Principal's Message

Dear OLA Families,

In my interactions with staff, parents and students so many of us have commented that Term 3 has flown past, and we only have one week to go! As we look to the end of term and factor in our recent and upcoming school events, please do not be surprised if your child/ren release and express their biggest of emotions in the safety of home, especially in light of this particularly full term. Over the next week, the key will be to maintain a balanced routine between school and home for all of our students, to ensure a successful and positive closure to Term 3. Removing some of the before or after school activities can sometimes help with this balance. As always, please speak with your child's classroom teacher if you have any questions or concerns. 

Thank you

Thank you all for an amazingly exciting term of learning and fun. So many wonderful opportunities have been provided to the students at OLA in Term 3 helping to create many special memories. There has been so much to celebrate and we congratulate our students, staff and families for all they have given during this term.  These special moments have brought much laughter, joy and community spirit.

Confirmation

We extend our best wishes and congratulations to our young parishioners who were Confirmed on Thursday 4th September, at OLA Church. An exciting step on their faith journey and surrounded by their loved ones. We are so proud of you. Thank you to our Parish Priest Fr Alan for confirming our children and thank to Colleen and our staff for preparing the students. 

Father's Day and Special Friend's Breakfast

Our Father's Day Breakfast was a wonderful opportunity for students and families to invite significant men in their lives, such as uncles, grandfathers, and those who are like fathers to us to OLA. We loved seeing all come together for breakfast, Running Club, kicking the footy, shooting hoops, visits to the classroom, prayer, meditation and the sharing our best work in the classrooms. We hope all the great men and humans in our life had a Happy Father’s Day. We also took an extra moment during this time to remember those fathers and grandfathers from our community who have died and included them in our prayers.

Thank you to our many helpers for making the Father's Day Breakfast possible as well as the Father's Day Stall which is always such a special time for our students. Thank you especially to our community connections for all the donations of items such as bread, bacon, coffee and eggs. A special shout out to Rocco from Roasting Warehouse, Steve from Don Smallgoods, Waller's Bakery in Hampton and Mickelburough's Egg Farm. It was lovely to see the school made cards and gifts making their way home to honour the great men in our community.

MACS Flourishing Learners Conference

Earlier this week, both Caitlan and I were privileged to attend two big days with 1200+ educators at Marvel Stadium for the Flourishing Learners Conference. We were engaged by many great presenters like Professor Dylan Wiliam and Tom Sherrington, along with other experts in education and explicit instruction such as Kristen Douglas, Emina McLean, Bron Ryrie Jones, Jamie Clark, and Brother David Hall. We truly valued the many new ideas, connections and moments of inspiration. We are excited by what we are already achieving and look forward to the next steps with our staff and students at OLA.

MACSSIS Survey for OLA Families

As of this afternoon we have had 41 of our 193 families complete this important survey. We have 6 days remaining to complete the survey so I encourage you strongly to participate and let us know What is Working Well and where we can improve. For your information the average survey completion time is just under 10 minutes. We really appreciate those who have already completed the survey, including: parents, staff and students in Grades 4-6. One parent emailed us: 

"I’d like to take the opportunity to add some positive feedback for the school in this email as the survey was really helpful for myself in reflecting on all the elements the school brings to give us and our child, a great experience. We moved to OLA at the beginning of last year and have been so grateful for our experience. Key things for me that make this school a welcoming place where it feels that staff really care: Leaders standing at the gate each day welcoming families and helping children safely enter the school. Teachers walking the children out each day - feels like an open invitation to have a discussion if needed. Leaders often walking by at school pick up time, smiling and engaging with parents. The classroom teacher always responding with such warmth and care to emails I send her, and always a quick response. Thankyou so much to you all for offering a fantastic place for our child to thrive, learn and grow."

FIRE Carrier Program – 2026 (Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education)

In 2026, the FIRE Carrier program at OLA will see some exciting changes. From next year, the program will be led by our Grade 5 student leaders. This adjustment allows our Grade 6 leaders to focus on other leadership opportunities, while also providing Grade 5 students with the chance to showcase their leadership skills.

Grade 4 students have been invited to apply for these positions today and FIRE Carriers will be chosen through a voting process, with results based on 50% student votes and 50% staff votes. Voters will be asked to nominate four candidates, in preference order, who they believe will be suitable FIRE Carriers for OLA. We look forward to beginning the application process and working with the 2026 FIRE Carriers.

Community Illness

Over the past month or two, various viruses and respiratory issues have been sweeping through our classrooms, leading to a spike in absences and numerous calls for children to be picked up from school. This is a fitting reminder for everyone to remain vigilant during this challenging period. Please ensure that children stay home if they exhibit high temperatures or cold like symptoms, to ensure this does not impact the wider class or staffing group. 

Calendar

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

School Term Dates - 2025

Term 3, 2025

Monday 21 July - Friday 19th September (9 weeks) 

Term 4, 2025

Tuesday 7 October - Tuesday 16th December (11 weeks)

School Closure Dates

Term 4, 2025

Monday 6 October - Neurodiversity with Katrina Brzozowska, Child & Family Councillor 

Monday 3 November (Melbourne Cup Long Weekend) - Assessment and Reporting

Friday 21 November - Faith Formation with Gen Bryant

Friday 5 December (the day after the production) - Planning for 2026

Calling for new OSAC members

I take this opportunity to thank Pat Moran and Sally Wright for their service to the OLA community as active members of Our Lady of the Assumption Primary School Advisory Council (OSAC) over the last 3 years. The experience and expertise that you both have provided OLA is very much appreciated. We especially appreciate you both being at the end of the phone for advice and support. Thank you Sally for being Co-Chair of OSAC this year and thank you Pat for being Secretary for the last couple of years. We know you will both continue to be great advocates for our wonderful school and that you will find new and exciting ways to remain connected.

The School Advisory Council acts as a supportive voice to the Principal, offering feedback on areas such as school improvement, financial governance, community engagement, communication, and the wellbeing and learning of our students.

How to Nominate: 

Please send an email to Richard Jacques principal@olacheltenham.catholic.edu.au stating your wish to nominate for a seat on the Advisory Council. Include a brief outline of your background and areas of interest. As two vacancies have become available on OSAC, we are calling for nominations to fill these positions. Please find attached, the OSAC Membership Nomination Request, which contains detailed information regarding the role. Also please note the application closing date of Friday 31 October. We look forward to securing two new members for our team whose skills compliment those of the members already on the School Advisory Council.

Calling for new OLA Parents & Friends members

We thank our 2025 P&F Committee for their support of our great school and we especially thank our Co Chairs Lauren Koukoumanos & Claudelle Salter for creating such a welcoming and positive team. This year has seen a large focus on providing opportunities for the children and parents to have fun, enjoy being part of our great community and to fundraise. Please know that your active support is very much appreciated. We have also loved the social events organised in the different year levels and the support the P&F representatives give their level when there is a need for support for a family, a child or a staff member. These P&F Year Level Reps will be looking for new reps to join them or replace them in 2026. Current P&F Reps please let Lauren and Del know if you are keen to continue or if you have secured a replacement.

If you would like to be part of helping our school next year and adding to our wonderful sense of community, please consider joining the 2026 P&F Team. It is a great way to contribute to the development of the school and meet other parents.

We are looking for two parent representatives from each year level, who are responsible for updating the parents in their year level with important information/reminders, and organising a couple of events throughout the year. For example, the Grade 1 P&F representatives host the Morning Tea for new and current families on the first day of school.

Feel free to chat to this year's P&F members if you would like some more information or, better still, if you would like to get involved. You can also speak with me in person or email any questions or ideas to principal@olacheltenham.catholic.edu.au

Class Placements 2026

The staff work together on class lists for the following year from the start of Semester 2. The process will be completed with consideration given to social cohesion, friendship groupings, placement of siblings and positive academic influences. Other factors to be considered include keeping a ‘balance’ of children with social, emotional, physical, behavioural and academic needs, and an even spread of year level numbers and genders in multi-age classes. This is an opportunity for students to either further develop existing friendships or an opportunity to develop new friendships. We see the ability to create new friendships each year as a valuable opportunity to further develop personal life skills for all children.

Parent Input - Meeting with the Principal

If parents have any relevant information that they believe is essential to the class placement process, they are invited to make a time to meet with the Principal to share their thoughts. Parents are requested to make an appointment in the month of October each year. Appointment times can be negotiated with the school office by calling 9584 9488 or email office@olacheltenham.catholic.edu.au We will evaluate all input and make a professional judgement on the placement of the child in question. The final decision rests with the school. Please keep in mind the many limitations that are already placed on the staff during this complex process. Appointments relating to class placements must be made by 31 October each year so that staff can have relevant information to assist them with the placement of children. 

'Teacher Shopping'

Parents making requests simply as ‘Teacher Shopping’, without any foundation, are unlikely to receive their requests for the next year. The reference ‘teacher shopping’ is a term used when parents have heard positive comments about teachers in the school from other parents and think that teacher may be good for their child. Likewise, a sibling may have had a teacher previously that a parent wishes for their next child to experience. We would love to meet all requests but there are other elements around class placements, as detailed previously, which may take priority over a request as such. We are blessed with a highly skilled and enthusiastic staff team and we are confident that all teachers will meet the needs of your children. If all parents submitted requests for teachers then our system of student allocation would be compromised. As stated above, parents are invited to meet with the Principal to discuss thoughts that may be pertinent to class placements but we ask that you take on board all of the above information when making your request.

Summer Uniform

We hope that as the children finish Term 3 that you can put away their winter uniform and bring out their summer uniform. However, should it turn cold again, in the first two weeks of Term 4 students are welcome to wear summer or winter uniforms.  By Monday 20 October all students must be in full summer uniform.  We also remind parents that Term 4 has a ‘No Hat – No Play’ Sunsmart Policy. Children without hats at school will be restricted to the undercover ‘quiet’ area. A reminder that girls and boys wear navy socks with their summer uniform and there must be no logos on white sports socks. Black leather shoes must be worn with the summer uniform. There are strictly no variations to the school uniform, for example, non-school hat, alternative sock colours, non uniform long sleeve tops under short sleeve school shirts.  School hats and sunscreen must be worn from day one and "no hat, no play" will apply.  Sunscreen must be applied before school and students are encouraged to re-apply before lunch every day. We are all looking forward to more of this sunshine and warmer days!

Congratulations

Training

We congratulate all children who are taking up the opportunity for extra track and field training with Mrs Thompson and our volunteers Rachel (Mother of Maddi, Nathan & Vienna) and Pierre (Grandfather of Bailey). Thank you so much to the volunteers - without your support this would not be possible.

PCH & PNL Prayer Service

Congratulations to our readers and singers in Prep and thank you to our families for coming along and supporting your children. We are so proud of each one of them. Thank you for the generous morning teas too!

Dedicated Tee Ballers

How good is the dedication here. These boys caught up on the weekend to practise for their recent Tee-Ball Championships. Great work boys and thank you.

Principal Awards

Look who made our day this week! Congratulations Peter, Ivy and Estelle for your excellent recounts about playing outside and enjoying the sunshine. 

We also congratulate Hana on her Inquiry Project on a Melbourne Landmark. Hana chose to investigate RMIT University and in particular Building 80, as her Melbourne Landmark “because Mum works there; Mum and Dad met at RMIT 25 Years ago, and Grandad went there too…, I have been there a few times, and the buildings are all so different!” Last Friday, at her school assembly Hana received a class award for her informative and creative project about RMIT University.  Hana shared her work with the Vice Chancellor and President, Dr Alec Cameron at RMIT and he was very impressed and I think he is keen to sign Hana up straight away!! 

P&F Events

Please support these fun community events that are being organised by our OLA P&F.

Saturday 18 October Cocktail Evening - Dance into Spring for parents

Friday 7 November - Colour Run at Cheltenham Park for the children

R U OK?

Start the conversation that could change a life. Whether it’s your friend, family member, colleague, partner or teammate, the people you care about go through life’s ups and downs every day. At OLA as a staff we appreciated the coffees, hot chocolates, donuts and important conversations. We had the children asking each other too - R U OK?

With this being our last newsletter of the term, we thank our staff for another amazing term at OLA, and we thank our students for their hard work and determination. Wishing all our families the most relaxing of holidays when they come next Friday and may we all enjoy some special moments together and some time just to be. 

Maybe some of us will be watching some footy this evening!! GO HAWKS!!

A reminder next Friday is wear your favourite sports colours to school day and to bring a gold coin donation.Please note our first day back with the students for Term 4 is Tuesday 7 October.

Richard Jacques

Principal