Orana Catholic Primary School
Term 3, Week 1, 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.
NAIDOC Week Prayer for Families – Heal Country 2021
God of all wonder,
We pause in the busyness of our days to listen deeply to the wisdom of this land and those who belong to it.
May our minds be open to dialogue,
May our hearts be open to transformation,
May our hands do the work of reconciliation.
We ask that the Spirit accompany us on our journey of healing on these lands, seas and waterways; We also ask the Spirit of peace be with all those who are living a life of fear, dispossession and distress.
We make this prayer in the name of Jesus our brother and friend.
Amen.
Dear Parents and Carers,
Naidoc Week was celebrated during the holidays. NAIDOC 2021 invites the nation to embrace First Nations’ cultural knowledge and understanding of Country as part of Australia's national heritage and equally respect the culture and values of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders as they do the cultures and values of all Australians. Naidoc Week is an opportunity for all Australians to come together to celebrate the rich history, diverse cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the oldest continuing cultures on the planet. This week students participated in some learning experiences based on the NAIDOC 2021 theme – Heal Country.
Thank you to all community members for a positive start to Term 3. We welcome three new families to Orana this term. If you see someone new in the grounds, please introduce yourself and make them feel welcome.
I hope everyone had the opportunity to have a break and enjoy time with family and friends over the holidays. The week after the holidays is always the hardest for students as we re-establish routines ready for a new term. The way we support children around this will make them more willing to get back into the term, make them feel better about themselves and their school and build a trusting family relationship where children feel they will be assisted to get back into the school routine.
Over the holidays, our website has had some updates. Mrs Alp has worked on updating information and photos. There is a new Faith tab as well as some information on other programs in our school. Whilst updates are continuing, I encourage you to have a look. There is also a change to our website with our policy page now referring to Catholic Education Western Australia Ltd Policies. The purpose of this is to create clear consistent messaging on one platform with the embedded policy hub being a ‘one stop shop’ for all community members regardless of which Catholic school they attend. This page will continue to contain the most up-to-date policies and executive directives for your easy reference. The inclusion of this page does not in any way affect our current school operations and school polices are currently under review and will be republished as procedures by the end of the year. Please refer to the policy tab on our website. https://www.orana.wa.edu.au/policies/
On Monday, Ms Christine Walsh announced her resignation from her position of Principal at Orana Catholic Primary School. Christine has had a significant impact on the Orana community over the last four and a half years and I personally would like to thank her and wish her all the best in her future endeavours.
Today we also farewelled Father Anthony. We wholeheartedly thank him for spiritually forming our community over the last two years. Father Anthony's ready smile and humble nature, lights up our school when he arrives for class visits and Mass. His ability to connect to the students of all ages from our Pre-Kindy to our Year Six is a skill that cannot be taught. Father Anthony's new parish in Mirrabooka is blessed to have him join their community.
We facilitated two professional learning experiences for our staff on Monday. Teaching staff participated in a Future Focussed Learning Professional Development course which included an interactive presentation, beginning a master class series on the Foundations of Inquiry Learning and collaborative planning time for implementation of this whole school initiative. Support staff participated in a First Aide Course, ensuring there are staff in each area that are trained to render assistance to our students and community.
Our Term 3 new initiatives have commenced with success. The reverse lunch and change to the eating areas, after a delayed start due to rain, has commenced. It is fantastic to see the students eating in a calm way, with the time to socially interact, rather than a focus on rushing off to play. The Pre-Primary green shed pick up has had a successful start with many families choosing this as a preferable option. Please contact the Pre-primary teachers if you want to change your pickup location.
We also commenced a new Leadership Lunch, where each week four students from a designated year level are invited to have lunch with Mrs Alp and myself in the office. We eat together and chat about our school; what is going well, what might be worrying them and what we could do better. This week we had the pleasure of the company of four Year 1 students that had positive feedback to share about their teachers and friends, along with some creative ideas to improve our school. Next week we will meet with some Year 2 students.
On Thursday, Mrs Alp, Mrs Moutett, Year 6 Leaders Reuben and Manwella accompanied me to the Performing Arts Liturgy at St Mary’s Cathedral. The Liturgy was a beautiful celebration and showcase of some of the gifts of students in our CEWA schools. Father Vincent Glynn’s homily message was to share our God given gifts and talents. He stated that our first gift is our ‘being ourselves’ and we can share our gifts with others by small gestures like smiling, being kind or connecting with a friend. We look forward to Orana hosting two days of the Performing Arts Festival later this term and our students having an opportunity to share their gifts and talents with others.
Thank-you to Britney Lilly for coordinating the Lost Property Sale this week. All proceeds will go to Lifelink. Please clearly label all your children's clothing so they can be returned.
I would like to thank our School Banking Coordinator Stephanie Nugroho for her service to this role this year. Stephanie is no longer available to continue in this role. We are in need of a volunteer to take over the role of School Banking Coordinator. Until further notice, School Banking is postponed. If you have a couple of hours, on any day of the week, available to do this role, please contact Deb in the office by phone or email (admin@orana.wa.edu.au) Training is provided.
Next Monday, we will host one of the CEWA’s Leadership Roadshows. Approximately 70 leaders from 19 schools and CEWA executive presenters will attend the roadshow in our hall. This is a fabulous opportunity for Orana to showcase what we are about, our motto and values. Some of our student leaders and musicians will be involved in the welcoming guests, the Acknowledgement of Country, Opening Prayer, and accompanying music for morning tea. Many thanks to all of the staff that have worked above and beyond their roles to collaborate to prepare for the Leadership Roadshow.
God bless and take care,
Dee Johnston
Principal
New Day, New Adventure – Every Day Counts!
Now that we have begun a new semester, each student's attendance rate has reset to 100%. It is important to note that every day of attendance in school contributes towards a child’s learning. Research shows that academic outcomes are always enhanced by maximising attendance at school.
What does this mean for our children? It means coming to school every day is extremely important. When a child misses school, it can have an ongoing impact on his or her learning. It is the one single factor that we can do as parents (unless our children are unwell) to ensure every success in a child’s education.
NSI School Climate Survey
This week we launched the NSI School Climate Survey. The purpose of this survey is to collect feedback and analyse data from students, families and staff members to inform effective school improvement. The survey feedback does not include individual responses, rather it provides a graph based on the feedback of all parents. We are seeking your impressions and there are no right or wrong answers. Paper copies are available for collection at the office if you prefer this platform rather than online. The school values your feedback and we strongly encourage you to complete the survey. Please refer to the survey information via the link below.
School Climate Survey Information
Survey Web Link Passcode OCPACS
Dates To Remember
TERM 3 - WEEK 2
Monday 26th July - CEWA Leaders' Roadshow at Orana Hall
Friday 30th July - Assembly (Whole school)
Friday 30th July - P and F Fundraising Recess and Lunch
Saturday 31st July - Year 3 Penance Commitment Mass 5.30pm
Sunday 1st August - Year 3 Penance Commitment Mass 10.30am
Faith In Action
Orana Day – the Feast of Saints John and Paul
Our Orana Day was blessed in so many ways. We celebrated a beautiful Mass with our community and farewelled Fr Anthony. He was moving to his new parish today in Mirrabooka straight after Mass.
Our Mini--Fair went ahead in this uncertain weather and the children are to be congratulated for their happy smiles and fantastic behaviour. All money raised is being directed to Life Link.
See attached link: https://lifelink.com.au This includes the money raised in selling the unclaimed lost property. Thank you, Mrs Lilly.
The staff had tough competition in the volleyball match against the Year Six students. The games were played in the spirit of fun and good will.
Our day was topped with a delightful lunch organised by our graduation committee. What a day!
Care Packages - Year 3
3W are making care packages for the homeless and we need donations! We need non-perishable items eg.pretzels, ready made popcorn, and crackers. Towards the end of Term 3, we will create care packages out of these items and donate them to the homeless.
From our Parish of Saints John & Paul
Fr Thai is currently taking a well-deserved holiday. He will return to our parish after the 15th August.
Please visit the Parish website for the latest information on weekend Masses.
Nights are getting Colder
As we are all aware, the nights are getting very cold. The Social Justice Group would like to help those who are in need by collecting warm blankets, beanies, gloves and socks. If you have any of the above items that are spare and you no longer need them, you can drop them off in the 4W classroom and we will give them to the Homelessness We Care organisers. We ask that they be in reasonable condition and clean. We thank everyone for your support with this project.
P & F News
Hello Orana!
I can’t believe it’s Term 3 already and I just can't believe how fast the children are growing by the day. I really enjoyed watching the children grow by the day.
The Orana P&F and the committees have been busy planning a number of things this term that will keep us (and the children of course!) excited. Our next P&F Meeting will be held on Tuesday 10th August 2021, from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. We will be discussing projects and activities that we have in our calendar. If you are keen to get involved, please come and join us.
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!
There is also a Parent & Children Camping Activity on the 14th to 15th August 2021. This will be held in Kerem Adventure Camp in Bullsbrook. There will be optional activities such as wall climbing, disc golf, indoor movie, bush walking, and basketball to participate in, and of course there will be a camp fire! This is not a school activity and as this is an off-site activity, you will be responsible for your own children’s supervision throughout the event. For further details please see the below flyer and visit our Orana P&F Store to purchase tickets: https://orana-catholic-primary-school-parents-and-friends-association.square.site/
The P&F Canteen Committee are also excited to announce our first canteen day this year where a group of dedicated volunteer will operate the canteen on the 30th July 2021. Please have a look at the below menu for what will be on offer that day. To order, please visit our Orana P&F Store via the link below: https://orana-catholic-primary-school-parents-and-friends-association.square.site/
SOCIAL WORKER NEWS
While witnessing our child having friendship problems isn’t easy, it is a normal and healthy way for your child to learn life-long emotional coping, conflict resolution, and communication skills.
Let’s talk about an easy 6 step plan to not only help your child navigate their friendship problems but also to prepare them to successfully deal with relationship conflict in the future.
Kath Warburton
Social Worker
𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝟲 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗿
You may have noticed that your child bought home a flyer this week about an art fundraiser that the Year 6s are doing for their graduation.
This week, all the students have been working hard on a beautiful art masterpiece in class. You have the opportunity to turn this masterpiece into keepsakes for your child, yourselves or to give as gifts to grandparents, etc!
What a wonderful gift to give that special person in your family that has everything and is difficult to buy for!
The following options are available:
- 2022 calendars
- Greeting cards
- Diaries
- Notebooks
- Sketch pads
- Pillowcases
- Tea towels
- Tote bags
An image of your child’s art will be posted on SeeSaw (some classes are already on there and other classes will be posted in the coming days). Here you can view the artwork that will be used for the keepsakes.
Orders are to be placed directly with Crazy Camel via the following link: www.crazycamel.com.au/33943
Please note that the child’s details entered during purchasing will determine which artwork has been ordered.
Examples of the keepsakes can be viewed in the school office.
All proceeds raised from this fundraiser will go towards the Year 6 Graduation. As always, we thank you for your support!
Parking and Pick Up After School
Unless your child is in Kindy, it is best if you arrive from 3.15pm to park or use the drive through. Children will then be ready at the green shed, waiting for you. We request that when parking on the oval, that you reverse park in one row on the edge of the oval. Please continue this row around the fence line to the 2 large trees on the Chelmer Ave fence line. Please do not park on the main section of the oval. The grass is required for school use, such as during athletic carnivals and sport lessons and is already showing signs of wear.
ICAS Testing
This year the school will be a venue for ICAS Testing. ICAS testing is separate to the standardised assessments undertaken here. We understand some parents would like their children to participate in Writing, Digital Technology, English, Science, Spelling Bee and Mathematics testing. The school will offer the testing venue, setting up of iPads and supervision of tests. A direct payment plan to ICAS will be set up once we receive expressions of interest.
For further information, please explore the link below:
To send the school an expression of interest through Microsoft Forms:
https://forms.office.com/r/DZPKVtsHAU
Dates, payment and other information will be distributed at the start of of Term 3.
Lyn
Lyn Perrigo
Teacher Librarian/DT Lead
Orana Catholic Primary School
OSHC News
School Banking Postponed
School Banking day is currently postponed. Our School Banking Coordinator Stephanie is no longer available to continue in this role. We thank Stephanie for her time and service. We are in need of a volunteer to take over the role of School Banking Coordinator. Until further notice, School Banking is postponed. If you have a couple of hours, on any day of the week, available to do this role, please contact Deb in the office by phone or email (admin@orana.wa.edu.au) Training is provided.
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