Principal's Report 

From the Principal...

Staffing Update

Just a reminder that Rae Galvin has agreed to continue on in the year 3 classroom teaching position which is a wonderful outcome for students in that class and for the school. The school has recently advertised ongoing positions for 2020 classroom teaching positions with contracted positions to follow. We will conduct our interview process early in Term 4 and then establish a staffing profile that best meets the needs of students of all ages. Leadership roles will be available and building the capacity of all teaching staff will be an ongoing priority.

Special Events

Our Korean Cultural Day was a huge success with Mr. Kim attending from the Korean consulate in Sydney. Mr. Kim commented on the performances of all students and he was particularly impressed with the musical items from one of our parents. Well done to Anna Park for her organization of such a special event and to all those students who participated and shared items.

Capital works

Yesterday the school officially handed over keys to Allmore constructions who will bring in their site sheds in preparation for commencing works throughout the holiday. The initial stage of construction involves the relocation of the server and the refurbishment of two classrooms on the ground floor.

Sally Berryman’s class will need to relocate to the library whilst these works are taking place. This will impact on library sessions but the school will make arrangements for students to continue borrowing throughout Term 4. This may take place at designated lunch times or when the class is not operating in the space.

On Friday, Nick Staikos will come to the school to take an official photo of the turning of the soil. This launches our capital works project after much planning and preparation. A community billboard will be placed outside the school with relevant information about the project. The communication committee will also provide ongoing updates to the wider community.

Traffic Safety Concerns and Community Awareness

A significant number of calls have been made to the front office in relation to traffic safety concerns.

These are generally involving students on bikes exiting the school in great haste. The school is aware that a local café was distributing food to students before closing. The school has made a call to this establishment talking about child safety and could they support us in preventing any near misses or worse. There has been greater supervision after school particularly outside the main gates. The school has also tried to link in the skills and safety messages covered in our bike education program.

2020 Enrolments and Planning

In 2020, the school will have roughly 416 students which means there will be 18 straight classes across the school. In dropping one class, we will free up a teaching space for decanting students but we will also have less staffing money in the SRP. The preparation of our whole school budget will commence shortly with attention being given to areas where there is significant over-spending or under-spending. I thank the business manager in advance for the hard work this entails.

If your child/children will not be returning to OPS in 2020 (excluding current Year 6 students), please inform the office in writing as soon as possible, including which school they will be relocating to for 2020.

If you, or you know of any families who have not yet enrolled their children for 2020, please collect an enrolment pack from the office as soon as possible.

Staff Professional Learning

Finally, I would like to share some of the important professional learning our staff are undertaking. We continue to update our OHS modules such as mandatory reporting, first aid and health and wellbeing components. The staff participate in professional learning action teams which involve meeting the goals and targets set out in their action plan. They also lead the rest of the staff in professional learning, such as respectful relationships, curriculum capabilities such as critical thinking or intercultural awareness and Maths PD linked in with our Melbourne University project group. Recently, the whole staff attended a workshop after school on the zones of self-regulation.

This was particularly useful in allowing us to understand student responses when faced with challenging situations. Understanding and monitoring certain triggers and changes in young people’s emotional state should always be a priority.

2020 Foundation Transition Program

The first of the sessions for next year's Foundation students went extremely well. There were lots of excited children and we are already seeing connections with friends taking place. 

As a part of the next transition session on Thursday 17th October, the will be a free additional Balanced Box session for new parents to the school community to attend while the children are off enjoying their activities.  Please see the attached flyer for further details.

Early finish this Friday 20th September - students dismissed at 2:30pm

Just a reminder that students will dismissed at 2:30pm this Friday 20th September due to the end of Term.  Term 4 will commence on Monday 7th October.

Wishing all of our families a safe and relaxing holiday break. 

Kerri McLeod

Principal

Out of School Hours Care

School Holiday Program - enrolments close TODAY

Booking forms are now available for the Spring Holiday Program. They can be found attached below, on compass or on the sign in desk at the program. Forms must be in by Wednesday 18th September. Fees must be up to date and a deposit of $30 a session is required to secure you child’s booking.

** IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES USING THE SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM**

School Holiday Program Access due to construction

Due to the construction for the Capital Works starting this weekend, both the Ruby Street and Murray Street entrances to the school will closed.  For those families using the School Holiday Program, you are asked to please use the Whealtley Road gate and enter via the Junior Playground (aka car track).

End of Term Celebration

The program is celebrating the end of term on the last day of school, Friday 20th September. If your child attending the After School Care Program on the last Friday of the school term. Please nominate a party food donation on the party food list in the program diary located in the hall.

** Please deliver your party food donation to the Program by Thursday 19th September.**

After School Care Activities

Wednesday 18th September     Bookmarks

Thursday 19th September         Foam Turtle Frames

 Friday 20th September               End of Term Party

Sharelle Davis

Assistant Coordinator

Out of School Hours Program