Principal's Piece 

Term 1, Week 7

Today our Graduate teachers attended a Commissioning Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral followed by an induction day at MACS. We congratulate Mr Lazarus, Mr Baldwinson, Ms LoBianco and Ms Caiafa. We are excited to be able to support them as they continue to inspire, nurture and guide their students, build positive relationships and serve our school community in positive ways. 

This week we commenced our Prep 2027 school tours, welcoming prospective families into our school community. These tours provide a wonderful opportunity to showcase our school, highlight the learning that takes place in our classrooms, and share the many programs and opportunities available to our students. Our new families were able to see our students engaged in their learning, explore our facilities and specialist programs, and gain an insight into the supportive and inclusive environment that makes our school such a great place to learn and flourish. Our students and staff did a fantastic job representing our school and demonstrating the pride we all have in our community. We look forward to continuing our tours over the coming weeks and welcoming many new families as they consider joining our school for Prep in 2027.

We had our first School Advisory Council meeting this week. I thank all our parents who have committed to supporting our school and being part of the SAC. 

One of the outcomes from the meeting was to organise a pizza lunch. This will be on  Thursday 2nd April (last day of term)  and all profits will go towards our Year 6 Graduation. We are asking for any parents who could volunteer a couple of hours of their time to assist with delivering pizza lunches to classrooms from 12.30-2pm, please email Linda Glouftis: lglouftsis@olps.vic.edu.au

Our first Community Engagement Evening was on Wednesday with our Year 4 students and their families. Thank you to all our parents who came along. These evenings are great opportunities for parents to engage in their child’s learning and gain insight into the experiences, topics and learning that takes place in the classroom.

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.

Catholic Education Week will be celebrated in Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne from 15-22 March 2026. 

This annual event is held to promote the special ethos of Catholic schools and to highlight the great things that take place in Catholic schools everyday. 

The theme for this year’s celebrations is, 

“Christ beside me: Walking in the footsteps of Saint Patrick”. 

This year’s theme celebrates the significance of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of our local Church in Melbourne. Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, our mother Church, is named after the saint of Ireland.  Catholic Education Week is an opportunity for all Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne to celebrate their Catholic identity, the pivotal role they play within their local community and the strength of the sector. 

Catholic education strives to make a difference in the lives of those in our schools and in the wider community by challenging young people to live out the message of Jesus and walk the way of the gospel to reach their full potential as compassionate, contributing, life-giving members of society. 

There are 335 Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne that educate around 150,000 students and employ more than 20,000 teachers and staff, and most will celebrate Catholic Education Week in some way.  

Our school is planning several activities during the week including our Social Justice Leaders and School Captains attending Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral and whole school daily prayer with a focus on St Patrick and Our Lady.  

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.

Please check our school calendar for school closure days for the rest of the year and events happening this semester. 

God Bless and take care

Cinzia Mancuso

Acting  Principal