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Pope Francis's intention prayer for August
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop 8th August
On Sunday, August 8, we celebrate the feast day of our school founder, Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop. Mary chose to make a difference to the society in which she lived in the 19th Century by educating the poor and helping them build a life through faith and understanding.
As a school community, we will be acknowledging with deep gratitude the efforts of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart, who once led our school, with a special Mass at 9 am on Monday, August 9, in the school gym. Parents are welcome to join us and asked to comply with our COVID-19 Safe Plan, including wearing masks, social distancing, and using the QR Code scan.
Just as Saint Mary MacKillop did, we too are also called to make a difference, with a spirit of generosity, open to the changing needs of society and prepared to stand with people in the ordinary circumstances of their existence. On Monday, August 9, the students are encouraged to express their faith commitment through action and come to school dressed in the theme of being a student back in the early 1900s. We ask families for a gold coin donation and in return the students receive a free raffle ticket draw. The prize voucher will be drawn at the end of the day. Contributions will go directly to supporting those in need in our community.
The Assumption of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary – 15th August
On the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we remember when Mary was taken into heaven, body and soul, after she died. This story in the Bible. However, a tradition handed down from the earliest days of the Church says that Mary died in Jerusalem and was buried in a tomb. When the apostles opened the tomb again, her body was gone. Just like the way her son's body had disappeared. Why would God take Mary’s body and soul into heaven? In part because Mary is special to God: she said “yes” to becoming the mother of Jesus. But God also wanted to show us that one day, all of us will share in the bodily resurrection of Jesus. Mary is the first person in the Church to experience the resurrection in its fullness.
Sacraments
Over the coming weeks, the senior students will be preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation. The Sacrament of Confirmation is the completion of the grace received at Baptism. It is the Sacrament in which we receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which strengthens us to take up the mission Christ gives us.
This year Our Lady of The River Catholic School will be joining the students from St. Albert’s in Loxton to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation as one parish. Confirmation will be celebrated on Sunday, 19th September at 9.00 am in Berri. Bishop Karol will be our main celebrant.
Students will have the opportunity to work together on a Confirmation Retreat Day on Friday 10th September hosted at in our school hall.
A reminder to the Confirmation candidates that I would like to have any stoles that you would like me to personalise as well as your Confirmation Cards completed with your details returned as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please let me know.
Loving God,
We who have been touched by the Spirit of St. Mary of the Cross Mackillop ask you to raise us up and help us explore and live out the Josephite Charism to make the world a better place.
Help us to love as St. Mary of the Cross loved, to help others to grow as she did, by giving of herself and being open to the action of God in her life.
We ask this through Christ our Lord,
Amen
May the generous hospitality of God's gracious love be with you always,
Rosemary Perre
APRIM
Dear Parents, Caregivers, Staff, Students and Friends,
Welcome to Term 3. What a few weeks we have had - lockdown, remote learning, blizzard-like weather and the Olympics!
While this wasn't the start to Term 3 that we were expecting, I want to thank every student and family for the way you have handled the challenges of the lockdown.
The students across the whole school embraced remote learning very well. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the fantastic staff here at Our Lady of the River. They enacted their remote learning plans aligned to the Australian Curriculum for Term 3 last week with minimal notice. The staff here go above and beyond what is expected in their role description. The students are always at the forefront of every decision made, and their dedication and commitment to teaching are unquestionable. I am incredibly grateful for everything they do. If in future we need to put remote learning in place, the staff are skilled and ready.
This term, we welcome our Mid-term intake students, Leo Howie, Kaylee Trevorrow, Angus Dixon-Chapman, MacKenzie Renfrey, Theodora Dalamagas and part-time Hudson Curyer. Miss Harslett's Foundation and Year 1 class has six new students, and five Year 1 students have moved into Miss Trueman's classroom, making that a Year 1 and Year 2 class.
Now for some sensitive news. Unfortunately, just before the break at the end of Term 2, the Stiles family's world came crashing down. Alexa, one of their youngest twins, three years of age and the little sister of Olivia in our Year 2 class at Our Lady of the River, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer called Rhabdomyosarcoma.
Both parents have had to halt all plans and will be required to attend appointments most days in Adelaide at Women's and Children's Hospital with Alexa in the next six months.
Alexa has commenced chemotherapy, at times daily for weeks at a time. Her treatment plan also includes intensive weeks of daily radiotherapy, leaving her extremely ill.
We reach out to our OLOR school family for love, prayers and support. In the coming months, we as a community will be involved in Fight Cancer 'Footy Colours Day' - Wear your colours for Kids with Cancer fundraiser that supports the team of people helping the Stiles family.
Staffing
This term, we welcome Mel Halupka, who will be supporting the Junior Primary classrooms as a curriculum Educational Support Officer.
We also formally acknowledge the newly appointed staff who will be joining the Leadership Team at St Francis of Assisi College in 2022:
Mr Luke Cotter – Leader of Wellbeing
Mrs Nanda DeWinter – Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission
Mrs Natalie Meuret – Leader of Learning
In 2016, Luke Cotter joined the Our Lady of the River School community as a graduate teacher. Over the years, he has refined his teaching and leading skills in our school and become an active contributor to many community groups in Berri. This new role is such a fantastic opportunity for Luke, and I'm sure you will join me in congratulating him on his new role in 2022.
Living Learning Leading Survey
Today, all families received a flyer (via Seesaw) introducing you to a survey we are currently conducting about the school climate and the Catholic Education Living Leading Learning Framework, in conjunction with Curtin University.
We value your feedback greatly, so all parents are invited to participate in the survey as an important opportunity to let us know how things are going for you and your child/ren. CESA and school staff will use the data to identify strengths and areas to work and build upon as part of our continuous improvement.
Please be assured that your feedback will be anonymous and confidential.
We would appreciate you taking the time to complete the survey. The closing date for the survey is Thursday, August 19. Thank you in anticipation.
'Never see a need without doing something about it.' Blessed Mary Mackillop.
Ros Oates
Principal
This year during Week 5 at Our Lady of the River School, we will celebrate Science Week.
The school theme for National Science Week 2021 is Food: Different by Design.
It honours the United Nations International Year of Fruits and Vegetables and the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development.
During Science Week, there will be activities at school during playtimes, and this year we will also be having a Science Photography or Artist Talent Search.
Students from all years can enter our Science Photography or Science Poster Competition. Details of the competition are on a flyer sent home and uploaded on Seesaw.
Entries are due by Thursday, August 19 (end of Week 5). There are lots of prizes up for our budding creative scientists, so get started now!
We will celebrate Book Week this term from Saturday 21st until Friday, August 27 (Week 6).
The theme for Book Week this year is 'Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds'.
Thank you to Sandy Sando, who has come up with many creative ideas for us to be involved in during the week to celebrate books and the enjoyment and learning we can get from them.
Our whole school dress-up day will be Wednesday, 25.
We will commence the day with a parade, enjoying the costumes that have been put together. We will have a free sausage sizzle lunch. If you are available to help cook/serve the BBQ, please let Karlie in the office know by email or phone call.
Start thinking about costumes related to the theme of 'Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds'. We invite all students to participate positively in the day and that everyone dresses in some way according to the theme or any other costume related to a book character.
A few ideas: unicorn, dinosaur, astronaut, Minecraft, Harry Potter, Captain Underpants, Princess, Prince.
If you need any help at all with ideas or costumes, please let us know. We would love all children to have the opportunity to be involved. Other activities that we will be involved in will be:
- Visits to the Berri Public Library
- Reading and listening to the shortlisted books for the Book Week 2021 awards
- Visit our own fantastic school library and a daily new book released for the students
Premier's Reading Challenge 2021
All completed forms for the Premier's Reading Challenge need to be in by Friday 3rd September.
Sandy Sando
Library ESO
Would you mind ensuring that your child's uniform and school items are clearly named to reduce the number of children looking for lost property? We require donations of good quality secondhand uniforms, especially the sizes 6-12 for girls and boys. Please bring any donations of uniforms to the front office.
Reminder to families about COVID-19 expectations
Term 3 |
Term 4 |
Tues Week 5 – Golf @ Berri (students only) |
Fri Week 1 – School Cricket Cup @ Berri |
Fri Week 5 – Basketball @ Loxton |
Week 4 – Cricket State Carnival (Year 6/7) @ Adelaide |
Tues Week 9 – Hot Shots Tennis @ Berri (Year 3/4) |
Week 5 – Tennis State Carnival (Year 6/7) @ Adelaide |
Mon Week 10 – Country Track and Field Championships @ Adelaide |
Fri Week 6 – Softball (Year 5/6/7) @ Glassy Park |
Welcome to Term 3. Sports news for this term is mainly about the changes of dates for SAPSASA Basketball and Golf. Please see below. We are very excited that these events are able to go ahead considering the COVID-19 changes. Thank you for your understanding. The senior students are looking forward to basketball in the next few weeks.
Tom Charlton
Sports Coordinator
Catholic Primary School – St Francis of Assisi College Update
Strengthening Inclusion, Learning & Student Wellbeing
We are excited to offer families one to one virtual sessions with Frankie Roberts, Education Advisor: Learning Diversity and Equity. Frankie will tailor discussions to meet individual family needs, such as, supports for specific learning needs, and supports for students with disabilities. Sessions will be set up and hosted from our office so no need to worry about computers or technology, just come along at the pre-arranged meeting time. Principal, Nathan Hayes will be part of the meetings and assist families with the process. Call our office on 8595 4500 to set up a session.
Our postponed parent evening on Strengthening Inclusion, with Frankie Roberts, will be rescheduled for later this term.
Building Site Tour
Interested in seeing history in the making? As part of Catholic Education Week, we are hosting a tour of the College Building site on Monday 9 August 2021. Registrations are essential and numbers are limited so get in quick. Register at www.assisi.catholic.edu.au or call 8595 4500.
Topic | Term | Week |
School Attendance | Term 2 | Week 3 |
Walk Safely to School | Term 2 | Week 3 |
Canteen Price increase | Term 2 | Week 1 |
Transition Students | Term 2 | Week 1 |
Term 2 Events Calendar | Term 2 | Week 1 |
SAPSASA Timetable | Term 1 | Week 8 |