Principal's Message

Dear OLA Families,

What an awesome day we have had today! The Colour Run has been an event that the children at OLA have been keen to experience for some years now and today was the day!! This was our first whole school Colour Explosion School Fun Run! 

This together with our Trivia Night have been our major fundraisers for 2023. We fundraised specifically for improvements to our grounds through such items like new drinking taps and the tall mesh fence to keep balls and other items from dispappearing into the neighbours' yards. 

We are so proud to have achieved our goal of raising $10,000 as a school community. In fact it has exceeded over $15,000! More information will come to hand next week. Thank you to all who donated to this great cause.  The kids are so looking forward to receiving their prizes for their fundraising efforts and to see the improvemets to their schoool grounds.

It was great to see so many students and staff wearing white tshirts, colour sunglasses, rainbow headbands and getting covered in non-toxic, biodegradable colour powder from head to toe! Such a fun time!

It was exciting to see the fun run commence with a whole school aerobics warm up followed by each grade setting off on an obstacle course. At each station, our Colour Run champion volunteers squirted our children with colour! We think the kids also loved the special finale surprise of some of our teachers being slimed! It was such a fun and action packed day and we are so grateful to our Grade 4 P&F Class Reps Mel Moore and Clifford Maillard for their organisation of such a popular and engaging event for the kids (and for all of us!). Thank you also to our staff for helping make things happen and to our many many parents for your support and presence. This will have to go down as as one of the highlights of the year!!

Remembrance Day

We came together today to remember in faith all who have served, and continue serving in our armed forces, especially those who have died and those wounded in battle. We also pray for healing and peace; that one day, all peoples will lay down their arms and embrace one another as brothers and sisters in one human family. 

During World War 1 which occurred from 1914 to 1918, on many of the ruined fields in France and Belgium where the fighting took place, red poppies began to grow and flower. People saw the flowers as a symbol of remembrance for those who had died. Today, we wear poppies on Remembrance Day to honour all those who have died in wars.

Today Savy's Dad, Corporal Cooper from the 5th and 6th Battalion of the Royal Victorian Regiment came to school and spoke with our students and staff. He shared part of his story and how this day is so important to remember and to honour. Tomorrow our School Captains will represent OLA at the Cheltenham Cenotaph for the Remembrance Day Service and they will lay our wreath on behalf of all our OLA community.

Trivia Night

We thank our P&F for hosting such a wonderful OLA Spring Carnival Trivia Night on Saturday 28 October. An extra special thank you to the incredible Spring Carnival Trivia Night team led by Lauren Koukoumanos and ably assisted by Claudelle Salter, Claire Melican, Eli Dunlevie, Mel Power, Rachael Martin, Dominique Monotti and Andy Wright for their unwavering commitment to deliver such a successful event. Please refer to the P&F page in this newsletter for more sharing about this memorable community night.

Staffing 2024

We welcome and congratulate the following classroom teachers who are joining our wonderful community in 2024: Eliza Jones, Emilie Brady and Emma Tiberi.

Eliza Jones

Hi my name is Eliza Jones and I am really excited to be joining the Our Lady of the Assumption community in 2024. I grew up in Cheltenham and actually attended Our Lady of the Assumption Primary School many years ago! I began my teaching career 6 years ago at St Louis de Montfort’s Primary School in Aspendale. Whilst there I worked in Grade 5/6 and most recently Prep. Outside of school, I am a member of two dance clubs where I participate in tap dancing and competitive Pom and Hip Hop. I also love reading, travelling and am a mad Melbourne Football Club supporter. I'm excited to meet you all and look forward to the fun, laughter and learning 2024 will bring!  

Emilie Brady

Hi everyone. I am so excited to be joining the OLA community in 2024. I have recently graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Primary Education and a Bachelor of Arts and have worked as a Learning Support Officer (LSO) and Casual Relief Teacher this year. I am particularly passionate about wellbeing and bringing this into the classroom. Besides teaching I enjoy travelling, fitness and all things AFL - Go Cats! I can’t wait to meet you all!

Emma Tiberi

Hello everyone! I am very excited to be joining OLA in 2024. I have been teaching for four years and absolutely love coming to work each day knowing that every day is different and I never know what to expect! Before starting my teaching career, I completed a bachelor of Biomedical Science and worked in a Government Lab for 15 plus years. Science is still a passion of mine and something that I enjoy sharing with my students when I can. I have 3 children, Flynn, Tessa and Leni who keep me very busy driving between sports and other activities but when I do have a quiet moment, I enjoy a walk or run along the beach or losing myself in a good book.

Gratitude+ from past OLA Family

The impact of teachers and all staff in primary schools cannot be underestimated. This week I received an enquiry from a very grateful past student Amar Arabo. What wonderful memories Amar has of his primary school years at OLA and of this very special teacher in his life. It was a special phone call I made to Mrs Dunne this week and I was delighted to share contact details. I am proud to work with such passionate teachers and staff like Mrs Dunne who care so much for the students of OLA.

My name is Amar Arabo and I'm a former student at OLA from 2006 to 2010. I imagine OLA has been prospering and has continued it's brilliant curriculum. I have a special enquiry which I'm hoping you can help me with. I was enrolled into OLA mid way through Grade 3 in 2006 after migrating from Iraq as a refugee. At the time I didn't speak English and was very behind my peers in my classes. My sister (who is a year older than me) and I were assigned our own tutor/teacher by the school to help us learn English and Australian culture. I believe her name was Mrs Dunne. Thinking back now, Mrs Dunne gave us incredible support and guidance for a few years to help my sister and I feel more at home in this country. She was kind, patient and respectful of our difficulties. I'm now 26 years old and working as a Civil Engineer. I can't help but think that Mrs Dunne's great contribution helped me to get where I am today. I'm hoping you can help me contact Mrs Dunne to express my gratitude to her. If it's possible, could you please search through your archives for an email or phone number which I can contact her - I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you in advance. Kind Regards, Amar Arabo

Prep 2024 Parent Information Evening

What a wonderful evening we enjoyed together with our new and current families joining us with a child in Prep in 2024. Thank you to our dedicated staff for your presence and for your tips on supporting children begginning school here at OLA next year. Thank you to Laura Morel for speaking about tips for starting school, being an active parent and the many ways families can get involved in the OLA community.

Prep 2024 Orientation Sessions 

Session 1             Tuesday 14 November      9.00am – 10.00am

Please accompany your child to the Front Office, sign your child in, find their name label and say a quick goodbye.   Grade 5 students will meet you and guide your child to the Library. Parents are invited to Frank’s Cafe, 97 Cavanagh Street for coffee and cake from 9.10-9.50am. 

Session 2          Tuesday 21 November        9.00am – 10.00am

 Parents encouraged to remain onsite for information on RE, Learning & Teaching  

Play at the Park      Tuesday 28 November      10.00am – 11.00am        

Play at the Park organised by OLA P&F.           

Kingston Heath Reserve, 285 Centre Dandenong Road. 

Session 3         Tuesday 5 December       9.00am – 11.00am

Parents are encouraged to remain onsite for information on Literacy and Numeracy and Classroom Helper Training.

Mission H2O School Production

The count down is on and the extra rehearsals are paying off!!

Our School Production will be performed on Thursday 30 November at Kingston City Hall from 6.00-7.30pm. The count down is on and the extra rehearsals are paying off. This is an exciting space and an exciting opportunity for our students to experience being on stage and performing in front of 750+ strong audience.  Tickets will be made available soon with each family having access to purchase four tickets. 

Thank you to all families for sourcing costumes and for placing in a labelled bag and delivering this to your classroom teachers.

The entries for the ‘Mission H20 Program Front Cover’ have been many and they are all  so creative! We look forward to announcing the winner of each year level as well as the overall winner and we will display these for all to see. 

Canteen

After many years of providing lunches and treats at our Canteen we are sad to inform you that Bayside Canteens will be finishing up at the end of year with us here at OLA. We are so grateful to Louisa, Donna, Lou and Jo for delivering the goodies that make up our lunch orders and treats that can be purchased across the counter. Their positivitiy and care of our students is so very much appreciated. We wish all the staff of Bayside Canteens the very best as they take up the next part of their story.  

We are looking for new Canteen opportunities for OLA in 2024 and beyond, so if you have any contacts you are very welcome to share your ideas with us.

OSHClub

We are currently reviewing our out of hours school care program and have called for tenders for 2024 and beyond. We thank OSHClub for their service and support of families at OLA. We will communicate with you further once we have completed the tendering process.

Guided Learning Walk for Parents

On Monday 13 November 8.40-10.00am we will be hosting our next Learning Walk for parents at OLA. We will visit three classes from across the school with each of the classes focussing on Reading.  Our Principal, Literacy Leader, Deputy Principal and Learning & Teaching Leader will be leading the learning walk. For this walk we would like to secure approximately ten parents to join us.  We can't wait to share in all things learning and Reading with you and welcome you to book in for this walk through office@olacheltenham.catholic.edu.au

Calendar

Please open the ‘Key Dates and Events’ tab in this newsletter for important dates or access the OLA Calendar here.

Please note the following change of dates:

Key dates for the next 2 weeks...

Other key dates this term...

This term there is much to look forward to with some of the highlights including:

Family Learning Walk - Reading focus - Monday 13 November @ 8.30-10.00am

Grade 4 Camp Experience - Monday 20 November

OLA School Production - Mission H20 - Thursday 30 November at Kingston Arts Centre

Grade 1-6 Orientation for 2024 - meet new teacher - Thursday 7 December

Prep Nativity at OLA - Monday 11 December @ 9am

Grade 6 Graduation - Thursday 14 December 

End of Year Assembly for Prep - Grade 5 - Friday 15 December @ 9am

EXTRA CLOSURE DAY in 2024 

Please note we have our 4 year School Review in 2024 and as part of this important process we will be working with staff from the Melbourne Archdiocese of Catholic Schools on Monday 12 February. This will be a pupil free day.

Working Bee

We are looking forward to welcoming families to the Term 4 OLA Working Bee , Saturday 25 November from 10.00am-12.00pm.  

We especially welcome the following families who are rostered on:

If you are not able to make it you are welcome to make a donation to the school. 

Please bring along your tools such as wheelbarrows, blowers/blower vacs, whipper snippers, rakes, shovels, brooms, hedge trimmers, secateurs and other gardening tools.  

Lost Property

The lost property tub is absolutely overflowing and we remain amazed at the number of jackets that somehow keep finding their way back in - without names or we are not able to decifer names. In the coming week, if not claimed, they will be redistributed through the second hand uniform shop. Please, stop past the office foyer this week and have a look through for any treasured items that may have gone missing.

Congratulations

Production Rehearsals

The production rehearsals have been bringing so much joy for our students! 

Huge thanks to Mrs O’Gorman, Kyle and Bree from Kinect2Dance, and everyone involved in creating this positive, unforgettable experience.

Gardening Club

Congratulations to our gardeners from our Gardening Club who have enjoyed a great harvest!  What a treat to be able to pick and eat our own fresh carrots and lettuce!

Preps and their buddies

Congratulations to our Preps and their senior buddies on the beautiful relationships that you have created this year. We loved seeing you come together for your Buddy Lunches. It’s moments like these that remind us that the OLA school community is like one big happy family.

Grade 5/6 Recipes

Congratulations to our Grade 5/6 children who have enjoyed their homework this term with many recipes being written and made at home - the joy and pride is obvious. Thank you families for engaging in this great learning.

City of Kingston

Look who made it in the local news recenlty.... Thank you to the City of Kingston for investing in such great local green spaces. We are so grateful to see that the council has invested in and transformed a four hectare former landfill site into the beautiful Elder Street South Reserve!

Compassionate and caring

We acknowledge Amelia and Darci who were so compassionate in taking care of a lost dog on their way to school last week, going above and beyond to ensure its safety and wellbeing. Thank you for your care.

It has been a big term and the fun continues! Thank you all for your support of our Trivia Night and the Colour Run. The sense of community at these events really shows what a great school we are and what beautiful people go together to create this. Thank you also for your support of organising costumes and white tshirts - your efforts are greatly appreciated and I think all add up to helping create the best memories for the students at OLA. I can't wait to get some of this slime off! Have a great weekend and I hope all the children sleep well tonight!

Richard Jacques

Principal