Dear Parent/Guardian/Carer/Students and Staff,

As we reflect on Term 3, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for the remarkable achievements and growth we've experienced this term. Our students have not only achieved academically but have also shown exceptional enthusiasm and creativity in extracurricular activities. The collaborative spirit among our teachers and staff has been truly inspiring, fostering a supportive and dynamic learning environment. The progress and enthusiasm we've witnessed this term reaffirm the strength of our school community and set a positive tone for the months ahead. I am excited to continue this journey with such a dedicated and vibrant group of individuals.

🌟 Exciting News: New Lighting Installed Across Our School! 🌟

We’re thrilled to announce that our school has just completed a major upgrade to our lighting systems, both inside and out! 🎉

Our new exterior lighting not only brightens up the school but also enhances safety and security, making our grounds more inviting and accessible at all hours. The upgraded lights are energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, aligning with our commitment to sustainability.

Inside, the upgraded lighting transforms our learning spaces, offering better illumination that supports a more focused and comfortable learning environment. Each classroom, hall, and common area now benefits from modern, adjustable lighting that reduces eye strain and improves visibility.

This improvement is part of our ongoing efforts to enhance the overall school experience for students, staff, and visitors. We believe that these changes will contribute to a more vibrant, safe, and eco-conscious school community.

A big thank you to everyone involved in making this upgrade possible. Let’s enjoy our brighter, more sustainable school environment! 💡🌿✨

Stage 1 Painting (EXTERIOR BUILDINGS)-Commening during Term 3 holidays

It is with great excitment that we share with our school community the commencement of stage 1 painting over Term 3 holidays. The Junior School, Middle/Senior School and LOTE/Wellbeing Room (exteriors buidlings) will be completely painted with a new colour to suit our school theme and landscape. Along with this we have plans for new signage (outside) to suit the new-look and to provide a strong identity for our school. I would like to thank all members on school council for their endorsement and assistance with this process. Our school will certainly look amazingly bold and refreshed! Thank you to Synergy Painting (local painters) in Pakenham for providing a great experience and service thus far along with a competitive pricing structure to allow our school to afford these works. More information to come about Stage 2 which is planned for Term 4 school holidays.

Reminder: Prep 2025 Transition Dates-SAVE THE DATES

Attitudes to School Survey Results 2024

The results of the Attitudes to School Survey have come through for 2024. It is a delight to see the exceedingly positive feedback our students have provided based on their perceptions of Officer Primary School across all elements. Thank you to Mrs Waldron for administering the survey sessions and attaining 100% completion.

We are very happy to see further positive shifts in our data set compared to our 2023 results. These results are based on year 4-6 perceptions. We are proud to have excelled against the state and local network data. Please see Compass for full report.

Exciting News from Our Classrooms: Teachers Dive into 'Number Talks' Professional Development!

We're excited to announce that our teachers have completed professional development on 'Number Talks,' an evidence-based approach to math instruction. 'Number Talks' are brief, interactive discussions where students solve problems mentally and explain their reasoning, fostering deeper understanding and collaboration. Research shows this method enhances math fluency and critical thinking by encouraging students to articulate their thought processes and learn from one another. Our teachers are eager to integrate these strategies into their classrooms, aiming to boost student confidence and performance in math. Stay tuned for how this innovative approach transforms our math instruction!

Father's Day Breakfast

What a fantastic morning we had celebrating Father’s Day! A big shoutout to all the fathers and special persons who joined us for our Egg and Bacon Breakfast. Your presence truly made the event special and memorable! 🎉👨‍👧‍👦

We’d also like to extend our deepest gratitude to our amazing staff who worked to prepare and cook a delicious breakfast. Your dedication and hard work made the morning not only enjoyable but also heartwarming. From the sizzling bacon to the perfectly scrambled eggs, everything was just perfect!

Thank you all for making this Father’s Day celebration a great success. We appreciate every one of you and look forward to many more wonderful moments together! 🌟🥳

Crazy Hair Day

We had an absolutely fantastic time celebrating Crazy Hair Day with our students, who went all out with their wild and imaginative hairstyles! From colorful wigs to gravity-defying styles, the creativity on display was truly incredible. 🤩🎉

We’re also thrilled to share that, thanks to everyone’s enthusiastic participation, we raised a total of $148.00! Your generosity and support will go a long way in benefiting our school community.

A huge thank you to all the students, parents, and staff who made this event so memorable and fun. We can’t wait to see what other creative ideas we’ll come up with together in the future!

R U OK Day

This R U OK? Day, our students embraced the spirit of kindness and mental health awareness with amazing creativity! Each student participated in a special activity where they crafted their own badges, medals, and crowns to symbolize support and care for one another. 🎨👑🏅

Their artistic designs were not only beautiful but also a powerful reminder of the importance of checking in on each other and offering support. It was heartwarming to see how everyone got involved, making meaningful and personalised symbols of solidarity.

A big thank you to our students for their enthusiasm and creativity, and to everyone who took part in making this day a meaningful celebration of mental health and community. Remember, every conversation counts—let’s keep supporting each other every day!

Year 5 and 6 Hooptime

What an incredible day our Year 5 and 6 students had at Hooptime! From the opening tip-off to the final buzzer, the excitement was palpable and the energy was off the charts. Our students showcased their basketball skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship in a series of thrilling games that kept everyone on the edge of their seats. 🏅🙌

Their enthusiasm and positive spirit made the day truly memorable, and it was fantastic to see them all having so much fun while competing with such great sportsmanship. A big shoutout to the coaches, volunteers, and organizers who made this event possible and ensured everything ran smoothly.

Congratulations to all our young athletes for their fantastic effort and teamwork. We’re already looking forward to next year’s Hooptime event!

OPS has Talent Auditions

We are thrilled to share the incredible performance by our students who participated in the OPS Got Talent auditions! Their creativity, dedication, and hard work truly shined through, leaving us all in awe of their remarkable talents.

From captivating dance routines to impressive musical performances, each student brought their own unique flair to the stage. Their energy and enthusiasm were infectious, and it was clear that they poured their hearts into every moment of their auditions.

But the excitement doesn’t stop here! We are eagerly looking forward to seeing our students showcase their talents once again at the OPS School Performance, happening on 19th September at 1:15 - 2.30PM at St Margaret's. It’s going to be an afternoon filled with extraordinary performances and proud moments.

Join us in cheering on our amazing students as they take the stage and show us what they’ve got. Let’s come together to support and celebrate their incredible achievements!

🏊‍♂️ Exciting News: Swimming Term 4! 🏊‍♀️

We’re excited to announce that swimming lessons will be taking place for all primary school students during Term 4! This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to enhance their swimming skills, build confidence in the water, and most importantly, have a lot of fun!

Here’s what you need to prepare for the swimming sessions:

Swimwear: Ensure your child has a comfortable swimsuit that fits well.

Towel: A large towel is essential for drying off after the swim. Please label it with your child’s name to avoid mix-ups.

Goggles: If your child wears goggles, please make sure they are properly fitted and labeled. Goggles help in improving visibility and comfort while swimming.

Swim Cap: A swim cap can help keep hair out of the face and improve swim performance. It’s especially useful if your child has long hair.

Change of Clothes: Pack a complete change of clothes, including underwear, so your child can get dry and comfortable after their swim.

Water Bottle: Hydration is key! A water bottle will ensure your child stays hydrated before and after their swim.

Bag: A swim bag or backpack to carry all their gear will help keep everything organised.

We’re confident that next term’s swimming program will be both educational and enjoyable for our students. If you have any questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Emily Waldron.

State School Spectacular

We are brimming with pride as we reflect on the incredible hard work and dedication our students have poured into preparing for the State School Spectacular. Their commitment to excellence, countless hours of practice, and unwavering enthusiasm were truly inspiring and contributed to a memorable and spectacular performance.

A huge thank you to Mr. De Zilva for his outstanding leadership throughout this journey. His guidance, encouragement, and tireless efforts were pivotal in helping our students reach their full potential. Mr. De Zilva’s expertise and passion not only shaped their performance but also nurtured their growth and confidence.

To all our students, your determination and hard work is evident and you made us incredibly proud. This achievement is a testament to your dedication and talent.

Let’s celebrate this remarkable accomplishment.

🏉 Footy Day Dress-Up at School! 🏉

Get ready to show your team spirit because Footy Day is just around the corner! On Friday 20th September, we’re inviting all students to come dressed in their favorite footy team’s colors or jerseys. Whether you’re a fan of AFL, NRL, or any other footy code, it’s your chance to sport your team’s gear and celebrate the game with us!

To make the day even more exciting, we’ll be offering hotdogs and drinks. If you haven’t already, please make sure to bring back your completed forms for the hotdog and drink This will help us ensure everyone gets their tasty treats!

Let’s make Footy Day a memorable event with lots of fun, cheers, and team pride. Don’t forget to wear your team colors and return those forms on time!

Upcoming-See Key Dates

Emergency Management Drills

O.P.S Has Talent

Caldermeade Farm excursion

Division Athletics

September Staff Birthdays:

Jacqui

Amber

September Student Birthdays:

00 Addilyn

00 Lilly

00 Zara L

1/2 Rylan

1/2 Archer

1/2 Zack

3/4 Rachel

3/4 Aiden V

3/4 Aiden B

3/4 Dylan

3/4 Hudson

5/6 Sarah P

Officer Primary School Newsletter

Issue 10 · 17 Sep 2024

In this issue