Dear Parents and Carers,

Salvado House Mass

Today we celebrated the Salvado House Mass. Bishop Salvado showed incredible generosity and respect during his life. He is remembered for the love and sympathy he showed for the Aboriginal community at New Norcia. The prayer above speaks to making time and space for God which is a fitting message as we prepare our hearts and minds for the upcoming Season of Lent. Thank-you to Mrs Fernando, Ms Mouttet, Mrs Alp and the staff that have chosen to be in the Salvado House for preparing and coordinating the Mass. Thanks also to the students who took an active part in participating in the Mass this morning.

Father Thai suggested that we initiate a House Award to recognise students that demonstrate the charism and character traits of the significant Catholics that the house was named after. Our inaugural winners of the Salvado Award are Aaliyah Koers and Rachel Steel. Congratulations to these students.

Community Mass

Last weekend, we held our first Community Mass for the year. This Mass is always a special celebration, where the staff and parent leaders of the school are commissioned by the parish. This is important in recognising our commitment to these roles and the important relationship we have with our parish. Thank-you to the parent leaders that attended.

Yvonne and Alexandra from Year 5 were awarded the first Faith in Action Awards for the year for the project that they have instigated based on our school motto. They will be leading a team to plan for a “To Give is to Receive Week” where we can focus on living our motto.

School Advisory Council

On Thursday evening our School Advisory Council met for the first time this year. These committed parent leaders give their time to assist in improving our school for students, staff and community. The role of the Advisory Council is to different to a private board of directors; playing an important role in building relationships across the school community. "The role of the Advisory Council is to support principals in fulfilling their responsibilities in leading the Catholic Identity, Education, Community and Stewardship functions of their school."

I would like to personally thank the following Advisory Council members:

Craig Petta – Chairperson

Chris Mattock – Deputy Chair Person

Barbara Cook – Secretary

David Giuffre – Treasurer

Candice Van Kampen – Member

Carmelle Wilkinson – Member

Shehan Goonetilleke - P and F Representative

Father Thai – Parish Priest

Gary Dunlop – Parish Representative

P and F Association

The P&F also demonstrate commitment to our school and assist in community building and fundraising for special projects and initiatives which particularly benefit our students. CEWA in consultation with Catholic School Parents WA, has adopted new Terms of Reference for P and F Associations to follow. There have been refinements made to the P and F function, processes and financial management. Adoption of these Terms of Reference was endorsed at the Annual Community Meeting and come into place this year.

I would like to personally thank the following P and F Executive Members:

Shehan Goonetilleke – President

Janet Kearney – Vice President

Priya Narsing – Treasurer

The P and F are seeking to fill the following positions

Secretary:

Class Representative Coordinator:

Please contact the P and F if you can assist or share one of these roles. You are invited to the first P and F Meeting on Monday 20th February. Please note the change of evening which will be trialed, due to parent feedback to the P and F Executive.

Communication

At Orana we value communication between home and school. Your class teacher is the first port of call. Teachers will respond to your communication as soon as practical after receiving your message. At times they cannot respond before school due to meetings or during the day while teaching. They will get back to you within a reasonable time frame. If urgent, please call Deb in the office. If after speaking to the class teacher you require further support, please email Kathryn Alp.

Website Links

A Term 1 Planner is available on the website under News and Events – Calendars or via the following link: https://www.orana.wa.edu.au/calendar This includes sacramental and key dates for the year. Please regularly check the Dates to Remember section of the newsletter for updates. Catholic Education WA’s Executive Directive (Policy statements) and various school-based guidelines are also available on the school website, including our Code of Conduct and School Behaviour Support Guidelines. Please take a few minutes to review these documents. https://www.orana.wa.edu.au/policies/

Ash Wednesday Mass

Next Wednesday we will celebrate Ash Wednesday Mass at 9.30am in the Hall. We invite you to join us on the Holy Day of Obligation.

Best wishes and God bless.

Dee Johnston

PRINCIPAL

Did you know Orana is a registered Crunch & Sip School?

Participating in a daily in class Crunch & Sip break provides an opportunity for children to drink water and eat an extra serve of vegetables or fruit to support good health and to help with learning and concentration in the classroom.

Are you available for an hour or so on Wednesday? We are looking for some parent helpers to assist in shelving the library books. If you can assist, please drop in and see Monica Fernando in the library or send an email monica.fernando1@cewa.edu.au

Thank-you

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday is one of the most popular and important holy days in the liturgical calendar. Ash Wednesday opens Lent, a season of fasting and prayer. When we are asked to fast, our beliefs ask us to consider to fast (eliminate) anything that is blocking our relationship with God. What actions could you do to bring you closer to God this Lenten season?

Ash Wednesday takes place 46 days before Easter Sunday.

Ash Wednesday comes from the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting. The practice includes the wearing of ashes on the head. The ashes symbolise the dust from which God made us. As the priest applies the ashes to a person's forehead, he speaks the words: "Repent and believe in the Gospel."

Ashes also symbolise grief. In this case, grief that we have sinned and caused division from God.

Writings from the Second-century Church refer to the wearing of ashes as a sign of penance.

Priests administer ashes during Mass and all are invited to accept the ashes as a visible symbol of penance. The ashes are made from blessed palm branches, taken from the previous year's palm Sunday Mass. You are most welcome to join us for Mass on Wednesday at 9.30am in the school hall.

Monday - 20 February 2023 - P&F Meeting - 6.00pm (Please note change of day)

Monday - 20 February 2023 - Young Engineers Club

Tuesday - 21 February 2023 - Shrove Tuesday

Tuesday - 21 February 2023 - Project Compassion Launch

Wednesday - 22 February 2023 - Ash Wednesday - 9.30am

Thursday - 23 February 2023 - Make A Move

Friday - 24 Swimming Carnival Yr 4-6 - 9.00am

Friday - 24 February 2023 - Make a Move