Being a Catholic School, Religious Education is one of our key subjects, and a foundation of Faith is one of the things that makes us different to other schools in Berri. We know that although only about 20% of our students are Catholic, our values are what many families like about OLOR. The story of Jesus inspires us to become better people, always looking for how we can make a difference to those in our world who need our help. Throughout Lent we share this with students through Project Compassion. We learn about those people around the world who aren’t as lucky as us, and we learn to give thanks for the gifts that we are blessed with. It is such a wonderful time of the year.

In recent years the Crossways Religious Education Curriculum has been redesigned to meet the needs of our changing communities. Last week we welcomed the Catholic Identity and Mission team from the Catholic Education Office in Adelaide, who joined us for staff PD with most of the other Riverland Catholic schools. This was followed up by PD for our teachers the following day, working on RE units that they are planning to teach later this term or early next term. This support helps our teachers make the curriculum come alive for our students.

This week our Year 3 and Year 5 students began their NAPLAN testing for 2024. This is a series of four tests designed to assess them in the areas of writing, reading, spelling and grammar, and numeracy. We commend the students on the effort that they have put in and look forward to receiving the results later in the year. NAPLAN tests are just one part of the assessment schedule we have at OLOR, where we use data to inform our planning and decision making.

This week we had our School Board AGM and first meeting of our new Board. I would like to welcome new members Kanwaldeep Kaur, Keisha Barber and Priscilla Renfrey, who join Mark Howie, Emma Vallelonga and George Dalamagas, as the parent representatives on the School Board. They will support myself and Fr Hau to make decisions and guide the school over the next year. I value the input of all parents and look forward to many new ideas coming in the future.

Next week I will be attending the Diocesan Assembly in Port Pirie. This is a large gathering of representatives across the state from schools, parishes and other parts of the community, who gather to review what is happening as well as map out the future of our schools and churches with the Bishop and priests of the Port Pirie Diocese. It concludes on Wednesday with the Chrism Mass, in which the oils that are used in Baptism, Confirmation and for anointing of the sick, are blessed and given to each parish. We will be taking our Confirmation candidates to St Mark’s Cathedral for this special Mass as they prepare to embark upon their adult journey in the church at Confirmation.

With Easter only a couple of weeks away, I wish all families a wonderful end to the Lenten season in the next fortnight. The gradual changing of the seasons is a reminder that time continues to move on, and we look to new experiences and growth as this happens.

Mr Michael Slagter
Principal