Principal's Message

School Philosophy

Orchard Grove Primary School is committed to providing a safe, nurturing environment that engages curiosity, promotes learning, personal growth and wellbeing for all students. We strive to develop adaptability and resilience so students can become valued members of the local and global communities and be prepared for future life experiences.

From the Principal

Well, here we are in Lockdown 5.0 and, although it is very hard on everyone in our community, we have slipped back into remote learning quite well. I love joining the Google Meets in the morning and seeing the lovely smiling faces greeting me. It's never the same as face-to-face, but we are certainly grateful for the technology that helps to keep us connected. Being an optimist, I am really looking forward to when we can invite you all back on-site to join in our programs and support the children's learning.

Our social worker, Kim Bedford, shared this site with the staff recently, and I thought you also may find it helpful. 

Click on this QR code, or the link below, to open to the article.

As we are able to continue with maintenance on-site under the present restrictions, we are continuing to keep our buildings and grounds well looked after and taking advantage of limited students and staff on-site to do needed repairs. The Level Four build documents are still with the VSBA (Victorian School Building Authority), and we have been told that it is just waiting for the final sign off, which should happen next week. If all goes ahead smoothly, it will be late-Term Four that the space will be finished. It will be nice if the current Year Four students get to experience the new area, if only for a few weeks.

It has been wonderful to welcome our Performing Arts teacher, Gina Mets, back to school. She is working with us for two days a week and partnering with our new teacher, Ms Kate Hill. The girls are working very hard planning the performances the children will be involved in later in the year. We are excited about their plans, and there will be more information to come in the next few weeks. With COVID restrictions around gatherings of people at events most likely still in place, we have a contingency plan to make sure parents will be able to enjoy the performances even if they can't be there in person. Of course, we will take lots of photos of the children, which you will be able to purchase, too, as a lovely memory.

At the end of last term, our Year Six Inquiry captains and Ms Thompson sent out a questionnaire to the parents to get feedback regarding adding a new summer school dress, in our school colours of navy and jade, to our uniform options. The vast majority of the feedback was positive, which agreed with how the students and staff felt. We have now placed an order for the new dress and we are hoping (COVID shipping implications allowing) that the dress will be available for sale by the end of January next year, just in time for the new school year. The blue-and-white check dress will be able to be worn for two more years and be gradually phased out. The new dress will then become the only summer dress on our uniform list in 2023. This was very exciting for our Inquiry captains who, together with the senior girls, worked on this proposal. Good job, girls. 

As you are aware, we have Principal Awards each week for children who are displaying character strengths that are in line with the school values. This is a lovely opportunity to celebrate and encourage good behaviour, work habits, manners and kindness towards others. Last week, I spoke to the children about Principal Awards for staff, and that this would be awarded by the students when they catch their teacher displaying these same attributes. The children can write their script for their teacher's award and give it or send it to me or the School Captains, Olive and Jorge. Alternatively, feel free to help your child write an award script and send it to the office. We will be presenting these each week at assembly. 

Our little Foundation students are coming up to having attended 100 days of school. I know the Foundation team have some fun ideas to celebrate, so let's hope we will be celebrating physically at school by then.

Well, that's all from me. Take care and reach out to the school if you need any assistance.

Glenda Harry

Principal