Veritas Newsletter
August
Welcome to our August Veritas Newsletter
Leadership Team Messages for the Month of August
Dear parents and caregivers,
Welcome to our wrap up and highlights for August. In this newsletter we have included all the main posts/highlights for the month of August.
Sr Maria Goretti’s Passing
It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness that I advise you of the passing of Sr. Maria Goretti, a beloved Dominican Sister and the foundation principal of Our Lady's Assumptions School. Sr Maria died peacefully on August 28 at Regents Gardens Scarborough. Her unwavering commitment to education and her profound dedication to the well-being of her students left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her life was a testament to the power of faith, compassion, and selflessness.
As the foundation principal of Our Lady's Assumptions School, Sr. Maria Goretti played a pivotal role in shaping the institution into a beacon of knowledge and moral values. Her tireless efforts to foster an environment of inclusivity, academic excellence, and spiritual growth touched the lives of countless students and staff members alike. Sr. Maria Goretti's legacy will endure through the generations of students she guided towards a brighter future and the profound impact she had on the OLA Community she served, both the school and parish. Her memory will continue to inspire us all to strive for the highest ideals of education and compassion, as she did throughout her remarkable life. As you’re all aware the hall and a faction have been named in her honour. Unfortunately Sr. Maria Goretti's passing leaves a void that can never truly be filled, but her spirit will live on in the hearts of those she touched and in this wonderful school she helped to build.
Our Lady's Assumption Feast Week
What a wonderful week was had last week when the school celebrated The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We celebrate, Mary, the mother of Jesus, who was assumed body and soul into heaven at the end of her earthly life. It was a day of great spiritual significance for us at OLA with our school named in honour of Mother Mary who was assumed body and soul.
During the week, the students attended our feast celebration mass on Tuesday and had a sausage sizzle on the Wednesday. Students also participated in tabloid sports as well as buddy sessions with their buddy classes.
All students were asked to wear blue clothing in honour of Mother Mary. The colour blue has been historically associated with the Virgin Mary, symbolizing her purity, humility, and maternal care. We hoped this visual representation helped students make a greater connection with the spiritual significance of the feast day.
Every morning this week our senior students led us in the Rosary. The rosary is a traditional Catholic prayer that reflects on the life and teachings of Jesus through the eyes of Mary. This daily practice this week will hopefully deepen the students' connection to their faith and provided them an opportunity to further connect to our catholic beliefs.
Thank you to all the staff who were involved in coordinating our feast day week. It was thoroughly enjoyed by the whole school community.
OLA Science Fair
Congratulations to the OLA Year 6 students for their remarkable and inspiring science demonstrations at our school’s science fair yesterday. The dedication and creativity displayed by these young scientists are truly commendable. Each project showcased not only their scientific curiosity but also their ability to think critically and solve problems. It's evident that the students have put in a tremendous amount of effort into their projects, and their enthusiasm for learning and exploration shines brightly. These budding scientists have surely set a remarkable example for their peers and have made the OLA School community proud.
As we reflect on the success of this year's science fair, it's clear that the Year 6 students' projects and Mrs. Dempster's guidance have not only enriched our school community but have also ignited a spark for scientific inquiry that will continue to burn bright in the years to come. The OLA School science fair stands as a testament to the students' hard work, creativity, and love for science, and we eagerly anticipate watching these young minds grow and thrive in their future scientific pursuits. Congratulations once again to the Year 6 students and thank you to Mrs. Dempster for her exceptional leadership.
Italian Day
The OLA Sr Goretti Hall came alive last Friday as students, teachers and family members gathered to celebrate Italian Day—a vibrant and immersive exploration of Italian history and culture. The atmosphere was electric as the students in each cohort performed their items, focusing on the rich tapestry of Italy's heritage.
The assembly was orchestrated by Senora Paola. Her passion for all things Italian was evident in the planning and attention to detail that had gone into creating an engaging and enlightening program. The stage came alive at 9.00 am with everything Italian, from Italian songs to famous Italian artists to sports players, fashion designers and their famous cars. The Italian games that followed the assembly injected an element of friendly competition, encouraging camaraderie and team spirit among the students. And what Italian celebration would be complete without gelato?
As the day drew to a close, the assembly's tales/songs, the games, the shared culinary experience, and the lingering taste of gelato all served as reminders of the magic that had unfolded throughout the day. Senora Paola's dedication and tireless efforts had paved the way for an Italian Day celebration that would remain etched in the collective memory of OLA school, fostering not only a deeper appreciation for Italy's history and culture but also a sense of unity and belonging. From what I have been told, Italian has been taught at OLA since the school opened 50+ years ago. Congratulations everyone who took part in the celebration.
Write a book in a week
On Monday 28 August, 10, Year 5 and Year 6 students spent 12 hours at school and wrote a book in a day. The team, OLA Writing Warriors, were provided with parameters to include within their story. They planned, wrote, published and illustrated "Runaway Ruby". The whole team worked so hard throughout the day and finished up just before 8pm. Well done team!
Lost Property
We currently have a larger than usual collection of lost property. Could you please check that your child is not missing jackets, jumpers etc. It is a timely reminder to put your child's name on their clothing so the office can return items to the appropriate classroom. The lost property is stored in administration. Thank you.
Nude Food Friday reminder
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.
Staff news
Due to personal and medical reasons, Lauren Jenkins will be taking the remainder of 2023 off as well as Term 1 of 2024. We look forward to welcoming Lauren back at the commencement of Term 2 2024.
School Advisory Council Nominations
Nominations are open for the 2024 School Advisory Council. To nominate, please refer to the attached form.