Oakleigh South Primary School
NEWSLETTER – ISSUE 20
26th June, 2026

“Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.”  — Christian D. Larson

Term , Week 1

Monday 13th July
  • First Day of Term 3
Thursday 16th July
  • SSV State Cross Country
  • Senior Choir @ 3:45PM in the Hall
Friday 17th July
  • Year 6 Business Expo

What a wonderful way to finish another busy and successful term!

On Wednesday, we celebrated Angie Martyn’s retirement from teaching. Angie joined Oakleigh South in 2009 and during her time taught Years 2, 4 and Prep. Her knowledge and experience in teaching has been an asset to our school, not only for the students she has taught but also for the staff she has mentored and worked alongside. On behalf of our whole school community, we wish Angie all the best as she begins her new chapter of retirement.

We also celebrated the outstanding Year 4 production of Finding Nemo Jr across Wednesday and Thursday evenings. This was a fun, vibrant and colourful performance that showcased the incredible talents of our students. Every child played their part with enthusiasm and confidence, bringing the story to life on stage. I am sure parents, grandparents and family members in the audience were immensely proud of what the students achieved.

A huge thank you goes to the staff and parents who dedicated their time and effort to make this wonderful opportunity possible. Your work behind the scenes was invaluable. Congratulations to all of our Year 4 students, you were absolutely amazing!

On Tuesday, our House Athletics Carnival was held, and it was fantastic to see so many students participating with enthusiasm, determination and great sportsmanship. All students performed exceptionally well and should be proud of their efforts. Following the carnival, the OSPS Athletics Squad will now be selected to represent our school at upcoming events. A big thank you to the parents and friends who came along to support the day.

Lastly, I’d like to congratulate Koby and Jack, who represented our school at the Regional Cross Country Carnival last week. We are very proud to announce that both boys have qualified for the State Cross Country Championships, to be held in the first week back next term. Well done to you both!

I wish everyone a safe, happy and restful holiday break. During the holidays, please encourage your child to continue reading regularly and to spend some time using Mathletics and Reading Eggs to maintain their learning momentum.

All students return to school on Monday 13 July. We look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for another exciting term!

Warm regards,

Nikki Virtuoso
Acting Principal

 

SOLD-OUT PERFORMANCES OF FINDING NEMO KIDS 

We are incredibly proud of our Year 4 students for their outstanding performances in Finding Nemo Kids! Over two wonderful nights, both performances were sold out full houses, with our school community coming together to celebrate this special production.

Our students truly shone on stage, bringing energy, confidence, teamwork, and joy to every moment. It was fantastic to see their growth throughout the rehearsal process, with months of dedication and hard work culminating in such polished and engaging performances.

A huge congratulations to all involved for delivering such a vibrant and successful production. You were absolutely fin-tastic – a truly unforgettable adventure under the sea! 🐠🌊

UNIFORM SHOP – VOLUNTEER REQUEST

We are seeking volunteers to assist in the Second-Hand Uniform Shop during Term 3. 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.

Shifts are approximately 15 minutes per session, and volunteers are generally rostered on once or twice per term.

Please note that all school volunteers must hold a valid Working with Children Check. Volunteer applications are free and can be completed online at: Working with Children Check (Victoria)

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

Thank you,
Parent Group

VICTORIAN STATE SCHOOL SPECTACULAR TICKETS

We’re proud to have our students representing us in the 2026 Victorian State Schools Spectacular – This Is Me.

Students from across the state will take to the stage at John Cain Arena on Saturday 29 August (1pm and 6:30pm), performing to an audience of around 12,000.

Talented students will feature on stage, while many other students will work behind the scenes, gaining professional experience under the mentorship of Creative Director Neill Gladwin, Musical Director Chong Lim AM and Dance Director Yvette Lee.

Get ready to be amazed by the powerful pop anthems, moving ballads, high-energy choreography, awe-inspiring aerialists and circus performers.

For a wonderful, family entertainment experience, and to cheer on our students from the audience, be quick to secure tickets when they go on sale at 11am Thursday 16 July via www.ticketek.com.au/spectacular

Ticket prices:

  • Adult: $40
  • Child (under 15): $20
  • Concession: $30

Group Offer:
Buy 10 tickets and get one adult ticket for free.

Group Bookings can be made by calling 1300 364 001.

SHARE THE DIGNITY DONATION DRIVE

Next term, our office is proud to support Share the Dignity, an Australian charity working to ensure women, girls and people who menstruate experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, or hardship have access to essential period and personal care products.

We are collecting donations to support their Dignity Drives, which distribute essential items directly to those in need across Australia.

Please deliver donations to the Office, where there will be a collection tub for any donations.

Items such as period products, toiletries, and basic hygiene essentials are greatly appreciated.

Every contribution helps restore dignity and support someone doing it tough.

ICAS COMPETITION

We are pleased to advise that Oakleigh South Primary School will once again be participating in the ICAS competitions this year. ICAS is an optional online academic competition designed to assess students’ higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills across several areas, including English, Mathematics, Science, Writing (Years 3–6 only), Spelling Bee, and Digital Technologies. Every participating student will receive a printed certificate and an online results report, with top performers eligible for medals.

Entry and payment must be completed through the ICAS Parent Pay System by 11:59pm AEST on Monday 20 July. To participate, parents should visit the Parent Portal, enter the school’s access code QWY044, input their child’s details, select all the desired assessments, and proceed with payment. All payments are made directly to ICAS, not the school, and parents will receive a confirmation email which should be kept for their records.

The ICAS assessments will be held at school on the following dates: Digital Technologies and Writing (Years 3–6) from 3–7 August, English from 10–14 August, Science and Spelling Bee from 17–21 August, and Mathematics from 24–28 August. These dates are fixed by ICAS and cannot be changed.

For additional information please see the Compass News Feed post.

THANK YOU – KEEP THE DONATIONS 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!

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.

PREP VALUED STUDENT AWARDS

Alessia – Prep AL
(Excellence)
For presenting well during Show & Share by using a clear, confident voice. Keep it up!

Lewis – Prep AL
(Excellence)
For always producing neat and thoughtful work. You’re a star, Lewis!

Evelyn – Prep BG
(Excellence)
For always working hard in the classroom and completing learning tasks to a high standard.

Zachary – Prep BG
(Respect)
For always being willing to help out in the classroom and for showing care and respect to others.

Misha – Prep CD
(Excellence)
For bringing a positive attitude to school and for bringing great ideas to class discussions. Good job!

Ellie – Prep CD
(Excellence)
For always putting a high amount of effort and care into her work. Keep it up, Ellie!

Elaine – Prep KL
(Excellence)
For growing in confidence and beginning to actively contribute her ideas during classroom discussions.

Samyra – Prep KL
(Respect)
For always using beautiful manners and setting a wonderful example for her peers.

Alex – Prep LM
(Excellence)
For approaching every day with enthusiasm, cheerfulness and a willingness to do his best!

Poppy – Prep LM
(Excellence)
For being a polite and responsible member of our school community and a role model to others.

Antonio – Prep NM
(Excellence)
For always working hard in class to make positive improvements in his reading and writing.

Ariana – Prep NM
(Excellence)
For always using her manners and working hard in class to present her work beautifully. Well done!

YEAR 1 VALUED STUDENT AWARDS

Anika – 1AN
(Excellence)
For being such a kind and helpful class member who always gives her best effort. Well done!

Dhruv – 1AN
(Excellence)
For having such a calm and kind presence in the classroom. You are such a star!

Aahana – 1LB
(Excellence)
For always trying her best and demonstrating a positive attitude towards all tasks. Go Aahana!

Henry – 1LB
(Excellence)
For always reading with great expression and fluency. Keep up the amazing effort, Henry!

Varun – 1LB
(Excellence)
For including detail in his writing and using a range of punctuation correctly. Keep it up, Varun!

Jessie – 1LC
(Excellence)
For being a caring and compassionate student who demonstrates a positive attitude to learning.

Sanay – 1LC
(Resilience)
For working hard to improve his writing stamina and concentration. Go Sanay!

Yuvaan – 1NC
(Integrity)
For being an enthusiastic learner who always shows responsibility, kindness and positivity.

Misha – 1NC
(Excellence)
For the growth you are achieving through your unwavering determination and perseverance.

Frankie – 1NM
(Working Together)
For always being mindful and a good listener to other group members’ ideas. Well done!

Rafael – 1NM
(Excellence)
For working hard during literacy groups and helping others when they are in need. Superb job!

Zoe – 1NM
(Resilience)
For always being willing to take on challenging tasks and doing an amazing job with compound words. Superb!

Jonathan – 1SD
(Integrity)
For always being honest and a trustworthy student in class and beyond.

Aditri – 1SD
(Resilience)
For being adaptable to change and always being open to giving anything a try.

YEAR 2 VALUED STUDENT AWARDS

Jasper – 2GL
(Excellence)
For excellent listening on the mat. Jasper is always keen and eager to learn. Well done!

Tilda – 2GL
(Excellence)
For the fantastic effort you have been putting into your reading. Well done, Tilda!

Bella – 2LD
(Excellence)
For asking great clarification questions during our Maths lessons. Awesome work!

Ivaan – 2LD
(Respect)
For giving his best effort and asking thoughtful questions during class discussions. Great work!

Cadence – 2ML
(Excellence)
For her fantastic Big Write on ‘How to Get Ready for School in the Morning’!

Wayne – 2ML
(Working Together)
For being a kind and caring friend and an excellent role model for his peers. Well done!

Hayley – 2ML
(Resilience)
For showing incredible determination when faced with challenging tasks. You’re amazing!

Hayley – 2MV
(Excellence)
For quietly leading by example and consistently doing the right thing without needing reminders.

Amelia – 2MV
(Resilience)
For the wonderful effort you put into your writing and maths. Your progress is truly inspiring!

Miki – 2OC
(Excellence)
For her determination to improve in all areas of learning this semester. You’re a star!

Aleksia – 2OC
(Working Together)
For being a kind and helpful member of our classroom community. Thank you!

William – 2VF
(Excellence)
For demonstrating excellence in reading and successfully progressing to the AR Reading Program.

Elora – 2VF
(Excellence)
For outstanding growth in reading, resulting in transitioning to the AR Reading Program.

YEAR 3 VALUED STUDENT AWARDS

Sayon – 3AP
(Respect)
For showing respect and asking lots of interesting questions on our excursion. Well done!

Frankie – 3AP
(Excellence)
For always working hard to use feedback to improve her work. Keep it up!

Atson – 3JM
(Excellence)
For consistent hard work and a positive approach to all school tasks. Keep it up!

Daniella – 3JM
(Excellence)
For the fantastic effort you have been putting into your Information Report. Well done!

Marina – 3LM
(Resilience)
For managing change, coping with the unexpected and demonstrating confidence. Well done!

Navika – 3LM
(Working Together)
For organising and tidying the classroom even when the mess isn’t yours. Thank you!

Murray – 3MW
(Excellence)
For always working at a high standard and being a great class member.

Gautham – 3MW
(Working Together)
For being an excellent class member and always working to the best of your ability.

Freddie – 3WC
(Excellence)
For demonstrating outstanding hard work and dedication across all areas of learning.

Aston – 3WC
(Resilience)
For demonstrating a growth mindset across all areas of the curriculum.

SPECIALIST VALUED STUDENT AWARDS

George – PLM
Japanese
(Respect)
For always being respectful and curious in Japanese. You always try your best and inspire others.

Antonio – Prep NM
Performing Arts
(Respect)
For always showing respectful behaviour and beautiful manners during Performing Arts classes.

Alexander – 1LC
Japanese
(Resilience)
For your amazing growth in Japanese this year. It is wonderful to see your confidence growing.

Hayley – 2MV
Japanese
(Excellence)
For always giving 100% in everything you do in Japanese. You are inspiring!

Ava – 2VF
Performing Arts
(Working Together)
For your commitment to Junior Choir and for working well with your peers during class.

Cressida – 2VF
Performing Arts
(Working Together)
For being an active member of Junior Choir and always giving 100% in music classes.

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING IN YEAR 6?

Year 6 has been a hive of activity this term as we work towards some huge projects coming up in Term 3. Firstly, our students have been busy working in groups to create small businesses as part of our Business and Economics unit. Using the design thinking approach, they’ve had to refine their ideas in relation to their target audience, create a website and manage their costs in order to make a profit. All their efforts will culminate in Business Expo day where their hard work and entrepreneurial skills will be on show to Year 6 parents in Week 1 of Term 3. We can’t wait to see them shine!
 
Another moment for our Year 6 students to shine will be our upcoming production of Mary Poppins Jr! Auditions are completed, the show has been cast and rehearsals are underway. The children are eagerly learning songs and dances and getting to know their characters. We invite you all to keep the last week of Term 3 free so you can come and see the show and support our senior students.
 
Last Thursday saw our Year 6s compete in finals in the Interschool Sport competition. It was a windy day for those teams playing outdoors and we saw some fantastic play on show as well as some first class sportsmanship. We are incredibly proud of the efforts that all of our students put in. Our netballers, footballers, soccer players, tennis players and sofcrosse players all represented our school with distinction.
 
Well done to Boys Soccer, Girls Tennis and Sofcrosse B who won their grand finals. We had a host of teams finish in 2nd as well. Hopefully all of our Year 6s enjoyed their time playing interschool sport in 2026.

LITERACY CORNER

In Writing Groups, the Year 6 students learned the foundations of essay writing. They were presented with evocative short film prompts that challenged their thinking and encouraged them to form a contention and use supporting evidence to construct an argument. The most recent essay topic was framed differently, more personal and reflective; based on the theme of ‘Legacy’. Here are a few excerpts from their writing:

At the end of my OSPS schooling I would like to be remembered not as somebody who is charming or easy-going, but as someone who really connects with the younger ages, as a role model for generations to come.

by Anshul, 6MH<br />

Everyone is unique, and I’m unique in my own special way, an origami expert, an intelligent student and whatever else our teachers may think, they will remember me as …me!

by Ada, 6NM

I don’t need to be remembered as a popular person if sorts. I just want to be remembered as Loki. Nothing too special. Every day I try my best to help others; perhaps they’ll remember me as a kind person.

by Loki, 6FW

I want to be remembered for being there when you’re down, being there when you’re up, and being there when life gets a bit crazy.

by Lucas, 6CM

THE RESILIENCE PROJECT – LESSON OF THE WEEK:

A recent TRP lesson focus looked at Perspective Taking in Groups, which was particularly relevant as students are currently engaged in collaborative projects. The lesson explored how differing approaches to work can impact group dynamics, and how students can move forward with empathy by understanding how others think, contribute, and engage in shared tasks.

Students reflected on how developing these skills supports more cohesive and productive group relationships. They also discussed the importance of perspective-taking beyond the classroom, recognising its value in future study, work, and everyday interactions.

THE RESILIENCE PROJECT – GEM

Gratitude:
We are grateful to the Year 4 production team for all their efforts to put on a fabulous show for the school community.

Empathy: 

We are empathetic towards all students and staff who are exhausted after a busy term and wish them a safe and relaxing holiday.


Mindfulness:
 

We are mindfulness to not judge people harshly. You never know what someone else is going through.

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

SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAMS

Click the images below to register your child/ren

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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