Dear Parents, Caregivers, Staff, Students and Friends,

I was hoping in today's newsletter to announce our shield winners for Sports Day, but we have had to implement plan B due to the inclement weather yesterday. Please see the Sports Day Changes poster below, outlining our plan to complete all components of our program next week.

Apologies to those students who will be absent next week due to SAPSASA cricket and other appointments; however, these changes are unavoidable. We hope that most students will be at school for the special Sports Day presentation assembly on Friday, November 5, in the school gym at 2.45 pm. I once again, thank all the parents for their assistance and understanding about the postponement of yesterday's event.

(Sports Captains prayer at the beginning of Sport Day)

All Saints

On Monday, November 1st, we celebrate the feast of All Saints, we honour those men and women who—whether they’ve been canonised or not—have led lives of heroic virtue that set an example for all Christians. Saints believe that with God on their side, no one and nothing can stop them. They don’t wait for someone else to do good first; they jump right in and serve wherever they see a need in their community. Saints try to see Christ in every person and every situation. Saints show us what it means to be a disciple. They help us to see that what matters most in life is not what we earn or own, not the job we have or the people we know. What really matters is how much we love God, others, and ourselves. 

On All Saints Day we praise and thank God for what God has done for us through these holy people. We ask the Saints to pray for us that we might love our God and neighbour the way Jesus taught us. 

On the 2nd of November we celebrate another special day, All Souls day. This is a day where we pray for all our loved ones who are no longer here with us on Earth. We ask God to bring them to the joyful banquet of heaven to be with God and the saints forever. 

Mass is planned for 9 am in the school gym on November 1 for ALL SAINTS DAY, with the whole school attending, followed by ice-creams in a cone for sale at lunchtime served by the senior students.   

We invite our parents and friends to join us for this very special Mass, prepared by the Year 3 class that celebrates the saints in our church and the faithfully departed, especially our family and friends. After Mass the team games for Sport Day will commence.

Jesus, 
We thank you for the example of all saints. 
Ordinary men and women who set out to live the truth of the Gospel in their own time, meeting the needs of their day. May we learn to be like these saints and have a generous heart so that we can bring justice in our time. Help us follow in the footsteps of these holy men and women and live the challenge of the Gospel. 
We ask this in your Holy name. 
Amen 

As mentioned in the last newsletter, in Religion classes this term, the teacher's focus is on Catholic Missions and preparing for our Christmas Concert in the coming weeks.    

We combined our Mission month activities by wearing bright, colourful socks with our sports uniforms on Thursday. The senior students carried the Soctober action activity using a recycled ball for the under and over event. Thank you to the students who participated by wearing fancy socks and donating a gold coin. All donations will go towards supporting children in Thailand.    

Christmas Concert Night   

Our outside Christmas Concert is set for Thursday, November 18, starting at 6 pm till approximately 8 pm. Currently, the classes are planning concert items, which will e performed on a simple stage near the cricket pitch, so family and friends can sit (COVID-19 safe) outside on deck chairs to watch the students perform. If we have inclement weather, the backup plan for the concert will be in the school gym. Mishes Kitchen – Vietnamese Food and Mr Super Soft Ice-creams will be available for purchase on the night. Each class will also have a Christmas gift stall with items for families, friends and guests to purchase outside their classrooms. Monies raised will go towards the St Vincent DePaul Christmas appeal. 

National Karate Academies  

A big thank you to all our families who supported us through monetary donations and food donations supporting our canteen for the National Karate Academies grading day last Saturday. Special mention to Pitt and Hunt families who worked in the canteen, giving up their time to work for most of the day. All help was most appreciated, and congratulations to our OLOR students who performed and achieved success on that day.  

The National Karate Academies: Berri and Renmark Grading are held a couple of times a year in our school gym. Children and adults from the Riverland train throughout the year for their karate grading. This consists of set routines and techniques that support self-defence, health, fitness and wellbeing.    

National Karate Academies provides safe, inclusive and family-friendly instruction resulting in high-quality skills and confidence.    

For more information, contact Scott Mitchell on 0417827517. 

Transition to School – Bright Start

We are so excited about our 'Bright Start' transition to school program.  Mrs Bonnie Singh has taken over the reins from Mrs Rosemary Perre, and our group of near Foundation students are enjoying their learning experiences provided every Wednesday.  If you have a child or know of a child that is turning five soon or will be four next year, please let them know about OLOR's BRIGHT START.   

BRIGHT START is designed to complement a child's pre-schooling experiences, and the days of transition work around preschool days when your child is four years old. A fully qualified classroom teacher runs our BRIGHT START program. Our Lady of the River School offer two intakes per year for children starting Foundation (Reception). 

Below, are the days available for your child to attend if they are beginning school in Foundation (Reception) in 2022.  Children who are already five or turning five before April 30, 2022 are already in our current transition program.  Please contact the school as soon as possible if you intend to start your child/ren at school next year at Our Lady of the River.   All families are welcome, and our BRIGHT START program is free.  Children are also provided with a free BRIGHT START t-shirt and hat. 

BRIGHT START 2022 

Transition for 2022: If your child is four years of age and turns five on May 1, 2022 and before October 31, 2022, they can start full-time school (mid-year intake in Foundation in Term 3).   

Transition partial day Term 1 - (3 hours - 1 day per week for weeks 2-9) 

Transition day Term 2 - (I full day for weeks 2-10) 

2022 Term 3 - student begins Foundation.   

If you would like more information about our free BRIGHT START program, please contact me as soon as possible. 

'Never see a need without doing something about it.' Blessed Mary Mackillop.   

Ros Oates 
Principal