Principal Message

Dear Families,

Apologies up front – this newsletter is a big one!

Apple Fair updates: Saturday 14th March from 11am to 4pm

Wristbands are on sale now via the Flexischools app
Silent Auction is underway and off to a flying start. Pop your bids in at https://www.32auctions.com/applefair2026
Bake Sale information has been sent home! Please join in, see the instructions and contribute to the Apple Fair
Donations are still welcome – Blocks of chocolate, teddies, toys etc – Keep them coming.

Thanks to Steph King and her team who have done an exceptional job so far. The Advertising is looking great around town, the rides and entertainment is sorted and all we need is families and friends to turn up and have a great day!

Start of the day: Most mornings, Mrs H and I visit various classrooms. We have noticed that some teachers have had to start their lessons 3 or 4 times as late students enter the class and are unsure what to do and at times, can distract other learners. Instruction time begins at 9am. Please have your child ready to learn by 9am so we maximise teaching and learning time and also decrease student anxiety when they are late and unsure what is happening in the class. We recommend planning this the night before so that everything is organised for the following morning so routines are predictable and calm.

School Photos: Loads of new hair styles around the school on Monday as students and staff had their photos taken. Please keep an eye on the newsletter for Photo purchasing information. Other information was also sent prior to this week.

Peer Mediators: An amazing group of approx. 20 Year 6 students, who have ‘grown up’ around the school are now giving back. These leaders assist students in the playground with activities and sometime social issues too. Rhonda, our school Chaplain, trains them up, builds their confidence and enables the Year 6’s to work with and support some of the younger students. Thanks to Rhonda and all the Peer Mediators.

Volunteers & Child Safe Standards: We have been inundated by keen parent helpers and Kerryn McKeon has run several training and refresher courses (required annually) for families. Thanks to all families who have attended and are ready to go. It is a timely reminder of the Child Safe Standards that we have to adhere to and be consciously aware of. These standards were put in place in 2016 to protect children and young people from harm and abuse. We take them very seriously and encourage the community to become more aware and familiar with them, and what actions you can take if you see something.

Policy: Working for the Department of Education (DE) can be challenging at times as policy is introduced, reviewed, changed and executed. We do our best at keeping up with the policy changes and trying to keep our school website up to date. Occasionally a policy will change, and it takes us time to update it via School Council. Other times it is a simple alteration, and we are good to go.

School Uniform Policy: A friendly reminder about a few uniform aspects… we wear our House colours on Wednesdays only. Shoulder length hair to be tied up. Sleepers or stud earrings only. Necklaces, bracelets are not part of uniform. More info on the school website.

School voluntary contributions: A huge thanks to all families who have chosen to financially contribute to the school. Your contributions help us offset the costs of lots of things and enable us to explore how we add value to the education program at OGPS. It’s not too late to contribute and any contribution is always appreciated.

Financial Assistance: We’d like to remind parents that financial assistance is available for camps, sport, excursions and events. Thank you to our families who have contributed to the Student Assistance Fund that enable us to support others. Our Parents and Friends also support families at times with being able to attend their events. If you need any assistance please contact Lara Field (or Jenny Peters at the moment), our Business Manager on 5255 1340 or email ocean.grove.ps@education.vic.gov.au

Facilities: Mrs H and I are always looking for was to improve the facilities at OGPS and a few things we are working towards in 2026 include:

Accessibility ramps near Year 4 portables, bottom basketball down towards Asbury St and the SLC (Year 5 & 6) which are under construction
Solar Panels – another 30KW being installed this week on the North Wing building
The Gordon Institute students back onsite learning in situ on our site as they complete a few projects around the school too which may include some concreting and decking works near the amphitheatre.

Have a great week everyone.

Scott McCumber

Principal