2 May 2018

Newsletter Articles

School Calendar

PRAYER

Principals Report

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Students,

As we commence the first week of Term Two, classes are in full swing with our students seeking to build on the success of Term One. The teachers are keen to continue to develop our emphasis on building a strong learning culture where everyone strives to achieve their personal best, especially with our literacy program, Cracking the ABC Code.

A special welcome to Mr. Paul Forde who will be teaching the Year 6/7 students this term, while Mr. Shaun Kelly is on long service leave. I'm sure the community will also extend their warm welcome to Paul. He brings a wealth of teaching experience and knowledge to our team and we are delighted to have him this term.

Last Wednesday our nation celebrated ANZAC Day in communities all across Australia. My family and I joined the many Riverlanders who attended the dawn service ceremony held in Loxton. It was a lovely to see many of our staff and students, and especially our current student Jaden Isaacs and his older brother Callum taking part in the formal parts of the ceremony. Both Jaden and Callum are members of the Riverland Army Cadets.

A warm welcome to new students Lily (Year 5) and Ella (Year 2) and their parents Sarah and Tim Rothe, who have joined Our Lady of the River School this week. We wish these children and their family a long and happy association with our school community.

Congratulations

During the school holidays a number of our present and past students were involved in the Young RMS (Riverland Musical Society) production of Disney – The Little Mermaid. It was spectacular show held at the Bonney Theatre in Barmera, over two days and four amazing performances by local Riverland youth including OLOR students, Kiana R, Amity K, Molly W, William H, and Maddison W. Congratulations to our students and the many OLOR parents whom I know were heavily involved in the production of the show. I thoroughly enjoyed the matinee performance on Sunday 22nd April and certainly acknowledge the talent of all performers, especially our young gifted students from OLOR.

School Uniforms

With winter on the way, it is time to check on your winter uniform items and purchase new items from Tri-State in Renmark. I have approved a new style of tracksuit pant that matches the fabric of our new style hoodie jumper. The new tracksuit pant will be available in 4 weeks time. The older style tracksuit pant is still available for those families who prefer that particular style. I suggest parents visit Tri-State in the coming weeks to make sure you can purchase items or order what your child/ren need in readiness for the colder weather.

NAPLAN (National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy)
15 - 17th and 21st May

Students in Years 3 & 5 will sit for the National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) test again this year. The assessments are an opportunity for students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding. For students in Years 3, 5 and 7, there are four tests covering numeracy, reading, writing and language conventions (spelling, punctuation and grammar). This year all our testing will be done in the paper format. The students are familiar with this testing and format and have will have some practice sessions to ensure they are comfortable with the process. Please make note of the NAPLAN dates and ensure your child is well rested. The assessments will take place in the morning session each day.

Preparing for NAPLAN

NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are already learning through the school curriculum. Teachers will ensure that students are familiar with the test formats and will provide appropriate support and guidance. Excessive preparation is not useful and can lead to unnecessary anxiety. If you have any questions about your child's preparation for NAPLAN, you are encouraged to make a time to speak with their teacher.

NAPLAN tests are constructed to give students an opportunity to demonstrate skills they have learned over time through the school curriculum, and NAPLAN test days should be treated as just another routine event on the school calendar. The best way you can help your child prepare for NAPLAN is to reassure them that NAPLAN tests are just one part of their school program, and to urge them to simply do the best they can on the day.

ACARA does not recommend the use of commercial products, such as booklets and practice tests, to help your child prepare for NAPLAN tests. None of the commercial products currently on the market are endorsed by ACARA. The use of services by coaching providers is not recommended.

If you are concerned about your child sitting NAPLAN for any reason, please contact Mrs Oates.

Cracking the ABC Code for Parents

Spelling words with ‘ck’, ‘c’ at the end of words. Click on the YouTube below to watch a clip based on our instruction through Cracking the ABC Code.

Environmental print refers to the print that we see around us in the various aspects of our life. We see print in our environment on signs, logos, catalogues, brochures, labels and a range of advertisements. When children are just beginning to learn the sounds of the alphabet and beginning to blend letters and combinations of letters to decode words, the print we see in our environment can be a useful, ever-present resource.

OLOR Mini Commonwealth Games

Flash back! On the last day of Term 1 the teachers organised a number of Commonwealth games, fun activities for all the children to participate through. The school sports captains did an amazing job of leading their perspective teams throughout the afternoon. I'm sure you will enjoy looking at the photo album below.

Playgroup

Come along to B.O.P.P.E.R.S. (Berri OLOR Planned Playgroup Early Readiness for School) on Tuesdays 9am till 11am. There are a lovely group of young children and their carers enjoying our opportunity for free play, structured games and craft activities. Please let friends and family know in the community.

OLOR School Board

Nominations are called for the Our Lady of the River School Board. A brief outline of the role and structure of the school Board, including the responsibilities of the members of the Board, is available from the school office. The school Board usually meets for approximately one and a half hours on a Monday evening six times a year and discusses a range of topics including school policies, finances, buildings and facilities, promotion of the Catholic ethos and future directions. The role of the Board is viewed as being integral in sharing the responsibility of the overall wellbeing of the school. Our current School Board membership consists of the Parish Priest: Father Paul Bourke and the Principal: Ros Oates, Chairperson: Dimitria Dale and members Naomi Hunt, Kelly Minchella, Kelly Storer, Michelle Kennedy, Cilla Marsden, Rowan Cresp, Phil Cresp and Amrik Pal. If you are interested in becoming a member of the School Board, we invite you to fill in a nomination form by contacting the administration staff or the principal as soon as possible - some current School Board members will end their term at the AGM to be held on Monday 7th May, 7pm in the Multipurpose Room.

Ros Oates
Principal

Religious Education News

SACRAMENTS 2018

There is a parent information session for Reconciliation and Eucharist on Monday 4th June at 5.30pm till 6.30pm for students and their families in Saint Mary's Church. Please come along to receive more detailed information about the Sacrament services to be held on Reconciliation on Tuesday 7th August and Eucharist on Sunday 19th August. There will be quite a lot of information at the meeting, about the expectations of parents to assist their children to prepare and participate in the respective Sacraments.

The latest edition of the Southern Cross features all the latest news and information on our Catholic community. Click on the following link below.

Catholic Education Week

Catholic Education Week 2018 will be held from Friday 25 May-Friday 1 June and will focus on the theme: OPENING OUR HEARTS AND MINDS. The Diocesan theme for 2018 draws on our call to bring to life, and explicitly name, how Catholic Social Teaching is lived out in each of our communities and how we need to have hearts that are open to future possibilities. By opening our minds we develop a greater understanding as to how these teachings can be a lived experience in each individual community. It is hoped that every member of the school community will experience an opportunity to open their heart and mind to a loving God so they can develop and foster a relationship with God in return.

Our Lady of the River staff and students will be involved in key Diocesan activities undertaken by all schools: These include;

• Wednesday 30 May – Riverland Schools Combined Mass/activities and Simultaneous Prayer activity using video conferencing
• Diocese of Port Pirie Switches Off
• Fundraising for the partnership with the Good Samaritan Sisters in Kiribati

Year 2 Mass

Miss Roberts and the Year 2 students will host our special Mother’s Day Mass on Thursday 10th May. We invite all parents and friends but especially our mothers and grandmothers to come along. Afterwards join us in the parish centre for a special morning tea.

SCHOOL NEWS & EVENTS

School Canteen

Canteen is available this Friday, 4th May.  Please have your orders in by this Thursday, 3rd May.  Thank you to our canteen parent volunteer, Annette Bilson and our staff, Erica Kalman and Sandy Sando for all their weekly work organising orders and distributing lunches.  Next week the canteen will have some 'winter warmer' foods available for student tasting.  These include spaghetti and lasagne that may be added to our list of lunch options in the coming weeks.  Students can also ask for their sandwiches and hotdogs to be flat toasted during the winter months.  

OLOR Sports News

Schoolzine Newsletter and Calendar

A reminder that the calendar is only available online through the School App ‘SZapp’. Having it online will ensure that it is current and always up to date. The Newsletter will continue to highlight upcoming events to ensure that parents and families are fully aware of what is on. The newsletter is every fortnight on the odd weeks, e.g. 1, 3, 5 etc. and will come to your email inbox or ‘SZapp’ on the Wednesday of those weeks. I encourage all families to install the ‘SZapp’ on your smart phone or Tablet. To ensure you receive the newsletter in your inbox each week, please ensure the front office has your correct email addresses. If you do not have an email address, please let the front office know (this week) so that we can send paper copies home with your eldest child.

Fortnight Reminders

Community News

For interested members of the OLOR community. For all those interested in Tupperware please call Independent Tupperware Consultant:

Gabby Rowe ~ Ph.: 0484762475

Please quote that you saw this advertisement and are an OLOR community member. The school will receive 10% off all purchases.

Happy Birthday!