Orana Catholic Primary School
Term 3, Week 5, 2021.
TO GIVE IS TO RECEIVE
Generosity is an attitude of freely sharing our ideas and talents and giving our time generously. We show generosity by being welcoming, inclusive and promoting a sense of belonging.
Prayer for Performing Arts
Bless the creators, O God of creation,
who by their gifts make the world a more joyful and beautiful realm.
Through their labours they teach us to see more clearly the truth around us.
In their inspiration they call forth wonder and awe in our own living.
In their hope and vision they remind us that life is holy.
Bless all who create in your image, O God of creation.
Pour your Spirit upon them that their hearts may sing and their works be fulfilling.
Amen
Dear Parents and Carers
Congratulations to our Junior and Senior Choir who participated in the Sacred Choral Music section of the Catholic Performing Arts Festival on Tuesday. The students’ singing was outstanding and they were acknowledged favourably by the judges for their efforts and talents. It was obvious that the students were well prepared. Of utmost significance was the way they conducted themselves and the confidence they demonstrated. A child’s belief that they will do well, plays a large part in whether they will reach their potential and the capacity to which they will achieve. Thank-you to Ms Draper for her efforts in preparing the students. Thank-you also to the many parents and carers who attended and supported them. There has also been many solo entries perform this week and I also extend our thanks to the parents, carers and tutors of these students.
The spiritual component of our school is very important and is at the core of what makes a Catholic education unique. Our Year 6 students are preparing for their Sacrament of Confirmation. Today they attended the parish for their retreat. Many thanks to Father Thai, Magdalene our Sacramental Coordinator, Miss Dreyer, Mrs Vinci, Mrs Packer, Mrs Alp and the presenter Karl Brown for their time and support of our candidates. The students’ behaviour and levels of engagement was commendable.
Swimming lessons have gone smoothly this week. The children show such joy in the experience. The younger students have particularly stepped up and are displaying increasing independence each day. Learning to swim confidently is an important element of the curriculum. In Australia, many of our leisure time activities involve or are around water. We need to support our children with regularly opportunities to refine and develop their water safety awareness and swimming skills.
Tomorrow, is the P and F Science Week Busy Bee. Thank-you to Cory O’Kane and Mrs Hogan for the many hours spent in coordinating the preparation of the busy bee. We hope to see you there.
God bless and take care,
Dee Johnston
Principal
Punctuality
We encourage families to ensure that all students arrive on time to school. Being punctual ensures that children are calm and relaxed about their day ahead of learning. Year One to Six students should be in class ready to learn at 8.50am when the bell chimes.
Dates To Remember
TERM 3 - WEEK 5
Saturday 21st August - P & F / Science Week Busy Bee
TERM 3 - WEEK 6
Monday 23rd August - Swimming Lessons continue
Monday 23rd August - ICAS Science Testing, 9am
Tuesday 24th August - ICAS Spelling Bee, 9am
Wednesday 25th August - Junior Choir, 1pm Vasto Club Balcatta
Thursday 26th August - School Advisory Council Meeting, 6pm
Friday 27th August - Senior Choir, 9.30am Vasto Club Balcatta
Friday 27th August - School Band, 6.30pm Sacred Heart College Sorrento
Faith In Action
Confirmation Retreat
Year Six students were at the Parish of Saints John and Paul today to participate in a retreat as part of their preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. This was run by Karl Brown. His dynamic delivery had the children engaged. Karl reminded the students how the world needs confirmed people right now. The fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, patience, kindness, self-control, peace, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and joy is what our world needs more of. If we have a healthy relationship with God, these will grow in us.
Social Justice Group
This term the Social Justice Group are planning to hold a second hand book and toy sale in Week 7. This could be a great opportunity to clean out your toy box and bookshelf! The money raised will be used to purchase gifts to put in the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hampers which we will be organising in Term 4. This is one way of showing GENEROSITY to those less fortunate than us. If you have any books or toys you would like to donate, please put them in the basket situated outside the Year 4W classroom. Let’s make this Christmas a very special one for those less fortunate than us. Let's get those donations in! Thank you.
From our Parish of Saints John & Paul
Fr Thai is back from his holiday with many exciting stories about his travels in the beautiful north of our state.
Please visit the Parish website for the latest information on weekend Masses.
Science Busy Bee Tomorrow 9-3pm
P & F News
Hello Orana!
Camp
We have almost survived the winter and warmer weather is coming. We had our first P&F Meeting in Term 3 and we have many exciting projects to contribute to our community. Details on our automatic gate project are progressing, as well as the shelter at the back of the school. With the hard work of Cory O’Kane, Amanda Walker, Deb Goodwin and our principal Dee Johnston, we have successfully obtained a Defibrillator through a St John Ambulance grant. This has been installed at the school’s gate and is available to the wider community to use.
Some of the Orana families got together last weekend for our first camping event outside of school grounds, held in Kerem Adventure Camp, Bullsbrook. We had a blast! The venue outweighed our expectations. There were plenty of activities to keep the children busy: basketball courts, wall climbing, tractor rides, bush-walking trails and campfires (truly, nothing brings people together like a campfire). It was a great community atmosphere. The children created some great memories. A big thank you is extended to Michael Cook and David Mulcahy for their organisation.
Tomorrow, from 9 to 3 pm, we will be holding our Busy Bee in conjunction with Science Week. We will be assembling 6 Vegiepods for the Science Classroom (these were the ones the P&F successfully obtained from a local grant application); build bee hotels and make a scarecrow. We would love lots of volunteers. Bring your tools (power drill / drivers, shovel, wheelbarrow, hand saws and any other tools you see fit) if you can. There will be a sausage sizzle and drinks served for volunteers. Come down even for a short while; every bit of time you can give to the school does matter!
Disco
The Disco Committee has been formed, led by Kate Guilfoyle and planning is underway. Save the date – Disco is planned to be on Friday, 10th September 2021. If you are available to volunteer on the day, please get in touch by contacting P&F via Facebook/Messenger, or email at Oranapandf@gmail.com. Stay tuned for more info!
🍳 FATHERS' DAY BREAKFAST 🍳
Our traditional Father's Day Breakfast is on again. Come along on Friday morning before Father’s Day and spend breakfast with your kids, have a chance to catch up with other Dads and Fatherly Figures and enjoy a yummy BBQ bacon & egg roll and/or muffins. All orders will be online through the P&F store only, no cash sales on the day.
Friday, 3rd of September
7.30am - 8.30am in the Quad
See you there!
http://orana-catholic-primary-school-parents-and-friends-association.square.site/
School Banking recommences this Wednesday!
School Banking day recommences this Wednesday. We now have a new banking coordinator. Thank-you to Flavia Ricciardo for volunteering to on this role. Please send your banking books into the office on Wednesday morning.
SOCIAL WORKER NEWS
At this age, your child might develop new hobbies and interests through play. For example, your child might start to read more and really enjoy books and magazines about things that interest him – motorbikes, horses, bugs and more. These kinds of activities encourage your child to keep following his own interests and learn for himself.
Regards,
Kath Warburton
OSHC News
Grounds / Maintenance News
2021 Professional Development Days Reminder
The following dates are pupil free days for 2021. For your future planning OSHC will offer a full day program on these dates.
Friday 24th September – Catholic Day (Pupil Free Day)
Monday 11th October – Data Analysis Professional Development and Wellbeing Session