Professional Practice Day – Friday, 16th September: No school for students

Within the new Victorian Schools Agreement, the Department of Education granted teachers three Professional Practice Days in 2022. Professional Practice Days enable teachers to be released from their scheduled duties, including teaching, to focus on the improved delivery of high quality teaching and learning. These days are in addition to the existing Curriculum Days. Therefore on the last day of this term, Friday, 16th September, it will be a Professional Practice Day for teachers and a Pupil Free Day. OSHC will be offered for students who need supervision. Please contact James at oshc@oakleighps.vic.edu.au to book in.

The Professional Practice Day in Term 4 will not be a Pupil Free Day and staff will take place on a day during the term determined by the focus of the day. They will be replaced by a Casual Relief Teacher.

Highlights of Term 3

Whilst Term 3 has presented its challenges there have been several exciting events which have created a great sense of excitement and a resumption of activities which were part of school life before COVID.

One of the greatest challenges we have faced has been the number of illnesses both of staff and students. As the media has regularly reported, there is a significant shortage of replacement teachers available throughout Victoria, and indeed Australia. Consequently, there have been many days when we have been unable to replace absent staff. This has involved a lot of logistical organisation, including merging grades and cancelling Specialist and Support staff classes. I would like to thank Bron who has had the daily responsibility of trying to replace staff and minimise disruptions. Whilst not ideal, I hope that as COVID and flu case numbers drop, this problem will ease.

Production

The Year 5/6 Production of Aladdin Junior took place towards the end of term. It was wonderful to see students and families from other year levels attend the event.

I would like to acknowledge the time and effort our Year 5 and 6 students dedicated to making this event a reality. For weeks they gave up lunchtimes and days to attend rehearsals, practice dances, learn scripts and songs and develop stage presence.

Rehearsals can be very repetitive, but their enthusiasm and cooperation was unwavering.

Our students joy and pride at the conclusion of both evenings was great to see. When their hard work and preparation finally comes to fruition, students could see and feel the benefit of their labour. Through speaking lines or singing a song on stage, the students gained self-confidence and self-esteem. One cannot underestimate the satisfaction of weeks of hard work being actualised on a stage in front of adoring fans: parents, grandparents and other doting family members.

An event like this is only possible with someone with the vision and enthusiasm to make it happen. That person was Lucy. Whilst she constantly tells me that School Productions are her happy place, I cannot emphasise enough how much work is involved in producing an event like this. I do not know how she has managed to pull this off. The extra hours involved, including set design, costume making, creating the dances and directing all of the components of the event were considerable. Many of our staff also contributed to making this event happen both on the night and beforehand. I would like to acknowledge the work of the Year 5/6 teachers, Bron and Vas.

Friendship Day

The International Day of Friendship was proclaimed in 2011 by the UN General Assembly with the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities. It places emphasis on the world’s future leaders, with young people being involved. Celebrating International Day of Friendship involves community activities that bring people together from a variety of different cultures and promotes respect for diversity and understanding.

International Day of Friendship also promotes respect for all human rights and work towards gender equality. The day encourages democratic participation, tolerance, solidarity, and understanding to support the flow of knowledge and information. Above all, creating international peace and security is a top priority.

In recognition of this day, our Student Wellbeing Team organised a Multiage Activity Day to promote the importance of friendship and respect for all. The students participated in a range of activities which reinforced the goals of the International Day of Friendship. These activities included cooperative games, cooking and art activities.

Swimming

After two years without a swimming program it was pleasing to be able to offer this program once again to families. I always find the title a little ambiguous because the program is particularly beneficial for children who do not have lessons outside of school or who are not confident in the water.

There is an expectation that all Primary Schools in Victoria offer a Swimming Program. Mandatory swimming and water safety programs give children the opportunity to learn vital swimming and water safety skills. Acquiring the knowledge of survival swimming and basic water safety skills can significantly reduce the risk of drowning, enhance community safety and build resilience in children.

The aim of a school-run swimming and water safety program is to enable children to learn core survival swimming skills as a minimum, preparing them for unexpected entry into (open) water; learn personal safety when it comes to assisting someone in trouble; learn a valuable skill for life; increase their self-awareness, good decision making and leadership capabilities; empower children to take personal responsibility for their actions and become the influencers to keep family and friends safe.

Year 3/4 Camp

After being unable to hold a camp for the Year 3/4 students in the last two years due to COVID it was great to see our students finally get to take part in one of the highlights of Primary School – the annual camp. This camp amongst many other things gave children the opportunity to:

Disconnect with technology and reconnect with self and others.
Develop social skills in a range of different situations including cooperative learning challenges, activities and sharing a cabin with their peers.
Build lasting relationships with other students who they might not have known well before.
Build a connection between staff and students. Camp provides the opportunity for both to see the other in a different context
Learn new skills e.g. archery and to overcome fears or anxiety when completing adventure activities e.g. The Giant Swing.
Improve independence and personal organisation skills, e.g. taking care of their belongings, time management, helping to set the tables for meals.
Expand experiences in nature, spending time outdoors rather than inside.

Fathers’ Day Breakfast

This has always been a popular and significant event as with work and other commitments, many parents do not have the opportunity to attend school during the normal school day. It was particularly apparent how much it means after being unable to hold this event for the last two years. I really enjoyed seeing everyone on the day connecting with other members of the community and spending time with their families.

An event such as this relies on a strong team of helpers to set up and assist with the running. I specifically thank Gretta and Anne for coordinating the event and all the work that went on in the months leading up to the event. Their organisational skills are outstanding. Thank you to the other parents who volunteered to assist before the event or on the morning. I would also like to express our gratitude to Coles for supporting the event by donating goods.

Michele Nolan

Principal

michele.nolan@education.vic.gov.au

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