Dear Families,

Education week: This year’s theme, Spotlight on STEM, highlights the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in our everyday lives, in the classroom and beyond. Throughout Education Week you are encouraged to investigate ideas and learn more about the endless possibilities of STEM. To help inspire you, check out https://www.vic.gov.au/education-week#for-parentscarers-and-students

Open Morning: While every week is ‘education week’ at OGPS, as part of the “Spotlight on STEM” education week, we invite families to visit your child’s classroom on Friday morning between 9am-11am and then have morning tea (11-11.30am) with your children in the school playground. We hope to see you in classes and on yard duty on Friday!

2025 Foundation night: Last night our current Foundation team lead new and prospective 2025 families through an amazing information session about Ocean Grove Primary School. For those who have attended these nights in the past, I am sure you would agree that they are extremely informative and help prepare families for school life. Thanks to the Foundation team for planning and delivering this presentation.

School Tours: Kristy and I hosted 3 tours today for prospective 2025 families. We met many prospective families and saw some familiar faces too. Thanks to the School Captains who joined us and added their student voice to the tours.

Thank You: Over the past two weeks Jen Warren in the office has been on leave and Jade McTaggart has stepped in to assist Mel Roberts. Jade (and Mel) have done a terrific job in these roles and continue to keep the school running smoothly. Welcome back to Jen Warren today! Great to have you back.

Premier’s Reading Challenge: Sally Rocke has been squirreling away preparing the students for the Premier’s Reading Challenge. We always encourage students and families to get involved in these activities and usually have an amazing uptake of participants. Keep your eye out for more information from Sal.

Mother’s Day: We hope all of our Mothers/Carers/Significant people had a lovely day on Sunday. We value the importance of the role each and every one of you play, in your children’s lives, providing unconditional love and support. Acknowledgement of the Victorian Government Schools Agreement 2022 (VSGA) also known as an EBA (enterprise bargaining agreement) in other industries, has resulted in careful consideration and analysis of all activities, teacher workload and events at Ocean Grove Primary School. Previously, the preparation of Mother’s Day Gifts etc has required specialist staff to spend excessive time outside of their designated work hours, planning, preparing, chasing up absent students and organising and creating over 600 gifts. If you are able to offer any support in this area please feel free to contact either ogpsparentsclub@gmail.com or ocean.grove.ps@education.vic.gov.au as the establishment of a Mother’s/Father’s/Carer’s Day committee would be greatly appreciated if this is what our community value.

Swimming: On Monday we started our F-2 swimming program and have been ironing out the logistics (buses and getting dressed after swimming are always a challenge) on Tuesday and again today. Special thanks to the Year 2 students (and families) who get back to school around 3.30pm to enable us to work in with the swim centre. After an initial ‘assessment’ session, groups are now ready and instruction is underway. A huge thanks to the parent helpers who are so valuable on these ventures. Your help is greatly appreciated and obviously needed to keep us on the tight schedule!

Cross Country: Yesterday we had 18 athletes represent the school at the Regional Cross country championships held in Geelong. Mr Horbury and Mr Earle had the pleasure of watching the runners compete at this level and results will be posted ASAP. Congrats to all the runners and to those who progressed to the next level, we wish you all the very best.

Education Support: At OGPS we call our Ed Support team Learning Mentors. We feel this is a more accurate account of what they do in their roles. Tomorrow is Education Support appreciation day and we will be acknowledging our wonderful team tomorrow. If you know any of our Learning Mentors, please thanks them for their work within the school.

May Day: Don’t forget that the amazing event coming up on 25th May for the adults in the community. The P&F team have been busy planning and preparing for this and no doubt it will be supported again. We appreciated the generous support of all our sponsors and donors to the event too.

Have a great week everyone.

Scott McCumber

Principal

Parent Information

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