Dear Parents and Caregivers

End of Year Concert

Congratulations to all the students who took part in the End of Year Concert last week. The students were amazing as they performed their items on the stage. We have some very talented children at OLA!

Grandparents’, Mothers’ and Volunteers’ Morning Tea

What a very enjoyable morning we all had with approximately seventy people attending the morning tea. A huge thank you to all the staff who provided the morning tea and the volunteers who supported the school throughout the year. To our wonderful grandparents and mothers, we got there in the end to say thank you. Hopefully we won’t have the same restrictions next year, and we will be able to celebrate occasions as scheduled on the school calendar.

Graduation Mass and Dinner Dance

A beautiful and spiritual Graduation Mass was held outside, for the first time (due to restrictions), and it was a moving experience for our Year 6 graduating students. The dinner Monday night was also a memorable experience for students and parents. Thank you to Vanessa and Brian for coordinating the Mass, Maria and Anisha for coordinating the Graduation Dinner and to our wonderful Year 6 parents who spent Sunday and Monday preparing for the celebration.

Water Fun Day

What a fantastic day the students had on Wednesday – inflatables, Adventure World and Subway! Needless to say, the students thoroughly enjoyed the end of year celebrations. Thank you to the P&F who coordinated the Subway Fundraiser Lunch and to the parents who volunteered to accompany the Year 6 students to Adventure World. A great way to finish off the year!

End of Year Thanksgiving Mass

Today, we came together as a community to give thanks for all that we have achieved this year. It was a privilege to unite to celebrate the end of a very different year, one that we have all gone through together. Sincere thanks to the students, staff, families and community members who have supported us throughout 2020. We would not have been able to achieve what we have without you!

Farewell & Welcome

We farewell a number of staff this year who have been appointed at other schools and/or are pursuing other interests. We say farewell to Fran Pastorelli, who has been at OLA, in her capacity as a parent and employee, since 1991 (30 Years), Jade Rotondo who has taken on a teaching position at Infant Jesus School, Ariana Rosso, who has been employed as a classroom teacher at Holy Cross in Ellenbrook, Karen Whittaker, who will be spending more time with her family and Amy Pethick who has been employed at Mary MacKillop in Ballajura.

We welcome the following new Education Assistants to OLA in 2021:

• Genevieve Orton
• Jacinta Crabb
• Michelle Griffiths
• Paola Pizzo
• Liana Anastasio

Attached is the updated staff list.

Class Lists and Requests

From 2021 onwards, all requests for student class placements will need to be made to the Leadership Team, by a certain date (TBA). As explained previously, class placements are becoming more complex every year, with requests from parents and the Leadership Team will be handling all future requests. ECE (Kindergarten-Year 2) requests are to be made to Rebecca Smith and Years 3-6 are to be made to Michael Morris.

Transition

All students participated in the 2021 Transition sessions on Monday and Tuesday, all students had a great time with their 2021 teachers.

2021 Booklists

Attached to this newsletter are the 2021 booklists.

• Pre-Primary
• Year 1
• Year 2
• Year 3
• Year 4
• Year 5
• Year 6

2021 Calendar

Attached to this newsletter is the 2021 OLA Parent Calendar, which will also be uploaded to the school’s website. Please be advised we may need to amend the calendar in the new year and if this is the case, you will be advised accordingly. The interactive calendar on the website is the most up to date, the PDF version of the calendar will only be updated at the beginning of each term.

OLA Calendar 2021

Drop off Stationery (New School Year)

Parents are invited to bring their children, with their stationery, on Thursday 28 January, from 1.30-3.00pm or Friday 29 January, from 8.30-10.30pm, so they can place their items in their desks and say hello to their new teachers. Please check the 2021 calendar for more information.

Speech Pathologist On-Site

Commencing in 2021, there will be a speech pathologist on-site to offer sessions to students who require them. The speech pathologist (Genevieve Saldanha) will be on-site every Monday (initially via appointments as she sets herself up) to meet with parents and work with students. This arrangement is a private practice (costs are not covered by the school) and parents will need to deal directly with Genevieve. Please read the attached flyer from Genevieve. Her email address is gmsaldanha@gmail.com and her mobile number is 0405 806 848.

Genevieve Saldanha Speech Pathology – Flyer and Price List

Well Done

Jessica and Zoe Casella both auditioned to be Santa’s little helpers for a Christmas production at the Crown. They were both successful in their audition. The production is called ‘Christmas Spectacular’ it’s on at the Crown from the 22 December to 24 December. They are in eight shows over the three days. Well done!

Labels & Lunchboxes

Are you wanting to get organised and get labels and lunchboxes for 2021? The P&F have registered with the following companies and part of your purchase will go towards fundraising.

Stuck on You – click on this link to order

https://www.stuckonyou.com.au/affiliate/fundraiser/OLADIANELLA

OzLabels – click on this link to order

https://www.ozlabels.com.au/FRS1455

Nell Gray Back to School Information

Please see the updated information regarding purchasing uniforms for 2021.

Nell Gray information flyer

Wishing you and your family a safe and Merry Christmas. We look forward to seeing you all back in 2021.

Thank you.

Greg Martin, Michael Morris and Rebecca Smith

The OLA Leadership Team