OLA Newsletter

From the Office

Australia's Best Teachers Campaign 

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) has entered into a partnership with News Corp for its ‘Australia’s Best Teachers’ campaign, which aims to elevate the status of teachers by celebrating and highlighting our most inspirational and innovative educators. The campaign calls on Australians to nominate the great teachers who have, and have had, a positive impact on students or their lives. The top 50 teachers will be announced on 6 May 2023. For more information or to nominate a teacher, head to this link.

A call out to...                                                                         OLA past and current students and families

With our building works completed on the original school we are looking at creating a display of the last 70 years of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish Primary School (OLA). We thought amongst some photos and other memorabilia items being displayed that we could have some words from past and current students or families.  We would especially love to hear from families who have had 2 or 3 generations through this beautiful school. We welcome your favourite photos/artefacts/memories /why OLA holds a special place in your life. We would love to hear from you or any other person you know who may be interested by the end of March (we have extended the date).  

 

We are hoping to celebrate the official opening on Friday 19 May at 10am with Mass, Blessing and cutting of the ribbon. Please save the date and join us for this special occasion.  You will be welcome to walk through the new areas and to enjoy morning tea.  We are wanting to have some of our story displayed for this special occasion and anniversary - a big thank you to Sr Margaret (pictured far left in both photos below) and Maree Thomas for sharing some brilliant memorabilia/stories already. Please include your name and the years you attended OLA. You are welcome to drop these items off at our office or email me at  rjacques@olacheltenham.catholic.edu.au

 

Security of OLA grounds and buildings

Over the last couple of years we have seen an increase in visitors onsite at Our Lady of the Assumption both in the evenings and over the weekend.  While many visitors enjoy our beautiful grounds we do have some visitors engaging in unsafe practices.  In consultation with the police, our neighbours and members of our community we have decided to lock the pedestrian gates at the close of business each weekday as well as over the weekend with the gates being opened at the start of each school day and for Mass.  We apologise for this inconvenience but please know that this decision has been made for the safety and wellbeing of all in our community. Thank you for your understanding and support.

 

School Routine Reminders

  • Drop Off between 8:30am and 8:45am. Children must only access the playground or classroom from 8:30am, as the playground is unsupervised before then. 
  • Pick-up between 3:15pm-3:30pm. If you are running late please contact the office.
  • Late arrivals to sign in using PASSTAB at the front office before heading to class.
  • Bike/Scooter Shed - if the shed is locked at the start or end of the day please collect the gate key from the front office.  A reminder that bikes and scooters are to be pushed/walked when entering and departing the school grounds/car parks.
  • Emails/Communication are always welcome, however, we find a brief exchange at drop-off or pick-up can often address any matters promptly. The priority for staff members at OLA is the welfare and education of all students at our school. Staff  are unable to respond to emails and telephone calls instantaneously. They will, however, ensure that they attend to all correspondence within a reasonable timeframe (24-48 hour turnaround). Parents are also reminded that a response to communication should not be expected outside normal working hours, or during school holidays, unless it is an emergency. Thank you for your support and understanding with these expectations.
  • Ways of Working - At the beginning of the school year and throughout the school year we provide reminders to our community on ways of working at OLA. This is one way that we work together to create a respectful, inclusive and safe environment for all at OLA. These reminders are provided at parent workshops, assemblies, newsletters and in Operoo communications. Our OLA website is also a great platform to locate important documents and Policies and Procedures for OLA. These policies can be found under two tabs on the website: Our School and Child Safety. These documents were updated on 1 July 2022 with the guidance from MACS to include all Child Safety Standards. 
  • Important reminder to families that when there is a friendship/relationship issue or any kind of issue between your child and another child or family at school that you are to contact the school directly via a phone call or email.  We ask that the emails be two sentences or less and we will be back in touch within 24-48 school working day hours.  For example, “Dear X,  My child has come home today feeling really sad about a friendship at school.  I am available on xx to meet or speak with you about this. Kind regards. X” The school will then manage the situation.  The following is reiterated in the Parent/Guardian/Carer Code of Conduct (see attached):  Unacceptable conduct includes, but is not limited to:
  • approaching a child that is not your own with a view to disciplining that child for their behaviour (such matters are only to be dealt with by school staff)
  • approaching other school parents to resolve issues arising between students at school (such matters should be referred to school staff)
  • any form of threatening language, gestures or conduct
  • language or conduct which is likely to offend, harass, bully or unfairly discriminate against any student, employee, contractor, volunteer or other
  • WWCC - Working With Children Check - OLA is committed to providing a child safe environment and takes active steps to ensure any person authorised to conduct ‘child connected works’ or ‘child related works’ does not pose a risk to their safety or welfare. To achieve this, the school requires a Working With Children Check (WWCC), to assess and verify their suitability. It is the responsibility of non-teaching staff, volunteers and visitors to:
  • Apply for and receive a WWCC prior to expressing an interest to participate in ‘child connected works’.
  • Provide OLA with a valid WWCC card prior to commencement. This needs to be shown and registered at the front office upon receipt. 

Thank you all for working together to keep OLA a safe and hapy place to be.

Richard Jacques

Principal