OLOF TIMES
24 July 2020
Our Vision
Our Lady of Fatima Palmyra is a Catholic School that aspires to
provide a respectful, secure and caring learning environment
where our community is committed to following
the teachings of Jesus.
From the Principal
Dear Parents,
Welcome back to the new school term, it is great to see all the smiles on the children’s faces as they return to school after their break from the school routines. While we continue to feel fortunate to live in Western Australia , we need to continue to remain vigilant in the current COVID climate, given the circumstances in Victoria at the moment. We have our first whole school assembly scheduled for Friday 7th August and have chosen to hold off until then before we have our first whole school gathering. This means we will not be having Monday morning assemblies or Liturgical singing until after Friday 7th August. In consultation with Fr Francis, we have also chosen not to have a whole school Mass until the last week of this term out of respect for Fr Francis and our older parishioners who find themselves in the most vulnerable category. Again, we hope things will return to normal sooner rather than later.
Visiting Teacher/Counsellor at OLOF
From the start of Term 3 we welcome two students from Notre Dame university who continue to learn their chosen craft and have the opportunity to develop their skills and expertise at our school. This is also of great benefit to our children who have some extra people on our team able to support them. Miss Georgia Lee who is completing her final teaching prac in our Year 1 classroom before she qualifies with a Bachelor of Education (Early Learning) at the end of this year. The Year 1 children will really benefit from the extra pair of hands assisting Sabrina Reardon and the EA’s in the classroom. We also welcome Brieanna Mulligan-Bilbe to our community who is completing her Masters of Counselling degree at Notre Dame university. Brieanna has already spent time in each classroom learning about the social dynamics and the different stages of social and emotional development the children go through as they progress through primary school. Brieanna is timetabled to spend time in each classroom coinciding with the class teachers teaching the Highway Heroes and Protective Behaviours programmes this semester. There will also be time in Brieanna’s timetable (Wednesdays and Fridays) to spend with children by themselves or in small groups in a counselling role supporting children as they navigate their way through any social and emotional concerns. Class teachers will initiate conversation with parents prior to Brieanna working with a child or children. Parents are asked to liaise with class teachers too, if there is something worrying their child and they feel as if they could benefit from spending some time with Brieanna. The staff has really embraced both Georgia and Brieanna and I know the broader community will too.
Protective Behaviours
Term 3 has been earmarked to cover the Protective Behaviours curriculum with all children in our school. Between now and the end of Term 3, the children K-6 will complete their Protective Behaviours focus as they work through their age appropriate Protective Behaviours curriculum. Across many Catholic schools, we use the Keeping Safe programme. This program is based on the belief that all children and young people have a right to be treated with respect and be protected from harm. The children are asked for their opinions about things that affect them and are listened to, to ensure they feel safe in their interactions with adults and other children. If you would like to know more about this mandated curriculum, please do not hesitate to contact class teachers or myself.
Puppet Show
Many families will be aware that we have a little boy in Year 2 who was diagnosed with a tumour during Term 2 and has subsequently had surgery and started a treatment programme. The boy’s extended family and friends have certainly provided a great deal of support during this difficult time, which has been very much appreciated by the family. In preparation for him transitioning back to school slowly in the coming weeks, we have organised a “Puppet Show” through the Camp Quality organisation. This “Puppet Show” will portray important information to the children about the tumour, the treatment and assist the children to understand a little more about this. So, next Wednesday 29th July, the school will be divided into 2 groups:
Pre-Primary to Year 2 from 10am – 10:30am
Year 3 to Year 6 from 11am – 12noon
to watch the presentation in the hall to become more informed about the Year 2 boy’s situation and how we can support him as he transitions back to school.
As a school community, at the request of Camp Quality, we will also be organising a “footy colours” day where the children can come to school in their favourite footy colours for a gold coin donation and the proceeds of this fundraiser will go to Camp Quality to allow them to continue their work in this area. In the meantime, we will continue to support one of our families as they continue to navigate their way through a challenging time.
Sacramental Programmes
We are happy to have had the opportunity to commence our sacramental programmes for 2020. The Year 4 children attended their retreat day on Tuesday at the Schoenstatt Shrine to commence the preparation programme for the sacrament of Holy Communion which they will receive on the weekend of 12th and 13th September. We are still waiting to confirm details regarding our Confirmation programme for 2020.
P&F Contribution to our School.
I would like to acknowledge the P&F for their generosity in paying for the materials for the construction of the “cage” in the undercover area under the hall which now houses the chess pieces so that the children can play chess at recess and lunchtime. Our P&F also paid for the painting of the chess board adjacent to the cage as well, it is very much appreciated by the children. I would also like to thank and acknowledge Cleto Piani for the construction of the cage over the holidays, his time, effort and expertise is also very much appreciated.
Swimming Lessons
I’m not sure that there is a good time for swimming lessons but this year they have been booked for the middle of Term 3, for the fortnight starting Monday 17th August. Given that the swimming lessons are a Government operated programme we get access to the timeslots left, after the government schools have chosen their preferences. A reminder to parents of Year 5 and 6 children, they will not be participating in the swimming lesson programme this year, a decision we made as a result of them being proficient swimmers and already having a busy semester with their year level camps later in the year. More information will follow over the coming weeks.
Attendance Audit
We have an “Attendance Audit” happening next week where we need to provide evidence of every child’s school attendance or explanation for absence since the start of 2020 and this is all related to the State and Commonwealth Government funding we receive. To this end, a number of families received absentee notes after school on Wednesday. If you have not already returned those notes, if you could please do so at the start of next week it would be much appreciated to ensure we have all the required documentation for the attendance records.
School Photos
A reminder to all parents that we have a revised date for School Photos, Monday 3rd August for the children in Kindergarten to Year 6 and Tuesday 4th August for our Pre-Kindy children. Many families have already pre-paid for their photos, the photographer has re-assured us that those payments will be transferred across to the new date/process for school photos.
Public Speaking
It has been great to see all the children in our school work through the Public Speaking programme. Showcasing our Public Speaking will take place on Friday 31st July after lunch. Six children (two from each class) have been selected from Years 1-3 and 8 speakers (two from Year 4 and three each from both Year 5 and 6) have been selected from Years 4-6. We have chosen to split the school in half for the afternoon, just choosing to take a conservative approach with wholeschool gatherings for the first few weeks of the term in the current climate. Parents are welcome to join us in the hall to celebrate the talents of the children. The session times will be:
Years 1-3 – 1:30pm to 2pm
Years 4-6 – 2pm – 2:50pm
Jury Duty
Finally, I have been summoned to Jury Duty on Monday 27th July and the expectation seems to be for me to be available for at least the whole of next week. Hopefully I won’t be needed for too long and it won’t disrupt my role here at school too much, but just wanting to let everyone in the community know that I won’t be as available in person or via email until the Jury Duty is over.
Best wishes for the coming fortnight.
Paul Hansen
Principal
Dates to Remember
Wednesday 29th July
School Board Meeting
Friday 31st July
Public Speaking presentations
Years 1-3 from 1:30pm – 2pm
Years 4-6 from 2pm – 2:50pm in the hall
Monday 3rd August
School Photo Day (Kindy – Year 6)
Tuesday 4th August
School Photo Day (Pre-Kindy)
Friday 7th August
Year 4 Assembly
Friday 14th August
Assumption of Mary Liturgy led by Years 2 and 6
Monday 17th August
Swimming Lessons begin
‘Online & Technology Safety’ with Mr La Roche
Welcome back to another term, I hope you have all had an enjoyable break with your families. This week’s guide looks at ways that parents can start conversations with their children around online safety. This can be a difficult topic to broach for some parents so hopefully this guide will give you some starting points and helpful suggestions.
SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPH INFORMATION
Please read the information below - online ordering expires 10th Aug 2020
‘P&F Community wellness Committee Update’
Term 3 – A Wellbeing Focus
The start of a new term is a fantastic time for us to embrace some new short term goals and perhaps renew our commitment and enthusiasm for existing long term goals.
As a community, our ultimate goals at Fatima centre on living a life with purpose and being the best version of ourselves that we can possibly be. Attending to our health and wellbeing right now, is a critical ingredient in achieving those ultimate goals.
With this in mind, and considering the turbulent first half of 2020, the P&F Wellbeing Sub-Committee is launching a Wellbeing Theme initiative for Term 3. This will involve our school community exploring and experiencing a range of themes and associated activities, vital to the development and maintenance of positive wellbeing.
Mr La Roche will be preparing the Yr 6 Leaders to introduce and demonstrate these themes to the rest of the students, in readiness for experiencing special activities designed and proven to enhance wellbeing.
Wk 1 & 2 – Yr 6 preparation.
The following weeks of Term 3 will focus on a different Wellbeing Theme every fortnight:
Wk 3 & 4 – Gratitude
Wk 5 & 6 – Forgiveness
Wk 7 & 8 – Courage
Wk 9 & 10 – Patience & Compassion
Perhaps Wk 1 & 2 are also an opportunity for a family conversation at dinner, on the way to school etc… about what contributes to individuals’ and a community’s positive wellbeing. Food for thought:
Stay tuned for more information!
To Join simply click on the link below
School Lunch orders every Monday and Thursday.
Tennis coaching is back for Term 3
Tennis coaching before school is back in Term 3 at the new time of 7.15 a.m. to 8 a.m.
Year 3 to 6 play Wednesdays and Years 1 & 2 play Fridays.
See marshallstennis.com.au for enrolment details.
Contact Us
Email: admin@olof.wa.edu.au
Website: www.olof.wa.edu.au
Location: 3 Harris St, Palmyra WA, Australia
Phone: 08 9333 7900