From the Principal
Welcome!
Welcome to the first newsletter for 2024. It’s been a wonderful start to the year at OPS, and I would particularly like to thank the students, staff and community for their warm and generous welcome as Acting Principal into this wonderful community!
This year we have welcomed 88 new Foundation students and 12 additional new students from Level 1 – 6, resulting in a total enrolment of approximately 480 students. Its been a joy for me observing the excitement every morning in yard as the new Foundation students arrive and get used to the routines of school, making friends and connections.
I would also like to extend a warm welcome to 2 of our new staff, Tracy Lau in Foundation D and Sophie Im in 4B. Welcome also to Emily Walker, a returning staff member who will be working with Support and Enrichment this year.
A little bit about me…
I have worked for the Department of Education for almost 25 years, during this time I worked as a classroom teacher at Mount View PS and more recently as Assistant Principal at Jells Park PS for the previous 5 years. I am a busy mum of two teenagers and my husband and I enjoy walking our labradors, particularly along the beach. I love my role in school leadership and strongly believe in public education and I endeavour to support OPS with their 2024 goals while ensuring continuity and consistency for staff and students during the change of school leadership.
School Council
Last week I emailed all parents and carers about the School Council Notice of Election and Call for Nominations. We have three parent member vacancies and I encourage you to consider serving on School Council. Meetings are held approximately 8 times per year in the evening. The time commitment isn’t huge and it is an opportunity for you to observe the running of the school and how governance works in public education. Nominations must be made using a nomination form which can be sourced from the school office. All nominations must be submitted by 4pm on Monday 19th February.
Gardening Gnomes – Can you help?
Please see below a message from Gill –
Gardening gnomes wanted! Meet other parents, socialise and help make our school beautiful. Join our Gardening Group Thursday mornings, 9am to 10am. Come for as short or long a time as you can manage. Meet at the vegetable garden, just past Foo Foo the giraffe. Email gillread53@gmail.com if you have any queries.
Family contact information on Compass
Can all parents and carers please check their contact details such as address and phone number on Compass and contact Susan in the office if anything is incorrect. This is especially important at the beginning of every year and we appreciate your attention to this. Susan’s email - susan.close@education.vic.gov.au
Similarly, if you have changed occupation or have a new employer in the last 12 months, we would like to know, as like all government shcools, a component of our govement funding is based on parent occupation. This information is strictly confidential and is only collected to provide an accurate statistical number to the government so we can receive appropriate funding. Again you can email Susan stating your child's name, your name and occupation & employer.
Annual privacy reminder for our school community
Our school collects and uses student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ Privacy Policy and the Schools’ Privacy Collection Notice.
Our Photographing, Filming and Recording Students Policy, describes how we collect and use photographs, video and recordings of students. The policy also explains when parent consent is required and how it can be provided and withdrawn. We ask parents to also review the guidance we provide on how we use Google Workspace for Education safely at the school and what parents can do to further protect their child’s information. If after reviewing the guidance, you have any questions or concerns regarding your child using Google Workspace for Education, please contact the school. For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ Privacy Policy — information for parents. This information is also available in additional languages.
Kellie Stewart
Acting Principal
kellie.stewart@education.vic.gov.au