Oakleigh South Primary School
NEWSLETTER – ISSUE 20
27th June, 2025

“When you know better, you do better.” — Maya Angelou

IMPORTANT DATES

Issue 20 – 27th June 2025

 Wednesday 2nd July
• VSSS Mass Choir Hub Rehearsal – Hall
• Year 4 Production – The Jungle Book Kids (Cast 1) – (6:30PM)

Thursday 3rd July
• Year 4 Production – The Jungle Book Kids (Cast 2) – (6:30PM)

Friday 4th July
• Whole School Assembly (1:50PM)
• End Term 2 Early Dismissal (2:30PM)

Sunday 6th July to Sunday 13th July
• NAIDOC Week – The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy

Monday 21st July
• Curriculum Day – Student Free Day

Tuesday 22nd July
• Year 4 – KESO Visit in Hall (2:00PM)

Wednesday 23rd July
• VSSS Choir – Town Hall Rehearsal 1 
• Year 6 Sex Ed – Session 1 

Thursday 24th July
• SSV – State Cross Country Championships 
• Senior Choir – Hall (3:45PM)

Friday 25th July
• Year 6 Sex Ed – Session 1 

Monday 28th July
• Year 5 & 6 Swimming Program 

Tuesday 29th July
• Year 5 & 6 Swimming Program 
• Whole School Assembly (2:45PM)

Wednesday 30th July
• Year 5 & 6 Swimming Program 
• Year 6 Sex Ed – Session 2 

Thursday 31st July
• Year 5 & 6 Swimming Program
• Senior Choir – Hall (3:45PM) 

 

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we approach the final week of Term 2, there’s a wonderful buzz of excitement around the school.

Our Year 4 students held their dress rehearsals this week in preparation for their production of The Jungle Book. We’re all looking forward to seeing their hard work come to life on stage next week. Performances will take place on Wednesday 2nd July and Thursday 3rd July at 6:30pm in the school hall. We encourage all families to come along and enjoy what promises to be a fun and entertaining show. There’s still time to purchase tickets – seats are limited and selling fast!

Visit https://www.trybooking.com/DCATQ and search for the event titled ‘OSPS Year 4 Production – Jungle Book’.

Tickets: Adult – $12.00 | Child (under 12, floor seating) – $7.00.

Mid-year student reports will be sent home with students on Friday 4th July. These reports offer valuable insight into your child’s progress and achievements so far this year.

Looking ahead to Term 3, Parent–Teacher Meetings will be held on Tuesday 22nd July. These meetings are a valuable opportunity to discuss your child’s learning progress and goals for the remainder of the year. Booking information will be shared via Compass next week.

Next Friday 4th July, we will hold a whole-school assembly at 1:50pm to celebrate the term’s achievements and acknowledge our students’ efforts. Please note that school will finish early at 2:30pm to mark the start of the term break.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.

Nikki Virtuoso
Acting Principal

SCHOOL MATTERS

STATE CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIERS

We are proud to announce that Jack O. and Koby P., from Grade 5, have qualified to compete at the State Cross Country Championships on Wednesday 24th July at Yarra Glen Racecourse!

On Wednesday 18th June, Jack and Koby travelled to Hastings Foreshore to represent OSPS in the Under 11 Boys’ 3km race at the Regional Cross Country event. Despite challenging weather—with icy winds and coastal cold—the boys gave it their all, showing true resilience and sportsmanship.

Jack ran an outstanding race to place 6th overall, with Koby not far behind in 11th place — a remarkable achievement in a highly competitive field. Their results have earned them a place among the state’s best young distance runners.

We are incredibly proud of their dedication, perseverance, and the way they represented our school. Congratulations Jack and Koby—your OSPS community is behind you all the way, and we wish you all the best at State!

NAIDOC WEEK 2025 AT OSPS

Over the next two weeks and into Term 3, students at Oakleigh South Primary School will have the opportunity to come together to learn and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and the achievements of Australia’s First Nations People.

This year marks a significant milestone—50 years of NAIDOC Week, honouring the voices, culture, and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The 2025 theme, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy,” celebrates the achievements of the past while looking forward with hope and pride to a future led by empowered young leaders.

An interesting fact: Oakleigh South Primary School is situated on two lands, representing both the Bunurong and Wurundjeri people.

In support of NAIDOC Week, we will be selling:

  • Wristbands for $3.50,
  • Mini balls for $4.00 
  • Key chains for $4.00.

Should you wish for your child to purchase any of these items, please send them to school with correct money (cash only). Student Voice representatives will be selling these items throughout the next two weeks.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we learn and work, and pay our respects to the Elders, past, present and emerging.

Learn more about the meaning and history of NAIDOC Week at: www.naidoc.org.au/about/naidoc-week

ICAS COMPETITIONS ARE BACK AT OSPS!

We’re excited to announce that Oakleigh South Primary School will once again be participating in the ICAS academic competitions in 2025!

 

ICAS is an optional online competition that challenges students in English, Maths, Science, Writing, Spelling Bee, and Digital Technologies, focusing on higher-order thinking and problem-solving. All participants receive a certificate and detailed results report—top performers may even earn a medal!

Key ICAS Assessment Dates:

    • Digital Technologies & Writing (Yrs 3–6): 4–8 August
    • English: 11–15 August
    • Science & Spelling Bee: 18–22 August
    • Mathematics: 25–29 August

For pricing and more info visit the ICAS website.

How to Register:

    1. Visit the Parent Portal
    2. Use our school’s access code: QWY044
    3. Select your child’s assessments and complete payment

All payments go directly to ICAS, not the school. You’ll receive confirmation emails—please keep them as proof of purchase.

Registrations close 11:59pm, Monday 28th July 2025.

Let’s celebrate our students’ learning achievements—consider entering your child in ICAS this year!

LOST PROPERTY – FINAL CALL

Our lost property area is overflowing! All unclaimed items will be cleared out at the end of Term 2 — Friday 4th July.

Lost property can be found in the junior corridor, diagonally opposite the library and in front of the junior bathrooms. Please encourage your child to check for any missing items before the holidays.

Reminder: To help us return items quickly, please label all clothing, lunchboxes, drink bottles and personal belongings with your child’s full name.

UNIFORM EXPECTATIONS & WINTER REMINDERS 

As we move into the cooler months, families are reminded that full school uniform is required during all school hours and activities.

    • Non-uniform items such as puffer jackets, branded outerwear, hoodies and coloured beanies are not permitted during the school day.

    • Personal jackets may be worn to and from school but must be removed once on-site.

    • To stay warm, students may layer bottle green or white singlets or skivvies under their uniform and wear the OSPS jumper, bomber jacket or school beanie.

Uniform items (including Indigenous house polos and raincoats) are available from:
PSW CHELTENHAM – 1 AGE STREET, CHELTENHAM VIC 3192 or online via the Uniforms page.

Plain bottle green items without the logo are also accepted.

All students are expected to follow our dress code:

    • Hair past shoulder length should be tied up for hygiene and safety.

    • Footwear must be appropriate and closed-toed – black school shoes or runners are acceptable.

    • Hats must be worn outside from mid-August to 30 April. Hats are not worn indoors.

    • Decorative jewellery is not permitted, except limited to small stud or sleeper earrings and standard watches. Religious or cultural jewellery is permitted.

    • Makeup and coloured nail polish are not allowed. Clear nail polish only.

    • Smart watches are not permitted at school unless they are disconnected from calls and data during school hours (8.45am – 3.30pm).

      • If the watch has a SIM card, it must be signed in and out with the classroom teacher each day.

      • If the watch connects via a mobile phone, the phone must be signed in and out, and the watch can only be worn if it cannot access calls or data during school hours.

SPARE CLOTHES

We also ask that students, especially in junior year levels, have a spare set of clothes packed in their bag — including underwear and socks — to manage wet weather slips or accidents discreetly and avoid interrupting your day.

Please ensure all clothing and belongings are clearly labelled to reduce lost property and classroom disruptions.

For families experiencing financial difficulty, support is available through State Schools’ Relief. For any questions or assistance, please contact Carlyn at carlyn.backers@education.vic.gov.au.

SUPPORT OAKLEIGH SOUTH NETBALL CLUB — VOTE NOW FOR WOOLWORTHS GRANT!

At Oakleigh South Primary, we know that sport is more than just play — it’s a powerful tool for building resilience, fostering wellbeing, and connecting our community.

Oakleigh South Netball Club shares that vision. This year, they’re in the running for a Woolworths Netball Grant — and they need your support!

If successful, the Club will be able to:

    • Upgrade to adjustable goal posts suitable for all age groups

    • Provide starter equipment to welcome new players

    • Deliver on-site coaching by local high schoolers, supporting both our students and aspiring young coaches

These upgrades will directly benefit Oakleigh South families and help more children get active, confident, and connected through grassroots sport.

Cast your vote and help make a difference: Woolworth’s Netball Grants

Learn more at: www.netballoakleighsouth.com.au/promotions

Let’s get behind our local legends and bring these exciting improvements to life — because strong communities grow from the grassroots up.

JAPANESE STUDENTS VISITING OSPS – HOST FAMILIES NEEDED

Next term, OSPS will welcome 11 students from Tamba Higashi Elementary School (Japan), who will be visiting from Monday 5th to Wednesday 14th August.

These students will spend time in classrooms and participate in school life to learn about Australian culture and schooling.

We are currently seeking host families to accommodate visiting students during their stay. If your family is interested in this special cultural opportunity, please:

📩 Contact Sumiko Sensei at Sumiko.Ranjitkumar@education.vic.gov.au
or
📝 Express your interest via the Google Form

Thank you for your continued support of the Japanese Program at OSPS. We look forward to more cultural learning and connection in Term 3!

Sumiko Sensei & the Japanese Team

STUDENT SHOWCASE

YEAR 5 SHOWCASE

Year 5 students have been busy putting their science thinking caps on this term as they explored how animals and plants adapt to survive in different environments. In an exciting group project, each team was given an Australian biome to investigate. They chose a native animal to research, then imagined a major climate event such as flooding, drought or fire that would completely change their biome. From there, they designed a new version of their animal with clever adaptations to help it survive in its new environment.

Students brought their ideas to life through colourful, creative posters that showcased their research, imagination and understanding of adaptation. It has been a fantastic mix of science, teamwork and creativity.

Here are some of their work-in-progress posters. We can’t wait to share the finished products soon!

LITERACY CORNER

This term, Year 5 students have been building their speaking and listening skills through structured debates in their writing groups. They’ve learned the formal structure of a debate and practised brainstorming, researching, and presenting arguments as part of a team.

Some students have become particularly skilled at rebutting, listening carefully to their opponents and identifying weaknesses in their reasoning. A number of enthusiastic debaters have even joined our new Debate Club, run by Mrs Goudie and Miss Judge.

Here are some snippets from our budding debaters…

It’s Better to Be Faster than Smarter

Affirmative:

Being faster gives more benefits and opportunities in life. Doing your homework really quickly means that you have more free time to have fun after. Being the fastest means more time to play. Using your time efficiently will ensure you are more relaxed and complete tasks with more efficiency. Now that you are the fastest, you can learn things at an alarming rate. Surely there would be no use in being the smartest anymore.

— Elly, 5MJ

It’s Better to Be Faster than Smarter

Negative:

While speed can be a benefit for long-term work, focusing on efficiency, and event planning, it’s good to have your brain be a back up. While some argue that faster work leads to success, my perspective believes that the mind works better than speed since you can explore the mysteries of life. 

— Lucas, 5LG

YEAR 5 GEM – SPORTSMANSHIP

Recently, Year 5 students have been focusing on good sportsmanship, exploring what it means to play fairly and support one another. To reinforce these important values discussed in classrooms and during Year Level Assemblies, the students came together to complete Lesson 27 from their Resilience Project journals, which specifically covers sportsmanship.

We wrote a group definition of sportsmanship and brainstormed what this quality looks like. It was a wonderful opportunity to gather the entire year group, share ideas, and engage in meaningful conversations. The collaboration was terrific, and it is hoped that everything discussed will be reflected in the way students interact and play in the playground.

  • Students showed gratitude by recognising the value of fair play and the joy of playing together.
  • Students practised empathy by considering how their actions impact others during games and teamwork.
  • Students used mindfulness by being present, respectful and aware of how they contribute to a positive sporting environment.

SPECIALIST SPOTLIGHT

PERFORMING ARTS UPDATE 

This term has been bursting with music, movement and creative energy across the whole school. From Prep students discovering pitch and tempo to Year 6 diving into Matilda The Musical, every year level has embraced new artistic challenges and celebrated impressive achievements.

A major highlight has been our Year 4 students preparing for their production of Jungle Book KIDS. With performances just around the corner, excitement is building!

Tickets are available now via TryBooking – we encourage all families to come along and support what promises to be a fun and heart-warming show.

Thank you to our dedicated staff, supportive families, and of course our talented students for making Performing Arts such a vibrant and valued part of OSPS life. We can’t wait to see what Term 3 brings!

JUNIOR SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS (PREP – YEAR 3)

AUTUMN FETE PERFORMANCES

Prep to Year 2 students performed a series of vibrant song medleys during the Autumn Fete. The Junior Choir also featured at the fete and during Junior Assemblies, sharing their growing confidence and musicality with peers and families.

 

YEAR 1 GRANDPARENTS’ DAY

Year 1 students performed two Indigenous lullabies along with a heart-warming Grandparents’ Day set. Their expressive singing and stage presence made it a memorable event for all who attended.

 

EXPLORING MUSIC CONCEPTS

Throughout the term, Prep and Year 1 students have continued exploring key music concepts such as pitch, tempo, and dynamics. Year 1 students also began introductory drama, acting out fairy tales and short stories through expressive movement and voice.

 

YEAR 2 MUSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Year 2 students extended their understanding of tempo and dynamics through interactive singing, movement, and percussion. Highlights included karaoke sessions, Japanese folk songs, and Australian Indigenous repertoire, encouraging cultural appreciation and rhythmic awareness.

 

YEAR 3 INSTRUMENTAL PROGRAM

Half of the Year 3 cohort have participated in a specialist rotation with Mrs Barnard and Mr Mietzcke this semester. Students were introduced to a range of instruments including recorder, ukulele, guitar, keyboard, and basic drumming techniques. In Semester 2, groups will swap teachers to ensure all students access the full INSTRUMENTAL PROGRAM.

SENIOR SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS (YEAR 4 – YEAR 6)

YEAR 4 PRODUCTION – JUNGLE BOOK KIDS

Dress rehearsals are well underway, and the cast has already given us a sneak peek with impressive preview performances at assembly. Show nights are scheduled for Wednesday 2nd July and Thursday 3rd July at 6:30pm in the school hall.

Tickets are available via TryBooking under ‘OSPS Year 4 Production – Jungle Book’ – don’t miss out!

YEAR 5 CLASS SONG PROJECTS

Each Year 5 class selected a song to learn and perform, with students choosing their own parts – vocals, keyboard, percussion, ukulele, boomwhackers, or personal instruments like flute and violin. These performances, developed through collaborative rehearsal, will be shared with peers next week.

YEAR 6 PRODUCTION – MATILDA THE MUSICAL

Following an outstanding round of auditions, the main cast has begun rehearsals for our end-of-term production in Term 3. Students are already demonstrating commitment and enthusiasm as we prepare for a truly magical performance experience. Stay tuned for ticket details next term.

VICTORIAN STATE SCHOOLS SPECTACULAR – CHOIR & DANCE

Forty-one Year 5 students are working hard to prepare for the Victorian State Schools Spectacular on Saturday 13th September. Choir students will attend rehearsals at Melbourne Town Hall in Term 3, while dancers have a massed rehearsal scheduled for August.

SENIOR CHOIR

The Senior Choir continues to grow in skill and confidence, with standout performances at school assemblies and the Autumn Fete. Their harmony work and stage presence have been consistently impressive.

OSPS BAND

The school band made a fantastic debut performance at the fete and now rehearses each Friday at lunchtime. Current instruments include violin, flute, keyboard, guitar and percussion. New members are always welcome.

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.

SECONDARY SCHOOL & TRANSITION INFO

YEAR 6 TO YEAR 7: SECONDARY SCHOOL TRANSITION

All Year 6 students in Victoria must complete a Year 7 Placement Form to enrol in a government secondary school for 2026. This process is coordinated by the Department of Education.

Families received the Application for Year 7 Placement form early in Term 2, with completed forms due back by Friday 9th May 2025. Thank you to all families who submitted forms on time.

Next week (from Tuesday 1st July), families will receive their Placement Offer Letters. This notification will include:

  • Your child’s placement offer

  • An Acceptance Slip

  • An Appeal Form (if applicable)

Please note: Placement details cannot be provided before this date.

Please carefully read the letter provided and complete the relevant document/s as required.

Useful links:
🔗 findmyschool.vic.gov.au
🔗 DET Enrolment Policy
🔗 Moving from primary to secondary school
🔗 Year 6 to 7 Placement Information Pack for Parents and Carers

For any questions, please contact your child’s classroom teacher or email enrolments@oakleighsouthps.vic.edu.au.

PARENT CORNER

OSPS FACILITY USERS

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.

OSPS FETE SPONSORS

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.

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