Principal's Chat
Term 1, Week 6 - Friday 8th March, 2024
Dear Families of OLSC
It is hard to believe we are past the half way mark of the term! This term has been a very busy one and all of OLSC 'hit the ground running.' I hope you all enjoy the long weekend ahead and mange to get some down time with your family and friends.
I am truly thankful to the community for the understanding, care and support this past 2 weeks. I understand the disruption that a second closure day caused for Sharon's funeral and on behalf of the entire staff and Sharon's family I thank you all for understanding the importance of staff attending the funeral. This decision and request was not taken lightly.
Sharon Mills
As you are all aware Sharon passed away on Wednesday 28th February. She passed away at home with her family by her side after a prolonged and admirably brave battle with cancer. We ask the community to continue to pray for Anthony, Lily and Ashley and the extended family at this time.
Sharon was not only a teacher at OLSC, she was also a parent. She joined the OLSC family when enrolling her daughter and was active on our Parents and Friends committee when able. Sharon was a specialist teacher and has taught most students across the school. Students have benefited from her warm and caring nature and genuine interest in each of them. In Sharon’s time teaching at OLSC, she built quality relationships with both students and staff.
Sharon and her family have been active members of the St Andrew's parish for many years
and this was reflected by the huge turn out for her funeral on Wednesday. Sharon’s mum, Jen, worked as a finance officer at the parish and only recently retired and both Jen and her husband Roger remain very active in our parish.
Sharon taught in catholic education since 1999 in both catholic primary and secondary schools.
Again, on behalf of the entire OLSC staff we thank the community for their understanding regarding the school closure so that we all could support Anthony, Lily and Ashley and farewell a friend and colleague. If your child is struggling with this loss, there is a flier below which may assist in conversations or gaining further assistance.
School Review Preparation Closure Day - Monday March 4th
On the 4th March we had a closure day to prepare for our upcoming school review which will take place in Term 2. Staff from Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) led us through a number of reflection and evaluation activities in the 5 spheres of school (Religious Education, Learning and Teaching, Leadership and Management, Student Wellbeing and Community).
Prep Enrolments
The month of March marks the opening of enrolments for Prep 2025. If you have a child attending 4 year old kindergarten please contact the office or complete an enrolment enquiry form (available on our website).
School Advisory Council
Expressions of Interest
It is a requirement of Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Ltd (MACS) board, our governing body, that all catholic schools have a School Advisory Council (SAC). The School Advisory Council to support the Principal, Parish Priest and leadership team of the school and to offer perspectives on matters that school staff and leaders may not have considered. We are currently looking for members of our school community to join our SAC. No particular expertise is required except a desire to represent and give voice to the parent body in advising the principal about matters particularly related to the school’s ongoing desire to provide the best possible education for the OLSC children.
If you are a member of the parish or have children in the school, and wish to be part of the SAC in our school, we would welcome your expression of interest via email to Justin Hilton by Friday 22nd March, 2024.
Your expression of interest should be emailed to jhilton@olscwyn.catholic.edu.au
Congratulations Sam and Ben
Sam Yousif (Prep White) and Ben have exciting news to share. Later this year their household is going to get a whole lot busier as they are expecting their first child. I am sure you all join me in congratulating Sam and Ben.
Wyndham Library
The team here at OLSC have been working with the library staff at Manor Lakes to ensure the safety of the students that attend there after school. This came as a result of some unfortunate behaviour of students at the library after 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. I have concerns about the safety of students in the library unsupervised as this is a public place and the school nor the library have any control over who frequents this public space. A student from Manor Lakes was involved in an unfortunate incident and their teeth were knocked out. There were no contact details for parents and police and ambulance were called. Students under the age of 12 should not be attending the library without adult supervision. Please see flier form the library below.
OLSC Swimming Program (Repeated message from last newsletter)
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.
Here's a look at the last next two weeks...
Wednesday 28th February - Prep 2025 School Information Night
Last Wednesday 28th February we held our Prep information night for 2025 - it's hard to believe how fast that comes around. 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
Thank you to everyone that could join us on last Friday for Bishop Martin Ashe's visit to OLSC. Bishop Ashe was in the Parish for the whole weekend and spoke very highly of our community masses and his time working with the 5/6 students. The senior students had a Q&A time with Bishop Martin and their questions were very well thought out.
Here's a look ahead at the next two weeks...
Tuesday 12th March - School Advisory Council Meeting
Next Tuesday we have a School Advisory Council Meeting at 6:30pm. We are currently looking to include new members on our SAC. Please email Justin if you are interested.
jhilton@olscwyn.catholic.edu.au
Wednesday 13th March - Reconciliation Family Workshop Night
Next Wednesday we have a family workshop for students that are preparing to make their First Reconciliation. The evening will begin at 6:30 and we look forward to seeing the Reconciliation candidates and their families here at school.
Friday 15th March - School Photo Day
Next Friday is the day in the year that you might have to get up a few minutes early to make sure the hair is done and faces are clean! We have our school photo day. The staff group photo is at 8:00am so there may be slight disruptions in the carpark - please be patient.
Sunday 17th March - Wyndham Vale Community Mass 10:00 am
Our February community mass was a great success and the committee were delighted to see so many people turn out. As part of the mass the Year 3 students will be passing out 'Pray for Me' cards as they undertake this important sacrament.
We are still looking for people to join the Wyndham Vale Community Mass Planning Committee. Please email Justin if you would like to be involved.
Wednesday 20th March - Sacrament of Reconciliation
On Wednesday 20th March students from Year 3 who have been baptised will make the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. The evening will begin at 6:30 and we look forward to seeing the Reconciliation candidates and their families here at school.
Friday 22nd March - Whole School Mass
Please join us for the 2nd school mass of the year. Mass will begin at 12:00 and everyone is welcome.
Have a great long weekend everyone and see you on Tuesday.
Justin and all of the staff at OLSC