Dear Families,

Word of the week – Prosody: Have you heard of this word? Used in it a sentence? Know the definition? This week during staff professional learning time, Kerryn McKeon challenged staff on the Big 6 (factors) of reading. No doubt you will have heard new language in the media and if you have teacher-friends, they will be dropping words in conversation like phonics, phonemic awareness, explicit teaching, and much more. So today I want to give you a new word we analysed on Monday – Prosody.

Prosody is the pattern, rhythm, intonations and sounds used when we read aloud. It is also used in conversation and discussion… Think about when we read ‘Cat in the Hat’ to our children and the intonation and expression you use in your voice to enhance the flow of the text. The origin of the word is Greek and dates back to the 15th Century.

Mrs McKeon continues to share great information about literacy skills and how we teach at OGPS, so please, keep reading the newsletters.

Year 2 Day Camp: Year 2’s have been having a ball down at Camp Wyuna in Queenscliff today. This is the beginning of our school camps program and gives students a taste of what the environments of a camp are like – just without the sleepover part! Thanks for supporting this opportunity. If you can, try to organise a few ‘wake overs’ (later nights without the sleep over part) or a sleep over or two before Year 3 camp so your child is even more comfortable on Year 3 camp in 2026.

EcoLinc Excursion: On Monday 8th of September, the Year 3 students went to Ecolinc in Bacchus Marsh where they learnt about Indigenous plants and materials. Students had hands-on experience propagating native plants, exploring their properties and uses.

Kind Behaviours Signs: Earlier this year we had 10 signs added to the playground that remind staff, students and families about our three expected “Kind Behaviours”. We have added a further 12 this week. Having these signs enables staff to give quick and efficient reminders to students and reset behaviours in the playground. We know and understand that students are learning outside in their social environment, just as much as they are in the classroom and we re-teach curriculum in the class when students have not grasped the concept and sometimes this happens outside too. Feel free to adopt the same 3 Kind Behaviours (take a photo) at home too!

SunSmart Policy: “In terms 1 and 4, all students must wear a sun protective hat that shades the face, neck and ears for all outdoor activities. Hats may also be worn for all outdoor activities outside of this time period, by parent or student choice”. With the sunlight beginning to increase we encourage SunSmart hats from now and will enforce them in Term 4. Please send your child with a SUNSMART hat so we can avoid the awkward follow up conversation where students who are not wearing appropriate protective clothing or a hat will be asked to play in a designated suitable area protected from the sun.

DCS Clothing: Our uniform suppliers have been working hard in the background to ensure our g families have access to a quality uniform and they have listened to our students too. Currently in the works are some new school shirts made from the same material as the House shirts. They will have a sublimated logo, not embroidered. They dry quickly and some students say they feel better on their skin too. We will let you know when they become available. And don’t forget to get your SunSmart hat too.

Food Sharing Policy: We frequently visit policies and look for improvements and updates and also reminders. Over the last few weeks, we have visited the Food Sharing Policy. Such an important aspect of school life as we have students with various allergies. Staff are keen for me to share the following with all families, so they are not put under pressure by families that arrive with food for a celebration…

Thanks in advance for your support on this. The complete policy and more policies are on the school website.

Hot Dog Day: We've had a couple of volunteers drop out for Hot Dog Day - most likely 3 empty slots - in the afternoon session, if you are able to assist, the signup sheet is available at: https://volunteersignup.org/3FFLM

1 week to go! Let’s finish strong and rest up for Term 4!

Scott McCumber

Principal

Wellbeing Garden