Principal's Message

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.

As we still bask in the joy that the fete brought to us all on the weekend term 4 busy school life has continued!

Our swimming program has got off to a flying start this week!  Students have enjoyed their daily bus trips and have done an incredible job with managing their belongings, changing and the challenges of the swimming program so far.  Swimming is a vital skill for safety and it is terrific to see the high percentage of our students taking up the opportunity to develop their skills through the school program.

We are still in the process of finalising staff placements and class lists for 2025 next year.  Whilst very exciting, changes from year to year can sometimes be challenging for some of our students.  In response to some feedback from families last year we have scheduled an additional transition session for our students this year to help ease anxieties and help our students to feel more comfortable with change.  On Tuesday 10th December our students will spend time in the morning block practising being in the next year level (ie. 2024 year 1s will spend some time in the year 2 classrooms).  This session will not be spent in their new class or with their new teacher but will be a time where they are mixed with other students from their cohort.  On Tuesday 17th December students will find out their class for 2025 and will spend a session in their new class, with their new teacher and in their new room.  

Our Carols on the Green evening will be Wednesday 11th December starting at 3:45pm.  We look forward to seeing many of you join us on the school oval!