Principal's Report & School News
From the Principal...
Final Weeks of Term
I can only begin to imagine how you are all feeling at this tail end of Term 3. The staff and students are certainly showing signs of fatigue and we are making every effort to ensure the final two works will be strategically planned to foster greater opportunities for social connectedness and motivation. I know the recent results of our remote learning survey highlighted the need for this and the school is responding accordingly.
Staffing News
The school was delighted to hear the exciting news about the safe arrival of Justin Ward and wife Miriam's baby girl, Lotta Emilia on the evening of 28th August. Below is a photo of proud dad and big brother Leo loving the opportunity to spend time with her while on parental leave. Again, thank you to Amelia Delaney and Emma Milliken for working with his class during this time.
The school has commenced planning for 2021 and letters have been sent out to staff on leave around their intentions for next year. Schools have found it difficult to determine final numbers for Foundation enrolments due to the COVID situation. Some parents are feeling unsure about school readiness which has been brought to the attention of the department. I continue to meet with current staff for their performance check-ins and to discuss their intentions for next year.
On another note, we have just celebrated ES Week and I also want to thank these team members for all they do for our school. They are a vital part of the school community and they contribute so much to the overall operations of Ormond PS.
Important Dates
A number of activities are scheduled for the final two weeks including the education sub-committee meeting on Tuesday 8th September to discuss book week celebrations, our final virtual assembly for this term will be released on Friday 11th September.
On Wednesday 16th September the staff will not be interacting online but rather meeting to discuss whole school matters in preparation for Term 4. Students are encouraged to access optional learning activities such as specialist tasks or use the time for catching up on any work that has not been completed. The day can also be viewed as an opportunity for less intense screen time with a focus on creative and physical activity.
Extra-Curricular Activities
I just wanted to remind and encourage students to opt in to specialist tasks in the final few weeks, especially ‘Ormond’s Got Talent’. This event has always been very popular at OPS and it represents a wonderful showcase of the many and varied talents of our students.
Student Voice and Agency News
I want to acknowledge the efforts and planning involved with the food drive organized by Annaleise Tilstra in Year 6 and her family. It seems awhile back now but this act of OPS kindness helped many families during challenging times. The school received a letter of thanks which demonstrated how truly grateful they were to receive these donated items. Well done everyone!
Buildings and Grounds
It seems so long ago that the first soil was turned on our capital works project. We are now moving along to the final stages and completion of the project. The virtual assembly has proven a useful moment to share footage of changes happening in the school but the most rewarding time will be when the students return and they can see it with their own eyes. The builders are currently working upstairs on the final two classrooms and hallway. The lift is almost operational and the painting of the portables will be completed shortly. The hall is well on the way to being cleared in preparation for the return of students and the STEAM furniture is ordered and in transit to the school. The main aim now is to ensure that children and staff return to an orderly and vibrant learning environment. I am sure everyone will pitch in to help each other and make this happen.
2021 Enrolments
A reminder for any families who have not yet enrolled their child from Foundation (Prep) in 2021 yet to please do so ASAP. Enrolment Packs are available at the office.
If any families in Foundation to Year 5 know that your child/ren will not be returning to OPS in 2021 could you also please let the office know via email at your earliest convenience.
Kerri McLeod,
Principal
ES Week
This week we would like to recognise and thank the wonderful Education Support staff at Ormond Primary School. We are incredibly lucky to have extraordinary, dedicated support staff on our team who care for and support the students at OPS. As an ES staff member their roles are widely varied and all of them approach their work with flexibility, kindness and a love for what they do. They support both students and staff alike and I know how much the classroom teachers appreciate their hard work. They make OPS a more vibrant and supportive community and we think they are the best!
A Big Thank you to all of you
- Jan Cassidy – Business Manager
- Brodie Thomson – Office Manager
- Anna Park – Languages Co-ordinator
- Sue Rimmer – Integration Support Co-ordinator
- Michelle De Silva – Integration Support
- Amanda Davis – Integration Support
- Belinda van Kessel – Integration Support
- April Kopitz – Out of School Hours Co-ordinator
- Sharelle Davis- Out of School Hours Assistant Co-ordinator.
Courtney Mason – Learning Specialist
On Behalf of the OPS Community
Ormond's Got Talent
As you may have just heard in our virtual assembly, Ormond’s Got Talent will still be held this year, just a little differently. We encourage students from all year levels to participate by submitting a video showcasing their talent. Videos can be submitted by email to either Mrs Thanos or Miss Delaney
Videos must be submitted by 9am Friday the 11th of September.
Unfortunately, late entries will not be accepted due to timeline restrictions.All students are required to state their name, year level and category they’d like to enter at the beginning of their video. Students are welcome to enter into any of the following five categories
- sibling awards
- comedy acts
- best costume
- most creative
- musical award - including instrumental and vocal
Finalists will be announced via Compass on Monday the 14th of September.
A survey will be released to the school community for voting on Monday the 14th of September. The deadline for voting is 11:59pm on Wednesday 16th of September.
Winners will be announced via Compass on the last day of term, Friday the 18th of September.
Be creative and use the resources you already have at home, we can't wait to see some original ideas. Best of luck to all contestants participating.
Foundation News
In Foundation our word of the week is ‘fork’. The students created fork gardens as their craft activity.
Year 1 News
Year 1 students looked carefully at Information Texts. They read a variety of texts and looked at the features in a book. They researched information about an Australian animal that they were interested in. Here are their published reports.
Year 2 News
The Year 2 students have had a wonderful time exploring different types of poems. They have experimented with shape, sensory, cinquain and haiku poems. It was very hard to select which poems to share so the following are some wonderful examples from both grades.
Year 3 News
On Tuesday last week the students in Year 3 joined a YABBA workshop to listen to Kesta Fleming give some advice about writing a novel. The illustrator of Kesta's books, Marjory Gardner, showed the students how to draw a bird. She took the students through the process step by step and emphasised the importance of colour, pattern and detail. These collages demonstrate the creative results.
Year 4 News
In Maths this week the Year 4 students are studying the measurement of length, mass and volume.
Here is some work in action!
Year 5 News
This term Year 5 students have been learning about structural and behavioural adaptations of animals and plants. Students completed a project on a chosen animal detailing how their topic is adapted to its environment. There were some fantastic projects presented about a wide variety of fascinating animals.
Year 6 News
Year 6 students have been working on a range of different reading strategies in remote learning. The reading choice board is one activity where students select a task to complete on a book of their choice. Some of the activities involve creating book covers, newspaper articles and crosswords, just to name a few!
Visual Arts News
It has been wonderful seeing all the terrific artwork students have been completing at home. To help celebrate FATHER’S DAY this Sunday, the Ormond PS artists have been busy creating wonderful Father’s Day cards and artwork for their special dad, grandparent or uncle in their lives. Keep sharing photographs of the fabulous work you have been doing Ormond artists! Here are some photos of the Visual Arts extravaganza that has been happening in lock-down.
SSV Virtual Athletics
Many students from Foundation to Year 6 have already got involved in this year’s Virtual Athletics. Last week the onsite students gave the 60m, 100m and 200m sprints a red hot go!
It is not too late to participate in this event.
To participate please click on the link below and when entering an event, our region is Southern Metropolitan Primary
Ormond Primary School are currently sitting in 20th position, which is fantastic! It doesn’t matter what your time is for an event, as just by participating you will win points for Ormond PS.
This competition closes on Friday 30th at 11:59pm.
https://www.ssv.vic.edu.au/Pages/SSVVirtualTrackandField.aspx
OPS Cross-Country update (Year 3 - Year 6)
For more information, please see the attached form below and click on the link
Virtual Assembly Library