Our Lady of Mercy
NEWSLETTER | TERM 1 | WEEK 9 | 30 MARCH 2022
Year One has had a very vibrant and exciting start to the year! We have been busy bees in the classroom, making sure to try our best in all we do. So far, we have clicked our way through the days of the week, moved through the months of the year, floated through our writing tasks, blossomed into our Mathematics, sketched our self-portraits with a pops of colour, taken a snap shot of the best part of ourselves and made our promises to Jesus for Lent. Term One has be filled with lots of learning!
Lenten Prayer
God of infinite love,
Thank you for your constant reminder of your love
and your call that we be more patient, gentle and compassionate with others.
Here in the middle of Lent, we turn to you to ask for your help.
Please soften ours heart. Help us to let go of judging others.
We ask you this, in Jesus' name
Message from the Principal
Dear Parents and Carers
Thank you for your messages of support and care during my isolation, they were lovely to read. This week I experienced the power of technology and the seamless way in which I could still stay connected to school, while working from home. Our SeeSaw application has facilitated connection to school for students who are at isolating at home. Through SeeSaw children can stay in contact with their teacher and participate in some learning activities too. We are looking forward to term 2 when we can once again have face to face meetings with parents as there is no subsitute for the value of in person contact for building relationships and a strong community. In my absence this week the school has been capably managed by a team of phenomenal people in leadership and the office and who kept our school running smoothly in very trying and challenging times.
Homework Procedures
It was our intention to put out a survey to review the new homework procedure at the end of this term. I believe that given the very turbulent term we have had, with one week of remote learning, several classes being placed into isolation during the term and many students learning from home because of contracting Covid, the new homework procedures should be tested for another term, which will hopefully be more reflective of a usual school term. A reminder to all parents that the new homework policy requires all children to read each day. Students in Years 5 and 6 will be given projects to complete over the course of the year. Students have available to them several applications that the school has purchased through which they can practise their literacy and numeracy skills. Students spend a good portion of each day at school and we also encourage them to spend time in the afternoons and evenings at home, connecting with family and friends to build and develop their relationships and social skills.
Lunch Eating Times
At the start of Term 4, 2022, we trialled a new lunch time procedure whereby the children played first and then ate their lunch. The reason for this trial was because we were finding that a lot of children were throwing their food away in the bins to maximise their playing time. We also found that there were many friendship and playground issues spilling over into the classroom learning environment when children came into class straight after play. They did not have sufficient time to talk matters through with their friends. Our intention was to try and resolve both these issues by moving the eating time to 1.20pm after children had first had their play. We have also included a midday Sip and Crunch break when children eat fruit and vegetables to ensure that they have enough sustenance until lunchtime. Please take the survey below and share your thoughts. The children and staff will also be surveyed.
Reflection
As we draw closer to Easter and as we continue to prepare our hearts, let us ensure that we take time each day to pause, to celebrate and give thanks for our many blessings. In finding time each day to talk to God, we give space for hope to flourish and this will help displace our doubts and fears. As a school community let us ask our loving Lord, for a renewed vision for this world in which we all live. We pray too for healing for all in our community who are suffering from Covid or any other illnesses and hurt. We ask these things through our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
God bless you all.
Ondine Komnick
Principal
Vote for your preferred lunch time
School fees due next Friday (unless you have a payment plan)
Time to enrol younger children for Kindy next year
- Email office: admin@olom.wa.edu.au
- Call office: 9207 7677
Canteen
Balga Football Club - players wanted
School Term Dates
Term 1: Monday, 31 January to Friday, 8 April 2022
Term 2: Wednesday, April 27 to Friday, 1 July 2022
Term 3: Tuesday, 19 July to Friday, 23 September 2022
Term 4: Tuesday, 11 October to Friday, 9 December 2022
Pupil Free and Public Holiday Dates
Monday, 7 March (Labour Day Holiday)
Tuesday, 8 March (Pupil Free Day)
Term 2:
Monday, 25 April (ANZAC Day Holiday)
Tuesday, 26 April (Pupil Free Day)
Monday, 6 June (WA Day Holiday)
Term 3:
Friday, 19 August (Pupil Free Day)
Monday, 22 August (Pupil Free Day)
Term 4:
Monday, 10 October (Pupil Free Day)
Sacrament Dates
Penance: Tuesday, 16 August at 6.30 pm
Holy Eucharist: Saturday, 17 September at 6 pm and Sunday, 18 September at 9.30 am
Our Lady of Mercy Primary School
Email: admin@olom.wa.edu.au
Website: http://www.olom.wa.edu.au
Location: 55 Hudson Avenue, Girrawheen WA 6064, Australia
Phone: (08) 9207 7677
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ourladyofmercygirrawheen/