Principal's Message
Shade Sail Installation
The support poles (they are huge!) were installed yesterday in the area outside the main doors to C Wing. We anticipate the shade sail will be attached at some stage next week, providing a fantastic shaded outdoor learning space as we head into the warmer months.
Year 2s & Prep KD
We have nearly completed the move of the Year 2 classes and Prep KD to their ‘permanent’ 2022 classrooms. The students and staff are all very excited to be in the newly renovated rooms and in the case of the Year 2’s, to be back together as a Year 2 team! Rhiannon is also thrilled to be back in Drayton Hall for Music and Tracey back into C Wing for Mandarin; likewise our Kitchen Garden room is now available again. Thanks to everyone for your patience during this year - it is greatly appreciated. Special thanks to Pip Cariss who has played a huge role in the works as well as coordinating the relocation of classes.
Year 2 Sleepover
Congratulations to the Year 2 team and to all Year 2 students on the success of last night’s sleepover. These events are significant ones for our students and would not be possible without the support of staff and parent helpers.
Footy Day
We look forward to Footy Day next Thursday. Our Year 6 students have many exciting activities planned and the students will enjoy dressing up in their favourite team colours. (I have plenty of spare Carlton scarves for those who would like to borrow one :-))
Surveys
Just a reminder that the following three surveys are nearly closed. We are keen to receive feedback and encourage you to complete the surveys if you are able to spare a little bit of time over the weekend.
Parent Opinion Survey (as per the email that you would have received)
Farewells
We have a few farewells to acknowledge this week:
Bonnie Kelly
Our wonderful school counsellor, Bonnie Kelly, finished at Old Orchard yesterday having completed her final placement. Bonnie has been a fabulous member of our team throughout 2022 and has genuinely made a difference to the lives and wellbeing of particular students and families. We thank Bonnie for her contribution and wish her well for her future career.
Meg McKinley
Our Year 5 teacher, Meg finishes up next Friday to commence her Parental Leave ahead of the impending arrival of their first child. We are very excited for both Meg and Nick and look forward to hearing her news in the weeks ahead.
Jackie Wilkinson (Ellul)
We have enjoyed having Jackie back at Old Orchard in 2022 in a part time role supporting Year 5. Jackie also finishes next Friday as she and husband Chris prepare for the new addition to their family. We wish them well and await their news.
Manny & Apollo
Manny & Apollo Saristavros also finish up at Old Orchard next Friday ahead of a house relocation. We will definitely miss the Saristavros family and their bright, bubbly demeanour and wish them well for the future. Of course, we will see Manny back for the Year 6 Graduation.
Traffic safety
Earlier this week there was a ‘near miss’ at the end of the day with one vehicle overtaking a stationary vehicle that had just departed the drop off zone in Koonung Rd. We all share a responsibility to drive with extreme caution around school zones and to follow road rules including:
- Not exceeding the time limits in the drop off / pick up zone
- Not leaving your vehicle unattended in the drop off / pick up zone
- Moving your vehicle forward as spaces become available (as taxis do at taxi ranks)
- Using the designated school crossing to cross the road
- Being patient and understanding that you could only be seconds away from a tragic event
Thank-you in anticipation of your support.
Dogs in schools
As the weather improves, we will see an increase in the number of people who include the family dog in the walk to and from school. Consistent with the Dogs at School Policy, we welcome dogs with the following strict conditions:
- Dogs must be on a leash at all times and under the control of an adult
- Dogs must not be tied to the gates / fences, etc
- If entering the school from Koonung Rd, dogs are not permitted via the main pedestrian gate (the reason for this is that it is often a very busy and crowded area)
- Dogs are not permitted in the area/thoroughfare between the portables and the main building (again, this is a very busy area where Preps enter / depart and there are usually many small children in the area)
- We reserve the right to ban aggressive dogs from being on school grounds
Sunsmart
In accordance with the Old Orchard Sunsmart Policy, students are now required to wear a school hat or another hat style that protects the face, neck and ears when outdoors - eg: broad-brimmed, legionnaire or bucket. We will give students a brief period of transition, but as we move forward into Term 4 students not wearing hats will be restricted to shaded areas.
End of Term 3
Term 3 concludes next Friday September 16th at 2.30pm. We will have a whole school assembly in the Gymnasium commencing at 2.00pm.
School resumes on Monday October 3rd, ready for term full of learning and many important events.
Kind regards
Duncan