From the Principal

Dear Families,

Welcome to another term and what appears to be the start of the much cooler weather.

I would like to welcome Mrs Rosalie Silvers back to Our Lady’s and particularly back to Year 3-4MS.  Rosalie has been on maternity leave and is very excited to be back and part of the school community again.  We farewell Mrs Lisa Trinh, Learning Support Officer, Lisa has been with us since the start of the school year, Lisa has accepted a position at another school closer to home and with longer hours.  Many thanks to Lisa for the way she has fitted in so well at Our Lady’s and for her work with the children.

Work has begun on the new adventure playground with the first stage of removal of the old shade sails completed on Monday and the removal of the old playground and surface yesterday.  It will now be all systems go for the new surfacing to be laid and the new playground installed.  

This term we have a whole school focus on environment and sustainability.  

Each levels area for further learnings and understandings:-

'Our Sustainable World' - Prep  

'Tip Toe Through Our World '- Year 1-2

‘Flushed Away: Pollution is a dirty word’ - Year 3-4  

'Our World, Our Responsibility' - Year 5-6

There is so much exciting learning ahead for the children, discovering and discussing the impact our actions have on our environment and consequently all the things we can do to change that.  As the mural in the playground says 'Change begins with Me!   This is a message for all of us.

From time to time things happen at school that cause upset and distress to children and to parents.  As we work together to build resilience in children we encourage them to first try and work through situations themselves.  If they are not successful then they need to let us know so we can support them with strategies that will help them with the current situation, but also for future situations if they should arise.  

Sometimes things may also happen that may cause concern for parents.  Please, please come and see your child’s teacher so we are aware and can work together toward a resolution.  If you feel you need to take it further please make a time to come and chat with me or call the school office to make an appointment.  If I am not available I will get back to you as soon as I can.  At no time should parents approach other parents in regard to incidents that happen at school,  this is not appropriate and can cause a great deal of stress and anxiety.  It is also important to remember that at times children’s perceptions of what happens may not be exactly what has taken place.  We are very good at following things up at school and when necessary making contact with those that need contacting.  

I also ask you to be mindful of the way you speak of incidents in front of others.  I know that no-one would be comfortable having their children or themselves being a topic of conversation  with others.  This is a wonderful school community and you will make lifelong friends here, it can be distressing when things that happen at school are taken out of context, misinterpreted or misunderstood and can therefore affect relationships.  Your children may not stay friends in the coming years but I can assure you from personal experience you will!

On Sunday all across Australia we celebrate ANZAC Day.  This a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders "who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations" and  acknowledges "the contribution and suffering of all those who have served".  Each grade has talked about the importance of ANZAC Day and how lucky we are as Australians to live in a free and peaceful country.  Each grade has made ANZAC poppies for us to make a school wreathe to be left at the ANZAC celebrations in Eltham on Sunday.  It may be a very early start to the day for many of us on Sunday, as we take part in Dawn Services,  but may we continue to work and pray for peace in our world.

I look forward to all the great things that will happen over the coming term as we all learn and grow together every day.

Until next week.

Therese

WANTED PLEASE

Any old copies of  ‘paper’ magazines like Frankie and Breathe that you no longer want and are happy to contribute to our SWELL Whole School Art Program for Term 2. 

Please drop them in at the school office. Thank you

(Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund)

Families holding a valid means-tested concession card or temporary foster parents are eligible to apply. A Special Consideration category also exists. Schools can receive applications from families over term one and two.

Families can list more than one student in the one application form if they are attending the same school.

FEES

Monthly Fee Payments  have commenced

Direct Debit on the 15th of each Month

Credit Cards 19th of each month

Please check your bank for withdrawals

If you have not handed in your fee commitment form please give Liz a call at the office

Links