Dear Parents,
O Lord, come: Assist us by that mighty power, so that by your grace and merciful kindness we may swiftly receive the salvation promised: Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
How quickly this year has gone. Children finish school tomorrow and staff have another week of school after that. Very soon we will be celebrating Christmas. I hope you all have a wonderful time with your families and catching up with relatives and friends.
Tonight we celebrate mass with our Year 6 students and ask for God’s blessings on them as they venture on to the big world of high school. Tomorrow we will come together to celebrate our final mass for the year – to thank God for all the blessings he has given us during the year and ask him to watch over us during the January holidays. Please join us at 9am in the church followed by the Volunteers Morning Tea in the Multi-purpose Hall.
May you all have a joy-filled Christmas and may all your Christmas wishes come true. Have a holy, happy and safe Christmas holiday in the company of family and friends. May the Lord bless you; may the Lord keep you; may the Lord bestow upon you His peace this Christmas.
As we conclude the year, I would like to acknowledge and thank the staff who will not be at OLA in 2018. To Miss Gracie Benis, Mr Steve Duncan, Mrs Michelle Zani, and Mrs Sonia Pavone, we offer our gratitude for what you have contributed to our school and Parish community and wish you all the very best for the future. We also offer Mrs Maddie Ciullo all our prayers and best wishes for the very exciting times ahead, as she begins the journey of her new family.
I would personally like to thank all the children, parents, community members and staff of OLA for welcoming me into the community for the past 12 months. I have truly enjoyed my time here and I wish everyone in our community all the very best as Greg Martin takes up the role of Principal in 2018.
Semester Reports Tomorrow, Friday December 8, the Pre-primary to Year 6 children will bring home their Semester Two Report. The report represents a summary of your child’s progress throughout second semester. For each outcome, students’ achievement is graded according to their understanding of the content covered this year. Parents are reminded that if you would like to speak with your child’s class teacher regarding the report please contact the teacher on Monday to arrange an interview time.
2018 Staffing The staffing for the 2018 school year is as follows: Principal: Mr Greg Martin Assistant Principals: Mrs Velma Erskine Mrs Dianne Scoble (on secondment to Sacred Heart, Goomalling for Term One)
Office Staff: Mrs Chris Balen (Admin Officer) Mrs Margaret Menegola (Bursar) Mrs Jane Foy (Finance Officer) Mrs Karen Meleca (Business Manager) Mrs Claire Dale (Library Officer)
Groundsman: Mr Franco Arace Canteen Manageress: Mrs Rosie Samuels Uniform Shop Manageress: Mrs Tania Longman
Pre-Kindergarten: Mrs Maryanne Petkovic Mrs Peggy McQuillan (Education Assistant)
Kindergarten G: Mrs Elaine Fruvall Mrs Bernadette Leatherland (Education Assistant) Mrs Denice Lombardo (Education Assistant)
Kindergarten M: Mrs Simone Taylor Mrs Jane Sloss (Education Assistant) Mrs Vicki Stillisano (Education Assistant)
Pre-Primary G: Mrs Maree Noonan Mrs Fran Pastorelli (Education Assistant) Mon-Thurs Mrs Afroditi Bolzonella (Education Assistant) Fri
Pre-Primary M: Miss Rebecca Smith Miss Janelle Glorie (Education Assistant)
Year 1G: Miss Sabrina Saraceni Mrs Lucy Coniglio (Mon- Thurs) Year 1M: Mrs Tina Ravi Mrs Lucy Coniglio (Mon-Thurs) Mrs Julie Coupar (Education Assistant)
Year 2G: Mrs Colette Meyerkort Year 2M: Mrs Mary Barclay
Year 3G: Mrs Prya Calleja Year 3M: Mrs Julie Pilatti (Mon – Thurs) Mrs Anella Tollis (Fri)
Year 4G: Mr Justin Kirry Year 4M: Mrs Anne Mannas (Mon – Thurs) Mrs Lauren Williams (Fri)
Year 5G: Ms Vanessa Knight Year 5M: Mr Brian McIntyre
Year 6G: Miss Stephanie Figueira Year 6M: Mr Bruno de Pietro
Specialist Teachers Humanities & Social Sciences: Mrs Jenni Hutton (Years 4-6) (Tues-Thurs) Mrs Luisa Durkin (Years 1-3) (Mon- Wed) PP/1/2 Support/Integrated: Mrs Kristen Dempster (Tues-Thurs) Physical Education: Mrs Jodie Stewart (Tues-Thurs) Music/Arts Education: Mrs Mary McAuliffe (Mon- Wed) Languages: Mrs Paola Pizzo (Italo-Welfare Association) Literacy Support: Mrs Belinda Mitchell (Mon- Thurs) Mrs Lidia La Rosa (Education Assistant) (Mon-Thurs)
End of Year Mass & Volunteers’ Morning Tea Each year we are fortunate to have a large number of parents who volunteer their time and expertise to assist at school – in the canteen, in classrooms, at sporting events, on excursions, helping P&F Association events, and in many other ways.Tomorrow, Friday 8 December, the whole school will come together to celebrate Mass, thanking God for the blessings of this year and, in particular, to thank our volunteers. Following Mass, we invite all parents who have assisted in any way to join us in the Multipurpose hall for a ‘Thank You’ Morning Tea.

Mrs Therese Bandy Principal
National Year of Youth The Australian Catholic Bishops have identified the liturgical year of 2018, beginning on the first Sunday of Advent (3rd December 2017), as a national Year of Youth. The Year of Youth invites the whole Church into a dialogue about the importance and life-giving presence of young people in the Church and society. Further Information is available from http://cym.com.au/tag/what-is-year-of-youth-2018/
The theme for the Year of Youth is Open new horizons for spreading joy: Young people, faith and vocational discernment. This is inspired by the words of Pope Francis:
‘My friends, Jesus is the Lord of risk, he is the Lord of the eternal “more”. Jesus is not the Lord of comfort, security and ease. Following Jesus demands a good dose of courage, a readiness to trade in the sofa for a pair of walking shoes and to set out on new and uncharted paths. To blaze trails that open up new horizons capable of spreading joy, born of God’s love and wells up in your hearts with every act of mercy. To take the path of the “craziness” of our God, who teaches us to encounter him in the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the sick, the friend in trouble, the prisoner, the refugee and the migrant, and our neighbours who feel abandoned. To take the path of our God, who encourages us to be politicians, thinkers, social activists.”- Pope Francis, World Youth Day Vigil with Young People, 30 July 2016 (cym.com.au)
Year of Youth 2018 Prayer Come Holy Spirit of this Great Southland, Inspire our entire faith community, As we prayerfully discern new horizons for spreading joy in the lives and communities of the People of God.
Come Holy Spirit of Youth Fill the hearts of young people with the hope and love of Jesus Christ. Enliven our community with the creativity, energy and joy of youth. Guide us together, as we strive to offer God’s mercy to those who feel abandoned or outcast. Come Holy Spirit of Faith Empower our community to be courageous. Unite your people as witnesses of love. Walk with us, as we blaze new trails of discipleship, Accompanying young people as we renew the Church together. Come Holy Spirit of Vocation Stir within young people an awareness of God’s call. Reveal to us the graces of young people. Guide us all, in finding our place and raising our voices To build a civilisation of love. Amen Our Lady of the Southern Cross, Help of Christians, pray for us. St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, friend of the young, pray for us.
Thank You Thank you to the families who supported the ‘Family Mass’ in our Parish last week. This was the beginning of Advent, our preparation time for the coming of Jesus at Christmas time. Thank you also to the families and parishioners who supported the parish initiative of the Second Rite of Reconciliation on Monday evening. For those attending, it was a very personal but also community experience of the healing Sacrament of Reconciliation. Thanks to Fr Ken for organising 6 visiting priests to attend and assist.
Final Note Thank you for your support this year. I wish you all well, and hope that you are able to have precious time with loved ones over the Christmas break. To our Year Sixes, as you leave, I pray that you will always have fond and loving memories of your time at OLA – you will be missed and always in our thoughts and prayers.
I look forward to seeing you again in Term Two 2018, when I return from Sacred Heart School, Goomalling. Christmas wishes and blessings to all.
Our Lady's Assumption School - 2018 Calendar Dates
Living the Vision : ‘Embracing the diversity of the Earth and all its people’
Term One 2018 24 -25 January: Administration office open 25 January: Class lists displayed on notice board 26 January: Australia Day – Public Holiday 29 January: Pupil Free Day – Staff Professional Development Day 30 January: Pupil Free Day– Staff Professional Development Day Wednesday 31 January: Start of Term One Wednesday 14 February: Ash Wednesday (Mass at 9.00am) Monday 5 March: Labour Day - Public Holiday Thursday 9 March: OLA Swimming Carnival Years 3-6 (Terry Tyzack Aquatic Centre) tbc Week 7: OLA Swim Fun Years 1-2 (tbc) Monday 12 March: Year 6 Camp – Fairbridge Village, Pinjarra Tuesday 13 March: Year 6 Camp Wednesday 14 March: Year 6 Camp Thursday 29 March: Easter Liturgy 9.00am Holy Thursday Friday 30 March: Good Friday Monday 2 April: Easter Monday Tuesday 3 April: Easter Tuesday (no school) Friday 13 April: End of Term One
Term Two 2018 Monday 30 April: Pupil Free Day – Professional Development Day for Staff Tuesday 1 May: Start of Term Two Tuesday 15 - 17 May: NAPLAN (Years 3, 5) Monday 4 June: WESTERN AUSTRALIA DAY – Public Holiday Tuesday 5 June: Pupil Free Day – Staff Professional Development Day Friday 29 June: End of Term Two
Term Three 2018 Monday 16 July: Pupil Free Day – Professional Development Day for Staff Tuesday 17 July: Pupil Free Day – Professional Development Day for Staff Week 3: Bishop’s Religious Literacy Assessment (Year 3 and 5) tbc Wednesday 15 August: FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION (Mass @ 9.00am) Friday 21 September: End of Term Three
Term Four 2018 Monday 8 October: No School – Catholic Day Friday 13 October: OLA Athletics Carnival tbc Tuesday 20 November: School Board and P&F AGM Thursday 7 December: Year 6 Graduation (Mass and celebration) 6.00pm tbc End of Term Four for students (to be confirmed by CEWA) End of Term Four for staff (to be confirmed by CEWA)
Dates current and correct as of 7 December 2017
Our Lady’s Assumption Church Catholic Parish of Dianella
356 Grand Promenade, Dianella WA 6059 Phone: (08) 9276 1008 Fax: (08) 9275 5423 email: dianella@perthcatholic.org.au
Sacramental Program 2018 The parish based, school supported and family focussed sacramental program will continue in 2018.
Sacrament of Confirmation (usually Year 6): Saturday 19 May 6.00pm and Sunday 20 May 9.30am Parish Masses.
First Holy Communion (usually Year 4): Saturday 9 June 6.00pm Parish Mass, Sunday 10 June 9.30am Parish Mass Saturday 16 June 6.00pm Parish Mass, Sunday 17 June 9.30am Parish Mass Sunday 23 June 9.30am Parish Mass
Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation) (usually Year 3) Tuesday 23 October 7.00pm in the Parish Church.
Further details regarding Parent Information evenings, enrolment dates and Family Masses will be advised.
Mrs Dianne Scoble Assistant Principal
School Fees
Due to a number of changes, the School is going from Cash to Accrual, and as a result our BPay Code is changing. Please do not bpay fees from 31 December 2017 until notified of new BPay Code in February 2018. Thank you
Mrs Margaret Menegola Bursar
Prayer for the End of Term
All-powerful, most holy, most high, supreme God all good, supreme good, totally good, You Who alone are good, may we give You all praise, all glory, all thanks, all honor, all blessing, and all good. So be it! So be it! Amen.
Merit Awards Week 8
PrePrimary: Xavier O'Halloran, Emmet Trott, Oscar Croswell, Annelise Casella, Lily Higgins Year 1: Janayah Carandang., Gemma Liao, Morgan Yates, Annabelle Francis Year 2:Alice Mugavero, Stefan Constance, Tyson Liao, James Ho, Jasmine McGrath Year3: Luca Poli Year 6: Lorena Manfredini, Utsah Nakarmi, Julian Di Zinno, Savannah Caruso, Ethan Trott
The Environment Team
Daniel Scanlan, Joshua Dropulich, Julian Di Zinno, Caleb Melder, Isabelle Cranley Dixon, Cooper Mazzola
The Mini Vinnies Team:
Serena Galloway, Siena Bolzonella, Siena Berlingeri, Sophia Lomma, Jack Monaghan, Nicole Nesbit, Alexia Petrillo, Zoe Peters, Revis Ryder, Elise Sigle, Kye Varrone, Clara Zani, Olivia Varrone, Kaitlyn Le, Adam Lambert, Danika Knight, Molly Grogan, Jessica Ferolla, Tessa Coluccio, Isabelle Cranley Dixon

Library News
As this school year comes to a close, I wish to take this opportunity to thank students, parents and the wider school community for their support of our school library this year. We hope to see this support continue next year, I’m sure it will. Wishing you and your families a blessed and safe Christmas with all your loved ones.
Mrs Luisa Durkin Teacher/Librarian
Upcoming events
Uniform Shop News
The Uniform Shop will be open on Thursday 25 January 2018 from 9.00 am – 12.00 noon. There will be no specialised fittings during this time due to the volume of customers. The hours the following week will be normal uniform shop hours – Tuesday (30/1/18) 8.15 – 10.30 am and Friday (2/2/18) 1.30 – 3.30 pm. If you need your child to try on clothing for sizing I suggest you contact me via email: uniform@ola.wa.edu.au and I will try to make arrangements for you. Please be aware that it usually about 40 degrees and there is a queue so you may have to wait for up to an hour outside in the heat.
Online ordering to be done by Friday 8 December so it can be delivered to your child’s classroom. If there are any prices increases these will take effect as at 1 January 2018.
Merry Christmas and Have a great holiday.

Mrs Tania Longman Uniform Shop Coordinator
Music News
Keyed Up Music will be teaching group music lessons during school. Keyboard lessons on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Lessons start from $16.95. To enrol your child please go to www.keyedupmusic.com.au/enrolment-form if you require more information please contact Therese on 1300 366 243 or email us at enquiry@keyedupmusic.com.au
Parish News
 Christmas Eve: Family & Children’s Mass at 6.30pm Carols from 11.30pm Midnight Mass at 12.00 Christmas Day 9.30am
Priest:
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Fr Ken D’Souza
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Phone:
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9276 1008
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Email:
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dianella@perthcatholic.org.au
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Weekend Mass Times:
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Saturday 6.00pm Sunday 7.30am and 9.30am Sunday 5.00pm
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Weekdays:
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Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8.00am Wednesday 9.00am
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Altar Servers Roster Saturday 9 December 6.00pm Christian Raspa, Ethan Trott Sunday 10 December 9.30am Gabriella Magalhaes, Nicole Santacroce, Xavier Scott
P&F Representatives 2017
PKG: Giulia Palazzo gulzpalazzo@hotmail.com PKM: Magda Bartucciotto magda@halloo.com.au KG: Deanna Marocchi deanna.marocchi@gmail.com KM: Tania D’Angelo taniad19@outlook.com PPG: Maria La Cava maria.lacava@iinet.net.au PPM: Jade Pacecca jade-mp@hotmail.com 1G: Tracy Spadanuda spada8@iinet.net.au Kathy Gabriel kath.11@live.com.au 1M: Amanda Cala jaggdevelopments@bigpond.com 2G: Dani Wares daniwares@outlook.com 2M: Julia Sertorio sertorioj@gmail.com 3G: Julia Sertorio sertorioj@gmail.com 3M: Belinda Papalia belindamarino@hotmail.com 4G: Melissa Bosio melbosio1@gmail.com 4M: Lisa Catina lisacatina@hotmail.com 5G: Mirella Spagnolo mirellaspagnolo@bigpond.com 5M: Daina Magalhaes magalhaes@aapt.net.au 6G: Anne Marie Di Zinno amdizinno@gmail.com Sarah Grogan sez888@mail.com 6M: Elisha Heaford eheaford@hotmail.com Gabby Ferolla gabby@promenadeconstruction.com.au
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