From the Principal

End of Term 4 2023

The last day of the 2023 school year is Wednesday, 20th December. Students will be dismissed at 1.30pm. OSHC will be available from that time.

Start of the School Year 2024

Level 1 to 6 – Tuesday, 30th January

Foundation – Tuesday, 30th January, half a day as per Induction information.

Thank you to our staff who are leaving

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff members who won’t be returning to our School and Kindergarten in 2024.

Erin James: Who is on Maternity Leave/Parental Leave, but will be returning in Term 4.

Simone Glenn Ward who has recently submitted her resignation. She began working with us in 2006 as an Education Assistant. From the start it was evident how well suited she was to this career; she was a natural. With encouragement and a lot of hard work and study Simone went on to become a qualified Early Childhood teacher. Those of you who have been lucky enough to have your children taught by her know how wonderful, caring and dedicated she is. Again, with encouragement and coercion as I recognised her leadership skills, ability to drive improvement and form positive relationships, she went on to become the Educational Leader of the Kindergarten and the OSHC Program. We wish her well as she embarks upon her next adventure.

Madhu: Madhu has worked as an Education Assistant for many years both at our Kindergarten and in our Out of School Hours Care Program. In that time she supported and worked with many of our children both at the School and the Kindergarten. We wish her well in her new position at Mount Waverley North.

Libby Mason: Libby has become a familiar face at the front office over the last two years. She has fitted in very well with the school community and been a valuable member of the administration team taking care of First Aid and other office duties with good humour and enthusiasm. We wish her well as she is returning to her base school in a full time capacity.

There’s no such thing as goodbyes and farewells when it comes to teachers… because their teachings forever stay in their student’s minds and hearts.

2024 Classes

Last Monday students from Prep – 5 participated in the Up program, as part of our transition into their 2024 year level. The students were able to listen to their teachers talk about what might be happening and were given the opportunity to ask questions. We have an outstanding teaching team and I am very confident that all our students will be well supported in their new classes both academically and socially.

The staff spent considerable time and effort developing the best class structures and student placement possible. They considered the children's requested learning partners, spread of abilities, genders, social and emotional needs, friendships and parent requests (which were due in early November). As teachers, we ask that you support your child at this time by speaking positively about the new school experiences and exciting opportunities that 2024 will bring.

You can support your child through the transition process by asking positive questions such as:

What are you looking forward to the most next year?
What things are you really good at and what would you like to learn more about?
Who is someone in the class that you would like to get to know better?
What would you like me to tell your new teacher about you?

If your child is still uneasy or worried please let us know so that next year’s teacher can ensure that they can do what they can to ease their concerns and make them feel comfortable.

Farewell Year 6 Students

I would like to thank all of the students in Year 6 for their contributions to our school community over their time with us and for the passion and commitment they have shown to learning and being an inclusive member of the school community. They have always taken the time to greet me and the other staff when they pass by and have cared for and looked after the younger students, especially their buddies.

This year we have continued to increase the opportunities our students had to act as leaders including: taking a major role in assemblies, running student led lunchtime clubs and helping more in the community. I have been inspired by their ideas and the way they have managed each of these tasks.

It is a great pleasure for me to have been a part of their journey, many of them having been with us since kindergarten. I have seen over the years evidence of their empathy and compassion, positive outlook and always doing their best. Reading through their reflections it is very clear to me that this group of Year 6’s clearly understand what is important in life – a commitment to making the most of every opportunity and the world a better place.

2024 Year 6 Leadership Team

I would like to thank the students who were courageous enough to apply for a leadership position recently, both through the interview process (School Captains) and speeches (House Captains). The teachers and I were very proud of them. The speeches they made were spoken from the heart and demonstrated a sound understanding of the qualities of a good leader and how it applies to the school setting.

As I have stated before leadership in Year 6 is not just be confined to the small number of students who gain an official position. All Year 6 students are expected to take on leadership responsibilities. Leadership involves having an increased sense of responsibility to help others and to model leadership principles and values. From these speeches and our knowledge of these students I know they will fulfil these roles admirably.

Congratulations to:

School Captains

Olivia Lim,

Hyeri Na,

Yianni Tsitsikas

Shriyam Shukla

House Captains

Moresby: Emily Paine and Terence Wu

Logie: Olivia Veselinovic and Isaac Wu

McMillan: Lara Lubransky and Elise King

Nelson: Martina Nasr and Nina Lane Nicols

The end of another year and my final goodbye

Next week marks the end of my many years of employment with the Victorian Education Department. After a wonderful 13 years at Oakleigh Primary School and Kindergarten I feel so privileged to have been able to finish my career at such a fabulous school.

As I reflect on my time at Oakleigh I feel a sense of satisfaction in relation to what together we have been able to achieve. I specifically use the term ‘together’ because I have felt a great sense of support and energy from the staff, School Council and the wider community over the last six years, particularly through times of COVID and the refurbishment.

By all measures 2023 has been another successful year, with far fewer disruptions than in the last few years. One of my greatest joys has been the warm way I am greeted every morning at the gate. A friendly smile and personal greeting are a true food for the soul.

The first year without major renovations gave me more time to spend with students and enjoy the usual day to day routines that are part of my job. However, I am very proud of what we have achieved over the last six years in the complete refurbishment of our school buildings and grounds. The flexibility, adaptability and tolerance of the teachers, students and parents has been amazing. The amphitheatre has been upgraded in the last few weeks and we are awaiting the installation of the bench seats in January.

I thank our teachers for their unwavering commitment to the needs of the students in their care. Their professionalism and commitment is second to none. On a personal note, I would also like to thank Jane McClelland, Office Manager, Bron Orr, Assistant Principal and our support staff for being such a great support network for me and for their tireless commitment to the needs of students, staff and the wider community. I could not have done this job without them.

To the parents and students who are leaving our school community I wish you well and thank you for being part of our school. Whatever you strive for, whatever you do I wish you well. To our returning staff, students and families I am sure that the school will continue to be a successful and happy place to be a part of.

I would like to make special mention of David Woodgate, who has been on our School Council, for many years and for most of my time as Principal has been School Council President. I would also like to thank Mark Schramm, who has been on School Council for many years, but is retiring from Council as his daughter, Lily, is moving on to Secondary School. They have both been wonderful supporters and champions of our school and a great help to myself and Jack before me.

I trust our school community will give the next principal the same level of support and encouragement that I have been afforded. I will look back on my time at OPS&K with great fondness. Kind regards to all.

Holiday Wishes

Our school is very multicultural, a fact we embrace, and therefore for many families Christmas is not part of their religious or cultural tradition. However, this holiday period gives us the opportunity to spend time with our family and friends and reflect on the things that are truly important to us. It is a time for ‘gratitude’ – acknowledging and giving thanks for all we have.

Certainly one of the main messages of Christmas is that it is a time of giving and sharing with those around us, but that sharing is not limited to those that we love and care for. It is also for the person that we have never met and will never see - those whose lives are not as fortunate as ours and could use a helping hand. So in closing I wish everyone an enjoyable, relaxing and peaceful festive season.

Michele Nolan

Principal

michele.nolan@education.vic.gov.au