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Dear Families, Caregivers and Students,
One of the things I have learned and admire about the OLOR community is the ‘can do’ attitude. Mary MacKillop’s words ‘never see a need without doing something about it,’ are lived out through all its members. I was able to witness this again throughout the working bee last Saturday. Not only did many families contribute their time to the working bee, they also contributed a wide variety of skills. I express my sincere gratitude to all who helped. I especially like to mention and thank Prestige Kitchens and Cabinets in Berri for their generous donation of materials.
Well done to all students for excellent participation in Sports Day. Thank you to Mr Cotter and Ms Drogemuller for the organisation of the day. It was good to see everyone demonstrate great team spirit and give all events a go. It always warms my heart to hear students encourage each other. I was fortunate to not only witness students encourage those in their own team but encourage everyone. Congratulations to St Patrick’s for winning the school’s Spirit Award, and to St Joseph’s for winning the Sports Shield. Thank you to the old scholars that helped to make the day run smoothly, Meg, Zoe, Casey and Amelia. It’s always great to see parents attend and participate on the day and I am glad so many of you joined us. A special mention to Mr Pat Perre who was the score keeper for the day.
I am blessed to work with an amazing staff who are passionate in providing the best for every child and have a genuine desire to see your child being successful. In my eyes all staff in our school are teachers. Every staff member provides education and support for your child at some time throughout each day. Last Friday World Teacher Day was celebrated. This was an excellent opportunity to acknowledge all staff members and celebrate the work they do.
Over the last week I have been approached by many parents with the question where I will be working next year. Although I have announced next year’s staff changes to the community already, I realise I have not let you know where I am going. One explanation could be that in my mind my position at Our Lady of the River School always was a one year appointment. Next year I am returning to St Joseph’s in Barmera.
Whenever change occurs, it can be unsettling for students. Sometimes that change can be new living arrangements at home, new staff, new students and more. When students become unsettled due to the change they experience, the staff works together and hard to support all children. It can be easy to label a child as naughty through this. I do not believe any child comes to school with a plan of being disruptive. It is important to think, ‘Is that child giving people a hard time or is that child having a hard time?’ My approach is to provide that child with learning opportunities and support without excluding them. In the same way when a child is learning to read and is struggling we do not take books away. If a child is not able to play well with others, we should not take them away from other children. In both examples, we provide support and learning opportunities for them so that they can improve and become successful. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel welcome to make a time to talk with your child’s teacher or make a time to meet with me.
Next Thursday we welcome 7 kindergarten children as they begin their transition to school; Jaxon, Hope, Bor, Logan, Harry, Sriyan and Stellar. I love the joy children bring to school on their first day of transition; excitement in their eyes, open minds that take in everything they see and do and the enthusiasm they have to meet everyone in the school. A real buzz of excitement!
As the Made in the Image of God curriculum is being rolled out in our school this week and the next, I was thinking about who we are to God. I was thinking about how beautiful He made human beings and how much care He must have taken while creating us. He laid in each of us something that is uniquely beautiful. Celebrate who you are and discover what God put into you that makes you you; God’s beautiful and unique creation.
Have a great weekend.
Nanda de Winter
Pope Francis’s intention prayer for November
Last Sunday, November 1st, we celebrated the feast of All Saints, we honour those men and women who—whether they’ve been canonised or not—have led lives of heroic virtue that set an example for all Christians. Saints believe that with God on their side, no one and nothing can stop them. They don’t wait for someone else to do good first; they jump right in and serve wherever they see a need in their community. Saints try to see Christ in every person and every situation. Saints show us what it means to be a disciple. They help us to see that what matters most in life is not what we earn or own, not the job we have or the people we know. What really matters is how much we love God, others, and ourselves.
The very next day, 2nd November the Catholic Church celebrates, All Souls day. This is a day set apart for honouring all who have died. We fondly remember and pray for our loved ones who are no longer here with us on Earth. We ask God to bring them to the joyful banquet of heaven to be with God and the saints forever.
Loving Father,
We thank you for the example of all saints. Ordinary men and women who set out to live the truth of the Gospel in their own time, meeting the needs of their day. May we learn to be like these saints and have a generous heart so that we can bring justice in our time. Help us follow in the footsteps of these holy men and women and live the challenge of the Gospel.
We pray for our loved ones called to your eternal garden. May the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.
We ask this in your Holy name.
Amen
November 11 – Remembrance Day
On 11 November 1918, an armistice was signed, bringing an end to the First World War. Each year, on the anniversary of this date, we dedicate our thoughts and prayers to the brave men and women who fought so hard for peace to become a reality, particularly from World War I onwards.
Our school will pause for 1 minute of silence at 11:00am on the 11th November to honour the bravery and sacrifice of these remarkable souls.
Almighty God,
We remember with thanksgiving, those who made the supreme sacrifice for us in times of war. We pray that their offering of their lives may not have been in vain. May your grace enable us this day to dedicate ourselves to the cause of justice, freedom and peace; and give us the wisdom and strength to build a better world.
Amen
This Sunday’s Gospel Message for Families
(Brisbane Liturgy)
32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A - 8th November 2020
“Look, the bridegroom comes. Go out to meet him.”
OLOR Bulletin
Witness
The Witness is a bi-monthly publication released every February, April, June, August, October and December, please click the following link to view.
Co-editors; Jennifer Wainwright and Michael Preece.
The Southern Cross
Please click on the following link for the latest issue of The Southern Cross.
Sports Day 2020. What a fantastic celebration of community and sportsmanship. Congratulations to all competitors.
We have three jumpers and five water bottles all with no names in the lost property, there are photos below. If any of these belong to you please collect them from the front office. Please remember to label all jumpers, water bottles, lunch boxes and containers, if they are labelled they will be returned to the students as soon as possible.
Jumper Size 8
Hoodie Size 8 Hoodie Size 10
Hot Food Price List
Chicken and corn Pie - $4.50
School Pie (Large) - $3.50
School Pie (Small) - $2.50
School Pasty (Large) - $3.50
School Pasty (Small) - $2.50
Sausage Roll - $3.00
Mini Sausage Roll - $1.50
Hot Dog - $3.00
Hot Dog with Cheese - $3.50
Tomato / BBQ Sauce - Free
Ham & Pineapple or Pepperoni or Vegetarian Pizza - $4.50
Half Ham & Pineapple / Pepperoni Pizza - $2.50
Our Lady of the River are excited to offer our families a substantial drop in our school fees for 2021, please find below a more simplified fee structure showing a cost per family and a cost per family with a low income, if you have any questions or to check eligibility for the low income rate please contact the school on 0885821128 or email patperre@olor.catholic.edu.au
Congratulations to the following students who are having a birthday in November:
Foundation - Mia Sandford
Year 1 - Grace Heuzenroeder, Jack Burnett
Year 2 - Grace Li
Year 3 -Jack Endermann, Ishmeet Kaur
Year 4 -Tom Colligan, Will Cresp, Eli Cresp
Year 5 - Connor Kruger
Year 6 - Emma Schubert, Tatam Hunt, Issac Morgan
Year 7 -Yianni Exarheas, Alhannah Kennedy