Principal Message
Dear Families,
Plants: Special thanks to Emma Halliday and 1MM for your work in planting out the big garden beds near the sand pit. The kids looked like they had a great time planting the new additions. Thanks again Emma.
Kind Behaviours: I hope you have all seen the signs around the school with our three ‘Kind Behaviours’. We use these to have conversations with students when they need reminding about behaviour expectations. Feel free to follow up with your children about the three ‘Kind Behaviours’ so they are clear on what is expected at school.
Rotary: Last night I attended the Rotary Dinner at the OG bowls club where students from OGPS and nearby schools presented their work they have been doing within the community. There were some great presentations, and all involved should be congratulated. Special mention to Edie P for her presentation and to Lucas Chadwick for his organisation. I hope you have learnt from this experience and continue to be active community members.
Trees: Each year we have an audit conducted on every tree over 6m tall. They are given a rating and recommended actions. Any tree in the “high risk - remove” category is acted upon with support from The Department of Education. Last weekend we had some trees removed and some trimmed. More works to come over the next few weekends with the mulch being reused across school gardens.
The Gordon: 12 Gordon students will be onsite over the next few weeks. They will plant out the area near the new retaining wall on the oval and use the mulch from our trees in this area too. Please discuss with your children, the importance of giving these new plants an opportunity to grow and establish themselves. Your support is greatly appreciated as we try to increase the biodiversity in our grounds.
Foundation 2026: Our first transition session was held yesterday. We got a chance to meet and greet some new families and students who begin their formal education with us next year. Please make new families feel welcome over the next few weeks. Special thanks to the Foundation team for your work planning and delivering transition sessions. And to the staff that look after the current foundation students to enable these sessions - Thank you!
Remembrance Day: Yesterday the Year 5 & 6 students braved the elements and attended the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Ocean Grove Park. The students were very respectful during the ceremony, and we had representatives from Year 5 & 6 lay a wreath at the cenotaph in the park. It was a time to reflect on how fortunate we are not only to be in Australia, but Ocean Grove and remember those who have fallen before us.
CRT’s: Casual Relief Teachers are a crucial part of any school’s operations, and we have some absolute gems! Teachers unfortunately get ill and may need time to rest and recover as well as some teachers taking various periods of long service leave. When a teacher is on leave or unwell, we do our best to replace them promptly and when possible, consistently with a familiar CRT. We thank you for your understanding.
Staffing changes: This time of the year is extremely busy for schools who are managing the now and planning for the following year. Financial planning, recruiting staff, interviews all on top of teaching and learning and writing reports. A few changes to our staff after this year will see our beloved Dallas Holden leave us for an opportunity at a new school in Geelong. Dallas has been a teacher here for many years, has had her two boys attend the school and has sung her heart and soul out for us at many a concert and Apple Fair. We will miss Dallas and her the work she has done to give the performing artists every opportunity to shine but we know she will stay in touch with us.
Also, Lucas Chadwick who has only been with us for this year, has decided to take a detour from teaching next year. Lucas has made a great impact across the Year 6 team and embraced everything involved in the SLC. We sincerely thank Lucas for his work and care for the Year 6’s. We hope you get back into teaching in the future as we need great people like Lucas in the profession.
Please thank Dallas and Lucas when you see them around the school between now and the end of the year and ensure they enjoy the run to December 19th.
Have a great week everyone.
Scott McCumber
Principal
