Newsletter November 8, 2024

From the Principal

Dear Parents, Staff, Students and Friends of the Our Lady of the Way Community,

I had the privilege of listening to Br. David Hall, a Marist Brother who is Dean of the La Salle Academy for Faith Formation and Religious Education at Australian Catholic University, recently at a Principal's Forum. Br David has been appointed Chair of a working party to refresh and revitalize the Religious Education Curriculum in Victoria.

He spoke of our Catholic Church and in turn our Catholic School having a lot to offer. There is an amount of yearning amongst people in today’s society. People are looking for something spiritual to help fulfill their lives. As a Catholic community we can offer a lot.

When we teach our children what it is to be a Christian we often to refer to the Heads, Heart and Hands analogy. It is about how we think, how we love and how we act. The action part is often the most popular amongst people today as it always feels good to do something that helps others. Br. David identified this as a great way to live out the Gospel values, however he reminded us that there is one component missing. People often want to do something to help others, through a Christian lens however, there needs to be something else. When we are teaching our children, it is very important to identify another crucial aspect, Soul. The two greatest Commandments Jesus taught us were “You will love your God with all your Heart, with all Soul and with all your Mind” (Matt 22:37) and you will love your neighbour as yourself (Matt 22:39). Our Soul sits between the heart and the head, influencing the way in which we love and think, and the hands, influencing how we act, are referred to in the second commandment.

As we come towards the end of the Church’s Liturgical year we should take the time to ask ourselves how are we going to live out these Commandments from Jesus with the knowledge that the teachings of Jesus emphasise love, compassion and service to others as central to living a good life.

You may wish to reflect on one or more of the questions…

Am I considering (Head) the needs and wellbeing of others?

Am I acting in ways that promote love (Heart) and justice and help others to flourish?

How am I being asked to live out (Hands) God’s overall mission of promoting love in the world?

On a completely unrelated topic I will be taking leave from Thursday 21^st November until the end of the year. My family and I are travelling across to the UK and Ireland to visit family as well as doing some sightseeing. Mrs Annette Moore will be Acting Principal in my absence.

Best wishes,
Terry 

2025 STUDENT LEADERS

Our current Year 5 students have been working with their teachers to prepare an application for a Student Leadership position for 2025. All applications were well presented and it was obviously a thoughtful and thought-provoking experience for the children. I thank all of those students who applied for a Leadership position.

On the same topic I would like to thank all our 2024 Student Leaders. They have done a wonderful job representing their fellow students and the School alike. I wish them all the very best for Secondary School.

It is now my privilege to announce our Student Leaders for 2025.

SCHOOL CAPTAINS

Winnie Luxford and Oliver Barclay

MISSION CAPTAINS

Maciee Lepp, Jason Muranda and Lucas Tuddin

GLOWREY HOUSE CAPTAINS

Jacinta Chan and Jay Ovenden

LAFFAN HOUSE CAPTAINS

Michael Dumaloski and Eva Salomone

MARIAN HOUSE CAPTAINS

Porsche Ilsley and Lucas Petrucelli

O’NEILL HOUSE CAPTAINS

Ava Couch and Kaden Hamilton

MEDIA CAPTAIN

Anabelle Railey and Rocco Salomone

ENVIRONMENTAL CAPTAIN

Aurora Hagan and Lyncoln Xiong

CULTURAL CAPTAIN

Milana Scarmozzino and Will Kay

SPORTS CAPTAIN

Georgia Jobson and Rudi Fleischmann

2025 FOUNDATION TRANSITION

We welcomed 100 children yesterday to the first Transition Session for our 2025 Foundation Students. This was the first of three sessions providing a little snapshot into what life is like at school. This group comprises children from approximately 51 current families here at school and 49 children from new families. It was wonderful to see so many excited and happy children and family members and we look forward to welcoming them back over the next two Thursday’s.

STAFF CHANGES FOR 2025

The sad part of the year’s end is the inevitable farewell to those staff who are moving on from Our Lady of the Way for a variety of reasons. I wish to acknowledge the wonderful contributions all have made to the school community in their varying roles.

Thank you and farewell to Elyse McHardy who has accepted a position as Teaching and Learning and Religious Education Leader at St Peter’s in Epping, Laila Fleischmann has accepted a teaching position at Assumption College, Vanessa Simiele has accepted a teaching position at Mary Queen of Heaven in Greenvale, Jennalee Puckey who had 12 months Leave Without Pay has resigned her LSO position and her and her family have decided to stay in Queensland.

Once again, we thank all of these people for what they have brought to Our Lady of the Way and wish them continued success in the future.

We welcome Steven Wirtrip, Aurora Salerno, Alison Gibson, Dimitrij Spandjer and Victoria Mohammed to the Our Lady of the Way community for 2025. We also welcome back Laura Wiedemann and Holly Forrest on a part time basis from Parental Leave. We are still finalising staffing for 2025, as there are a few positions yet to fill.

CLASS STRUCTURE 2025

As we continue to grow in enrolments we will have an additional class in 2025.

For 2025 we will have

4 Foundation Classes

4 Year 1 Classes

4 Year 2 Classes

4 Year 3 Classes

4 Year 4 Classes

4 Year 5 Classes

3 Year 6 Classes

This means we will have a total of 27 classes for 2025 with an enrolment in excess of 700 students. We are still receiving enrolment expressions of interest and will probably do so for the rest of the year. Some levels have spaces and we are able to accommodate these requests but others are full so families are put on a waiting list.

SUPERVISION BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL
As we come towards the end of the year a timely reminder that children should not be arriving at school before 8:30am and should be picked up after school by 3:30pm. Supervision of students begins at 8:30am and concludes when the music begins at 8:45am. At the end of the day students are supervised from 3:15 to 3:30pm. If you need to drop your children off before Supervision begins you will need to make use of the OSHC support through SchoolsOUT. The same situation applies in the afternoon.

Thank you for your support in this matter.

COMMUNICATION POLICY
A reminder to all parents that your first point of contact with the school is through your child’s teacher. If further support is needed the teacher can then liaise with the Year Level Leader and Leadership Team members to initiate support and create a plan to resolve the issue. On most occasions the parental concerns can be worked through quite easily, however, at other times it does take time. School Staff will always be open to communicate with parents in line with the  Communication Policy listed under "Forms & Documents", located on the left hand panel. 

HATS

As the weather is starting to improve, a reminder that hats are to be worn for all outdoor activities in term 4. Please make sure your child has their named hat at school every day. 

ALLERGIES AND MEDICATION

The allergy season has commenced. If your child suffers from allergies, please give them some antihistamine before they come to school. We are unable to administer any antihistamine or pain relief without a medication authority form or an allergy action plan. If your child has an action plan the action plan stipulates the need for medication, please supply medication to the office.  This form needs to be signed by a GP, paediatrician or pharmacist.

Here is the link that may be useful. It provides alerts about pollen and also thunderstorm asthma. 

https://www.melbournepollen.com.au/mobile-app/

Students are also presenting to the sick bay with insect bites. If you are treating the reaction to a bite and medication is required for a short term (1-3 days), a medication authority form needs to be completed. These forms are available on the left side panel (under Forms & Documents). We also have copies in the office to complete. As this is short it does not need to be signed by a medical professional. 

We no longer keep pain relief or antihistamine onsite for general use.

IMPORTANT DATES

Please see the image below which shows where to locate the links to the calendar in this new format. The underlined section also indicates where the language can be changed. 

The last day for students is Wednesday, December 18 at 3.15pm.

2025 Beginning of the year dates:

Tuesday, January 28- School Office opens

Wednesday, January 29-Staff Planning Day

Thursday, January 30-Year 1 to 6 Testing Day

Friday, January 31-Year 1 to 6 Testing Day

Friday, January 31-Foundation First Day of School 8.45am-12.00pm

In the light of Christ

St. Vincent De Paul Christmas Appeal

This November as we begin the Season of Advent we are once again supporting the St. Vincent De Paul Society Christmas Appeal. This is an opportunity to donate an item to the Christmas hampers to make a local family’s Christmas a little easier.

While you are shopping and if you are able to, here are some of the items which can be donated to our hampers:

Cordial                 Tinned Fruit                 Christmas Cake           Carrots                  Powered Custard     Corn

Potatoes              Tinned Tomatoes         Christmas Pudding     Tinned Beans         Shortbread              Sweet Biscuits

Mince Pies           Peas                              Sugar                          Longlife Milk          Pasta                        Gravy 

Dry Biscuits          Serviettes                     Lollies                           Coffee                   Bon bons                 Jelly

Milo                     Tea                               Chips                            Gift Vouchers

Donation Baskets will be in classrooms next week.  Donations will be handed to the Vinnies Wednesday 11^th Dec at the Parish Mass.   

Please donate if you can

Wellbeing- Positive Behaviour and Learning

REMEMBRANCE DAY

The students will be commemorating Remembrance Day as a community on Monday, November 11 at 10:40am via the PA system. It is an important day in our nation’s tradition to pause, reflect and pay homage to the fallen service men and women. 

Our student leaders will be attending the Remembrance Day service. This will be held at the Cenotaph in Wallan. Parents are welcome to attend. Please arrive at 10.50am and 11.00am start.

REMEMBRANCE day merchandise are available to purchase in the office. Cash only. 

Finance

Kindergarten Visit

On Thursday The 31st of October, Ruby, Maisie, Ryan, Elly and Levi visited Wallan East Kinder to read to the kinder kids! We read 3 books. ‘Playmates’ ‘Muddypaws goes to school’ and ‘Hairy MacLary.’ The kids enjoyed spending time with the Year 6’s and learning about what primary school will be like in the next few years. The year 6’s participated in a variety of activities such as painting and playing with blocks with the kindergarten students. By the end of the session the kindergarten students made drawings for us to take to show their appreciation.  

The educator at the Kindergarten kindly gave the year 6 visitors a picture frame as a token of appreciation. Thank you to Mrs Perry for organising our visit!

Written by Ruby and Ryan 6A 

Our visit

Art Show

French words

Icy pole day-Tuesday, November 12!

Book Covering help needed!

We have bags of books to be covered in contact. If you are able to assist with this task, please come to the office and collect a bag. 

SIMON everywhere app

The SIMON everywhere app can be downloaded and used to access the PAM (Parent Access Module). This is where absences can be logged, medical details updated, access reports and view attendance records.  Please see the video below to assist in navigating your way around the app. 

Parents and Friends

Icy Pole Thursday! Help required

Help is required for icy pole Thursdays. If we don't get any extra helpers, the icy pole days will not run. If you are able to assist for a couple of hours on a Thursday, please let us know via the link: https://forms.gle/CisydzZcbQQWb5LT6

For those who may not be aware the money raised from P&F through sausage sizzles, icy pole days and the colour run go towards  supporting various school events such as:

• Purchasing gifts for Mothers  Day/ Fathers Day
• Donations of food for Community Breakfasts
• Donations of sausages for sausage sizzles.
• Purchasing of icy poles

And any other major school fundraising project : shade sails

Our P& F work in collaboration with the school on :

• Graduation gifts, year books and ceremony.
• Sports Carnivals
• Discos
• Partnering with Mini Vinnies on social justice fundraisers.

 As it is term 4, P&F will be running icy pole day on Thursdays beginning Thursday 17^th October. Icy poles are sold for $1 They will be working with our students leaders on additional icy pole days (weather dependant) to raise further money to subsidise the Year 6 Yearbook.

 If you are able to donate your time to help on icy pole Thursdays and have a Working With Children’s Check please email P&F on:  olwparentsandfriends@gmail.com

Specialist Days-Semester 2

Wallan Police Open Day

To Register your attendance: Scan the QR Code or Click the Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/wallan-police-station-open-day-tickets-1054601323949?aff=ebdssbdestsearch&keep_tld=1

Before and After School Care

Some information for Dads

CFA