From the Principal

As we pass the midway point of the term, the weather is slowly becoming warmer meaning spring is just around the corner! As always there are lots of happenings around the school!

2027 Foundation Offers

Families would have received their offer for a prep place in 2027. I would ask all families to check their emails and to let us know that you are accepting the offer as soon as possible. Soon, we will start our transition sessions so students become familiar with the school.

If you know any neighbours, family or friends who have not yet enrolled at a school for 2027, please encourage them to contact us.

Parent and Carer Opinion Survey

You are invited to participate in the annual Parent/Carer Opinion Survey. Your opinions are important to us and your feedback will assist our school in gaining an understanding of families’ perceptions of the school climate, student behaviour, and student engagement.

The survey will be conducted online and only takes 20 minutes to complete.

The Parent / Carer Opinion Survey will be open online from Monday, 17 August to Friday, 18 September 2026.

To complete the survey, simply:

1. Click on the link below or copy and paste the text into your browser. This link will take you directly to the survey: https://research.orima.com/parent

2. Select the School and Campus name below.

School Name: Oakleigh Primary School

Campus Name: Oakleigh Primary School

3. Enter the School PIN: 883368

4. When complete, please click on the ‘Submit’ button at the end of the survey to submit your answers. Please note that the survey will time out after 60 minutes of inactivity.

Tom Ashmor Foundation

It was lovely to have Kate Ashmore visit our assembly a few weeks ago. The Tom Ashmor Foundation have proudly supported our school with the building and infrastructure in our STEM area.

Tom Ashmor, Kate’s late husband, was handed a computer by his uncle in primary school and self-taught himself to code. Without any qualifications, he rose to become a highly regarded and leading figure in the Australian IT, digital and start-up sectors. The Foundation is built in his memory, carrying forward the values he lived by - curiosity, generosity and a belief in the power of education to change lives for the better.

Kate visited our STEM Room, meeting with a range of students about the projects they were working on.

At assembly she shared Tom’s story and mission and presented us with a plaque to be displayed in the STEM Room. We thank the foundation for its support of our school and STEM.

Reporting Absences

Just a reminder to all families to please report your absences directly on COMPASS. Please do not email teachers to add your absences to COMPASS. If you are having any difficulties with COMPASS please call the school office.

Early Educators Day

Do you have a child that attends the kinder?

2 September is Early Educators Appreciation Day. This day celebrates the wonderful work early childhood staff do to educate our children.

I want to acknowledge the excellent staff we have at our kindergarten and the fantastic job that they do in educating our youngest students. Led by Robyn and Belinda, they truly care about the students and are constantly looking for ways to improve the service, link in with the school and connect with families.

I ask families who attend the service to recognise our staff in any way you can - a small handwritten card or note, some flowers from your garden or a simple thank you.

Roof

The roof project is finally completed after nine months and the good news is that the major leaks have stopped! Aesthetically the roof looks amazing particularly when driving towards the school from the Warrigal Road pedestrian overpass where you can see it in full view. The new windows bring natural light into classroom spaces and drainage has been fixed.

Hats On

Just a reminder all students must wear their hats at lunch time, recess and all outdoor activities such as physical education. If students don’t have their hat they will need to play in the shaded areas. If you have lost your hat, you can purchase a new one at Spartan School World: https://www.spartanschoolworld.com.au/collections/oakleigh-primary-school

There are a range of options that you can purchase. Please note all students must wear an Oakleigh Primary School hat.

VPA Conference

On Wednesday to Friday 26-28 August, I am attending the Victorian Principal’s Association (VPA) Annual Conference in Geelong. The theme is ‘Leading with Connection & Purpose'. Keynote speakers are Anthony Laye, Justin Coulson and Luke Darcy.

The Importance of Reading

I say the greatest gift that we can give a child is being able to read - for enjoyment and to understand important information. For children to be able to succeed in reading it is a partnership with the school. That is, the school providing a research-based reading instruction and families ensuring children read daily at home.

Often parents will ask how they can help with reading at home. Here are some ideas:

The link below is from the Victorian Academy and Teaching and Leadership. It provides an excellent overview of phonics and provides some great strategies to use at home, along with some additional links if you are looking for a little more.
https://www.academy.vic.gov.au/resources/understanding-phonics
The next link is to the ‘Big 6’. One of the fundamentals of reading are the skills in the “Big 6” of oral language, phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension. You can click on one of the big 6 tabs, it takes you to a page that provides a range of strategies. For example, under vocabulary, one strategy is to get your children to become ‘word detectives’ when out and about. Notice new and interesting words on street signs, at the zoo or museum, on menus or on pamphlets and have a conversation with your child or introduce them to a dictionary.
https://www.literacyhub.edu.au/for-families/the-big-six-of-literacy-a-guide-for-families/
Take your child to the Oakleigh Library and explore all the different sections of the library. They often run events for families to attend e.g fortnightly lego club, story time and a range of school holiday activities.
Provide your child with positive reinforcement of the benefits of reading. Create opportunities for your children to read, such as a bedtime story or some quiet time without a screen.

So long as your child can have the chance to read or be read to, the upside is better life outcomes.

Principals’ Day

It was wonderful to celebrate Principals’ Day this month. The principal not only manages the overall academic programming of the school but manages the pivotal role of supporting student health and wellbeing, fostering social connection, managing trauma, grief, significant events and external influences. The job is incredibly rewarding but includes managing complex challenges, as the role has changed and continues to evolve.

I am deeply appreciative that I get to work with our school community, to see our students, staff and families have trust in our school and to support what we are looking to achieve. Bron, Michelle and I were thrilled to receive the well wishes of our students and the kind words offered by our students, Erin and Cathy during the assembly. Please accept out thanks for your kindness and support.

NAPLAN - Victorian Snapshot of Results

Please find the table below which shows the outstanding results for Victoria in this year’s NAPLAN:

Have a great month!

Ruth Biddle

Principal