21 February 2020

Newsletter Articles

School Calendar

Scripture

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Romans 12:2

Principals Report

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Students,

Last week I was very lucky to attend the Year 5-7 camp to Aldinga. As an educator it is a privilege to be involved in every child’s learning journey, both in and out of the school. The camp to Aldinga allowed me to extend my relationships with each child and see each child’s confidence grow as they participated in the activities. I appreciate that as a parent you hand over responsibility for your child completely and we place high importance on ensuring camp is a successful experience for all children.

Whilst away, I loved being able to share the photos of the day through social media with you. I know from my own experience that it can be difficult to have a child away on camp, hoping they are doing well. The photos are one way of providing you with the opportunity to see your children are having a wonderful time.

Student behaviour throughout the camp was exceptional, which was confirmed by one of the camp leaders from Active Education. She wrote in an email:

My name is Cath Warnecke and I work for Active Education. I had the privilege of working with your year 5-7 students recently on their camp at Aldinga. It was a delight to work with such respectful and polite students who were fully engaged in all the experiences we provided. At all times the students were encouraging of each other, adaptable, resourceful and showed resilience in the challenging activities we presented to them. I trust they have a great year ahead with many amazing opportunities. I personally look forward to working with the school in the future. (Shared with permission.)

Over the past 4 weeks I have learned many things about the staff, the students and the families here at OLOR. It has only been 4 weeks, yet I feel I have been here a lot longer. I suppose it means I feel very much at home. It has been a humbling and a privileged experience to work with a dedicated staff, wonderful students and supportive families every day.

Over the past 4 weeks I hope you have equally learned many things about me and my leadership. I hope that you have learned that my door is always open. I hope you have learned that I like to be transparent and that I am genuine in my approach; I want the best for everyone in our school community. I hope you have learned how important face to face communication is to me. I hope you have learned that I like to teach by example and that I am reflective of my own practice with the honest intention of everyone experiencing growth under my leadership.

Next week is Ash Wednesday and Lent begins. Lent is a time to open the doors of our hearts a little wider and try to understand our God a little deeper. The season of Lent always sneaks up really quickly and tends to catch me unawares. Has this year’s season of renewal caught you unawares as well? Have you also just been startled into realising that the summer holidays are well and truly over? Has your mind also been forced back into the repetitive daily grind of work and school? Has life suddenly become a little more boring, the excitement gone?

Lacking that spice, life just feels dull and full of routines. Lent might be just what we need.

It is so easy to die before ever having begun to live. I invite everyone to join us this Ash Wednesday for mass at 7 am, followed by a breakfast at the school.

Student safety is extremely important to me. I would like to remind everyone that when dropping off or picking up your children from school, cars can only be parked in the 45 degree angled parking provided, not across the road on Verran Terrace. If you are parking on Verran Terrace or in the Church’s car park then you are required to walk into the school to collect or drop off your children. If you would like to keep your engine running then there is a kiss and drop option on McIntosh street. I thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

The Chocolate Carnival is our main fundraiser for the year. This year’s Carnival is being held on Saturday 4th April. All funds raised go back into the school and benefit all the students in our school. It takes a lot of time and effort to organise an event like the Carnival, but many hands will make light work. A meeting will be held today, Friday 21st February at 3.30pm in the Multi-Purpose room. As a school we are looking for parents that want to be involved in the organisation of the Chocolate Carnival. I hope to see you at the meeting.

Congratulations to the OLOR swim team that performed extremely well at the Renmark pool this week. Six broken records and many personal bests. An outstanding day with excellent effort from everyone and full of excitement.

Excitement rarely enters our lives voluntarily. If we want to put some excitement into our lives, we must be willing to put it there ourselves.

Changes can be simple like learning something new, joining a club to get out of the house, meet new people or to exercise. Changes can also be significant, like marrying, changing jobs or going back to school later in life. Changes do not only change life but, more importantly, they stir the soul. Reading a book, taking photography lessons, going to church. The mind wakes up, the heart smiles, the soul begins to shine and you’re alive again!

Life always ends before it begins again, the same way night precedes day.

As we journey towards Easter, towards Jesus’ death and resurrection there is an opportunity to resurrect our own spirit. Instead of giving up this Lent give back this year: to others and to yourself. Move beyond your lifelong boundaries, out of your comfort zone and into the world.

Nanda de Winter

Religious Education News

Welcome Mass –

Wednesday 26th February – 7:00am – St. Mary’s Church.

A reminder that our welcoming Mass will be celebrated on Ash Wednesday, 26th February at 7:00am. This will be an opportunity to pray together as a school community for blessings on our year and on our community. It will include a blessing for our school leaders who will be presented with their official badges. It will also be a wonderful opportunity to welcome new members to our school community. Mass will be followed by our traditional Ash Wednesday breakfast, everyone is warmly invited to join us as we celebrate the exciting year that is ahead of us.

Shrove Tuesday – Gold Coin Donation

Next Tuesday 25th February, we will begin preparing for our Lenten Journey by celebrating Shrove Tuesday. This follows the tradition where people used up all of the foods in the house that they would go without until Easter. In the past, certain foods like eggs, milk, meat and rich buttery dishes were given up for the duration of Lent. One way that they used up the eggs, milk and fats in the house was to add flour to make special pancakes. In England, the popularity of pancakes caused Shrove Tuesday to be called Pancake Day, a tradition we also follow here in Australia. Next Tuesday each student will get to enjoy a pancake prepared by students, parents and staff. We invite families to send in a gold coin donation to begin our Project Compassion fund raising.

Ash Wednesday

Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the first day of one of the most important seasons in the Church’s liturgical year - Lent. Lent is a time when we try to get closer to God. We are encouraged to think of things we can do to achieve this examples of these actions include: have conversations with God, do good deeds and give to Project Compassion. As adults we understand these acts to be FASTING, ALMS GIVING and PRAYER.

FASTING: Fasting is an ancient action linked to Lent and is considered a sacred act. The goal of fasting is connected to prayer. The pangs of hunger remind us of our hunger for God and prayer and fasting brings us to what Lent is about – a deeper conversion and relationship with God.

ALMSGIVING: This is simply a response by us to God, a response that we have come to through prayer and fasting. It expresses our gratitude for all we have been given. We come to a realization that we all make up the Body of Christ and with this realization there is a responsibility. That responsibility is to all who are part of the Body of Christ. This means that our acts of charity and the promotion of justice are integral elements of the Christian way of life.

PRAYER: Fasting and almsgiving are merely actions we do out of tradition, if not connected to prayer. Prayer is our conversation with God. In these conversations we find the strength to fast, to develop a closer and more intimate relationship with God. This relationship makes us grateful for our many blessings and motivates us to give to those less fortunate.

PRAYER FOR ASH WEDNESDAY

God our Father,

As we begin this Holy Season of Lent, help us to see that your merciful love is with us always, even when we wander far from you. With the help of your grace, may our prayers and sacrifices over the next forty days lead us closer to you and to each other, the poor, the sick and the lonely so that together, we can fulfil your promises for all who live in your love.

AMEN.

Project Compassion

During the Season of Lent Our Lady of the River School supports Project Compassion. This is a part of our mission to spread the fires of compassion to all. Project compassion is a Caritas initiative which supports long-term development programs in impoverished communities in Africa, Asia, Indigenous Australia and the Pacific — helping oppressed people to rediscover their dignity by taking greater control over their lives and overcoming poverty.

Next week each family will receive a project compassion box in which you can collect donations for Project Compassion. We will also have a special day each week dedicated to Project Compassion prayer and collection of donations. Families are invited to send in their donations on this day.

Sacramental Programs

Earlier in the week all Catholic families should have received an invitation to register their interest in having their children receive Sacraments throughout the year. If you did not receive this invitation and you would like your child to celebrate a sacrament, please let me know. I would be most appreciative if your intentions could be returned by Monday 24th February, so that I begin to organise the sacramental programs for 2020. If you have any questions regarding the sacramental programs, I am extremely happy to help you out.

Wishing you light love and God’s brightest of blessings,

Rosemary Perre
Religious Education Coordinator.

Congratulations to Sr Chris who celebrates 50 years of Religious Life.

In these 50 years Sr Chris has shone her light on many, from the very young to the very old. We are very blessed to have Sr Chris in our parish.

All students contributed a picture of themselves to the altar banner in honour of Sr Chris’ Golden Jubilee.

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.

School News

Aldinga Beach Camp

The Year 5 and Year 6/7 students had an amazing time on camp at Aldinga Beach last week. They enjoyed a range of aquatic activities and have shared some of their favourite experiences and photos below.

I think I can make it. I see the big wave ahead. I smell the salty air and feel slightly scared. Will I make it? Can I catch this wave? CRASH! Oh no I nose dived again! - Emma Baugh, Year 5

‘Mmmm all I could smell is the amazing schnitzel in the ovens cooking. I feel like a queen, and I was lucky my butler/ cook served me with delight. The beauty my chicken schnitzel. Mmmm I took my first bite and it tasted like a dream. All I can hear is all these echoes of “mmmm, mmm, mmm’” all around me! I felt so happy. But ‘What’s for dessert’ is all I can think now. - Ruby Wishart, Year 5

’Here it is my first wave! I hop on the board, when I hear it coming. The wave crashes in and I nose dive. Damn that was a big wave.’ - Madison Pitt, Year 5.

‘Mmmm all I could smell is the amazing schnitzel in the ovens cooking. I feel like a queen, and I was lucky my butler/ cook served me with delight. The beauty my chicken schnitzel. Mmmm I took my first bite and it tasted like a dream. All I can hear is all these echoes of “mmmm, mmm, mmm’” all around me! I felt so happy. But ‘What’s for desert’ is all I can think now. - Ruby Wishart, Year 5

‘We’re outside, it’s pitch black, we are playing spotlight. I can hear birds flying above my head. I can Miley holding the torch and calling out peoples names. I can smell the leaves I’m hiding in and I haven’t got found yet’  - Anastasia Kondoprias, Year 5

I think I can make it. I see the big wave ahead. I smell the salty air and feel slightly scared. Will I make it? Can I catch this wave? CRASH! Oh no I nose dived again! - Emma Baugh, Year 5

 

Swimming

164 swimmers (20 more than last year) had a competitive and educational day at the Renmark Pool; thanks go to our fantastic teachers, parents and volunteers who did so much to organise, coach and teach the children. I'm sure all the students were thankful, whether they were learning their stroke, breaking a PB or just enjoying the experience.

Our Lady of the River Berri took again took out the Appleton Shield (4x50m open mixed freestyle relay), beating out Loxton in a thrilling finish by .07 seconds, whilst OLOR also managed to retain the Uzzell Shield (4x50m open mixed medley relay) in a record time of 2:49.46. The Uzzell shield is in honor of the late Neil Uzzell and his wife Liz. Neil coached the Riverland Sapsasa swimming team for many years and was very passionate about technique and his calculations of timing in his head were legendary. Liz was always there helping with the results sheets, and has been a judge, selector and time keeper. Today was no different as Liz was on hand to present the award, whilst Gaylene from sponsor Tri-State Graphics presented the Appleton Shield.

There were also some records on the day, with 11 year old Hugh Riedel (St Joe’s Renmark) breaking backstroke, butterfly and freestyle records for his age group, whilst 10 year old Max Schubert (OLOR) broke all of Hugh’s records from last year in those strokes, whilst adding the breaststroke for good measure. Ella Rothe (OLOR) also broke the 10 year old butterfly record and OLOR’s

Riverland coach Kerri Donaldson sat down with her helpers afterwards to pick the swimmers who will represent the Riverland in the State Championships, to be held at the Marion Aquatic Centre on Friday, March 27. The squad will be announced later this week, with the team to train 3 times together in the lead up to the event.

Lastly, thank you so much to all the officials, teachers and parents many of them who volunteered their time to be here today! A special shout out to Rivergum Christian College, who brought 12 high school students to help run the event; their efforts were invaluable.

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.

Policy Documents

School Fees

As many of you are aware the school fees have been sent out for 2020, there is an early bird discount if the fees are fully paid before the 10th of April this year. If you have any questions regarding fees or payment please contact Pat in the office. For those eligible for school card the discount has yet to be taken off. School card applications will be processed in week 3 and 4 if you would like to apply for school card please contact Pat before week 4.

Below is a copy of Our Lady of the River school fees that shows the breakdown of all fees and levies and early bird discounts.

Canteen

This term on every odd week (weeks 3,5,7,9and11) the following items will also be available:

• Cold rolls (chicken, lettuce, carrot & cucumber) - $1.20
• Watermelon cup - $1.00
• Jelly cup with fruit or plain - $1.00
• Cold salad(chicken or ham, lettuce, cucumber, tomato, carrot, cheese & half an egg) - $4.00
• Piece of chocolate cake - $1.00

Community News

Mardi Gras Honouring the CFS

On Loxton Mardi Gras Parade day, Saturday 29th February, special honour to going to be given to the CFS.

A variety of fire trucks and vehicles, from surrounding districts and far away stations, varying from modern to antique, will be spaced within the parade giving onlookers the chance to cheer and clap as they go by, especially those with lights flashing and sirens blazing.

Throughout the day we will be given random opportunities to donate to the CFS Volunteer Association, which supports the fire fighters, especially those in crises of any sort.

After the parade some of the CFS vehicles will be parked in East Terrace and opportunities will be given to anyone to have a photo with a Firie, in or by one of the vehicles, in exchange for a gold coin offering.

The Mardi Gras Appreciation Service Sunday morning, 1st March, at 8.30 will also honour the CFS. Guest speakers will tell their own personal story of fire devastation in the Adelaide hills. Local volunteers will also be honoured at this service and everyone is invited to attend.

Happy Birthday!