Principal Report & School News

From the Principal...

It has been a whirlwind return to school after my attendance at Year 6 camp with many things on the agenda to tie up for the term. 

 

Firstly, I am very aware there were cases of COVID reported after camp and I do send my thoughts to all families and students enduring periods of isolation. I hope everyone is safe and OK during these challenging times. I also appreciate those families who drove many hours to collect children from camp. We are now living in new times where regulations require us to care for family members in non-lockdown situations. 

 

School activities are mandated to go ahead regardless of case numbers and infections in the community. The children at OPS are grateful they can attend camps and excursions and we are trying to conduct yearly activities as they have been held in the past. This leads me to encourage families to join us this Sunday at the Ormond PS Working Bee. We will be doing a tidy up of the school environment and afterwards we encourage everyone to stay back for a sausage and chat. I am looking forward to seeing many of you on the weekend, students included! 

Working Bee - Sunday 19th June 9:30am to 12noon

 

Importance of Play 

Positive and purposeful play promotes healthy bodies and healthy brains. There are numerous research studies linking active play and academic success. Furthermore, exercise increases the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain, and this is important for reducing stress or anxiety. 

 

Kids NEED to play in order to develop in every way possible to be their best! Play allows children to master their fears, try new roles and expand their imagination and worldviews Play helps kids develop social skills, including conflict resolution skills and self-advocacy skills. Play also helps kids develop patience, a sense of belonging and essential communication skills.

 

There will be days where the children will be kept inside due to extreme weather conditions such as too hot or too wet and cold. As Principal I make that call on a daily basis based on the conditions of the day. During the cold months please send children with coats and warm gear to wear. Please do not send sick children to school as it spreads germs to other children very quickly and we end up with a lot of children away.

 

How to Reduce the Spread of Flu

Many of the steps put in place to prevent the risk of COVID-19 will also prevent the risk of the flu.

 

It is most important that students or staff with any symptoms of the flu stay home until symptoms pass and take a COVID-19 test on the days those symptoms are apparent.

If a student develops symptoms at school such as fever, arrangements for the student’s family will be to collect them.

 

Reminder for students:

  • wash and sanitise their hands regularly
  • avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
  • cover their nose and mouth when they cough or sneeze
  • get tested for COVID-19 if they feel unwell
  • get vaccinated for flu and COVID-19.

Face masks are available in all schools and can be worn by any staff or students who wish to do so, including those who are medically at risk.

 

Flu Vaccinations

Free Flu vaccinations can be booked through participating GPs and pharmacies, many of which can also provide COVID-19 vaccinations.

Flu vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and over.

Some people are more at risk of complications from flu and are eligible for free vaccination as part of the National Immunisation Program

 

Rapid Antigen Tests

Rapid Antigen Tests have been distributed to our families and will continue to be until the end of the term. Children who are identified as close contacts can be at school but must wear a mask. Students who display or report symptoms will be sent home so we can maintain an environment that is as safe as possible.

 

Staffing Updates

Amelia Delaney has finally found a window of opportunity to take some leave to travel for personal reasons/celebrations overseas. Her leave will commence in the holidays and her return date is Wednesday 27th July. Rae Galvin will step in to her class and continue to run a seamless program for the Year 6 cohort. Rae knows the children extremely well and she is looking forward to spending time with them as they commence Term 3 at OPS.

 

Rae Galvin will also be covering Josh Woollan's Year 3 class next week as he has had to take some unexpected leave. Mr Woollan will return for the start of Term 3.

 

Semester One Reports & Parent/Teacher Interviews 

Parent/Teacher Interviews are now open for booking on your Compass portal. 

All meetings will be held face to face in your child's classroom, however if you require a virtual meeting due to isolation/illness please contact your child's teacher directly to arrange. 

 

Semester One Reports will be made live on Compass for parents to download on Wednesday 22nd June.

 

School Values

The children will continue working closely together through the coming winter months. This is a great time to reinforce our school values of Acceptance, Persistence, Quality Learning, Respect and Excellence with all children. Filling someone’s bucket of kindness should be a priority for all children and adults. Helping others is to be encouraged by everyone and can be done in a variety of ways. It is great to see our senior children looking after the younger children out in the yard.

 

Global Citizen Awards

We are pleased to welcome back Global Citizen Awards. These awards will be announced in the newsletter and parents of recipients are invited to assembly to observe their children being awarded their certificates.

 

Please keep your eyes on the newsletter to see how our wonderful Ormond students display our school values.

 

Kerri McLeod

Principal

Building Fund Donations - Tax Deductible

Voluntary donations to the building fund are a vital contribution to our school’s future building plan. Contributions are also used for the replacement of inadequate air conditioners, heaters or fans and the replacement of carpet, window furnishings or renovations on a needs basis. School council has established tax-deductible gift recipient status with the Australian Taxation Office for the Building Fund. 

 

As we near the end of the financial year, families wishing to make a donation are reminded to do so as soon as possible. Donations can be processed via the Course Confirmation/School Payments section on Compass.

School Tours & 2023 Enrolments 

Do you have a child at kinder due to start school in 2023? Its time to enrol for Foundation now!! Please spread the word at your kindergartens.

 We provide regular tours to showcase our wonderful school – 2022 school tour dates are:

  • Tuesday 21st June – 930am
  • Wednesday 13th July – 230pm
  • Thursday 21st July – 1130am
  • Friday 29th July – 930am
  • Monday 8th August – 230pm
  • Tuesday 16th August – 1130am
  • Thursday 25th august – 930am
  • Friday 2nd September – 230pm
  • Tuesday 6th September – 1130am
  • Wednesday 14th September – 930am

To book a school tour, please contact the office on 03 9578 1327. Please notify the school if you need to cancel or reschedule your tour booking. Tours are subject to change depending on Government Health Advice at any time. Enrolment packs available on tour days. Alternatively they can be collected at anytime from the front office. 

 

Foundation Transition Sessions are in the process of being finalised. Please ensure you have returned your enrolment forms by Friday 15th July to secure to child's attendance in the sessions. 

Out of School Hours Care

Winter School Holiday Program 2022

The June/July School Holiday Program schedule is available below and on compass. 

Please read the booking requirements on the program schedule. 

  • Bookings must be received with payment by, Wednesday 22nd June 2022

Remember to cancel your After School Care bookings.

Families are reminded that you are required to cancel your booking if your child is absent from school. If you cancel before 9am on the day, you will not be charged.

If your child has been sent home sick & you cancel before 3pm on the day. You will not be charged.

Families who fail to cancel or contact the program late on the day, care is required. Will be charged at the full After School Care fee rate. 

 

You can cancel and book any time by texting the program on 0439 111 026.

During session hours please call the program directly on 03 9578 5826

 

Please Note: Child Care Subsidy Allowable Absence does apply to cancellations for eligible families.

 

April Kopitz

Out of School Hours Coordinator

Library News

Thank you to all parents and family members who ordered items from book club. All items have now been delivered to students, and there was many happy faces as they received their purchases.

 

Overdue Library Books.

At present there is 174 overdue library books. Can we please ensure that books are returned before the end of the term. All books can be put into the library chute by the library office window at all times, please do not wait for your children’s library day.

If books have been lost please contact the library or school office and let us know.

This week we will be sending out reminders with costs to help replace lost books.

 

Glen Eira Storytelling Festival

Glen Eira Storytelling Festival is starting this weekend (running from 18 June – 2 July), and we have a fantastic range of programming on offer. 

There are programs for all ages and interests, with the majority of events being free or low-cost. 

The full program can be viewed online: https://www.storytellingfestival.com.au/

A highlight of the program is ‘I see you like this’ a unique hands-on experience where children will become the art director of a creative portrait of their parent/carer.

A great activity for the school holidays.

Ormond's Got Talent - Thursday 23rd June

Next Thursday 23rd  June, we welcome back Ormond’s Got Talent to the school stage. We are excited to be having live acts performed once again for the school community. Finalists have been notified and are encouraged to continue perfecting their routines ready for the final event.

 

We would like to invite parents and family members of finalists to attend on the day. The event will be held from 11:30am-1pm in the hall. Parents who attend must sign in/out on Compass at the school office. Masks are recommended as social distancing may be difficult. 

Year 3 News

Year 3 Swimming 

Over the last two weeks the Year 3 students participated in eight days of swimming sessions. 

Here are some comments on how they felt about their experiences. 

 

Last week at swimming I was successful at my freestyle and I really liked going to the wave pool. - Brian S 
My swimming lessons helped me feel more confident with freestyle because they helped me know how to breathe. - Youna K 
At swimming lessons I really liked the fun day because there was an inflatable there and it was really, really fun and slippery. -  Lachie W 
My favourite activity was butterfly because I’d never done it before and I liked it. - Eden G 
School swimming is really fun because it helped us with our water safety and educated us. - Jesse B 
My highlights from swimming lessons include the wave pool and the bubbles. I was successful at my breaststroke and my survival backstroke. - Aahana D 
My swimming lessons help me feel confident with life safety far from land. - Ethan C.  
I really liked Water Safety day because we got to walk over fake seaweed and got to go on boogie boards. We had to use the rope and I got to pull Chloe up. -  Emmy T 
My favourite activity was diving under water through a hoop and doing backstroke because I was good at it. - Taylor R 

Year 5 News

Year 5 Camp

A few weeks ago, the Year 5 students set off on a three hour bus trip to Camp Kookaburra. Before we arrived, we had a stop at the Deborah Gold Mine. We went down into the mine and learnt about how the people used to mine gold, then we went on a tram tour around Bendigo. After that, we left Bendigo to go to Camp Kookaburra. Our activities were very enjoyable. They included an initiative course, a flying fox, abseiling, canoeing, archery and orienteering. 

 

On the third day we went to the Port of Echuca and went on a paddle steamer. Then we went to have lunch in the middle of Victoria and New South Wales. Next, we went to Twisted Science and tested our experiments that we have discussed this semester. After that we went to the market in Echuca and spent our money there. You could buy souvenirs and all sorts. On the last day we had another four hour bus trip home, but it was definitely worth it to see our families.

Written by: Jack A and Sophie A

Year 6 News

Year 6 Camp

Last week the Year 6 students enjoyed a very cold but fabulous week at Coonawarra Farm Resort. Below are some student reflections on the week that was...

 

As I went higher and higher I could see the cows on the hill clearer. Suddenly out of the blue I stopped going higher then I heard a countdown from everyone. 3! 2! 1! GO! I pulled a string and my heart suddenly stopped for two seconds then the giant swing swung me front and back. - Adrian X
 
My favourite activity at camp would have to be rock climbing because it was really freaky and awesome. You would look down and your heart would drop down to the ground. It was also a challenge because there was this loose one on the wall. - Noah P
 
My favourite activity was the giant swing because it was exhilarating and fun. I conquered my  fear of heights because I went 20 m in the air. My second favourite was the flying fox. It was really fun. - Max St
 
My favourite night was the talent show night. My friend Sienna and I were getting ready for our dance while watching other people doing their show. We loved our friends’ act. When it was our dance, we put our song on “Can’t Hold Us” and then we started our dance. We were nervous but we were happy with the dance. - Gigi W

PE/Sports News

Year 6 Winter Interschool Sport

All our winter sports teams are having a very consistent season so far. Well done to all players. 

Our season will continue into Term 3 to catch up with games missed.

  • Week 1- Friday 15th July  – Valkstone P.S. - AWAY
  • Week 2 – 22ND July- Moorabbin P.S. – AWAY
  • Week 3 – 29th July – McKinnon P.S. – AWAY – TBC
  • Week 4 – 5th August – Finals.

Year 6 Bike Education 

Bike Education for Year 6 will commence in Term 3 

 

Sessions will be held on the following Friday's at 9:00am to 10:30am

  • Friday 12th August
  • Friday 26th August
  • Friday 2nd September
  • Friday 9th September (Braeside Park Ride)

We will require parent assistance for all of our Bike Education sessions. Parents are welcome to offer their assistance with any or all of these sessions as well as the Braeside Ride either as a rider or a BBQ assistant! Please email Mr. Pannam as soon as possible if you are able to assist. Further information will sent out on compass soon. 

 

The school holidays is a perfect opportunity to have your child’s bike checked out by a professional at Ormond Giant on North Road. Bikes need to be in a roadworthy condition for the program. A bike safety check list will be sent home with your child next week. 

 

House Athletics Year 3-6

House Athletics will be run at Moorabbin Athletics Track (Bricker Reserve) Rowans Road, on Thursday 4th August. Events will commence at 9.45 and through until 2.00. 

Parental assistance for each class would be greatly appreciated, please contact myself or your classroom teacher if you are able to assist. 

Further information will sent out on compass soon.

 

District Athletics Carnival will be held on Monday 5th September at Duncan McKinnon Athletics Track.  All winners from our Ormond House Athletics Carnival will be eligible for the District Carnival.

STEAM News

Hello from the STEAM room. The Foundation students have been busy finishing off their work on the weather. They recently observed how to make a rain cloud in a jar! 

The Year 1 students have been collecting data on the different types of clouds they see each Tuesday afternoon outside the STEAM room. They have used cotton balls to demonstrate their understandings of what each cloud looks like.

 

Year 2 have been looking at snowflakes and listened to the story of ‘Snowflake Bentley’, about a man named Wilson Bentley who drew and took lots of photos of snowflakes because he admired their beauty. They also got to make snowflakes out of marshmallows and toothpicks, sometimes remembering that snowflakes have 6 sides!

 

Year 3 have been using the Sky View app to look at the constellations and they have also been studying the phases of the moon. They made their favourite constellation out of cotton buds!

 

The Year 4 students finished creating their Blue-Bot mats which were based on a familiar fairy-tale and last week the Foundation students got to use them. They were supported by the Year 4 students to program the robots to move around the mats.

 

Year 5 students are working on their interactive planet posters and are finalising their designs and adding finishing touches. Next week they will be using the Scratch platform to code their posters.

 

And finally, the Year 6 students are currently working on their research information reports on a famous earthquake in history. Prior to going on camp, they made earthquake resistant structures using the following design elements, cross-bracing, squares and triangles and tapered engineering. They used toothpicks and mini marshmallows to create their structures. The structures were placed on our shaker table (marbles in a box with a flat top) and shaken for 10 sec to simulate an earthquake. Most structures remained standing after the earthquake.

Visual Arts News 

Have a look at this week’s photos showcasing the artwork of Year 1, 2 and 3. 

Year 1 students have enjoyed learning about different artists this term including Wassily Kandinsky and Vincent van Gogh and especially put in a fabulous effort when completing their own ‘Starry Night’ paintings. 

 

Both Year 1 & 2 students have created an eye catching, collaborative installation based on Kandinsky’s ‘Squares with Concentric Circles’, and have completed an abstract art response to classical music.  Year 2 have completed this term by exploring simple printmaking  techniques to create etched prints of Fish, which are now on display outside the art room.   

 

Year 3 are adding the finishing touches to their Ton Schulten inspired Cityscapes and have designed such interesting and colourful compositions. 

Be proud of your fabulous artwork Ormond artists! 

Helen Kupfer

Visual Arts Specialist