Dear Parents and Carers

Staffing

Congratulations to the following staff who will join our Orana team. Tammy Jenner has been appointed to teach our Stretch / Gifted and Talented Program. Christine McNess and Camden McGillivray are Education Assistants and have been appointed to join our support staff team.

International Women’s Day

This Wednesday was International Women’s Day, a time to acknowledge the achievements of women in our community – our mothers, grandmothers, wives, partners, sisters, daughters and friends. The theme this year is “Embrace Equity”. Equity means creating an inclusive world. We can all challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination, draw attention to bias and seek out inclusion. For more information: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

Communication

“Communication works for those who work at it.” John Powell

We have been working on establishing clear lines of communication. This is so important so families know where to access what you need. Whole school formal communication is emailed via seqta. These emails replace most of what used to be printed and sent home. The newsletter is a ‘go to’ spot for the most up-to-date weekly communications and links. Seesaw is for digital sharing of student work, class based information and whole school reminders.

Footy Tipping Competition

Many thanks to Damien Kelly for offering to coordinate the Orana Footy Tipping Competition through the P and F. The competition format has changed a little to comply with the new financial management processes for P and F Groups. Please sign up to the competition before the season starts. Payment is due before the end of Round 2. For more information, please see the flyer below.

Naplan

Next week, students in Years 3 and 5 will be involved in NAPLAN testing. This is a national test to track the progress of Year 3 and 5 students for the country, the state, systems and for schools. Some students become anxious around these tests by the attention placed on them by the media. These are a snapshot of how your child has performed on a particular day and should not cause any stress for your child or family. Your child just needs to know that they need to try their best. It is important that routines are maintained as per a regular school week and that children, as expected each week, attend, are well rested, well fed and happy to come to school. We utilise these tests for school planning and monitoring along with many other sources of data.

Building Progress

We are progressing to the next stage of the new building project. As on Monday 13th March, the path between Year 6W and the building site will no longer be accessible. Access to the school will be through the main pathway past the office. Entry to OSHC will be via the pathway and gate to the west of the Science room.

Sacramental Enrolment Masses

This weekend our Year 3, 4 and 6 students and their families will attend a Sacramental Enrolment Mass at the parish on either Saturday evening at 5.30pm or Sunday morning at 10.30am. Please pray for these students as they embark on their sacramental faith journey for this year.

Kindy and Pre-Kindy Enrolments 2024

Kindy and Pre-Kindy interviews for 2024 will commence early next term. If you have a child who is due to begin Kindy or Pre-Kindy in 2024, please ensure your application has been received by the school office.

P and F Friday Fundowner

We look forward to the P and F Fundowner this evening. Thank-you to the P and F Committee members and volunteers for all your efforts in preparing for a fabulous evening.

Senior Assembly

We also invite you to join us for the Senior Assembly on Friday afternoon at 2.30pm.

Best wishes and God bless.

Dee Johnston

PRINCIPAL

Free Dress Day for Caritas Turkey and Syria Appeal.

The Social Justice Team are organising a free dress day on Tuesday 14th March to raise money for the Caritas Turkey and Syria Earthquake Appeal. Students are to wear sports shoes, sports shorts, something red on top and red accessories such as a hat, socks, hair accessories etc. The colour red was chosen as this colour is in both the Turkish and Syrian flags. Students will be asked to make a gold coin donation. Thank you for supporting this worthy cause.

This is an example of putting our school motto “To Give is to Receive” into action.

Project Compassion

Project Compassion will continue throughout the season of Lent with each class having their own Project Compassion box. Project Compassion aims to work towards making the lives of others better around the world. This year’s theme is For Future Generations. Students may wish to do extra chores around the house to earn money or go without a special treat such as an ice-cream and donate the money to Project Compassion.

https://bit.ly/421Ba6Z

Sacraments in 2023 - Year 3, 4 and 6

If your child is in Year 3, 4 or 6, they will be celebrating the following Sacraments:

• Reconciliation - Year 3
• First Communion - Year 4
• Confirmation - Year 6

Enrolment Masses for all these sacraments to sign up for the program takes place this weekend. Families may attend one of the following Masses and enrol for the program.

-5.30pm, Saturday 11th March OR

-10.30am, Sunday 12th March

If your child is in another year level and needs to celebrate a sacrament, please contact your child's teacher.

Parent Teacher Interviews will be held from Monday, 20th to Friday, 31st March. Parents will be sent a link next week via Seesaw to book a time that suits everyone's schedule.

There will be one late evening available to cater for working parents.

Our Make a Move concerts are fast approaching! Students have been busy refining their moves to showcase to our Mums, Dads, Carers and anyone else that wants to attend.

Please see below for information on the simple costumes that children will be asked to wear.

Please sign up before the first game on Thursday 16th March. Please sign up to the competition before the season starts. Information about payment through the P and F shop will be sent out soon. Payment is due by the end of Round 2.

Do you know anyone that may be interested in teaching an extra-curricular Italian Language afterschool program? We have a good number of families that are interested in attending classes. The after hours program will be coordinated by Italo-Australian Welfare and Cultural Centre (IAWCC). If you or someone you know may be interested, please contact the office or more information. (admin@orana.wa.edu.au)

Harmony Week

NAPLAN Week - Monday 13th - Friday 17th

Wednesday 15th March - NAPLAN Writing - Year 3 and 5

Thursday 16th March - Make a Move

Thursday 16th March - NAPLAN Reading - Year 3 and 5

Friday 17th March - Make a Move

Friday 17th March - NAPLAN Conventions of Language - Year 3 and 5

Friday 17th March - Yr 6 Reconciliation

Friday 17th March - Senior Assembly 2.30pm