Dear families,

This Friday 15 August, the Church celebrates the Feast Day of the Assumption of Our Lady when according to our faith, the Holy Mother, “having completed her course of her earthly life was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory".

The Assumption signals the end of Mary's earthly life and marks her return to heaven to be reunited with Jesus. While the bodies of both Jesus and Mary are now in heaven, there is a difference between the Assumption and the Resurrection. Where Jesus arose from the tomb and ascended into heaven by his own power, Mary's body was taken up to heaven by the power of her Son.

The Feast of the Assumption is a Holy Day of Obligation, and as a school community we will come together in prayer on Friday at 12pm to commemorate this special event on our Church’s calendar.- parents welcome.

2025 Prep Early Learning Program

Our 2025 Prep Early Years Learning Program is well underway and has been warmly received by children and families alike. These sessions have given our future Preps the chance to explore the school, meet some of our wonderful staff, and enjoy fun, engaging activities that help them feel comfortable and excited about starting school. From art and storytelling to library visits and play-based learning, each session has sparked curiosity and confidence. Families have also appreciated the opportunity to connect with others and begin forming friendships ahead of the school year. We look forward to these sessions continuing throughout Term 3 as we support our newest learners on their journey into school life.

Child Safety- Commitment to the child safe standards.

With national child protection week approaching in September in may be a good time in Term 3 to address how here at St.OPPS we address the child safe standards in practice. Each fortnight I will address two of the standards and provide examples of how we as a school promote a culture of child safety. to ensuring our community is committed to the wellbeing and safety of all children. 

Child Safe Standard 3 –  Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.

Child Safe Standard 4 –  Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.

At St Oliver's we pride ourselves in student voice and agency. I attended our SRC meeting and was amazed by the robust conversation of our students regarding upcoming events that promote our safety, happiness, wellbeing and learning. Below are some snapshots from the meeting held in our staffroom. We do our very best in keeping families informed about initiatives, policies and programs we hold in promoting child safety and wellbeing. Our incursions on cybersafety, bullying and our partnership with the resilience project allows us to meet the growing and complex social, emotional needs. 

MACSSIS Surveys- COMING SOON

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools – School Improvement Surveys (MACSSIS): Monday 1 September 2025- Friday 19 September

Throughout each year, we pause to listen to our students, families and staff to gauge how our learning community is travelling. This feedback is invaluable to our progress as effective school communities and is backed by evidence-based research and best practices.

In 2025, students, families and staff are invited to participate in MACSSIS via our secure and purpose-built online platform. The online platform is where our school leaders will access the summary reports that visualise the results of the student, family and staff surveys.

Our community’s opinions are critical to understanding how our school is performing – MACSSIS is a key data source for guiding the ongoing work to improve our school. All participation is invited, welcomed and 100 per cent voluntary. The surveys are not a test; they are an inclusive way to support the work we are already doing to improve our school. Everyone has the right to refuse to participate, or withdraw from the survey at any point before, during or after completion of the survey. Please notify the school if your child does not wish to participate.

If you would like more information, please contact the school.

Investing in Our Staff, Investing in Your Child

At our school, we're dedicated to ensuring every child feels supported and experiences meaningful growth. A huge part of this commitment is our ongoing focus on professional learning for our staff. When we invest in our teachers, we're ultimately investing in your children.

Yesterday, Monday 11 August, our entire staff had an inspiring professional development day led by Sara Belate- Tankard and Cecilia Garden. I continue to be in awe of their knowledge and practical guidance they provide our staff. We spent the day exploring high-impact teaching strategies, understanding the science behind classroom layout and focusing on the importance of providing challenge and high expectations for every single student. These are powerful tools that will help us create an even more engaging and effective learning environment for your child.

The learning for our team continues. I'll be attending the NCEC conference next week with other principals in our northern zone. During this time, Cecilia Garden will be in charge and will be fully supported by Sara Belante- Tankard and our wonderful staff.

Our leadership team is also looking forward to attending the Flourishing Learners Conference in Week 8, from September 8th to 9th. It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to learn more about creating a school where every student and staff member can truly thrive. We're so grateful to be part of a system, MACS, that deeply values and supports its leaders in becoming strong instructional mentors for our entire team.

We are excited to bring these new insights and strategies back to our classrooms. Thank you for your continued partnership as we work together to nurture every child's potential.

School Production- Emotions in Motion

Term Three marks an exciting time for our school as we prepare for our much-anticipated School Production - 'Emotions in Motion'. Our staff and students are  working hard behind the scenes to bring this event to life.

In the coming weeks, please keep an eye out for important updates related to the production.

Click HERE, where you will find information regarding tickets, schedules and performance dates/times.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to 

Sara Belante-Tankard and/or Alessia Del Campo.

What's coming up this fortnight...

Mon 11 Aug:  School Closure - Professional Learning Day for Staff

Wed 13 Aug:  Bullying No Way - wear a POP of purple

Wed 13 Aug:  Year 4 incursion - Kiera Austin from Melbourne Vixens

Thur 14 Aug:  Merri-Bek STEM MAD Showcase - St Fidelis 10am - 3pm

Thur 14 Aug:  SSV Regional Final - Soccer

Fri 15 Aug:  Feast of the Assumption - whole school mass 12pm - parents welcome

Fri 15 Aug:  Assembly 3:00pm (time change)- parents welcome

Mon 18 Aug:  Book Week begins - Book dress up and parade

Tue 19 Aug:  2026 Preps Early Learning S4: 9:30am  - 10:30 am

Tue 19 Aug:  Prep V Class Mass - 10am - parents welcome

Wed 20 Aug:  Yr 4 Yoga session with Avril

Thur 21 Aug:  2026 Preps Early Learning S5: 2:45pm  - 3:45 pm

Thur 21 Aug:  District Athletics

Fri 22 Aug:  Book Week concludes - Author visit: Leigh Hobbs

Have a great week.

Delfina Pieri

Principal 

principal@sopascoevale.catholic.edu.au 

Term 3

Monday 21 July- Friday 19 September- 1pm dismissal for students

Term 4

Monday 6 October- Tuesday 16 December- 1pm dismissal for students

2025 Sacraments

Reconciliation (Year 3)- Wednesday 12 November @ 6:30pm (Church)

2025 School Closures

Friday 28 November: Professional Learning Day- No school for students

Public Holidays

Tuesday 4 November: Melbourne Cup

Time In Lieu Days

Monday 3 November: School Closure for staff and students 

2025 Parent/Teacher Conferences

Thursday 23 October: Parent/Teacher Progress Meeting- 1pm finish for students

2025 Celebrations of Learning

Term 3: Wednesday 17 & Thursday 18 September: School Production

Term 4: Thursday 20 November- 9-11am- Mathematics Focus

Week 6

Mon 25 Aug: 2026 Preps Early Learning S6: 9:30am  - 10:30 am

Mon 25 Aug:  Pilgrims of Hope in the year of the Jubilee - online webinar

Tue 26 Aug:  Prep M Class Mass - 10am - parents welcome

Wed 27 Aug:  Scholastic Book Fair begins

Wed 27 Aug: Year 5 Catholic Care (The Wonder of Living: Puberty) Parent & student learning session 6:30pm - 7:45pm

Wed 27 Aug:  Year 5 - Mercy College & Parade Production

Fri 29 Aug:  Yr 1 Incursion - Digestive System

Fri 29 Aug:  Yr 6 Incursion - Salvation Army (Religion)

Fri 29 Aug:  Assembly 2:50pm - parents welcome

Week 7

Thur 4 Sept:  Father's Day Gathering & Morning Tea

Thur 4 Sept:  2026 Preps Early Learning S7: 2:45pm  - 3:45 pm

Fri 5 Sept:  Father's Day Stall

Fri 5 Sept:  5M Casual Clothes Reward Day

Week 8

Mon 8 Sept:  Book Fair concludes

Mon 8 Sept:  Flourishing Learners Conference - Marvel Stadium

Tue 9 Sept:  Flourishing Learners Conference - Marvel Stadium

Thur 11 Sept:  R U OK? Day - Wear a splash of Yellow

Fri 12 Sept:  Division Athletics

Fri 12 Sept:  School Performance - ticket sales close 10am

Fri 12 Sept:  Assembly 2:50pm - parents welcome

Week 9

Mon 15 Sept:  Footy Hot Dog Day

Mon 15 Sept:  2026 Preps Early Learning S8: 9:30am  - 10:30 am

Mon 15 Sept:  Lifesaving Victoria Incursion - Prep to Yr 6

Tue 16 Sept:  School Performance - whole school rehearsal

Wed 17 Sept:  School Performance A-K - performance 

Thur 18 Sept:  School Performance L-Z -performance 

Fri 19 Sept:  End of Term - 1PM Finish for Students

Carol Leone/Katherine Darmanin

Office Administration 

Risk Taking Russ   Resilient Ruth   Self Motivated Sally   Reflective Rita   Persistent Pete  Curious Carter   Collaborative Cody       

Awarded for consistently demonstrating dedication, reliability and a positive attitude during rehearsals and behind-the-scenes preparation.

Our School Community Notice Board acknowledges special Staff or School Family News. It allows us to be connected through prayer while we are apart and it is something I would really like to continue when we are back together again. If you have a particular event happening in your life e.g. birth or death and would like us to acknowledge this event please email me. We as a school community would love to offer prayers and thoughts to you during times of great joy or sadness.

principal@sopascoevale.catholic.edu.au