Newsletter 14 March 2018

Principal's Message

Easter Approaches
Looking for inspiration, I Googled 'easter approaches' and was presented with links to:

• Why is Easter called Easter?
• Where can you catch the Easter Bunny in Perth?
• Easter at Big W
• How to calculate the date of Easter?
• Did Cadburys eliminate the word Easter?
• Egg hunt officially open

Nowhere on that first page was there anything about the Christian feast of Easter, unless it was in the Facebook link to 'Sheep and Easter'. While I was interested, I do not have a Facebook page and so was denied the insights that may have been hiding there.

What truly saddened me is the fairly clear implication that Easter is, for most, a chance to indulge in chocolate and otherwise, is a bit of a mystery. Like Christmas, the feast day has been usurped by commercial interests which have absolutely buried the significance of both days in the interests of making a profit.

But hope springs eternal! I sincerely hope that in the 345 families that are part of the OLG school community, the Christian significance of Easter will take centre stage. The Kenworthys will certainly over indulge in chocolate to the delight of those commercial interests but we will reinforce to one another, and particularly the children, that those eggs are a symbol of the new life promised by the resurrection of Jesus.
The message of Easter is the foundation stone of the Catholic faith. Without it Catholicism is just a cult following. We believe that Jesus, the Son of God, died, was buried and rose again three days later. That, posit, was what turned the disciples from followers into believers. They we there. They saw Him die and be entombed. That should have been the end but it wasn't, for Jesus spent time with his followers in the days after.
It is Jesus' conquering of death and his promise that we may join Him in heaven that are the cornerstones of our faith. Easter is the BIG; the MAIN celebration for Christians. It is what our Christian hopes are pinned on.

I have spent much of the past week or so speaking to teachers individually about the students and how they are going about addressing the particular needs of each child. It has been an interesting, informative and gratifying process hearing just how well they know each child, his/her family background and academic and social needs.

Of course, the more important aspect has been just how they are using those insights to ensure their teaching is effective for each child. We are blessed with highly competent, caring and professional staff and I have not been disappointed in the manner in which they are differentiating their teaching to match each child's needs.

Stage 8a
Apart from attending to minor faults, which are to be expected at this stage of such a significant building project, stage 8a is all but complete.
If all has gone as expected, by this time tomorrow, the Celtic cross, which used to sit on the ridge cap of the convent, will have been installed on the ridge cap above the admin building, forever reminding us all of the heritage gifted to us by the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth.

The foundation stones from the convent have been mounted in a column at the front of Building 2, on the site of the convent.

With the builder's fencing now removed we get a sense of the 'flow' between the 'old' buildings and hard court area and the 'new'. After the central three rooms are demolished later this year, this sense of 'flow' will pervade the entire area between 'old' and 'new'. (Mind, big chunks of the 'old' were constructed in the last ten years.)

Nature Play Area
While the larger grassed area to the east of the Nature Playground is for all children to enjoy, the Nature Play area is actually an extension of the surrounding early childhood classrooms. Hence, each of these rooms is fitted with bifold doors to link their interior learning area with this exterior learning area.

This is most evident in the setup of the Pre Kindy classroom and its exclusive outdoor area. The Early Years Learning Framework and the National Quality Standards emphasise the importance of both indoor and outside play as part of the curriculum.

We are extremely fortunate to have been building at this time in history which has given us the chance to create a seamless flow between the two areas for our Pre Kindy, Kindy and Pre Primary children.

Just as parents would not presume to take their children to play inside a classroom after school, you are asked not to treat their outdoor space any differently - it is merely an extension of their classrooms.
What you see now is the first phase of the development of the Nature Playground - we ran out of money to do it all! Still to come are areas aimed at developing upper body strength; probably more sand pit area; and other such developments that will be proposed by our ECE staff's research into what makes for the ideal outdoor learning area for our children.

Free to Good Home
The landscaper has planted two pepper trees immediately to the south of the hall. In hindsight the positioning of these two trees seems inappropriate and they are to be removed. Should a school community member want to acquire one or both these trees please speak to me before next Wednesday. At that time, they will be dug out and disposed of, unless they have been taken to where they may have a long and shade-providing life.

Access to School
The Kiss and Drive zone is the preferred option unless children need to be walked to their classroom.

Park and Walk
Parents now have the option of parking near the bowling club and entering through our new SW gate, in addition to the existing entries of the ramp adjacent to the church and the eastern staircase. (Be warned, that for a good part of Stage 8b, the latter entry will be fenced off as part of the building site.)

Some might say they need to carry their child's bag for them and so choose this option rather than K&D. In doing so you are effectively saying to the child that they are not capable of carrying their own bag. You are 'telling' them that there are real limitations to their capabilities. My mother-in-law used to have to walk several miles to and from the school to her family farm every day from the time she commenced in Year One. Not only did it do no harm, it probably built a sense of her own capability and can only have been good for her health. She was certainly a confident and highly capable woman when I came to know her.

Regardless of how our students enter the school each morning, they must go directly to the Year One and Two courtyard and gather there until the 8.15am bell sounds. They are then welcome to move to their classrooms or the hardcourt area, but nowhere else.

Position Vacated
Sadly for us, Mrs. Caroline Gammage, our Publicity Officer, is moving on from her position at OLG to a full-time role at PLC. Caroline has been instrumental in developing OLG's online presence, improving the appearance of our website, providing photos for the newsletter and improving its appearance and much more. While obviously unhappy to lose her talents and professional devotion, we are equally excited for her to be moving on to a full time position as part of the substantial PR team at PLC.

Our loss, their gain - and they have gained a good one!

Caroline made the following comment: “The sense of community that exists at this school is very rare and something you should be extremely proud of.”

Her leaving may open up an opportunity for a school community member. Watch this space.

Term 1 Calendar 2018 - click here

Please contact Peta Taylor on 0419 260832 if you can help out with volunteering.

To access our online order system please visit www.ouronlinecanteen.com.au. Instructions for signing up are on the website or you can contact the Support line on 1300 116 637 for assistance.

IMPORTANT NOTICE - Please read

There are an increasing number of online orders that are not being captured due to parents not confirming their orders. Once you have placed an order please check your confirmation email or your "active orders" section to ensure your order has been placed, as we are getting numerous children at canteen quite upset that they haven't received their lunches.

New Recess Item - from 19th March 2017

Hot Cross Buns fruit & fruitless $1.50 

Lent Special on Fridays

• Natpoletano Sauce (meat free) with pasta spirals - $3.50
• Arancini - Mini Cheese Ball - $1.50

Canteen Menu - click here

Canteen Roster Term 1 2018 - click here

This week’s assembly will be presented by students of 4G. Parents of 4G children are invited to the staff room after the assembly for a cuppa with Mrs Halley McCormack
Congratulations to the students who received merit awards at the last assembly.

 Library Roster

Congratulations to Alex (5G) and Sebastian (3B) Catalano and family on the arrival of your brother Jordi.

 The Year 5 classes will be holding a cake stall in the Multi Purpose Area on Friday 16th March. Please come along and help support their fundraiser. A reminder to the Year 5 parents who will be baking for the cake stall that OLG has a Nut Free policy.

Jake Poat (3B)  is competing at the BMX Nationals competition next week in Bunbury. Good luck Jake.

Hi OLG families,

I have taken on role as Events co-ordinator for OLG.. I have big shoes to fill as Di has done such a wonderful job over last several years.

We have lots of new and exciting events planned this year.

Our first event is the OLG Family Picnic. This will be a great event with a scavenger hunt for the kids, live music and face painting.

We would love to see you all there.

I am very excited for the year ahead.

Thank you,
Amanda Doherty

Easter Egg Hampers

It’s that time of year again, when we celebrate Easter with family and friends. It is also a chance for us to help those who might be alone or not able to afford Easter. Each year the school community gives Easter Egg hampers to those in need. We join with Saint Vincent De Paul to give out hampers to families, couples, refugees, elderly in our community.

Can you please bring in a donation of Easter eggs or Easter gift bags for us to put together for those who need a gift this Easter.

Bring the donations straight to the office or leave in your child’s classroom. Anyone who is free to help put them all together, please contact me on carolynhalleen@iinet.net.au we will do this on Thursday 22 March, in the morning after school drop off in the MPA, your donations and help is very much appreciated. Carolyn Halleen

WALKATHON,

A reminder that the Walkathon cards will be coming home this week. We would like the children to collect as many sponsors as possible – aunts, uncles, friends, neighbours etc to support them in the Walkathon. All monies raised will go towards a shade sail to be placed over the play equipment in the Adventure Playground. The event will be held on Friday 6th April, 2018 at 1.30 pm. For this event we will need some volunteers on the day. If you can help out on the day from approx. 1.15pm please put your name down in the office or contact Carolyn Halleen 0413 591 810 or Linda D’Vaz on 0411 125 787. You don’t need to walk, just stamp cards as the kids come past and siblings/grandparents are welcome.

“OLG Run for Fun” is a free running club where kids of all ages and fitness levels can come together before school to run and exercise in a positive and supportive environment. Parents and grandparents are encouraged to run with the kids and have fun.

We all know running is a great way to get fit, but it offers so much more. Kids who exercise in the morning are generally more engaged and focused during lesson time. Running clubs enable kids to build friendships and have fun. Running builds healthy hearts and minds and brings joy to children.

OLG Run for Fun is run by volunteer parents each Tuesday and Thursday morning during school terms and has now commenced. The more parents, the more fun! OLG Run for Fun will include some warm up activities and games and there will be a couple of running courses, of different lengths, around Charles Riley Reserve to suit different ages and fitness levels. There will be no free breakfast or awards - it’s just for fun.

As the club is run by volunteer parents, students in Year 3 or below must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to ensure adequate supervision. A permission slip for all students must be completed before your child can participate. Permission slips will be available for signing at the first session your child chooses to attend.

Days: Every Tuesday and Thursday morning
Start time: 7.40am to 8.15am (volunteer parents will then walk kids to school)
Where: Meet at the south east corner of the football clubrooms at Charles Riley Reserve
What to bring: Drink bottle, sneakers and the right attitude
Cost: Nil
Commitment: None – simply come for a run if you want to have fun
Parents: Please run with your kids, they (and you) will love having you involved
Remember: Eat breakfast at home first or bring something to eat after the run.
Volunteers: More parent volunteers are always required, please click on the link
below to let us know if your available to help out during the sessions.
More Info: Contact Dave Nelson or Ann Howard on 0412 771 741 or
email oannhoward82@gmail.com

RUN FOR FUN ROSTER 2018:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JRey7agUGdaD_mp5no9uJFAcTZ_g2D_GTJvoLIWcL_w/edit?usp=sharing

Don’t forget to add the Run for Fun Club group in Flexi Buzz

The body achieves what the mind believes.

Student Authorisation form - click here 

Netball News

Basketball News

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME
CONFIRMATION
FAITH FORMATION - 13th March, 7 pm in the Parish Centre
ENQUIRY WEEKEND - 17th/18th March. Attend any ONE of the weekend masses - Saturday evening 6 pm, Sunday 7.30, 9.30 am and 5.30 pm
ENROLMENT - 24th/25th March
PARENT/CHILD WORKSHOP - 5th April
COMMITMENT WEEKEND - 7th/8th April. Attend any ONE of the weekend masses.
SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION - 26th/27th May
THANKSGIVING AND COMMISSIONING - 24th June at 5.30 pm
Attendance at all these sacramental events is required in order for your child to receive the sacrament. 

Sacramental Timetable - click here

WEEKEND MASS TIMES
Saturday Vigil: 6.00pm
Sunday: 7.30am, 9.30am & 5.30pm
Children’s Liturgy: Sunday 9.30am (During school terms)

DAILY MASS TIMES
Monday 6.45 a.m.
8.30am Communion Liturgy (Deacon Paul)
Tuesday 6.45am & 9.00am
Wednesday 6.45am & 9.00am
Thursday 6.45am
10.00am Trinity Village All Welcome
Friday 6.45a.m & 9.00am
Saturday 8.00am Please note, this is NOT a weekend Mass

Iona Presentation College Scholarship - click here

Iona Presentation College will be hosting two Open Mornings in March and one later in September this year. For more information, click here

Paul Litherland, from Surf Online Safe will be attending Newman College on Monday 19th March, to conduct a prsentation ont he subject of cyber safety. Paul's prsentations are very informative and offer some great tips and tricks on how to keep kids safe online, as well as how to stay one step ahead of them in the online world.

Relationships Australia - What's on in West Leederville - click here