Farewells

As always at this time of the year we are fare welling our Year 6 students. Some of these students have been with us for the past seven years and we have formed beautiful relationships with them and their families. Throughout the years we have welcomed in new students who have relocated into our area and have also contributed to the St Oliver's learning community. We are very proud of our Year 6 cohort; we thank them for their contributions to St.OPPS and wish them nothing but the very best as they move on to high school. 

We thank departing families for their time and contributions to the school and wish you every success in your new setting. Farewell to the following families:

Year 6F

Boadle Family Coco Family Colella Family Dugdale Family

Lauria Family Leone Family Mancini Family O'Callaghan Orelli Family

Palmieri Family Passeri Family Prattico Family Privitelli Family

Year 6P

Calafati Family       Courtis Family           Harrison Family           Micallef Family

Petruzzelli Family     Pezzimenti Family          Pizzo Family           Sigaris Family

In addition to our Year 6 families who are leaving us we would like to also farewell the following families who have contributed so much to our school community: 

Litsos Family Roberts Family Tran Family

Dear Parents,

Gratitude and Thanks

As 2024 comes to a close, I want to take this opportunity to express my thanks to our parent community and, in particular, our Parents & Friends for their unwavering support throughout the year. Your commitment and generosity have made a significant difference to our school, and I am deeply grateful. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Steph and Clare for their easy going support and hard work. Together, you’ve helped lay the foundation for what will undoubtedly be another successful P & F year ahead. As we look toward Term One of 2025, plans are already in motion. Events like Welcome BBQ, Pancake Tuesday, the Hot Cross Bun Drive, and the Easter Raffle will keep our new team busy, and I am excited to see the creativity and energy they will continue to bring to these cherished traditions.

I also want to thank our incredible staff for their unwavering dedication, professionalism, and creativity. Their commitment to the teaching, learning, and wellbeing of our students has been exemplary. 

At St Oliver’s, the child remains at the heart of everything we do. Every decision we make is grounded in what is best for their learning, wellbeing, and safety. I thank our students for their enthusiasm, resilience, and joy – they inspire us every day and remind us why our work is so meaningful.

Looking ahead, 2025 promises to be an exciting year as we deepen our commitment to high-performance practices and begin preparing for our school review in 2026, next year marks the third year of our school improvement cycle. Together, we will continue to live out our vision and strive for excellence in all aspects of school life.

I wish you all a blessed and holy Christmas filled with joy, peace, and precious moments with your loved ones. I look forward to continuing this journey with you in 2025.

2025 Student Leaders

Our processes for selecting our student leaders is now completed.  The process once again highlighted the leadership quality of our students. Therefore I am delighted to inform you that these students have been offered leadership positions for 2025:

School Captains:  Dante R & Lara U

School Vice Captains:  Julian F & Olivia G

Faith In Action Leaders:  Luca T, Alexander C, Luka M, Georgia C, Sofia S, Joseph C, Dimitrios K

House Captains

Gold:  Madison M & Leo W

Green:  Rosie F & Luke B

Red:  Adriana F & Thomas J

Blue:  Sofia T & Alexander P

House Vice Captains

Gold:  Jaxon E & Tayla W

Green:  Fox C & Sebastian L

Red:  Archie B & Alyssa S

Blue:  Raphael G & Nathan V

Creative Arts Leaders:  Dalia M, Katia V, Alessia G, Indiana L

Safety & Service Leaders:  Reis C, Isla M, Savannah S, Nicholas G, Rosemary S, Matthew F, Ada V

Learning Technologies Leaders:  Chelsea T, Hudson S, Corrine H, Felix B, Mason A, Marcus L, Vincent B

Sustainability Leaders:  Alexander W, Sienna E, Thomas K, Ollie M, Rocco L, Liana L

Many congratulations to these students and we look forward to working with you next year. These students will be commissioned into their roles and presented with their badges at our First Whole School Assembly on Friday 7 February.

End of Year Mass and Farewells.

We would also like to invite all families to join us for our End of Year Mass tomorrow 17/12 at 10am. 

2025 Assessment Interviews

Each child in Year 1-6 is required to be booked into one assessment interview. The focus will be on reading comprehension.  This will take place on Wednesday 29 January - Thursday 30 January. Students can wear their sport uniform and bring a snack, and a drink bottle. Assessment bookings can be made via Compass from Monday 16 December from 4pm.

A reminder that prep children are required to be booked into one assessment interview on one of the four Wednesdays below.

Prep Transition Days

We look forward to welcoming our newest addition to our school community next year. Our Prep students begin school on Wednesday 29 January at 8:45am and finish at 1pm. In Week One the students will attend school each day until 1pm. A reminder that our Preps have a rest day on the next four Wednesdays in Term One, 2025. These dates are:

• Wednesday 5 February

• Wednesday 12 February

• Wednesday 19 February

• Wednesday 26 February

From Monday 3 March our Prep students will be full time.

Transition Morning- Today

This morning’s transition session went very smoothly. Students had the opportunity to engage in fun get to know you activities with their new classmates and teachers. There was a positive buzz in the playground at recess. I remind parents to continue to keep the conversations about change positive by acknowledging your child’s feelings and engaging in optimistic self talk.

Staffing 2025

We welcome the following teachers to our team in 2025:

• Rachel Hanna

• David Nolan

• Alexandra Panas 

• Brett McCarthy

• Alessia Del Campo

I am very excited to announce our starting line up for 2025.

School Improvement Team: 

Principal- Delfina Pieri

Deputy Principal Wellbeing- Cecilia Garden

Deputy Principal Education Learning Excellence- Sara Belante-Tankard

Religious Education Lead- Gabrielle Lo Castro

Learning and Teaching Team: 

Learning & Teaching: Mathematics- Cecilia Garden

Learning Diversity and Learning Enhancement Leader- Liz Finlayson

Learning & Teaching: Literacy- Taryn Travanca

Enhancement 1-2: Sarah Nikolic & Jane Lisina

Enhancement 3-6: Melissa Mercuri

Year 3-6 Extension and Enrichment Program: Brett McCarthy & Taryn Travanca

Classroom Teaching Team:

Year Prep M: Hayley McNamara 

Year Prep V: Georgia Vassallo

Year Prep W: Meagan Warby

Year 1B: Maria Barillaro

Year 1H: Rachel Hanna

Year 2A: Niki Astuto

Year 2G: Jasmine Geen

Year 2R: Louisa Rae 

Year 3L: Louisa Sberna

Year 3P: Alexandra Panas

Year 4D: Anne De Cata

Year 4G: Michael Gonsalves

Year 5JL: Rebecca Jarvis/Gabrielle Lo Castro

Year 5M: Mollie Lekkas

Year 6F: Michelle Fontana

Year 6N: David Nolan

Specialist Team:

Italian: Elisa Genovese

PE and Outdoor Ed: Gabriel Williams

Performing Arts: Alessia Del Campo

STEM: Brett McCarthy

Visual Arts: Shan Marshall

LSO Team

Rita Restifo-Olivera 

Helen Di Giuseppe

Beth Kett

Dani Lepre

Laura Raffaele

Betty Tozoulis

Tash Zampogna

Anastasia Sotiralis

Diana Scorso 

Lily Styles

Sonia Pellizzer

Admin 

School Bursar and Administration: Katherine Darmanin

Business Manager: Florabelle Santiago

Student Reception and Enrolment: Caroline Leone

Maintenance: Tony Gigliotti 

Student Requirements for 2025

Supplies:

• 2 x tissue boxes per student. Please have your child bring these to school at the beginning of the school year.

• Due to shared stationary from Prep - Year 6, students only require a small, soft pencil case for personal textas and coloured pencils provided by the school.

• Please keep personal pencil cases space-efficient; tub space is limited.

Organisation:

• Ensure all student belongings are clearly labeled (hats, jumpers, water bottles, etc.)

Uniform:

• You can obtain all your uniform needs from A Plus Schoolwear- Coburg Shop. Get in early to avoid any disappointment.

• Summer school uniform is mandatory in Term 1.

• School hat is essential for Sun Smart outdoor activities.

• Label your child's hat for easy identification.

• Children can begin to wear their sports uniform from Week 2 in Term 1- 2025.

Below is the list of days each year level is expected to wear their sport uniform for Physical Education & Performing Arts sessions.

Year Prep

Prep M : Monday (PE) and Thursday (PA)

Prep V : Tuesday (PE) and Thursday (PA)

Prep W: Monday (PE) and Thursday (PA)

Year One

1B:  Wednesday (PE) and Thursday (PA)

1H:  Tuesday (PA) and Wednesday (PE)

Year Two

2A: Monday (PE) & Wednesday (PA)

2G: Wednesday (PA) & Thursday (PE)

2R: Wednesday (PA) & Thursday (PE)

Year Three

3L: Tuesday (PE) & Wednesday (PA)

3P: Tuesday (PE) & Wednesday PA)

Year Four

4G:  Tuesday (PE) & (PA)

4D:  Tuesday (PE) and Thursday (PA)

Year Five

5JL:  Wednesday (PA) & Thursday (PE)

5M: Tuesday (PA) & Thursday (PE)

Year Six:

6F: Tuesday (PA) and Wednesday (PE)

6N: Tuesday (PA) and Wednesday (PE)

Reminder: Full Transition to the New School Uniform in 2025

As we approach the 2025 school year, please be reminded that it marks the full transition to our new school uniform. Ensure you have collected all required uniform pieces in preparation for the start of the year.

Thank you for your support in maintaining our school’s standards and pride.

A Plus Schoolwear- Coburg Shop:

133 Bakers Road

Coburg North VIC 3058

Ph: 9354 8345

Fax: 9354 5777

Opening Hours: 

Monday to Thursday 9.00 am-4.30 pm.

Friday 9.00 am-3.00 pm. Closed Weekends and Public Holidays.

Email: shop@agsprints.com.au

What's ON this week: 

Mon 16 Dec:  Year 6 - Bear signing

Mon 16 Dec:  Moving Up Day

Tue 17 Dec:  End of Year Mass - 10am - parents welcome

Tue 17 Dec:  Guard of Honour - 12:30pm- parents welcome

Tue 17 Dec:  End of School Year -  students finish 1pm.

Year 6 Parents- Compass Reminder

Please start thinking about printing or downloading and saving any school reports you wish to keep, as your Year 6 child/ren will no longer have a St Oliver Plunkett Compass account after the last day of school this year.

As we head into the Christmas break I would like to wish you a blessed holiday season and a joyful, Happy New Year. I look forward to your return in the New Year, where we will continue to build positive relationships, nurture goals, and celebrate our many unique gifts in the 2025 school year. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Delfina Pieri

Principal 

principal@sopascoevale.catholic.edu.au 

Term 1

Assessment Interview Yr 1-6 Wednesday 29 January & Thursday 30 January

Yr Prep only begin Wednesday 29 January

Yr 1-6 Friday 31 January - Friday 4 April- 1pm dismissal for students

Term 2

Tuesday 22 April- Friday 4 July- 1pm dismissal for students

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

Confirmation (Year 6)- Friday 21 March @ 5:30pm (Church)

First Eucharist (Year 4)- Sunday 25 May @ 3:30pm (Church)

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

2025 School Closures

Friday 7 March: Professional Learning Day- No school for students

Monday 26 May: Professional Learning Day- No school for students

Monday 18 August: Professional Learning Day- No school for students

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

Public Holidays

Monday 10 March: Labour Day

Monday 21 April: Easter Monday

Friday 25 April: ANZAC Day

Monday 9 June: King's Birthday

Tuesday 4 November: Melbourne Cup

Time In Lieu Days

Monday 3 November: School Closure for staff and students 

2025 Parent/Teacher Conferences

 Tuesday 11 February: Meet n Greet- Parent/Teacher Conferences 1pm finish for students

Tuesday 6 May: Yr Prep- Six Parent/Teacher Progress Meeting - 1pm finish for students

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

2025 Celebrations of Learning

Term 1: Monday 31 March: Athletics Carnival

Term 2: Wednesday 18 June- 9-11am: Literacy Focus

Term 3: Wednesday 17 & 18 September: School Production

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

2025 Year 5-6 Camp

Monday 12 May - Wednesday 14 May

Week 1

Tue 28 Jan:  Teachers start - Design Day - No school for students

Wed 29 Jan:  Preps start school - finish at 1pm

Wed 29 Jan:  Year 1 - 6 Assessment Testing - as per appointment

Thur 30 Jan:  Preps finish at 1pm

Thur 30 Jan:  Year 1 - 6 Assessment Testing - as per appointment

Fri 31 Jan:  Preps finish at 1pm

Fri 31 Jan:  Year 1 - 6 start school - full day

Week 2

Mon 3 Feb:  Prep students all day

Tue 4 Feb:  Yr 1-6 Wellbeing Production - 'Being Brave' (2:15pm-3:15pm)

Tue 4 Feb:  P&F Meeting - Event Setup

Wed 5 Feb:  Prep scheduled day off

Thur 6 Feb:  School Crossing Program - Prep to Yr 2

Fri 7 Feb:  School Assembly 2:50pm - parent welcome

Fri 7 Feb:  First Aid in Schools Program - Prep to Yr 6

Week 3

Mon 10 Feb:  Specialist Programs begin

Tue 11 Feb:  Meet n Greet Parent/Teacher Interviews- students finish 1pm

Wed 12 Feb:  Preps scheduled day off

Wed 12 Feb:  Confirmation Parent Information Evening - 6:30pm

Thur 13 Feb:  Prep 2026 Open Day - 9:15am

Week 4

Tue 18 Feb:  SSV District Swimming Trials

Wed 19 Feb:  Preps scheduled day off

Fri 21 Feb:  Yr 6 Interschool sports - St Oliver's vs St Paul's (home)

Fri 21 Feb:  School Assembly 2:50pm - parent welcome

Week 5

Mon 24 Feb:  Yr 6 excursion - Confirmation Retreat

Wed 26 Feb:  Preps scheduled day off

Thur 27 Feb:  Prep 2026 Twilight Open Day - 6:30pm

Fri 28 Feb:  Yr 6 Interschool sports - St Oliver's vs Coburg West (home)

Week 6

Mon 3 Mar:  Preps fulltime

Tue 4 Mar:  Shrove Tuesday - P&F Pancake Day 

Wed 5 Mar:  Ash Wednesday - Whole school mass 12pm- parents welcome

Thur 6 Mar:  School Assembly 2:50pm - parent welcome

Fri 7 Mar:  School Closure: Professional Learning - No school for students

Week 7

Mon 10 Mar:  School Closure: Labour Day - No school for students

Tue 11 Mar:  Prep 2026 Open Day - 9:15am

Wed 12 Mar:  NAPLAN Testing Window Opens for Year 3 & 5 students (schedule TBA)

Fri 14 Mar:  Yr 6 Interschool sports - St Oliver's vs Coburg West (away)

Week 8

Wed 19 Mar:  SAC Meeting 7pm - members only

Thur 20 Mar:  School Photos

Fri 21 Mar:  Yr 6 Interschool sports - St Oliver's vs Pascoe Vale North (away)

Fri 21 Mar:  School Assembly 2:50pm - parent welcome

Fri 21 Mar:  Year 6 Confirmation - 5:30pm- Church

Week 9

Thur 27 Mar:  Multicultural Day

Thur 27 Mar:  Year 2 Camp

Fri 28 Mar:  Yr 6 Interschool sports - St Oliver's vs Pascoe Vale (home)

Week 10

Mon 31 Mar:  Sports Day - whole school

Fri 4 Apr:  School Assembly 9:10am - parent welcome

Fri 4 Apr:  END OF TERM - 1pm finish

Reminder: Student Drop-Off Time

For the safety of all students, we kindly remind families that children should not be dropped off at school unattended before 8:35am. Students should not be congregating prior to this time unattended. 

Key enrolment dates for Year 5 students in 2025 starting Year 7 in 2027- Current Year 4 Families

The timeline of events and dates is as follows:

− applications for students starting Year 7 in 2027 will open on Tuesday 28 January 2025 and close on Friday 15 August 2025

− offers will be posted to prospective Year 7 applicants on Friday 17 October 2025

− parents/carers will be required to accept an offer from a school by Friday 7 November 2025.

Delfina Pieri

Principal 

principal@sopascoevale.catholic.edu.au