Principal’s Message

On Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent, ‘Gaudete Sunday’, we are encouraged to cry out with joy as we recall that the birth of the Saviour is not far away. We are called to share what we have with the poor; we are encouraged to be content with what we have, and to look for opportunities to give away what we don’t need, but yet for some reason, we always want more, it seems like a hardwired part of human nature. But as I’ve previously mentioned, the one thing that pops up over and over whenever I talk to kids in the playground is that a lot of what they are asking us for is time, your time. Over this Christmas break, please invest time into your children, because that is what they want. To quote one of our own students, “I want a bike so we can ride together”. How powerful is that, whether this kid realises it or not, the bike is a means to spend time as a family, it is the means to an end. Some of our senior boys said that a Playstation 5 will help them bond with their families, but I’m not so sure about that one!

As we draw to the conclusion of our year, I’ve reflected on how quickly this year has gone and the successes we have had, which have been many. When speaking to the graduating class at their Mass, I found myself continually telling the cohort how proud I was of them, and how proud we all are of them. We will miss these students as we miss every graduating class. We wish you all the best for the future and want you to know that you will always be welcome and have a home at OLA.

With the students leaving for high school, we also find that some families are at the end of their time at OLA, for many families this has been an association with our school for over ten years. Our school could not function without the time and effort that our many volunteers give us, continually putting their hands up to help our school, we thank you for everything you have done over the years. Our school is better for knowing you and your children. Know that you will be missed and you will always be welcome!

To all of our families who remain with us, or are joining us in 2022, we wish you all a safe and holy Christmas, we hope that your Christmas is full of the joy brought on by the birth of Jesus our saviour. For those of you who are travelling, go well and be safe. We are already looking forward to an exciting 2022.

Merry Christmas!

Michael Morris
Principal

Leadership Team Message

End of Year Concert

Congratulations to all the students who took part in the End of Year Concert last week. The students were amazing as they performed their items on the stage. We have some very talented children and staff at OLA!

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Graduation Mass and Dinner Dance

Our Graduation Mass on Thursday night was a wonderful celebration and ceremony, we never cease to be amazed by how our students read, sing and honour the reverence of the occasion. Tiana and Stephanie, you did an awesome job of preparing the students for the Mass, and to everyone that in any way contributed to the celebration, thank you for your contributions. I know that Fr Ken and every adult present was truly impressed.

The dinner Monday night was also a memorable experience for students and parents. Thank you to Maria and Anisha for coordinating the Graduation Dinner and to our wonderful Year 6 parents who spent many hours, including Sunday and Monday, preparing for the celebration.

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OLA Wheels Day and Wheelchairs for Kids

Wheels Day was fabulous and fun at OLA! The children of OLA had a wonderful opportunity to bring wheels to school, wear free dress and bring in a gold coin to support Wheelchairs for Kids. There was a lot of wheeling going on before school, during recess and lunch and after school. It was fabulous to see all the action. On Wednesday 1 December, each class also had the opportunity to use the 20 wheelchairs provided by Wheelchairs for Kids. It was very memorable using the wheelchairs, trying to get them to move straight and turn only by using hands!

During the past year, staff made donations to Wheelchairs for Kids as well. Staff were permitted to wear jeans on Fridays, with proceeds going to Wheelchairs for Kids. In total we have raised hundreds of dollars. Well done, OLA!

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St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal

Thank you so much to all of the students and parents who have donated to the Christmas Appeal. There are a number of families right here in our community who will have a lovely Christmas due to your generosity.

The many thoughtful donations of long-life milk, pasta, tuna and peanut butter will benefit people over the holiday season. We even had donations of tablecloths, mince pies, Christmas crackers and napkins to help them get into the festive spirit. Thank you, OLA.

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Water Fun Day

What a fantastic day the students had on Thursday – inflatables, Adventure World for the Year 6 classes and icy poles! Needless to say, the students thoroughly enjoyed the end of year celebrations. Thank you to the parents who volunteered to accompany the Year 6 students to Adventure World. What a great way to finish off the year!

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End of Year Thanksgiving Mass and Guard of Honour

On Friday, we came together as a community to give thanks for all that we have achieved this year. It was a privilege to unite to celebrate the end of a very different year, one that we have all gone through together. Sincere thanks to the students, staff, families and community members who have supported us throughout 2021. We would not have been able to achieve what we have without you!

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Farewell & Welcome

We farewell Mrs Symmons, Mrs Pilatti, Miss Figueira and Mrs Musca at the conclusion of 2021.

Michelle Symmons started at OLA in 2005 in Year 1. She then taught Pre-Primary, Year 4, went back to Pre-Primary and then Kindy. She loves science, singing, dancing with the kids. Some of her highlights include the staff dances at Christmas Concerts, the laughs with other staff members and the funny things kids say. She has loved sharing every day with amazing children while learning, laughing and spreading kindness.

Julie Pilatti has been with us since 2014, in her time with us she has taught Years 5, 4, 3 and 2. She has been involved in the Homework Club, the Environment Team and Sacramental program. Her highlights include seeing the students prepare for and complete their sacraments, the Year 2 assembly item this year and the staff dance at the Christmas Concert. Mrs Pilatti will deeply miss the children, families and hard-working, supportive staff of OLA.

Stephanie Figueira has been at OLA since 2018, in her time with us, she has taught in Year 5 and Year 6. She has been involved in many events which include the Sacraments, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day breakfasts and sports carnivals. Her highlights are watching the students excelling and succeeding in and out of the classroom, students shining in their assembly items and watching the students graduate at the end of the year! She will miss the laughs, the scares, the staff, the students and the community of OLA very much, and wishes everyone the very best for the future.

Maree Musca was welcomed into the community of OLA in 2019 on a secondment from St Columba’s, Bayswater. In her time with us she has taught Years 3, 4 and 2. She has enjoyed participating in our Sacramental program, assisting with NAPLAN preparations and taking the Lego club. She has thoroughly enjoyed the assembly each year that students learn and present to the community at a high standard. She has enjoyed hanging the students’ artwork in the classroom for everyone to enjoy, with such a variety of talents. She takes with her many memories of the OLA staff, students and community over the past three years.

We wish them well for the future and they leave knowing that they will always be welcome at OLA.

We also welcome several new staff members to OLA for 2022. We look forward to the impact of their gifts and talents on our community.

• Johanna Carbone – Pre-Kindy G&M
• Elena Capolingua – Kindy G
• Liana Anastasio – Pre-Primary G
• Grace Smith – Year 1M
• Jessica Ianetta – Year 2G (tandem with Jodie McCarthy)
• James Ryan – Year 4M
• Sophia Carbone – Year 5M
• Sophie Webb – Year 6M
• Sophie Costello – Music (Semester 1)
• Emily Coffey – Science (Weeks 1-7 Term 1)

We also wish our departing families all the best for the future, please know that you will always hold a place in our hearts.

Attached is the 2022 Staffing List.

2022 School Calendar

Attached is the draft 2022 school calendar. Please note that the date of some events may change as we are awaiting confirmation of some bookings. A revised planner will be attached to the first newsletter of 2022.

OLA Calendar 2022

Key dates for Term 1:

• Thursday 27 January (1.30-3.00pm) and Friday 28 January (8.30-10.30am) – families can pop into school to drop off stationery items and say hello to their teacher.
• Monday 31 January – Term 1 commences for students
• Friday 4 March – Pupil Free Day
• Monday 7 March – Labour Day Public Holiday
• Friday 8 April – Last day of Term 1

Change to Merit Awards and RICE Awards from 2022

At OLA, we continue to strive to embed our RICE Values in all that we do. Commencing in 2022, RICE Awards will be presented at assembly. Each child will still receive two awards every year, however, it will now be one merit award and one RICE award. Families will still be notified by class teachers when their child will be receiving an award. We hope that this change reinforces the significance of demonstrating our RICE Values in all that we do at OLA.

Transition

All students participated in the 2022 Transition sessions on Monday and Tuesday, all students had a great time with their 2022 teachers. This is a great way to alleviate some anxiety that often comes with meeting a new teacher and moving to a new class.

All families are welcome to drop off their 2022 stationery items and say hello to their teacher on Thursday 27 January (1.30-3.00pm) or Friday 28 January (8.30-10.30am).

Pre-Kindy and Kindy 2023 Enrolments

If you have not yet enrolled your child in Pre-Kindergarten or Kindergarten for 2023, please contact the School Office ASAP to collect an enrolment package. Places are filling up very quickly, and we don’t want current families to miss out on enrolling their children.

Thank you.

Michael Morris and Rebecca Smith

The OLA Leadership Team