Professional Development for OLA Staff with Dr Nathan Leber

Yesterday, the staff participated in a Professional Development Day with Dr Nathan Leber. The PD was developed, for staff, to re-iterate the role of faith in education, within a Catholic school, including examination and discernment of the Mandate, the importance of mass, the Creed and how to develop an active prayer life in both staff and students.

There were multiple opportunities for staff to reflect on their own journey in faith and develop further their understanding and connection with their faith through the discernment of their personal relationship with Christ, discussions of the challenges of the faith, and development of practices such as imaginative prayer, the daily examen and mindful prayer.

During the OLA staff professional development in 2019, the members identified faith formation of students, families and staff as a critical challenge in the school’s Evangelisation Plan. This in-service identified, challenged and resolved some of the deficiencies in Catholic formation in staff so that they can be beacons of the faith to their students and the wider OLA community. We also investigated and developed responses to engaging an increasingly disengaged community with the Catholic Church, particularly on a local level.

Word and witness are the tools of evangelisation, and without these, we lose our identity. Catholic Identity remains paramount to OLA staff and we can only achieve this through equipping all our staff to be confident in expressing their own faith and stories of witness with each other, with students and with the wider community. This in-service looks to reconnect staff to the importance of a faith worth sharing and to be proud to belong to and actively promote a truly Catholic school to our OLA community.

Sacramental Letters

Thank you to the families who have returned the completed sacramental letters. If you haven’t returned the forms, please do so by Friday 6 March. The letters are attached for you.

• Sacrament of Confirmation Parent Letter
• Sacrament of Eucharist Parent Letter
• Sacrament of Penance Parent Letter

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

While media and public commentary in relation to Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to raise concerns for many in our community, public health authorities are advising that the current risk remains low in Western Australia.

However, as the health and wellbeing of our students and staff remains our highest priority, we need to remain vigilant to any potential for increased risks and take precautionary measures to ensure the safest possible educational environment for children and young people. 

Although this doesn’t apply to OLA, as a result, effective today, all school-related international travel, with the exception of travel to the USA, Canada and New Zealand (providing that this travel does not go through Asia), is not to proceed until further notice. This advice applies to all students and education sector staff across Western Australia. In my personal opinion, I strongly encourage community members (families and staff) to make other travel arrangements if travelling to the affected areas during the school holidays.

As we continue to respond to COVID-19 in our community, please be assured that the Department of Education, Catholic Education Western Australia, and the Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia will continue to respond as a collaborative team to advice from the WA Department of Health and provide updated advice to schools and staff as appropriate. These updates will then be passed on to the community.

Sacramental Commitment Masses

On Saturday 7 March (6pm) and Sunday 8 March (9.30am), all students receiving the Sacraments of Penance (Year 3), Eucharist (Year 4) and Confirmation (Year 6) are required to attend one of the scheduled Commitment Masses. The students, receiving the sacraments in 2020, will be making a verbal commitment to their faith during the celebrations. Students are required to submit their forms on the day. Staff will be stationed at both entrances to collect their enrolment forms.

Caritas Launch

Last Tuesday, our Year Six Leaders attended the Caritas official launch at Sacred Heart, Sorrento. Project Compassion boxes will be distributed to all families in the coming weeks so children can place their loose change in the boxes. The monies collected will be donated to Caritas Australia who in turn will support/assist those most in need.

Harmony Day

As communicated previously, Harmony Day has been changed to Wednesday 18 March (changed from Friday 20 March to give the P&F access to the Sr Goretti Hall, in preparation for the Fete). This year, we have decided to celebrate our school’s diversity and embrace the many different cultures at OLA. To celebrate our diversity, students are invited to wear their family’s traditional costume during the day. This isn’t a free dress day and students either wear their heritage costume or orange clothing. Orange is the colour chosen to represent Harmony Day. Traditionally, orange signifies social communication and meaningful conversations. It also relates to the freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect. We’re looking forward to witnessing the different traditional costumes from around the world.

Intraschool Swimming Carnival

Congratulations to all the students who took part in the Intraschool Swimming Carnival last week. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend, due to having to attend the CEWA Forum, but was told it was a very successful day in very trying conditions. Congratulations to our swimming champions and thank you to Mr Allsop for coordinating the day, the staff for supporting Mr Allsop, and all the parent helpers on the day.

Swimming Carnival Results 2020

Year Level Champions

Change of Date for Board and P&F Meetings

Due to the school and principal reviews taking place during Week 7 this term, the OLA Board and P&F meetings will be held on Monday 16 March. The OLA Board meeting will commence at 6.00pm, in the OLA Veritas Hub and the OLA P&F meeting will commence at 7.30pm in the OLA Staffroom. The meeting day will revert back to a Tuesday in Term 2.

Chess

So wonderful to see so many students participating in chess in the Veritas Hub (Library). Thank you to Mrs Barclay and Mrs Dale for their ongoing support in supporting the children who would like to play chess.

Café OLA

Café OLA (Canteen) will be selling quality coffee to parents in the mornings (Tuesdays and Thursdays). Support the school in purchasing quality coffee from the canteen and not from the local cafes coming soon.

Bubs Play at OLA

Bubs Play at OLA has commenced for 2020, with families meeting every Friday, in the Kindergarten M room, from 9.00-10.30am. Feel free to attend these sessions and invite outside families as well, if you know of anyone who would be interested in attending.

Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Enrolments – 2021

Request from families, within the community, to complete enrolment applications for siblings interested in Pre-Kindergarten in 2021 or who are commencing Kindergarten in 2021. We certainly wouldn’t want families to miss out on places.

Pick Up and Drop Off Times

A reminder to all families drop off, at the earliest, is 8.00am and pick up is 3.30pm, at the latest. We have noticed students arriving as early as 7.30am and being collected as late as 4.00pm. Your support in ensuring students are dropped off and collected on time is appreciated. Our OSHC offers before and after school care options for all OLA families.

Collection of Old Uniforms

In Term 2, and as parents purchase new uniforms, we will be having an old uniform drive, which will be donated to children in third world countries. Families will be advised of the collection point and specific date later in the term.

Calendar Updates

A reminder, to all families, to check the interactive website calendar for all updates and changes. The Term calendar, distributed at the beginning of each term is current at the time of distribution only, with changes made to the website consistently. With changes made regularly, parents are asked to double check the interactive website calendar on a regular basis.

Uniform Stock Update

As mentioned in the text sent out to all families, Nell Gray has sold out of some of the summer uniforms hence we advise you to call Nell Gray to check stock availability prior to going into the store. They’re expecting a shipment to arrive in the next few weeks, including winter uniforms. We will advise all families when the new stock has arrived and is on the floor.

Early Childhood Junior Swimming Carnival -2020

The PP – Year 2 Swimming Carnival has been scheduled for Tuesday 10 March, at Terry Tyzack Aquatic Centre, commencing at 12.30pm and concluding at approximately 2.30pm. Looking forward to seeing all the students in PP-2 participate in fun water activities.

Medical Conditions

If your child has a medical condition, e.g. anaphylaxis or asthma, please complete the required paperwork that is available from the School Office. All medications need to be left at the School Office with your child’s completed paperwork. Students in Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten and Pre-Primary will have medications stored in the classroom, however, the School Office will still need to be notified of your child’s medical condition.

Enjoy your week

Greg Martin
Principal