Veritas Newsletter
July
Welcome to our July Veritas Newsletter
Leadership Team Messages for the Month of July
Dear parents and caregivers,
Welcome to our wrap up and highlights for July In this newsletter we have included all the main posts/highlights for the month of July.
Interschool Cross Country 2023
Congratulations to all the students who participated in yesterday’s interschool cross country event! Your dedication, determination, and sportsmanship were truly commendable throughout the entire competition. It was inspiring to witness your hard work and commitment to representing our school with pride, during very trying and difficult weather conditions. Whether you were at the front of the pack, striving for that first-place finish, or pushing yourself to improve your personal best, each and every one of you contributed to our success as a team.
As a school, we are proud to announce that our collective efforts paid off, and we achieved an excellent 10th place overall in the competition. This accomplishment speaks volumes about our students' athletic abilities and the strong spirit of camaraderie that binds us together. Your enthusiasm and willingness to take on challenges exemplify the values we strive to instill in our students. Congratulations once again on a fantastic performance, and let this event be a reminder of the amazing things we can achieve when we work together as a united team. Well done!
Milo Mondays !
IThe Year 6 Christian Ministry Team are excited to announce our 'Milo Mondays' initiative!
Head down to the Sr. Goretti Hall from 8am on Monday mornings in Weeks 2-5 to purchase a warm cup of Milo to help us raise money for the St Vincent de Paul Society.
Simply bring in a gold coin donation and you will receive a warm cup of Milo!
We are also encouraging all students to BYO travel mug with a lid for your warm Milo to go in. This will help us to reduce waste.
What better way to start your week - a cup of Milo and raising money for those in need!
Thank you for your support
Year 6 Christian Ministry
New OLA Interschool Sports Uniforms
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the Parents & Friends (P&F) for their generous support in funding the new cross-country singlets and netball, soccer, and football tops for our school teams. Your unwavering dedication and commitment to enhancing the sporting experience of our students is truly commendable.
Thanks to their support and contributions, our athletes will now have the opportunity to proudly represent our school in updated and professional sports uniforms. These new singlets and tops will not only boost the confidence and team spirit of our students but also create a sense of unity and pride among the entire school community.
We understand the time, effort, and fundraising initiatives that have gone into making this possible. Your hard work and commitment to supporting our students' extracurricular activities is an invaluable asset to our school. Your generosity not only provides the necessary resources but also sends a powerful message of encouragement and support to our aspiring students.
On behalf of the entire school, we would like to express our deepest gratitude for your continued support. Your commitment to our students' holistic development is truly inspiring. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact these new uniforms will have on our sporting teams and the school community as a whole, commencing next week with the Interschool Cross Country.
Thank you once again for your unwavering dedication and generosity. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a supportive and engaged P&F at OLA. Your contributions are making a lasting difference in the lives of our students.
Nude Food Fridays at OLA
We have an exciting announcement to make that aligns with our commitment to safeguarding the environment and reducing waste. Starting this term (Friday 21 July), we will be introducing a new initiative called "Nude Food Fridays." Every Friday, we encourage the children to bring their food to school in reusable containers without any plastic wrapping or disposable wrappers. Erica Cipriani raised the idea with me a few years ago, when I first arrived at OLA, and it has since been raised by the Year 6 students during our Pizza with MR M sessions.
Nude Food Fridays aim to raise awareness about the impact of single-use plastics on our environment and promote sustainable practices. By choosing to go "nude" with your food, you will contribute to reducing plastic waste and help protect our planet for future generations.
Here are a few reasons why Nude Food Fridays are so important:
- Environmental Preservation: Single-use plastics, such as food wrappers and plastic bags, contribute significantly to pollution and harm ecosystems. By eliminating unnecessary plastic packaging, we can prevent plastic waste from entering landfills, waterways, and natural habitats.
- Waste Reduction: Adopting a nude food approach reduces the amount of rubbish generated, helping to minimize the resources needed for waste management. By bringing your food in reusable containers, you actively contribute to reducing waste and promoting a more sustainable lifestyle.
- Conservation of Resources: The production of plastic requires valuable resources such as oil and gas, contributing to carbon emissions and depleting our planet's resources. By reducing our dependence on single-use plastics, we can conserve these resources and minimize our carbon footprint.
- Setting a Positive Example: Nude Food Fridays provide an opportunity to educate and inspire others about sustainable practices. By leading through example and demonstrating our commitment to the environment, we can encourage others to embrace similar habits and make a collective impact.
To participate in Nude Food Fridays, simply bring your lunch and snacks to school in reusable containers such as lunch boxes or food storage containers. Be creative with your meal planning and consider using reusable utensils and drink bottles as well. Remember, the goal is to avoid any unnecessary plastic wrapping or disposable packaging.
We understand that this may be a new concept for some of you, so we encourage you to involve your families in this initiative. Talk to them about the importance of reducing plastic waste and explore ideas together for creating delicious and nutritious meals that don't require excessive packaging.
We will be closely monitoring the success of Nude Food Fridays and will evaluate the impact of this initiative on our environment. By working together, we can create positive change and foster a sense of responsibility towards the planet we call home. Eventually we’re hoping to incorporate nude food at OLA, everyday, however we will commence the program with just Fridays at this stage.
Thank you for your commitment to protecting the environment and embracing sustainable practices. Let's make Nude Food Fridays a weekly reminder of our dedication to a greener and more sustainable future for our children and grandchildren. Nude Friday will commence this Friday 21 July.
OLA School Disco - Neon
Last night's OLA annual disco event was an electrifying affair, with the theme of NEON setting the tone for an unforgettable evening. The Goretti Hall was transformed into a vibrant, neon wonderland, all thanks to the remarkable efforts of the Year 5 parents who took charge of the decorations. The pulsating neon theme and decorations created an atmosphere of excitement and joy that permeated the entire venue. Throughout the night, the dance floor remained alive with a multitude of colours as students swayed to the rhythmic beats of the music, making it an unbelievable night.
The highlight of the night was the exhilarating Dance-Off competition, where the Year 6 girls and boys exhibited their exceptional talent and creativity. Their magnificent performances left the audience in awe. This year, the boys took out the trophy as the well deserved winners. Congratulations to everyone involved. The success of the event would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of the P&F (Parents and Friends) committee, who efficiently handled the event's promotion and ticket arrangements, ensuring a packed house. Moreover, a special mention goes out to the Year 5 parents, whose meticulous coordination made the entire evening run smoothly, making it an event that will be cherished by all attendees for years to come.
NAIDOC Week Celebrations - "For Our Elders"
We came together at OLA to share a vital role in shaping and preserving the rich cultural heritage of Australia. NAIDOC Week, which stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. It is an annual celebration held in Australia to honour the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. With the theme "For Our Elders," NAIDOC Week recognizes the significant contributions made by Indigenous Elders in fostering intergenerational knowledge, leadership, and community strength.
Throughout the week, which was celebrated during our school holidays around Australia, communities across the nation came together to acknowledge and pay tribute to the wisdom, guidance, and resilience of the Elders. It is a time to reflect upon their invaluable role in preserving Indigenous languages, traditions, stories, and customs that have been passed down through generations. The Elders serve as custodians of cultural practices and are instrumental in connecting younger generations with their roots, ensuring the continuation of cultural knowledge and identity. Recently our Year 3 students created an aboriginal bush ticket garden to celebrate aboriginal culture in our nation.
NAIDOC Week is marked by a range of events and activities that promote awareness, understanding, and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. These include art exhibitions, performances, storytelling sessions, traditional ceremonies, music festivals, sports competitions, community gatherings, and educational workshops. These events provide opportunities for Indigenous Elders to share their wisdom and experiences with younger generations, fostering a sense of pride, respect, and unity. Today we celebrated NAIDOC Week with a Eucharist celebration. Thank you to the Year 3 Teachers, Mrs Knights and Mrs Barclay for coordinating the event. the aboriginal music and songs were magnificent.
The theme "For Our Elders" emphasises the recognition and reverence of Elders within Indigenous communities, as well as the wider Australian society. It highlights the importance of acknowledging and valuing the Elders' contributions, not only as keepers of culture but also as advocates for social justice, land rights, and reconciliation. It serves as a reminder to listen, learn, and honour the Elders, appreciating the wealth of knowledge they possess and the guidance they offer to ensure a brighter future for all.
Ultimately, NAIDOC Week with the theme "For Our Elders" encourages all Australians to come together, across every generation, to recognize and celebrate the profound contributions of Indigenous Elders. By doing so, we can foster greater understanding, respect, and appreciation for the rich tapestry of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, while honouring the wisdom and legacy of the Elders who have shaped our nation.