Dear OLA Families,

We have enjoyed welcoming everyone back for Term 2. We hope you all had a restful break and are ready for an action packed term of learning and special events.

As you would be aware, we join with the global family of the Church to acknowledge the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday. We were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Pope Francis whose mercy, acceptance, understanding, compassion commitment to social justice and the environment, touched hearts around the world. His legacy of advocating for the poor, the marginalised, and the planet will continue to inspire generations to come. May he rest in eternal peace.

Easter Celebration

It always feels a little unusual celebrating Easter at the end of the holidays, but that did not impact the excitement of our students when they received a couple of Easter Eggs on their return to school, organised by our dedicated staff. We also gathered for a beautiful Easter liturgy where we celebrated the joyous part of the Easter story: Jesus' resurrection. It was a meaningful and uplifting service that reminded us of the hope and renewal that Easter brings. We were so proud of our Grade 1/2 students who did a wonderful job of leading the liturgy.

Thank you also to all children and families for raising funds for Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion. We are grateful for our community's generosity and support for such a worthy cause.

ANZAC Day

We have also taken time to reflect on the significance of Anzac Day. This important day of remembrance honours the brave men and women who have served and sacrificed for our country. We came together as a whole school to commemorate Anzac Day last Thursday.

We especially enjoyed one of our dads, Corporal Cooper, coming to speak with us in what is such a busy week. It is important that our students learn about the significance of this day and as a community we pay our respects to those who have given so much for our freedom and for peace.

OLA PRODUCTION 'THE SOUND OF MUSICALS'

Imagine a world where musicals didn't exist. No 'Sound of Music' or 'Wizard of Oz' or 'Wicked' - it's hard to imagine! This is the world of our new OLA show, coming in December. A number of brilliant composers come to a producer to 'pitch' their ideas for 'new' musicals they have written. They ask the producer to 'picture the scene' as the curtains open on to reveal a scene and songs from some of our best loved musicals.

We will be performing highlights from the following shows - so why not take the opportunity over the next few months to watch them with your children?

Singing in the Rain, The Sound of Music, Wizard of Oz, Lion King, Oliver, School of Rock and High School Musical.

Request for Help

December 9 seems like a long way off, but as we know time goes fast these days! We had a wonderful group of parents who helped with costumes and props for our 2023 show 'Mission H20' and we would love some help again this year. If you are prepared to assist, please email me at pogorman@olacheltenham.catholic.edu.au

Stay tuned for more to come and in the meantime, enjoy some musicals or even live stage shows with your children.

Trish O'Gorman

Performing Arts Teacher

Working Bee

As explained via an Operoo earlier this week, please note that there will be no Working Bee this Saturday 3 May. The Term 2 Working Bee will go ahead on Saturday 31 May 10am-12pm. We hope this is helpful with the general busyness of the start to a new term and election day being on Saturday. If you are rostered on to the Term 2 Working Bee and cannot make the new date of 31 May, please let us know and we can reschedule your family for Term 3 (Saturday 2 August 10am-12pm) or you are welcome to make a donation.

School Tours and 2026 Enrolments

All Enrolments for Prep 2026 are due by Friday 9 May. We then look forward to making a time to meet with each of the Prep students and their families before the end of May and making our first round offers at that time.

Our school tours have been buzzing and so well attended with many families coming to see for themselves what makes OLA a very special place to be. Thank you to all for sharing such great stories about the learning and wellbeing and what it’s like being part of our great community. We have one more School Tour to come on Wednesday 7 May so please book your school tour online on the school website. If you are not able to make this tour please know that you are welcome to call Sharan/Maria to make a time that does work for you.

Sickness

A reminder to all in our community that if anyone is sick with vomiting or diarrhoea, they should remain at home until their symptoms have stopped for 48 hours, as they may still spread the infection during this time. Please note these bugs are especially contagious at the moment. It is helpful and important that when your child is sick that they do stay home to rest and recover. If you do choose to send your child to school because you think they are well enough please do not give them the words, "please get the school to ring me if you are unwell". You can imagine that this is naturally their go to state of mind.

Mobile Phone and Smart Watches

A reminder to all families that mobile phones are to be placed at the office as the children arrive at school and collected from the office at 3.15pm. If your child wears a smart watch then it needs to be disabled during the school day/in class mode or left at the front office. We ask that messages to parents/carers on phones are to be sent inside the office area only rather than on the yard or on the walk home - for their own safety and the safety of others phones must remain in your child's school bag until they are inside the office area. What is transpiring is that children have been seen on the yard huddled around a phone and even taking photos, so we thank you in advance for your support with this.

Uniform

A timely reminder of our high expectations in regards to School Uniform here at OLA. We appreciate that we all have many balls in the air so let's be mindful not to drop this one. Please ensure your child only wears blue or black hair ties and ribbons. A simple chain necklace is welcome to be worn under the children's uniform and studs or sleeper earrings only. No bracelets/anklets/nail polish please - they are a treat for the weekend/holidays. Please also ensure white socks with sports uniform only and no logos and navy socks with our regular school uniform. Please support us as we place a press on this important aspect of school life. Taking pride in our uniform/dress is a lesson and learning for life. Winter Uniforms are to be worn in Term 2 and Term 3. We always give two weeks grace at the start of a uniform changeover to enable families time to get organised and in the swing of things.

Please note:

During Winter we especially ask that students do not have different coloured short or long sleeve tops under a short sleeve shirt.
If wearing a short sleeve shirt they are designed to be worn outside of the bottom garment.
If wearing a long sleeve short then that needs to be ticked into the bottom garment.

School Drop Off

We take this opportunity to clarify drop off times at OLA. We ask for your understanding and support with drop off time being 8.30am. For the safety of all students and all in our community it is important to know that supervision of students begins at 8.30am, with classrooms opening at 8.35am. The morning time is an important time for staff and leaders to be meeting and preparing for the day ahead. TheirCare before school services are available for families who do need the earlier start. Thanks again for your understanding and please partner with us to keep all in our community safe.

Calendar

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

Week 3
Mon 5 May	9.30am - 4pm - Prep 2026 Meet and Greet
Tues 6 May	District Cross Country
	9.30am-3pm - Prep 2026 Meet and Greet Interviews
Wed 7 May	9.15-10.15am - School Tour
Thurs 8 May	Junior Mayor Conference
	9.15-10.15am - 5/6MG Class Participation in Mass
	9am-3pm - Grade 1/2 Excursion - Royal Botanical Gardens
Fri 9 May	Mother's Day Breakfast & Stall
	Prep 2026 Applications Due
	9-11am - Interschool Sports
	2.30pm-3.15pm - Whole School Assembly

Week 4
Mon 12 May	Chess Lessons (Grade 1,2 and 5/6)
	Grade 4 Bike Ed
	7.30-8.30pm - P&F Meeting
Tues 13 May	Grade 4 Bike Ed
	9am-3.30pm - Grade 5/6 Werribee Zoo Excursion
Wed 14 May	Grade 4 Bike Ed
Thurs 15 May	9.30am-4pm - Prep 2026 Meet & Greet
	7.30-8.30pm - Inform and Empower Parent Webinar
Fri 16 May	Newsletter Day
	9-11am - Interschool Sports

SAVE THE DATE

Monday 28 July - Grandparent's and Special Friend's Day - 'G' DAY

School Term Dates - 2025

Term 2, 2025

Tuesday 22nd April - Friday 4th July (11 weeks)

Term 3, 2025

Tuesday 22 July - Friday 19th September (9 weeks)

Term 4, 2025

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

Congratulations

Mini Vinnies Commissioning Mass

Our Mini Vinnies Leaders were commissioned at our whole school Mass on Wednesday. We’re proud to help cultivate the valuable life skill of empathy and caring for others here at OLA. It’s another wonderful bond our school shares with our parish.

Passionate Footy Fans

Not only do we love that our students are passionate about their footy teams and in this case Geelong but we love that Max Holmes from Geelong handballed this specially autographed footy to this big fan!!

Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday to our newest Learning Support Officer, Miss Powell!

What a special occasion for a great member of our staff who is so caring and wants the best for the students here at OLA.

Grade 5/6 Class Masses with the Parish

What a beautiful turn up of parents and parishioners for our first Class Mass. The children read and participated in the Mass with great respect and reverence. Thank you to all involved in providing a beautiful spread for Morning Tea.

Gratitude

Thank you to all in our community who support and partner with us to give the best possible primary education and opportunities to the children in our care. The recent Google Reviews are very much appreciated and prospective families do read these and comment to us how they are so warm and leaves them wanting to visit our great school.

A recent Google Review:

OLA Primary is a wonderful school, and we are so happy we have joined this amazing community. The teachers have shown incredible leadership, support, and enthusiasm in the time we have been here and continue to drive students each week. We are so lucky to have hardworking and caring teachers that will strive to help and encourage our son to reach his potential giving him the confidence which we are so happy to see. The school offers fantastic communication, positivity, a sense of belonging and above all a wonderful community environment. Strong friendships have also formed with students and families, and we couldn't be happier we have chosen OLA for our children's primary school journey. Thank you OLA for providing a safe space, a wonderful learning environment and most of all a happy and welcoming school.

May this be a beautiful weekend for each and everyone of you and may these blue skies continue to greet us each morning, especially this weekend as we continue with our many sporting commitments.

Richard Jacques

Principal

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