Oakleigh South Primary School
NEWSLETTER – ISSUE 40
12th December, 2025
“Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t.” — Rikki Rogers
IMPORTANT DATES
Issue 40 – 12th December 2025
WEEK 11
Tue 16 Dec
• Year 6 Graduation Lunch – Students & Staff ONLY
• Prep to Year 3 Assembly (02:45PM – 03:30PM)
• Year 6 Graduation Presentation Night (06:30PM)
Wed 17 Dec
• Year 4 Mission to Mars Expo in Hall
• Year 4 Party
• Year 3 Party
• Year 5 Paper Plane Competition
Thu 18 Dec
• End Term 4 (3:30pm dismissal)
Fri 19 Dec
• Curriculum Day – Student Free Day
2026 TERM 1
Wed 28 Jan
• First Day of School (Years 1-6)
Thu 29 Jan
• First Day of School for Preps (9:30AM – 12:30PM)
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
And just like that, we have reached the end of another year at Oakleigh South Primary School!
I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has contributed, in any way, to our school throughout 2025. A very big thank you goes to our hardworking students, our dedicated staff, and our amazing families. What a wonderful team we are.
We have several staff members who will be leaving us to begin new adventures. I would like to thank Stephanie Chris, Helen Ward, Anita Buccieri, Georgia Hopkins, Clara Yew, Sumiko Ranjitkumar, Mel van Delft, and Pauline Kearns for their service to our school, and wish them all the very best for the future. We also wish Mick McMahon many happy days of rest and relaxation as he enters retirement. Thank you, Mick, for your wonderful work in the Physical Education department. You will be greatly missed.
We also wish Anthony Rowe all the very best as he commences his role as Principal at Boroondara Park Primary School in 2026.
Next year, we will be welcoming several new staff members across a range of roles, and we look forward to them joining our school community.
Our Year 6 students enjoyed their final week of primary school with a graduation lunch on Tuesday, organised by the Parent Group. This was followed by Graduation Night, where our Year 6 students were celebrated in front of their proud families. It was a truly wonderful evening.
A big thank you to the Year 6 team, our parent helpers, and the OSPS Parent Group, who worked so hard to make these events possible. The Parent Group does an incredible job organising special events for our students and the wider parent community each year, and their efforts are greatly appreciated.
Last night, our annual school disco was held, and the children had an absolute ball. Thank you to our wonderful staff who supported this event and helped make it such a success.
Over the holiday break, please remember to keep reading. Whether it is enjoying a book or accessing Reading Eggs, it is important to continue practising reading skills. Students are also encouraged to log in to Mathletics, to help keep their maths skills up to date.
We look forward to welcoming students back in 2026 on the following dates:
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Wednesday 28 January – First day of school for Years 1–6
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Thursday 29 January – First day of school for Prep students (9.30 am–12.30 pm)
Lastly, I would like to wish all members of the OSPS community a joyful festive season, and a happy and safe New Year. Enjoy this holiday time with family and friends, and I look forward to welcoming you all back in 2026!
Warm regards,
Nikki Virtuoso
Acting Principal
SCHOOL MATTERS
SchoolTV SPECIAL REPORT: TRAUMA RECOVERY
Following the tragic events at Bondi Beach, many children and young people may be feeling unsettled, anxious or confused, particularly if they have been exposed to media coverage or conversations about what occurred. Even indirect exposure to such events can disrupt a child’s sense of safety and lead to emotional or behavioural changes, with each child responding differently depending on their age and individual needs. The brain stores traumatic events as powerful emotional memories, influencing a young person’s behaviour through mechanisms beyond their conscious awareness. By providing them with support and equipping young people with coping mechanisms to handle uncertainty, parents and carers can greatly enhance a child’s capacity to recover and build long-term emotional resilience.
This Special Report offers practical guidance to help identify the signs of trauma and outlines ways we can support young people through recovery.
Here is the link to the Special Report: http://oakleighsouthps.vic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-trauma-recovery
OUR CHRISTMAS STALL SHINES AGAIN!
STUDENT HEALTH & MEDICAL INFORMATION
As the school year comes to a close, all medications currently held at the school will be sent home with students on the final day of Term 4. Any medications and medical action plans must be supplied again on the first day of the new school year.
If your child has a new, updated, or changed medical condition, or takes any regular medications at home, please ensure this information is shared with the school so our records remain accurate in the event of an emergency.
Further information and instructions regarding medications, medical records, and action plans for 2026 will be sent via Compass in early January. Please keep an eye out for these updates.
For any questions or changes to your child’s medical information, please contact me via email at
For any questions, queries, or updates, please email Bella at isabella.vandeursen@education.vic.gov.au
Thank you for helping us keep our students safe and well.
TOYS FOR MONASH CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
Just a few weeks ago, the Oakleigh South Primary School community put out a call to support Monash Children’s Hospital through a toy donation drive, and the response was truly incredible.
Thanks to the generosity of our families, students and staff, a wonderful collection of toys was donated. These gifts will help bring joy, comfort and a sense of normality to children who will be spending Christmas in hospital and experiencing the festive season a little differently this year. For many families, these small moments of happiness can mean so much during an otherwise challenging time.
On behalf of the Parent Group, thank you to everyone who contributed so thoughtfully. Your generosity, compassion and strong sense of community spirit reflect the very best of Oakleigh South Primary School, and your kindness will make a genuine and lasting difference to many children and their families this Christmas Day!
THANK YOU – KEEP THE DONATIONS COMING
A wonderful community member recently visited the Keysborough Depot and returned 119 cans and bottles, requesting that the funds go to OSPS! We often receive notifications about deposits made to our school, so keep them 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!
PARENT GROUP
THANK YOU TO OUR PARENT VOLUNTEERS
Dear Parents and Carers,
If you helped at any Parent Group event or volunteered in the uniform shop this year, this message is for you.
On behalf of the OSPS Parent Group, thank you for the time, energy and care you gave throughout the year. From fete and gift stalls to food days, out-of-school-hours events, and the quiet planning behind the scenes, your contributions helped make our school a brighter, more connected place.
Because of you, our students smiled, families came together, and special memories were created across the year. Thank you for always showing up and supporting our school community. Every hour you gave truly mattered. A special acknowledgement to the Parent Group committee for their dedication and ongoing support.
We wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a safe, happy holiday break. We look forward to welcoming our returning families back next year.
Kind regards,
Nicole Stenton
Parent Group President
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.
THE RESILIENCE PROJECT
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
Access the Parent Hub (no login required): Resilience Project Parent Hub
GEM AWARDS
Joanne C-D – Prep KL – Mindfulness: For being mindful of others through her thoughtful listening and helpful actions. She consistently shows respect, uses her manners, and sets a wonderful example for our class.
Rocky Z – 1NC – Empathy: For his kindness, helpfulness, and his special way of always making people feel welcome.
Sophie S– 2GL – Empathy: For always showing empathy to her classmates and making sure everyone has a friend to play with. You are a GEM, Sophie!
Shae M. – 3FT – Empathy: For showing empathy by noticing how others feel, offering kindness and support, and helping everyone feel cared for and included. 3FT adores you!
Indiana C.– 4AS – Empathy: For being a kind and caring friend who looks after everyone and consistently shows empathy towards others. Your thoughtfulness and compassion make our classroom a better place every day.
William M. – 5EW – Mindfulness: For showing thoughtful awareness of the community and the students around him during House Swimming.
Ryan C– 5LG – Empathy: For always checking in on others and being quick to offer help and support to anyone who may need it.
Chris S. – 6SM – Mindfulness: For consistently showing care and consideration for others. Your kindness is something we won’t forget here at OSPS. Good luck in high school, Chris!
SPECIALIST SPOTLIGHT
GRADE 2 SCIENTISTS EXPLORE SOLIDS, LIQUIDS AND GASES
Our Grade 2 students have been busy investigating the fascinating world of solids, liquids and gases as part of their science learning this term. With plenty of hands-on activities and opportunities for discovery, the science sessions have been buzzing with curiosity and excitement!
Students began by examining the properties of each state of matter—looking closely at how solids keep their shape, how liquids flow and change form, and how gases are all around us even though we can’t always see them. Using everyday objects such as ice, sand, water, balloons, and air-filled syringes, students sorted, tested, and predicted what state of matter each item represented.
I am proud to see students using scientific language—evaporate, melt, freeze, flow, expand—and applying their knowledge to real-life situations. Discussions about weather, cooking, and even bath time became perfect opportunities to connect learning to the world around them.
I am also excited to share that our fabulous Grade 2 scientists have been exploring the processes of Design Thinking, Critical Thinking, and Creative Thinking this term. Guided by the big question, “How do solids, liquids and gases change, and how can we use these changes to solve problems?” students worked through each stage of the Design Thinking process: Empathise by noticing real-world material problems, Define a specific challenge, Ideate creative solutions, Prototype models using material changes, and Test their designs to refine and improve them. It has been a wonderful journey of curiosity, creativity, and hands-on learning!
GRADE 4 STUDENTS EXPLORE DAY & NIGHT AND MISSION TO MARS!
This term, our Grade 4 students have been on an exciting learning journey that stretches from Earth’s skies all the way to outer space. They have investigated the science behind Day and Night, while also taking on an ambitious Mission to Mars project focused on designing sustainable food systems for life on another planet. Through these units, students have been applying the full cycle of Design, Critical and Creative Thinking to solve real-world and out-of-this-world challenges.
Students began by exploring how Earth’s rotation creates the cycle of day and night. Using models, diagrams, and hands-on investigations, they observed how shadows change over time, how the Sun’s position affects light and temperature, and why different places experience daylight at different times. These observations helped them build a strong scientific understanding of the patterns we experience every day on Earth.
Students were then challenged to think like future astronauts and scientists: How would humans grow food on Mars?
To tackle this big question, students worked through the Design Thinking process:
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Empathise: Considering the needs of astronauts living on Mars, where resources are limited and the environment is harsh.
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Define: Identifying key problems—no breathable air, extreme temperatures, low water supply, and no natural soil for crops.
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Ideate: Brainstorming creative possibilities such as hydroponic gardens, recycled water systems, artificial light sources, and sustainable energy solutions.
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Prototype: Designing and building models of Martian greenhouses and food-growing systems using a variety of materials.
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Test: Trialling their designs, evaluating strengths and weaknesses, and refining their solutions to make them more effective and realistic.
Throughout the project, Grade 4 students demonstrated impressive problem-solving skills. They asked deep questions, challenged their assumptions, and thought creatively about how humans might live sustainably on another planet.
To celebrate their hard work, Grade 4 students prepared a Mission to Mars Expo, inviting younger classes to come and explore their models, learn about their designs, and even taste some of their sustainable food creations. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase their learning, communicate their ideas, and inspire others, demonstrating not only scientific understanding but also imagination and teamwork.
MISSION TO MARS: DESIGNING SUSTAINABLE FOOD EXPO
HASSAN SHARES HIS MISSION TO MARS EXPERIENCE
Hi, my name is Hassan and I’m in Grade 5. This week, I helped Ms Sakellaris build a Mars Landing Survivor Kit. It was challenging, but I really enjoyed it! I am also helping the Year 4s with their Mission to Mars project. I did this last year with my group, and we made Astro Mars Balls. It was heaps of fun!
CAMP AUSTRALIA
PARENT CORNER
PEPS FITNESS CLINIC – CHRISTMAS EDITION!
Get ready for a high-energy day filled with festive fitness and fun.
Date: Monday 22 December
Time: 10.00 am to 3.00 pm
Cost: $75 per child
Location: 1535 Centre Road, Clayton
Activities include:
• Dodgeball battles
• Obstacle courses
• Christmas hunt
• Games and prizes
This is a great way for children to stay active and entertained during the holidays. Places are limited.
For enquiries or bookings, please contact Coach Nick on 0403 676 866.
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.
