OLOG eNewsletter Term 1 Week 8

Dear Parents

Life is busy. We always seem to have problems or things that need to be fixed. As we head towards the end of a busy and hectic term, there seems to be things coming at us from all angles.  Too often in our days we tend to look for complex solutions to life’s problems. The following thoughts are constant reminders that might help us keep things in perspective and bring a sense of peace to our busy lives.

Things To Remember

We find what we look for in people. If we look for God, we find God. If we look for bad
qualities, we find them. We, in a sense, select what we expect, and we receive it.

A life without challenges would be like going to school without lessons to learn. Challenges come not to depress or get us down, but to master and to grow and to unfold thereby.

In God’s wise and loving plan for us, no burden can fall upon us, no emergency can arise, no grief can overtake us, before we are given the grace and strength to meet them.

A rich, full life is not determined by outer circumstances and relationships. These can be contributory to it, but cannot be the source. We are happy or unhappy because of what we think and feel.

We can never lose anything that belongs to us, nor can we possess what is not really ours.

Never run from a problem: either it will chase us or we will run into another just like it, although it may have a different face or name.

Never bang on a closed door: Wait for it to open and then go through it.

A person who has come into our lives has come either to teach us something, or to learn something from us.

I will leave you with this set of Lenten thoughts from Pope Francis, given to me at a recent meeting:

Do you want to fast this Lent?

Fast from hurting words and say kind words.

Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.

Fast from anger and be filled with patience.

Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.

Fast from worries and have trust in God.

Fast from complaints; contemplate simplicity.

Fast from pressures and be prayerful.

Fast from bitterness; fill your heart with joy.

Fast from selfishness and be compassionate.

Fast from grudges and be reconciled.

Fast from words, be silent and listen.

During our last few weeks of Term 1 and as our Lenten journey takes us closer to Easter, let’s consider what we can fast from to help bring peace to the lives of others and our own. 

PROJECT COMPASSION - FOURTH WEEK OF LENT

Project Compassion brings together Australian schools, parishes and supporters to raise funds for people in vulnerable communities across the world. This year, we introduced you to the story of four inspiring people whose lives have been transformed with your generous support: Laxmi, Tereesa, Priscilla and Thu.

Today, they are creating a better world for their families, their communities and for all future generations.

Project Compassion is a demonstration of the faith, empathy and generosity of our supporters. It is the lifeblood of Caritas Australia – without it, we could not do the vital work we do. Thank you for helping transform lives today and for all future generations

Please donate to Project Compassion 2023.
Together, we can help vulnerable communities face their challenges today and build a better tomorrow For All Future Generations.

You can donate through Project Compassion using donation boxes in classrooms, or by visiting caritas.org.au/project-compassion, or calling 1800 024 413.

Caritas Classroom Tally

LEARNING CONVERSATIONS

Our Learning Conversations will be held next week. We look forward to welcoming you at school for your child’s Learning Conversations. Please ensure that you have completed your booking. Late night bookings will be on Tuesday evening.  The response for interviews has been overwhelming and I am appreciative that parents want to be involved in their child’s education.

The Learning Conversations are vital for supporting our students' learning and growth, and we encourage parents and students to attend. The Learning Conversations are one part of the very important process of our students gaining the most from their schooling and provide an opportunity for parents and teachers to meet to ensure open and collaborative communication which assists students not only in their learning but in their learning growth.

Here are some suggestions of questions you could ask your child’s teacher.

• What is my child learning?
• How is she or he doing?
• How do you know how he or she is doing?
• How can she or he improve?
• What supports can I provide and can you provide if she or he is struggling? When can we check in again?

(from Clarity - What Matters Most in Learning, Teaching, and Leading by Lyn Sharratt, 2019)

SCHOOL BOARD ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

On Monday, the School Board Annual General Meeting was held for all at OLOG.

The OLOG School Board works in an advisory capacity to the Principal to oversee policy development, financial management, pastoral care of staff, parents and students, capital development and maintenance planning. It aims to ensure the school fulfils its educational responsibilities and to administer school finances.

The Board operates according to the guidelines set down by the South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools (SACCS).

2023 SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS

Fr John Herd (Parish Priest), Josette Charles (Principal), Debbie Scuteri (APRIM/Leader of Learner), Donna Stevens, Stephen Fossey, Kelly Newbold, Sarah Cooper, Drew Coward, Shane Heinrich, Melanie Scott, Jane Morris, Raewyn McIntosh (Staff Rep), Kerri Rowell (Finance Member), Pat Murphy (Parish Rep). 

Peace and Blessings

Josette Charles
Principal

Friday March 17 OLOG celebrated St Patrick's Day. St Patrick is the foremost Patron Saint of Ireland. Legend says that St Patrick used three leaves on the Shamrock to symbolise the Holy Trinity in Christianity: The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit.

The Mini Vinnies have been busy making bracelets from beads during lunch times. Orders for the bracelets are still coming in from our school community. 

Reminder to families wishing to access an up front payment discount, accounts must be paid in full by 31st March.

Families with accounts not paid in full must have entered into a payment plan arrangement.  Please click here to access payment plan forms via the school's website  

Please contact Kerri in Finance on 8177 9100 or finance@olog.catholic.edu.au  should you wish to discuss your account payment arrangements.

We are also pleased to announce Lara G in Year 6 has been selected in the South West District Softball Team.  A fantastic effort and we wish Lara all the best at the upcoming SAPSASA carnival. 

Sara Cox
Sports Coordinator

Tuesday March 21 OLOG celebrated Harmony Day. Students and staff wore a touch of orange to celebrate diversity.

Harmony Week is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values.

The Reception and Year 1 students have been learning the art of portraiture. Over a series of weeks, students learned to draw different elements of faces and finished by creating their own self portraits. We are so proud of their achievements. 

Megan, Sue and Michaela.