13 February 2019

Newsletter Articles

School Calendar

PRAYER

Project Compassion
2019 PRAYER

Creator God, You are our constant hope!
In the season of Lent, you call us to prayer, fasting and love of those most marginalised.
As a community of faith and courage, let our gifts to Project Compassion be symbols of hope and solidarity with our one human family.
Accompany us as we journey with Jesus to bring ‘good news’ to all creation
and ready our hearts to work for the common good of all your people.
We ask this in Jesus’ name.

AMEN

Principals Report

Thank you to all the parents who attended our beginning school Mass on Thursday 7th February it was lovely to welcome our newest families to the school community. It was also an opportunity to reflect on the importance of calmness, silence and stillness in our lives, especially for those new to our Catholic traditions and to explain the importance of daily prayer in our school. As explained after Mass this year, the theme for the Port Pirie Diocese is ‘Peace be with you’. In religion lessons each class is reflecting upon the meaning of peace and how important it is in our daily lives.

Last night’s attendance at the Parent Information Evening was also most encouraging. It is always reassuring for us to see so many parents keen to find out about the focuses and processes and the bigger picture priorities here at Our Lady of the River School. As I mentioned to the whole group, the key messages in my presentation stems from common threads of conversations I have with families and the school board over time. Hopefully what I presented was informative and provided a deeper understanding of the programmes and processes that will unfold here at school throughout 2019 and beyond.

Our teachers were also present to speak with parents and to make appointments for future parent teacher interviews. I wish to acknowledge our staff for their dedication and commitment in preparation of the 2019 school year and their availability of an ‘open door’ policy to all parents and carers. It’s fair to say the students are in great hands with a group of teachers who genuinely care about each individual student and their family.

The presentation of the Growing with Gratitude program at the start of our information night was aimed at informing families about what how we engage with their children daily at school and to give families strategies in how to develop habits of Gratitude, Kindness and Mindfulness that have been identified as the stepping stones to greater happiness and success in life.

The student/teacher program held throughout the day with the students from Years 4 -7 involved a variety of activities that were designed to help students (and themselves) consciously practice gratitude, kindness, positive reflection and empathy. The school will be involved in the Growing with Gratitude whole school approach in 2019.

One of the activities we practiced today is called STOP. THINK. APPRECIATE - a gratitude activity that helps students reflect on what they can be grateful for in the classroom. Also, great exercise to do at home. Thank you to the presenter and founder of the Growing with Gratitude program, Ash Manuel for his work with our school.

Overall, I was pleased to see many parents attend the information night and wish to acknowledge parents who rang the school to inform us of their inability to attend. It is the small things in life that makes others feel valued and respected. I encourage our families to continue to be on the front foot this year and make continuous efforts to know your child’s teacher that will in turn enhance healthy, positive and honest relationships for all.

Let us all journey together and make the difference in our children’s lives this year, especially with a Growth Mindset!

Mrs. Ros Oates
Principal

School News

Literacy Co-ordinator – Special Education

During 2019, Ms. Mel Steele has a new role in the school. Mel will be working as the Literacy Co-ordinator and supporting Mrs. Oates in Special Education for a large proportion of her time. On Tuesdays, Mel will be also teaching the Year 1 class and on Fridays teaching the Year 6/7 class in the morning to help release teachers for planning time. During the other lessons throughout the week Mel will be assisting classroom teachers with individual and small group programs in Cracking the ABC Code reading, writing, spelling and English curriculum. Each newsletter Mel will be sharing with the community what is happening in the school and parent tips to support the development of all students in Literacy.

The Seven Steps to Writing Program has begun in all classes and both teachers and students are all really excited about the fantastic Sizzling Starts that are being created.

What are Sizzling Starts?

So often children start a piece of writing with the same boring start - One day… Once upon a time… We want our students to start their writing where the actions is so they can gain the reader’s interest immediately.

The 6/7 students have created fantastic ‘Ban the Boring’ personalised posters to remind them to use their Sizzling Starts. In the Year 4/5 class students have been writing five Sizzling Starts in five minutes. The lower primary have been discussing Sizzle Starts after watching the beginning of movies and listening to the starts of stories.

The Junior Primary have been revising their spelling rules and vowel sounds using the School start Buddies - the students are learning by manipulating the sounds in words using the magnetic letters and recording their ideas on the whiteboard workspace.

Melanie Steele

Years 4 and 5

The year 4/5 class, with Miss Roberts have been getting to know each other and working on their team building.

School Magazine

The cost of the 2018 School Magazine is $20 per copy. If you would like a pictorial magazine capturing the memories of OLOR’s 2018 year, please see Bernie in the front office.

Special Events

PLEASE REFER TO the school website or SZApp for all school year calendar dates.

Professional Development Dates for 2019

To give families plenty of warning and preparation for child care, could you please make note of the following dates that will be student free days in 2019.

Term 1: Thursday 11th April and Friday 12th April

All Staff: Australian Childhood Foundation ‘Making SPACE for learning’ (Trauma training)

Term 3: Monday 22nd July - Friday 26th July (all Week 1 of Term 3)

All Staff: 7 Steps to Writing, Making SPACE for learning and Religious Staff Retreat

THANK YOU – Berri Basketball Weekend Fundraiser

All donations of goods and time working from members of the community to support the running of our canteen in our school gym last weekend. All efforts were most appreciated. Well done to Tyler Wurth (School Captain) who willingly volunteered all day Sunday, he’s certainly a great leader for our school this year. The monies raised will go towards reducing the costs to camps and excursions this year.

REMINDERS

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.

Religious Education News

Project Compassion

“Caritas Australia - The Catholic agency for international aid and development.

The future does have a name… and its name is hope.” – Pope Francis

Each family will be given a Project Compassion box on Wednesday. The money from these boxes helps offer hope to people most vulnerable to extreme poverty and injustice. Through a holistic approach Caritas is working with communities providing hope for a just and fair world regardless of their ethnicity, political beliefs, gender or religion.

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

Witness - Latest Addition

The Witness is a bi-monthly publication of the Catholic Diocese of Port Pirie. Issued every February, April, June, August, October and December.

TERM 1 Reminders

School Uniforms

School Uniforms

We would like to make aware to OLOR families we have a large collection of second hand uniforms in good condition. If any families are interested please see Bernie or Sandy in the front office.

Youth Arts in the Riverland

Riverland Arts Community News

On Saturday 2nd February over 50 Riverland students sung, danced and performed their way in front of a panel of 5 adults in the Riverland’s Arts Community to secure roles in our 2019 YRMS production of Seussical Jr.

Four students from OLOR have won roles in the production. The YRMS recognise and congratulate these students as it takes incredible strength of character to go through such an intense audition process.

William Heuzenroeder – Wickershams
Tom Colligan – Ensemble
Mitchell Ebert – Ensemble
Daniel Heuzenroeder – Ensemble

Regards,

Narelle James YRMS Production Manager

Community News

Berri Netball Club

Berri Netball Club trials 2019. All interested players are invited to attend trials. You must register to Trial –

62nd Mardi Gras Loxton Community Event - Theme “Showtime” 22nd – 24th February

Fun filled weekend. Friday 22nd February starts with BBQ at Rotunda followed by Free Family Film – “Up” (G).

Saturday the street is filled with Craft and Food Stalls and Activities. Nippy’s Loxton Gift starts at 5pm at the Loxton Oval. Free entry.

Sunday 8.30am Mardi Gras Appreciation Service at the Rotunda: Honouring WW11 SA Military Nurse Eileen Callaghan, local volunteers and presentation to 2019 Mardi Gras Flagbearers. Enquiries Email: loxtonmardigras@gmail.com or Carla Magarey 0418 808 296

Tai Chi Meditation

6 week course Sunday 3.30pm-4.30pm and Tuesday 7pm-8pm.

An intensive 12 session course of training in: Taji, Qigong, Meditation, Hawaiian Lua, Breath work.

Dates: March 3rd, 5th, 10th, 12th, 17th, 19th, 24th, 26th, 31st and April 2nd, 7th, 9th to be held at Renmark Institute Dojo (Upstairs)

Cost: $120 All inclusive (Bring a friend $100) Course Leader:

Chris Pearce (8th Dan C.K.A.) mobile 0418 832 132

Happy Birthday!