Dear Parents/care givers

I have felt wrapped in the care and concern of the Our Lady of Grace School and Parish community recently and would like to thank all those families and children who sent cards, gifts, flowers and prayed for me and my family. Whilst being on leave I knew the leadership of our school was in the capable hands of Jacquie Hardwicke, Teresa Wandek and Vicki Ryan. These talented ladies and all our staff ensured that the focus of the end of the year was on our beautiful students and in particular our graduating Year 6 students. We are indeed fortunate to have such talented staff working in our school.

I wrote a letter to the Year 6 students at the beginning of the year outlining my excitement at working with them and have this week sent a final letter outlining how much I have enjoyed working with and learning from them. I thank and congratulate our Head Boy and Head Girl, Oskar Tindall and Olivia Todd for their outstanding leadership throughout the year.

There are many families finishing their time at Our Lady of Grace as their youngest child graduates Year 6. These parents have contributed to the faith life and culture of our school. Whilst leaving is part of a natural cycle of growth and progression it is a time for sentimental reflection and maybe a few tears. I hope your memories are gentle and your tears are short lived.

A new principal ‘stands on the shoulders of giants’ when they begin the leadership of a school and I would like to recognize and thank all those families who are finishing their time at Our Lady of Grace for leaving a deeply faith filled and dynamic school community. I wish you every success in your time at high school and know that you will enrich those school communities in the same way you have enriched Our Lady of Grace. You are always welcome at Our Lady of Grace.

As with each year in the life of a school, there are changes in staffing and I have outlined these below;

·         Two of our staff are going on 12 months leave and I wish Barbara Heal and Katrina Tyza exciting adventures in their leave for 2020.

·         We farewell the following staff members who have served our community so well; Ms Megan Nicholson, Miss Natasha Pittorini, Mrs Virginia Lipscombe, Mrs Louise Brennan, Mrs Clare Ogden, Ms Michelle Campbell, Mrs Sue Walsham and Mrs Penny Henery. I thank them for all their work and wish them every success in the next phase of their teaching vocation.

·         We have a change in personnel within our Leadership Team for 2020. Both Mrs Burke and Mrs Wandek’s roles as Assistant Principals come to a conclusion after 11 and 12 years respectively leading our school. The School Board were able to thank and acknowledge this incredible 23 years of work undertaken by Mrs Burke and Mrs Wandek, who continue their contribution to our school community as classroom teachers. Mrs Wandek will continue to lead our Early Years Cluster and I welcome Mrs Michelle Lloyd and Mrs Jacquie Hardwicke as members of the school Leadership Team.

·         We will welcome new staff in 2020 and I welcome Mr Mike Thacker, Ms Eleanor O’Callaghan, Ms Tess Jacobs, Mr Nathan Butler and Mr Liam Carle. I look forward to introducing these new staff members to our school community next year.

On Friday January 31, 2020 you and your child/ren are welcome to drop in to school from 12.30 – 2.30pm for a short visit to meet your new classroom teacher. Class lists & positions will be posted at 12.30 that day, these class lists are now finalized with information being provided by current teachers, specialist staff, our Learning Support Co-Ordinator, students and parents. Please take the opportunity to say ‘hi’ to your teacher before school begins Monday February 3, 2020.

As we move toward the 3rd Week of Advent this Sunday there is much to be joyful for, I hope you are able to take some time over the busy Christmas period to think about, see and give thanks for God in the everyday. I wish each and every one of you a joyous, peace filled and blessed Christmas full of love, laughter and family. I look forward to returning to school and seeing you in January 2020, ready for the adventure to begin.

God Bless.

Gabrielle Doyle
Principal

Congratulations to the students who received awards at last weeks Presentation Assembly.  Award winners are as follows:

Term Dates 2020

Term 1                  3rd February 2020 - 9th April 2020

Term 2                  28th April 2020 - 3rd July 2020

Term 3                  20th July 2020 - 25th September 2020

Term 4                  12th October - 11th December 2020

Our sincere condolences to:
Oliver (6W) and Ayla (2B) Stupple and family on the sad passing of their great grandmother.
Sebastian (4B) and Lucas (2G) Retamal and family on the sad passing of their grandmother.
Mrs Doyle, Erin and Meg on the sad passing of Mr Doyle.

ART FOLDERS
This week, the children were given their Art Folders to take home.  They are full of fabulous art projects that deserve to be discussed, displayed or given as gifts to special people.  

All children will need an A3 plastic folder again next year.  If this year's folder is in good condition it may be used again in 2020.  

FAREWELL FAMILIES:  The end of any school year always brings some sadness as the final child of a family graduates from OLG.  The school
community, therefore, extends its best wishes to the following families who, in most cases over a long period of time, have contributed much and who are departing OLG with their Year 6 child at the end of the year.

Musical Instrument Lessons 2020
If your child is interested in learning a musical instrument, please think about booking ahead for 2020. Our Lady of Grace provides opportunities for students to undertake instrumental lessons at school. An application form is available in the office.

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.

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

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.

https://www.bricks4kidz.com.au/perth-karrinyup/program-events/school-holiday-workshops-activities-lego-bricks/

Our Summer School Holiday Workshops are located at the following locations:

• Our Lady of Good Counsel School @ Karrinyup
• Christ Church Grammar School @ Claremont
• West Leederville Primary School
• Currambine Primary School