Principal's Report 

& School News

From the Principal...

School Council Update

I would like to personally thank the outgoing members of School Council – Dora Denk and Angela Pollock for their contribution to the council in 2020. It was a challenging and testing time for all and yet they both added great value to the council. The majority of meetings were virtual due to Covid restrictions and lockdowns throughout the year. We also acknowledge the role of Courtney Mason as convenor of the Education sub-committee in 2020 and wish her well in her new leadership role at Le Page Primary School. 

I would also like to mention how much I am looking forward to working alongside the new School Council and the Parents and Friend’s group. For those taking up the key office bearer positions, the school appreciates your time and commitment. School Council training will again be on offer for any new members. This training provides participants with the framework within which school council operates, the role of school council, operational matters and the important features relating to our school. Effective governance strengthens community confidence in the school, as well as supporting my role as the School Principal and enhancing the educational opportunities for all students. We welcome Nerida Crake, Jacqui Warfe and Delia Robey to the 2021 school council.

• School Council President – Jo Feather
• Vice President – Renee Le mar
• Treasurer – Peter Barton
• Secretary – Michelle Gilmore
• Convenor of the Education Sub-Committee – Delia Robey
• Convenor of the Community Engagement Sub-Committee – Rachel Marsden
• Convenor of the Parents and Friends Sub-Committee – Heather Hosken

Facilities and Grounds

At the opening of our newly refurbished rooms and STEAM Centre, Lorrie and I used the opportunity to discuss with the architect and builders how to ensure all works were completed to a high standard. We also prioritised any additional funds that had not been used to works in the Art Room, including painting and new cabinetry. The grand opening went extremely well with Nick Staikos cutting the ceremonial ribbon. The Year 6 leaders conducted themselves in an incredibly professional manner, leading the tour of the new spaces and interacting with the VIP guests. Thank you to Rachel Marsden and Heather Hosken for attending on behalf of the school council.

Staffing News

The staff have been finalising their performance review goals for 2021, thinking deeply about strategies and predicted evidence to indicate how successful they have been. These professional conversations with every staff member will be extremely productive, especially with the new staff joining us in 2021. The school has developed a highly effective leadership and collaborative planning schedule which has improved our ability to address school improvement matters in a timely manner. Building the capacity of staff and ensuring consistency of practice remains a priority.

Special Events

There are a number of significant events that have been scheduled so far for 2021. This includes the recent community picnic which took place last Friday. This was well attended and the weather was perfect. It was wonderful to see families and staff members enjoying themselves in the grounds. Thanks to the P&F group for all their organisation prior to and on the night!

Our Year 5 campers had just returned and they also had a busy and exciting week participating in a number of outdoor experiences such as archery, abseiling, flying fox and canoeing. I was delighted to share these experiences with them and I thank all the staff who attended and the students for demonstrating resilience and persistence. The return to some sort of normality has allowed our students to grow and develop not only at school, but also with extra-curricular activities and challenges. 

The school is looking forward to tapping in to student voice and agency. This includes promoting the work of the SRC group and encouraging student leaders to attend school council meetings. The student leaders will also play a significant role in organising and managing future special events. This includes upcoming sporting events, Harmony Day and open evenings.

Our whole school key focus areas for 2021 include:

       1. Learning, Catch-up and Extension Priority

By the end of 2021, all students will have demonstrated at least 12 months learning growth with the support of an orderly school environment and consistent teaching approaches. The school will have a very focused and strategic approach to help achieve this one year target. This includes successfully launching the Learning Tutor program across the school. Students will also participate in NAPLAN preparation and awareness sessions. We will continue with our Mini-Lit program in Years 1 & 2 with extension towards the multi-lit programs for Years 3-6. All students identified as requiring additional support and extension will have a targeted individual learning plan. Students will have personalised learning goals and all classes will continue to differentiate the learning. The analysis and tracking of student data will become a priority at team level meetings on a weekly basis. Staff will engage in professional conversations that identify problems of practice relating to student learning. 

The planning will then identify specific learning intentions that will address the needs of areas for improvement, utilizing the HITS framework (High Impact Teaching Strategies) to change teacher practice. Staff will undertake the DE&T learning modules relating to EAL students to ensure their needs are being met. The teachers will continue to use Fountas and Pinnell as a common assessment tool across the school with data analysed at year level and departmental meetings.

          2.   Happy, Active and Healthy Kids Priority

The school will continue to promote health and physical wellbeing through a specialist Health and PE program, as well as through integrated learning during Inquiry units. Social and emotional wellbeing will be targeted during the Respectful Relationships initiative. The lunch providers we use continually review their menus and the school promotes healthy options via the newsletter and on the website. An orderly environment will be promoted and maintained through positive school wide behaviours being explicitly taught and demonstrated at each level of the school. The school vision and values will continue to be unpacked and reviewed. Peer mediation will proceed to address minor issues or needs in the yard.

        3. Connected Schools Priority

To review the surveys from 2020 to ensure the school is addressing concerns from staff, students and the parent community. To endeavour to continue the focus on communication platforms that have proven successful over the period of remote learning. To strengthen the community engagement sub-committee work across the school, including the positive use of social media to stay connected. The school will promote inclusiveness by ensuring all families feel informed and part of the school community. This includes opportunities to join committees and to assist in classrooms.

Curriculum Day - Monday 22nd March

Just a reminder that this Monday (March 22nd) will be a curriculum day, therefore students will not be required at school. 

Out of School Hours Care bookings have closed as the program has reached capacity for the day. 

Harmony Day - Tuesday 23rd March

On Tuesday the 23rd of March, we will be celebrating Harmony Week with an assembly at 9:10am. We invite the school community to come on site and join us as we sing and perform in ‘harmony’. Covid Safe guidelines apply.

On Tuesday,  students have the option to come to school dressed in a cultural outfit reflecting their heritage. Students also have the option to dress in orange or wear their uniform with a splash of orange (e.g. scrunchie, scarf, socks), as this represents Harmony Week.

2021 SRC Class Representatives Foundation to Year 5

Congratulations to our class elected Foundation to Year 5 SRC Representatives for 2021. I will be presenting these students with their badges at assembly on Monday 29th March. 

School Tours - 2022 Enrolments

Several School Tours have now been scheduled for families intending to enrol for 2022. A full list of dates and times are available on the website or in this newsletter (pg3). Bookings are essential, and are limited to 5 adults per tour. Please contact the office to book your tour on 03 9578 1327.

Kerri McLeod

Principal

Out of School Care

Curriculum Day

The program is now at capacity therefore bookings are closed.  

Children enrolled to the program on Curriculum day need to bring lunch, morning tea & a drink bottle. Children are not required to wear their school uniform.

School Holiday Program

The Autumn School Holiday Program is available below, on Compass or directly from the OSHC program. 

School Holiday Program Bookings will be accepted between 7.30am to 9.30am Monday to Friday from Thursday 17th March to Friday 26th March 2021. For further information see booking details on program.  

Last Day of Term Celebration

On the last day of school Thursday 1st April the After School Care Program will operate from 2.30pm to accommodate the early school finishing time, we close at the usual time of 6.00pm. If your child is attending the After School Care Program on the last day of school please bring a party food donation for our end of term celebration, see the party food list displayed on parents table.

April Kopitz

Out of School Hours Coordinator

Harmony Day

On Tuesday the 23rd of March, Ormond Primary School will be celebrating Harmony Day. Harmony Day celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.

Students have the option to come to school dressed in a cultural outfit reflecting their heritage. Students also have the option to dress in orange or wear their uniform with a splash of orange (e.g. scrunchie, scarf, socks), as this represents Harmony Day. We will begin the day's celebrations with a Harmony Day assembly at 9:10am. 

Lunch Time Activities

Over the last fortnight, students have been enjoying some lunch time activities including a Year 4 & 5 House Basketball Tournament as well as Coding Club. It is great to see so many students keen to participate. Keep an eye out for more fun activities to be a part of. 

PE/Sports News

Division Swimming-

Congratulations to Noam C, Tessa M and Justin C for representing Ormond Primary School at the Division Swimming competition on Monday 15th of March. It is an excellent achievement making it to the Kingston Division Carnival, fantastic work!

• Noam finished in 4th position
• Tessa came 3rd
• Justin came 5th

Year 3-6 Cross Country Training

It has been great to see so many eager students from Year 3 to 6 participating in the morning Cross Country training sessions. All students in Year 3-6 are welcome to come along for running fitness training on the days listed below. Please note that Training on Tuesday 23rd March has been cancelled due to Harmony Day celebrations. 

Training starts at 8:15 am to 8:45am

• Wednesday 24th March
• Tuesday 30th March
• Tuesday 31st March

The school Cross Country is in the first week of Term 2, on Thursday 22nd April. Any parents who are available to help out with the Year 3 to 6 event at Wattle Grove Reserve, please contact Ms Milliken.  Foundation to Year 2 students will have their cross country at school on the same day, starting with a House Parade. 

All students (F-6) can wear their house colours on the day, with appropriate running footwear. No coloured hairspray or face paints please. 

Year 3 News

On Monday 15th March the Year 3 students visited the Melbourne Museum as part of their unit on the First Peoples. They spent a fun and educational day at the iconic Melbourne site, learning a great deal about the history, culture and customs of the indigenous people. Along with visiting the First Peoples Exhibition, the students also had an opportunity to explore the Forest Gallery and The Melbourne Story exhibit. The students, and teachers alike, thoroughly enjoyed their adventure and chance to experience education in a setting outside of school.

Year 4 News

This term in Science Year 4 students have been investigating different types of natural and processed materials used to make packaging. This week students were required to plan and conduct an investigation of the capacity of different materials to protect a biscuit from impact. The students needed to work cooperatively in teams, make predictions, observe and record the results of their investigations. The children in 4C had a lot of fun!

Year 5 News

Camp

We are back from Camp after having a wonderful time learning new skills and exploring new places! The trip down was filled with excitement and eagerness as we anticipated what was waiting for us at Camp Kookaburra. Along the way we stopped off at the Bendigo Mines and learnt all about how the settlement was set up and how our miners found gold as well as how they adapted. Turns out there are two types of gold for our miners to be on the lookout for, real gold and fool’s gold! Which looks like the real deal but has barely any actual gold in it to be found!

We then went and had lunch and a play in a park before making the rest of the trip to Camp Kookaburra! After finding out our cabins and putting our things away we had afternoon tea and met the lovely people who were going to be helping take care of us for the week! We then got into our activity groups and got into our first activity. The different activities we were going to be exploring over the week were, orienteering, initiatives, canoeing, archery, abseiling and the flying fox.

On Thursday we had a trip down to Echuca where we learnt all about how the Port of Echuca came to be along with the history of how the Port of Echuca came to support the gold rush! We also went to TwistEd science to learn all about Chemical Reactions. We made a fairy garden with different chemical reactions as well as saw how the different chemicals mixed together to create different reactions, like endothermic (heat sucking) and exothermic (heat producing).

The last night was filled with a relaxing afternoon, playing tennis, basketball, gaga, or table tennis and other games in the recreation room or relaxing in our cabins. Then a movie and off to bed to get ready for the trip home.

It was a very jam packed four days but it was so fun to learn new things and get to spend time with one another and becoming closer as a year level.