Across Oliver's Desk  

Dear Parents & Carers,

AEU INDUSTRIAL ACTION

I have already been asked about the planned strike from a few parents. Hopefully things will change and there isn’t a strike, however there is an education union teacher strike organised for Tuesday 24th March. On strike days the school will stay open but will be running at a different capacity. The union is striking over the pay and conditions for all school staff. Victorian teachers are currently the lowest paid teachers in Australia. I will keep you informed with more details as they come across my desk. 

CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY

A big thank you to Carol Keller and her group of scouts as the headed to our school last Sunday for Clean Up Australia day. They did such a great job, it was wonderful to arrive at school void of litter on Monday morning. Unfortunately, we do have an issue with children that drop litter in our yard. Something for the whole community to work on to educate this generation of children. 

Thank you again to Carol and our local band of scouts.

GRADE ONE DINNER

Our grade one children had a great night this week at the school having their annual dinner. There were games with Mr Gibbons, lots of food and even ice cream. The students I have spoken to had a ball. Thank you to our wonderful staff members that made the dinner possible.

OUR SCHOOL COUNCIL FOR 2026 

The following parents and staff are on our school council for 2026:

Parent Members

Kim Jordan

Jaz Maloney

Rebecca Roda

Alicia Merrigan

Kaeli Haines

Kieran Cantwell

Amy Burton

Shelly Brown

Adam Roszak

Rebecca Georgiou

DET Members

Oliver Thockloth

Natalie Potter

Jess How/Rachel Mainwaring

Elyse Newman

Tess Fraser

Casey Runco

Congratultations to Adam and Rebecca  who are our new members this year. I look forward to another year of support from our school council. School council oversees school finances and the direction of the school. Our first meeting is on Tuesday March 17th. 

At the first meeting we will be deciding who will be school council president and vice president as well as looking at the Annual Report. The Annual Report will be published on the school website once approved by school council. 

CURRICULUM DAY

Our curriculum day was a focused learning day for our teachers. Our school priority is numeracy this year, therefore the teachers looked at best practice in teaching numeracy and particularly problem solving. The teachers also worked through the The Victorian Teaching and Learning Model which is department priority.

SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Our results from the zone swimming carnival were:

1st Zac Brandenburger - Breaststroke

2nd Zac Brandenburger – Backstroke

1st Ella Robinson – Butterfly

2nd Ella Brandenburger – Butterfly

3rd Evelyn Pratt – Butterfly

Zac, Ella Robinson and Ella Brandenburger will now go on to the Regional Championships to represent the school. Congratulations to all of them for representing our school so well. Going to anything that is at Regional level is amazing but for semi rural Woori Yallock to have 3 in the finals is simply amazing.  

HOUSE SPORTS

Our house sports are on Friday 20th March. House Sports day is a wonderful day full of ribbons for the children, fun watching for parents and a BBQ run by the parents and friends club, (better than a Bunnings BBQ I always say). Hope you can come along and join in on the fun of the day. 

Unfortunately, Jacinta Van Eijk’s time for organising the parents to try and beat the teachers in the relay race has come to an end, 8 unsuccessful years, although I must thank her for really making this event something special each year. Hopefully another parent can pick up the role that Jacinta has left. In my time at the school the score is as following: Teachers – 16 Parents – 0. 

Winning the relay race is a part of some of the teacher’s performance review. 

We hope to see you all at House Sports Day! 

And remember when life gets a little difficult escape to the wonderful world of a book! The book that was put in the last newsletter is not one I’m going to read but I do know some of our teachers are reading it. My current read is Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, I think I read it in my late teens (yes, a long time ago). I’ve heard the current film is a diversion and I wanted to remind myself before I see the film.

Have a great long weekend and stay safe!