This Week At OOPS

Cow Competition Winners

We have joint winners for our name the cow competition!

Jessica Wood (PBF) and Stefan Tsorbaris (1DF) both nominate the name..........

Oopsie - Daisy

There were a number of wonderful names to choose from making the decision a very difficult one for Clare and Jen!

We look forward to our learning unit about the Australian Dairy Industry that will accompany our Picasso cow design work that should start later in the term.

Thanks to Battle Cafe (1/5-7 Diana Dr Blackburn North) for assisting with vouchers for our winners.

Family Magic Show

We had a full house at last night's family magic show.  Luke Hocking had everyone (children and adults) mesmerised and thoroughly entertained with his incredible illusions.  Thank you to Lisa Donnini for helping to organise this fantastic event.

Lunchtime Clubs in Full Swing!

Our Lunchtime Clubs are back in full swing for Term 3, providing students with wonderful opportunities to connect, create and collaborate with their peers in a relaxed and engaging environment.

One of our exciting new additions this term is Marble Run Club, which has already proven to be incredibly popular! Students have been working together to design, build and test impressive marble run creations, using problem-solving skills, creativity and teamwork to bring their ideas to life.

These clubs continue to provide valuable opportunities for students to build friendships, develop social skills and explore their interests beyond the classroom.

Please see the attached timetable for information about all of the Lunchtime Clubs available this term. We look forward to seeing many more students getting involved throughout the semester. Thanks to all of the staff and students who are involved in running the clubs!

Library Help

Are you a parent, grandparent or carer with the

vital skill of book covering or would like to learn?

The Old Orchard Library needs your help!

Join us on Thursday 20 August from 9.00-11am

in the Staff Room for a chat and a cuppa and

help us re-stock our shelves.

If you are interested and hold a current WWC, 

please email  4715-Library@schools.vic.edu.au

for catering purposes 😊

Comedy Night 

Supporting Children's Mental Health and Wellbeing at Home

At Old Orchard Primary School, we recognise that supporting children's mental health and wellbeing is a shared responsibility between school and home. As part of this commitment, we would like to share a range of free support services and resources available to families through SAFEMinds. SAFEMinds is an evidence-based initiative developed by headspace to help schools and families recognise, respond to and support children.

The Parent Support Resources guide provides access to services such as Partners in Parenting, headspace, ReachOut, Beyond Blue, eSafety, and Medicare Mental Health, offering information, advice, and support for parents, carers, and young people. These services offer practical strategies, online resources, peer support and pathways to professional help when needed.

We encourage families to explore these resources and keep them handy should support ever be needed.

To access the Parent Support Resources guide, visit:https://safeminds.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Parent-Support-Resources_SAFEMinds.pdf There are also copies of this guide up at the office outside sick bay.

If you have any concerns about your child's mental health or wellbeing, please contact your child's classroom teacher or Adam Todd via email adam.todd@education.vic.gov.au 

Why Writing Matters

Writing is a vital skill that supports learning across all areas of the curriculum. It helps children organise their thoughts, solve problems, and develop critical thinking skills. Writing, reading, speaking and listening are closely connected. Regular writing practice improves spelling, vocabulary, sentence structure, and reading comprehension, helping children become more confident communicators. This valuable skill also provides an important outlet for creativity and self-expression, allowing children to share ideas, tell stories, and build self-confidence.

Simple Ways to Encourage Writing at Home

The best writing opportunities are often part of everyday life. Here are some simple ways families can involve their children in the process:

Prep – Year 2

• Draw a picture and write a sentence about it.
• Label items around the house.
• Write shopping lists together.
• Leave notes for family members.
• Keep a holiday or weekend diary.
• Write captions for photographs.
• Practise writing favourite words, names, and simple stories.

Years 3 – 4

• Keep a journal or diary.
• Write letters, postcards, or emails to family and friends.
• Create comic strips with speech bubbles.
• Write instructions for a game or recipe.
• Record interesting facts about hobbies, pets, or sports.
• Write alternative endings to favourite books.

Years 5 – 6

• Write reviews of books, movies, or games.
• Create stories, comics, or graphic novels.
• Keep a travel or activity journal.
• Write persuasive pieces about topics they care about.
• Research an interest and create an information report.
• Set writing challenges such as "100 words in 10 minutes."

Most Importantly…

Talk first! Children often find writing easier when they have discussed their ideas beforehand. Ask open-ended questions such as:

• What happened first?
• Why do you think that happened?
• What was your favourite part?
• How did that make you feel?

Remember, every writing experience counts. Notes, lists, messages, stories, and journals all help children develop confidence and skills as writers. Praise effort, celebrate creativity and focus on sharing ideas.