Grove Gazette

Principal Message

Dear Families,

 

Apologies up front – this newsletter is a big one!

 

Apple Fair updates: Sunday 16th March from 11am to 4pm

  • Wristbands & tickets (for activities & some food) are on sale now via the Flexischools app - must be ordered by Wednesday 12th March 8pm, otherwise they will be available for purchase on the day.
  • Silent Auction is underway and off to a flying start. Pop your bids in at Apple Fair Silent Auction | Free Online Silent Auction Fundraisers | 32auctions
  • Bake Sale information has been sent home! Please join in, see the instructions and contribute to the Apple Fair
  • Donations are still welcome – Blocks of chocolate, teddies, toys etc – Keep them coming.
  • All money raised is going into improving the school with an emphasis on replacing the red (junior) playground.

Thanks to Adele and her team who have done an exceptional job so far. The advertising is looking great around town, promotion in local newspaper, the rides and entertainment is sorted and all we need is families and friends to turn up and have a great day! Bring your friends and extended families too!

 

Start of the day: On Monday morning after the school photos, Mrs H and I visited various classrooms. We have noticed that some teachers have had to start their lessons 3 or 4 times as late students enter the class and are unsure what to do and at times, can distract other learners. Instruction time begins at 9am. Please have your child ready to learn by 9am so we maximise teaching and learning time and also decrease student anxiety when they are late and unsure what is happening in the class.

 

School Photos: Loads of new hair styles around the school on Monday as students and staff had their photos taken. Please ensure you get your orders in via the MSP Photography website using your shootkey/ordering code that was sent home in week 4. If you have misplaced your shootkey/ordering code, please contact the office. Other information was also sent prior to this week.

 

Peer Mediators: An amazing group of approx. 20 Year 6 students, who have ‘grown up’ around the school are now giving back. These leaders assist students in the playground with activities and sometimes social issues too. Rhonda, our school Chaplain, trains them up, builds their confidence and enables the Year 6’s to work with and support some of the younger students. Thanks to Rhonda and all the Peer Mediators.

 

Chilville: You may have heard of Chilville but not sure what it is or where it is… A few years ago, we applied for a grant to convert a shipping container (with windows, doors and AC) into a quiet space for students to go to, near the new garden area, instead of being out in the playground. Ryan, Andy and Rhonda open Chilville daily at lunch times and many students pop in, have some quiet or calm time and then head out to the playground. This is a great space for students to ‘chill’ and relax during lunch before heading back to class.

 

Volunteers & Child Safe Standards: We have been inundated by keen parent helpers and Kerryn McKeon has run several training and refresher courses (required annually) for families. Thanks to all families who have attended and are ready to go. It is a timely reminder of the Child Safe Standards that we have to adhere to and be consciously aware of.  These standards were put in place in 2016 to protect children and young people from harm and abuse. We take them very seriously and encourage the community to become more aware and familiar with them, and what actions you can take if you see something.

 

Policy: Working for the Department of Education (DE) can be challenging at times as policy is introduced, reviewed, changed and executed. We do our best at keeping up with the policy changes and trying to keep our school website up to date. Occasionally a policy will change, and it takes us time to update it via School Council. Other times it is a simple alteration, and we are good to go.  

 

Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP): Last year we embarked on the beginning of OGPS’s first RAP! After calling for committee members, we had about 6 meetings last year and last week, we submitted our first draft for feedback to The Narragunnawali program.  Upon feedback, we will share with the plan with the community.  I am proud to say that we have so many actions already completed, in process or in place that we will probably need our 2.0 plan developed before the end of 2025. If this is an area of passion and you would like to be involved, email the school so we can let you know when we meet.

 

Assembly: Thanks to the Year 1’s for their performance last Friday at assembly. It is always great when we have special performances and families come to watch too. It was a packed gym last week and the energy levels where still high late into the week. Well done everyone and a reminder that Assembly is held on Fridays in every odd week (this week is week 6 – even) and Peer Connect groups are every even week (this Friday).

 

School Uniform Policy: A friendly reminder about a few uniform aspects… we wear our House colours on Wednesdays only. Shoulder length hair to be tied up. Sleepers or stud earrings only. Necklaces, bracelets are not part of uniform.  More info on the school website.

 

School voluntary contributions: A huge thanks to all families who have chosen to financially contribute to the school. Your contributions help us offset the costs of lots of things and enable us to explore how we add value to the education program at OGPS. It’s not too late to contribute and any contribution is always appreciated. 

 

Financial Assistance: We’d like to remind parents that financial assistance is available for camps, sport, excursions and events.  Thank you to our families who have contributed to the Student Assistance Fund that enables us to support others.  Our Parents and Friends also support families at times with being able to attend their events.  If you need any assistance please contact Lara Field, our Business Manager on 5255 1340 or email ocean.grove.ps@education.vic.gov.au

 

Facilities: Mrs H and I are always looking for ways to improve the facilities at OGPS and spent time with the VSBA last year planning out various aspects of improvement across the school. We will have some considerable work happening later this term, over the holidays and into the rest of the year. Items include:

  • A new roof on the Art room, Prep & Year 1 classrooms
  • Accessibility ramps near Year 3 portables, bottom basketball down towards Asbury St and the SLC (Year 5 & 6)
  • Improvements to the plumbing and sewer system in Year 5 & 6 area

We will also have The Gordon Institute students back onsite learning in situ on our site as they complete a few projects around the school too which may include a new retaining wall along the southern edge of the oval, some concreting and paving works and a possible pergola/stage area in the southwest corner of the oval area under the trees. 

 

Have a great week everyone.

 

Scott McCumber 

Principal