Principal's Chat

Good afternoon families of OLSC.  I hope you have all managed to stay cool yesterday on the heat.  Term 1 is well and truly underway and the students have settled into the school year in an impressive way.  I congratulate them all on how well they have settled back into school routines.  

A reminder to all families (and students) to wear their school hat.  It is an expectation to wear a hat while outside between October and April.  

Wyndham Library 

I have been notified that there has been some every disappointing behaviour of students who attend the library after school.  As you can all imagine this was very disappointing to hear.  This week I have met with all students that attend the library after school and reminded them of behaviour and conduct expectations, especially when wearing the OLSC uniform and representing our school.  

Staff at the library have asked to remind all families that the library is not a place for free child care. The library policy is that any students under the age of 12 should be accompanied by an adult.   

School Closure Days  

We have a number of planned closure days for this year that are dedicated to staff professional learning.  

Term 1 

- Monday 4th March: School Improvement Review Preparation 

Term 2 

- Friday 26th April (following ANZAC day public holiday)

- Thursday 6th and Friday 7th June: Mental Health Wellbeing Training 

We have yet to confirm that care will be available through Quantum Binnah on these days however if there is enough interest we believe that it will go ahead.  If there is not enough interest for the program to run here at OLSC care can be offered at their venue.  

Welcome to the OLSC Staff

In the last fortnight we have welcomed two new staff members to OLSC.  

Marion Sayer joined the team last Thursday and even stayed at school until 7:00pm on her first day.  She was put to work on the second uniform and plant stand.  Marion will be working in the junior area to support our students.  

Amelia McKnight joined the OLSC staff this week.  Amelia will be working with the 3/4 students and is looking forward to getting to know the families of OLSC.  

Both Amelia and Marion come from a background in childcare and early learning.  I am sure you all join me in welcoming them to the staff team.  

OLSC Swimming Program 

After much searching we have been able to secure bookings for a school swimming program. The swimming program will take place in late Term 3 for the middle and senior levels and at the beginning of Term 4 for the juniors. 

The swimming dates are:

5/6s: Monday August 26th - Friday 6th September 

3/4s: Monday 9th September - Thursday 19th September 

1/2s: Monday 7th October - Thursday 17th October 

Preps: Monday 21st October - Friday 1st November 

Our swimming program will be at the new Manor Lakes Kings Swim facility.  We will have an intensive program which involves daily lessons for a 2 week period. More information regarding this will follow next term and we are pleased that this can be offered to ensure that our students will be safe when around water. Early next term we will have an online information session for all families to join.

Traffic Concerns

I remind all families of the importance of following the road laws when driving near the school.  We all understand the frustration that heavy traffic and congestion can cause however we all share the common goal for all in the community to arrive and depart school safely.  

For the families that use Academy Way please only drop off on the west side of the street and do not under any circumstances pull up on the wrong side of the road.  There has been a number of situations this year that were close to resulting in an accident.  

Here's a look at the last next two weeks...

Monday 12th February - North Melbourne Football Club Visit 

Some members of the North Melbourne Football club came along to meet with the Year 5/6 students for some Q&A time.  The club members commended on the impressive questions and conduct of our students.  Well done and thank you to our 5/6 students on the positive way in which they represented our school.  

Wednesday 14th February - Ash Wednesday 

On Wednesday 14th February we had an Ash Wednesday Liturgy in the Sports Centre. This important Catholic event was planned by John and the social justice team of Matthew, Natasha, Clare and Aadya.  Well done to the team and thank you to all those that could join us.    

Thursday 15th February  - School Picnic 

Last Thursday we had a welcome picnic and this proved to be a great way to start the year.  Thanks to all of those that could make it and a shout out to the staff who all stayed back at school until 7:00pm to join in.  Cheryl, Sue and Marion also had a second hand uniform stall and plant stall.   

Friday 16th February  - Whole School Mass  

Last Friday we had our first whole school mass for the 2024 school year.  Our preps are to be commended on the way they conducted themsleves and sat so patiently for an extended period of time.  

Sunday 18th February  - Wyndham Vale Community Mass 10:00 am 

Community masses were a regular event at OLSC prior to the pandemic that stopped all such events in 2020.  On Sunday we held the first Community Mass since February 2020 and it was great to see so many of our families come along and attend.  We are still looking for people to join the Wyndham Vale Community Mass Planning Committee. Please join us for our next Community mass on Sunday 17th March.  

Here's a look ahead at the next two weeks...

Monday 26th February - Whole School Assembly  

On Monday the 26th February there will be a whole school assembly at 9:00am.  This will include student awards and important future dates.  All are welcome so please come along and join.  

Wednesday 28th February - Prep 2025 School Information Night

We have a 2025 Prep information night planned for Wednesday 28th February.  If you know of any families looking to enrol their prep student to contact the office and register their interest.  

Friday 1st March  - Regional Bishop, Martin Ash OLSC Visit   

Our Regional Bishop Martin Ashe will be visiting OLSC on Friday March 1st.  Bishop Ashe will be in the Parish for the whole weekend.  While he is at OLSC he will have a school tour, join us for a liturgy, have a Q&A with the senior students and also join the staff during the lunch break.  

I encourage all families to join us for the liturgy at 12:00pm.  

Monday 4th March  - School Closure Day 

OLSC will be reviewed this year by an external reviewer as part of a cyclical process of school improvement.  In preparation for the review we have a scheduled closure day on Monday 4th March.  Staff from Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools will lead the staff through a structure process of reflection and evaluation.  

Friday 8th March  - Parents and Friends Meeting (all welcome)   

Please come along to our Parents and Friends Meeting on Friday 8th March at 9:00am.  The meeting will take place in the staff room and some of the agenda items include the Easter raffle and our upcoming colour run.  

It is great that so many students are remembering their sun-safety and bringing sunscreen along to school.  Please only send sunscreen that is a tube or plastic bottle. Aerosol cans are not permitted at school as they can too easily result in an eye injury.  

Thanks everyone for the smooth first month of school - it's hard to believe that we are almost half way through the year!  

Justin and all of the staff at OLSC