This Week At OOPS

NAIDOC Week Celebrations at Old Orchard

During the final week of last term, Old Orchard came together to celebrate NAIDOC Week through a range of meaningful activities that recognised and celebrated the histories, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Celebrations including a gallery walk in the gym, where every year level proudly displayed and shared their NAIDOC learning and activities. From Prep through to Year 6, students explored each other's work and gained an appreciation for the diverse perspectives and learning taking place across the school. Classes also shared their yarning mats and explained the meaning behind each of the creations.

Throughout the day, students also enjoyed participating in a range of traditional Indigenous games, learning about the importance of play, teamwork and connection within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Our students also spent time with their buddy classes, sharing stories and participating in shared reading experiences featuring books by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors and illustrators. These sessions encouraged discussion, curiosity and a deeper understanding of First Nations perspectives and storytelling traditions. Adding to the celebrations, Rhiannon created a wonderful NAIDOC-inspired playlist that was played during break times throughout the week, helping to immerse our school community in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music and culture.

To top off a wonderful final week and celebrate the positive choices students had made throughout the semester, students also enjoyed our well-earned Pear Reward Pyjama Day, providing a fun and relaxing way to finish a busy and successful term.

A huge thank you to our staff and students for embracing the week with such enthusiasm, curiosity and respect, helping to make our NAIDOC Week celebrations a memorable experience for our entire school community.

The Victorian State School Spectacular

Tickets go on sale Thursday 16th July at 11am 

We’re proud to have our students representing us in the 2026 Victorian State Schools Spectacular – This Is Me.

Students from across the state will take to the stage at John Cain Arena on Saturday 29 August (1pm and 6:30pm), performing to an audience of around 12,000.

Talented students will feature on stage, while many other students will work behind the scenes, gaining professional experience under the mentorship of Creative Director Neill Gladwin, Musical Director Chong Lim AM and Dance Director Yvette Lee.

Get ready to be amazed by the powerful pop anthems, moving ballads, high-energy choreography, awe-inspiring aerialists and circus performers. 

For a wonderful, family entertainment experience, and to cheer on our students from the audience, be quick to secure tickets when they go on sale at 11am Thursday 16 July via www.ticketek.com.au/spectacular

Ticket prices:

• Adult:                           $40
• Child (under 15):      $20
• Concession:              $30

Group Offer:

Buy 10 tickets and get one adult ticket for free.

Group Bookings can be made by calling 1300 364 001.

We have two community events coming up that we are very excited about!  Feel free to share the below flyers with friends and family.

Family Magic Show - Thursday 23rd July at 6.30pm.

Comedy Night - Saturday 15th August

2026 Victorian Premiers' Reading Challenge

The Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge is now open and we’re excited to be taking part! Nightly reading is already an important part of our homework program at OOPS, and we encourage students to include the Challenge as part of their regular reading at home.

Student login: https://vprcidentity.eduweb.vic.gov.au/account/login

Student login details will be placed in homework books for easy reference.

All children from birth to Year 10 are welcome to participate. This year’s Challenge theme is ‘Stories to discover. Stories to tell.’ Stories can inspire and challenge us, help us grow, and open our eyes to new worlds and new ways of thinking.

Challenge reading requirements:• Prep–Year 2: 30 books (20+ from the Challenge list)• Year 3–6: 15 books (10+ from the Challenge list)

All children who complete the Challenge will receive a certificate of achievement signed by the Victorian Premier and former premiers.

To learn more about the Challenge, visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/premiers-reading-challenge

Please contact the office if you have any questions.

Happy reading!

The English Working Party

Supporting Children's Mental Health and Wellbeing at Home

At Old Orchard Primary School, we recognise that supporting children's mental health and wellbeing is a shared responsibility between school and home. As part of this commitment, we would like to share a range of free support services and resources available to families through SAFEMinds. SAFEMinds is an evidence-based initiative developed by headspace to help schools and families recognise, respond to and support children.

The Parent Support Resources guide provides access to services such as Partners in Parenting, headspace, ReachOut, Beyond Blue, eSafety, and Medicare Mental Health, offering information, advice, and support for parents, carers, and young people. These services offer practical strategies, online resources, peer support and pathways to professional help when needed.

We encourage families to explore these resources and keep them handy should support ever be needed.

To access the Parent Support Resources guide, visit:https://safeminds.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Parent-Support-Resources_SAFEMinds.pdf There are also copies of this guide up at the office outside sick bay.

If you have any concerns about your child's mental health or wellbeing, please contact your child's classroom teacher or Adam Todd via email adam.todd@education.vic.gov.au 

Why Writing Matters

Writing is a vital skill that supports learning across all areas of the curriculum. It helps children organise their thoughts, solve problems, and develop critical thinking skills. Writing, reading, speaking and listening are closely connected. Regular writing practice improves spelling, vocabulary, sentence structure, and reading comprehension, helping children become more confident communicators. This valuable skill also provides an important outlet for creativity and self-expression, allowing children to share ideas, tell stories, and build self-confidence.

Simple Ways to Encourage Writing at Home

The best writing opportunities are often part of everyday life. Here are some simple ways families can involve their children in the process:

Prep – Year 2

• Draw a picture and write a sentence about it.
• Label items around the house.
• Write shopping lists together.
• Leave notes for family members.
• Keep a holiday or weekend diary.
• Write captions for photographs.
• Practise writing favourite words, names, and simple stories.

Years 3 – 4

• Keep a journal or diary.
• Write letters, postcards, or emails to family and friends.
• Create comic strips with speech bubbles.
• Write instructions for a game or recipe.
• Record interesting facts about hobbies, pets, or sports.
• Write alternative endings to favourite books.

Years 5 – 6

• Write reviews of books, movies, or games.
• Create stories, comics, or graphic novels.
• Keep a travel or activity journal.
• Write persuasive pieces about topics they care about.
• Research an interest and create an information report.
• Set writing challenges such as "100 words in 10 minutes."

Most Importantly…

Talk first! Children often find writing easier when they have discussed their ideas beforehand. Ask open-ended questions such as:

• What happened first?
• Why do you think that happened?
• What was your favourite part?
• How did that make you feel?

Remember, every writing experience counts. Notes, lists, messages, stories, and journals all help children develop confidence and skills as writers. Praise effort, celebrate creativity and focus on sharing ideas.