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- Welcome From Adrian ...
- Whole School Mass - Sunday 11th February
- First Day!
- February 2024 Meet and Greet
- Parent Teacher Meet and Greet - Early Pick-up or Extend Aftercare
- An Engagement, a Wedding and a Baby!
- Homework
- Termly Overviews and Classroom Timetables
- Our Little One's Learning Playgroup
- Leadership Speeches - Thursday 8th February
- Speedy Pick Up and Drop Off
- Staff Emails
- Call Out for 2024 Class Representatives
- Uniform
- Swim Squad
- Rest Days for Prep
- ICT User Agreements
- OLOL Welcome Picnic
- Medication Authorisation
- Uniform Shop Details
- Birthdays
- OLOL 2024 Open Days
- OLOL Parent Welcome Drinks
- Parent Welcome Drinks - RSVP
- School Photo Day - Monday 19th February
- Assembly Dates - Term 1 2024
- Term Dates & School Closure Days for 2024
- Before School Minding
- Extend After School Care
- Absences
- Classroom Cuisine 2024
- Calendar of Events for Term 1
- Carnival Fitness - Circus Skills
Speaking of families, a friendly reminder about our Feast Day Picnic on Friday, 9th February, from 4 to 7 pm at Lumley Park. It's a fantastic opportunity for our OLOL families to come together, share a picnic, bring some drinks, and enjoy games.
This year, we are delighted to introduce several new staff members: Joseph Ayton-Delaney (2A), Bridget Ardley (P/1A), Renee Griffin (5/6G, also serving as our Sacrament and Community Leader), and Cathy Alessandrini (office). Joining them is Alison March, returning from maternity leave to teach Performing Arts. We wish them all the best for their first year at OLOL.
On Monday and Tuesday, the OLOL staff came together for professional learning and team building activities. We worked in teams to learn our strengths and weaknesses and to bond. It was great fun!
Our newsletter remains the primary source of information, and we strongly encourage parents and carers to read it every fortnight. The digital format on SZapp allows you to keep it handy on your device for easy reference to details, dates, and school activities.
This year, we are empowering our year 5/6 leaders to play a more significant role in school leadership. They will work closely with a designated teacher to lead and implement new initiatives. Stay tuned for lunchtime activities led by our leaders and captains, promising exciting opportunities for student involvement.
Please see OLOL's Photo Permission Form. Maximising student participation in photo opportunities enhances historic records, fosters fun involvement, and positively contributes to the school's public image. While you have the right to refuse permission, we kindly ask you to consider the benefits before opting out. Please return all photo permission forms by 11th February.
Excitingly, our professional photographer will be back to capture new photos for our school website and communications. We need all photo permission forms returned by 11th February to facilitate this.
This letter also includes the ICT User Agreement. It is crucial that you read and sign these with your child/ren. At OLOL, we emphasise the importance of child safety, and as such, we strictly prohibit the use of digital social communication platforms like Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, chat rooms, or WhatsApp. If your children need to communicate outside of school, we encourage arranging playdates.
Lastly, keep an eye out for our open days this year, including one on a Sunday. Please share the attached flyer with any family or friends who may be interested in joining the OLOL community in the future.
Lastly, just a friendly reminder to please have all students arrive at school by 8:50 am so we can get the students settled and lessons started on time at 9 am.
Together, we can achieve great things. Thank you for your continued support and dedication.
Adrian McAlister
Whole School Mass - Sunday 11th February
We hope to see all our students and their families at Mass to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.
Congratulations to our 25 new Prep students who settled so beautifully into life at OLOL yesterday.
Here they are pictured with their Buddies enjoying lunch.
The aim of this session is for the teacher to find out more about your child. Prior to this interview, we ask that you consider the answers to the questions the Class Teacher will ask you.
Bookings using 'Session Keeper' are now open and will close on Monday 5th February at 4.00pm.
Instructions on how to book an appointment with your child's Class Teacher are as follows :
Session Keeper Instructions
February 2024 Meet and Greet Bookings are open between now and Monday 5th February, 4.00pm.
- Click https://ololprimary.com.au/view-session/32 to access the Session Keeper website
- Click ‘Add New Student’
- Enter your child’s name and click ‘Save’
- If you have more than one child at OLOL repeat step 3 as necessary
- When you have added all children, click on one child and then ‘Save and Continue’
- Choose your child’s Class Teacher and click ‘Next’
- Choose the date and time from those available and then click ‘Next’
- Review the date and time then click ‘Next’
- If you need to make an additional booking for another child click ‘Book Again’ and repeat the process
- To view all bookings made click ‘My Bookings’
Please see Meet_and_Greet_February_2024.pdf
Parent Teacher Meet and Greet - Early Pick-up or Extend Aftercare
All families requiring bookings for Extend After School Care (existing and new families) must create a new account with LookedAfter.
Go to https://www.lookedafter.com.
An Engagement, a Wedding and a Baby!
Congratulations to Alison and Jaime!
Congratulations to Alison and Jaime who got engaged whilst on a trip to Singapore. We wish them a lifetime of happiness together.
Congratulations to Irene and Gareth!
Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Stone who were married in a beautiful Wedding Mass celebrated by Fr Hayes on 18th January 2024.
Congratulations to Eimear and Ari!
Welcome Baby Oisín Mamalis who arrived earlier than expected on Thursday 28th December at 1.28pm, weighing 3.21kgs and 51cm long giving Eimear and Ari Mamalis a wonderful New Years surprise.
Termly Overviews and Classroom Timetables
Termly Overviews and Home Work will be available on the SZapp from Friday 9th February
Next week, you'll have access to our Termly Overviews and Class Week Timetables on the Parent Portal Page. The Week Timetable will be fixed for consistency, providing several benefits:
1. Reducing confusion with uniforms.
2. Facilitating the development of a strong school routine for students.
3. Ensuring parents are aware of subjects taught each day, fostering conversations about their children's day, such as discussing Wellbeing topics.
The only exception to the fixed timetable will be changes for excursions, incursions, or sporting events like Cross Country or Athletics.
3-6 Students | Specialist lessons on a Monday |
P-2 Students | Specialist lessons on a Tuesday |
Access to the Termly Overviews and Home Learning will be available via the SZapp and here. To keep up to date with what your child is learning and support this at home we strongly recommend you read the Termly Overview.
Any further communication around your child's work will be via the classroom teachers.
Our Little One's Learning Playgroup
This term we were set to introduce our new playgroup program Our Little One’s Learning, but unfortunately we have been unable to find a replacement for Gaya who was going to run the program on Wednesdays. We are still working on bringing the program into OLOL but this may not be until Term 2 once we have worked out a good program to run. I will keep you updated.
Leadership Speeches - Thursday 8th February
- 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
- Mr McAlister will supervise the drop offs helping children from cars
- Students will then go directly to the top playground where Mrs Stone (Miss Archer) will be 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 your child must be booked into before school care with Extend (www.extend.com.au).
AFTERNOON – 3.30pm – 3.45pm
We kindly ask that if you arrive early please do not park in the Speedy Pick-up Zone as this creates issues for our neighbours.
We ask that all parents park in neighbouring streets and walk to pick up your child/ren. Please leave the Speedy Pick-up for parents with toddlers and babies in the car.
- Students to be picked 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
- 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
Finally, of an afternoon ‘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. There is no pressure from us that you are out there at exactly 3.30pm.
Parking
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. If you need convenience and speed, please use the front Speedy Pick-up service mentioned above. If you’re not in a hurry, please park near Orrong Romanis Park, walk up to the school and then accompany your children back to the car. The council has advised that parents should not park at all on A'Beckett St between Sydney St and the school. This is reasonable as there is no safe way to get out of that section of the street. It is too tight to U-Turn safely. As a result, this forms part of our Stonnington Approved Traffic Management Plan.
If you need to contact your child's teacher the best way is via email rather than phoning the school. For your convenience, please see below a list of classroom teacher emails.
Prep/1
Niahm Power - niamh.power@olprahraneast.catholic.edu.au
Bridget Ardley - bridget.ardley@olprahraneast.
Year 2
Joesph Ayton-Delaney - joseph.ayton-delaney@olprahraneast.catholic.edu.au
Aoife Finnegan - aoife.finnegan@olprahraneast.catholic.edu.au
Year 3/4
Louise Morgan - louise.morgan@olprahraneast.catholic.edu.au
Daniel Podbury - daniel.podbury@olprahraneast.catholic.edu.au
Year 5/6
Tom Venier - tom.venier@olprahraneast.catholic.edu.au
Renee Griffin - renee.griffin@olprahraneast.catholic.edu.au
Please appreciate that using email to communicate does not result in an immediate response; however, 48 hour acknowledgment of receipt can be expected.
Call Out for 2024 Class Representatives
- Acting as a communication point between parents and your class teacher
- Organising birthday and Christmas gifts for your class teacher
- Helping to coordinate the All School Mass in the term that your class is assigned to host
If you have access to email/WhatsApp, then you’re more than equipped for the role.
If you have the capacity to help out, or would like to know more about the role, please let me know.
Kind regards,
Laura Farrell (James Murphy’s mum – Grade 2)
P&F Class Rep Coordinator
Uniform for Prep - Year 2
Sports uniform - Tuesday and Thursday
Summer uniform - Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Uniform for Year 3 - Year 6
Sports uniform - Monday and Friday
Summer uniform - Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
- Navy check dress
- Navy woollen jumper
- Navy or white ankle socks
- Black school shoes
- School sun hat
- Navy or yellow hair ribbons
School Uniform for Boys
- Navy shorts
- Blue shirt, open neck, short sleeves
- Navy woollen jumper
- Navy ankle socks
- Black school shoes
- School sun hat
Sports Uniform
- Navy sports shirt
- Navy sports shorts
- Navy tracksuit
- White ankle socks
- Runners
Please ensure all items of clothing are clearly labelled with your child's name.
A reminder to our Swim Squad participants that training recommences tomorrow morning, Friday 2nd February, and will continue on Friday 9th February.
Please note that if your child is participating in Swim Squad the $35.00 fee for the term must be paid by the end of next week. This fee covers lane hire and breakfast as well as contributing toward the bus for the Carnival.
Please also remember that the children will be travelling back to school by tram together at the conclusion of each training, hence they will need to bring a Myki card (with credit on it) for the tram.
Many thanks!
Our Prep students do not attend school on the following days for the month of February :
Wednesday, 7th February
Wednesday, 14th February
Wednesday, 21st February
Wednesday, 28th February
Each year as part of the OLOL ICT Policy parents and students are required to read through the OLOL ICT User Agreement fill in and sign the form at the bottom. This form must be completed by Friday 16th February, only one form per family needs to be filled out. If you have any questions regarding the user agreement please email or phone Irene Archer (irene.archer@
After the success of our whole school picnic last year we will again hold a big Welcome Picnic. At this event, you essentially bring absolutely everything you need to eat, drink, sit and be merry together. We had a brilliant turnout last year with almost every family present. Let's make this one every bit as successful. Its a great opportunity to get to know each other.
Where: Lumley Park Playground, Jessamine Ave, Prahran
When: Friday 9th February from 4:00pm
What: Pack a picnic, a beverage of choice, and a blanket and join us for catch-ups with old friends or make some new ones.
What else to bring: Grandparents, aunties or uncles
Word of warning: parking around Lumley Park is difficult, can we suggest dropping off picnic supplies and family and then going to find a park on High Street, William Street, or other surrounding streets.
We look forward to seeing everybody there!
*If it rains this event will be canceled.
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School has a duty of care to ensure that reasonable care is taken and appropriate processes are in place when administering all medications in the school environment and during school related activities. Our school requires that parents must make a request to the school when their child requires medication to be taken during school hours or during school activities. This should occur prior to enrolment or as soon as the requirement is identified. Parents/guardians/carers are required to provide the school with current medical information.
The principal or their delegate require written advice about the administration of all medication within the school environment and during school activities (including over the counter or prescription) via a Medication Authority Form (MAF). The MAF must be signed by the parent/guardian/carer, and where required as outlined below, also by a medical/health practitioner.
The emphasis of this set of policies is on not having the school administer medication unless absolutely necessary. As always OLOL is happy to support our families and will continue to administer medication where required but we need you to understand that unless the required forms are filled and signed we are unable to do so.
Required Forms
Please note: the Medical Management Plan does not have to be completed where a doctor has provided a condition-specific report (for example: Anaphylaxis or Asthma Action Plan).
All our school policies are available on our webpage: ololprimary.com.au choose the OUR SCHOOL tab and then POLICIES.
The majority of our uniform is available for purchase from our uniform supplier, PSW. Their details are as follows :
Our Woollen School Jumper, OLOL Beanie and Art Smock are the only items which are purchased on campus at OLOL. To order these items online please use SZapp.
Birthday Party Invites
We ask that parents be responsible for giving out birthday party invites (not the children). Please be careful and discreet with invitation handing out as it can be hurtful if an entire grade is not invited. If you are working parents and do not get to see students or parents at pick up or drop off it might be an idea to email invites.
Teachers are not responsible for handing invites out.
Celebrating Birthdays
While on birthdays … we ask that you do not send birthday treats (cakes, lollies etc) to school to be shared. The students will sing happy birthday to your children on or close to, their birthdays and they will receive their birthday award in assembly.
School Photo Day - Monday 19th February
As per the uniform code, girls are to wear white short socks, boys are to wear navy short socks and ALL students must be wearing black school shoes.
To order your child/ren photos, please click here and enter the OLOL School ordering code: Z9G YBD 97C
Full details and instructions are available below.
Friday 2nd February - No Assembly
Friday 9th February - Welcome Assembly
Friday 16th February - Assembly led by 3/4P
Friday 23rd February - Assembly led by 2F
Friday 1st March - Assembly led by 5/6G
Friday 8th March - Assembly led by 3/4M
Friday 15th March - Assembly led by 2A
Friday 22nd March - Assembly led by Prep/1
Term Dates & School Closure Days for 2024
2024 Term Dates
Term 1 Wednesday 31 January – Thursday 28 March
Term 2 Monday 15 April – Friday 28 June
Term 3 Monday 15 July – Friday 20 September
Term 4 Monday 7 October – Tuesday 17 December
School Closure Dates
Tuesday 30 January
Friday 28 June
Monday 4 November
Friday 22 November
Extend understand that high quality care and education doesn’t ‘just happen’. They believe it takes a committed team of quality staff all working towards great outcomes for children, parents and school communities. Their ideals, expectations and vision fit easily into the OLOL philosophy and so we enjoy a very successful program of out of hours care. I regularly receive feedback from parents about just how happy they are with the care the students receive.
As Extend is a professional group, it takes several days to process a new ‘enrolment’. We ask that every student is enrolled in the Extend After Care Program so that if you ever need to use the service you are ready to go.
Extend have a comprehensive website which they invite you to browse to learn more about Extend or to enrol your child: www.extend.com.au.
All families requiring bookings for After School Care (existing and new families) must create a new account with LookedAfter. Go to https://www.lookedafter.com.
Classroom Cuisine's lunch service has recommenced for Term 1.
Classroom Cuisine has created an option that:
- is easy to use and affordable
- offers variety and choice within a healthy framework
- allows busy parents to provide great lunches for their children
- takes the headache out of coming up with lunch and snack ideas
- empowers children to make their own healthy food choices
No nuts
Nude food
Take home what's left
Classroom Cuisine is an Online alternative to the traditional and disappearing 'tuck-shop', offering a convenient, user friendly service; creating, preparing, packing and delivering high quality School Lunches at the most affordable price.
Classroom Cuisine’s Mission is to delight both our ‘Diners’ with the quality of our lunches as well as the Schools that offer our service by ensuring it’s hassle free for them.
A Healthy Alternative
Classroom Cuisine has created an option that:
- is easy to use and affordable
- offers variety and choice within a healthy framework
- allows busy parents to provide great lunches for their children
- takes the headache out of coming up with lunch and snack ideas
- empowers children to make their own healthy food choices
How it Works
- Register your child
- Select dates you wish your order for
- Choose delicious menu items
- Confirm your order and payment
- Relax while we do the rest
https://classroomcuisine.com.au/how-it-works
IMPORTANT DATES FOR TERM 1 | |
Date | Event |
Friday, 2 February | Swim Squad |
Tuesday, 6 February | Parent/Teacher Meet and Greet - 1.15pm - 6.00pm |
Wednesday, 7 February | Prep Rest Day |
Thursday, 8 February | 9:15am Leadership Speeches |
Friday, 9 February | Swim Squad |
Welcome Assembly | |
Welcome Picnic | |
Sunday, 11 February |
Our Lady of Lourdes Feast Day Mass - 11.15am at Our Lady of Lourdes Church Please note: Leaders will be announced at the Mass. |
Tuesday, 13 February | Parents and Friends (P&F) Meeting - 6.00pm |
Wednesday, 14 February | Prep Rest Day |
Ash Wednesday | |
Friday, 16 February | Holt Swimming Carnival |
Monday, 19 February | School Photo Day |
Wednesday, 21 February | Prep Rest Day |
Friday, 23 February | OLOL Parent (only) Welcome Drinks - 7.00pm @ The Osborne Hotel |
Wednesday 28 February | Prep Rest Day |
Monday, 11 March | Labour Day Holiday |
Wednesday, 20 March | OLOL Open Day |
Wednesday, 27 March | Passion Play |
Thursday, 28 March | Easter Raffle Drawn and Dress Up Day |
Term 1 Ends @ 1.00pm | |
Monday, 15 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.