OLOF TIMES
12 June 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,
It has been a very unsettled time across the world over the past fortnight, which makes me feels as if our National Reconciliation Week focus on Tuesday 2nd June was well timed. It was an opportunity to build an appreciation with the children on the need for all cultures to live and work together in harmony, particularly with our indigenous people. All class teachers engaged the children in discussion and activities to highlight the essence of Reconciliation and National Reconciliation Week across Australia.
As parents, look at the opportunity to discuss some of the unrest going on in different parts of the world stemming from the tragic events in the US recently. Some children will be too young to have even been aware of what is going on and if that is the case, obviously there is no need to bring it to their attention. But for the older children, if they are exposed to footage on the TV or conversations about what is happening, it may be worth helping them clarify their thinking and rationalising their thoughts about this, at an appropriate level, according to their emotional maturity.
New Drop Off/Pick Up Process
Thank you to all the parents for their flexibility with the new Drop Off/Pick Up process, the feedback has been very positive. My assumption is that we will continue with this process for a few weeks, there are obvious positives about the increased number of children being dropped off in the mornings. Increasing the number of children being dropped off on the Harris Street side of the school definitely balances the numbers out on the two sides of our campus at the busy times of the day which ensures a safer environment for the children.
Semester Reports
As previously mentioned, the Semester report reflective of the progress the children have made in the first half of the 2020 school year, due to the disjointed nature of the Semester with the COVID-19. We are working really hard to ensure we provide the most thorough feedback possible for the parents, particularly in the key learning areas.
You will also be aware that we sent out a survey gauging parent opinion about whether parents would prefer to stay with the hard copy report being sent home or change to an electronic version of the Semester report. As a result of the survey, a decision has been made to move across to the electronic copy of Semester report with over 70% of the respondents preferring the electronic copy to the more traditional hard copy report. Thank you to all the parents who responded to our survey. We will be sending out instructions over the next fortnight about how to access the Semester One reports electronically.
Sacramental Celebrations
We are currently putting a new plan together for the Sacramental Celebrations for 2020. There are still some unknowns about the Confirmation celebration, but we are certainly planning new dates for the Holy Communion celebration and the conclusion to the Reconciliation programme. Dates have not been confirmed yet but at this stage, Holy Communion celebrations will take place late Term 3 and the First Reconciliation services will take place early Term 4. As the information is confirmed parents will be informed.
School Choir
It was great to re-commence our School Choir with 18 children from Years 4-6 indicating their interest attending the before school sessions between 8am and 8:30am on Thursday mornings with Katrina Abreu, our Year 6 class teacher. As the group build their repertoire, it will be great to hear them perform for the school at assemblies, masses etc.
School Cross Country
We have revised our plan for a school cross country carnival at Millers Park on Friday 26th June. Our plan is to split the school into 2 groups: PP-2 and 3-6. We will run the younger children before lunch, starting at 11:15am and the older children after lunch, starting at 1:30pm. It is quite a different carnival compared to our normal one, due to the COVID-19 context and we have taken the opportunity to include the younger children to provide them with the experience too. All parents are welcome to come along and spectate, given that it is a new venue, we will need to work out designated areas for the children to sit, parents to spectate from etc. More details to follow!
Uniform
Thank you to the majority of parents who have ensured their children have transitioned quickly into the winter uniform. We are about to initiate a more formal approach in informing parents when their child does not present to school in the correct uniform. On Monday 22nd June and Tuesday 23rd June, we will formally go into each classroom to identify children not wearing the correct uniform and send parents notification reflecting this. We still have a number of boys (particularly in the older classes) wearing their summer shorts as opposed to the winter shorts or the long trousers and children not wearing the correct school grey socks and/or correct sport socks. The uniform shop is available for parents next Thursday prior to the “uniform blitz” and thank parents in anticipation for supporting us by adhering to our uniform policy.
Finally, we have had a significant number of children and staff away sick over the past fortnight with cold/flu symptoms. Thank you for your vigilance with this and I ask you to continue to keep children away from school with these symptoms ion the current climate.
Best wishes for the coming fortnight.
Paul Hansen
Principal
Dates to Remember
Wednesday 24th June
School Board Meeting
Friday 26th June
Pasta Day (P&F Fundraiser)
Friday 26th June
School Cross Country carnival
Monday 29th June
Occupational Therapy meeting for PP parents in the hall at 2pm
Wednesday 1st July
Farmyard on Wheels (PP Incursion) 1pm – 2pm
Friday 3rd July
Last day for students
Monday 20th July
Pupil free day
Tuesday 21st July
Students return
St. ANTHONY OF PADUA - PATRON OF LOST THINGS
Feast day - June13
Patron - of lost things
Saint Anthony was born Fernando de Boullion (Ferdinand Bulhom) in Lisbon, Portugal on August 15, 1195 to a wealthy and socially prominent family. Anthony was educated at the Cathedral School of Saint Mary near his home. His teachers suggested that he become a knight on the king's court, but his father objected. He argued that his son was not strong enough to become a knight and thought he was better suited to intellectual pursuits. He wanted Anthony to help him manage the family's estate and become a nobleman. To his father's dismay, Anthony decided to join the Canons Regular of St. Augustine at the age of 15. He entered St. Vincent's convent of Lisbon in 1210. During his first two years in the convent he was visited often by family and friends. Anthony felt that these visits distracted him from prayer and asked to be transferred to Holy Cross Monastery in Coimbra, then the capital of Portugal.
‘Online & Technology Safety’ with Mr La Roche
Gaming is an extremely popular pastime with over two thirds of Australians playing videogames regularly and 91% of household owning a gaming console. This hobby is often shared with young and older siblings and parents as well. It has many benefits, but there are also some potential dangers that parents should be aware of. This week’s safety guide looks at the Playstation 4 however many of these dangers and suggestions relate to other gaming consoles such as Xbox, Nintendo Switch and PC gaming. I hope you find some of this information useful.
SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPH INFORMATION
Please read the information below - online ordering expires 10th Aug 2020
P&F News
Dear Parents, as we tackle the challenges posed by work, family and life we are blessed and lucky to be part of the Our Lady of Fatima community. We have a unique opportunity to support one another and ensure the well-being of our parent body.
The P&F are still looking for anyone who would like to join a well-being P&F sub-committee to strategize and facilitate wellness initiatives in the community. As our lives slowly return to some form of normality, it is evident, now more than ever, that well-being is such an important element of our health. As parents, we are often putting others first and this sub-committee hope to come up with ways we can support ourselves and each other in the Our Lady of Fatima community. If you are interested, please reply to the attached flyer by contacting your child’s class rep.
To Join simply click on the link below
School Lunch orders every Monday and Thursday.
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