Oakleigh South Primary School
NEWSLETTER – ISSUE 6
7th March, 2024
“You have brains in your head. you have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” —Dr. Seuss
IMPORTANT DATES
Issue 6 – 7th March 2024
Friday 8th March
– Division Swimming
Monday 11th March
– Labour Day Public Holiday
Tuesday 12th March
– Year 1 Grandparents Day
Thursday 14th March
– Year 6 Interschool Sport vs. St. Andrews (away)
– Senior Choir
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
The OSPS outdoor cinema night was a huge success, showing the Wonka movie to over 300 families. Huge thank you to parent group for all your efforts in providing snacks, drinks and glow products to the students, parents, staff and friends.
Year 3 and 5 commence their NAPLAN assessments next Wednesday 13th March, they have all completed the recommended NAPLAN practice assessments on the computer in reading, numeracy, langauge conventions and writing (year 5). Year 3 writing is still completed with pen and paper.
We are currently in our review year, next week will be two ‘field days’ where our school reviewer, challenge partners (principal of South Oakleigh Secondary College and Huntingdale Primary School) and other visitors such as our Parent Group President and SEIL (Senior Education Improvement Leader) will be undertaking a whole range of observations and discussions with various groups across the school.
OSPS has also been asked by the Deparrment of Education to host a delegation of Principal’s from Taiwan and a second group of Principal’s from New Zealand. They are coming as a part of a professional development experience and are visiting high performing and exemplar schools.
Enjoy your Labour Day long weekend, there is no school on Monday for staff of students.
Ron
Principal
SCHOOL MATTERS
LABOUR DAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY
A friendly reminder that there is no school this coming Monday, 11th of March.
Students are not required at school on this day.
SAFETY AT OAKLEIGH SOUTH PRIMARY SCHOOL
A friendly reminder that together we can all support the safety and modelling of acceptable behaviours so all of our students and families can enjoy their time at school.
Not arriving before 8.30am and being picked up at 3.30pm.
Parking correctly in the parent car park, ensuring not to block thoroughfares or lanes and using the exits correctly.
Walking bikes out of school and riding with helmets.
Stopping to cross the road or school crossing, walking bikes or scooters across the road.
Encouraging our students/children to switch off their phones on arrival to school.
Be mindful of the language you use on school grounds.
Together we can make a difference to support a safe and inclusive environment for everyone.
CAMP SPORTS AND EXCURSIONS FUND
The Victorian Government offer a Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund for families who hold a valid means-tested concession card are eligible to apply. A special consideration category also exists.
A payment of $125 for eligible primary school students will be paid directly to the school to be used toward camps, sports and excursion costs for the student’s benefit.
CSEF payments to schools will commence from 1 March onwards. Schools are able to continue processing applications until the end of Term 2
Please click below for the form https://www.education.vic.gov.au/PAL/CSEF-application-form.docx
Please email or send in your application form and a copy of your concession card as soon as possible.
Those families that were eligible in 2023 will be rolled over, you do not need to reapply.
If you have any issues please contact Carlyn carlyn.backers@education.vic.gov.au
MOBILE PHONES – STUDENT USE
As you may be aware, the Mobile Phones – Student Use policy for Victorian government schools came into effect in Term 1 2020. This policy requires students to switch their phones off and securely store them during the school day.
The policy is designed to support teaching and learning, promoting learning environments that are free from unnecessary distractions. The policy also aims to increase physical activity and socialisation at recess and lunch times. A Review of the policy found that it has reduced the use of mobile phones during school hours, with a range of benefits noted by principals and teachers.
The Department of Education has also published a parent/carer support page on mobile phones in schools on its website. This website includes links to supports for parents/carers on safe and responsible technology use at home.
Our school has its own, local mobile phone policy, which implements the government’s mobile policy in line with our local context. A copy of our policy is available at: https://oakleighsouthps.vic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Mobile-Phones-Policy.pdf
I encourage new members of our school community to read our policy, as it outlines the school’s expectations of staff, parents/carers, and students regarding the use of mobile phones by students at school.
If you have further questions about our local policy, please contact the administration office.
SUN PROTECTIVE MEASURES
With the increase in temperature in February and most likely in March it’s important to remember to support and educate your child regarding good sun protective practices.
By implementing good practices, you can help reduce skin cancer, dehydration and support your child’s engagement and learning in class.
Sun protective practices include:
- sending your child to school with SPF 50+ sunscreen
- apply sunscreen before school and every 2 hours at school
- a water bottle filled with water
- a nutritious snack and lunch to get them through the day
- ensure they have a wide-brimmed OSPS hat at school.
Teachers are regularly reminding students to apply sunscreen before recess, lunch and outdoor activities and checking hats are work outside. ‘No Hat No Play’
AUSKICK AT OAKLEIGH SOUTH PRIMARY SCHOOL
Oakleigh South Primary School Auskick Centre started this week with 4 remaining sessions to go!
Thank you to everyone who came down to have lots of footy fun.
Registrations are still open at the following link: https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/0ff7f6
All registered participants will receive a goodie pack including a football and pump delivered to your door!
VALUED STUDENT AWARDS
YEAR 4 VALUED STUDENT AWARDS
|
Oliver – 4CR |
|
Iniyan – 4CR |
|
Isla – 4LW |
|
Loki – 4LW |
|
Ellie – 4AS |
|
Ryan – 4AS |
|
Javin – 4CG |
|
Annabella – 4CG |
|
|
|
Henry – 4LD |
|
Marcus – 4WW |
|
Trisha – 4WW |
YEAR 5 & SPECIALIST VALUED STUDENT AWARDS
|
Lara – 5LG |
|
Elizabeth – 5LG |
|
Rutva – 5MM |
|
Anav – 5MM |
|
Danielle – 5PG |
|
Max – 5PG |
|
Mihiki – 5DR |
|
Marques – 5DR |
|
Niall – 5EW |
|
Danielle – 5EW |
|
Nikki – 5KP |
|
Christian – 5KP |
|
Jenisha – 4CG |
|
Parnika – 5MM |
|
Khwahish – 6SC |
YEAR 6 VALUED STUDENT AWARDS
|
Anthea – 6NM |
|
Adhvik – 6NM |
|
Madeline – 6LJ |
|
Neriah – 6LJ |
|
Finn – 6LJ |
|
Mia – 6FW |
|
Keon – 6FW |
|
William – 6FW |
|
Samaira – 6FW |
|
Shiven – 6SC |
|
Erika – 6SC |
|
Kate – 6SC |
|
Winnie – 6SM |
|
Bohan – 6SM |
|
Shivika – 6CM |
|
Harvey – 6CM |
RESILIENCE PROJECT
YEAR 3 GEM
In Year 3…
- we are grateful for our wonderful Village, where we can learn about plants and animals, and get involved in fun activities, by Abhinav 3MW
- we have empathy towards our farm animals and we make sure they are happy, healthy and well fed, by Zoe 3MW
- we use mindfulness when we talk to our friends and teachers, to make sure we are using good manners, by Izaan 3MW
THE RESILIENCE PROJECT IN YEAR 3
We have been learning about gratitude and thinking about children who live in other parts of the world, that don’t not have much, but they are still so happy because they are thankful for what they have. We are learning to be grateful for all the things we have in our lives.
We have also been learning what the difference between Mind Full and Mindful is. We are learning how to relax and reduce our stress to improve our mindfulness, so that we can enjoy what we are doing in each and every moment. By George, Troy and Amelia 3JD
STUDENT SHOWCASE
YEAR 3 VILLAGE SHOWCASE
What’s been happening in the Village?
This term the Village has been undergoing an amazing transformation. The students are taking it in turns to do farming duties, such as planting seedlings and caring for our chickens and ducks.
Each class have set up and are caring for their own worm farms, providing fruit and vegetable scraps.
Did you know that in Australia the East Gippsland worm can grow up to 3.5m long and weigh up to a kilogram! Don’t worry, our worm farms only have our little red wrigglers inside!
Our hydroponics and aquaponics house is almost finished. The aquaponics beds are filled with water which has been cycling for a few weeks before we introduce our Jade Perch in the next week or so. The hydroponics tank and channels will be constructed this week with the year 3 team working hard to get this running quickly.
Introducing Year 3 Staff
This year our fabulous Grade 3 team consist of Nigel Hooley (team leader), Alexander Nasiou, Murray Wilde, Joel Downey, Di Dywer, Kerryn Pinkus and Naomi Marsh. We wish Miss Nasiou all the very best as she prepares for her upcoming Wedding.
YEAR 3 NUMERACY
This term the Grade 3s have been learning about three dimensional shapes. Students have had fun making 3D shape models to develop their understanding of the properties of 3D shapes, such as the number of faces, edges and vertices.
We have also been exploring units of measurement and learning how to use rulers and measuring tapes to understand millimetres, centimetres and metres.
YEAR 3 LITERACY CORNER
Narrative Stories
We have been learning how to write narrative stories with a sizzling start, pebble (small problem), rock (medium size problem) and boulder (large problem), with a satisfying conclusion that provides a resolution for the story. Here is a small sample of the many amazing stories the children have been writing.
When a Hero Comes Along
Written by: Aria 3DP
The trees had collapsed as lightning shot out of the gloomy sky.
I was walking merrily until I noticed my dear friends were under the tree! I had to go and help them!
I turned to the collapsed tree but other trees were blocking it! How was I ever going to reach them now? But I couldn’t give up! So, I carefully crawled over and under the trees. But as soon as I reached the tree… somebody was in front of me! They weren’t letting me pass either! I needed a distraction, but I didn’t have anything!
That’s when I got a great idea! “If I give you a riddle, and you can’t solve it, let me get passed you. If not, you win!” I exclaimed. He agreed! So I asked him a riddle and it went like this. ‘When it’s hot, it dresses up, but when it’s cold, it undresses. What am I?’ Guess what? He couldn’t guess the answer. It was a tree!
I went passed and helped my friends up. I was so relieved that my friends were okay. We walked back into the classroom and told our adventure. What a day I had!
Aliens Have Landed!
Written by Alexa 3NM
“BANG!” I opened my eyes as the shimmering green light came through my window.
Aliens have landed! “OH, NO! This is not good.” I said.
“BANG!” a rainbow bomb exploded from the spaceship. A rainbow alien stepped out. With one eye, two hands, no arms and with two legs with fuzzy feet, it jumped out!
Suddenly the alien turned all the houses into gingerbread houses! All the things inside the houses were turned into candy. “I am here to take all the candy you have”, said the alien. “WE ALL WANT CANDY!” shouted all the aliens.
“Okay” I said. “But you have to turn everything back to normal”.
“Okay” they all said in a squeaky voice.
We gave them candy and then they flew all the way back to their planet.
We had had such an amazing day.
JUNIOR PERFORMING ARTS
It was wonderful to welcome the new Preps and new students to OSPS and teach them Performing Arts. We have had a busy and enjoyable start to the year.
This Term the Grade Preps, Grade Ones, Grade Twos and Grade Threes have been learning about Beat and Rhythm in Music.
The Grade Preps have been learning about beat through keeping the beat on percussion instruments, movement, and dance activities. They have learnt a variety of songs including some Australian indigenous lullabies and Japanese songs.
The Grade Ones and Grade twos have been learning about the music concepts of beat and rhythm. The students have demonstrated their understanding of beat and rhythm through their singing, movement, and playing percussion instruments. We have had fun dancing to Chinese Lunar New Year songs such as ‘Long, Long New Year’, and singing songs for Grandparents Day (Grades One), as well as singing ‘action songs’ and Dinosaur Songs (Grades Two).
The Grade three students have been learning about the music concepts of beat & rhythm and time signatures. They have been playing percussion instruments, doing movement activities, and learning new songs.
Junior Choir has commenced and students from Grades two to three are welcome to attend. It is held in the Junior Music room on Tuesdays from 1:00pm till 1:25pm.
SENIOR PERFORMING ARTS
Grade 4 students have been quickly learning the songs from our production for this year called Gladis Baker Gladiator! They are very enthusiastic, and auditions have been impressive.
Grade 5 have begun learning the basics of ukulele playing, playing chords and notes along to songs they are familiar with. So far we have unearthed some more very talented musicians.
Grade 6 have begun to familiarise themselves with the songs from their production this year of Frozen. We are looking forward to hearing some beautiful singing in the upcoming vocal auditions.
VSSS CHOIR & DANCE – 41 Grade 5 students have been selected to participate in this years’ amazing Victorian State Schools Spectacular. Rehearsals for the mass dance students have begun and choir will be starting shortly when their materials arrive.
OSPS BAND – School band is underway for 2024. It has been great to see some new faces this year, as we continue to discover more and more amazing musicians. We have already learnt our first piece called Somebody That I Used To Know and we look forward to the school Fete for our first big performance of the year. Rehearsals are every Tuesday at recess.
SENIOR CHOIR – What a great show of participants so far to our senior choir rehearsals after school on Thursdays. Any students in Grade 4, 5 or 6 are most welcome to join this brilliant group of singers.
DANCE CLUB- Senior Dance Club began last week and it has been amazing to see students from Grade 4, 5 & 6 enjoying this new lunchtime club. Dance club runs on a Thursday lunchtime from 1.00pm to 1.25pm.
SPORT AT OAKLEIGH SOUTH PRIMARY SCHOOL
SPORT AT OAKLEIGH SOUTH PRIMARY SCHOOL
Last week the school took a swimming squad of 32 to the District Swimming Carnival. There were some great results, with our school coming equal 2nd place overall.
Congratulations to all students, in particular the 11 swimmers who are progressing to Division level tomorrow. We wish them all the best.
SPORT AT OAKLEIGH SOUTH PRIMARY SCHOOL
Year 5 Sport
The Year 5 House Tee Ball competition continued this week with Fraser playing Gould and Cuthbert playing Landy. All students are showing great personal growth with the sports and enjoying competing for their house! Here are some results from week 6.
| Fraser | Gould | ||
| Girls | 18 | 15 | |
| Boys | 10 | 12 | |
| Cuthbert | Landy | ||
| Girls | 9 | 17 | |
| Boys | 12 | 10 |
Year 6 Sport
This week our Year 6 students traveled to Coatesville to participate in their summer fixture. All students showed great sportsmanship and level of participation.
Here are the rounds results.
| Girls | Mixed | ||
| Flag Rugby | OSPS 8 CPS 5 | OSPS 6 CPS 5 | |
| Softball | OSPS 27 CPS 27 | OSPS 13 CPS 11 | |
| Volleyball | OSPS 2/50 CPS 0/43 | OSPS 0/17 CPS 2/50 | Volleystars OSPS 0/19 CPS 2/30 |
| Basketball | OSPS 7 CPS 14 | OSPS 8 CPS 37 | |
| Cricket | OSPS 3/38 CPS 6/26 |
PARENT GROUP
PARENT GROUP MOVIE NIGHT
Last Friday, Parent Group hosted close around 350 people at our annual ‘Cinema Under the Stars’ event.
Prior to the screening, the hall was busy with our wonderful volunteers and attendees as they collected their snacks and glow products ready for the movie to start.
As the sun went down, everyone settled on the oval with their picnic rugs, camp chairs and blankets as Wonka started.
The weather was on our side, which helped make this another successful and enjoyable night. We would like to thank all of our parent volunteers who help make these events possible along with current students Darren N & Jasmine S who helped on the night along with past students Elliot L, Hugo L, Raf A and Jayden N who volunteered their time to help in the canteen prior to the movie starting.
PARENT CORNER
DIGITAL WELLBEING FOR FAMILIES – FREE WEBINAR FACILITATED BY THE RESILIENCE PROJECT
Tuesday 19th March @ 6:30pm
Register for this webinar link.
Upon registering, you will receive the link to join the webinar.
We are excited to announce that the TRP Team will be facilitating a free webinar for our OSPS families.
This 60 minute presentation allows parents/carers to reflect on their family’s digital wellbeing. They will explore practical tips and strategies to create healthy habits around screen time to positively impact relationships and strengthen connections within the home. Throughout this presentation, parents and carers will:
- Gain insight into the latest research around family screen time and its impact on individual and collective wellbeing in the home.
- Be provided with ideas strategies to enhance their own digital wellbeing to role model for their family.
- Feel equipped to support their children’s device usage with practical strategies without screen shaming, banning or removing devices.
CAMP AUSTRALIA
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.
