The last couple of weeks have been full of fantastic experiences at OLOR. From our Year 3 Monarto Zoo camp to our Wakakirri performance last night, as well as our Science Week activities with Cindy Kakoshke, the Education Officer from the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board, our students have been part of many diverse learning opportunities and adventures. At OLOR we love giving our students the opportunity to experience learning in all of its facets, whether in class or out around the community.  

The Year 3 Monarto Zoo camp was an absolute adventure for the students. They not only got the usual Safari tour and animal visits, but also got to experience the life of a park ranger, helping to clean up areas of the animal enclosures as well as be animal detectives. The night walk and star gazing was also a highlight, with the sound of the lions roaring in the distance and the clear skies giving us great views of the Milky Way. A big thanks to Miss Fiebiger and Miss Remkes for their organisation, and also ESO Kayla for her support on the camp. The students had a great time!

Our Wakakirri troupe had a very long day yesterday, which culminated in a great performance on stage last night. We left school at about 10am and travelled down to the Norwood Concert Hall to get ready for the performance. Costumes and make-up were applied and students had a chance to have a full dress rehearsal on stage throughout the afternoon. They then prepared themselves for the endpoint of months of practising and preparation, the actual performance. They all did a wonderful job and represented OLOR so well. Myself and the family members in the audience all enjoyed seeing them in the spotlights and the smiles on their faces afterwards made it all worthwhile! A big congraulations to Siri, Jasreet and Ishmeet who received the award for Best Public Speaking. I would like to give a big thankyou to Miss De-Gregorio for her organisation, choreography, and persistence in getting them all prepared, and also to Miss Martin and Kailey for their support on the day. It was a wonderful occasion for our students and a great opportunity that I’m very pleased we were part of.

To celebrate National Science Week we had a visit from Cindy on Wednesday, who shared some great activities and got students excited about learning about many different creatures in our local waters. Cindy is the Education Officer from the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board, and shared her love of science with all of our classes. They loved seeing the tiny water creatures, as well as some larger ones, through microscopes, as well as being able to learn more about the natural habitats that we are lucky to call home. 

Next week we look forward to Book Week. This is always a highlight of the year, where students learn about the best books of the last year, as well as get to dress up as their favourite book characters. We invite all families to join us Thursday morning for our parade, which as always, promises to be interesting, colourful and lots of fun. 

We also look forward to the Riverland Schools Music Festival, where our choir get to perform the songs they have been practising all year as well. This is another great opportunity for them to share their talents and be part of something bigger in the community. 

As you can see, there is a lot going on at OLOR this term. These are all great experiences for students to be part of, and we are passionate that all students have the opportunities to find what they love and be able to celebrate this. That is what makes all the effort worthwhile! 

Mr Michael Slagter
Principal