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- From Francine
- Congratulations Mr & Mrs Mamalis!
- Annual Easter Egg Raffle
- Easter Competition 2023
- Easter Egg Guessing Competition
- Taco Tursday
- Student Wellbeing - Skills Squad
- Australia's Best Teachers Campaign
- Please be prompt with pick up
- SRC News - The 4D's Fundraiser
- Traffic Plan
- Year 3 & 4 Camp - Term 2
- Camp Program 2024
- Sacramental Update
- Head Lice
- Winter Uniform
- Second Hand Uniform Shop
- New Next Term To OLOL ... Coding Club
- Working with Children Check (WWCC) Updates
- Chess Club and Lego Club
- Enrolment Forms for Prep 2024
- Student of the Week Award
- Calendar of Events for Term 1
- St Mary's School Tour Dates 2023
- Armadale Early Learning Centre - Easter Fun Day
- Atara Speech Pathology Social Skills Holiday Program
Dear Parents,
I’m sure there are many reasons you chose to send your children to OLOL. Putting academic excellence aside, it is the community we’ve created that sets us apart.
I was reminded of this recently after attending a wedding of a former OLOL parent. I reconnected with parents and students, and it reinforced how OLOL has given these families friends for life.
I’m looking forward to more school events this year where our families – both new and old – can get to know each other better, as well as raising funds to ensure our children have the best facilities we can give them, especially as our school continues to grow. Clearly, word has spread!
It’s on that basis that I’m delighted to share the news that plans are underway to, this year, build a new multipurpose room under the library. It is the big space to the left as you walk up the stairs to the playground from the front office.
This room needs to be ready by January 2024, and from the consultants, builders, and architects we have spoken to – who are connected to the school – we believe this is a high possibility.
This space will be an immediate project – and means we get to have a library next year – while we work on getting funding for a much larger and more expensive development down the track. Much of this immediate project will be self-funded by the school and includes all the money raised ($25,000) from donations to the Building Fund and events like cocktail parties over the past few years.
The school and Board have recognised the pressure building on the school to provide quality learning spaces for our growing enrollment. Last year we applied for government support by way of a building grant. Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful in our first attempt and are now in the process of re-applying. In the meantime, we need at least one more classroom for next year. We have decided (with your support) to self-fund this project.
Next week we will be launching our New Room Building Fund. There will be a special Newsletter with details about the project, images of how it should look and details of how you can help. We are hoping to raise $80,000.00 to go toward the total cost of the room. Importantly all donations to the OLOL building fund are tax deductible.
The wonderful thing with this project – instead of the major ones in the future – is that this one is immediate, and you and your children can walk past it, use it and know that you played a part. Watch out for next week's launch of the New Room Building Fund!
As always,
Thank you for your support
Francine
Congratulations Mr & Mrs Mamalis!
For those of you new to the school, we have the greatest fundraiser EVER.
We ask each family to donate Easter Eggs, or Easter gifts of any description (Easter baskets and ribbons etc). A group of lovely parent volunteers will then combine all the donations into fancy Easter hampers and then …. you buy raffle tickets so that your children get the opportunity to win one of heaps of gorgeous, exciting, colourful, seasonal, fabulous Easter Prizes.
There will be tubs in each classroom in which to place your donations, or they can be dropped off in the foyer receptacles.
Raffle tickets will be sent home today so please check your child's bag for a white envelope. Additional tickets are available from the office if you would like more. All proceeds benefit the children of OLOL Primary School. Thank you for your generosity.
We hope that you have all been having lots of fun busily decorating your family egg for the OLOL Easter Eggspo!!
Thank you to those who have already finished their eggs - we have some magnigicent entries!!
If you would like us to share a photo of your family creating your egg to be shared on our Social Media accounts please email irene.archer@olprahraneast.catholic.edu.au
Easter Eggspo
Wednesday 5th April 9:00am-11:00am
Easter Egg Guessing Competition
We would like to say a special thank you to Ling Sofoulis (Ollie and Lizzie's Mum) for arranging this.
This year we are focusing on developing the children’s love for reading.
This term every class will be reading Dragons Love Tacos and they will be eating tacos for lunch. This will be a fun day for the students and we would like to invite any parent who would like to help make tacos to come in.
If you could email the classroom teacher that would be wonderful.
Taco Thursday will be held on Thursday 30th March.
- Mary Gammilonghi
Student Wellbeing - Skills Squad
The 'Skills Squad' program is designed to teach students fundamental motor skills such as; throwing, catching, bouncing, and hopping and to complement their weekly physical education classes.
Each student will receive a tennis ball and home practice chart, to practice the skills covered and track their progress, please support your child with this innovative program. We are very grateful to Mr. Podbury and our Sports Captains for running this excellent program.
Australia's Best Teachers Campaign
You are constantly telling me about the amazing teachers that we have here at OLOL. Now you have an opportunity to tell the world! (Well Australia at least)
Stories of our country’s most inspirational, innovative, and talented educators will be shared each Sunday until May, in print and online, to show how the passion and commitment of individuals is transforming education in Australia.
Readers can nominate their favourite teachers using the nomination form.
SRC News - The 4D's Fundraiser
We are asking that all students donate $5, with all money raised going to Caritas. Students can wear their favourite denim outfits, dance together in their classroom and enjoy a donut and a drink.
There will also be a donation box visiting each classroom if students would like to make an additional donation.
The SRC are looking forward to seeing all students dressed in their favourite denim outfit ready for a fun day!
- The SRC Team
DROP OFF/PICK UP - IMPORTANT
MORNING – From 8.30am – 9.00am
- There is no parking AT ALL in the front section of the school until after 9.00am
- This is the speedy drop off area
- Drivers are asked to remain in their cars. Please DO NOTstop and help your children out of the car. Mr McAlister will get them out. Please park your car if you wish to get out.
- Do not make a u-turn at the drop off area. Cars are often overtaking cars in line and this is extremely unsafe.
- Students will then go directly to the top playground where Mrs Walsh is on duty
If you would like to accompany your child onto the playground, please park your car away from the designated drop off section and walk with your child into the school. Supervision on the playground is from 8.30am. Prior to 8.30am the school is not open. If you require before school care please speak with Mrs Walsh.
AFTERNOON – 3.30pm – 3.45pm
Please do not arrive early to speedy pickup and block Wynnstay Road. We ask that all parents park in neighbouring streets and walk down to the school and then walk their child/children back to the car. Please leave speedy pick-up for parents with toddlers and babies in the car, as well as grandparents picking up grandchildren.
- No parking in the designated pick up section
- Students requiring pick up will come to the front of the school
- When a parent/carer pulls up, drivers are to remain in their cars and staff will help the student/s into the car
- Please drive right into the curb so cars can pass you on Wynnstay Road.
- Car, parent/carer and students drive off allowing for the next car to move up into the section
- Please DO NOT make a U-TURN from the parking zone into the house opposite (No. 18) driveway. We understand that you need to turn around so that you are not faced with trying to get out onto Orrong Road. We are asking that you drive off down Wynnstay Road, over the children’s crossing and then use the driveway on the other side of the crossing to make your U-turn
- ‘Speedy Pick up’ operates from 3.30pm to 3.45pm. You do not have to be at the front of the school at 3.30pm sharp. There is a 15-minute window in which you can arrive.
PARKING – Street parking available for all Employees, Parents and Visitors.
- Please be aware of the parking restrictions on Wynnstay Road on Wednesday and Thursday mornings. The parking officers are lethal!
- Please also pay close attention to the parking restrictions in A’Beckett Street. This is the street that our back gate opens onto. The council has advised that parents should not park at all on A'Beckett St between Sydney St and the school, as the “dead-end” nature of the street forces cars to perform unsafe 3-point turns at our gate.
- If you need convenience and speed, please use the front Speedy Pick-up service mentioned above.
- Please park near Orrong Romanis Park, walk up to the school and then accompany your children back to the car.
- Further parking is available behind OLOL Church at 631 High St, accessible from Harvey Street.
This year in Term 2, Year 3 and 4 students will be going on an overnight camp to Candlebark Farm in Healesville on Monday 15th to Tuesday 16th May (Term 2, Week 4).
Students will participate in a variety of activities over the two days including a range of team-building and outdoor activities. The students will also visit Healesville Sanctuary.
The students will leave school at 8am sharp and arrive at Candlebark Farm by 9.30 am on Monday 15th May. Students are scheduled to arrive back at Our Lady of Lourdes on Tuesday 16th May at 5pm.
Parent letters and forms will be sent out tomorrow via our school sZapp. If you have any questions regarding the 3/4 camp please email Adrian McAlister (adrian.mcalister@olprahraneast.catholic.edu.au) or Irene Archer (irene.archer@olprahraneast.catholic.edu.au).
Looking forward to a fun and action-packed 3/4 camp!
Adrian McAlister
Dear Parents,
We wanted to take a moment to explain some changes to our camp program which will come into effect in 2024. You may have heard in the media recently that due to enormous increases in costs, camps everywhere are under threat. As you know, we have always valued the importance of outdoor education and have strived to provide meaningful and enjoyable camping experiences for our students. However, due to several external factors, we have come to the difficult decision to restructure our camp program.
The rising costs include rising fuel prices which impact directly on the cost of busses, additionally, inflation is increasing the cost of food and camp running expenses. To make matters more challenging, we have also recently implemented a new staff Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA), which requires staff to be paid for camp attendance. Unfortunately, all of these factors combined have led to a significant increase in our camp costs. Our calculations show that camp costs are likely to rise between 40% and 50%.
Under the new program, we will continue to offer an annual one-night Year 5 and 6 camp, as well as a bi-annual middle school camp (So long as a low cost camp such as Narmbool continues to be available to us). We will also be working hard to ensure that these camps continue to provide meaningful and engaging experiences for our students.
We understand that this news may be disappointing, and we are sorry that it has to be like this. However, we have been discussing this issue with the School Education Board and our Business Manager for some time, and we believe that restructuring our program is the best way forward.
We hope that you understand our reasons for making these changes and appreciate your ongoing support for our school's commitment to outdoor education. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Dear Parents,
After extensive planning and meetings, the Sacramental Program at Our Lady of Lourdes will be adapted in order to meet the needs of our students. The Sacramental Program for the next two years will run as follows:
Students currently in Year 2 will make their Reconciliation in Year 3 in 2024 and First Eucharist in 2025.
Students currently in Year 3 will make their First Eucharist in Year 4 in 2024.
Students currently in Year 4 and 5 will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation next year.
At OLOL we celebrate Confirmation biannually, therefore students will be given the opportunity to be confirmed in 2024. We will be notified by the Bishop the date early next year. You may wish to start considering who you would like to be your child’s sponsor. Sponsors should:
- Be a Confirmed Catholic in good standing
- Be at least 16 years of age
- Know the candidate well and be willing to serve as a Christian guide and role model for the candidate
- Be willing to support the young person being confirmed in his/her commitment to living a Christian life
- Be confident enough in their own faith commitment to be able to support a young person in his/her own faith commitment
- Candidates may wish to choose their Baptismal Godparents to be their Confirmation Sponsor, emphasising the important relationship between these two sacraments. Parents cannot be the Candidate’s Sponsor.
We will contact you later this year for the details required for your child to be Confirmed.
If you require any further information please contact irene.archer@olprahraneast.catholic.edu.au
Irene
Autumn is notoriously bad for head lice so we're just trying to get a jump on it - pardon the pun!
With that in mind, I would ask that all parents examine their child’s hair for signs of lice infestation. These usually first appear as eggs or nits, tiny silvery white specks attached to the hair shaft near the scalp.
If you find eggs in your child’s hair please treat immediately and do not send your child back to school until the eggs have been removed as well as treated.
Please note that you do need to check the hair for any eggs and remove them either by using the supplied comb or by pulling the egg off the hair strand with your finger nails.
Please make sure that you do regular checks on your child’s hair. If eggs are left, the lice will reinfest. It is also advisable to retreat the hair 7 days after the first treatment. It is also very important for all girls with long hair to wear it tied back.
One wonderful and considerate mother has sent me this product for your information. “I just wanted to share with you the details of the product I had talked about, as I find it very clever for our children’s heads”
http://www.danielgalvinjunior.com/product/dubble-trubble-detangling-lice-repel-spray/
- Navy tartan tunic
- Long sleeved light blue shirt with logo
- Regulation woollen school jumper
- Navy tights or long navy blue socks
Boys
- Navy trousers or navy shorts
- Long sleeved light blue shirt with logo
- Regulation woollen school jumper
- Navy socks (long navy socks if wearing shorts)
To purchase the woollen school jumper, art smock and/or OLOL beanie, please use our SZapp online order forms and we will send the required items home with your child on Thursdays and Fridays.
To purchase all other winter uniform items, please either visit the PSW Port Melbourne store in person (details below) or place your order online at PSW.COM.AU.
Kiera will be opening the Second Hand Uniform Shop on Thursday 30th March from 8.45am - 9.30am for anyone who would like to purchase second hand winter uniform.
New Next Term To OLOL ... Coding Club
Registration forms will be available in the next newsletter. There is a minimum of 6 students needed for this club to run.
Working with Children Check (WWCC) Updates
Parents and volunteers in our school require Working with Children Checks for a range of school activities that involve interacting with students such as excursions, school swimming squad and any volunteering in the classroom (reading etc.) This is consistent with Victorian Government requirements. WWCCs are not required for any school fundraising or social activities.
For further information, please go to http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au.
Congratulations to all the Student of the Week Award winners from weeks 6 and 7. These students exemplified the values of; Taking Turns and Ready to Learn.
Term 1 Week 6 - Taking Turns |
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Millar Ventura | P/1P | Always displaying kindness and fairness to her classmates, and being a great sport! |
Anneliese McQueen | P/1M | Being such a kind friend and always playing fairly and kindly with her classmates. |
Adeliade Beggs | P/1R | Always taking turns and showing patience, kindness and care to all your classmates every single day! |
Mila Sawan | 2A | Always taking turns in the classroom. You are such a kind and friendly young lady, well done! |
Cartia Tulloch | 3/4M | Taking turns, being responsible and having lovely manners in the classroom - Well done |
Charlie Wallin | 3/4V | Consistently showing patience with all of your peers in 3/4, and setting a strong example of respect and behaviur towards staff and students. |
Zoe Park | 5/6P | Having lovely manners by taking turns and being inclusive, kind and welcoming. |
Term 1 Week 7 - Ready to Learn |
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Oscar Sayers | P/1P | Always listening to his teachers and classmates, and bringing a love and curiosity for learning to school every day! |
Amelie Tey | P/1M | Consistently coming into school with a positive attitude and willingness to learn. What a great example you set for your classmates Amelie! |
William Holland | P/1R | Being a motivated and determinded student. You lead by example by being ready to learn. |
Amelia Xia | 2A | Always being ready to learn. Great work Amelia! |
William Harper | 3/4M | Always being ready to learn, especially when we were completing our Uluru information reports. Keep up the great work! |
Yadiel Ghebreweldi | 3/4V | Always being ready to learn and displaying a positive attitude to all classroom activities |
Felicity Grant | 5/6P | Always being ready to learn with a fantastic mindset, attitude and work ethic! A STAR learner! |
IMPORTANT DATES FOR TERM 1 | |
Date | Event |
Thursday 23 March | P-2 Melbourne Library Excursion |
Monday 27 March | Radio Awareness Incursion - Years 3-6 |
Thursday 30 March | Taco Tursday |
Friday 31 March | 4D's Day for Caritas |
Wednesday, 5 April |
Passion Play |
Eggspo Exhibition 9.00am - 11.00am | |
Thursday, 6 April | Easter Raffle Drawn |
TERM 1 ENDS @ 1.00pm | |
Friday, 7 April | Good Friday |
Sunday, 9 April | Easter Sunday |
Monday, 10 April | Easter Monday |
Monday, 24 April | School Closure Day |
Tuesday, 25 April | Anzac Day Public Holiday |
Wednesday, 26 April | TERM 2 COMMENCES |
*please note that all dates are correct at the time of publishing this newsletter however dates are subject to change and therefore it is important to check the SZapp and subsequent newsletters for any changes that may occur.