This Week At OOPS

Year 3 Excursion

Ahoy Me Hearties!

We didn't walk the plank, but we certainly sailed the seas!

The Year 3 and soon the 4 students stepped aboard the Enterprize and experienced life on a tall ship, bringing our History learning to life. Throughout the term, students have been exploring Australia's history, beginning with the formation of the supercontinent Pangaea, the arrival and rich cultures of First Nations Peoples, and the great sea voyages that connected Australia to the wider world.

Our learning has included the journeys of the Macassans, who traded with First Nations communities long before European settlement, as well as the explorations of the Dutch and other European sailors who charted Australia's coastline. Standing on the deck of a traditional sailing ship helped students imagine the challenges, skills, and courage required to navigate vast oceans without modern technology.

The excursion provided a wonderful hands-on opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences and sparked many thoughtful discussions about exploration, trade, culture, and Australia's place in the world.

Dunmin: ‘I didn’t know there were 8 beds stacked in.’

Tia: ‘I didn’t expect the ship to be that big!”

Tillie: ‘I enjoyed all the boats we go to see.

Leo: ‘I liked the ship’s galley and cabins, under the ship.’

Ellie: ‘I couldn’t believe there was a cabin and it was really cool.’

Paramedics visit our Preps

Our Preps had a very exciting visit from the paramedics today! 🚑

Students learnt how to call for an ambulance, discovered the important role paramedics play in helping our community, explored some of the equipment used in emergency situations, and even enjoyed a tour inside the ambulance.

A big thank you to Tim and Katrina for sharing their time, knowledge, and experiences with us. It was a valuable and engaging learning opportunity for all!

2026 Victorian Premiers' Reading Challenge

The Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge is now open and we’re excited to be taking part! Nightly reading is already an important part of our homework program at OOPS, and we encourage students to include the Challenge as part of their regular reading at home.

Student login: https://vprcidentity.eduweb.vic.gov.au/account/login

Student login details will be placed in homework books for easy reference.

All children from birth to Year 10 are welcome to participate. This year’s Challenge theme is ‘Stories to discover. Stories to tell.’ Stories can inspire and challenge us, help us grow, and open our eyes to new worlds and new ways of thinking.

Challenge reading requirements:• Prep–Year 2: 30 books (20+ from the Challenge list)• Year 3–6: 15 books (10+ from the Challenge list)

All children who complete the Challenge will receive a certificate of achievement signed by the Victorian Premier and former premiers.

To learn more about the Challenge, visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/premiers-reading-challenge

Please contact the office if you have any questions.

Happy reading!

The English Working Party

STEM

Year 1 and 2 students have been exploring dinosaurs in STEM this term. They investigated animal survival features and life cycles, making connections between prehistoric creatures and animals living today. Students also designed their own dinosaurs, carefully selecting survival features and creating suitable habitats to help their creatures thrive. They enjoyed comparing dinosaur footprint sizes to their own feet, using measurement and estimation skills to discover just how enormous some dinosaurs were!

Milo's Birthday Party

What a week of celebrations for our Prep students! 🎉

Today, our Preps celebrated Milo’s Birthday Surprise, a special milestone in the Little Learners Love Literacy program. Throughout the year, students have met a range of Little Learners Love Literacy characters, with each character introducing a new letter and sound. Milo’s Birthday Surprise marks the completion of learning all 26 alphabet sounds and celebrates the students’ hard work and success on their learning journey.

The students enjoyed a range of literacy-themed party games, including Pass the Parcel, Pin the Tail on Milo, and more. They also teamed up with their buddies for a school-wide scavenger hunt, searching for Little Learners Love Literacy characters and working together to uncover a secret message!

At Friday’s P-2 assembly, our Preps proudly took part in an Alphabet Parade to celebrate learning all of the alphabet sounds. Wearing the alphabet posters they created with their buddies, the students showcased their learning and achievements with confidence and excitement.

We are so proud of our Prep students and the wonderful progress they have made! ⭐📚

Why Writing Matters

Writing is a vital skill that supports learning across all areas of the curriculum. It helps children organise their thoughts, solve problems, and develop critical thinking skills. Writing, reading, speaking and listening are closely connected. Regular writing practice improves spelling, vocabulary, sentence structure, and reading comprehension, helping children become more confident communicators. This valuable skill also provides an important outlet for creativity and self-expression, allowing children to share ideas, tell stories, and build self-confidence.

Simple Ways to Encourage Writing at Home

The best writing opportunities are often part of everyday life. Here are some simple ways families can involve their children in the process:

Prep – Year 2

• Draw a picture and write a sentence about it.
• Label items around the house.
• Write shopping lists together.
• Leave notes for family members.
• Keep a holiday or weekend diary.
• Write captions for photographs.
• Practise writing favourite words, names, and simple stories.

Years 3 – 4

• Keep a journal or diary.
• Write letters, postcards, or emails to family and friends.
• Create comic strips with speech bubbles.
• Write instructions for a game or recipe.
• Record interesting facts about hobbies, pets, or sports.
• Write alternative endings to favourite books.

Years 5 – 6

• Write reviews of books, movies, or games.
• Create stories, comics, or graphic novels.
• Keep a travel or activity journal.
• Write persuasive pieces about topics they care about.
• Research an interest and create an information report.
• Set writing challenges such as "100 words in 10 minutes."

Most Importantly…

Talk first! Children often find writing easier when they have discussed their ideas beforehand. Ask open-ended questions such as:

• What happened first?
• Why do you think that happened?
• What was your favourite part?
• How did that make you feel?

Remember, every writing experience counts. Notes, lists, messages, stories, and journals all help children develop confidence and skills as writers. Praise effort, celebrate creativity and focus on sharing ideas.