Principal's Message

School Philosophy

Orchard Grove Primary School is committed to providing a safe, nurturing environment that engages curiosity, promotes learning, personal growth and wellbeing for all students. We strive to develop adaptability and resilience so students can become valued members of the local and global communities and be prepared for future life experiences.

From the Principal

Hi, everyone. I hope this newsletter finds you all well.

I think many of us are feeling a bit like Ernie. 

Hmm. Yes, Ernie, you are absolutely right! 

However, let's work to keep us all connected and buoyant and if there is any way we can help you, or ideas you would like to share with us, please reach out, so that we can help each other to get through this together.

In light of this, we are continuing to keep ourselves buoyant and planning for when school returns. We continue to work up in the Meadow to take advantage of there being no students in that space. New grass seed was planted some months ago and is now really taking hold; by the time the children return, the grass will be quite established and hopefully be able to handle the pressure of 100s of children playing on it.  

In front of the seating at the end of the Meadow building, facing the Netball court, we have laid a rubberised surface

to meet the synthetic turf. This has remedied the muddy patch that was there before.

We have also applied for a special $500,000 government grant. We are looking at a new Discovery Stem Centre, to be built down in the underutilised space from the canteen to the entrance for Team Kids, incorporating the community room, student toilets, cleaners’ room, corridor and bike shed.  This space would be totally reconfigured with new student toilets, the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics multipurpose space, and a new meeting room. We would also need to add in some school funds to fully develop this space, but it would be an amazing facility where students would be able to use and apply critical and creative thinking and problem solving skills through authentic, experiential activities. Fingers crossed that we get our project over the line - a long shot, we know, but worth a shot. We will keep you posted.

This week, Lee, Michelle and I attended the Regional Principal Forum online, where the focus was exploring effective online learning and wellbeing. Well know psychologist, Michael Carr-Gregg, was one of the speakers. He was really helpful and spoke about how we can cope better in this COVID-19 space. I thought it may be helpful to share some points from one of his latest articles.

Many parents are wondering how to bring up the epidemic in a way that will be reassuring and not make kids more worried than they already may be.  Parents shouldn’t avoid talking about it, because not talking about something can actually make young people more anxious. As a psychologist, I'd encourage parents to use the conversation as an opportunity to convey the facts, with simple messages, all the while setting a positive, optimistic emotional tone.  Parents should be purveyors of hope. The six main points to make are:

1. Reassure your child this is a virus, not the plague. The fact is that most people only get a mild illness and fully recover within a few weeks.

2. Remind them that children very rarely get sick and, when they do, it is usually just like a cold. 

3. Describe what the main symptoms are and encourage them to let you know if they feel unwell.

4. Reassure them that their pets are not affected.

5. Tell them that we all have to change our behaviours, wash our hands more, practice not touching our face as much, learn coughing etiquette, and a foot tap instead of handshake. 

6. Let them know about all the scientists across the world who are working together to find vaccines and treatments. If they are concerned about grandparents or others, validate this as a sign of how caring and loving they are and focus on positive messages about the medical care and support available.

Parental self care during the coronavirus shutdown

1. Exercise
2. Get outside
3. Stay connected
4. Cook and bake healthy food
5. Learn something new online
6. Do some therapy online

For Adults:

e-couch – ecouch.anu.edu.au/welcome

This Way Up – thiswayup.org.au

OCD? Not Me! – ocdnotme.com.au

For Anxious Teens and Children:

Moodgym – moodgym.com.au

The Brave Program – brave4you.psy.uq.edu.au

Well, that is all from me for this week.

Thanks again for your continued support and feel free to reach out if we can assist you.

Take care everyone and stay safe.

Glenda Harry

Principal