Principal Report & School Information
From the Principal...
Term Four continues to proceed at a very rapid rate.
With 2 weeks and 2 days to go, the school is fully immersed in assessment and reporting, transition, coaching for our PLC leaders and completing our staffing profile. This is aside from our school review self-evaluation, a recent OHS audit and the rolling facilities assessment. I was told that usually all these big accountability items do not occur in such proximity to each other. It is no wonder that staff, leadership, administration and the principal class are feeling under the pump right now. I want to thank everyone for their support, hard work and additional hours as we navigate this space leading up to the end of the year. I also appreciate the continual support and hard work of school council and community members.
Buildings and Grounds
Just to remind the school community about the outcomes from our recent Rolling Facilities Evaluation. Ormond PS had an extensive audit of all maintenance and ground aspects and drainage has been identified as a significant issue. This impacts directly on our Astro turf project, as we cannot proceed until this matter is dealt with. In saying that Nick Staikos did pledge funds for the new Astro turf which will help to beautify the yard and improve the current play area. Money from community fundraising will still be directed to words the astro turf project as well as some future projects including creating a sensory garden in the junior area and working towards upgrades on the middle school play equipment.
Another successful working bee took place on Sunday November 20th. The crew cleaned up the main yard and did some further planting down the side of the school. A fabulous effort by all in attendance!
Thank you to those families who donated their time to help!
- Hosking Family
- Zhang Family
- Sophie A (great effort as she came without her parents)
- Eva M (also a great effort as she came without her parents)
- Shwarzman Family
- Campbell Family
- Janos Family
- Robbie Family
- Hain Family
- Hollingsworth Family
- Sidhu Family
- Warfe Family
- Joveski Family
Staffing
In 2023, there will be 15 straight classes across the school. We have staff who have picked up positions at other locations.
The staff who sadly will not be returning to OPS in 2023 include Laura Cecil, Angus Dickason and Elly Wood. We wish them all the very best as they continue to further their careers and experience. Helen Kupfer is taking 6 months leave to focus on her family and moving houses. We wish her well and look forward to her return in Term 3. Helen will be replaced by an experienced art teacher for Semester One.
We have also successfully secured a Performing Arts teacher 3 days a week who will provide additional release time for staff to plan, but more importantly they will provide a comprehensive music and performing arts program to the entire school. The successful applicant has years of experience teaching instrumental music in the UK and she is extremely excited to join the staff at our school and our talented specialist team. A number of other fixed term contracts were recently advertised online, and we are delighted to announce the appointments of two outstanding new class teachers, Karen A from Beaumaris Nth PS and Tim A from Upper Beaconsfield PS. They will most certainly be involved with our end of year transition program.
Jess Dijanesic (Foundation) and Teresa Fountain (Year 3) have also secured positions for the 2023 school year. Four other staff will continue as generalist classroom teachers– Josh Woollan, Kirsty Eather, Nicole Lichoudaris and Emma McIntosh.
We welcome Emma McIntosh to the 2023 Foundation teaching team, as the school disclosed at the recent information session for new families.
Student Leadership
As the Year 6 students wind up the year with graduation, memory albums and other special events – our Year 5 students are preparing for their transition to the most senior grades in the school. This includes leadership speeches to demonstrate interest in certain whole school roles.
I was incredibly impressed with the quality of the presentations, and I want to thank all the students for their time and effort, put in to preparing them. Both students and staff voted, and a shortlist of candidates was presented to me. These final six will be interviewed on Monday to determine who will be our 2023 school captains and vice captains. All students should be incredibly proud of their efforts, regardless of the outcome!
School Review
There is much work still to do for the school review which occurs early in Term One, 2023. The staff and leadership are working on the school self-evaluation which will be submitted before the end of the calendar year. In a week or so, we will be seeking interest to join focus groups to reflect on the achievements of the school over the last 4 years. The focus groups comprise staff, parents and students and other community members, such as the crossing or maintenance staff. A departmental representative came out to support the school with our minimal requirements for policies, communication examples and child safety. I thank Lorrie for all her arduous work gathering evidence and submitting what is required.
Families/Students not returning to OPS in 2023 (Foundation to Year 5)
If you know that your child/children will not be continuing at Ormond Primary School in 2023, please email ormond.ps@education.vic.gov.au as soon as possible.
Please include your child's final day at OPS, the name of the new school they will be attending and a forwarding address if applicable.
If your child is currently in Year 6 - this does not apply to you.
Curriculum Day & Professional Planning Day (Pupil Free Days)
Monday 19th December will be a Professional Practice Day for staff. Teachers will be using their fourth Professional Practice Day to attend to planning and professional development (which for some staff is targeted towards higher level first aid training) therefore it will be a Student Free Day. This will tie in with our Curriculum Day on Tuesday 20th December which has been allocated to school review preparation and PLC induction and training. This is also a Student Free Day.
Out of School Hours Care will be operating on both of these days for those families who still require care.
Our end of year assembly will take place on the Friday 16th December, start time approximately 3pm.
2023 Return to School Schedule
Students in Years 1 to 6 will start on Monday 30th January 2023 at 9am.
Foundation students start Thursday 2nd February 2023. Students will be given a specific start time.
On Monday 30th and Tuesday 31st January, and Wednesday’s 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd of February all Foundation students do not attend school unless they are required for an assessment. You will receive your individual date and time of assessments.
Foundation students will be dismissed at 3:30pm on all school days.
From Monday 27th February onwards all Foundation students will attend a full school week.
Kerri McLeod
Principal
2023 Booklists - ORDERS NOW OPEN
Orders must be placed by the 9th of December 2022 to ensure delivery is on time, ready for collection from the school.
Orders received after the due date may result in a delayed delivery after the commencement of the 2023 school year.
For collection date information, please contact the school office on 03 9578 1327.
To order your Bookpack:
- Please follow this link: http://www.maxim.booklists.com.au
- Your access code is: ORMONDPS
*Please note this is capital sensitive. Please enter code as displayed in screen.
- Select the year level required for order
- Please ensure that the students’ name, your name and contact details are given and correct
- Select ‘Place order’
- If purchasing more than one booklist, please select ‘Add another booklist’ and follow the same procedure from step 3
- Select ‘Proceed to payment options’
- Your total payment amount required will display on screen
- Select ‘Pay Now’
- Please choose your check-out option – Credit/ Direct Debit available. Ensure payment details are correctly entered
- You will receive a payment receipt and an order confirmation to the email address you provided
- Your child’s pack/s will be delivered to the school for collection
Out of School Hours
Curriculum Day
The Out of School Hours Program will be providing care on the Curriculum/Planning days, scheduled for Monday 19th & Tuesday 20th December. For bookings please see the program booking sheet on the parent table, outside the hall, during session times or text your booking to the program mobile 0439111026.
2023 OSHC Enrolments
The 2023 OSHC Enrolment Forms is attached below. It is also be available on Compass and directly from the program. Please complete ALL documents attached and return to April by Friday 2nd December 2022.
An immunisation certificate must be attached to the enrolment form for new children attending the service for the first time. Incomplete enrolment forms, without a booking commencement date or forms stating (To be announced or confirmed) will not be accepted.
Families will be informed of their Before & After School Care placements via a text message by Wednesday 14th December. Families requiring care during the January Holiday Program please submit your enrolment form with your holiday booking form.
January School Holiday Program
Bookings for the 2023 January School Holiday Program are now open. Please ensure your have completed the 2023 enrolment forms to be eligible for the holiday program.
Bookings close Wednesday 7th December, unless booked out earlier.
Last Day of School - Friday 16th December
To celebrate the end of the school year the program will be having a party. If your children are attending on the last day of school please nominate an item on the party list displayed on the sign-out table. If you intend to cancel your children’s after school care booking for the last Friday, or if you require to book the session, Please advise us by Tuesday 13th December.
April Kopitz
Out of School Hours Coordinator
Ph: 03 9578 5826.
New OPS Social Media Platforms Launched!
We are pleased to announce that Ormond Primary School’s new social media pages are now active on Facebook and Instagram. These new pages will feature a selection of highlights from our school newsletter, key reminders for upcoming events, and posts from our Parents and Friends Association (P&F). If you use social media, we encourage you to add yourself to:
Facebook: ‘Ormond Primary School’
https://www.facebook.com/ormondprimaryschool
Instagram: ‘ormondprimaryschool’
https://www.instagram.com/ormondprimaryschool/
Our existing ‘OPS Parents and Friends Community Kindness’ Facebook group page will cease to operate at the end of Term 4, and you will need to sign up to one of the new pages listed above on either Facebook or Instagram to continue receiving posts about Ormond Primary School. Year Level specific Facebook and WhatsApp groups will still be maintained by P&F and Class Reps where they exist, enabling you to gather additional year level information and to post questions.
If you have any questions regarding the school’s social media or Year Level specific social media groups please contact Heather Hosken or Brodie Thomson.
These email addresses can also be used to notify us if you believe a post should be corrected or deleted.
If you would like to opt out of your child’s image being used on the school’s website, newsletter and social media please contact the Office who will direct you to the relevant forms to complete.
Kind regards,
Community Engagement Sub-committee,
School Council
Library News
The end of the year is fast approaching. Can l ask that all borrowed library books be returned within the next week. We are closing the library borrowing down this week, so we can start recouping all the books, getting them back on shelves and then do the end of year stocktake. Busy times.
I also wanted to send out a huge thank you again to our school community for your continued support for Scholastic book club orders. This year we raised $610 for the purchase of new books.
Your book club orders will be delivered and sent out to students by next week. If there is any sneaky Christmas presents in there, let the office know and we will put them aside to be picked up later.
Education Support
The end of the year is one of our favourite times with our students. We finally get to go and enjoy the many activities for end of year celebrations. It is a nice change from all the hard work both the students and aides put into the year. We have had many personal celebrations, with grandchildren being born, children finishing Secondary school, our senior students at Ormond Primary prepare for their graduation, new staff coming on board and finally having a full year at school. I want to say a big thank you for the commitment and support that our ES staff have given to the students throughout the year. Trust me you have made a difference in their education.
Student Achievments
Congratulations to Flynn S who has recently competed in the Australian Figure Skating Champion 2022 basic novice men for Team VIC! Flynn skated a clean program and received the Gold Medal 1st place in 2022 Australian Figure Skating Championship basic novice men. Well done Flynn!
Clearance Sale on Fundraising Candles - Help those in need this Christmas!!
Making A Difference Community is very excited to partner with Kenshi Life-Changing Candles. For every Kenshi Candle sold, funds 3kg of pasta which equates to 24 meals.
The pasta is purchased by Make a Difference Community and delivered to some of the biggest food charities in Melbourne.
- FareShare
- Foodbank
- Second Bite
- OzHarvest
- St Vincient De Paul Society
- Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
- Afri-Aus Care Inc
- Fr Bob Maguire Foundation
- Melbourne Tautoko Whanau
- Wellsprings for Women
How to buy the Candles?
Candles are on display and available to purchase via the QR code at the front office or scan the one attached below and show us the receipt when you next come in.
NOW ONLY $25.00 each! One candle funds 24 meals
Not all of us buy or use candles, but we all buy gifts. If you are looking for a last minute Christmas gift for someone this is a great option. Beautiful candles that help make a difference to many people in need.
