Filter Content
The Ascension
This week our Church celebrates the feast of the Ascension.
Reconciliation Week
Change begins with brave actions in your daily life – where you live, work, play and socialise.
Take these Actions to Make Change with you every day of the year, not just during National Reconciliation Week.
What is National Reconciliation Week?
The dates for NRW remain the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.
Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures.
Our Catholic traditions are embedded in the concept of reconciliation. To reconcile is to restore broken relationships. May this week allow us to brave enough to seek opportunities to express that we are sorry for the treatment of our Indigenous brothers and sisters. We commit to making our country a nation which honours every person and values the preciousness of life.
Reconciliation Week Acknowledegment
Today Sam Mitchell from Mission Australia join us for a Reconciliation liturgy. Each class participated in a workshop that explored the theme of Reconciliation Week of 'Be Brave. Make Change.' Sam donated to our library Adam Goodes books 'Ceremony' and 'Somebody's Land'.
Mass
We celebrated mass Thursday Morning with the Year 3 class
The Resilience Project – 5th Presentation to Families:
Summary
This year our staff are implementing The Resilience Project at Our Lady of the River School. This Australian based program has a focus on three core pillars:
- Gratitude
- Empathy
- Mindfulness
Every child from Foundation to Year 6 has a workbook that they are using during their Resilience Project lessons.
Parent/Caregiver Information:
Throughout 2022, we will be working closely with The Resilience Project to support the wellbeing of our school community.
The Resilience Project delivers emotionally engaging programs and provides evidence-based, practical strategies to build resilience.
This program is an important part of our school’s effort to look after the mental health of our community.
Today’s presentation from The Resilience Project is a summary of what has been covered over the previous 4 newsletters.
Part 5: Summary
In the final part of The Resilience Project's digital series, Martin shares an important message about creating environments where our kids can ask for help.
65% of adolescents do not seek help for mental illness.
In this presentation, Martin shares a personal experience about a traumatic event that happened to him as a child. He explains how he overcame adversity and built resilience by asking for support, particularly from his family.
Note: This video contains a story of sexual abuse that may be triggering. Please consider this before watching. For mental health resources and support information, visit The Resilience Project’s Support Page.
View Part 5 of the series here - Summary
https://theresilienceproject.com.au/parent-and-carer-hub/
Thank you for participating in this Parent and Carer Digital Program series. You can re-watch the videos and access activities and resources anytime via the Parent & Carer Hub.
You can also stay up to date with The Resilience Project news and events by signing up to their Newsletter.
Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum
The staff at Our Lady of the River School and St Joseph’s, Barmera, met on Tuesday for our ongoing professional development. Our focus this week was on the Keeping Safe: Child Safe Curriculum that we teach from Reception to Year 6. Staff accessed the new resource portal which allows them to utilise the program planners to ensure all of the elements are explicitly taught during a child’s primary education.
The KS:CPC teaches children and young people to recognise abuse, tell a trusted adult, understand what is appropriate and inappropriate touching and ways of keeping themselves safe.
Themes
The curriculum is based on two main themes which are presented through topics and activities.
- Theme 1: We all have the right to be safe
- Theme 2: We can help ourselves to be safe by talking to people we trust.
Focus Areas
The two themes are explored through four Focus Areas, which are examined in growing complexity in accordance with the age of the learners.
- The right to be safe
- Relationships
- Recognising and reporting abuse
- Protective strategies.
More information can be found on the KS:CPC website: http://kscpc.2.vu/DE_ParentsCarers
National Simultaneous Storytime
Thank you
Walk Safely To School
Despite the chilly morning, it was heartening to see a large number of children and staff stroll along Kay Ave to OLOR as part of the national ‘Walk safely To School’. National Walk Safely to School Day is a community initiative that raises awareness of the health, road safety, transport and environmental benefits that regular walking (especially to and from school) can provide for the long term well-being of our children. Well done OLOR on your participation!
T 2 Calendar
Our Term Two calendar will be updated in our Schoolzine newsletter. We will also provide a PDF version via SZapp and Seesaw so that every family is aware of the events which will be held at OLOR this term.
Instrumental/singing Lessons at OLOR
Would your child like to learn a musical instrument at school?
Music Alive School of Music has been partnering with OLOR to provide guitar lessons at school and is now able to offer students the opportunity to learn piano, strings (violin, viola and cello) and singing at school.
Piano, strings and singing lessons will be provided by Catherine Heuzenroeder, an OLOR parent and experienced teacher who is the accompanist for the Riverland Primary Schools’ Music Festival and regular contributor to the Young Riverland Musical Society (YRMS) program.
Learning an instrument develops musicality and is recognised as stimulating brain function, including maths and language skills. It brings a host of transferable skills including improving memory, concentration and building determination and resilience. It’s also a lot of fun!
Students who learn a musical instrument through Music Alive have the opportunity to perform at recitals, sit nationally-recognised exams and enjoy the social benefits of playing in ensembles.
If you would like more information or want to register for lessons starting soon, please contact Music Alive School of Music on info@musicalive.com.au or by phoning 8584 5561. Catherine can be contacted directly at catherineheuzenroeder@outlook.com or by phoning 0417 530 070.
New Front Office Staff
We welcome Mrs Kirrilly Curyer to the staff at Our Lady of the River School. We trust that you will make Kirrilly feel welcome to her role as she familiarises herself with the range of tasks that will allow her to respond to the inquiries that she encounters. It has been wonderful witnessing her terrific care of our children thus far as she dispenses bandaids, TLC and an encouraging word.
Uniform
A reminder that school uniform items are accessible through Tri-State Graphics, 216 Renmark Avenue, Renmark Ph: 8586 5815
As the weather becomes cooler it is important that our students are wearing the correct uniform items and not random coats and jackets.
Principal role Being Advertised
Our community would be aware that the Principal role at Our Lady of the River School is currently being advertised. We trust that the advertisement will draw a wide range of applicants and that our school community will be blessed with a candidate that will sustain and build the tremendous aspects of Our Lady of the River School.