Principal's Piece 

Term 1, Week 7

Dear Parents and Carers, 

Last week, we marked the beginning of Lent with our Ash Wednesday Mass. Our visiting priest, Fr. Trevor, was extremely impressed with the participation and reverence our students displayed at Mass. As always, our school choir did an exceptional job.  

On Shrove Tuesday, the delicious aroma of pancakes filled the air as families indulged in a sweet treat at drop-off. It was wonderful to see so many parents join in and share this tradition with us. Thank you to our master chefs, Mr Danny, Mr Cliff and Mrs Ale. 

Our Year 3 students are preparing to make their Sacrament of Reconciliation. This important milestone in their faith journey allows them to reflect on forgiveness and God’s grace. A special thank you to all who attended our  Parent Faith Night, where families had the chance to engage in meaningful discussions with their children about the sacrament and its significance in our Catholic tradition.

Our Year 1 students had an exciting week visiting Traffic School, where they learned important road safety skills in a fun and interactive way. After their session, they enjoyed some well-deserved playtime at the park. It was a fantastic day filled with learning and lots of fun. 

Our Year 3 and 5 students completed the NAPLAN assessments this week. NAPLAN tests assess student knowledge and skills in Writing, Reading, Language Conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and Numeracy. NAPLAN tests are only one aspect of our assessment process; they do not replace the extensive ongoing assessments made by our teachers about each student’s performance. They also provide our school with information about how our education programs are working and what areas need to be improved. 

Today our Graduate teachers attended a Commissioning Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral followed by an induction day at MACS. We congratulate Ms AbiHalia, Ms DiNoto, Ms Taki and Ms Georgantonis. We are excited to be able to support them as they continue to inspire, motivate and make a positive difference in the students they have the privilege to teach.

Next week, our Year 5 students will be heading off to Don Bosco Camp for an exciting few days of adventure, teamwork, and personal growth. Camps provide a fantastic opportunity for students to develop independence, build friendships, and challenge themselves in a supportive environment. The weather looks promising, and we are looking forward to hearing about all the fun and wonderful experiences they will have to share. 

Our Annual Athletics Day is fast approaching! Final preparations are well underway, and we are looking forward to a day of friendly competition and school spirit. Students have been training all term for the events and are very excited for the day. Athletics Day will be on Thursday, 27th March at Sprint Athletics Track in Craigieburn (near Splash).  If you are available to lend a hand and assist on the day, we would greatly appreciate your support. Please complete the Google Doc to register your interest via COMPASS.

Next Friday some of our Year 6 leaders will attend Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral to acknowledge Catholic Education Week. This year's theme is ‘Pilgrims of Hope.' This theme coincides with the Jubilee Year of Hope declared by Pope Francis for 2025. Many schools from the Melbourne Archdiocese will gather together to celebrate our Catholic identity and mission. 

Prep Enrolments 2026: If you have a child intending to commence school next year, 

enrolment forms are now available on our website. https://www.olps.vic.edu.au/prep/

New Parking Restrictions – Bridgewater Road

After ongoing discussions with the council over the past few years, we now have new parking restrictions in place on Bridgewater Road. This area is now designated as a 5-minute Kiss and Drop Zone to ensure a safer and smoother drop-off for all students. We kindly ask that all families adhere to these new parking guidelines for the safety of our children and to keep traffic flowing efficiently during busy periods. The safety of all our school community is paramount: Everyone's support is required to ensure the safety of everyone. 

Please check the school calendar for other important dates and school events. 

Have a lovely weekend 

Cinzia Mancuso

Acting  Principal