Oberon South Primary school’s strong academic program has a particular focus on reading at all grade levels.
“We’re really trying to engage the kids in their reading,” Principal Glen Lauder says.
“We’re choosing the right books for them to read, teaching them strategies they need to know and looking at what makes a good reader.”
Mr Laudern feels “lucky” that his school has lots of open spaces, courts, “really good” playgrounds and a “nice big oval”.
Oberon South also has its own kitchen-garden, allowing students to grow their own produce and participate in cooking programs.
“We also have chickens that students look after, mainly the senior students. The kids collect the eggs and recycle the food scraps,” Mr Lauder says.
The school also has a buddy program run with grade six students. The program pairs the grade sixers with new students to help them make friends.
The school has joined forces with The Salvation Army in another academic initiative.
“We’ve been running the Salvation Just Brass for a number of years but this is the first year we’ve expanded to include the kids in grades three to five,” Mr Lauder said.
Students involved in the program have a weekly music lesson, mostly on brass instruments.
The students can also attend a Salvos hall to play in a band with students from other schools “as an optional extra”.
“We hope to develop a school band of our own in the future,” Mr Lauder says.
Oberon South Primary School is at Tintinara Crescent, Belmont.
Phone 5243 2997 or email oberon.south.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au.
