Principal's Piece 

Term 4, Week 5

My recent pilgrimage was an unforgettable experience, filled with visits to ancient ruins, learning about the life and mission of St Paul and many prayerful and spiritual moments. There was also LOTS of walking, we clocked an incredible 240,851 steps, approximately 200 kilometres, and I am pleased to report only one blister!  We prayed in many significant and sacred places, moments that allowed us to pause, reflect and deepen our faith. Being able to pray and celebrate mass in these special locations was incredibly moving and made the pilgrimage all the more meaningful.  

One particularly moving moment was visiting the traditional site of Lydia’s baptism near the ancient city of Philippi in Greece. Standing on the banks of the river where St Paul preached and renewing our own baptismal promises was a powerful and meaningful experience. Another highlight was visiting the House of the Virgin Mary near Ephesus in Turkey. Spending time in prayer and reflection at this peaceful and sacred site, traditionally believed to be Mary’s final earthly home, was incredibly special and moving.

We also visited ANZAC Cove in Gallipoli, where we paused to reflect on the extraordinary courage, sacrifice and service of the soldiers who fought there. Standing in such a significant and historic place was incredibly moving, as we remembered the lives that were lost and reflected on the enduring legacy of those who served. It was a powerful and humbling experience. 

I have definitely returned feeling incredibly grateful for the opportunity and experience. Thank you to Linda Glouftsis for successfully stepping into the Acting Principal role while I was away and to everyone that supported her. I can confidently say that the school was left in good hands.

Congratulations to Mrs Julia Pungiatore, her husband Brandon and son Logan on the arrival of beautiful Oaklee Mae born on 29th October. We hope they enjoy every precious moment together as a family and we can’t wait to meet baby Oaklee. 

Last Friday, we celebrated World Teachers’ Day, an opportunity to recognise and thank our wonderful teachers for the incredible work they do each and every day. Teaching is so much more than delivering lessons; it is about nurturing relationships, inspiring curiosity, encouraging students to believe in themselves and supporting every child to reach their full potential. Our teachers create a safe and engaging learning environment where students are encouraged to grow academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually. They celebrate successes, support students through challenges and continually go above and beyond to ensure that every child feels valued, supported and capable of achieving great things. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank all of our teachers for the positive difference they make in the lives of our students and the important contribution they make to our school community. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a committed and passionate team of educators who place our students at the heart of everything they do. Thank you for your dedication, your care and the difference you make each and every day.

We are now in our third week of our Headstart Program, and it has been wonderful to welcome and get to know our new Prep students who will be joining the OLPS community in 2027. It has been great to see the children becoming familiar and comfortable with their new school environment, meeting new friends and beginning to build relationships with their peers and  teachers. Our Headstart Program provides a valuable opportunity for our future Prep students to experience a little of what school life will be like before they officially begin their learning journey next year. Thank you to our current and new parents who support the program and have attended the parent information sessions each week. 

On Wednesday, we will come together as a school community to honor and remember the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of those who have served and continue to serve in defense of our country. We will pause at 11am for a 1 minute silence to pay tribute to the men and women who have given so much for our freedom and peace. This small act of reflection is a reminder of the significance of their service and a moment for us to appreciate the peace and unity we experience today. 

Next Friday, our Year 6 will hold their annual mini fete. This is always an exciting part of our school year. There will no doubt be plenty of fun, games, and a fair bit of sugar involved! Our students have been eagerly organizing and planning  their stalls and through their economics unit, they are hoping to make a profit!  Proceeds from the day will go towards supporting the Year 6 Graduation celebrations and towards Catholic Mission in supporting the important work that they do in communities all around the world. The Year 6 students are super excited and I’m sure it will be a successful day for everyone. 

We are excited to announce that our Christmas Carols celebrations will be held over two evenings this year on the back oval at school. 

 Kolbe & Samaritan - Wednesday 9th December  5:00–7:00 pm

Romero & Teresa- Thursday 10th December 5:00–7:00pm

We look forward to coming together as a school community to celebrate the joy and spirit of Christmas. Further information will be shared with families over the coming weeks.

If you are not intending to return to Our Lady's in 2027, could you please let me know via email:  principal@olps.vic.edu.au. 

School closure days this semester:  Friday, 27th November. 

School Calendar: Please check the School Community Calendar Page for important upcoming events. 

Have a wonderful weekend, and God Bless

Cinzia Mancuso

Principal