OLOG eNewsletter Term 1 Week 8

Dear Parents and Caregivers, 

Picture a bird with some yarn tied to its leg stopping it from flying and living its full life.  It doesn’t matter how thin or thick the yarn is, it has a terrible effect on the poor bird. I read recently a challenge to reflect on what attachments are tying us down and stopping us from living the full lives we should. These attachments can be as small as a late night snack, tuning regularly into gossip or spending time on a game instead of with the family. 

The Season of Lent the Catholic Church began two weeks ago and invites us to examine our lives and identify those attachments that stop us from being the people God dreams us to be.  Lent invites us to turn back to prayer, fasting and acts of kindness as we try to live as followers of Jesus. 

(Lent) is a growing season. It requires us to determine what is worth dying for in our own lives and what it may be necessary for us to become if we really want to live.

-    Joan Chittister

 SCHOOL ROUTINES

Giving our children clear expectations and routines is a key factor in providing a safe and supportive learning environment for our students. The way we start and end the day are two of our most important routines.

Coming to school well rested, having eaten breakfast and with all the items needed for the day is a great support to engaged learning and successful playtimes.  Having their hat and lots to eat throughout the day is also very important for our children.

Children are not permitted to be at school before 8:30am which is when school gates open and supervision begins.  Having your child dropped and left on the footpath here before that time puts their safety at risk.

When the school gates open many of our children really benefit from this chance to interact with their friends and let out some energy before the school day begins.  

All children are permitted to play on the Courts and green area.  The Library is open from 8:30am and parents are welcome to bring their child into the library and read a book or borrow books.

If you can’t make it on time for a play before school, please try to have your child here for the 8:48am bell. The beginning of the day in class is where the teachers explain what to expect so this is a very valuable time to be at school.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about these routines or would like some support.

NAPLAN 2025

I would also like to extend my congratulations to our students in Years 3 and Year 5  for their diligent approach to NAPLAN testing this week. Thank you to our dedicated teachers in supporting our students with NAPLAN: Ms Sue Spicer, Mr Evans, Ms Edwards and Ms MacIntosh.

The NAPLAN data we receive next term will provide us with deep insights into student progress in Literacy and Numeracy. It will also help our teachers identify opportunities to refine our teaching programs for the years ahead.

Before NAPLAN 2025 fades from our consciousness, here is one last quote from Dr Seuss on the importance of reading:

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” 

HARMONY DAY

This Friday 21st March, we invite all students to wear ONE orange item of clothing with their uniform as we recognise Harmony Day (which is a time to celebrate Australian multiculturalism).

Harmony Day is a national celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. It's all about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.

At OLOG, students will be celebrating Harmony Day with prayers, activities, and a focus on cultural diversity and influential figures.

St Patrick’s Day

On Monday March 17^th we celebrated St Patrick’s Day.

St Patrick, the partron saint of Ireland was well known for bringing Christianity to parts of Ireland and is celebrated around the world with festivities and wearing of green.

Staff wore green on Monday and students participated in various activities including making shamrocks. A shamrock is a three leaf clover, a symbol of Ireland often associated with St Patrick and the concept of the Trinity.

The word shamrock comes from the Irish “seamrog”, meaning “little clover”.

Feast of St Joseph

Yesterday March 19^th was the feast of St Joseph, the Husband of Mary.

We can see from his actions in scripture that Joseph was a compassionate man, and obedient to the will of God. He also loved Mary and Jesus and wanted to protect and provide for them.

His life serves as an example of trust in God, humility, and selfless service.

Social Justice Leaders

I am excited to announce our Year 6 Social Justice Leaders;

Tonti Ifediora, Zane Couch, Mason Pidgeon, Layla Quirk, Eliza Hawthorn and Emilia Williamson.

This group have been so enthusiastic so far helping me with Project Compassion, raising awareness, putting up our display outside the Library and other organisational activities.

I am looking forward to working with this group throughout the year.

Project Compassion 2025- Unite Against Poverty

As part of our Lenten journey, we are once again supporting Caritas’s Australia’s Project Compassion. Project Compassion is Caritas Australia’s annual Lenten fundraising and awareness-raising appeal. As individuals we can help others, but when we come together through Project Compassion, our good becomes great.

This year we launched Project Compassion at our Ash Wednesday Mass (Years 3-6) and Ash Wednesday Liturgy (Reception-Year 2).

Each class received a big classroom Project Compassion Box.

We are encouraging our students to donate money through their classroom Project Compassion Boxes.

Check out our tally of money raised for each class on our Project Compassion Display outside the Library. For more information about Project Compassion, visit www.caritas.org.au

Second Week of Lent

This week we will share a story from Project Compassion that highlights the incredible impact of Caritas Australia’s work. This week we introduce Toefuata'iga - (Toy-foo-ah-tah-ing-ah)   13-year-old student from Samoa.

Toefuata’iga’s school community struggled without reliable access to clean water, which impacted students’ education and hygiene. Teachers often had to leave the school to fetch water from nearby homes, disrupting lessons and adding strain to the community. When the water ran out at the school, students were sent home which meant they missed out on valuable learning time.

Thanks to the support of Caritas Australia in partnership with Caritas Samoa, Toefuata’iga’s school now has a 10,000 L water tank through a Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) program. Teachers and students are now able to focus on education and improved hygiene.

This transformative story is just one example of how Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion creates waves of change around the world.

Watch Toefuata'iga’s story here.

Will you stand with students like Toefuata'iga this Lent?

Simple Living Day

As we continue our focus on Lent and supporting those in need, students are invited to participate in Simple Living Day next Thursday 27^th March.

The cost of Simple Living Day is $5.00 for a plain bread roll and plain rice.

Payment can be made via the Qkr App.

Money raised will be donated to Caritas Project Compassion providing life changing support to communities facing poverty, food insecurity, lack of education and water shortages.

Thank you in advance for your support.

As part of the HaSS Curriculum (Humanities and Social Sciences) our Reception students have been studying special places in their community and how we care for them. 

Well done to our Student Voice Leaders who have been actively involved in our recent school tours, with one family commenting "The students did a great job!"  and another family commenting "the students are so passionate and know a lot about their school...

SPORTS DAY: FRIDAY 4TH APRIL

Please read the latest Newsletter from Camp Australia.

Do you require OSHC on the Pupil Free Days? Please refer to the attached flyers for information about booking a place on our Pupil Free Day on Friday 11th April 2025.

OSHC Pupil Free Day:  11th April 

A few dates upcoming in the library for you to write in your calendars.  

Orders Due 21^st of March - Scholastic Book Club 

Book Club Issue 2 has been delivered and given out to families. Issue 2 orders are due to close on the 21^st of March. Order before this date so you don’t miss out! Every order made on this issue will receive a $5 promo code to be used toward Issue 3. Purchases can be made through the LOOP app, available on the App Store or Google Play. If you have any questions, feel free to email me or catch me in the library before school! 

Wednesday 21^st of May – National Simultaneous Storytime. 

We’re excited to announce that our school will be participating in National Simultaneous Storytime again this year! This special event, where schools across Australia read the same book at the same time, celebrates the joy of reading and promotes literacy. This year’s book, Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel and Danny Snell, is now available in the library for you to read along with your child.  

Runs Until 7^th of September – Premiers’ Reading Challenge 

The Premiers’ Reading Challenge is now underway and will run until 7th September. Forms have been given out by your child’s class teacher to help track reading progress at home, and spares are kept in the library. This is a great opportunity to encourage reading and celebrate the love of books as a family. Please encourage your child to finish all 12 books and hand their form into the library to help their class be the first class to finish the reading challenge at OLOG. 

Week 8 – Harmony Week 

Celebrate Harmony Week with us in Week 8! We’re focusing on diversity and inclusion, with exciting activities in the library for all students. Join us before school and during lunch for fun, creative events that celebrate different cultures and promote understanding. Don’t miss the chance to learn, share, and make new friends in a welcoming space! 

Library Opening Hours and Borrowing Times:

Our OLOG Library is open for families to read, return or borrow books from 8:30am every morning.  Lunchtime on Monday and Tuesday we also offer games and fun activities.
Class borrowing times are posted on the Library door, and please remember for our younger years - NO BAG, NO BORROWING.

SAVE THE DATE:

P&F CAKE STALL- Sports Day: Friday 4th April.  We are asking for donations of cakes, biscuits, slices and lollies which can be sold at the P&F Cake Stall on the day. 

Kindly ensure that all food products include a legible ingredient list for safety and allergy information.

Hot Cross Bun Recess:  Thursday 10th April (orders will open on Qkr! shortly)

QUIZ NIGHT: SATURDAY 28TH JUNE - . Sacred Heart College (Marcellin Campus). 

If you are a business or know of a business who would like to donate prizes / gift vouchers / any type of prize we would love to hear from you. Prizes will be awarded to best dressed table and we are hoping to have a wine wall, plus plenty of prizes to be won on the night. 

Plesae contact Sara Cox scox@olog.catholic.edu.au if you are able to assist. 

Our Mission:

To support the school by organizing events and activities that enhance the school experience for students and families.
To raise funds for additional resources and opportunities that benefit the school community.
To provide a platform for parents and caregivers to engage with the school in a meaningful way.

How Can You Get Involved?

Attend our meetings and share your ideas
Volunteer at our events
Help with fundraising activities
Support other parents and families by being part of a welcoming community

We always welcome new members to join and contribute in any way they can. Every parent’s involvement, no matter how big or small, makes a significant difference!

Meetings:
Please check the school’s newsletter or our P&F social media for the upcoming dates (To be advised in our following newsletter). 

How to Join: If you're interested in being a part of the committee or would like more information, please contact us via scox@olog.catholic.edu.au. We would love to have you involved!

Informing the school of absences

If your child is not going to be at school due to illness, or will be late due to an appointment, it is imperative that you inform the school by:

• Phoning the 24 hour student absentee phone number: 8177 9191 before 8.55am; or
• Completing the absentee form in the Audiri app; or
• By emailing the class teacher or olog@olog.catholic.edu.au

Advance Notice of Absence / absence of more than five (5) days

For advance notice of your child’s absence, please complete the Application for Exemption from School Enrolment/Attendance Form, which is available from the Front Office.

Unexplained absence

If a child is not present and the school has not received an absentee call or email by 9:30am, the office will contact parents (generally via text) to ascertain the student’s whereabouts.

If your child is late

If your child arrives after 8:55am, they will need to enter through the Front Office and be signed in manually by a parents/caregiver via the IPAD (Passtab), then go to the classroom. If this process is not followed and the student has been marked as absent, an automated text message will be generated.

Early Departure

Should any child need to leave the school grounds during school hours e.g. dental/doctor appointment, parental permission must be given. All students must be signed out at the Front Office by their parent/caregiver before leaving the school.