Principal's Desk

*Please ensure you have read the Key Dates for Term 1.

Dear Parent/Guardian/Carer/Staff and Students,

Welcome back! I hope you've all had a superb break over the summer holidays. We have certainly made a terrific start with students getting back into routine smoothly. 

Thank you to those families who were able to join our Family Picnic. We hope you had a good time making connections with new and existing families.

A special welcome to our new Prep students joining our school community. You have made a amazing start. 

Our new PREP collage for 2024:

New Staff

A warm welcome to Mr Shaw. He will be teaching Grade 3 and 4 this year. Another excellent practitioner joining the team.

New Subject

We are excited to be offering a new subject for all students called STEAM. This subject incorporates Science, Technology, Engineering, The Arts & Mathematics. Ms White has made a terrific start leading this subject. All students will have 2hrs a week of this subject.

I'd like to remind our community about our leadership Team and contacts-

Leadership Team

Emily Waldron: Mental Health, Engagement & Well being Leader

Julian DeZilva: Numeracy Specialist (Teaching & Learning)

Luisa Prendergast: Literacy Specialist (Teaching & Learning)

Nicole Peachey: Disability & Inclusion Leader

Julie Barrow: Business Manager

Mati Azadzoi: Principal (Strategic Plan, Accountability, OHS & Facilities)

Launch of Whole-School Instructional Model (Evidence-based Teaching and Learning) at OPS

We have collaboratively developed and launched our whole school Instructional Model for 2024. This is an evidence-based model whereby every student is taught using a consistent approach across all subjects using the 'gradual-release' of teaching model. This work will have significant impact to the success of student learning and build a consistent teaching approach across the school. The first phase of the T&L model is being unpacked with staff focusing on Learning Intentions and Success Criteria as part of their Professional Development. Every student will note what they are learning and how to meet 'success' in their classroom. All classrooms will have fixed visible magnets with the model below:

Whole School VALUES posters with definitions:

Whole School Restorative Behaviour Management approach:

Whole School Behavioural Responsibilities chart:

New Values AWARDS

We are excited to share with our community our new Values Awards. These awards will be distributed to students on a fortnightly basis through assemblies on Fridays. This will replace previously 'Student of the Week' awards. See sample below:

House Captain Announcements and Congratulations

Well done to the following students for successfully picking up House Captain roles for 2024:

McMullen - Nolene & Sid

Hicks - Sarah & Aalizah

Lecky - Jaxon & Zahra

Starling - Sophie & Macey

New Lunch time Clubs

For 2024 we have launched new lunch time clubs Monday to Friday for all students. Some of the clubs are:

-Table Tennis

-Card games

-Mindfulness Colouring

-ART & Craft

-Chess Club

School Council 2024

Please see key documents relating to School Council information for 2024 including the election and nominations process on Compass.

If you have any further queries, please contact the school or email mati.azadzoi@education.vic.gov.au. Nominations close 4.00pm Monday 1st March 2024. All nominations must be forwarded and submitted to the school Principal.

Parents & Friends Annual General Meeting and Office Bearers Election Date

Each year the school calls for registrations for our Parents and Friends Association for Officer Primary School. The Parent and Friend Association are a significant body that lead key events for our school community. We highly rely on their support! We would love as many parents to participate in our school community this year. Please see Compass for the registration forms and Officer Primary School's PFA Constitution. The Constitution outlines the way PFA operates.

Our Annual General Meeting for election of Officer Bearers for- President, Secretary and Treasurer role will be held on: Monday March 4th at 5.30pm @ Officer Primary School (Library)

School Exterior Pressure Clean

Pressure cleaning has occurred over the summer break of all exterior buildings including removal of all lichen across all buildings. Our buildings are now sparkling. We are very proud of our presentation.

Junior School, Digital Technology lab and Library Upgrades

We are very excited to be using our new painted Junior School building. Our library has been repainted too over the summer break. We now have a dedicated Digital Technology lab for all of our students. Please see images below of the changes:

Breakfast Club 2024

Breakfast Club hours are from 8.15am to 8.40am. 

January/February Staff Birthdays:

Nicole P 

Mati A

Carol M

January/February Student Birthdays: 

00 Ben R

12 Indianna D

12 Hunter P

34 Sophie D

34 Addi B

34 Edith R

56 Aalizah T

56 Alethia G

56 Charli E

56 Arjun B

56 Indianna R

56 Silas R

56 Nathan C

Recap of some of our key highlights and achievements for 2023 (summary):

• Above state and network NAPLAN results in Grade 3 for Reading, Writing and Numeracy
• Above state and network NAPLAN in Grade 5 Writing
• Above state and network Parent Opinion Survey Results
• Above state and network Staff Opinion Survey Results

• Developed our whole school Instructional Model
• Developed a new whole school Reporting System
• Improved communication through the launch of COMPASS
• Introduced our new E-newsletter platform
• New School leadership Team
• Facilities upgrade; new laptops for students, new air conditioners in classrooms and new Digital Portfolio TV's
• Hired exceptional new teachers.
• Development of new vision and values as a school 
• Introduced PAT Testing across the school. 
• Student Voice and Agency; SRC committee, student leadership and reward-systems
• Significant School Based Events to improve engagement
• Whole school Curriculum Mapping to improve PLC's and deliver quality teaching
• Set and locked painting work over Summer Break to enhance Middle School and Administration buildings
• Successfully upgraded 2 toilets
• Enhanced school concerts, assemblies and community engagement 
• New school Website 
• Successfully passing our child safe standards audit and VRQA requirements. 
• Restructure of office duties and administration 
• Implemented consistent behaviour management response
• Successfully received $25,000 grant from VSBA to ICT upgrades