Principal Message

Dear Families,

Welcome back to school for Term 3. We hope you have all had an enjoyable break and are ready to tackle another big term of learning.

Parent-Teacher Meetings: Great to see many families taking up the opportunity to meet with their child’s teacher/s. This is an important meeting as the reports had no comments last semester, so these conversations are vitally important. If you cannot make the meeting you have booked in, please notify the teacher via seesaw so they can plan accordingly.

NAPLAN results: This week we will be distributing Year 3 & 5 NAPLAN results to families. They will be sent home in a sealed envelope addressed to families, via your children or handed to you at the parent-teacher meeting. Please celebrate the achievements with your children and look for more opportunities for growth and learning.

In short, the NAPLAN proficiency standards include 4 proficiency levels for each assessment area at each year level:

Exceeding: the student’s result exceeds expectations at the time of testing.
Strong: the student’s result meets challenging but reasonable expectations at the time of testing.
Developing: the student’s result indicates that they are working towards expectations at the time of testing.
Needs additional support: the student’s result indicates that they are not achieving the learning outcomes expected at the time of testing. They are likely to need additional support to progress satisfactorily.

More information is available via Information for parents and carers – NAPLAN 2026 and Individual Student report information for parents and carers

Facilities works: We anticipate the ramps and stairs near Year 4 portables to be completed mid-late August which will then enable Djila-Tjarri to reopen and provide more space for the students to use in break times. The Gordon Institute are back this term to complete the works near the amphitheatre and a few new retaining walls around the school. We thank all the trades and students for their work to make OGPS an even better place to learn and play.

Staffing: Normally we do not have so many changes mid-year and I communicate more like this in December or early January about the various changes. We welcome back Rhonda Stubbings in the Chaplain (pastoral care) role after a period of Long Service Leave (LSL) and a trip to Italy.

We welcome Jake Roberts into the role of Disability Inclusion and Mental Health & Well Being while Ryan is away on LSL. Deb Rogers is in replacing Jake this term. We welcome Hugh Whitehead into Year 5 replacing Fi Amer (LSL) for a few weeks, then he will be replacing other staff who will also take LSL. We welcome Donna Hefferenan into Year 5 replacing Kate Lawrie (moved to Ceres PS) for the remainder of the year. Narelle Taylor is in for Gen Lee (LSL), Anna Fikaris is replacing Renee Forward (LSL) and we welcome back the amazing Jen Warren into the admin team, who has also been travelling (LSL). We will also have a number of staff taking various stints of LSL during the year and we will let families know who will be replacing them when arrangements are in place.

Prep 2027: If you or neighbours have not dropped off 2027 enrolment forms for a child, please do so ASAP! We will be sending out offers from August 3rd and begin planning classes, employment, etc from then. We are again under an Enrolment management plan directive from the Department of Education, meaning ‘In Zone’ families will be the priority.

Term 3 Calendar: We hope families have printed off the Term 3 planner available in the newsletter and can plan family life accordingly. As you know, OGPS is a big school with loads on. From extra-curricular activities, excursions, camps, and family social events, we do not want anyone to miss out. Apologies in advance if there are any date changes.

Year 6 Camp: The highlight of the Year 6 year, apart from Graduation, House Celebration Day, Surfing, Ocean Awareness, High School Transitions etc is coming soon. Camp Howqua is set in the most beautiful location, just outside of Mansfield. With many activities there and then the day on Mt Buller, it is a wonderful experience. Please keep your eyes open for various communication pieces from the Year 6 team so we are all organised and planned.

Dr Justin Coulson: Hopefully, you have seen communication from Andy McNeilly (MHWB leader) around Justin’s visit to our school soon. The school community will have first crack at booking tickets to come and meet Justin at a presentation in the gym on August 3rd. Tickets are free! That’s right – FREE! Book your spot, bring a friend and let’s pack the gym to hear from a high-profile expert in the field of children, adolescence and being a parent – he has six daughters!!!

Industrial Action: Last night you may have heard or seen on various media outlets that there will be further stop work action next Thursday 23rd July. I am waiting for notification from staff of those who will be taking stop work action and will let you know arrangements when finalised. Our staff have a high percentage of AEU membership, and I anticipate a bare minimum of staff to be onsite, but I will confirm.

Enjoy the rest of the week.

Scott McCumber

Principal