From the Principal

Dear Families,

Final Assembly: Friday 16th December from 9.30am in the park at the Pavilion. This will be a celebration of 2022 and our annual SWAG (Students With Amazing Grades and Students With Amazing Growth) and SEL awards will be presented. We will have a few special performances to open and close the Assembly. Bring your chair or blanket and enjoy the final assembly as a community. If the weather forecast looks unkind, we will move the assembly to the gym at school.

WINC: Our online ordering system has been up and running and we have had 244 orders placed for 2023 supplies. Thanks to those who have purchased and are ready to go. Just a reminder to other families that the system is live and waiting to help you place your orders.

Junior School Sports: What a day! The weather was great, the facilities looked amazing (thanks to Mick Malecki and Mick Armstrong) and the athletes converged for some fun in the sun. Thanks to all the families who attended to support the junior competitors and the students felt like superstars. Thanks to the Year 5 students for helping and to the staff coordinating the event, well done!

Inclusive Playground (near bike shed): This weekend there will be some work to progress the Inclusive Playground space. Please be aware that there may be some asbestos in soils works that are part of this, so we encourage the community to visit other areas around Ocean Grove this weekend.

Staffing 2023: Next week I hope to finalise our staffing and let them know what Year levels and teams they are in for 2023. Since becoming a principal and having to make these plans, I don’t think I have had a year where the plan has gone as expected. I already know we will have some teacher’s families expanding in 2023 (Congratulations to Jessie Clarke and Hollie Stewart) and we plan to accommodate them until they have to finish up in Term 1. We also have a number of part time staff, returning teachers in various time fractions, and of course the full time teachers. As DET supports flexible working arrangements like many other sectors of employment, I hope our community continues to embrace the flexibility for teachers in this space too. 

Class creations for 2023: During term 4, staff begin to draft classes for the following year. Sometimes they break into the potential groups to look at the dynamics – social and academic. We try to create 3-4 classes that any teacher would be proud to teach. We try to balance the academic, social and emotional and any other important factors. Staff also meet after school to discuss (hand over) the students they have taught in the current year to inform next years teachers. This is a process we want to get as right as possible, so everyone has a fantastic 2023.

Election BBQ: Thanks again to our wonderful P&F who organised the BBQ and drinks on the weekend during voting time. We raised just on $1000. Thanks to Georgia and her team who continually put the school first and want to add value to what we do. 

Spelling Bee: It never ceases to amaze me at how well OGPS students perform in the academic areas and last Thursday Mrs McKeon had the biggest smile on her face as she conducted the Spelling Bee. I am so pleased that students take on this opportunity and challenge and while some reach the pinnacle, the others celebrate with them, congratulate them and I know will bounce back for next year. Congrats to all our winners.

Year 6: We have so much happening in Year 6 at the moment with the surfing sessions on (at Bancoora due to weather conditions) and also the Make Your Mark projects. Each year, the class try to create or do something that makes our school even better. There will also be graduation and Adventure Park to come! Let’s make sure our Year 6 students have a fantastic end to their Primary School and progress to be great members of the wider OGPS community.

Shark Tank: This week there has been a buzz in the Year 5 area with guest panellists judging student ideas in the Shark Tank! Students presented to Sharks – AKA Parents who listened to the students ‘pitches’ about their business ideas and received feedback – a bit like in the real world! Thanks to the parents who judged, critiqued and supported the students and to the students – congratulations on your ideas and also the way you have presented your ideas as a team. Great collaboration.

Scott McCumber - Principal