Principal Message

Dear Families,

Illness: We appear to have a wide variety of illnesses occurring across the school and community. Please take the time to get well and rest so we can all enjoy learning at school. We have also had a number of staff impacted by illness and at times, even the CRT’s replacing them! We thank the CRT’s who have helped keep classes running as best we can within the overall teacher shortage crisis across the state. 

Bingo: Friday night sees another P&F event come to life at the OGFNC with Bingo being hosted. There is a Wheelbarrow of Fortune Raffle - anyone can enter this raffle online using the QR code or link on the Bingo Page of the newsletter and win! You don't have to be at the Bingo Night. Tickets are $20 each, and you could win a wheelbarrow full of goodies that is valued at $1300. Proceeds from this raffle are earmarked for ongoing classroom furniture upgrades and the Year 6 Graduation. Enjoy the night families. Have fun, meet new families and create more memories. Thanks to all involved in the P&F who have worked diligently to provide this evening of entertainment and fun.

Announcements: We have had a significant increase in the number of calls & emails to the office asking the team to get messages to children.  This has increased the number of announcements being made across the school to help students with the families ‘change of plans’. We try to minimise the disruptions across the school with only essential announcement going over the PA just before recess, lunch and home time. We are also cognisant of our neighbours too. If you need to ‘change your plans’, please contact the school before 3pm as the last 20 mins of the day is bedlam in the office and we don’t want students missing the announcement if they are called over the PA. We are asking families to try and keep to your plans to decrease the announcements and interruptions throughout the day. We also ask that you do not email the school with messages and to instead call, so that the required message is not missed.

Safe Bike riding: I have had several families and members of the community report that there are some OGPS students riding unsafely around the nearby streets, usually on the way home after school. Please talk to your bike rider about this as it is extremely busy in Presidents Ave and Field St North after school. 

Head lice: Unfortunately, we did not eradicate head lice during lockdowns, and it appears to be ramping up. Please check your child’s hair frequently, send students to school with hair tied up if longer than shoulder length and if you do notice an outbreak, let the office know so we can act accordingly to minimise the spread. 

School visit: Next Wednesday we welcome Montpellier PS to Ocean Grove PS for part of their Curriculum Day. Last year we visited their school with a focus on their approach to teaching mathematics. Next week, their staff want to see how we embed wellbeing into lessons, how we teach various aspects of Literacy and observe great teaching. A great opportunity for staff to share ideas and learn from others in the system, outside of each school.

Evacuation Drill: Next week we will enact our Evacuation process to practice in the event of an emergency. Our students have always worked cooperatively in previous rehearsals, and I encourage families to talk about why we do them and the importance of practicing them. Thanks in advance.

Athletics: Great to hear about all the fantastic efforts by OGPS athletes yesterday at Landy Field. Congrats to all who qualified to attend this level and another congrats to those who have progressed to the Regional level. Thanks to Mr Horbury for enabling this opportunity and other staff and families who supported yesterday too – Thanks!

Bus Accident: Some of our community may be aware of a tragic bus accident that occurred this morning on the western side of Geelong involving school students. Our thoughts and sympathy are with the families and the school at this time. If you or your family are impacted by these events, please reach out to seek support. 

Scott McCumber

Principal