From the Office

Public Speaking Competition

This term we will be holding the annual Old Orchard Primary School Public Speaking Competition. All students in Prep to Year 4 are welcome to take part should they choose to. It is not compulsory for students to engage in this event. Participating students will present a speech to their own class about their topic (see below) in Round 1. Semi finalists will then deliver to their year level in Round 2. Five students from each year level will then be selected to showcase their speech at the grand final. 

The topics and time limits for each year level are:

• Prep – ‘All about me’ - 1 minute
• Grade 1 – ‘My favourite thing to do with my family is…’ – 1 minute 30 seconds
• Grade 2 – ‘My favourite thing to do is…’ – 1 minute 30 seconds
• Grade 3 – ‘The most fun I have ever had was when...’ – 2 minutes
• Grade 4 – ‘Someone who inspires me is…’ – 2 minutes

Each classroom teacher will talk to the students about the topics and expectations of this competition, but you might like to start thinking about a speech if your child would like to participate. If your child would like to be a contender he or she will need to prepare and rehearse their speech at home.

The 1st and 2nd round of speeches will happen during Weeks 6, 7 and 8, (each year level’s teachers will advise of the date for these) and the grand final will be held on Thursday, December 5th at 12.20pm.  You will be notified if your child has been successful in progressing to the finals. Look out for your special invitation!

1:1 iPad program

At Old Orchard Primary School, we take great pride in our 1:1 iPad program. Digital integration has been a valuable component of our educational approach. The iPads in our classroom are used in an intentional and carefully considered manner that support learning and wellbeing outcomes for all our students. 

Earlier this year we conducted a review of our 1:1 iPad program. Feedback was collected through a survey of both staff and parents to evaluate the potential transition from a BYOD (bring your own device) program to a model with school-owned devices. The community survey reflected strong support, with a high majority of families advocating for this change. 

While we integrate online safety education into our curriculum and work diligently to teach students about potential risks, we have observed a rise in online incidents occurring outside school hours that negatively impact students’ learning and wellbeing in the classroom. Research from the eSafety Commissioner indicates that nearly a quarter of children aged 8-10 report using social media weekly or more, and nearly half of those aged 11-13 do the same. As a nation, we are currently engaged in an important conversation about the potentially harmful effects social media and online use may have on our children, and as a school we believe that we have an opportunity to support families in navigating this ever-evolving online world. 

A school-owned device model will differ from our current BYOD model in a number of ways: 

• iPads will remain on the school premises and will not be taken home. 

• Devices will be leased under a three-year agreement, after which they will be updated to ensure access to the latest technology. 

• There will be an added Digital Technology fee to school fees. • Devices will be managed through a new management system (Jamf Pro Apple Device Management), offering staff enhanced control over their functionality, usage and security. 

• We will provide equitable access for all students in P-6. There will be an appropriate ratio of students per device, which will differ between year levels. 

We recognise that our current Year 3-5 students already have BYOD devices; therefore, the transition to a fully school-owned model will span the next 2-3 years. Beginning next year, we will initiate this phased transition with our 2025 P-3 students being the first group to move to a school-owned model, whilst our 2025 Year 4-6 students will continue with the BYOD model. 

In the coming weeks, we will provide families with further information regarding this transition, including specific iPad guidelines for our current Year 3-5 students who will continue with the BYOD program.

Swimming Program

Our whole school swimming program will commence on Monday 18th November for two weeks at Aquanation, Corner Greenwood Avenue and Reily Street Ringwood.  During the program students attend school at the normal time of 8.50am until 3.30pm.

The program schedule is listed below.  Year 6 parents please note the bus for this year level will leave at 9.00am sharp, so it is extremely important students are in the classroom at 8.50am to have the roll marked prior to departing.  Due to tight time restrictions buses are not able to wait for any late arrivals.

Students must wear their bathers to school under their uniform (no board shorts replacing school shorts please). We suggest girls wear one-piece bathers rolled down beneath their uniform for easy bathroom access. 

Students will need to bring a separate swimming bag to school each day containing the following:

• Towel
• Goggles
• Underwear
• “Quick shoes” (crocs, slides or thongs)
• Plastic bag for wet items

***Please ensure all items are labelled with your child’s full name***

Students must wear their normal school shoes/runners to school (this includes Year 6 students).  Before boarding the bus they will be asked to put on their “quick shoes” to make changing at the pool more efficient.

The second last day of the program (Thursday 28th November) will be water safety day.  All students will need bring an old T-shirt to wear over the top of their bathers on this day.

The final day will be a Fun Day.  Years 3-6 will be using the inflatable obstacle course and the blue water slide.   Prep, Year 1 and 2 will use the splashpad water playground and have games in the pool. 

Finally, a reminder that payment of $125.00 for the swimming program is now due and can be made on the Sentral portal, at the office or by direct deposit.

BSB 063 485  Account No 1002 1781   Ref: Child’s surname

Art Room Request

The Art Room is looking for donations of the tubes that are inside the paper towel rolls.  Donations can be dropped at the office or at the Art Room.  Thank you!

Thank you to our amazing sponsors who have kindly supported this year's fete.

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