Principal's Message

Dear OLA Families,

What an amazing couple of weeks! So much to be proud about and I thank everyone involved for making these opportunities so memorable and thank you for helping to make OLA the great school it is. We have prayed together in class and our parishioners have joined us. Our Preps enjoyed Preps in Pyjamas last night after school. We have begun our Prep 2025 interviews which are always such a highlight of our school year. We have taken out one of the eight prestigious Learning Environments Australasia design awards. Our iSea iCare Leaders have partiipated in the Green Schools Conference and have ideas to share and action here at OLA. Our OLA District Cross Country runners have run their hearts out at the Kingston Division Cross Country Championships. Our 3x3 Basketball Squad made it all the way though to the Grand Final and we have officially been crowned the second best team in the state.  I have met with the Minister for Education and our local MP and celebrated our achievements and spoken about the challenges we experience in education here in Victoria. OLA has even taken out the 2024 City of Kingston Junior Mayor title. What an exciting time for our community!!

City of Kingston Junior Mayor

On Thursday 23rd June our OLA School Captains, Bella K, Peter, Olivia and Alessio, attended the City of Kingston Junior Mayor Conference. Our Lady of the Assumption Parish Primary School was one of twenty three schools that participated in the annual election process. Bella was our head speaker and she was supported by Olivia, Peter and Alessio. The students delivered an amazing presentation on the topic of how we can contribute to a child friendly vision for children in the City of Kingston. 

Bella’s speech was outstanding and the team delivered a flawless presentation that resonated with the voting audience. After a nervous wait, the winner of the competition was announced much to the delight of our school captains who rejoiced when OLA was announced as the winners! We are so proud of their efforts and congratulate Bella K who will have a busy twelve months ahead of her in her new role as the Junior Mayor of Kingston. Well done to all involved! 

Meeting with the Minister for Education

Karl Russell, Principal of Cheltenham Secondary College and Nick Staikos MP invited me together with other Principals in the Cheltenham area to meet with the Minister for Education, the Honourable Ben Carroll MP. It was great to sit at the table together with fellow Principals and share celebrations from each of our schools as well as challenges we are facing in education in Victoria at this time. While I was able to celebrate and give thanks for the recent building works and subsequent award I was also able to share our story of growth from 18 Preps to 50 or more in 2025. We spoke about the need for an additional capital building grant. We also discussed explicit teaching and what each of our schools are doing in this space. I was able to speak about the $400 School Saving Bonus and the need for this to be means tested or every family receiving it. Both Ben and Nick spoke of receiving many letters and very much listened and heard where we were coming from.

Award Winning Facilities at OLA

GREAT NEWS! OLA was announced by Learning Environments Australasia (LEA) as a winning project in this year’s design awards. 

LEA is an internationally recognised organisation supporting the collaboration between education, architecture, and design, with a focus on excellence in education and spaces for learning.  International speakers and over 500 delegates across Australasia have attended this year’s 3-day conference with the theme 'AMPLIFY: Inclusion, Learning, Place'.  Very apt for the OLA project that brought together education pillars of the school to create an inclusive community hub.

The Awards are split into 8 varying categories (generally size of project), so the awards are limited and precious! The below is the jury’s citation on the project and we have a copy of this year’s publication for you that includes OLA’s project alongside all the high quality entries. 

WINNER: SMALL PROJECT UNDER $2M (Category 7) 

A new building or a renovation, must be a learning environment.

Our Lady of the Assumption Parish Primary School - Community Hub / Library / STEM 9 Centre Dandenong Road, Cheltenham, Victoria Australia

Architect: Smith + Tracey Architects

Summary Citation

This project has intertwined the physical, spiritual, and educational environments within the site – amplifying what each brings to this community of learners. The synergy of this place as a learning space to gather and share spiritual values has not been lost in the refurbishment of the original church to become the ‘social heart’ of the school creating a place to gather, meet, play, and learn. The built outcome is reflective of the collaborative process undertaken by the stakeholders of the project to achieve the aspirational, spatial, and functional requirements of a contemporary and vibrant Hub.

Full Citation

This project has intertwined the physical, spiritual, and educational environments within the site – amplifying what each brings to this community of learners. The synergy of this place as a learning space to gather and share spiritual values has not been lost in the refurbishment of the original church to become the ‘social heart’ of the school creating a place to gather, meet, play, and learn. A fundamental element of the school’s strategic masterplan, this project allows for the library expansion to the Discovery Centre and welcoming Administration and staff Resource Centre.

The built outcome is reflective of the collaborative process undertaken by the stakeholders of the project to achieve the aspirational, spatial, and functional requirements of a contemporary and vibrant Hub. The considered incorporation of adaptable teaching and learning areas, improved staff facilities and light filled external learning area (that was a previously unlinked strip between the library and adjacent multi-purpose hall) reveal the level engagement of the students and staff with the project team and of the iteration that occurred across the design process.

The educational value of the variety of settings present within the project is heightened by promoting visual and physical connections to the external surroundings, deliberately incorporating an abundance of natural light. In addition, the school’s engagement with an artist to work directly with students to explore and design an integrated mural reflecting the values of the learning community and Catholic identity ensures the continued connection between learner, learning and community.

The panel congratulates the school, its community, and the project team for achieving a successful, high-quality learning Hub that promotes discovery, learning and community.

National Reconciliation Week

Next week is National Reconciliation Week 27 May - 3 June. National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. 

The OLA FIRE Carriers have planned activities for our students this week and are hosting an assembly on Monday 27th May. On this day students are invited to bring in an artefact or wear clothing that celebrates our Indigenous history and culture in exchange for a small donation to the Opening the Doors Foundation. 

The Opening the Doors Foundation provides First Nations children from regional, remote and urban communities across Australia, with educational opportunities within Victorian non-government schools - enabling them to participate fully and equally in education. For more information please visit https://www.openingthedoors.org.au.

Some examples for children to bring in or wear are artefacts collected from their travels around Australia, Indigenous guernseys from football or other sports teams, items of clothing that celebrate our indigenous culture or ribbons in the colours of our Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander flags. In doing this we aim to encourage conversation both at home and in the classroom which in turn may increase awareness and understanding of our rich indigenous history.

2025 Prep Enrolments

We recently completed our official School Tours and enrolments were due Friday 3 May. While we are very excited about our 27 siblings already enrolled for 2025, we have also sent out our first round offers.  We have also been delighted with the highly encouraging response to the 2025 enrolment application process. Enrolment applications will always remain open and families are welcome to apply. Once all first round applications are processed, if there are any further places available we will then make our second round offers and so forth. We have conducted over 20 family interviews this week - such a highlight of our Prep Transition.

Calendar

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

Pupil Free Days for 2024

• Friday 7 June Family Partnerships 
• Monday 15 July Spiritual Development/Faith Formation
• Monday 7 October Respectful Relationships 
• Monday 4 November Assessment & Reporting
• Friday 6 December 2025 Planning and Preparation 

Please note on the following dates school finish early at 1pm:

Parent/Teacher Interviews on Thursday 27 June

OLA Fete on Friday 22 November

Last day of school Tuesday 17 December

Congratulations

Baptism

We welcome Luca's little brother Oliver into our Catholic family here at OLA. Oliver was baptised last weekend and it was so lovely to see Luca so proud to share his story and excitement about being connected with our OLA Parish, to be in our OLA Church and to have Fr Alan with his family.

Principal Awards

It is always wonderful to have students visit the principal and leadership team to celebrate their learning and for special moments like sharing the amazing home learning projects with us. These three students have taken home learning to a whole new level! Congratulations to all students for their effort and attitude to their homework. Three great examples from 5/6 NC. We also had Alastair come to us with a great idea around a Sport's Day of fun activities - watch this space! We love these visits from our extra proud students. 

Grade 1JM & 1ET Class Prayer Services

A huge congratulations to all involved and thank you to our families for your support and presence in these special Class Prayer Services. We love how much the children practise and prepare themselves for these precious moments.

A couple of lovely emails to our teachers showing gratitude:

Thank you so much for today’s wonderful prayer service. Seeing the pride on each child’s face as they played their part was beautiful. The sense of community and belonging we feel at OLA is incredible - and we know it’s all down to the effort and skill of yourself and all the other wonderful teachers.

Just wanted to say thank you for such a lovely prayer service this morning. The kids all did such a beautiful job. And we echo what Richard said, you bring such a warmth to the classroom and we are very grateful for all that you do!

Thanks so much for the invitations to the Grade 1s "Creation is all around us" prayer services. Tony French, Julie White and I were very impressed and touched to join with you, the teachers, Grade 1 students and families this week. I agree with Tony's comment that your school community is so blessed by each other and the facilities available to you - blessings and facilities not available to so many students around Australia and the world. Adrian from OLA & St Agnes's Care for the Common Home

3x3 Basketball Squad

Congratulations to Keira, Olivia H, Bella K and Bella F. Our very own 3x3 Basketball Squad made it all the way though to the Grand Final and we are so proud of the team taking out the Victorian Runners Up title at the 3X3 CUP.  Second in the state…..AMAZING!

Kingston Division Cross Country

Congratulations to Cleo K, Brigitte, Dolores, Joselyn, Jess, Michael W and Christian M for representing OLA at the Kingston Division Cross Country on Thursday. Thank you for giving your absolute best on this challenging long distance run and for representing you, your families and our school OLA.

A hole in one!

Congratulations to Judy from our parish who got a hole in one at Sandringham today! Our FIRE Carriers took over our National Reconciliation Week display for the Church foyer and Judy was decorating the Church with beautiful flowers.  We loved hearing about this amazing moment Judy thank you for volunteering in our Parish.

Graduation 

We congratulate Miss Brady on her Graduation last week! What an incredible achievement - not one but two degrees!   This is a significant milestone, and we are incredibly proud of her hard work and dedication. We are so lucky to have Miss Brady teaching at OLA.

Thank you

Crossing Guards

To celebrate National Walk to School Safely Day, five of our awesome SRC leaders interviewed our crossing guards, Maureen, Joffa and Mohammad. These friendly faces play a vital role in keeping our school community safe every day & it is so important that we get to know them! 

Maureen

Favourite Colour: Navy Blue

Favourite Sport: AFL, a loyal St Kilda FC supporter!

What do you enjoy about being a crossing guard? Meeting & chatting to the beautiful children every day.

How long have you had this job? 6 years!

Joffa

Favourite Colour: Yellow

Favourite Food: Salad

Hobby: Walking Group

What made you want to have this job? Working outdoors in the fresh air & with the lovely children and families of the school.

How long have you had this job?

3 years!

Mohammad

Favourite Colour: White

Favourite Sport: Volleyball

Favourite Food: Everything!

How long have you had this job? 6 years. Before this, Mohammad was the Head Manager at a Children's Hospital in Iran!

Remember to show your appreciation next time you see any of our crossing guards with a friendly "good morning", "hello" or "thank you!"

On Monday we are acknowledging National Reconciliation Week here at OLA. All colouring competition pieces are due and we will meet as a whole school at 2.30-2.45pm for an assembly where our FIRE Carriers, Bella F, Alicia, Niamh and Lily will lead us. On this day students are invited to bring in an artefact or wear clothing that celebrates our Indigenous history and culture in exchange for a small donation to the Opening the Doors Foundation. 

Have a wonderful weekend.

Richard Jacques

Principal