Principal's Message

Wawa, Wominjika. 

Here at Old Orchard Primary School, we acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land we visit each day, the Wurrunguri and Woiwurrung people of the Kulin nation. We acknowledge and respect the elders and leaders past and present and the elders and leaders of all of the cultures and nationalities that are part of the Old Orchard Primary School community. We express our gratitude towards the orchards that were kept in place by the peoples on this land before us. We thank the traditional owners for sharing this beautiful land that we all love, and for keeping the land, sky, waterways and animals all in great condition for thousands of years, not only for themselves but for all the generations to come.

SHREK REHEARSALS  

Rehearsals for our Year 3-6 2025 musical production, Shrek The Musical, are now in full swing! Students with speaking roles have begun working on scripts under Rhiannon's guidance. Their dedication is evident, with lunchtime rehearsals now a regular part of their routine.

Rhiannon is currently looking for support from parents/carers/grandparents to help source and create costumes for the production. If you’re able to assist with sewing, gluing, cutting, or other creative tasks, please reach out to Rhiannon at Rhiannon.trimby@education.vic.gov.au. Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Stay tuned for more updates as we progress through rehearsals and prepare for our upcoming performances on the 19th and 20th August.

YEAR 1 & 2 GRANDPARENTS DAY

Our Year 1 and 2 students were thrilled to welcome their grandparents and special friends for a day filled with storytelling and connection. As part of their learning about people and their stories, the students have been exploring similarities and differences between the past and the present. This special visit provided a wonderful opportunity to bring their learning to life through intergenerational conversations.

Events like these are a wonderful reminder of the strong community that surrounds and supports our students throughout their learning journey.

DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL

The Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th month of the lunar calendar. This year it will be celebrated on Saturday 31st May. A central tradition of the festival is the preparation and sharing of zongzi—sticky rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves. 

This week, our Year 6 students embraced this cultural tradition by crafting their own zongzi. They engaged in the meticulous process of wrapping rice and various fillings. This hands-on activity not only honed their culinary skills but also deepened their appreciation of Chinese culture. A big thank you to Tracey for organising this for our students. 

If you are celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival this weekend we wish you a very happy day!

RECONCILIATION WEEK

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

The Week runs from 27 May to 3 June every year. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey – the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision.

This year's theme, Bridging Now to Next, encourages us to keep moving forward. Throughout the week, students engaged in a range of activities to learn more about the importance of Reconciliation Week.

CYBER SAFETY INCURSION YEAR 1-6

Next week we have the Cyber Safety Project visiting our Year 1-6 students which is aimed at equipping our students with essential skills for navigating the online world. It also serves as a timely reminder of the importance of continually developing our own digital capabilities.

Enhancing your digital literacy empowers you to make informed decisions that support your child’s wellbeing. A wide range of resources are available to help adults better understand the online landscape, from gaming platforms to social media networks. Two of our favourites are:

1.The Cyber Safety Project-Family Resources

The Cyber Safety Project has a range of resources that provide information to parents/carers from 

https://cybersafetyproject.com/insights/

2.E-Safety Commissioner

Advice for parents and carers to help kids stay safe online.

https://www.esafety.gov.au/

The e-Safety commissioner also outlines some easy steps to help keep your child safe online. They include:

1. Engage in Open Conversations

Regularly discuss your child's online activities, interests, and experiences. Encourage them to share any concerns or uncomfortable encounters they may have had online. Open dialogue fosters trust and helps children feel supported.

2. Supervise Online Activities

Monitor your child's internet usage. Use parental controls and privacy settings to restrict access to inappropriate content and limit interactions with strangers.

3. Participate in Their Digital World

Spend time with your child online. Explore websites, apps, and games together to understand their digital environment and guide them in making safe choices.

4. Know Their Online Connections

Be aware of who your child interacts with on the internet. Discuss the importance of not sharing personal information and the risks associated with communicating with strangers online.

5. Teach Reporting Mechanisms

Educate your child on how to report inappropriate or harmful content and interactions on the platforms they use. Ensure they know they can come to you or another trusted adult if they encounter any issues.

It is a good reminder that by implementing some simple practices, you can create a safer online environment for your child and empower them to navigate the digital world responsibly.

STUDENT ATTENDANCE- EVERY DAY COUNTS

The following extract comes from the DET website:http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/health/Pages/studentattendance.asp.

‘We all want our students to get a great education, and the building blocks for a great education begin with students coming to school each and every day.  Missing school can have a major impact on a child’s future – a student missing one day a fortnight will miss four full weeks by the end of the year.  By Year 10 they’ll have missed more than a year of school.  There is no safe number of days for missing school – each day a student misses puts them behind and can affect their educational outcomes’.

We’ve recently noticed a significant spike in the number of students being collected from school early. While we understand that early pickups are sometimes necessary, we ask that families ensure students remain at school for the full day whenever possible. Consistent attendance is vital for students’ learning and classroom participation.

DISTRICT CROSS COUNTRY

Congratulations to Amelia Davis, Essie Hayman, Oscar Shinkfield, Lily Barbaro, Thomas Murphy, Bonnie Prout and Genevieve Tran for their participation in the Division Cross Country on Monday, May 26th. It was an incredible effort by all our runners—we are so proud of their resilience, determination, and outstanding sportsmanship. 

Fou students qualified for Regional Cross Country. We will be cheering for Essie, Thomas, Bonnie and Genevieve when they compete on the 12th June.

Well done, team OOPS!

KINDER KIDS MOVEMENT SESSION WITH JAMES & RHIANNON

Our final kinder kids session for Term 2 will be happening next Monday 2nd June from 3:45 to 4:15. We warmly invite any children beginning Prep in 2026 to join us for some fun with Rhiannon and James. Please register through the following link: 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1vKh77LccGhCc7C8TMpVRPLstwuPteTxi3tYYMYTv3Gw/edit

Jen McCann and Clare Murray