, sizzling starts, building tension and exciting endings. Here are a few of our narrative starts that sizzled:

Trapped. Stuck. A snack. Those three words describe me right now in this lion’s cage. How did I get here you may ask? It all started when our school went on an excursion. I was leaning against the railing (even though I had been warned) and I fell in. And now, I am trapped. Stuck. And delicious.

– Morgan, 6SM

The old casual tree was standing like some sort of scarecrow, its branches outstretched like limbs. It never swayed or danced in the wind like the other trees, it just stood there and watched over the school. But one day a small boy named Johnny come to school as usual – and never came back. Since that day the tree was looking more menacing than ever…

– Madeline, 6LJ

My breath shallowed. A bead of sweat trickled down my head. I could hear the screams of my parents, but they were muffled by the sounds of the menacing lion, it’s hot breath panting on my skin. My instincts told me to scream out loud, but nothing came out. I was trapped in this horrible cage. Trapped.

– Lilly, 6FW

INTRODUCING THE YEAR 6 TEAM

Back: Carissa Martinez (6CM), Siouxsan Major (6SC), Simonne Marsden (6SM), Nick Morrey (6NM)

Front: Lakesha James (6LJ), Fiona Wells (6FW)

SPORT AT OAKLEIGH SOUTH PRIMARY SCHOOL

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.