Welcome

Wawa, Wominjika. 

Here at Old Orchard Primary School, we acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land we visit each day, the Wurrunguri and Woiwurrung people of the Kulin nation.  We acknowledge and respect the elders and leaders past and present and the elders and leaders of all of the cultures and nationalities that are part of the Old Orchard Primary School community.  We express our gratitude towards the orchards that were kept in place by the peoples on this land before us.  We thank the traditional owners for sharing this beautiful land that we all love, and for keeping the land, sky, waterways and animals all in great condition for thousands of years, not only for themselves but for all the generations to come.

Comedy Night 

We are eagerly anticipating tomorrow night’s Comedy Show featuring Dave O’Neil, Nick Cody and Sonia Di Lorio. There are still tickets available, so please join with family and friends (adults only) for a great night’s entertainment. 

Junior Concert - When I Grow Up

Tickets for the Prep to Year 3 Junior Concert, ‘When I Grow Up’, are selling fast. Make sure that you don’t miss out on what promises to be a highly entertaining show at The Round, Nunawading. Rhiannon Trimby and the students have been practising extremely hard and the children can’t wait to show off their talents in full costume and under the bright lights. Our Senior Choir will also be putting in a special guest appearance. We hope to see you there!

Important Visitors

This week we welcomed Inner East Area Director, Erika Bienert, and Senior Education Improvement Leader, Richard Lambert to Old Orchard. Both Erika and Richard spoke very positively about the calm, settled classrooms and learning environment, and the preconditions for learning that were apparent. Congratulations to our staff for the part they continue to play in this space and their commitment to the learning journey of our students. Erika also spoke positively about our reputation as an inclusive school and the great work we do with students with additional needs and challenges, as well as the natural, respectful warmth that was clear to see as we moved around the school. It was heartening to hear these features of our school acknowledged and appreciated. 

Oscar Allen

Huge congratulations to Year 6 student, Oscar Allen, who has been selected in the 12U Team Vic boys' softball team to compete at the School Sports Australia championships in NSW in late October. This is the second consecutive year that Oscar has been selected in this team, which is a fantastic achievement and we are all extremely proud of his efforts.

Year 3 Camp Gundiwindi

I was fortunate enough to visit our Year 3 campers at Gundiwindi Lodge in Wandin yesterday afternoon and it was fantastic to see the students so happy, relaxed and engaged with the activities. We enjoyed a great bushwalk where we learnt about some of the local flora and fauna. Following some free time, we enjoyed a delicious dinner comprising pasta & salad dinner, followed by ice-cream and topping. The evening was topped off with toasting marshmallows over a campfire before bathrooms and bed. We are incredibly appreciative of the staff in attendance, (Mandy, Anna, Mitch & Sharli), as well as the parent helpers, (Craig, Sarah & Dani.) Their time, commitment and level of care should never be taken for granted.

Year 4 Camp - Rumbug

Next week it is the turn of our Year 4 students who will head off to Camp Rumbug in Foster (otherwise known as the ‘muddy camp!’) Rumbug is also the hilliest of all our camps, so a great opportunity for students and adults to test out their leg muscles. The students are very excited and I know that we will have a fantastic few days.

As part of our annual review to our Child Safety Policies we would like to consult with our school community on our Child Abuse (including Grooming) Identification and Response Policy.  

If you have any input, questions or comments around the policy please send these through to Jen McCann (jennifer.mccann@education.vic.gov.au) or contact me on 9877 7899 by Friday 28th August 2026 so these can be considered before the policy is finalised for the 2-year period.

Warm regards

Duncan

Every Day Counts

At Old Orchard Primary School, we know that every day at school matters. Regular attendance helps children build strong friendships, develop confidence and stay connected with their learning. Missing school can make it harder for students to keep up with their learning, participate in classroom experiences and maintain important social connections.

It has been wonderful to see such a positive and consistent start to Term 3. Last week, our whole-school attendance rate increased slightly to 94.4%, up from 94.32% the previous week. Maintaining attendance above 94% throughout the term is an excellent achievement and reflects the ongoing commitment of our students, families and staff to making every day count.

Thank you to all of our families for supporting your child's attendance each day. We understand that there are times when students need to be absent due to illness or other important circumstances. When children are well enough to attend, every day at school provides valuable opportunities for learning, developing friendships and building confidence.

The Victorian Department of Education encourages families to prioritise school attendance by establishing consistent routines, communicating with the school if attendance becomes difficult, and arranging family holidays and appointments outside school hours wherever possible. Even occasional absences can add up over time and impact learning progress.

This Week's Tips to Support School Attendance

• Establish consistent routines. Regular bedtimes, preparing school bags the night before and allowing plenty of time in the morning can help make getting to school easier.
• Talk positively about school. Ask your child about their day, celebrate their successes and encourage them to share any worries early so they can be addressed before they become bigger concerns.
• Attend every day when your child is well. Every lesson builds on previous learning, and regular attendance helps children stay connected academically and socially.
• Plan ahead where possible. Schedule family holidays, appointments and other planned absences outside school hours to minimise disruption to learning.

• Reach out early if you're experiencing challenges. If your child is reluctant to attend school or there are barriers affecting attendance, please contact us as soon as possible. Working together early often leads to the best outcomes for students.

   

If your child is experiencing difficulties attending school, please don't hesitate to contact Adam Todd at adam.todd@education.vic.gov.au. We are committed to working alongside families to understand any barriers and develop supportive strategies that help every child attend regularly, feel connected and thrive at school.