Principal's Chat

Good Afternoon Families of OLSC

I hope you all manage to enjoy the long weekend and manage to enjoy some of the activities on offer as we slowly come out of restrictions.  It's hard to believe that we are already half way through the school term.  I thank all families for joining their teachers for the meet & greet last week and it was unfortunate that this event needed to move to an online format due to the snap lock down and COVID restrictions that occurred as a result.  

An important date for your diary

We have engaged external presenters to conduct a parent information evening, student workshops and staff professional development.  The planned parent information night is on the April 26th.  The focus of the workshop is 'Parenting in a Digital World' and I urge all parents to attend.  The digital world is ever changing and online issues are one of the biggest pressures that students face.  One of the biggest contributors to student wellbeing are the pressures that students face in an online world.  Please put this session in your diary.  During the same week the staff will have professional learning in this area and students will have workshops conducted during the school day.  

Date & Time: April 6th at 6.30pm 

Venue: OLSC Sports Centre 

School Photos 

On Friday March the 19th we have our annual school photo day. School photo day means it's time to search through the bottom drawer of the bathroom for the hair brush and spend an extra few minutes in getting ready!   

Notices for photo day were sent home with each student on Wednesday March 3rd.  If you haven't seen it yet please check your child's school bag.  The photographers are not able to accept cash and orders placed online.  Siblings photos can be ordered online and must be ordered by 8.00am on the day if the school photos (March 19th).  

As the staff have a group photo at 8:15am the school gates will open until 8:30am on Friday 19th March as staff will not be available to supervise.  

Congratulations James

Our very own James from Year Six has won the portraiture prize for Primary students for his work of art titled, 'An individual man with an individual hat.'  

This competition was open to all students from primary and secondary schools in the Arch Diocese of Melbourne.  

COVID Update 

With the easing of restrictions on Friday February 26th at 11.59pm face masks are no longer mandatory in the school grounds.  Face masks are still recommended indoors where social distancing can not be achieved.   

External Music Classes Begin in Term 2 

Michelle will begin keyboard lessons and Darley music will resume their program in term 2.  All external music classes from the second week of next term.  Please see the Community News section of the newsletter for more information.  

 School Swimming Program 

It is now an expectation that schools have a swimming program for students as part of the Victorian and Federal Government water safety initiative.  In 2021 we intend to implement a school swimming program as expected by the state government and we are working to ensure that we achieve this in the most cost effective way for families.  The program will be held at Swim for All in Werribee and details will be sent to families once confirmed.  

"By the end of primary school, it is anticipated that students should be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills identified in the Victorian Water Safety Certificate."

(https://www.education.vic.gov.au) 

Please Ensure Contact Details Are Up To Date 

Please ensure all of your details are up to date and the administration office has been advised if your email or home address has changed if you have a new or different phone number.  Next week all families that are not yet signed up to receive messages and notifications from Dojo will receive a reminder prompt from their child's Learning Centre.   

Sacrament of Reconciliation Family Night

On Wednesday the 10th March there will a Reconciliation Family night held in the Sport's Centre.  This is an annual family workshop for students in Year 3 that are preparing to receive the the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time.  

Traffic Traffic Traffic 

I understand that school traffic is extremely frustrating and ask parents to remember the road rules and the need to be safe and courteous on the roads and in the school car park.  At OLSC our number one priority is to ensure the safety of the community.  There is no easy solution to the congestion problem especially with 2 large schools in the same area and so I remind all motorists of the importance of being patient and following the road rules to keep all road users safe!  I am attempting to work with the council to establish processes to reduce the congestion in the afternoons.  Numerous attempts with limited success have been made prior to this term to work towards a solution.  I urge you to contact the council to voice your concerns.  

Some suggestions to help ease congestion:

• please fill the school carparks before queuing
• avoid blocking the lanes on Howqua Way when waiting to gain entry into the car park
• park off site and walk part of the way
• utilise the back gate as well
• avoid double parking and blocking traffic in Academy Way
• obey the 'no u-turn' signs on Academy Way

Enjoy your long weekend and see you all on Tuesday morning! 

Stay safe and stay well.  

Justin