Welcome back everyone. It was wonderful to see all the smiling faces walk through the gates Monday morning, eager to progress with their learning as we commence another busy term.

NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC Week is an opportunity to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within our communities. As we celebrate NAIDOC Week at OLA, and complete the activities about NAIDOC, we are constantly reminded of the diverse country we live in and the inclusivity of all people in this great nation.

COVID-19 Update

As Premier Mark McGowan has recently communicated, WA is seeing an increasing number of cases of COVID-19 in the community due to the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants. While the Chief Health Officer has said that this should not be cause for alarm, we are being encouraged not to become complacent in taking preventative measures to stop the spread of COVID-19, including the wearing of masks. Attached is a letter, from Dr Debra Sayce, Executive Director of CEWA, about the wearing of masks.

Read the latest COVID update from CEWA Executive Director Dr Debra Sayce

Masks are required to be worn for people aged 12 years and older in the following settings:

• GPs;
• Aboriginal health services;
• Dental and optical health clinics;
• Hospitals, aged care and disability care facilities;
• Public and passenger transport, including school buses;

Please continue to register your child’s COVID-19 results via the CEWA Self-Reporting Portal and any positive COVID-19 RAT results on the WA Health RAT Register, as is required by the WA Government.

Students’ Stationery – Available Via the Canteen

With students not always having the stationery required at school, and parents having to got to the shops to purchase an item, like a pencil, the OLA Canteen will be selling everyday student stationery items to students. These items will be included on OLA Canteen QuickCliq menu and will be sold in the future:

• Red and blue pens – 60c each
• HB Pencils – 60c each
• Glue Sticks – $2.20 each
• Erasers – 60c each
• Rulers – $1.95 each
• Batteries (for the students’ laptop mouse) – $3.30 each

If purchasing an item, parents are requested to order the item online via QuickClick and the stationery will given to the students during the day. Students may also purchase these items on canteen days, over the counter.

Cancer Council Ponytail Project

As communicated to all families last term, Emma Thompson (5M) will be chopping off 20cm of her ponytail and donating the hair so that wigs can be made for cancer patients. Emma, and her family, have also been extremely busy making and selling hair clips via the Admin office and these are still on sale and available.

On Friday 22 July, all OLA students are asked to come to school in free dress with their craziest hairstyle and a gold coin to donate to the Ponytail Project. In the afternoon, Years 3-6 will attend an assembly where Emma’s ponytail will be chopped and donated. Parents are invited to attend this special assembly as well, commencing at 2.15pm.

OLA Disco – Friday, 29 July

OLA Disco – volunteers needed

Disco night is fast approaching – have you got your 80s inspired outfit sorted? Parents and caregivers, we require a few volunteers to lend a hand for both sessions. Help is required for:

• Chester Ave school gate: Monitor students and parents entering
• Main entry: Tick-off student names as they enter off Chester Ave
• Photo backdrop: Help kids take a great shot then move them along
• Disco entry: Monitoring kids coming in and out
• Canteen: Selling snacks and helping hand out pre-ordered meals with the canteen ladies
• Dance floor: Watching over the kids

You can find the sign-up sheet and times located outside the admin office.

A reminder the annual OLA School Disco has been scheduled for Friday 29 July in the Goretti Hall. The following sessions have been coordinated by the Year 5 parents:

Session One

• Pre-Kindy-Year 2 (4.30pm-6.00pm)

Session Two

• Years 3-6 (6.30pm-8.30pm)

Looking forward to the seeing all the students attend this event and especially the Year 6 dance off!

Italian Day Celebrations

The Italian Day celebrations has been scheduled for 5 August. The Italian Day celebrations will include:

• Italian Assembly commencing at 8.50amin the Sr Goretti Hall
• Italian Food Sold
• Free Dress

Please read the attached flyer our Italian Teacher has written explaining the day.

Italian Cultural Day Flyer

Term 3 Calendar on the School Website

As mentioned previously, please refer to school’s website calendar for events, which is updated daily. An updated OLA Term 3 calendar is attached to his newsletter.

Latest OLA Calendar

Resignation and Appointment

Due to private and confidential reasons, Sophie Webb has resigned from her position as the Year 6 teacher. Mrs Mel Stepanek has been appointed to replace Sophie Webb and will be commencing on Monday 15 August. I also warmly welcome Mrs Michelle Griffiths to OLA as a support Educational Assistant.

CPSSA Interschool Cross Country

Scheduled for next Tuesday, 26 July, please refer to the notes sent home by Mr Ciaran Allsop, if your child has been selected to represent the school.

Thank you.
Greg Martin and Michael Morris
The OLA Leadership Team