From Our Principals

Dear families,

What an action-packed week it has been and what a special day yesterday was for our community! It was magical to see so many of our grandparents, special friends and families join us for a coffee, then spend time in classrooms, with the day culminating in an incredible book parade in the sunshine. We’ve included lots of wonderful photos for you to enjoy further along in the newsletter.

Thank you to everyone in our community for making yesterday so special. It was truly heart-warming to see multiple generations come together at our school to celebrate learning and community.

I would also like to share some bittersweet news: our Art teacher, Andria Arendze, will be leaving us next Friday to take up an exciting new opportunity in secondary education. We are so grateful for her contribution to OPS and wish her every success in the next chapter of her career. We will give Andria a proper send-off at assembly on Friday.

Curriculum Day Recap

On Monday, we were very fortunate to work with educator and positive psychology coach Chris Egan.

Together as a staff, we engaged in an Appreciative Inquiry (pictured above), which guided us through a process that honoured our past, highlighted our strengths, and inspired us to think boldly about the future. Throughout the session, we continually reflected on the impact of our vision for students, staff, the wider community, and the curriculum.

Some of the key statements and aspirations that emerged from our work included:

• Connected Community
• Thriving Culture
• Empowered and Valued

• Students at the Heart

   

We are excited to continue this work and look forward to gathering insights from our whole community as we move forward.

Professional Learning all the way from LA.

Last week, we were incredibly fortunate to have John Hollingsworth, author of Explicit Direct Instruction, beam into Ormond Primary School all the way from LA at 11:45pm his time!

The focus of this professional learning session was student engagement and high-participation strategies. We felt truly honoured to hear directly from the author and, as a staff, to explore strategies such as the use of mini whiteboards, pair share (partner talk), and cold calling.

Even more rewarding was the strong sense of affirmation among staff that we are already well on our way in implementing many of these evidence-based practices in our classrooms.

ICAS Assessment MATHEMATICS - Tue 26 Aug

A reminder to families that the next ICAS assessment will be next week. Further information will be sent via Compass.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and please continue reading to for more updates and happenings around OPS.

With thanks,

Anna-Marie Yelland

Birches Early Learning Centre Visit

On Monday 11 August we had a very special little crew visit OPS from Birches ELC. It was so wonderful to see their enthusiasm and see how much they enjoyed themselves. We were so proud to see how welcoming our Foundation students were, and how they shared their space and equipment so well.   

The children were lucky to have Anna-Marie treat them to story-time in the library. They all listened beautifully.

We were especially impressed by the kinder students’ stamina - walking half an hour to reach us and another half an hour back to kinder! 

Cultures Collide

On Saturday 09 August was Raksha Bandhan celebration in the Hindu culture.

A big thank you to Jovi S’s mum, who came in to share what the festival meant in her culture. We shared some food and every child received a wrist band. 

Social Stencil at Ormond

Ormond Primary is excited to introduce Social Stencil, a research-based program that supports students in building important social and emotional skills. With the support of a Stonnington Youth Services grant, a couple of staff members have completed the official training and are now running small-group sessions with students. These groups will give students a chance to practise shared strategies before the program is introduced more broadly across classrooms.

Through engaging activities and discussions, students explore how to make and keep friends, manage conflict in positive ways, and solve problems respectfully. The program also helps them learn to understand their own and others’ perspectives, giving them tools to create an inclusive and supportive school community.

We’re proud to be investing in programs that promote wellbeing, respectful relationships, and a strong sense of belonging for every child at Ormond.

Find out more about the program at www.socialstencil.com.

A New Sensory Room at Ormond Primary School

We are happy to announce that Ormond Primary School is creating a dedicated Sensory Room for our students.

A sensory room is a calm and supportive space designed to help children regulate their emotions, refocus their attention, and re-engage in their learning. These spaces can include a variety of tools and resources such as calming lights, tactile objects, movement equipment, and quiet areas that assist children in managing feelings of overwhelm, restlessness, or anxiety.

We look for forward to consulting with an occupational therapist and  ‘sensory expert’ for advise on how we can improve this space.

At times, some students may benefit from a short break in the sensory room with the guidance of our Education Support staff. This allows them to step away, use strategies to reset, and then return to their classroom ready to participate and learn.

We are pleased to offer this resource as part of our commitment to student wellbeing and to creating an inclusive learning environment where every child feels supported and able to succeed.

PCG Opinion Survey

The Parent/Carer/Guardian Survey is now open, please check Compass for all details.