Principal Report

Bullying 

To say that the last 12 months has been interesting would be a massive understatement. (Covid 19, the lock down, isolation, home schooling) In order to get back to some normality we at Oatlands have been working hard to ensure that our students feel safe, supported and connected. While our students won’t be at school on Friday 19th of March as a family we can still consider: The National Day of Action, Against Bullying and Violence.

At our school staff regularly strives to ensure that children understand that bullying, in its varied forms: 

· Is to be reported quickly if experienced by any child; 

· Is taken seriously and addressed swiftly & appropriately when seen or reported; 

· Can be minimised, if not eliminated, from our learning environment; 

· Is not acceptable. 

Unfortunately, bullying does occur from time to time in every school, just as it does in society. I would like you to be aware, however, that we are serious about this issue and that our staff are quite proactive in dealing with, or intervening in, observed or reported incidents. 

In recent weeks, teachers of all classes have led discussions and shared strategies with all children about ways in which together we can minimise, (if not eliminate) bullying in our school. 

Take the time to discuss the issue of bulling with your children this Friday. If you need assistance, a wealth of information is available to parents through the ‘Bullying. No way!’ website. Go to Bullying. No Way! #NDA2020. 

We would welcome your support and that of your child/ren.

On another note:

Today I would like to introduce ‘Rachel Randal’ to Oatlands PS. Rachel has been delivered to school today and she is an upright recycled piano. She was sourced from the ‘A Program for Recycled Educational Pianos in Schools’ and she will be living under cover in the ‘Pirate Ship’ playground. She has been weather-proofed, tuned and ready to play. While our students will have fun tapping on the keys making their own sounds and composures, we welcome anyone in our school community with piano playing skills to try her out.

John Armao