Beginning of Term 3

It has been an incredibly smooth and positive start to the term for our staff and students. I described third term to our staff as 'the premiership quarter' where all of our students and staff can really make some huge growth and improvement in our knowledge and skills. The way the students are applying themselves to their learning right from day 1 has been so impressive. There are lots of exciting things happening within the school and I encourage you to read through the info below to keep yourself fully informed.

Victorian State School Spectacular Rehearsal

On Wednesday, July 19th, 22 talented students from Orchard Park attended their first whole-day rehearsal at the prestigious Melbourne Town Hall. It was an exciting and unforgettable experience for our young performers, and we couldn't be prouder of their dedication and enthusiasm throughout the day.

The State School Spectacular is a remarkable program that promotes achievement in the arts, ensuring the happiness, health, and resilience of our children, and fostering pride in our schools. Our participation in this event reflects our commitment to providing our students with opportunities to excel in the arts and showcase their talents on a grand stage.

The day started with an early rise for our young stars before catching the train into Melbourne. Excitement filled the air as they made their way to the iconic Melbourne Town Hall, where the magic of the arts awaited them.

Our students poured their hearts into singing and dancing and demonstrated our values of Respect and Responsibility exceptionally throughout the day. Their dedication, hard work, and positive attitude have been truly commendable, and we are excited to witness their growth as they continue their preparation for the Victorian State School Spectacular.

We look forward to sharing more updates as we continue to progress towards the Victorian State School Spectacular in September.

House Athletics Day

We are thrilled to share the highlights of our very first Orchard Park Primary School House Athletics Day, which took place on Monday, July 17th. It was a day filled with energy, excitement, and friendly competition as our students came together to showcase their athletic skills and team spirit.

Throughout the day, students proudly displayed a splash of their house colours. The camaraderie and enthusiasm shown by each house were remarkable and reflected the strong sense of belonging and pride within our school community.

Students participated in various athletic events that allowed them to showcase their talents and determination. From sprint races to long jumps, shot put to hurdles, every student gave their best effort, supported by cheering teammates and encouraging staff members.

While the competitive spirit was high, it was fantastic to witness the sportsmanship displayed by our students. The sense of unity and encouragement among our students was inspiring and truly embodied our school values. A huge thank you to Mr Scanlon for all his planning and hard work in the lead-up to the big day.

Congratulations to all our students who participated in the House Athletics Day and a special shout out to those selected to represent our school at the upcoming Officer District Athletics Day.

Student Free Day Friday 4th August

On our upcoming Student-Free Day on Friday, 4th August our staff will be participating in professional learning focused on fostering Student Agency in our school. At Orchard Park Primary School, Student-Free Days play a crucial role in our commitment to providing high-quality education. These days allow our teachers the time and opportunity to engage in professional development, collaborate with colleagues, and reflect on their teaching methods. By investing in the professional growth of our staff, we ensure that our students receive the best possible education and support to thrive academically and personally.

By promoting student agency, we are laying the foundation for a lifelong love of learning and supporting them to develop critical life skills, such as problem-solving, decision-making, and effective communication. When students have a say in their learning, they become more engaged and motivated. They are more likely to take ownership of their education, leading to increased perseverance and a positive attitude towards learning challenges.

We thank you for your ongoing support and look forward to a productive day of learning.

Kinder Opening

It is so fantastic to finally see Kurmboon Kindergarten up and running out of their permanent location next door to the school. The kinder students have been very inquisitive looking into the school whilst they play in the play areas. We look forward to building strong and positive relationships with the staff, children and families at Kurmboon Kindergarten in the near future.

Enrolments for 2024

Just another reminder for any families who have children planning to join OPPS in 2024 to please fill out the enrolment request link through our Facebook page or on the website. Having clear enrolment numbers allows us to plan effectively for staffing, budgets and programs.

Instrumental Music Program commenced

We are super pumped to have our instrumental music tuition up and running for our students. For any families that are interested in their child receiving lessons during the school day at the school, please refer to the information from ABC Music Group in the newsletter.

Preps - 100th Day of School

On Tuesday the 1st of August our Preps will be celebrating their 100th Day of School!

To celebrate the day, all Prep students are invited to dress up as though they are 100 years old.

Whilst this is a dress-up event, it is not expected that items are purchased for this day, and we encourage students to get creative with items they have at home.

We look forward to seeing our 100 year old Preps on Tuesday the 1st of August!

Student illness

During this time of the year, we often encounter a higher volume of student and staff illness. I know in our family home, we seem to have someone always feeling unwell at the moment. It is like we are each taking turns to be unwell!! Whilst it is always challenging managing work commitments and caring for unwell children, it is important for the overall health of our school community that we do not have sick children at school. Below is some general information around some of the common illnesses we are seeing and the actions we all need to commit to. I thank you for your support and understanding around this.

What is Gastro? Gastroenteritis ('gastro') is a common and often highly infectious condition that affects the stomach and intestines. It can cause vomiting and diarrhoea. Gastro symptoms usually last for 1 to 3 days, but occasionally they may persist for as long as 10 days. Gastro may cause some or all of the following symptoms:

diarrhoea
stomach cramps
vomiting
nausea
fever
headache
no appetite

All students who experience any of the above symptoms must be kept home or collected from school. It is important that all students remain home for 48 hours after the last episode of vomiting or diarrhoea, to help minimise spreading gastro.