Ormond Primary School

Principal Report & School News

From the Principal...

Student Reports/Interviews

Reports were able to be accessed last term in preparation for the interviews held this week. I think the most important part of this semester’s report relates to the positive ongoing effort and behaviour of students across the school.  A massive thank you goes out to Gregg Workman and Brodie Thomson for setting up the reporting system and spending many hours working through technical issues. Thank you also goes out to our teachers who conducted interviews this week to ensure the school effectively communicated information regarding student outcomes with families. It was a great opportunity for parents to catch up with teachers and discuss their child’s progress.

 

Vaccinations for students

Vaccination remains the best way to protect students and staff in school settings.  Your ongoing support in encouraging children aged 5 to 11 to get vaccinated, and staff and students aged 16 and 17 to get their third dose, remains critical.

A communications pack is available to help schools share information about the importance of COVID-19 and flu vaccinations. Refer to Primary care vaccinations in schools grants.

The webpage includes a template letter from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), Victoria Faculty Council Chair, encouraging parents and carers to vaccinate children ahead of winter. Translated versions of the RACGP letter are also available.

 

School Uniform Reminder

We appreciate that there are times when students are out of uniform for legitimate reasons and these will be accepted via a note from home. However, a prompt response to this reason should see students return to full school uniform as soon as possible. As we start Term 3, there is ample opportunity for students and parents to refocus on the school’s uniform guidelines and as such, it expected that all students are in full school uniform. P&F hold regular second hand sales, please keep an eye out for the next stall coming soon. If you urgently need uniform items in between these sales please either reach out on the Ormond P&F Facebook page or contact the office. New uniform items can be purchased from PSW on North Rd. 

 

Cut down on Litter 

We actively encourage our students to avoid bringing packets and plastic wrappers to school. It cuts down on litter and clearly it is much better for the environment. A named container is a perfect solution but I will reiterate that it is the responsibility of students to look after all their belongings and check lost property if items go missing. 

 

Enrolments for 2023

2023 Foundation enrolments are open. Enrolment forms can be collected at the Office or found on our website.  If you have a child turning 5 by April 30, 2023, please complete an enrolment form and bring in a copy of your child’s birth certificate and immunisation record and proof of residence in the school zone and we will process the enrolment.  It helps us enormously with planning, if we have a clear indication of enrolments as early as possible.

 

Upcoming Events

The school has many significant events coming up in Term 3 and I encourage all families to check COMPASS for notifications and calendar dates. One date to keep free is our STEAM showcase on Tuesday 9th August. Families will be invited into the school to experience a wide array of educational tasks highlighting the importance of STEAM based learning and the changing curriculum which addresses everything from Science, Technology, Creative Thinking and Engineering. 

 

The school is also scheduling assembly items with each class so that parents and carers can attend and discover more about what is being taught at each year level. On Monday 18th July, Year 1 students will be performing their piece so we welcome any Year 1 parent/carer to attend the assembly from 3pm. Parents are strongly encouraged to wear masks when on school grounds.

 

Facilities and Grounds 

A huge thank you to everyone who attended the working bee late last term. I thanked the students at the last assembly but I wanted to extend my appreciation to all parents and carers who gave up their time. The yard looked fabulous for the start of the term and we have also repaired some of the damaged lineage out on the Astro turf. We were very aware of the safety issues around this! The P&F continue to fundraise for the restoration of the entire area and we look forward to completing this project and new shade sails in the near future.

 

Staffing - Farwell to special teacher, Lorraine Bell

Today we say a very sad farewell to Lorraine Bell who is retiring from OPS. Lorraine has been an integral part of the OPS community for such a long time and the experience, passion, kindness and care she brings to not only all of her students but also her colleagues will be sorely missed. It is hard to image OPS without her. We wish her all the happiness as she embarks on this exciting new chapter ahead. I want to thank Lorraine for her dedication to the school and her leadership, particularly with Maths. She will be truly missed! 

We welcome Teresa Fountain, who is stepping in to 3A. Teresa has spent an this entire week at our school observing the Year 3 programs and connecting with our leadership team and staff. I know our community will welcome Teresa with open arms. 

 

 

Kerri McLeod

Principal

2023 Enrolments & School Tours

Do you have a child at kinder due to start school in 2023? Its time to enrol for Foundation now!! Please spread the word at your kindergartens.

 We provide regular tours to showcase our wonderful school – 2022 school tour dates are:

  • Thursday 21st July – 1130am
  • Friday 29th July – 930am
  • Monday 8th August – 230pm
  • Tuesday 16th August – 1130am
  • Thursday 25th august – 930am
  • Friday 2nd September – 230pm
  • Tuesday 6th September – 1130am
  • Wednesday 14th September – 930am

To book a school tour, please contact the office on 03 9578 1327. Please notify the school if you need to cancel or reschedule your tour booking. Tours are subject to change depending on Government Health Advice at any time. Enrolment packs available on tour days. Alternatively they can be collected at anytime from the front office. 

 

Foundation Transition Sessions are in the process of being finalised. Please ensure you have returned your enrolment forms by Friday 15th July to secure to child's attendance in the sessions. 

Out of School Hours Care

After School Care Cancellations

Please remember to cancel your After School Care, bookings.

  • Cancel your booking if your child is absent from school. If you cancel before 9am on the day, you will not be charged.
  • If your child has been sent home sick & you cancel before 3pm on the day. You will not be charged.
  • Families who fail to cancel or contact the program late on the day, care is required. Will be charged at the full After School Care fee rate. 
  • Please Note: Child Care Subsidy Allowable Absence does apply to cancellations for eligible families.
  • Text Cancellation at any time (0439 111026) During session hours please call 03 9578 5826

An Appreciation Note 

I would like to thank the Tilstra family who kindly donated Hamma beads and templates during the holiday program.

 

April Kopitz

Out of School Hours Coordinator

 

Pyjama Day - Friday 22nd July

Kids in care often bounce from home to home and to different schools which adversely affects their ability to learn and thrive. Without support, poor educational outcomes can lead to disengagement in school, mental health issues, unemployment in the future and poor life choices. 

 

By donating to our fundraiser, you will help to change the life trajectory of a child.

 

Together, we can help to break the cycle of disadvantage experienced by kids in care through continuous stable support and nurturing relationships. Money raised through this fundraiser will allow community mentors called “Pyjama Angels” to be recruited, screened, trained, and then matched with a child in care. Together they read books, play educational games, do home-work and so much more. Most importantly, they empower children with learning, life skills and confidence to reach their full potential. So this Pyjama Day, we will be wearing our PJ’s or Onesies and raising funds to support kids in care. 

 

Please help us reach our fundraising goal of $500 so more kids in care can receive the support they desperately need. Click the link below to make your donation.

When: Friday, July 22nd

What: Come dressed comfy in your pj’s or a onesie. (no slippers please)

Where to donate: https://fundraise.thepyjamafoundation.com/fundraisers/ormondprimaryschool

 

Please help OPS meet our target to help those kids in care! 

Library News

Just another friendly reminder to please return all outstanding Library books borrowed in Term 2. There are still quite a few outstanding. 

Year 5 News

This term, Year 5 students are learning about how living organisms adapt to their environment in Biology. Students will be finding out about the structural, behavioural and physiological adaptations of animals and learning about 'natural selection'. Towards the end of our science unit students will be showcasing their understanding by researching one Australian native animal. 

This week we looked at some animals and how they have adapted for survival. We hope you enjoy finding out more about sharks and it doesn't scare you away from swimming!

 

We have also been looking at symmetry, we have been experimenting with different ways to create mirror symmetry. One way has been through Origami. We learnt four different folds;

  • The Kite
  • The Skinny Kite
  • Triangle Fold
  • Triangle Fold 2

Using these folds, we then created a mirror symmetrical tile design!

Line symmetry is sometimes called Mirror Symmetry. This is because one way to think of line symmetry is as a mirror image. In other words, one side of the line of symmetry is an exact mirror image, or reflection, of the other side. So, if you were to fold the image in half, one half would line up exactly with the other half. It is easy to see, because one half is the reflection of the other half.

Year 6 News

The Year 6 students have eagerly returned to term 3 and are ready to commence learning. We have many exciting units in the works including Marvellous Microorganisms in Biological sciences and Debating. Students have completed a ‘Celebrities on a plane” mini debate to justify their right to a final parachute - lots of fun and laughs. Students love experimenting with rebuttals and forming arguments with supporting evidence. This kicks off our 6 week unit on debating where a select few will form teams to compete with neighbouring schools at Brighton Secondary colleague mid-August. 

 

We have also started investigating Microorganisms and the significance of yeast in the bread baking process. Students were able to form teams assign roles and use there 5 sense to explore a range of different varieties of bread. Why are microorganisms important to food production? How do microorganisms affect food? And what role do microorganisms play in medicine? Are all key questions driving our scientific exploration over the next term. 

 

PE/Sports News

Year 6 Interschool Sport

All our winter sports teams are having a very consistent season so far. Well done to all players. Our season will continue into Term 3 to catch up with games missed.

Term 3

Week 1- Friday 15th July  – Valkstone P.S. - AWAY

Week 2 – 22ND July- Moorabbin P.S. – AWAY

Week 3 – 29th July – No Games

Week 4 – 5th August – Finals.

 

Year 6 Bike Education 

Sessions will be held on the following Friday's at 9:00am to 10:30am

  • Friday 12th August
  • Friday 26th August
  • Friday 2nd September
  • Friday 9th September (Braeside Park Ride)

We will require parent assistance for all of our Bike Education sessions. Volunteers must provide a current Working with Children Card and complete the Child Safe Code of Conduct with the Front Office. Parents are welcome to offer their assistance with any or all of these sessions as well as the Braeside Ride either as a rider or a BBQ assistant! Please email Mr. Pannam as soon as possible if you are able to assist. Further information can be found on the compass event.

 

If you have yet to have your child’s bike checked out by a professional, we recommend Ormond Giant on North Road. Bikes need to be in a roadworthy condition for the program. A bike safety check list was be sent home with your child last term. 

 

Year 5 Bike Education 

Sessions will be held on the following Friday's from 11:10 am to 12:30pm

  • Friday 12th August  
  • Friday 26th August
  • Friday 2nd September.

Further information can be found on the compass event. 

If you are able to assist with any of these days, please email Mr. Pannam as soon as possible. Volunteers must provide a current Working with Children Card and complete the Child Safe Code of Conduct with the Front Office.

 

If you have yet to have your child’s bike checked out by a professional, we recommend Ormond Giant on North Road. Bikes need to be in a roadworthy condition for the program. A bike safety check list was be sent home with your child last term. 

 

House Athletics – Year 3-6

House Athletics will be run at Moorabbin Athletics Track (Bricker Reserve) Rowans Road, on Thursday 4th August. Events will commence at 9.45 and through until 2.00. 

Payment & Consent is now open on Compass with further event information. 

 

Parent assistance on the day will be greatly appreciated. Volunteers must provide a current Working with Children Card and complete the Child Safe Code of Conduct with the Front Office. Please contact your child's classroom teacher or Mr Pannam if you are able to assist on the day. 

 

District Athletics Carnival will be held on Monday 5th September at Duncan McKinnon Athletics Track.  All winners from our Ormond House Athletics Carnival will be eligible for the District Carnival.

 

Hooptime Basketball - August – Friday 19th

Ormond P.S. have entered 2 teams into the annual Hooptime Basketball Competition. Teams have been announced and are awaiting consent and payment on Compass. 

If your child is participating in the competition and you are able to assist please email Mr. Pannam as soon as possible please. Volunteers must provide a current Working with Children Card and complete the Child Safe Code of Conduct with the Front Office.

 

Regional Cross Country Carnival

Congratulations to Emma H in Year 4 on her magnificent run at the Regional Cross Country Carnival. We look forward to more spectacular results next year Emma!