Principal's Message

Dear OLA Families,

Once again we are so grateful for our OLA community and all the special events we have shared over the past fortnight. 

National Reconciliation Week

We acknowledge the Boon Wurrung people, 

the Custodians of the land our school is on. 

We pay our respect to their Elders and acknowledge 

their continuous connection to Country.  

We come together in peace and harmony, 

respecting the dignity of each person

This week is National Reconciliation Week. It's about celebrating the first Australians and trying to make the country a more equal place.  In 2008 Kevin Rudd apologised to the Indigenous people for the wrongdoings of the past. This week celebrates and builds on the respectful relationships shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians. It is an opportunity to remember, reflect and acknowledge all Australians, Indigneous Australians, new Australians, all Australians.  

Students at OLA have been encouraged to share their new learnings with their families at home this week. 

We thank Fi Lee, Gen O’Meara and our Grade 5 FIRE Carriers, Maggie F, Sara T, Conor W and Lucas W for all their hard work and preparation for the special events and information shared within our community this week. 

Read the FIRE Carrier section of this newsletter for more information.

Kingston District and Division Cross Country

On Tuesday 24 May, 56 students from Grade Three to Six were selected to compete at the Kingston District Cross Country. Well done on your efforts! We are so proud of everyone for having a go and giving their best. 

Following this, on Tuesday 31 May some students then represented OLA at the Kingston Division Cross Country. We congratulate the following students for getting through to this stage of the competition:

Olivia C, Will C, Maggie F, Ollie F, Jess G, Olivia H, Bella K, Oliver M, Matthew R, Michael W, Ollie W.

Junior Mayor Election

On Thursday 26 May our Grade Six School Captains, Darcey F, Neve H, Ollie F and Will J proudly represented OLA at the Kingston Junior Mayor Election for 2022. The students had a great experience and Neve H (our elected speaker) was even elected by her peers to take on one of the roles on the City of Kingston Junior Council for 2022. We are very proud of all of you for working together to make this happen!

Read more from the School Captains in the Learning and Teaching section of this newsletter.

Dance Curriculum Incursion

On Tuesday 31 May all students participated in a Dance Curriculum Incursion. This workshop inspired our students to engage in the area of Dance. This was one of the many ways we experience Performing Arts at OLA. We look forward to more opportunities in Term 3 and 4. 

Read more in the wellbeing section of this newsletter.

Building Update

Over the past fortnight we have seen concrete being poured and steel lintels and frames put in place. This past Saturday you would have even seen a crane on site if you happened to walk by! We also saw the new deck outside our Library space completed. It looks fantastic and we are very excited about the transformation already. 

Next steps - the new roof is coming next week! Watch this space… 

Welcome back Richard!

We warmly welcomed Richard back this week after taking Long Service Leave. The students, families and staff were warm in their welcome, whereas the weather certainly was not!

Refreshed & Grateful

A big thank you for taking care of each other and all at OLA while I have been on Long Service Leave. I had a wonderful family time seeing this most amazing country of ours - in particular, parts of Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia. One of our many highlights was swimming in the remarkable water holes along the Larapinta Trail in the West MacDonnell Ranges National Park. 

I am refreshed and excited to be returning to school and catching up with everyone - so much to celebrate. A big thank you to Caitlan and Josy for their strong and supportive leadership as Principal and Deputy Principal in my absence. You have made a great team along with the amazing Leadership Team and I want you to know your work has not gone unnoticed. Thank you also to all the wonderful staff of OLA who have stepped up in so many different ways during this time and always to help make our community the special place that it is.  Thank you for not missing a beat. 

So exciting to be back at OLA. There is nothing like a beautiful welcome with big smiling faces, lots of stories and best work to share with me.

Prep 2023 Interviews

Next week we will begin our Prep 2023 Interviews. We have had lots of families come through the school on tours over the past few months - some familiar faces and many new ones! We look forward to these interviews as an opportunity to meet with the students as well as their parents/carers and begin to gather more information and partner with families to ensure a smooth transition for all future OLA students. 

If there are any current families yet to enrol their Prep for 2023, please contact us at principal@olacheltenham.catholic.edu.au ASAP. Thank you. 

Grade 5 and 6 Camp

Next Wednesday - Friday our Grade 5 and 6 students will head off on Camp! We know what a wonderful, valuable opportunity this is and are grateful for this shared experience. Pack those winter woollies!

Have a great weekend everyone.

Caitlan & Richard

Deputy Principal & Principal