Oakleigh South Primary School
NEWSLETTER – ISSUE 26
16th October, 2026
“Good words are worth much, and cost little.” — George Herbert
What a wonderful start to Term 4, and welcome back to all our families after the holidays!
It has been a pleasant second week, with the warmer days very welcome.
Last Friday was the Beachside Division Athletics Carnival. Well done to all of our participants for representing the school so proudly, and thank you to the staff who supported them on the day.
This week, many of our students took part in a free Karate workshop in the hall, delivered in partnership with Challenge Martial Arts Oakleigh. The workshops build resilience and confidence, balance and physical focus, self-discipline and self-control, kindness, fair play, and respect for rules.
Our Year 5 students had an incursion called Talk Money, exploring their ‘money stories’, which is the way they think, feel and act with money. They discussed how we all hold different money beliefs and how these shape the choices we make and how we spend. Students also learned to use the Super Savings Strategy to set saving goals, build saving habits, and keep their savings separate from their spending money.
Today we hosted our first transition program for our 2027 Preps. They enjoyed a lovely afternoon of interactive and engaging activities, while their parents attended a presentation in the hall about what to expect when starting Prep next year.
A reminder to please clearly label your child’s hat and jumpers with their name and grade. As the weather warms and the children take their jumpers off, labels make it much easier to return lost items to their owners.
Wishing all families a restful weekend!
Warm regards,
Nikki Virtuoso
Acting Principal
FOOTY DAY – TERM 3 RECAP
Footy Day on the last day of Term 3 is one of the biggest days on the Oakleigh South Primary School calendar, and this year was a sea of colour with almost every team represented. Our junior and senior parades were a huge hit as always, with all 18 club songs played and year level kicking competitions held. The bins were full of ‘familiar faces’ and plenty of prizes went to students for their awesome skills. The highlight was Year 6 Girls Footy Captain Mina kicking the ball into the bin for the first time ever! (Footage attached.)
The Staff vs Year 6 Students game was a nail biter. Some staff tried (perhaps a little too hard) to prevent a loss, but the kids, led by best on ground Marcus, came away with a 7 point victory.
Our Coin Line Competition was a roaring success, raising money for the Children’s Tumour Foundation and Flicker of Hope. We brought in over 390m worth of coins, which is the length of two and a half MCGs! A huge thank you to Parent Group for their support with the hot dogs and their kind donation of $500 to each charity. Combined with the $2,691.40 from the school community, we are proud to announce that we have again broken the Footy Day record, raising an amazing $3,691.40 ($1,845.70 to each charity).
COLOUR RUN 2026
Dear Parents and Carers,
After the success of our previous Colour Runs, the Parent Group is excited to bring the event back in 2026!
📅 Event date: Thursday, 19th November
⏰ Registrations close: Thursday, 12th November
The Colour Run is a fun and memorable day for all students, bringing our school community together for an afternoon of colour, excitement and plenty of fun!
🎥 Want to see what it’s all about? Watch the 2025 OSPS Colour Run video
How to register:
If you would like to fundraise, your child’s profile page can be shared with family and friends via social media. When sharing, please be mindful of student privacy and avoid posting photos that include other students.
Please note: Cash cannot be accepted at the school office. If your child receives a cash donation, parents will need to convert this to an online donation at home.
If your child does not receive a booklet this week, spare booklets will be available from the school office from next week.
Participation & prizes
The minimum cost to participate is $10.
Closer to the event, participating students will receive a headband and sunglasses. Any additional prizes earned through fundraising will be distributed a few weeks after the event.
Where will the money go?
The Colour Run is a fun and memorable day for all students, and last year our school community raised more than $30,000 through the event!
This year, all money raised will contribute towards the new projector for our school hall, which has already been purchased. The projector will benefit the whole school and be used for assemblies, productions, incursions, presentations and other events held in the hall.
Further information will be shared with families as we get closer to the event.
If you have any questions, please contact the Parent Group at osparentgroup67@gmail.com.
We can’t wait to see our students getting colourful! 🌈
OSPS Parent Group
LIFE SKILS GO WELLBEING DAILY CHECK IN- MENTAL HEALTH IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS (MHIPS) INITIATIVE
Dear Parents and Carers,
We are pleased to share that Oakleigh South Primary School has received funding through the Victorian Government’s Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHIPS) initiative. This initiative supports schools to strengthen a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing, build staff capacity and provide students with strategies and support to help them thrive.
As part of our ongoing commitment to student wellbeing, Oakleigh South Primary School is introducing Life Skills GO, a digital Wellbeing Check-In that provides every student with a regular opportunity to share how they are feeling. The check-in helps our staff notice changes in students’ wellbeing early and respond when additional support may be needed.
Our goal is to ensure every child feels safe, connected, supported and ready to learn. By investing in the wellbeing of all our students and providing them with opportunities to recognise, understand and manage their emotions, we are continuing to build a positive and supportive school environment where every student can flourish, socially, emotionally and academically.
Kindest Regards,
Helen Paroukas
Student Wellbeing, Inclusion and MHIPS Learning Specialist
2027 INTENTIONS IF NOT RETURNING TO OSPS
As we begin planning for 2027, we ask families to let us know if their circumstances have changed.
If your child is currently in Prep to Year 5 and will not be returning to Oakleigh South Primary School in 2027, please complete the Departure Notification Form
We understand that plans can change. Once your child’s new school or educational arrangements have been confirmed, please let us know as soon as possible, and by Friday, 9th October, 2026.
Early notification helps us plan our 2027 classes, staffing and resources carefully and ensures we can make the best possible arrangements for all of our students.
Thank you for your support and for helping us with our planning for the year ahead.
This form is for students in Prep to Year 5 only. Year 6 students transitioning to secondary school do not need to complete this form.
FREE WEBINAR: PARENT MENTAL HEALTH WITH DR BILLY GARVEY
Dr Billy Garvey is back for another free online session for parents and caregivers.
Billy is a developmental paediatrician with over 20 years of experience working with children and families, and the founder of Guiding Growing Minds (GGM), a social enterprise that helps all children reach their full potential.
Billy will unpack what the research says about the link between parental mental health and how kids grow and cope, and share practical, no-shame strategies for staying steady and knowing where to turn for support.
Please share it with your networks and help us spread the word. It’s free and open to anyone!
EVENT DETAILS:
- Date: Monday 26 October
- Time: 7:30pm AEDT
- Topic: Parent Mental Health
- Cost: FREE
Save your spot and pass it on to anyone who might find it useful.
BOOK CLUB ISSUE 7
The best gift any parent can give a child is the love of books and the joy and benefits of independent reading for fun. Children who read at home, or are read to, have a head start on reading success in school.
OSPS is participating in Scholastic Book Club this year. Each term, Scholastic Book Club offers award-winning books and bestsellers, as well as old and new favourites, which span a wide range of reading levels and interests. The books are also inexpensive, with some books costing as little as $3.
It is easy to order. The Book Club LOOP platform for parents allows you to pay by credit card. Your child’s order is submitted directly to school safe and sound and the books will be delivered to class. You can place your child’s order at scholastic.com.au/LOOP or using the LOOP app, which can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.
Owning your own books is something special! Each order helps earn free books and teaching materials for our classroom, however there is never any obligation to order. There’s no better way to encourage reading than to allow children to choose the books they want to read!
SIBLINGS STARTING PREP IN 2027
We are currently preparing our Transition sessions for students commencing Prep in 2027.
If your child is due to start Prep in 2027 and you have not yet submitted an enrolment application, please do so as a matter of urgency.
Please access the Student Portal via Service Victoria to lodge your application and upload all required supporting documentation:
- Birth certificate
- Immunisation History Statement from Medicare
- 100 Points of Proof of Residence
Thank you for your prompt attention and for helping us ensure we can support your child’s enrolment and transition to school.
Kind regards,
Oakleigh South Primary School
WE’RE NOW ON INSTAGRAM!
We’re excited to expand our school’s social media presence with the launch of our official Instagram account, alongside our existing Facebook page.
Our social media channels are a great way to stay connected with what’s happening across our school community, from learning in action and student achievements to special events, programs, celebrations and everyday moments that make Oakleigh South PS such a wonderful place to learn.
Follow us on Instagram @oakleighsouthps and keep up with the latest from around our school! 💚
You can also continue to follow us on Facebook for school news, updates and community highlights.
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:
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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!
LUNCH ORDER PROVIDERS
We are pleased to confirm the following lunch order options for our school community in 2026: 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.
THE RESILIENCE PROJECT
Since 2022, OSPS has partnered with The Resilience Project to support student wellbeing from Foundation to Year 6 through the Inspire Program. The curriculum, designed by teachers for teachers, aligns with Victorian and Australian Curriculum standards in Personal and Social Capabilities and Health and Physical Education.
The program focuses on four key strategies to build resilience and happiness:
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- Gratitude: The act of being thankful and appreciating what you have in life.
- Empathy: The capacity to understand and feel what another person is feeling.
- Mindfulness: The practice of attention regulation.
- Emotional Literacy: The ability to understand and express our feelings.
Each week, students participate in formal lessons and complete entries in their Resilience Student Journals. Activities include gratitude posters, mindfulness colouring, and emotion-matching exercises. As a Partnership School, OSPS integrates The Resilience Project’s wellbeing curriculum across the whole school community.
There are many ways to support your child’s mental health at home.
For more information, visit: The Resilience Project – At Home
Introductory Parent Video: TRP Family Launch
Access the Parent Hub (no login required): Resilience Project Parent Hub
WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING IN YEAR 5?
Last term, our Year 5 students explored the powerful and unpredictable world of Natural Disasters, with a particular focus on disasters that have occurred in Australia. Students investigated the causes and effects of these events, examining how they impact both the environment and the communities affected.
Working collaboratively in groups, students selected a significant natural disaster from around the world to research in greater depth. They investigated key facts and statistics, explored the causes and consequences, compared the area before and after the disaster, and located the event on a world map. Students then presented their findings, developing their research, teamwork and presentation skills along the way.
This term, we are shifting our focus to the exciting world of Business and Economics! Students will explore the differences between needs and wants, investigate the various types of resources available to us, and develop an understanding of goods and services. Through engaging activities and real-world examples, students will discover how people make economic choices and how businesses play an important role in our everyday lives.
LITERACY CORNER
Last term, our Year 5 students immersed themselves in the mysterious and suspenseful world of Gothic Literature! Throughout the unit, students listened to and analysed the novel Scar Island by Dan Gemeinhart, exploring how authors use descriptive language, eerie settings, suspense and atmosphere to captivate their readers.
Inspired by the novel, students put their creativity to the test by planning and writing their very own Gothic stories. They applied the writing techniques and literary devices they had explored to create chilling settings, intriguing characters and suspenseful storylines.
To further bring the novel to life, students also created their own artistic interpretations of Scar Island, using their imaginations and clues from the text to visualise its dark and mysterious setting. It was wonderful to see the creativity, imagination and impressive writing skills on display throughout this engaging unit!
LITERACY CORNER
This term, our Year 5 students have been developing their mathematical skills through a range of engaging and practical activities. In Financial Planning, students have been exploring how to manage money responsibly by creating budgets, making spending decisions and applying their problem-solving skills to real-life scenarios.
Students have also been investigating Symmetry and Tessellations, exploring how shapes and patterns can fit together in creative and interesting ways. Using the interactive digital platform Polypad, students have enjoyed experimenting with different shapes to design their own tessellating patterns while developing their understanding of geometry, spatial reasoning and symmetry.
It has been fantastic to see students applying their mathematical knowledge in both practical and creative ways!
THE RESILIENCE PROJECT:
This week’s lesson in The Resilience Project (TRP) focused on Emotional Literacy and how we can positively influence our emotions and mood. Students explored the C.A.L.L. G acronym, a helpful tool that encourages us to use simple strategies when experiencing strong emotions.
Students learnt that C stands for Connect with others, A for Active and getting our bodies moving, L for Listen to our bodies and others, L for Learn something new, and G for Give kindness to those around us.
Through discussions and practical examples, students discovered how small actions can make a big difference to how we feel. This valuable lesson encouraged students to recognise their emotions, develop positive coping strategies and take responsibility for their own emotional wellbeing.
THE RESILIENCE PROJECT – GEM
Gratitude:
We are grateful that we get to go on Year 5 camp soon and appreciate all the hard work that goes into organising a camp.
We show empathy by listening to others, offering support and showing kindness to positively influence their emotions.
Mindfulness:
We are mindful of our emotions and listen to our bodies, using positive strategies to manage our feelings and improve our mood.
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
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.
KEYBOARD LESSON AVAILABILITY
A small number of vacancies are now available:
- Wednesday: 4 PM
- Friday: 3:30 PM or 4 PM
Please email perryvlahos33@gmail.com to book your preferred time.
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.
