Principal's News
As we draw to the close of Week 3 of term (and our second week of Remote Learning (2), I must comment on how positively and successfully our students, staff and community have all adapted to the ‘new normal.’ Resilience is a trait that we often refer to as one which we aim to model and also to encourage in our students. The COVID-19 situation has certainly tested our individual and collective resilience, however you should be very proud of the manner in which you have adjusted your expectations, modified your daily activities and focused on the things that really matter.
Student Awards this week
| Class | Student | Reason |
| PCM | Jonno | For approaching remote learning activities with such enthusiasm and positivity! Great work Jonno! |
| PEH | Caesar | For his positive attitude and kindness towards all of his friends. |
| PKK | Ishan | For such a great last week of Term 2. For approaching remote learning so positively and learning so many high frequency words. |
| PSB | Xavier | For being such an enthusiastic reader. Well done Xav! |
| 1BF | Georgia | For showing respect for learning by enthusiastically joining in our class Google Meets. Keep up the great work, Georgia! |
| 1DM | Marcus | For working hard to improve his handwriting. It looks amazing. Keep it up! |
| 1LC | Zak | For his wonderful attitude towards his school work, and the bright smile he brings to every Class Google Meet. |
| 2SF | Tarlan | For challenging herself to write independently. Your sounding out skills have really improved. She should feel very proud of her amazing work ethic. |
| 2WS | Isaac | For having a positive start to Term 3 and providing such great feedback. |
| 2/3CG | Lewis P | For taking responsibility for his own learning, asking questions and striving to be his best! |
| 3LT | Toby S | For his positive approach to Remote Learning and participation in Google Meets. Great work! |
| 3MC | Olly A | For showing respect to learning by giving the reading task an outstanding effort. Keep it up! |
| 4AT | Harrison McM | For showing amazing organisational skills and submitting his tasks on-time and to a wonderful standard. Keep it up! |
| 4CD | Connor G | For showing respect for learning by creating a fantastic Popplet. Well Done. |
| 4MM | Jordan E | For the outstanding start he has made to remote learning this term. He has approached all tasks with a positive attitude. Well done! |
| 5GM | Natsha | For the positive way she has approached Remote Learning in Term 3. She contributes to Meets and submits work of a high quality. |
| 5MF | Blake K | For an excellent start to Remote Learning term 3. Respecting learning by following classroom norms during Google Meet sessions. |
| 5OC | Nate V | For always having a positive attitude to learning and sharing his problem-solving strategies to technical hitches - AMAZING! |
| 6HW | Zarley | For his punctuality and enthusiasm during Google Meets. It has been fantastic to see him contribute to class discussion. |
| 6JS | Alexa | For showing respect for learning by always challenging herself to be her best and complete her best work |
| 6LM | Mohammed | For an excellent start to Term 3 and putting extra effort into tasks to challenge himself. |
Our Performing Arts teacher, Rhiannon Trimby, has been very busy preparing for the Old Orchard Virtual Junior Concert - our students have been practising very hard and we look forward to seeing the finished product in a couple of weeks’ time.
With very few students on site, we are taking the opportunity to undertake some enhancements to our facilities. Most notably, the Koonung Rd fence is being replaced with a stronger, more secure fence. The project is partially complete at the moment and we hope to have it finalised over the coming weeks.
When you next visit the school, you will notice the relocated artwork at the front entrance. The ‘totem poles’ had become somewhat hidden in the front garden and it is great to have them on display again.
You should have received a detailed COVID update (see below) earlier this week - I will be distributing these on a regular basis until school returns to normal and I encourage you to familiarise yourself with the content. Questions and feedback are always welcome so don’t be shy.
Finally, in the unlikely (but potential) event of Old Orchard being closed due to a positive COVID-19 case, we will communicate this information at the earliest possible opportunity via the Sentral Parent App and via email. It is possible that any decision may not be confirmed until late in the evening, so it is important that you check your emails and check your portal notifications on a daily basis.
Warm regards and take care
Duncan
