The Harvest

Principal's Message

Wawa, Wominjika.

 

Here at Old Orchard Primary School, we acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land we visit each day, the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung 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.

 

Year 4 Camp

Our Year 4 students are having a fantastic time at Camp Rumbug (near Foster). They are enjoying a wide range of exciting adventure activities, including the infamous Mud Run! Thanks as always to our staff and parent helpers who give up their own time to make the camps possible.

Next week it is the turn of our Year 3 students, who will be heading to Gundiwindi Lodge in Silvan. 

 

Olympic Games 

 If you are a sports fan, the Olympic Games provide a wonderful opportunity to binge watch a multitude of sports and appreciate the incredible performances of athletes from all around the world, share the emotion of successes and disappointments and witness amazing sporting moments. Even for those who aren’t obsessed with sport, the Olympics provide many great examples of perseverance, resilience, dedication, commitment and passion that can be applied to any area of life. These principles and qualities are all about being the best one can be, whether that applies to personal health, frienship & relationships, success in school and work and countless other examples. A consistent theme throughout the Games was the number of athletes who were outstanding not only in their sporting endeavours but also in academic achievements, professional growth, artistic pursuits and many more. We can learn a great deal from the example that they set.

 

Building works

The building works are progressing slowly. We hope to be back in the STEM room and Year 4 classrooms in a week or two, before the library is vacated for some roofing and associated works.

 

Book Week

We are looking forward to Book Week next week, including our special Book Week Parade on August 20th. Apart from the fun and frivolity associated with Book Week, the powerful underlying message is the promotion of books and a love of reading. A love of reading is important for several reasons, as it offers a wide range of benefits that contribute to personal growth, intellectual development, and emotional well-being. Here are some key reasons why a love of reading is valuable:

1. Cognitive Development

  • Enhances Knowledge: Reading exposes you to new ideas, cultures, and perspectives, broadening your understanding of the world.
  • Improves Vocabulary and Language Skills: Regular reading expands your vocabulary, improves your grammar, and enhances your ability to express yourself clearly.
  • Strengthens Critical Thinking: Engaging with diverse content helps you develop analytical skills, as you evaluate and interpret the information you read.

2. Emotional and Mental Health

  • Reduces Stress: Reading can be a form of escapism, providing a mental break from the stresses of daily life. It can help relax the mind and reduce anxiety.
  • Fosters Empathy: Through stories, readers can experience the emotions and lives of others, helping them develop a deeper sense of empathy and understanding.
  • Enhances Emotional Intelligence: Reading about different characters and situations can help you understand and manage your own emotions better.

3. Personal Development

  • Encourages Lifelong Learning: A love of reading fosters curiosity and a desire for continuous learning, which is vital for personal growth.
  • Improves Concentration and Focus: Regular reading habits can enhance your attention span and ability to concentrate on tasks.
  • Boosts Creativity and Imagination: Reading fiction, in particular, stimulates the imagination, encouraging creative thinking and innovation.

4. Social and Communication Skills

  • Improves Writing Skills: Exposure to various writing styles and structures can enhance your own writing abilities, making you a more effective communicator.
  • Encourages Open-Mindedness: Reading a wide range of genres and topics encourages you to consider different viewpoints and become more open-minded.
  • Facilitates Social Interaction: A love of reading often leads to engaging conversations, whether through book clubs, discussions, or sharing recommendations with others.

5. Academic and Professional Success

  • Foundation for Academic Achievement: Strong reading skills are linked to academic success, as they are essential for understanding and analyzing complex material.
  • Professional Growth: In many professions, staying updated with the latest knowledge and trends requires a habit of regular reading.

Overall, a love of reading enriches your life, making you more knowledgeable, empathetic, and equipped to navigate the world with a deeper understanding and greater confidence.

 

Kind regards

Duncan