Our Lady of Grace Newstetter No Images? Click here TERM 2 WEEK 5 MAY 30TH, 2018 OUR LADY OF GRACE NEWSLETTER PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE 2018 Christmas Holidays at OLG Some background: In 2014 or 15 WA Catholic schools were informed that an audit had shown that, while we had to deliver the same number of teaching-minutes per year as a government school, due to our “Catholic Day” and the five pupil free days at the end of the year, we had to add ten minutes to our normal teaching day to meet this requirement in order to maintain our registration to operate. So we changed our daily school times. In late 2015 the Independent Education Union (IEU) lodged a complaint against OLG and some 29 other schools claiming we were in breach of a CECWA policy on Teacher Workloads. (This policy is written in consultation with the IEU and cannot be altered without their agreement.) In effect our teachers were working ten minutes per day more than the policy allowed for. To their credit the teachers of OLG wanted to simply ignore the workload issue and continue with the longer day. To do this would have caused a raft of problems. So to satisfy both demands they agreed to shorten recess to 15 minutes, alter the school finishing time and give up three pupil free days – two at the end of the year and one during the year. For over two years this issue has dragged on; in and out of the Industrial Commission and left schools in limbo as to the date the 2018 school year, for students, would end. Last week we were given a choice between reducing recess to ten minutes or proceeding with the school times that had been agreed to by the Commission. Ten minutes for recess is unviable for students, especially in the lower grades. We have chosen, for this year at least, to continue with our agreed approach. As a result, our 2018 end-of-year dates are as follows:
End of Term Four For students: Tuesday 11 December For staff: Friday 14 December Given these ‘new’ dates it has been necessary to adjust the scheduling of some of those big, end-of-year events so that they occur closer to the actual end of the year. My sincere apologies for having to make these changes but the clarification of when the 2018 school year would end was out of our control. Events and celebrations: Presentation Assembly: Friday 7 December Graduation Dance: Friday 7 December Graduation Mass: Monday 10 December End of Year Mass: Tuesday 11 December Lunchtime STEM Club Mrs Trichilo led the Year 2s as part of a science activity in STEM club today which the kids just loved and were amazed to see... bouncing bubbles ICT Resources for Primary Schools. What’s the Big Deal? Twenty years ago, handwriting and sums were done in our school books, teachers wrote on actual whiteboards or blackboards with chalk, the register was taken on paper and handed in at reception and being allowed to write with a pen instead of a pencil was a real achievement! Technology was sparse. Fast forward 20 years and the landscape has totally changed. Technology is everywhere. Here are just a few other reasons why technology in primary schools is so important: · Extends the learning experience – raises standards across the curriculum to improve the delivery of lesson content and allows students to engage in class in a variety of ways. · Extends learning – takes teaching and learning beyond the four walls of the classroom for an anytime, anywhere approach. Meaning students and teachers can continue to work and access resources even from home. · Enriches the curriculum – provides access to a whole host of information and encourages collaborative working and communication with others. The world is effectively brought into the classroom and pupils become more engaged in their learning. · Expands learning horizons – access to fast internet connections allows for learning materials to be viewed, downloaded and worked through quickly. As well as this, the use of tools such as Skype for Business can be a great way of broadening the learning horizon by collaborating with others anywhere in the world! School Disco More than 330 children attended, the event made the P and F $650 plus made a lot of children very happy. It was also fabulous that Father Mark attended and he danced the night away. The reduced space in the MPA worked really well, in fact, the wall that has been added where the stage used to be makes a great cyclorama for the lights. School Photos Comment from one of the photographers: “The children here (at OLG) are some of the best we deal with. They listen and do as asked. And, wow, the number of them who say, ‘Thank you,’ is amazing.” What is the NCCD? The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (the national data collection) is an annual collection that counts the number of school students receiving an adjustment due to disability “There’s never been a better time to be a worker with special skills or the right education, because these people can use technology to create and capture value. However, there’s never been a worse time to be a worker with only the ‘ordinary’ skills and abilities to offer, because computers, robots, and other digital technologies are acquiring these skills and abilities at an extraordinary rate.” Brynjolfsson and McAfee God bless Chris Kenworthy Principal Please contact Peta Taylor on 0419 260832 if you can help out with volunteering. To access our online order system please visit www.ouronlinecanteen.com.au. Instructions for signing up are on the website or you can contact the Support line on 1300 116 637 for assistance. IMPORTANT NOTICE - Please read There are an increasing number of online orders that are not being captured due to parents not confirming their orders. Once you have placed an order please check your confirmation email or your "active orders" section to ensure your order has been placed, as we are getting numerous children at canteen quite upset that they haven't received their lunches. Canteen News ** New Muffins ** Banana/Choc Chip $2.00 Mixed Berry $2.00 Available Monday, Wednesday and Friday recess ** Soup on Mondays ** - from 14th May for Year 5 & 6 $4.00 cup $4.50 with a roll Congratulations to the students who received Merit Awards at last week's assembly. Library Roster Sunbeams and Rainbows 2018 The ‘Sunbeams (for pre-schoolers) and Rainbows (for primary school aged children)’ programs commence here at OLG in Week 5 this term. The programs are designed for children who are grieving and trying to cope with traumatic loss or painful transition in their lives. ‘Rainbows’ has been an integral part of the pastoral care at Our Lady of Grace School since 1997. The program will be conducted in small groups with children from Years K-6 meeting weekly for twelve weeks during school hours. Through ‘Sunbeams/Rainbows’ children are helped to verbalise their feelings, build a stronger sense of self-esteem, dispel their worries, and rise out of their pain over the changes in their family. They are no longer alone with their grief when they gather with other children who are facing similar situations. Children in the ‘Sunbeams/Rainbows’ program are guided through the grief process by trained facilitators. If you think your child would benefit from participating in ‘Sunbeams/Rainbows’, please complete the form and return it to school as soon as possible. For any enquiries please see Sr Joseph. Thank you. Sister Joseph School Counsellor Uniform Shop The Uniform Shop is open Tuesday from 2.15pm - 3.00pm and Friday from 8.15am - 9.00am. P & F Announcements
Please note the above meeting has been cancelled as the P & F committee are in planning for the above P & F ‘wine & cheese’ night. We apologies for any inconvenience.
Please save the date as we will be holding a special P & F ‘wine & cheese’ night, with presentations from the P & F Committee and our School Board. This is a great opportunity to meet your School Board members in person, and hear directly from the P & F and School Board on major things that are happening within the school. We welcome you to voice your ideas and ask any questions of the P & F and School Board to help you understand what we are aiming to achieve and how we can do things better. Come and enjoy a relaxing wine & cheese on the night. We look forward to seeing more new faces so bring a friend along who hasn’t been before! This special meeting will be held in the OLG Parish Hall. REMEMBER, every parent is already a member of our P & F so we want to keep you informed, and be interested in what’s happening at OLG!
We have highlighted our P & F presence on a noticeboard placed opposite the original administration building along the wall. Please take the time to regularly walk past and have a look to ensure you’re kept informed of our key P & F events and activities. These notices will be continuously updated. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at our special P & F meeting in June! Tony Papotto Disco: Thank to all our wonderful volunteers. The disco was a great success. A big thank you to Renae Mastrangelo, for donating the apples. Great fun was had by all. WALKATHON There are still a number of walkathon cards outstanding, can you please keep bringing your cards and money into your classrooms/office. There are a few classes close to winning the prize so get in quick to have a chance at winning Any queries please contact Linda D’Vaz on 0411125787 or Carolyn Halleen on 0413591810 5G were the winning class, returning all their walkathon cards. Our Lady of Grace North Beach is fundraising with the Entertainment fundraiser this year, and we’d appreciate your continued support. Your 2017 | 2018 Entertainment Membership is expiring on 1 June 2018. Please continue supporting our School by purchasing the 2018 | 2019 Entertainment Membership from us today. Hundreds of great value offers are ready for your enjoyment, while also helping our fundraising! “I love the savings we accumulate by using our Entertainment Vouchers. I always use them ...have them in my wallet and am elated to "buy one get one free" or get 25% off...it gives me a real buzz. After reaching the price of the book it's even more rewarding. Always buy one every year!” – Ann M Using a few of these offers will cover the cost of your Entertainment Membership! Our Lady of Grace North Beach Kylie Donaldson, 0437260066, entbooks@olgpf.com THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME EUCHARIST There are a couple of families who are yet to make their Eucharist Commitment. This weekend is the last chance for this to take place. Attend any of the weekend masses and let Father know you are there to make your Commitment before mass begins. FIRST EUCHARIST - 9TH/10TH JUNE, 16TH/17TH JUNE Sacramental Timetable - click here WEEKEND MASS TIMES DAILY MASS TIMES Centre for Faith Enrichment - Are you searching for ways to enrich your understanding of the Catholic faith and tradition? Would you like to find out more about a particular sacrament which your child may be receiving? Then the Centre for Faith Enrichment is for you! We offer a wide range of face-to-face and online courses and events on topics ranging from spirituality, Church history, theology, scripture, Christian living and much more. No exams or assignments, just a relaxed and friendly learning atmosphere. To know more visit our website www.cfe.org.au where you will find our courses and events page and explore our new sacraments website. WAAPA Winter School 2018 WAAPA at ECU is offering an exciting performing arts program for children and young people these July school holidays. For the first time, we are including courses for students from Years 1 to 12. The Winter School includes classes in drama, acting, screen acting, dance, musical theatre and RAP. For information about the many courses on offer please visit Winter School or contact Gabrielle Metcalf at g.metcalf@ecu.edu.au or 9370 6775. We acknowledge the original custodians of this land, the Nyungar people, and show our respect for their ancestors and traditions. Our Lady of Grace School |