Principal Report 

Dear families,

As we edge closer to our end of term break, I would like to acknowledge that the last few weeks have been a little challenging for some families, students and staff with the winter flu season beginning. Thank you for helping us all to stay healthy by keeping and supporting sick children at home, and for being so responsive to our Office team when the call comes home that your child is unwell. It is truly appreciated.

Our dedicated staff at Oatlands have been extremely busy the last few weeks finalising assessment and writing student reports. Student reports provide meaningful information for teachers, students and their parents/carers on students’ achievement and progress. Please take the time to read through your child’s report and congratulate them on their efforts this semester. Reports will be available via Compass from 4pm next Friday 23rd June.

This term has provided many of our students with opportunities to be involved in events and activities that differ from the normal classroom routine:

• Our Kids Kitchen team baked some delicious and healthy treats for students to enjoy, working through the design process. 
• Several Grade 5 & Grade 6 students participated in a 6 week cooking program, following recipes, and making some delicious food that they have taken home to share with their families. 
• The Grade 1 students had a ‘School in The Olden Days’ day at school and dressed up in clothes from yester year.
• We had many students participate in cross country, our Grade 6 students participated in Interschool Sport playing winter sports against other schools and we fielded a girl and a mixed netball team to compete in the KEA Cup with our mixed team winning the grand final. Some students went and represented Oatlands in a Hot Shots Tennis tournament and a number of very excited and competitive chess enthusiasts went off to play in a tournament with Oatlands coming 5th overall.

Students also had the opportunity to do something special for their wonderful mum/carers earlier this term to thank them for the amazing job they do every day. Different year levels created ways for the students to show their appreciation and the Mother’s Day Stall was also a hit with a variety of gifts available to purchase by the students.

With the weather becoming a little chillier and daylight hours disappearing more quickly being outside becomes a little less inviting. We know the benefits being active has on our mental and physical health, with the recommendation being that we do a total of 1 hour of physical activity per day.

I feel it’s important to remind families of the value in maintaining healthy routines during the holidays (healthy diet, sleep and exercise) and to give a little reminder to our students to limit their screen time and encourage them to get up and get active as often as possible.

https://www.getactive.vic.gov.au/around-home/

Deanne Morgan