OLOG eNewsletter Term 1 Week 10

Dear Parents and Caregivers

Next week, our first term for 2023 comes to an end. I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on the successes and achievements of our students over the past few months.

Firstly, I would like to commend our students for their hard work and dedication to their learning. Throughout the term, they have demonstrated a commitment to learning and have made significant progress in all areas of the curriculum. Learning Conversations held over the last two weeks have provided opportunity for students and their parents to reflect on their learning success and identify their learning goals.     

I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of our dedicated staff, who have worked tirelessly to provide a safe and nurturing environment for our students. They have gone above and beyond to ensure that our students receive a high-quality education throughout our first term together in 2023. 

The positive and calm tone across all classes remains the highlight of this successful term. Our Receptions have settled into school life so well, and our new students and families have made a wonderful transition into our warm and inclusive school community.

Our Year 6s have been focused and determined, embracing the many leadership opportunities presented at this stage of the year.

We thank our many parent helpers and the active P&F who continue to generously offer up their time for our community.  We’ve simply had an amazing start to the school year and can look forward with much excitement and anticipation to the coming terms.         

Easter is the greatest feast in the Christian calendar. Just as a family will gather on important occasions and retell the family stories, the Church keeps its ‘best stories’ for this most significant celebration as we gather as a Catholic family this Easter. These are the family stories that shape our Catholic identity; they tell us where we have come from, who we are and where we are going.

Easter is much more than Easter eggs and hot cross buns. It is a time when the great stories of Holy Week give us an opportunity to reflect on a hope for a positive future and new beginning in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Thank you to parents who have joined the school to participate in the Holy Week Liturgies. Children really valued the school gatherings to share their reflections. We thank all Year levels who helped us pause to prayerfully think about the events of Holy Week and what it means for us.

When we return next week, we continue to live out the Easter messages of faith, hope and love .

Glenelg Catholic Parish Pastoral Council-2023 Elections Nominations for new PPC members has begun. For more information please click here .

As we approach the Term 1 break, may we look for brief respite from the hectic pace that seems to characterise our busy lives.  Let us be joyful and thank God, for all the blessings of our first term together.

I wish you a holy, happy and safe Easter and look forward with genuine excitement and enthusiasm to Term 2,

May God bless you and your family as we journey towards Easter and in the terms ahead

Josette Charles
Principal

Mini Vinnies is looking for donations of new or open and unwanted flour, rice, split peas or any small beans. 

More news on what this is for next term. 

On Wednesday 29^th March, the swimming team comprising of 19 students competed in the South Australian Catholic Schools Swimming Competition at the SA Aquatic Centre, Oaklands Park. 

This year we were moved into a higher division, making the competition very tough.  OLOG finished 6^th out of 8 schools which was a fantastic effort, with numerous students placing in 1^st – 4^th in multiple events.

Mr Alleway and Sara would like to thank all parents who volunteered on the day, as we are not able to compete without the help of parents.  Thankyou also to the numerous parents who were able to come and support our swimmers.

We are very proud of our students acting in the OLOG Way, especially being respectful of their competitors, showing great sportsmanship by encouraging their teammates and representing our school with integrity.

Sara Cox – Sports Coordinator.  

Congratulations Lucius and Abigail Cooper for their achievements at the Mirror Class State Championships held at Henley Sailing Club on March 25-26. 

Lucius sailed “Bob” with the current National Champion, Damian Carey, winning overall.

Abigail sailed “Grover” with her cousin Zoe, finishing 3rd overall.

For Christians around the world, the following couple of weeks are an important highlight of the year, prayerfully remembering the death and resurrection of Jesus and His message of mercy and love.

The Easter Egg is a symbol that has been used for many years to remind us of the new life of Easter, and chocolate Easter Eggs have become an essential part of the Easter Season no matter what you believe.

People across the world are recognising that we are a global community and our decisions and actions can have repercussions for many – environmentally, financially, politically, along with health and lifestyle impacts.  Sometimes we can think that the problems are too big for us to have any impact but this has been proven very wrong in recent years.

Not all chocolate is sweet. Not if a child has been forced to pick the cocoa beans - a key ingredient of chocolate. About 80% of cocoa comes from West Africa and it is estimated that almost 2 million children are in child labour in these areas.  They may never go to school or taste the chocolate they help produce.

Every Easter Australians spend millions of dollars buying hundreds of kilograms of chocolate to eat and give away.  Over the past 10 years, Australian consumers have started making a difference for these children at risk by demanding big chocolate companies aim for slavery free practices.

Companies sourcing cocoa certified by Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance are working towards the elimination of slavery in the cocoa industry. Make a change this Easter and only buy chocolate displaying the Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance logo.

For information on Slavery-free Easter chocolate and resources, go to: 

https://acrath.org.au/traffik-free-chocolate/

The Chocolate Scorecard (https://www.chocolatescorecard.com/ ) is also a useful resource in this regard.

https://www.chocolatescorecard.com/