Principals Report
Dear Families, Caregivers and Students,
It is unbelievable that it is the end of term 3. This term has been another successful term for student learning, not only academically but also socially, emotionally and spiritually. The reason why students are successful in our school can be attributed to the combination of having great students, passionate and hardworking staff and excellent family partnerships. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the students for their engagement and application, the staff for their commitment to providing excellence through engaging learning for all students and families for your continued support.
This week students will take home their portfolios filled with the term’s learning. This term the portfolios include the Living Learning Leading Key Capabilities demonstrating how students are becoming comfortable and confident in who they are as people, ready to make a difference in our world.
I have learned that one of the challenges principals face at this time of year is to project planning into the 2021 school year as well as continuing to work through 2020. Some of this includes planning events for term 4, organising transition programs, reviewing class structures, staffing and more. This can be a time of uncertainty for students, staff and families; wondering if a teacher will be here next year or wondering who will be your child’s teacher can sometimes be unsettling.
I am very pleased to inform you that Mrs Ros Oates will be back at OLOR in the 2021 school year to continue in her role as principal. I know Ros has missed the students, staff and community very much and is looking forward to her return to Berri in 2021.
Ms Georgia Eckerman and Mrs Jenni Sander will take the opportunity to embark on new adventures in 2021. Both Georgia and Jenni are valued members of the OLOR team and have contributed greatly to our community and student learning during their time with us. I wish Georgia and Jenni all the best for the future.
At this stage the school has one permanent teaching position and one contract teaching position available and advertised. Out of the applicants that the school will receive, it is my task, along with a panel, to find the best people to teach your children. I assure you, although this isn’t a quick or easy process, it is one that I take very seriously; know that we will find the best persons for the job. If you have any questions or concerns, please come and see me about them.
Term 4 brings exciting times for our school. Next term we will start our transition program for students in preparation for the year ahead. In Term 4 we will welcome 7 children from the kindergarten for the transition program. This will mean that we have a group of 9 Foundation students. If you know of any families still unsure of where to send their child, I encourage you to invite them to contact the school.
In the last newsletter I wrote about the Making Catholic Education More Affordable initiative where Catholic Education is made more affordable by lowering the school fees of every Catholic diocesan primary school. We are proud to offer our families a huge discount on school fees from 2021. The full fee for 1 child enrolled in the school will be reduced by a whopping $475. We also offer a 20% discount for enrolling a second child, which reduces annual fees for a family by $675. A 40% discount is offered for a third child enrolled in the school which reduces the annual fee for one family by $705. Low income families will benefit even further reductions in school fees. This is fantastic news, not only for current families in the school, but also for those wanting to enrol their children in 2021 to experience quality catholic education. For more detailed information please refer to the 2021 school fees section in this newsletter.
Next term we farewell Bishop Gregory O’Kelly. Bishop O’Kelly has been tireless in seeking to harness the Church’s wisdom and witness for the good of everyone, but especially the children and young people in our diocese. He has been tireless in the many journeys he has undertaken across the vastness of our diocese and in his work to visit us at Our Lady of the River School. As Bishop O’Kelly steps down he has gained our respect, gratitude and affection. We wish him well for the future.
Bishop-elect of the diocese of Port Pirie, Fr Karol Kulczycki will be ordained as Bishop next week in his home town in Poland. He has invited the Christian faithful here in Australia to join in his ordination as Bishop and the ceremony will be live-streamed from his home town of Trzebinia.
The ordination will be conducted in both English and Polish, next Tuesday, September 29th at 6:30pm (our time). To watch the ordination live, please use the link below:
In the monastic tradition holiday is called vacare Deo; Making space for God. Emptying the heart, mind and diary from distractions to find God again so He can fill us with His presence.
I hope everyone will have, either at home or at an away destination a wonderful holiday break. But I also hope that when we return we will be able to maintain a sense of holiday peace within the hustle and bustle of activities that will come to us again. How? By putting a cross in our diaries with which we say to ourselves and others: Here I am free for a while. Here I am on vacation with God.
Have a safe and restful holiday.
Nanda de Winter