OLOF TIMES

VISION

Nurturing lifelong learners who live out Jesus' message of love and peace.

MISSION

At Our Lady of Fatima School, we:

• Provide a holistic Catholic education where the teachings of Christ are lived, valued and promoted
• Strive for excellence and through contemporary pedagogies, support the resilience, curiosity, creativity and social and emotional wellbeing of each child.
• Foster a sense of community through meaningful relationships with students, staff, parents, parish and wider community.
• Maintain an innovative learning environment, embracing
• sustainable practices.

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we begin the final term of 2026, we welcome all students, staff and families back to school. The students have begun the term ready to learn and this first week has been wonderful! Term 4 provides an opportunity to renew our commitment to this year’s focus on Mission, reflecting on how we are called to live out our faith through our words, actions and service to others. Guided by Christ, may we continue to grow as a learning community that seeks excellence, shows compassion and embraces opportunities to make a positive difference in the lives of those around us. Together, let us finish the year with gratitude, purpose and a spirit of mission that strengthens our faith, learning and community.

On Tuesday, 13 October, we were pleased to welcome Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton to Our Lady of Fatima School as part of his visit to our parish community. Having spent time over the previous weekend meeting with Fr Ben, parishioners and members of the Parish Council, Bishop Sproxton’s visit highlighted the strong partnership between our parish and school. During his time with us, he shared his deep commitment to nurturing the faith of young people and he loved walking around the school and talking with students and staff.

The Parish is exploring the possibility of starting a new youth group, and they would love your input. Whether you’re a teen, young adult, parent, or simply passionate about supporting youth, please take a few minutes to complete the survey. Your feedback will help shape the group’s activities, meeting times, and areas of focus. An information session will be held soon to review the results and continue the conversation, and everyone is welcome to attend.

Scan the QR code to take the survey:

On Monday, our staff participated in a faith formation day, United in Faith: Inspired for Mission, providing an opportunity to reflect on our shared calling as educators in a Catholic community. We began the day by joining parishioners in praying the Rosary at the parish before exploring what mission means to us personally and how we contribute to the broader mission of Catholic education.

We were delighted to welcome Sister Shelley from the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions, who deepened our understanding of the missionary dimension of the Sisters’ charism, inspired by their foundress, Euphrasie Barbier. Sister Shelley reminded us that each person has a unique purpose and mission in life, with God’s Spirit guiding us according to our individual gifts, talents and personality. Reflecting on the words of St Teresa of Avila above, we were encouraged to recognise the important role we play in bringing Christ’s presence to the world through our daily actions and relationships.

In the afternoon, staff put mission into action by creating items for the Euphrasie Shop. Funds raised through the sale of these items will support our Sister School in Kenya, providing a practical and meaningful way for us to live out our commitment to love, peace and mission.

At the end of this year, we will farewell Megan Clarke, who will be concluding her time at Our Lady of Fatima School. Megan has made a valued contribution to our community through her dedication and support of students and staff. We thank her for all she has given to our school and wish her every success as she continues pursuing her goal of becoming a teacher.

As communicated to families last term, I will be concluding my time at Our Lady of Fatima School at the end of 2026. The process to appoint our new Principal is currently underway and is being managed by Catholic Education Western Australia. As this is a thorough process, it will take some time to complete. We will keep the community informed and look forward to sharing news of the successful appointment once it has been finalised.

Have a lovely weekend,

Jacinta Petersen

Principal

• Monday 19 October- Interschool athletics training 7:45am
• Wednesday 21 October- Interschool athletics training 7:45am; School tour for prospective families 10am
• Thursday 22 October- Year 5 attending Parish Mass 9am
• Friday 23 October- Interschool Athletics Carnival
• Tuesday 27 October- P&F Meeting 6:30pm
• Wednesday 28 October- Children’s Week Prayer Service led by Year 2 8:50am
• Thursday 29 October- Year 4 attending Parish Mass 9am
• Friday 30 October- World Teachers’ Day; Mass to honour All Saints led by Year 3 9am
• Tuesday 3 November- Interschool Spelling Bee for selected students in Years 4 to 6; Catholic School Advisory Council 6pm
• Wednesday 4 November- Pre-Kindy 2027 Parent Information Night 5pm; Kindy 2027 Parent Information Night 6pm
• Thursday 5 November- Year 3 attending Parish Mass 9am; School tour for prospective families 10am
• Friday 6 November- Year 1 assembly 8:50am

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Don’t forget to follow along with our school calendar, available at https://www.olof.wa.edu.au/our-parents/calendar/

DATES FOR 2026

• Term 4 Tuesday 13 October- Friday 11 December.

In 2027, Catholic schools in Western Australia commence a mid-year three-week break. Term dates for 2027 are shown below. These now include scheduled pupil free days and the Catholic day.

• Pupil free day on Friday 26 February
• Easter falls on 28 March, and school will be closed on Friday 26 March, Monday 29 March and Tuesday 30 March

• Pupil free day on Monday 19 July
• Catholic day on Monday 23 August

• Pupil free day on Monday 11 October

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus challenges us to reflect on our responsibilities to both God and society, reminding us that while we live in the world, our ultimate allegiance belongs to God:

(Matthew 22:15-21)

The Pharisees went away to work out between them how to trap Jesus in what he said. And they sent their disciples to him, together with the Herodians, to say, ‘Master, we know that you are an honest man and teach the way of God in an honest way, and that you are not afraid of anyone, because a man’s rank means nothing to you. Tell us your opinion, then. Is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not?’ But Jesus was aware of their malice and replied, ‘You hypocrites! Why do you set this trap for me? Let me see the money you pay the tax with.’ They handed him a denarius, and he said, ‘Whose head is this? Whose name?’ ‘Caesar’s’ they replied. He then said to them, ‘Very well, give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar – and to God what belongs to God’.

Some of our Year 4, 5 and 6 students participated in the Interschool Cricket Carnival on Wednesday. Congratulations to our A grade Boys team, were placed first overall, winning the shield. Our B grade Boys team came second, and our two Girls teams placed sixth. We were proud of the way our students participated in the day. A sincere thank you to Miss Moore for coordinating the Fatima teams, and to Miss Cream, Miss Lomma and Miss Boatwright for their support.

Grace and William's craft entries into the Royal show both scored first place in their respective categories and they both won best in show for all entries in U12 and U8 respectively!

The theme was orchard.

Grace designed, sewed and embroidered a skirt.

William entered the 100% recycled materials category and created a bee on a flower. He made the bees wings out of newspaper wrapping and held it together with all the stickers from the fruit he ate! As he wrote on his project description, he chose to create a bee because without bees we wouldn’t have fruit. The idea born out of listening to a squiz kids (triple j) podcast on bee droving!

If you have some ‘Fabulous Fatima’ news, please email principal@olof.wa.edu.au.

Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten enrolments are now open for 2027. Interviews will be taking place In Term 4. If you have not submitted your entry/ enrolment form, please do so as places are limited, which are available at: https://www.olof.wa.edu.au/enrol-with-us/

Please note the priorities for enrolment in a Catholic school:

• Catholic students from the parish with a Parish Priest reference
• Catholic students from outside the parish with a Parish Priest reference
• Other Catholic students
• Siblings of non-Catholic students
• Non-Catholic students from other Christian denominations
• Other non-Catholic students

Please contact Gaynor or Jemma at admin@olof.wa.edu.au if you require a hard copy entry/ enrolment applicant form or if have any questions.

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Seton’s tours commence with a 15-minute information session led by senior staff members, providing valuable insights into the College’s ethos, programs, and community. Following this, student leaders guide visitors on a campus tour, offering a firsthand look at Seton’s facilities and learning environment. The tour concludes with morning tea, where families can engage with senior staff and student leaders in an informal setting—an excellent opportunity to ask questions and gain further insights into life at Seton Catholic College. For more information or to book a tour, please visit Seton’s website.

As we begin Term 4, please be reminded that we move back to Summer uniform. There is a 2-week transition period, so for Weeks 1 and 2 of Term 4, students in Years 3-6 can wear either their Summer or Winter uniform. However, from Week 3 onwards, all students are required to wear the appropriate items on the days designated by their teachers.

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The P&F is led by a volunteer group of parents, each of whom are elected to office bearer positions. The P&F Committee membership conditions are:

(a) a commitment and desire to promote Catholic education;

(b) a commitment and desire to give service to the school;

(c) a commitment to the safety, wellbeing and pastoral care of all students and staff;

(d) an ability to work cooperatively and constructively with the Principal, school leadership team, the School Advisory Council and other members of the P&F; and

(e) a sufficiency of time to devote to P&F duties.

More information about the roles is available here.

If you would like to nominate for the P&F Executive or seek further information, please complete the following form by Friday 30 October (5pm): Catholic School Advisory Council and Parents & Friends (P&F) Association Nomination Form – Fill out form

The Catholic School Advisory Council comprises the Principal (ex-officio), Parish Priest (ex-officio), one person from the Parish Council who is nominated by the Parish Priest and between four and six persons. There are some vacancies for the School Advisory Council in 2027. Membership conditions are as follows:

• A commitment and desire to promote Catholic education and give service to the Catholic school community;
• A commitment to the safety, wellbeing and pastoral care of all students and staff;
• An ability to work cooperatively and constructively with the Principal, school leadership team and all other members of the Advisory Council;
• The possession of skills, competencies and experience that are reflective of, relevant and beneficial to the Catholic school community; and
• A sufficiency of time to devote to Advisory Council duties.

More information about the role of the School Advisory Council is available here. Experience with Finance, Marketing or Building would be beneficial.

If you would like to nominate for the P&F Executive OR Catholic School Advisory Council or seek further information, please complete the following form by Friday 30 October (5pm): Catholic School Advisory Council and Parents & Friends (P&F) Association Nomination Form – Fill out form

Our school has been asked to circulate the information below regarding the Catholic School Parents Australia (CSPA) 2026 Parent Survey on Student Wellbeing and Learning, that is being conducted by CSPA and the University of New England. Those interested in participating can click the link for more information, and for contact details of the research team should you have any questions: https://unesurveys.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bDFBiwnMuAjB0Ue

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Please note this is live now and parents are diverted as soon as they reach School Lunch Online with all their account details moved across automatically.

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Support our school at Gilbert's fresh market and The Foodies BasketSupport our school at Gilbert's fresh market and The Foodies Basket

Gilbert's Support Our School Program donates 1% of the money spent by you to your nominated school every time you shop with us! Sign up for free at the checkout and scan each time you shop.

Email: admin@olof.wa.edu.au
Website: www.olof.wa.edu.au
Location: 3 Harris St, Palmyra WA, Australia
Phone: 08 9333 7900