Dear Parents and care givers
As a community, we have so much to be grateful for with our energetic, supportive and hard working parents. Our fete last Saturday was a great example of the generosity and effort our parents are prepared to put in to provide for all our children. Despite the heat a tremendous community feeling was evident on Saturday with lots of extra visitors from the Parish and wider community. Events like this look smooth because of the significant organization in the background. I would like to acknowledge Amanda Doherty and her team for the organization and planning of the fete. The back up from the P&F Executive, Tony Papotto, Scott Sullivan and Victor Retamal meant that security, logistics, money, parking, PA systems etc were all ready to go on Saturday. We had significant involvement from staff and Father Hyginus with their BBQing skills and our students contribution included the running of the silent disco. 

The P&F contribute significantly to the school that your children attend and have done so for a long time. This year there are many long serving P&F Executive Members and Event Coordinators who are finishing their time at our school. They have tirelessly served our community through community and fund raising events. Now it is your turn to contribute and to experience the comradery and excitement of being on the P&F Executive. Four Executive positions are needing to be filled in 2020 in order to continue the great work of the P&F. The nomination form is included in our Newsletter or you could speak with Tony Papotto about the roles available for 2020. Tony’s mobile number is 0404 000289 and closing dates for nominations is Monday 25 November.

Our School AGM is being held on the 27 November at 7pm in the Multi Purpose Area. There are 4 opportunities to serve on the School Board in 2020, 2 positions are re-nominations from Adam Wheeler and Daniel Simpson and another 2 positions are available as Matt Thompson and Tony Budas are finishing their service on the School Board. Nominations are encouraged from parents with financial or marketing skills. Please contact Adam Wheeler on 0418 190534 if you wish to discuss the opportunities of serving on the School Board.

Next week Thursday 21 November 10am we celebrate our School Opening of the 8A stage of the new buildings. This is a special day in our school history as it is Mother Foundress Day and a day we formally acknowledge and thank all our wonderful volunteers. You should have received an invitation to the Mother Foundress Liturgy at 1pm followed by afternoon tea, provided by our generous staff, in the Siedliska Centre. We will have many dignitaries attending our 10am opening who will be impressed by the vision and foresight of Mr Kenworthy and the School Board and the support of the State and Federal Governments. If they were to stay for the afternoon they would see us acknowledge the volunteers (parents, grandparents, friends of OLG) who follow Mother Siedliska’s vision of finding God in the everyday. I look forward to seeing you at Mother Foundress celebrations on Thursday 21 November 1pm.

There is much attention in the media, written and online (rightly so), regarding the use of digital technology and screen time in the learning environment. I would like to reassure all parents that our use of technology as part of our ICT Strategy released this year ensure that;

·         Technology is used to enhance the learning by having students as creators   not always consumers of digital information

·         Reading from books is a focus of every Literacy Dedicated Time in each         classroom and in library skill lessons in The Hive

·         Students will read from books and write with pencils/pens every day as part   of their learning

·         Devices will only be used during class time and under teacher supervision

·         Devices will not be available before or after school or during recess and lunch

·         All students will learn cybersafety and digital citizenship skills as part of the      curriculum

·         The devices used in 2020 will not be needed for homework

·         The ICT Strategy is linked to our Vision for Learning and our Wellbeing            Strategy

·         Parents are strong role models of good digital use

·         Education workshops will be available as part of our ongoing commitment to    staff, parents and students in digital citizenship.

God bless

Gabrielle Doyle

Congratulations to the students who received a merit award at last week's assembly.

Library Roster

HELP NEEDED
Can you spare one hour on Saturday morning between 9 and 11? We are mulching the nature based playground and internal garden beds and would appreciate any time you can spare us on Saturday morning from 9 – 11.

Morning Tea provided, please bring a wheelbarrow and a shovel! Rsvp through admin@olg.edu.au

ENROLMENTS FOR 2020: As we are now in the process of preparing for next year’s enrolments, it is now time to advise the office if you are leaving us at the end of this year (with the exception of Year 6). We do however require notification in writing and where your child/ren will be attending next year. Please hand your letters into the office as a term's notice is required. Thank you.

UNIFORM SHOP
If you have received notification that your uniform order is ready for collection, can you please do so as soon as possible. The Uniform Shop is open Tuesday afternoon 2.15pm - 3.00pm and Friday 8.15am - 9.00am.  Thank you.

Scholastic Books last catalogue for the year has been distributed to the students this week. In it are some great Christmas ideas.

Please note that all money orders must be handed in tot he Library basket before the start of school on Monday 18th November. Loop orders (those placed on-line) will be closed off at 8.30am that same morning.

Unfortunately, no orders can be processed after this time.
Thank you.

Our sincere condolences to Isabel Niven (6B) and family on the sad passing of her nanna.

We say goodbye to Evie (1G) and Ruby (4G) Kennedy and family who are leaving us on Friday.  

BOOKLISTS 2020
In our many forums for feedback this year I have heard lots of feedback about booklists from parents. Teachers are looking at booklists and using current resources to reduce impact on families whilst ensuring students have the resources they need for learning.  The ICT Strategy for Year 4 – 6 in 2020 will impacts booklists as less stationery is required. In an effort to reduce costs to families the school will bulk order specialist stationery for 2020. The booklist for 2020 will include one Mathematics text book and some year specific resources, such as a recorder for Year 3 as well as generic pencils/pens/pencil case. A letter explaining the reduced booklist, the ordering process and the payment process will go out next week.

I look forward to hearing your feedback next year once we have trialled this new system.

iPad's for  Years 4 - 6 2020
If you wish to have your iPad delivered this year you will need to order through the school portal no later than 25th November 2019 and they will be delivered to the school by 16th December.  Any purchases after this date will be delivered in 2020.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL CHRISTMAS HAMPERS
This Christmas we will be providing hampers to those in need during Christmas. They will be going to the less fortunate in our local community and distributed through Our Lady of Grace Parish, St Vincent De Paul Society. We will be assembling the hampers with items from each class. Through your support, we can help some families have a small piece of comfort at Christmas time.

Kindy White: small Xmas Puddings, boxes of chocolates
Kindy Gold: Christmas Bon Bons, Long Life Juice
Kindy Blue: small coffee and milo jars, tea etc
PP Gold: spreads: jams, vegemite, peanut butter, Nutella.
PP Blue: soft drink, cordial
PP White: savoury biscuits and crackers
1 Gold: canned ham, tuna, turkey etc
1 White: tinned vegetables and fruit
2 Gold: pasta and pasta sauce
2 Blue: dried fruit, nuts, chips and pretzels
3 Gold: Christmas cakes, Christmas fruit mince pies.
3 Blue: powdered custard and jelly
4 Gold: candy canes, Christmas lollies and Christmas chocolates.
4 Blue: Christmas biscuits and other sweet biscuits
5 White: card games, board games ( cheap from Kmart/Big W/ Reject shop etc)
5 Blue: balls: tennis, basketball, footy, soccer, cricket etc ( cheap from Kmart/ Big W)
Teachers: stationary, Arts and Crafts sets (Kmart, Red Dot etc)

Thank you for your generosity.

This collection is not compulsory. However, if you would like to provide more than one item (even an item from a different class hamper) this is also welcome. Last collection for goods is Monday 18th November.

Any queries please contact Carla Christou  carlachristou@iprimus.com.au

If your child turns four before 30 June 2021 they are eligible to enrol in Our Lady of Grace School 2021 Kindergarten Program.

Tours, interviews and enrolment for Pre-Kindy and Kindy are now open.

Don't miss out : Please contact Vicki Ryan for an enrolment package and an interview time on 6241 9500 or email: vicki.ryan@cewa.edu.au

Friday Morning Early Year Tours are now available at 9.30am

Please find attached the Canteen Menu
Ordering is available via https://quickcliq.com.au/

Alternatively you can place your child's order in the class canteen bucket. 
For existing users of Quickcliq

If your child's order does not go through and they have no lunch, we will supply them with a sandwich.  We will no longer have additional items available due to food wastage costs.
We have Gluten Free Bread, available for all sandwich fillings this year, toasted is also available.  Any queries please feel free to come and see us.

We thank you for your continued support of the canteen.

Flexibuzz - Tick Canteen Box 
This is a whole school reminder for everyone to please tick the canteen box on FlexiBuzz for all future canteen related information, including updated rosters, roster swaps and reminders. This information will only be posted on FlexiBuzz, not on Facebook, so please tick the box and tell all your friends to do the same, otherwise you'll miss out.
Thank you,
Jemima and Peta.

REQUIRED:

A NEW SACRAMENTAL TEAM MEMBER 
We are looking for an interested parent to join our Sacramental Team.  Planning for 2020 will take place over the coming weeks and the team  would like to continue to work at improving the way we support families as they bring their children to the sacraments.  If this interests you please contact Clare Broad sacramental.olg@gmail.com

Our Lady of Grace are seeking parents who may be interested in joining the ministry of the acolyte or senior altar ministers. 

Please consider before expressing your interest, your commitments with your children and family. 

Rosters are geared around masses on Saturday 6pm, and Sunday 7.30am, 9.30am and 5.30pm. You may be rostered to serve at any of these times, although preferences are at times considered. Please contact Carla Christou for more details.

0413 567462 or carlachristou@iprimus.com.au

CHURCH CLEANERS NEEDED
The current roster needs an injection of new volunteers to ensure our church is cleaned each week for the weekend masses.

We try to have groups of 4 or 5 who dust and vacuum on either Friday or Saturday mornings.  Each group is rostered on to clean about 4 times a year.  Everything you need is provided in the cleaning room at the back of the church.  Please consider joining this valued ministry.  You can join by yourself and be placed in a group, join with a friend or make up a group of your own.  

If you would like to join the roster please contact Clare Broad sacramental.olg@gmail.com or Sheralee in the Parish Office 9448 4888

TERM 4 EVENTS

§  P & F AGM Meeting                 Wednesday 27th November @ 7.00pm

§  P & F Parents Sundowner          Friday 29th November @ 7pm

§  P & F OLG Dads Group             Sunday 1st December @ 2pm

 ROCK CLIMBING – OLG Dads Group

§  Sunday 1st December at City Summit, Malaga

We look forward to all dads and kids coming along and joining our OLG Dad’s Group. In association with the P & F and The Fathering Project for some indoor rockclimbing fun. Starts at 2pm and cost is $20pp. Please reply via Flexibuzz or on our OLG P & F Facebook page.

2020 P & F EXEC COMMITTEE Positions
As part of the Constitution, P & F Executive Committee members are required to step down to make way for new Committee members at the end of their 3 year tenure. Based on this the following positions will be available at the end of this year:

·         Vice President

·         Secretary

·         Treasurer

Coming along to the AGM is another great opportunity to be directly informed and learn how you can get involved in making a difference for our kids. If you’re interested in wanting to make a difference for our kids, and would like to learn more about these positions please speak to or email Tony Papotto – exec@olgpf.com

Have a great week everyone!

P & F Executive Committee

VacSwim 2019-20
Enrol now for VacSwim summer holiday swimming lessons!

With swimming pools and beaches a big part of the Western Australian lifestyle, it’s essential that your children learn how to swim and stay safe in the water.

VacSwim is for all children - from beginners to more advanced swimmers. Your children can start as young as five years old.

There are over 180 VacSwim locations around Western Australia, so wherever your family is spending these summer holidays, there will be lessons near you.

Enrol your children in VacSwim now at education.wa.edu.au/swimming.