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Dear Parents, Caregivers and Staff 

Humans are wired for connection. We are social beings, and our daily interactions shape how we feel, how we work, and how we care for one another. While it is easy to get weighed down by the relentless pace of life, every now and then we encounter the “mood boosters.” 

You know who they are. It’s the teacher greeting students at the gate with boundless warmth on a rainy Monday morning. The parent at drop-off who takes a moment to offer an encouraging word. The school office team member who makes everyone feel instantly at ease, or the student whose genuine excitement over a small achievement brightens the entire class. 

Their optimism is contagious. Just like a cheerful barista who somehow makes your morning coffee taste better simply through their positive energy, these people bring a tangible lift into our days. 

Research consistently shows that positive emotion spreads rapidly through groups. One person’s warmth and optimism can ripple through an entire community, building trust, improving morale, and strengthening relationships. 

Some years ago, I read a story about a large manufacturing company in the United States that decided to invest in this exact idea. They hired a well-known retired baseball player—not to manage operations, but simply to connect with people. His role was to walk the floor, learn workers’ names, ask about their families, and listen. Workers felt seen, valued, and uplifted. Morale soared, pride in the organization grew, and productivity followed. 

In a school like OLSOTS, this positive contagion is vital. 

For our teachers and staff, navigating complex learning needs and heavy responsibilities, a genuine note of appreciation from a parent or a supportive gesture from a colleague can completely restore their energy. For our parents and caregivers, juggling work, home, and family life, feeling genuinely welcomed and supported by our school team makes all the difference. 

When teachers and parents bring optimism and gratitude into their partnership, our children are the ultimate beneficiaries. They thrive in an environment where kindness and connection are modelled every single day. 

So, this week, I invite you to take a moment to notice the mood boosters in our OLSOTS community. Seek them out. Thank them. And where you can, try to be that positive spark for someone else. 

Connection is essential for our wellbeing—and when that connection carries optimism and kindness, it becomes a true elixir for our entire school community. 

With Best wishes, 

Sean  

Enrolments  

We are well into planning for 2027, and I share that NOW is the time to come in if you or someone you know is seeking a place with us.  

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day 

We had a terrific day on Tuesday that was expertly organised and led by Laura Connolly and supported by our CEWA, First Nations Consultant, Leon Ridgeway. Our students were engaged in a variety of activities on a rotation around the school that helped them to know and experience (especially through art and story) more of the rich culture of our First Nations people.   

Thanks to our wonderful P & F team, led by Chairperson, Tash McCarthy, for cooking up a storm on the BBQ to feed the masses.  

Parent Code of Conduct 

This Term, our Catholic Education Office has released a new and incredibly well thought through document that I have sent to you directly. Please be sure to review this important communication and take time to engage with it at your family level. 

Diocesan Assembly (Synod) 

Our Bishop, the Most Rev. George Kolodziej SDS called for a diocesan wide gathering to engage in a deep listening process as the beginning of a planning phase for our local church. I was proud to be a representative of our school and parish and more so because we had our Assistant Principal, Lorna Russell and Year Five/Six teacher David Colace involved as well. We joined our Parish Priest, Fr Marek and two other parishioners, Ronan and my wife, Jo-Anne. We were also involved in pre gathering meetings (our staff session was facilitated by David Colace) and then face to face at Bunbury last week. This process is an ongoing one that aims to hear from, further involve and engage people at all levels across the community as we journey together at this time in history.

Mr G’s Quote for the Day: 

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” 

— Leo Buscaglia 

Grandparents Mass

On Monday 27 July, we opened our school term with a beautiful Mass organised by Miss Starcivich and the Year Three/Four students that centred on Pope Francis World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. Thank you to Fr Marek for celebrating the Mass and to the parents, carers, and grandparents who also attended. 

2026 Sacramental Dates 

As part of this year’s Sacramental Program for children preparing to receive Reconciliation, Holy Communion, and Confirmation, families are asked to attend the following important meetings and workshops. Please add these dates to your diary: 

• Tuesday 18 August – Sacramental Workshop facilitated by Cordelia Nicholas 
• Saturday 19 September at 2pm – First Reconciliation  
• Sunday 25 October at 9am – First Communion 
• Saturday 28 at 6pm November – Confirmation 

Holy Communion & Confirmation Family Workshops – (Cordelia Nicholas CEWA Catechist Service) 

The Sacramental workshops for First Holy Communion and Confirmation will be held on Tuesday 18 August in the Parish overflow area. These workshops must be attended by the children and families of the children receiving one of these Sacraments this year. Please talk to your class teacher if you have any questions regarding these workshops.  

Holy Communion 2:30 -3:30pm 

Confirmation workshop 3:45-4:45pm 

The 2026 Religious Education Assessment (REA)  

In Catholic schools across Western Australia, students enrolled in Years Three, Five and Nine participate in a system-wide, online assessment in Religious Education. The administration of the assessment commences Monday 3 August. The purpose of the assessment is to measure student learning of the content in the Religious Education Curriculum.   

Year Three and Five students will be completing their assessment on Friday 7 August 

Prayer Assembly – The Feast of Saint Mary of the Cross (MacKillop)  

On 8 August, we celebrate the Feast of Saint Mary of the Cross (MacKillop), Australia’s first canonised saint and a remarkable woman whose legacy of faith, education and service continues to inspire communities across the country. 

To mark this special occasion, Miss Fish with the Year Two class will lead a Prayer Assembly on Monday, 10 August. Families and community members are warmly invited to join us as we honour the life and mission of Saint Mary MacKillop. 

As Saint Mary famously said: “Never see a need without doing something about it.” Her words continue to remind us of the importance of compassion, courage and responding to the needs of others with generosity and love.  

Prayer Assembly – Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary 

Miss Starcevich and the Year Three/Four class will lead us in a prayer assembly on Monday 17 August, to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. 

This celebration is an ancient feast of the Church. It commemorates the death of Mary and her bodily Assumption into Heaven. It is a special day when we remember and give thanks to God for the wonderful things He did in Mary’s life and continues to do in our own lives. We warmly invite our school community to join us in celebrating this important feast day. 

Book Week Parade  

We will have our book week parade in the school hall on Tuesday 25 August at 9am. The theme of this year’s book week is “Symphony of Stories”. Come dressed as your favourite book character.  

Dance Showcase and Open Afternoon

Our Dance Showcase and Open Afternoon will be held on Tuesday 23 September, Week 9. This is an opportunity for families to view the wonderful work the children have been doing in class.  

WHEN: Tuesday, September 15. 

TIME:  

• Sean Gordon OAM Principal Address -1:15 – 1:30 
• 1:30 –2:00 – Dance Showcase  
• 2:00 – 3:30 PM Open Classrooms and school tours 

WHERE: All classrooms are open throughout the school. 

WHO: Family and friends. 

WHY: To share and celebrate the children’s learning this term. 

Please ensure all Book Club orders have been submitted before 10 August. Book Club Issue 5 

How Parents can order from Book Club online: 

1. Log in, or create a new account at LOOP
2. New parents can follow the Wizard to set up a child’s profile  
3. Click the Order tab, and select the child’s school and Issue of Book Club  
4. Select your child’s name  
5. Enter the product item number from the Book Club catalogue  
6. Apply promotional codes that children may have earned from previous issues  
7. Make a payment via credit card  
8. Feel great about the Scholastic Rewards that have been earned for the school 

A heartfelt thank you to all the grandparents who joined us for our Grandparents’ Liturgy Celebration. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the special role grandparents play in our children’s lives.

In the lead-up to the celebration, our Kindy students proudly shared treasured photos of their grandparents with their classmates, along with beautiful portraits they had painted and heartfelt explanations of why they love them. It was lovely to hear about all the cuddles, baking, adventures, gardening, games and special moments that make grandparents so important.

There was plenty of laughter when the children became the stars of their own learning! Using a special photo app, we “fast-forwarded” time and transformed photos of the students to show what they might look like at 80 years old. The reactions were priceless! Many couldn’t believe the wrinkly faces staring back at them. Their predictions for their future selves included, “I’ll be bald,” “I’ll lie on the couch all day,” and “I’ll scratch my back on a tree!” Safe to say, there were lots of giggles as everyone imagined themselves as grandparents one day.

Thank you once again to every grandparent who came along to celebrate with us. Seeing the children proudly share their special photos, artwork and the many reasons they love their grandparents made for a truly memorable celebration. We hope our grandparents enjoyed the morning just as much as we did!

In Pre-Primary we have started a process called Draw, Talk, Write and Share during our literacy learning time. We begin by drawing a picture on a topic and enjoy a good chat with our classmates about what we are drawing. Then we label some of the things in our picture. On the last day we use our pictures and labels to write a sentence about what we have drawn. Look at us hard at work creating independent texts. Our teachers are very proud of our learning!

This term in Physical Education, students have been developing their soccer skills through a range of fun and engaging activities. They have been practising dribbling, passing, shooting and teamwork while building their confidence and game awareness. Last Friday, our Year Six students also had the opportunity to participate in the Have a Go Day, where they enjoyed trying a variety of sports and activities, demonstrating great enthusiasm, teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the day.

We’re still basking in the glitter and glow from our School Disco, and what a fantastic evening it was! It was wonderful to see so many students on the dance floor enjoying themselves, with plenty of parents getting into the spirit of the night too. One of the highlights was seeing families catching up and making new connections in the Koortoomitji Garden, particularly amongst our Early Childhood families. These moments are exactly what make our school community so special.

The evening was packed with dancing, twirling, laughter and lots of smiles, creating memories that our students will treasure for a long time.

A huge thank you goes to our amazing P & F Committee for organising such a wonderful event, and to every parent and family member who volunteered their time before, during and after the disco. Events like these simply wouldn’t happen without the generosity of our volunteers, and we are incredibly grateful for your support.

We would also like to acknowledge our generous sponsors, whose contributions helped make the evening such a success:

• Pink Lake Butchers and Brumby’s Esperance for donating the delicious sausages and bread that kept everyone well fed.
• Coffee Cat, Dear Village Bookstore and Toy Station for their fantastic prize donations.
• Jake Meadley for keeping the dance floor pumping all night with an incredible playlist.
• Dixon Construction for transforming our school hall into the perfect disco venue.

Thank you all for helping create such a memorable night for our school community.

We would also like to sincerely thank everyone who generously provided food and morning tea items for David’s memorial service at the end of last term. Your kindness and willingness to contribute were greatly appreciated by our school community and by Sonya and her family. They remain in our thoughts during this difficult time.

Looking ahead, the P & F recently met with Mr Gordon for a walk around the school grounds to discuss some ideas for improving and maintaining our wonderful school environment. We are currently planning a community Busy Bee for later this term or early in Term 4. Whether you can spare an hour or a morning, we’d love as many families as possible to get involved. It’s a great opportunity to show pride in our school, work alongside other families and make a lasting difference to the spaces our children enjoy every day. Keep an eye out for more details soon—we hope to see you there!