Principal's Message

Dear OLA Families

As we approach the midpoint of the year, teachers have been gathering a wide range of evidence of student learning through classroom observations, assessment tasks and ongoing feedback to ensure that Semester One reports provide an accurate and comprehensive picture of each child's progress. These reports coupled with the upcoming Learning Conversations are a wonderful opportunity to find out if your child is happy, what they are doing well and what you are able to do at home to partner with us to support your child's learning and wellbeing. We thank the staff for being so engaged and caring about each and every student in their care.

Community

Throughout this incredibly busy and productive time our staff have also carved out special moments for us to come together as a community. The Class Prayer Services taking place in 1/2 at the moment are a very special way here at OLA where every family come along and support, pray and sing with their child. I can't tell you how proud I am of the children and teachers in these moments and I thank our families for your continued support, presence and care.

Student Voice

Miss Riley and I were delighted to hear the voices of our Student Representative Council last week. They had spoken to their classes about what would make OLA even greater and have come back to us with amazing suggestions and ideas. We can’t wait to start actioning some of them. 

National Reconciliation Week

It has been 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. As a school, we have been exploring NRW in class and finished last week with a special NRW Assembly. We thank Fi Lee and the FIRE Carriers for organising activities for the students to enjoy and reflect on.

Our FIRE Carriers organised daily meditation, year level quiz competitions, a colouring competition and a NRW assembly that our parishioners came along to.

Thank you to the FIRE Carriers and all who supported this week’s special activities.

Congratulations to these children who submitted the winning entries for our National Reconciliation Week Colouring Competition. They look AMAZING! Congratulations to Levi in Prep, Maisie in 1/2, Ava in 3/4 and Meika in 5/6 for being selected as the winners of their year levels. We loved your choice of colours, detail and symbols used. Thank you to the many children who entered.

Visiting residents next door

There is a very special kind of magic that happens when our littlest learners meet our community's elders. On Wednesday as party of Milo's Birthday Party our Prep students participated in a visit to our local aged care home, Cheltenham Manor, and we wanted to share the profound impact visits like this have - not just on the residents, but on our beautiful Prep children and us as a staff.

When our Preps walked through the doors, the entire atmosphere of the home transformed. It was a beautiful moment where the vibrant energy of our Preps met the wisdom of our neighbours, the residents of Cheltenham Manor. Thank you to Miss Riley, Mrs Montebruno and Miss Levitt for organising this and Mrs Mac for supporting the students too. We were so proud of the students. We were also proud to organise this with a new Cheltenham employee and past student of OLA Aaron. Aaron still remembers himself visiting the Cheltenham Manor when he was a student at OLA and singing to the residents.

A beautiful email we received after our visit...

I wanted to share something truly heartwarming with you. Last night, my friend called to tell me that her mum, who lives at Cheltenham Manor, had phoned her that afternoon and couldn't stop talking about the wonderful performance she had seen by the Preps from OLA. Hearing this filled me with pride on so many levels. It was a beautiful reminder of the joy our school brings to the residents in aged care. Sadly, many residents receive very few visitors, and some receive none at all. The time, energy, and enthusiasm the children bring can make a genuine difference to their day. For some residents, the memory of the performance may be fleeting, but the happiness and sense of connection it created in that moment is incredibly meaningful. The children have made a beautiful positive impact, and that is something worth celebrating.

Staff Faith Formation Day with Fr Rob Galea 

Fr Rob Galea’s "Overflowing" workshops brought energy, reflection, challenge, hope, and a deeper connection to our faith for our staff. Fr Rob's unique blend of contemporary music, authentic storytelling, and profound faith has left a lasting impression on us. It certainly was a day to reflect personally and learn more about our Catholic Faith and traditions. Thank you to our staff for being open minded and open hearted to listen to Rob’s stories as well as learning about scripture and the parts of the

Mass. These days are always special and a great opportunity to be together.

Learning Conversations

On 25 June we are holding our regular Parent/Teacher/Child 'Learning Conversations' which include your child, yourselves and your child's teacher/s. Why? Because we are building your child's sense of voice and responsibility for their learning and we want to recognise the important role families play in that. We want the meetings to be conversational rather just one way. Please look out for the invitation to book appointment times which we sent our last night.

A friendly reminder that these interviews are strictly 10 minutes only (5 minutes with the parent/carer/s and teacher/s and the last 5 minutes with the child joining). In order to be respectful to all, teachers will be adhering to these time limits and will remind you when the interview is coming to a close. We will also use a timer on the screen and an alert every 10 minutes.  If you feel that you still need to further discuss anything, please make an alternative time to meet. 

Our aim is to establish and maintain collaborative relationships between parents, teachers and students, regarding the student’s academic achievement, learning and wellbeing.

Lamont Book Fair

We are excited to have the Lamont Book Fair onsite the week of Monday 22 June - Friday 26 June. The Book Fair will be set up in Brigid Hall. 

OLA families will be able to purchase books at the Learning Conversations. The Book Fair will also be open before and after school on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday that week. It will be open Friday morning but not Friday afternoon.

You can pay by EFTPOS or cash, as well as through an online portal.

Lamont Books will bring a selection of the best books they can find into the Book Fair and aim to bring joy and excitement about books and reading. On top of that, every book sold raises funds for our OLA Library at the same time!

OLA Fete

Thank you to our OLA Fete Committee for their dedicated and amazing support of this great event. Please check out our OLA Fete page of the Newsletter to see if you can help in any way...

• Could the company you work for make a donation for our raffle?
• Marquees – Can you cover us? 
• Calling on business donations
• School holiday clean out? Don’t forget to donate your pre-loved toys, books and clothes - Please take them to Exodus Hall.

We look forward to...

We look forward to wearing crazy socks and crazy hair with our uniforms on the last day of term, Friday 26 June.  This is a special Fete fundraiser where we ask families to make a $2 donation towards our OLA Fete whilst dressing up with crazy socks and crazy hair for the day.  This will be a fun way to end our term.

Theatre Sports at OLA!

You have witnessed your children performing their hearts out in our productions. Introducing a new Performing Arts event at OLA - the annual 'improv' mayhem of Theatre Sports! Watch the Grade 5 and 6 students battle it out playing a series of theatre games in the hope of becoming the 2026 Theatre Sports champions.  The students have been in training, learning 'improv' games that they will play out on the day. There are no scripts here - students rely on their wits (and teammates) to carry them through! We would love families and friends to attend. This wonderful celebration of drama will take place in the hall on Monday 22 June from 9.00-11.00am (approx.)

Child Safe Standard 5

11 months 11 standards...

As a school we will highlight one Child Safe Standard each month. 

For June it is Child Safe Standard 5.

‘Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.’ As Catholic educators, we have a moral, mission-driven and legal responsibility to uphold and actively promote the wellbeing and safety of every student entrusted in our care. Our commitment to the protection of children and young people is grounded in fairness, inclusion, and respect for diversity, ensuring every child is treated with dignity and care. Our Catholic communities strive to create welcoming and inclusive environments where diversity is honoured, equity is embedded, and the unique needs of every child and young person are respected.

School Fee Payments

As we approach the midpoint of the school year, we ask all families to review their school fee accounts and ensure payments are occurring regularly. As a general guide, families should have paid approximately 50% of their annual school fees by this stage of the year. If you have any questions regarding your account, or require support, please be in contact with the school office or myself. 

Calendar

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

School Term Dates - 2026

Term 2, 2026

Monday 20 April - Friday 26 June (10 weeks)

Term 3, 2026

Tuesday 14 July - Friday 18 September (10 weeks)

Term 4, 2026

Tuesday 6 October - Tuesday 15 Dec (11 weeks)

Pupil Free Days for 2026

• Monday 13 July Vision For Instruction - Walk Thrus - Cold Calling, Think Pair Share, Show Me Boards etc and the Disability Learning Modules
• Monday 5 October Vision For Instruction continued
• Monday 2 November Assessment & Reporting
• Friday 4 December 2027 Planning and Preparation 

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

Parent/Teacher Interviews on Thursday 25 June

OLA Fete on Friday 6 November

Last day of school Tuesday 15 December

Please save and share the date...

Great, Good, Gold, Grand People and Special Friends Day

Monday 27 July - 8.45-10.45am

The start time can be when your Great, Good, Gold, Grand People and Special Friends arrive with your child. If its easier our special visitors can take a seat in the Church ready for us to come across or they can go through to the classrooms and start the day there.

Congratulations

Principal Awards

We all love to receive a visit from extra proud students sharing their best work. Well done to these great writers in Grade 3/4 and Grade 5/6. What an amazing vocabulary you are using and thanks for doing your best work. We also love when classes come to invite us to their prayer services and into their classrooms.

Parish Connections

One of our many connections with parish life. Our Care for the Common Home group joined our 1/2s for their Creation Class Prayer Service. We thank these generous parishioners for their love of OLA and for our earth. 

Sand Pit Creations

Just a few friends, a lot of sand, and a space that sparks imagination and builds teamwork.

Congratulations

Baby Taig has arrived!

Congratulations to Caitlan and Rick Taig on the safe arrival of their beautiful baby girl, Polly Maree Taig. Born on Friday 29 May, Polly is settling in at home with her parents as they begin life together as a family of four. We are all so excited, and already counting down the days until Caitlan and baby Polly visit us at OLA. 

Engagement

We are delighted to share the wonderful news that Miss Summers and her partner Nick became engaged a couple of weekends ago! We are absolutely thrilled for them both and wish them every happiness as they begin the exciting journey of wedding planning.

Special reminders:

OLA Parent Trivia Night - tomorrow night!

Thank you to The Parlor Kitchen & Bar and Cheltenham Cellars for donating prizes to add to the fun on the night. Please support these businesses when  you can.

Happy Friday, everyone! Before we head into the weekend, we want to say a huge thank you to our students, staff, and parents for your brilliant support and hard work this week. We hope you all enjoy a fantastic weekend of rest and relaxation. Let’s recharge those batteries and get ready to finish the term strong. Just a couple more weeks of term to go - let’s make them count!

Richard Jacques

Principal