Family and Faith
News from our Family Educator - Ms Tracey Bowler
Welcome back to Our Lady of Fatima Caringbah for another exciting year of learning, growing in love and faith and making friends. I hope you had a relaxing break with family and friends and are ready for a happy and fulfilling year ahead.
Welcome to the new families to our school!
It was lovely to meet and greet the new Kindergarten families last week at morning tea. I hope you made lots of new friends and enjoyed the Roots and Wings Prayer Pack which invites you to grow with your child (roots of a plant) and soar like a bird knowing that the sky’s the limit (feather).
Please let me know by email if you did not receive one and I will send one home with your child.
Lord, as we prepare for the coming of a new term.
Make us ready, attentive and available to hear you.
Thank You for the gift of being able to rise each day
with the assurance that You walk through it with us.
Thank You for the gifts of creativity, curiosity and uniqueness and the energy to put them to good use.
Please bless our OLF school community, our parish and all whom we come into contact with
So that through us, they will come to know and love you. Amen.
Thank you to the Kindy parents, carers and extended family members who were able to celebrate the first day of their child’s school life with a cup of tea/coffee and new friends. This was a golden opportunity to relax, share stories and connect with like minded people.
Fatima Friends Invitation-Come and join in the fun!
Pre-schoolers, toddlers and babies along with their parents and carers are warmly invited to attend Friday Fatima Friends in the Library on Friday mornings after Prayer Assembly.
Who: Pre-schoolers, toddlers and babies are also welcome and parents and carers
With: Tracey Bowler Family Educator/Teacher
What: Toddler Tales involves participating in a 30-minute teacher directed lesson which includes activities such as praying, singing, talking, dancing, movement, craft, sport and games.
Where: Meet in the Mercy Library at OLF after Assembly Prayer on the playground.
When: Fridays at 9.00 am - 9:45 am beginning- Friday 24th February
Happy Chinese Lunar New Year!
Xīnnián hǎo (新年好)
The Year of the Rabbit
We recommence Mandarin lessons at OLF this term and what better way to get ready than to learn this greeting.
The formal way of saying Happy New Year is"Xīnnián kuàilè" (phonetically pronounced "Shin-nyen Kwai-le"), which translates to "New Year happiness". In China, the celebration lasts 15 days, with the Spring Lantern Festival on the final day.
Healthy Ideas and Practical Tips for Parents
Parents may need some inspiration with planning lunch boxes as we settle into the new school year. Need new ideas on making healthy lunches and snacks? Or information on screen time and sleep, family fitness activities and healthy living programs? Click on these links to access some great resources especially helpful for new Kindergarten 2023 parents.
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday - Wednesday 22nd February
Take bitterness out of chocolate
From ACRATH (Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans)
Easter chocolate is already on the supermarket shelves, so let’s recommit to using our chocolate dollars to buy slavery-free chocolate this year. It’s also the right time to tell our families, friends and communities about the exploitation of children in chocolate production. You are encouraged to start buying slavery-free chocolate now – and to keep going after Easter. Your actions make a difference and have led to some significant improvements in the chocolate industry since 2008.
Family Masses 2023 - Save the Dates
At Family Masses EVERYONE is invited!
The first Family Mass will be organised for this term to welcome our Kindy families and new families to our school - date to be decided. Please put the following dates in your diary:
Saturday 27th May at 5.30pm
Led by Year 6 families celebrating Pentecost
Saturday 24th August at 5,30pm
Led by Year 3 families celebrating Eucharist
Saturday 4 November at 5.30pm
Led by Year 5 families welcoming Kindy 2024 families
Saturday 25th November at 5.30pm
Led by Year 2 families celebrating Reconciliation
Happy Saint Valentine’s Day!
And to finish off here is an informative video clip from Catholic Online for students in Years 3 - 6 and adults on the life of a much loved saint - St. Valentine.
Click on this to see more about St Valentine:
Wishing you much joy celebrating love with families and friends not only on St Valentine’s Day next Tuesday, February 14 but every day!
Tracey Bowler | Family Educator