Almighty God,
you have created us out of the dust of the earth: Grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our mortality and penitence,
that we may remember that it is only
by your gracious gift that we are
given everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen
TERM 1 WEEK 3 - 14 FEBRUARY 2024
OUR LADY OF GRACE NEWSLETTER
Dear Parents and Caregivers, Ash Wednesday - Lent
Yesterday, we began preparing for our Lenten Journey by celebrating Shrove Tuesday. This follows the tradition where people used up all of the fats in the house that they would go without until Easter. The name Shrove Tuesday comes from the custom of ringing the ‘shriving bell’ to summons the people to church to be ‘shriven,’ that are to confess their sins at the beginning of Lent. At that time, certain foods like eggs, milk, meat and rich buttery dishes were given up for the duration of Lent. One way that they used up the eggs, milk and fats in the house was to add flour to make special pancakes. In England, the popularity of pancakes caused Shrove Tuesday to be called Pancake Day, a tradition we also follow here in Australia. Today, we began the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday and the blessing and distribution of
the ashes. For the next six weeks we are given a special opportunity to grow in our relationship with God, to reflect upon our lives, what we have done and failed to do, to pray more deeply and to be generous to those in need. We pray that the Spirit will dwell within us as we strive to deepen our commitment to a way of life modelled by Jesus. Extra Curricula at OLG
This week, our co-curricular program begins in earnest with Run Club, Circus Club for Year 6 and Gardening Club all under way. These programs are run by dedicated staff and volunteers who give of their time and provide our children with learning opportunities outside of the classroom. Thank you to all of those involved. Senior Swimming Trials - Monday 19 February
On Monday, we have our Senior Swimming trials at Claremont Pool. The forecast is currently hot, so we will continue to monitor the temperature and advise of any changes if it is extreme. A note will be sent via School Stream should this be the case. Kiss and Drive - family name cards
Thank you to those parents who have begun to display their family names on their cars using Kiss and Drive. It does make it much easier for me to get children safely and quickly into cars that are waiting. If you need extra signs for grandparents or others who assist in Kiss ad Drive pickup, please contact Admin and we can arrange this for you. Before & After School Play
I would also like to provide a gentle reminder to the community that the play equipment that is set up in the Early Years Nature Play should not be used before and after school. Thank you for your assistance in this.
Thank you and God Bless. Mrs Michelle Lloyd
Principal
NAPLAN 2024
All students in Years 3 and 5 will be bringing home this week, information regarding NAPLAN for 2024. If your child is in Year 3 or Year 5, they are required to sit the NAPLAN test (National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy). NAPLAN assesses skills in literacy and numeracy that are developed over time through the school curriculum. All NAPLAN tests will be done online; however, the Year 3 writing assessment will still be done on paper. The NAPLAN online assessment window starts on Wednesday 13th March and finishes on Monday 25th March. There are opportunities for make-up times should your child not attend on the scheduled day due to unforeseen circumstances. For further information, please visit the website https://www.nap.edu.au/.
Project Compassion
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Project Compassion, which is Caritas Australia’s major annual fundraising and education campaign. It runs during the weeks of Lent. It is a time to come together in solidarity with the world's poor to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. This week, each family will receive a Project Compassion box to keep at home and fill with donations. You are invited to bring it back to school or the Parish at any time during Lent or you can wait until Thursday, Week 9 when the school will collect them. Please fill in the panel on the box should you require a receipt. Alternatively, you can donate directly using the QR code. We ask that you support the school in our aim to help Caritas Australia in this most worthwhile endeavour.
Student Details Form
Student Detail Forms have been sent home today with your child. Can you please review and amend the details if necessary. If there are no changes to be made, simply initial and return to your child’s teacher or the front office ASAP.
Thank you, Admin
Friday 16 February - Welcome Back Picnic 5-7pm
Monday 19 February - Senior Swimming Trials (Years 4 - 6 throughout the day)
Wednesday 21 February - P&F Meeting 7pm in the Hive
Senior Swimming Trials - Monday 19 February
This year’s swimming trials are being held at Claremont Aquatic Centre. Trials will take place on Monday 19th February. The current weather forecast is hot, we will continue to monitor and advise changes if required via School Stream. 4G, 4W, 4B and 5W will swim from 9.30am – 12.00pm
5G, 5B, 6B and 6W will start at 12.00pm and finish at 2.15pm Each student will need to wear their sport uniform, bring a towel, hat, water, goggles, suncream, bathers and a bag to carry their belongings. The morning group can order lunch and the afternoon group are able to order recess. If you are able to assist with timing, please email me at tony.brown@cewa.edu.au
Netball 2024 - registrations open!
Please see attached an introductory letter about our upcoming Winter Netball Season for 2024. Registrations will close Sunday 25th February 2024.
Welcome Back Family Picnic
We look forward to welcoming everyone this Friday to our annual Welcome Back Family Picnic. If you are able to assist at the end of the evening with tidying up and taking your rubbish with you it would be greatly appreciated.
Parent Representatives
Calling all parents! With the start of the new school year we are needing one or two parents from each class to put their hand up to be the class representative. The role of the class representative is an important role which helps build a strong community spirit and supports the work of the Parents & Friends Association (P&F) and the school. The primary responsibility of the class rep is to liaise between their class teacher and parents. If you are interested in the role, please email admin@olg.wa.edu.au. Our first meeting is next Wednesday 21 February at 7pm in the Hive. We hope to see you all there!
Plexus Global Consultants - Platinum Sponsor
The P&F Foundation would like to welcome back Plexus Global Consultants as Platinum sponsors for the OLG P&F Foundation and thank you for your ongoing support. If like most people, you find navigating your tax and financial needs both tedious and confusing, then let us take the hassle off your hands. At Plexus Global Consultants, our accountants are part of the (admittedly) small group of people who thrive when dealing with taxation and other financial matters. We know it’s weird! We aim to make accounting more accessible and engaging for our clients so that they can be fully informed and play an active role in their business and financial decisions. We provide all our clients with the support and expert advice they need to achieve optimal business, taxation, and financial outcomes. And ultimately, we help them avoid
having to sit through hours of headache-inducing paperwork and number crunching!! Contact Sal and the team at enquire@plexuglobal.com.au or 08 9441 4600 to book a free initial consult today.
2024 Sacramental Dates
Please place these 2024 Sacramental Dates in your calendar. As each date approaches, more information will follow from year level teachers, in our newsletter
and on School Stream. Please note there will be no enrolment mass weekend. Parents are expected to attend the Sacramental Parent Meeting on the 7th March at 7pm in the MPA. This meeting will contain information about each Sacrament as well as an enrolment pack.
Parents who are unable to attend will need to contact Father Hyginus at the Parish Office. For any other queries please contact Mr DeMaio, the classroom teacher or the Parish office. Opening School Mass change of date – Friday 23rd February
As a Catholic school community, we begin our year with the opportunity to celebrate the Eucharist together at our Opening School Mass. At this Mass we give thanks for the many blessings provided for us in the world and to ask God for guidance and energy to make the most of all that we have been provided with. We will also be presenting our new School Leaders, House Captains and Ministry Leaders with their badges as they begin this important leadership role. We will celebrate our Opening Year Mass together at 11:10am on Friday the 23rd of February in the MPA.
Newman Applications now open – Year 7 2027 Applications are now open for Year 7 2027. Interviews will take place in Term 2, therefore we encourage all families who are yet to submit their applications to do so as soon as possible. For any queries or to request a copy of the Application for Enrolment form, please contact registrar@newman.wa.edu.au
We acknowledge the original custodians of this land, the Noongar people, and show our respect for their ancestors and traditions.
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