OLOF TIMES
06th Aug 2021
Our Vision
Our Lady of Fatima Palmyra is a Catholic School that aspires to
provide a respectful, secure and caring learning environment
where our community is committed to following
the teachings of Jesus.
From the Principal
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
I have spent the last two weeks reflecting on the power of something like the Olympics to bring people together, to inspire us and to challenge us to greatness. Particularly during this pandemic, it has been hard, at times, to find moments that uplift the spirit and show us the power of resilience, persistence, courage and passion. There have been so many moments in these Olympics that highlight this, such as the grace and reflectiveness shown by Perth’s own Peter Bol after placing fourth in the 800m final. Of course, sport is not the only place we see this in our lives, but I think we need to take the time to appreciate these moments of joy and beauty for ourselves and for our children. In our assembly today, our Year 1 students captured this so beautifully and I would like to say a big congratulations to them all for their gold medal effort! Thank you to Mrs Reardon and Mrs Szefczyk, the ‘coaches’ behind the scenes, for all of their organisation in getting our little superstars ready for their big event.
Since joining the OLOF community, I have experienced so many moments of inspiration. One such example is the leadership shown by our Year 6’s, who ran the OLOF Olympics last week. They worked so enthusiastically to provide a wonderful range of activities for all our Pre-Primary to Year 6 students, despite the weather attempting to ruin their plans. What incredible role models they are for our younger students!
This Sunday, we celebrate the feast day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia’s first saint, who is a powerful example of someone who can inspire us to live as God intends us to. St Mary MacKillop led a remarkable life, founding the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, whose mission was to ensure that a quality education was provided to all children, particularly those living in poverty. Her compassion and ability to forgive were key parts of her character, which we can all strive to emulate in our own lives. At OLOF, we will honour St Mary MacKillop’s feast day with a liturgy led by Year 2 on Friday 13 August.
Our Year 3 students celebrate their First Reconciliation this coming week. The Sacrament of Reconciliation or Penance is a powerful way to experience God’s healing love and forgiveness. This is special moment for these students and their families, so please keep them in your prayers this week. I would like to acknowledge Miss More, Mrs Szefczyk and Father Francis for all of their work supporting the preparation of the children to receive this sacrament.
10c BIN
Please read below about another great initiative from Elsie, our Sustainability leader:
We are very proud to announce new Containers for Change. Located down at the courts near the big bins, you can recycle any can, bottles or cartons with 10c logos. We think it is important to have these bin so we can help keep the environment clean and make sure that these things do not go into landfill.
(co written by Hope, our Ministry leader).
POLICIES
Mrs King, Mr La Roche and I joined other school leaders for the Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA) Leader’s Forum at CBC Fremantle earlier this week. This was a wonderful opportunity to explore system-wide initiatives and liaise with other Catholic schools in our region. One key initiative shared was in relation to school policies. All schools in CEWA will now follow one set of policies actioned through the Executive Directives, which are all accessible to the public in one centralised online location. A direct link to this is available on our school website: https://olof.wa.edu.au/CEWA-Policies.html. They are organised under the four key pillars of Catholic Identity, Education, Community and Stewardship. I encourage you to familiarise yourself with these Executive Directives and please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Leadership Team if you require any clarification.
ILLNESS
The winter months often bring with them a range of illnesses. Please ensure that students are kept home from school if they feel unwell to ensure that they recover quickly and help us to prevent further spread to other children and staff. I encourage you to remind children of the importance of hand hygiene through thorough handwashing.
SCHOOL CLIMATE SURVEY
Thank you sincerely for all those parents and caregivers who took time to provide us with feedback in the School Climate Survey. This is so valuable to our short term and long term planning here at OLOF and we appreciate the time you have taken to share your opinions. We will be seeking further parent and community feedback and ideas later this term around specific school focuses as we move towards 2022.
AUSTRALIAN CENSUS
The Australian census on 10 August 2021 will provide a snapshot of who Australians are and what is important to us. The census is a key tool that government uses to determine how organisations, schools, church ministries and community groups are prioritised, funded and empowered to best operate in our State.
If your faith is important to you or if you identify with Christian values, please use your voice in the Australian census when asked your religion. This is an important opportunity to demonstrate the significance of faith-based families in our West Australian community and will support endeavours to secure equitable access to opportunities and resources.
PUPIL FREE DAY
A reminder that we have a pupil free day on Monday 16 August. Staff at OLOF will be working with Carma de Groot from Catholic Education Western Australia to develop our vision for what learning should look like.
Have a terrific weekend!
Jacinta Petersen
Principal
Parent Skills and Talent Register
Our School Advisory Council and Parents and Friends Association often work on projects that benefit our school community and we would love to consult with parents that have expertise and can contribute to these projects! By completing this form, we could call on your business to quote on school based capital works projects, school maintenance, advertising or event management. Your assistance in completing this form is appreciated!
Days to remember 2021- please check our updated calendar on our website
P&F meeting - Tuesday 10 August
Pupil free day - Monday 16 August
OLOF Athletics Yr Carnival PP-Y6 - Tuesday 14th September
Open Afternoon 3pm-530pm - Tuesday 21st September
Pupil free day - Monday 11 October
PRAYER
Ever generous God, you inspired Saint Mary MacKillop to live her life faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and constant in bringing hope and encouragement to those who were disheartened, lonely or needy. With confidence in your generous providence and through the intercession of Saint Mary MacKillop, we ask that you bless our Our Lady of Fatima School community.
We ask that our faith and hope be fired afresh by the Holy Spirit
so that we too, like Saint Mary MacKillop, may live with courage, trust and openness. Ever generous God hear our prayer. We ask this through Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten 2022
At Our Lady of Fatima School we believe education should always be fun. We provide our students with the foundations for life-long learning which empowers children to thrive in their community with a real sense of belonging and enjoyment of education.
Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten enrolments for 2022 are open now. Please find our enrolment form at: https://olof.wa.edu.au/assets/files/Application-_OLOF20212.pdf
Enrolment interviews for Kindergarten 2022 have commenced. Parents and Carers of students currently attending Our Lady of Fatima School are reminded that they are required to submit an Enrolment Application Form if they intend to enrol a younger sibling into the Kindergarten program for 2022 or beyond. We are excited to share that in 2022 we are adding an extra fortnightly Kindergarten session and Kindergarten classes will run Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday each week next year and a full day on a Thursday for Pre-Kindergarten!
The Wk 1 newsletter’s item on Teamwork focussed on the many benefits an individual may experience from being part of a team (developing admirable personal qualities and skills, reshaping less than desirable behaviours) and suggested some ways we might parent our children towards successful teamwork experiences.
At the moment, it’s hard to go past the Olympics as a prime example of teamwork. Australia has over 450 athletes competing across 33 sports. Some of these athletes are in individual sports (e.g. marathon or archery) and others are in team sports (e.g. water polo, hockey); yet as one big Australian team they support and help each other to work towards a common goal. But teamwork involves so much more than aiming for medals or trophies. As we continue to focus on the value of Teamwork over the coming week, let’s consider some collective advantages in being part of a team:
There is a wonderful array of teamwork opportunities at OLOF for our children eg. in-class group work, Choir, Creative Edge, earning house faction tokens, participating in sport carnivals, year level assemblies and other whole school events.
There is also a multitude of teamwork opportunities at OLOF for us parents – events within our class groups as well as ones that involve the whole school community, in fact teamwork is at the core of any P&F initiative.
Keep an eye out for how you or your child could contribute to one of the many activities within the Fatima community and enjoy the benefits of being in a team!
Whole school teamwork opportunities coming up this term:
Week 9 – the Athletics Carnival and the Mulch Drive fundraiser.
Also coming up this term:
Wk 4 – Teamwork
Wk 5, 6 & 7 – Respect
Wk 8 – Wellbeing Week
Wk 8, 9 & 10 – Be Your Best Self
Anyone interested in contributing to Wellbeing at OLOF, please contact us at: olof.paf@gmail.com
Entertainment Book
We’re bringing back the BONUS Gift Cards! For a limited time only, your supporters will receive a BONUS $40 Woolworths, BIG W or Freedom eGift Card when they purchase a Multi City or Multi Plus Membership or a $20 Woolworths, BIG W or Freedom eGift Card when they purchase a Single City Membership between 3:00pm, Wednesday 4 August and 11:59pm, Wednesday 1 September 2021 AEST!
Also, don’t forget anyone who purchases a Membership now till 11.59pm, Wednesday September 15 AEST will receive an extra month free. That’s a 13-month Membership your supporters will love!
To help boost your fundraising we’re holding a giveaway of incredible prizes for anyone who purchases a Membership. They will automatically go into the draw to WIN:
- A Royal Caribbean cruise for two!
3 nights onboard Quantum of the seas. - A TFE Hotels 3-night voucher valid at Adina Apartment Hotels, Vibe Hotels, Travelodge Hotels and Rendezvous Hotels.
P&F Mulch Drive
P & F Fundraiser Subway Lunch
Support our school at Gilbert's fresh market and The Foodies Basket
Gilbert's Support Our School Program donates 1% of the money spent by you to your nominated school every time you shop with us! Sign up for free at the checkout and scan each time you shop.
As at 16/06/2020 the Gilbert’s Fresh, Hilton SOS Program has 31 schools, and 2,236 customers signed up, plus, Gilbert’s has donated $40,945.00 to local schools since the program commenced in October 2017.
The Foodies Basket, Attadale donates a $1 for every 100 points accumulated. Just give our School name or show your card each time you purchase.
Keyed Up Music Lessons
Keyed Up Music Lessons
Keyed Up Music will be teaching keyboard and guitar lessons in Term 3 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday during school. Lessons start at $18.65 for groups of four per lesson. If you are interested in your son/daughter learning an instrument, ring Savanna on 6107 8841 or 0479 171 424 or enrol at www.keyedupmusic.com.au/enrolment-form
Uniform Shop
Contact Us
Email: admin@olof.wa.edu.au
Website: www.olof.wa.edu.au
Location: 3 Harris St, Palmyra WA, Australia
Phone: 08 9333 7900