From the Principal

100 DAYS OF SCHOOL

Congratulations to the Foundation students who are celebrated 100 days at Oakleigh Primary School recently. It has been wonderful to see the passion they have for learning and the joy they exude each and every day.  It always surprises me how much they learn in such a short time and how much they grow up.  It is my hope that they carry this enthusiasm and openness to learning with them for the rest of their life. 

CONGRATULATIONS

We were very excited to receive a phone call recently telling us that we have won the Picasso Cow Competition. The competition involved decorating a life- size fibre glass cow. The program aims to teach students about the Australian Dairy industry, its products, health and nutrition benefits, farming practices and manufacturing practices.   I would like to congratulate Vas and the Year 5/6 students who created the masterpiece. Our cow was awarded the Overall Champion Certificate.  As the overall winner we received a cheque for $1500. The money will be used to purchase equipment for the Art room. 

UPDATE SCHOOL BUILDING WORKS

Stage 1 of the school grounds beautification works has been completed and students now have a large sandpit and ‘grassed area’ to play on.  The students were very excited to be able to use the sand pit but did bring a lot of the sand back into the classroom courtesy of their shoes! Apologies if your children have also brought some sand home with them. 

Concreting has been completed in readiness for the laying of a new synthetic turf area. Lines will be painted on the turf to create new down ball courts and a couple of mini tennis courts. The concrete needs time to cure before the turf can be laid. 

The terracotta tiles continue to be replaced and the new tiles certainly stand out and make me realise how faded and damaged the old tiles were.  As the Building Works Site Manager told me there are companies and people available who can do any job required.

This is a photograph of the mobile vacuum cleaner which was contracted to remove over 130 years of dust and animal droppings from the roof cavity.  The roof cavity has been insulated and lining has been placed under the tiles to hopefully reduce or eliminate possum access. Though from my experience, they seem to be able to get in anywhere they like.

FATHERS’ DAY BREAKFAST – SAVE THE DATE

The modern tradition of celebrating Father’s Day in the West goes back to the early 19th century. It started as an initiative led by a Washington lady named Sonora Louise. She wanted to honour her own father, who raised six children including a newborn after the death of her mother when she was 16.  Her personal admiration and recognition of her father drove her to fight for the establishment of a Father’s Day.  It was celebrated for the first time on the 19th June, 1910.

Once again Oakleigh Primary School will celebrate the role fathers play in their child’s life with our annual Father’s Day Breakfast on Friday, 2nd September from 7.30-8.45am.  Volunteers are needed to help on the day.  Please contact Anne Sturrock at a.sturrock76@gmail.com if you can assist.  Details of the event are included below.  Order forms to come.

Michele Nolan

Principal

michele.nolan@education.vic.gov.au