31 October 2018

Newsletter Articles

School Calendar

PRAYER

Jesus said to his disciples:
“If you love only those people who love you,
Will God reward you for that?
Even tax collectors love their friends.
If you greet only your friends, what’s so great about that?
Don’t unbelievers do that?
But you must always act like your Father in heaven”.

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew 5:46-48

Principals Report

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Students,

‘Tiz the season to be sneezing as many children and staff, suffer with hay fever, I reflect on the effect that seasons can have on us. It’s not just the pollen that affects us but this week it will be the heat as well. Please make sure your child/children are bringing plenty of water to school and remember there are fridges available for school lunch boxes. The staff and I will do our very best to keep the children comfortable but please be mindful of the importance of regular good night sleeps for your children to keep up their energy and readiness for learning.

All Saints & All Souls Day

On Thursday 1st November and Friday 2nd November we will celebrate All Saints and All Souls Day. All Saints Day is the feast which commemorates all those we know who may never be publicly proclaimed in the canon or list of saints, but who nonetheless are in heaven. Some of them may only be known to God. Others are people whose love, sacrifice and fidelity we have seen for ourselves and who have inspired us. Sometimes they can be our own mothers and fathers. The feast of All Souls is not a feast of sadness, but one of great hope and confidence. We all know someone that has passed and we are comforted knowing they are in God’s care. While the Feast of All Saints offers us an opportunity to be in communion with the Saints as we give thanks to them for their prayers and protection, the Mass of All Souls turns our prayers to all the faithful departed. Please join us for a special Mass tomorrow, Thursday 1st November led by the MGL (Missionaries of God’s Love) Youth Team.

Families are reminded that children are invited to attend school dressed as their favourite Saint. All Saints Day costumes don’t have to be complicated, and after your child decides what saint they would like to dress up as, research the saint together and look up pictures online to get a feel for the costume you need. Costumes need only be simple and can hopefully be put together using simple items you already have at home.

Classes 2019

As we are beginning class preparations for our 2019 year levels, we kindly ask that families who are aware that they are relocating or will be attending another school to please notify me on 0417787843 or email roates@olor.catholic.edu.au.

We understand families may be unsure at this stage but ask that you advise the school as quickly as possible. As we currently have a waitlist for some year levels for 2019, we would like to confirm our existing enrolments for next year before making offers to new families and setting class structures. Your prompt attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.

We welcome to the school this week, Miss Chloe Wood who is undertaking her first year teaching placement and Mr. James Preece who is assisting in all classes with releasing teachers this week for teacher peer and student assessments to be completed by our current staff.

Please note the School Board and I have been meeting regarding the class sizes and structures for next year. I am currently going through the process of staffing for 2019 and all families will be notified of year levels (classes) and teachers allocated by letter in Week 5 of this term.

School Fee statements have also been sent home last week. As this is the last term of the school year, please ensure all school fees are settled by 16th November, 2019 unless you have a repayment plan with us. Should you be experiencing any financial difficulties please contact me to discuss possible options.

Ros Oates
Principal

PLEASE READ THE NEWSLETTERS CAREFULLY. Everything you need to know about the school week and dates is on the school app. (SZapp) You can download on all smartphones and tablets for free. We get a lot of phone calls & text about events and programs that have been advertised widely.

Sport Days – Mondays (Mr. Cotter: Whole school).
Thursdays (Class teachers: Foundation, Year 1, 2 and Years 4/5)
Friday (Class teachers: Year 3 and Years 6/7)

A reminder that full day uniform is to be worn on other days. Sandshoes only on sport days.

Religious Education News

MGL Year of Youth Team

The MGL (Missionaries of God’s Love) Year of Youth Team have two more upcoming visits to the Riverland and we are inviting the OLOR community to support the activities that the Youth and Family Ministry team are organising by attending activities and / or donations of money. Donations can be given to the priests at your Mass or your town’s Youth representative.

Faith Fun Feed

On Sunday 4th November after 11.00am Mass at St. Alberts Loxton Church the MGL Team will meet for a BBQ 12pm at the Loxton Playground. All welcome.

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

Latest Addition

CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES 2018

Christmas Eve:

6pm - Morgan, Loxton
6.30pm – (Family Mass) Renmark
8pm – Waikerie, Barmera

Christmas Day:

9am – Berri
10am - Renmark

The OLOR ladies Christmas lunch will be held on Friday November 30th at Bella Lavendar: 12pm for 12.30pm. RSVP to Betty Beech on 85882561 or Gloria Burns on 0419855950 by the 15th November. ALL Welcome.

SCHOOL NEWS & EVENTS

Address Collection

The Australian Government is in the process of undertaking the 2018 Student Residential Address and Other Information collection this week. A formal collection notice was sent home with Newsletter Term 4, Week 1 distributed on October 17th 2018.

It is therefore important that if any family has changed their residential address during the last twelve months, please advise the school by email or telephone this week.

The outcome of this collection will contribute to assessment of Government funding to our school.

CLASS NEWS

Years 6/7 Excursion to Wetlands

On Thursday, 25th October, the senior class headed down to Martin's Bend for a day of learning about the types of things they can do to monitor the health of our River. We learnt that there is a ‘wetland team’ that conducts many environmental checks of different ecosystems in nature regularly. This is done to ensure the area is of reasonable health. If an issue is discovered, early intervention would have the best possible outcome. We can’t thank enough Cindy Kakoschke from NRM for her organisation, expertise and engaging activities that she implemented with the 6/7 students. We were lucky to be blessed with gorgeous weather as we investigated the many different Aquatic Macroinvertibrates that were in the River. We also did a bit of bird watching, and learnt about what this taught for the health of the River. We were pleased to discover that our River water in Berri is reasonably healthy.

Below are a couple of recounts from the students.

Mrs. Rosemary Perre.

On the 25th of October we went to Martin's Bend and did a Water Watching activity. We started by examining the water. We tested the turbidity and we got 60, that means the water is pretty good but could be better. Then we tested the PH levels which measure the acidity or alkalinity. We got 6.5 PH. which is pretty good as well. The last one we did was the salinity test, using the EC meter which measures the electrical conductivity in the water. It ended up being 252 EC which is good and healthy.

After all that we had some bug finding to do. There was a chart with different small water animals with different sensitivities to polluted water. There were some that didn't care about the pollution, there were some who cared a bit, and some who cared mostly and some who cared a lot about the pollution. We found a lot of different types.

We had lunch and did some bird finding, Jaden and I found a Red Rump bird and a yellow one that I can't remember the name of. Then we went on the bus and came back to school to finish the day.

The day was very interesting and very different from the class room. I enjoyed the nature and roaming the area with binoculars and my friends. My favourite part was looking for the bugs because they had cool unique features and they were microscopic.

Jackson Kennedy

Today (25/10/18) we went down to Martin's Bend to do some water watch with Cindy Kakoschke. Firstly, we started the day by getting a quick talk about what we are going to do and she told us some facts about the river.

The first test that we did was turbidity, we tested it with a tube with wavy lines on the bottom. You pour water into the tube until you cannot see the lines anymore, - how high the water is that is your answer - and our answer was 60. Next, we did a Ph level test. We did that by getting a special strip and putting it in the water for a minute, then we took it out and matched it with the colours on the box. We got 6.5 which is very good for our river. The last test that we did was the salinity level, and we did that by getting a little machine and putting it into the water, keeping it in there until the numbers stopped moving - we got 252.

So from the tests we did today, it looks as though the river is healthy. I learnt about the different species of water bugs, and I even found a baby dragon fly. I also learnt that it is healthy for the river to be a bit dirty. Over all, it was a great day. I had fun and learnt lots, it was a great opportunity.

Zoe Sims

Year 4/5 Mass

The Year 4/5 Mass this week had a strong focus on the injustice and poverty facing the people of Myanmar, the work of Catholic Mission and their desire to help break the cycle of poverty by ensuring children have access to a good education. At the beginning of Mass, students carried down items which represented Myanmar and placed them on the table beside the altar. These are significant reminders of things we have access to daily, and may take for granted such as clean water, food and safety.

To learn more about the work of Catholic Mission and Myanmar visit:

The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra

The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra performed to residents of St Catherine’s and the OLOR students in our gymnasium last Wednesday. It was a lovely performance, which was enjoyed by all. The Heuzenroeder and Wishart children enjoyed catching up with their Great Grandmother, who came over to the school to watch the performance.

Year 3 Activities

The Year 3 class working on their sunset paintings last week. Then they had to use black card to create a silhouette. We can’t wait to show you the finished project!

Year 3 St Catherine’s visit

It was the year 3’s turn to go and visit the residents of St Catherine’s this week. They prepared cards with jokes and enjoyed reading them out to the residents. After, they played some games with balloons and half cut pool noodles. The residents were disappointed when it was time for us to leave, everyone had such a fun time together.

Drama Lesson

Currently in The Arts, we are working on Drama and Improvisation with the Year 4/5’s and 6/7’s. The drama activity this week was called Hot Seating, where two people had a different topic which to have a conversation about, and had to try and get the other person to talk about their topic within 30 seconds. It was lots of fun and a great way to teach students about making up dialogue on the spot in front of an audience. This is in preparation for our Christmas concert performances.

Embracing Arts,
Miss Jones

Ayuen and Maddi, engrossed in conversation.

Paul and Tatam, talking about Apples and Netball

The Year 4/5’s showing fantastic audience skills.

The Year 6/7’s applauding a fantastic performance.

SPORTS DAY NEWS

As the summer sport season begun two weekends ago it was great to see awesome weather and some past students training hard and pushing for selection amongst the senior cricketers at Berri Cricket Club.

Good luck to all our basketballers as they begin their season! Can’t wait to get down to the new stadium and watch a few games.

And lastly, congratulations to all the OLOR boys who tried out and have been selected in the Riverland SAPSASA Cricket. We look forward to the Tennis Squads announcement!

If any families have children interested in taking up cricket this summer, then please see below:

WOOLWORTHS CRICKET BLAST

Junior Blasters – Ages 5-7

Junior Blasters teaches boys and girls of all abilities how to bat, bowl field and catch through exciting game-based activities with friends.

Join the fun at your local centres:

Berri CC, Trenaman Cres, Berri
Tuesday 23 October, 4:00pm – 5:00pm

For more information and to register, visit the link below.

Master Blasters – Ages 7-10

Master Blasters is an action-packed program for kids with basic skills, who are ready to play short games of cricket in a fun and social setting.

Join the fun at your local centres:

Berri CC, Trenaman Cres, Berri
Tuesday 23 October, 4:00pm – 5:30pm

For more information and to register, visit the link below.

Riddle of the Week

I can travel from there to here by disappearing, and here to there by reappearing. What am I?

Last newsletter:

What demands an answer, but asks no question?

A telephone

Quote of the Week

“We didn't lose the game; we just ran out of time.”
- Vince Lombardi

Yours in Sport,
Mr Cotter

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.

TERM 4 Reminders

Community News

Infant Massage-Cue based will give some excellent skills around how to massage baby and more importantly conversations around connection and support in what can be the most exciting and simultaneously tiring time of life. Nikki Tullett Relationships Australia. N.tullett@rasa.org.au or 8582 4122

2018 Loxton Light Up Day/Night is a magnificent event held in Loxton November 24th full of activities and food stalls. Santa, Free Craft, New Kids Zone, Main stage entertainment, Food and shopping. Fireworks spectacular at 9.00pm.

All enquiries to Sonya Altschwager 0427 064 825 or admin@loxtonchamber.com.au

Speld SA inc

The Specific Learning Difficulties Association of South Australia

This organisation is pleased to share information about a rural and regional event that will be held in Renmark on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd November 2018.

Happy Birthday!