Principal Message

Dear Families,

Stop Work Action: Yesterday The AEU members rejected the recent EBA proposal and are enacting industrial Action tomorrow. The arrangements for those who require supervision include: 

Students to meet at 8.55am on the lower basketball court to be collected by staff onsite.

Students will be dismissed from the lower basketball court at the end of the day too.

Various staff will be allocated to these areas. Supervision will be supplied but the usual learning activities will not be. Thank you to all for supporting staff who work in education, not just at OGPS, but right across the system. TheirCare will also be operating as normal for before and after school care if required.

Child Safety Standards (CSS): We have recently completed the initial stage of the CSS units, and the assessor was very impressed with our processes and documentation we provided and demonstrated. Thanks to the admin team for the work they do in this space (especially around anaphylaxis and asthma) and to all staff - teachers and learning mentors - for ensuring we are maintaining a high standard and doing our best to be proactive in this space. To the families who have attended various volunteer training sessions, this work is essential to ensure our community is safe and we ALL look out for each other and the children.

Parent Teacher Meetings: Thanks to the families and carers who have engaged with staff this week for a discussion about student progress. We have just over 70% of families attend the meetings and we sincerely hope that you feel informed and ready to support your child. 

Tree Planting Day: This Friday, Emma Halliday and Jo Earle have a great team of family’s ready to plant approx. 100 new plants around the school.  Thanks to all involved and we can’t wait to see the new additions begin to grow and bring more life to the playground.

Cinema Night: Zootopia 2!!!! Next Friday night the gym will be a hive of activity with our Annual Cinema night. This is a terrific evening that brings the community together with food available from 5pm which includes The Lions Club bringing their trailer and cooking the BBQ, plus a food van (pizza or twisty potato). Inside we’ll be selling popcorn, ice-cream, lollies and fairy-floss cones. Tickets are on sale now via Flexischools so jump on board, grab a ticket, bring a bean bag, blanket, uggies and enjoy the night out with your friends.

Parents – please ensure your children behave appropriately (no running around in the gym while the movie is on) and make this an enjoyable night for all.

Asthma and Anaphylaxis plans: We have several ‘out of date’ plans for students with these medical conditions. The admin team have been reaching out to remind families and would appreciate these plans being up to date by your GP, so we have the most accurate information in the event of an emergency. Most plans only require an annual update, and we thank those who have had this done already.

Prep bags 2027 design competition now open: Hey Prep students… The Department of Education is inviting current Prep students at Victorian government schools to enter its Prep bags 2027 design competition. 

This is an exciting opportunity for your child to showcase their creativity for a chance to see their design featured on the front of next year’s Prep bags. These will be given to thousands of students starting Prep at a Victorian government school next year. 

How to take part: Designs must reflect the theme – My year of Prep. 

Submissions can be either hand drawn or digitally designed. It must be your child’s original work.  Drawings must be in black marker on white paper. Digital designs must be in black on a white background. 

You can upload your child’s submission as either a JPEG or PNG file.  Entries close at 11:59 pm on Sunday 9 August 2026.  To access the competition guidelines and design template, refer to Prep bags 2027 design competition. The department will judge all entries, with the winner announced later this year.  For more information, refer to Prep bags 2027 design competition. 

Enjoy the rest of the week.

Scott McCumber

Principal