Oakleigh South Primary School
NEWSLETTER – ISSUE 22
25th July, 2025

“Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.”
– Anthony J. D’Angelo

IMPORTANT DATES

Issue 22 – 25th July 2025

Week 2

Monday 28th July
• Year 5 & 6 Swimming Program 2025

Tuesday 29th July
• Year 5 & 6 Swimming Program 2025
• Whole School Assembly – 2:45 PM in the Hall

Wednesday 30th July
• Year 6 Sexuality Education Program 2025
• Year 5 & 6 Swimming Program

Thursday 31st July
• Year 5 & 6 Swimming Program 2025
• Senior Choir – 3:45 PM in the Hall

Friday 1st August
• Year 6 Sexuality Education Program 2025
• Year 5 & 6 Swimming Program 2025

Week 3

Monday 4th August
• Year 3 & 4 Swimming Program 2025

Tuesday 5th August
• Tamba Higashi PS Cultural Exchange Program
• Year 3 & 4 Swimming Program 2025
• Year 4 to 6 Assembly – Welcome Assembly for Tamba Higashi PS Students – 2:45 PM in the Hall
• ThinkUKnow E-Safety Presentation – 6:30 PM in the Robotics Lab


Wednesday 6th August
• Tamba Higashi PS Cultural Exchange Program
• Year 3 & 4 Swimming Program 2025
• Year 6 Sexuality Education Program 2025
• Year 5 Cultural Infusion Incursion

Thursday 7th August
• Tamba Higashi PS Cultural Exchange Program
• Tamba Higashi PS Student Excursion – CBD
• Year 3 & 4 Swimming Program 2025
• Senior Choir – 3:45 PM in the Hall

Friday 8th August
• Tamba Higashi PS Cultural Exchange Program
• Year 1 Scienceworks Excursion
• Year 6 Sexuality Education Program 2025
• Year 3 & 4 Swimming Program 2025
• Year 6 Business Expo – 2:00 PM in the Year 6 Building

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Welcome back to Term 3!

I hope all our students and families had a restful and enjoyable break. It’s wonderful to see everyone back and ready for another busy and exciting term of learning and growth at OSPS.

We began the term with a very productive Curriculum Day on Monday, where our dedicated staff engaged in valuable professional learning focused on the new English Curriculum 2.0. This work supports our ongoing commitment to continually improving teaching and learning at our school, and to ensuring we provide the best possible education for every student.

Thank you to all the families who made time to meet with teachers during Tuesday’s Parent/Teacher Meetings. Despite the cold and wet afternoon, we were thrilled to see such a steady flow of parents come in for a chat. These conversations play an important role in strengthening the partnership between home and school, and we truly value your continued support and involvement in your child’s education.

Next week, our Year 5 and 6 students will participate in the five-day swimming program at GESAC. Thank you to everyone who has supported this valuable initiative.

Yesterday, Jack from 5LG and Koby from 5MP proudly represented OSPS at the State Cross Country Championships in Yarra Glen. Both boys gave it their all, and we couldn’t be prouder of their efforts. Congratulations and well done, Jack and Koby!

We’re looking forward to a wonderful nine-week Term 3, full of learning, connection, and celebration of our students’ achievements.

Have a great week ahead.

Warm regards,

Nikki Virtuoso
Acting Principal

SCHOOL MATTERS

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD VOTE FOR OAKLEIGH SOUTH NETBALL CLUB

From Woolies cart to the school court – Oakleigh South Netball Club and Oakleigh South Primary School are proud Woolworths Round 2 Winners with $2K in the bag, yippee! This grant will go towards continuing to grow grassroots netball with the school for 25 years+, thank you!

But now WE NEED YOU, the school community, to vote for us in the People’s Choice Award and help us score $20K for better facilities.

It’s SUPER easy, FREE, takes a FEW SECONDS and no subscription – just two simple clicks. Click the Oakleigh South Netball Club link below and tap the ❤️ “Vote Now” button to vote. Back the green club and green school to win gold!

Voting closes Friday 29th August.

Vote here now: https://woolworthsnetballgrants.com.au/grant-application/oakleigh-south-netball-club/

THINKUKNOW E-SAFETY PRESENTATION

Oakleigh South Primary School is proud to host a ThinkUKnow presentation on Tuesday 5th August at 6:30pm in the Robotics Lab. All parents, carers and staff are warmly encouraged to attend.

ThinkUKnow is an evidence-based education program that aims to prevent online child exploitation. It is delivered nationally in partnership with the Australian Federal Police, Microsoft Australia, Datacom, and the Commonwealth Bank, alongside state and territory police and Neighbourhood Watch Australasia.

The session will be co-presented by a local law enforcement officer and an industry volunteer. It is a pro-technology presentation that explores critical topics such as:

  • Online grooming

  • Self-generated child abuse material

  • Sexual extortion

  • Encouraging help-seeking behaviour

This is a valuable opportunity to better understand the online environment young people navigate, and how we can help them become safe, responsible digital citizens.

To learn more, visit: www.thinkuknow.org.au

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): 4th–8th August
    • English: 11th–15th August
    • Science & Spelling Bee: 18th–22nd August
    • Mathematics: 25th–29th 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.

JAPANESE STUDENTS VISITING OSPS – HOST FAMILIES NEEDED

Next term, OSPS will welcome 11 Japanese exchange students from Tamba Higashi Elementary School, 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:

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

VICTORIAN STATE SCHOOL SPECTACULAR TICKETS

This year 41 of our Year 5 students are performing in the 2025 Victorian State Schools Spectacular show ‘On Air’. These students have been working hard throughout the year in both dance and choir and are looking forward to their performances in September. If you would like to come along and see the incredible performances, tickets will go on sale Thursday 31st July at 11am via Ticketek.

Performance Date: Saturday 13th September

Performance Times: 1:00pm & 6:30pm

Performance Venue: John Cain Arena

Ticket Prices: Adult $40            Concession $30             Child (U15) $20

Best seating sections to see our OSPS choir:  9, 10, 31, 32, 33, 56, 57 & 58

JUDITH ROSSELL – BOOK WEEK AUTHOR VISIT

On Thursday 15th August, author and illustrator Judith Rossell will visit our school to speak with students about reading and writing. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to learn about the craft of professional authors and the process behind creating the engaging stories we love.

Students can pre-purchase books to have signed on the day!

To order Judith’s books, please click here: Buy Author’s Book – Lamont Authors

All orders must be completed by Thursday 1st August to receive a signed copy on the day of Judith’s visit.

Please note: Orders placed after this date will arrive at the school after the visit and will not be signed.

PARKING AND TRAFFIC SAFETY REMINDER

Student safety is our highest priority. With over 1000 students, 800 families, and 100 staff, our community relies on everyone driving and parking safely — especially during busy drop-off and pick-up times.

Staff Car Park Use

The staff car park is for staff use only during school hours.
Parents and carers are not permitted to enter, park, or drive through the car park for school drop-off, pick-up, or daytime access.

The only exceptions are:

  • Before and After School Care drop-off and pick-up

  • Families with a valid disability parking permit or a school-approved exemption

If a vehicle is parked or blocked in, staff cannot assist. Our legal responsibility is to supervise students — we cannot leave children unattended to manage avoidable issues caused by misuse of the staff car park.

Road Safety Expectations

We remind all families that the following behaviours are unsafe and breach Victorian road laws:

  • All students riding bikes or scooters must wear a helmet, as required by law.

  • U-turns near the school are often illegal and extremely dangerous, especially in high-traffic or low-visibility areas

  • The speed limit is 40km/h during school hours and is enforceable by law

  • Drivers must stop at pedestrian crossings and obey all road signage

  • Parking across driveways, footpaths or crossings is prohibited and reduces visibility

  • Using a mobile phone while driving is illegal and significantly increases risk near children

Seemingly minor choices can have major safety and legal consequences. We ask all families to model safe, calm, and respectful behaviour around the school.

The school is not authorised to enforce traffic or parking violations. To report concerns, please contact Monash Council or Victoria Police.

Thank you for supporting the safety of our school community.

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.

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 (DET).

Families received the Year 6 to Year 7 Placement Information Pack in April, with completed applications due by Friday 9th May 2025. Thank you to all families who submitted their forms on time.

On Tuesday 1st July, families were notified of their Year 7 Placement Offer. These letters included:

  • The placement offer

  • An Acceptance Slip

  • An Appeal Form (if applicable)

Key upcoming dates:

  • Friday 25th July: Deadline to lodge an appeal with your preferred secondary school

  • By Tuesday 5th August: Families will be notified of appeal outcomes from secondary schools

  • By Tuesday 12th August: Return your Placement Acceptance Slip to Oakleigh South Primary

  • Tuesday 19th August: Final date to submit an appeal to the Regional Director (if initial appeal was unsuccessful)

  • Friday 10th October: Regional Directors notify families of final appeal outcomes

  • Tuesday 9th December: Statewide Orientation Day for Year 6 students

Placement details cannot be provided prior to official notification dates.

Useful links:

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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