Our Lady of the Cape Primary School
Newsletter - 29th February 2024
Lenten Prayer
Heavenly Father,
As I enter another week of my Lenten journey,
guide me to the path that leads to you.
Fill my heart with gratitude, patience, strength,
and peace as I strive to become the-best-version-of-myself,
honestly admitting my shortcomings and sins.
As I renew my resolve each day to become a better person,
let me hear your voice in the deepest reaches of my heart.
Give me rest in you.
Help me to accept others,
showing them your great love instead of casting judgment.
Stay with me through the busy days this week
and remind me that when I need comfort, solitude, wisdom, or guidance,
I can always turn to you.
Help me develop discipline and generosity
through fasting and almsgiving,
and come closer to you through prayer this Lent.
In your name I pray,
AMEN
Dear Parents and Community Members,
Cyber Safety Parent Information Evening
Nola Marino presented a session about Cyber Safety for parents last Monday week. It was informative, eye-opening and very challenging at times. Nola shared some resources, which were emailed to Year 4 - 6 all parents last week, but her biggest recommendation was to access the E-Safety Commissioner’s website for lots of useful information: https://www.esafety.gov.au/
Pupil Free Day - Parent Interviews
Please note there is a pupil free day on Friday 22 March. Teachers from Kindergarten to Year 6 will have parent interviews on this day. There will be no school for students on this day. Interviews will be face-to-face. Times will be pre-booked. More information will follow in the coming weeks.
First Eucharist
Some of our Year 4 students are preparing to receive Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time on Sunday 17 March. They participated in an interactive parent-child workshop as part of the preparation program. Please continue to pray for these students and their families as they take this important step in their faith journey.
Introducing Michelle Blythman
Hello OLC Community!
My name is Michelle Blythman and I am very excited to be back teaching at this lovely school. I have previously taught Junior Primary for 10 years at Holy Rosary School in Doubleview, Perth. Before I had my daughter, I taught Technologies and did some relief teaching here at OLC.
We moved to Dunsborough to begin our family and we feel very lucky to call this place home. I have a 3 year old son and 18 month old daughter and we spend most of our spare time at the beach and with our friends and family.
I’m really looking forward to meeting everyone throughout the year and please feel free to come and say hello and see our amazing new Kindy spaces!
Kindergarten Playground
You may have noticed our Kindergarten playground was completed last week and is an exciting place for our littlest students to play and learn. Please note that there are still a few places available in our Kindergarten classes, so spread the word if you know anyone who would like to bring their child to our amazing new Early Learning environment. Call now for a tour!
Swimming Carnival
Our students in Years 4-6 are looking forward to the swimming carnival tomorrow, 10am, Friday 1 March, at the Geographe Leisure Centre. It should be a great day!
Carnival Information:
Each child will be supplied with a faction coloured cap to be returned to the supervising teacher at the end of the carnival.
Students will be travelling by bus to the Geographe Leisure Centre from school, leaving at 9am (carnival commences at 10am) and returning by bus by approximately 2.30pm. Parents who wish to pick up their child from Geographe Leisure Centre at the end of the day may do so if they have signed the permission slip. You will need to be at the Leisure Centre by 1.30pm for a possible 1.40pm finish.
Parents who pick up their children at the end of the carnival must see the supervising teacher to get their child’s name ticked off the list. If you have organised to pick up another person’s child, you must show the teacher written permission by the parents. Students not picked up by their parents will be returning to school by bus and be dismissed at the end of the school day.
School Advisory Council
The Advisory Council met last Wednesday, and welcomed new member, Leah Pearson.
Members nominated for and accepted positions for this year, and I thank all of our Advisory Council members for giving their time so freely to support the school:
Chair: Craig Saunders
Deputy Chair: Judd Heitman
Treasurer: Amelia Hart
Secretary: Leah Pearson
P&F Rep: Jess Duffy
Members: Ben McCarthy, Fr Archie, Angela Hegney
P&F
Each year, the P&F support many projects, including already funding digital screens for both Kindergarten and Year 1 classes, furniture and toys for setting up the new Kindergarten and large floor mats for Year 1 classes. We really value the support of the P&F and their contribution greatly assists the smooth running of the school and enhances our facilities providing for the best outcomes for students. Our students really benefit. They are LOVING the Kindergarten spaces and we are so grateful for the improvements that we are able to make, thanks to the generosity of our community.
The P&F Executive for 2024:
President: Jess Duffy
Vice President/Secretary: Penny Woods, Laura Paxinos
Treasurer: Caris O’Connell
Member: Emily Tymms
Class representatives to be the contact point to support allocated activities:
Thank you to the class representatives for volunteering their time.
First P&F Meeting for the year will be held on Tuesday 12 March at 9.00am in the Staff Room. All welcome!
School Fees 2024
It is essential for the running and improvement of school facilities and resources, as well as the sharing of responsibility between all families, that we receive payment of fees. Accounts were sent home to families last week. School fees are billed annually. There are many payment options available, as outlined in the form that accompanied the invoice that was emailed. Other payment options are available by making an appointment with the Principal. Please make sure that you send back the payment options form for our records as soon as possible, because this helps with our budgeting. Likewise, if you are having difficulty meeting the full fee amounts please do not hesitate to contact the Principal for a confidential meeting to discuss options and alternatives.
Health Care Card (HCC) discounts are only applicable to tuition fees and amenities fees. All other charges are still required to be paid.
Student Insurance is also provided by the school for each child from K-6.
If you have any questions, please contact the office.
NAPLAN 2024
NAPLAN Online – Information for parents and carers.
An information sheet was sent home last week (and is attached here) for parents of students in Years 3 and 5, with information regarding NAPLAN, why we do it, what it assesses, how you can help your child prepare, participation and reporting. Please see your classroom teacher if you have any questions. NAPLAN assessments are scheduled for Weeks 7-9 this term, 13-25 March. See below for NAPLAN information
Playground Equipment after school
Please be aware that the playground equipment is out of bounds for students before and after school, due to duty of care issues. For safety reasons we are unable to allow play in these areas outside of school hours, even with parental supervision. This includes the Kindy playground area. Thank you.
Anaphylaxis Management
As part of our ongoing training, staff recently updated their online learning in Anaphylaxis Management. I commend our staff for always taking the time to refresh their knowledge so they can best support all our students.
Bus Update
A clarification to the text sent out re Buses and Smart riders. Please note this only applies to the green 815 service. If your child catches this bus they need a SmartRider card with $5 credit on it from the 15th March (date has been extended from the 1st). They MUST tag on AND off to avoid a charge. If they forget to tag off, they will be charged $1.50 each time.
The orange free service is not impacted by this change.
School Photos Date for your Diary
Please note School Photos for this year will be taken in Week 7, Term 2 on Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 May.
System Leaders Renewal Leave
Catholic Education WA offers Principals opportunities to take leave from their schools to do something that renews or re-energises them in their roles as Catholic leaders. I am lucky enough to be joining a group of 12 other Principals and travelling to Spain to walk the Camino de Santiago. We will be walking 315kms, finishing at the Cathedral in Santiago on Easter Sunday. I will be away from school for three weeks in Weeks 7-9 this term. Adrian Torrese will be Principal during that time. I look forward to sharing some stories when I return next term.
Have a wonderful long weekend! No school on Monday 4th March.
May God bless you.
Angela Hegney
Principal
P&F News
News & Upcoming Events
We have been busy meeting and planning for a range of new and exciting fundraising activities throughout the year. The activities and events for this term will be announced very soon so please keep an eye out for these!
The Executive would also like to warmly welcome and introduce Emily Tymms to the P&F as a committee member.
Our Term 1 P&F General Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 12th March from 9.00am till 10.00am. Everyone is welcome at our P&F Meetings. The P&F is for everyone who has a student at our school and who is interested in actively participating in our school community.
Class Representatives
A huge thank you to those who have signed up to be a class representative for 2024!
We are so appreciative of your time and dedication in supporting our beautiful school by taking up this role. A special mention to the mums who have taken on two class representative roles this year for their children in different classes and the mums who have previously taken on a class representative role in the past.
Please see the Class Parent Representative list for current vacancies. If you are considering this please get in touch with either the class teachers, Mrs Marrell at front reception or any of the P&F committee members. We are also more than happy to catch up to discuss what is involved or answer any other questions you may have.
The main roles of the Class Representatives are to:
a) Welcome New Families
b) Arrange Social Events
c) Support the P&F Events
d) Class communication
e) Teacher Gift
Community News
Better Health Program
An 10-week free healthy lifestyle program for children 6-12 years who are above a healthy weight.
📆 Online places available every month. Group places starting in Term 2
📍 Online and at local community venues
👉 https://betterhealthprogram.org/wa or 1300 822 953
💸 FREE
Better Health Program focuses on healthy eating, physical activity, sleep and screentime for children in their primary years. Children receive free resources and families are support by a dietician/nutritionist each week.
If you need guidance around creating healthy habits then this is for you.
More about us
Email: admin@ladyofcape.wa.edu.au
Website: www.ladyofcape.wa.edu.au
Location: 245 Cape Naturaliste Road, Dunsborough WA, Australia
Phone: 9781 3200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OLCDunsborough/