Oakleigh PS Newsletter

From the Principal

Winter is upon us! It’s been very chilly on yard duty in the mornings, but it’s a lovely time to catch up with parents and students before the school day starts. Just a reminder that the Warrigal Road gate, nearest to the overpass is open each morning as another entry point.

150th Birthday

The plans for 150th birthday celebration are progressing well. We have had designed special 150 birthday logos which we will be using throughout the year. You may have already noticed that all staff are using it in their email signature. 

 

 

The details of the event are in the poster here.

 

Please spread the word to people you know that may have some connection to Oakleigh PS - past students, teachers and families. You can get updates on our social media pages.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reminder Foundation enrolment 

Do you have a younger sibling or know a neighbour or friend who has a child starting school in 2026?

 

The Department of Education has opened the foundation enrolment process for 2026 and must be completed online via the website ‘VicStudents’. 

 

To commence online enrolment, visit https://students.educationapps.vic.gov.au/s/ to create an account and complete the online application form. Please ensure that all documents required are attached to the application.

 

A Quick Reference Guide to using the online system is available here.

 

You can visit our website https://www.oakleighps.vic.edu.au/enrolments-1 where you can download the Foundation (Prep) enrolment information pack giving families an understanding of the enrolment process.

 

Applications are due by Friday, 25 July 2025. 

 

You will be notified of your application outcome between Monday 28 July and Friday 8 August 2025.

 

We conduct school tours each week for prospective enrolments and you can book them on our website https://www.oakleighps.vic.edu.au/enrolments-1

Staff News 

Each year the DE recognises significant work milestones of staff with a Recognition of Service Ceremony. This year, retired teacher Denise Purss was recognised for 50 years of service. Denise spent all of her work life at Oakleigh Primary School. I calculated that would be teaching well over a thousand students over those years! I didn’t know Denise, but marvel at this amazing achievement.

Update to Department Policies 

Racism Policy

The Department of Education announced a new stand-alone racism policy on 3 June. This new policy is designed to help schools take actions to prevent and address racism, religious intolerance and racial and religious vilification.

 

All Victorian government schools must implement this policy from the start of Term 3, 2025 (Monday 21 July).

In line with Child Safe Standard 1 and Child Safe Standard 5, all Victorian government schools must actively prevent and respond to racism and report incidents to the department.

 

The policy covers 3 key actions: 

  1. Preventing racism: schools must maintain culturally safe and inclusive environments.
  2. Responding to racism: schools must have clear, timely, safe and inclusive processes to respond to incidents of racism.
  3. Reporting racism: schools must report incidents of racism on eduSafe Plus, as per the Managing and Reporting School Incidents (Including Emergencies) policy.

Suspension and Expulsion Powers

You may be aware of recent changes announced in the media to suspension and expulsion powers that will be available to Victorian principals from day one of Term 3, (Monday 21 July 2025).

 

We know that students’ behaviour outside of school, particularly online, can sometimes impact the safety of students and staff at school.

 

In exceptional circumstances, principals of Victorian government schools will be able suspend or expel students for behaviour that occurs outside of school grounds and/or hours including online, if it poses a significant danger to the safety and wellbeing of students or staff.

 

These powers apply only to serious incidents where there is a clear and close connection to the school and the behaviour of a student outside of school unreasonably impacts the safety and wellbeing of students or staff at school, and their ability to learn or work.

 

 Please note: 

  • They do not apply to behaviours unrelated to the school or school community.
  • They only apply to behaviour which occurs from Monday 21 July 2025 onwards.

Suspension and expulsion will remain measures of last resort – our primary approach continues to focus on proactive and positive behaviour support, including working with you to teach students the behaviours we expect of them, in school and in life.

 

Ruth Biddle

Principal