Newsletter September 5, 2024

From the Acting Principal-Mrs Annette Moore

Dear Families, 

Over the next few weeks Mr. Cooney will be taking part in a Pilgrimage following the pathway of St. Paul. We often hear during Mass scriptures from St. Paul to the Corinthians, Thessalonians or the Ephesians. Although not an original Apostle of Jesus, Paul was one of the most prolific contributors to the New Testament. Of the 27 books in the New Testament 13- 14 of these are generally attributed to the writings of Paul. This amazing opportunity will allow Mr. Cooney and other principals from MACS schools to walk in the footsteps of St. Paul thousands of years after his writings sharing the Good News.

We can't wait to hear all about Mr. Cooney's journey and wish him safe travels along the way.

A Pilgrimage is a journey that resets the soul There is something that stirs in the heart of each pilgrim; a quiet voice that tells us there is something more to this life and this world than what we experience through our senses. For centuries, Christians have gone on pilgrimage, not just to visit a place and admire its nature, art or history, but to seek and immerse themselves in the presence of God. Pilgrimage gives us an opportunity to seek what our spirit longs for. It’s not just travel; it’s travel with purpose and faith that bears lasting fruit.

Annette Moore

2025 ENROLMENTS
Enrolments for Years 1 to 6 are currently open and we have limited places available in most year levels. If you know of anyone that is thinking about applying for a position can you please encourage them to submit their application in ASAP.. Applications are available on the school website www.ourladywallan.catholic.edu.au 
If your child is not going to be continuing at Our Lady of the Way in 2025 I ask that you let Mrs Jodie Barnes know via the admin email ASAP. We have a waiting list in many levels and this may give the opportunity for another family to join our
community.

COMMUNICATION POLICY
A reminder to all parents that your first point of contact with the school is through your child’s teacher. If further support is needed the teacher can then liaise with the Year Level Leader and Leadership Team members to initiate support and create a plan to resolve the issue. On most occasions the parental concerns can be worked through quite easily, however, at other times it does take time. School Staff will always be open to communicate with parents in line with the  Communication Policy listed under "Forms & Documents", located on the left hand panel. 

IMPORTANT DATES

Please see the image below which shows where to locate the links to the calendar in this new format. The underlined section also indicates where the language can be changed. 

In the light of Christ

Confirmation

Confirmation is the third Sacrament of initiation connected to Baptism, where candidates renew the promises made by their Godparents and Parents when they entered the Catholic Tradition.

Confirmation connects us to Christ and the Church giving us the special strength of the Holy Spirit to be a witness to the faith by word and action.

It seals, or confirms, this grace through the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit that we receive during the laying of the hands and the anointing of the Candidate.

About 30 students in year 6 are preparing to confirm their faith by completing the Sacrament of Confirmation. The recently attended a commitment mass where they were officially announced to the parish. They also took park in a faith formation day and had the opportunity to attend mass and meet Bishop Terry Curtin ( please confirm spelling). The students have prepared themselves for this important sacrament by exploring Saints and special people in their lives. We wish them all the best for this Friday night.

We wish our Confirmation candidates all the very best as they prepare to receive the sacrament on Friday in the presence of Most Reverend Terry Curtin, Auxiliary of Melbourne.

Preparation for the special day

Wellbeing- Positive Behaviour and Learning

"Wellbeing Wonderings"

R U OK? Day.

“R U OK?" Day is one day of the year dedicated to checking in on the wellbeing of our family and friends. This could be in the form of a brief conversation, a shared ‘cuppa tea or coffee, or simply asking the question “R U OK?” This year, September 12th, is the day on which this event falls.

This program was created by Gavin Larkin in 2009 after the tragic death of his father in 1995, left him ‘anything but ok.’

Below is a poster devised by www.ruok.org.au to demonstrate ways that you can make everyday and OK day for others. 

Wellbeing quote of the week:  “ Nothing is impossible. The word itself says “I’m Possible.” - Audrey Hepburn (actress.)

Have a great week,

Daniel Phelan

Mental Health Wellbeing Leader.

Teaching and Learning

Book Week Celebrations

Our recent Book Week celebration was a fantastic success! The students delighted us with their creative costumes during the parade, each one inspired by their favourite book characters. The excitement continued with an engaging performance by "Your Books to Life" which brought beloved stories vividly to life on stage. The incursion captivated our students and reminded everyone of the magic that books bring to our lives.

A big thank you to everyone who participated and made this event truly special!

The students loved dressing up!

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On Friday, September 20 all students can come dressed in footy clothes or colours! Please bring a gold coin donation. 

 All monies raised will go to Catholic Mission. 

Year 6 Students - Day at the Melbourne Zoo

On Thursday August 29th , Year Six students and staff attended Melbourne Zoo for an excursion based on adaptations to animals, habitat and characteristics. We were set an eight-question challenge to investigate during our time at the zoo. The questions involved finding species from the continents of Africa and South America and also investigating the adaptations of animals such as koalas, lions, snakes and platypus. For some students it was their first time visiting Melbourne Zoo and all enjoyed the experience. It was a great day to be outdoors and investigate all the zoo has to offer. We are now using this
information in our classroom Inquiry lessons to create and develop our own ‘new’ species of animal that has adapted to its habitat. We will be presenting these in the last week of Term 3. We would like to thank all the staff that attended the Melbourne Zoo excursion with us last week.
By Jack Ryan, Charlie Hermoso, Gurbaj Kaler (6B)

Fun at the Zoo!

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SIMON everywhere app

The SIMON everywhere app can be downloaded and used to access the PAM (Parent Access Module). This is where absences can be logged, medical details updated, access reports and view attendance records.  Please see the video below to assist in navigating your way around the app. 

Parents and Friends

Parents and Friends are selling Sand Art kits. The kits are $50.00 each and have 10 different pictures to create.  The boxes can be ordered via CDF Pay. No cash orders will be accepted. 

All orders will be sent home with your child.

The money raised from these boxes will go towards paying for the sensory room, Sports Day BBQs and extra activities like croissants on Bastille Day.  Parents and Friends supplied all the sausages for the Winter Sausage Sizzle too!

Sand Art

Specialist Days-Semester 2

Music Lessons

Before and After School Care

Assumption College, Kilmore

Our Lady of the Way has partnered with 441 Coffee to support a fabulous cause and raise funds for cancer research into Ewing Sarcoma.  Profit from the sales of each packet of coffee beans is paid directly to cancer research to help improve treatment and find a cure for this disease.

Please refer to the below link - https://441.au/

Our Lady of the Way community are eligible for a 30% discount on all 441 Coffee beans. All people have to do is enter WH or wh (lower case or capitals, either way will work) in the ‘Discount Code’ section prior to paying for their coffee beans to receive the discount. 

The Story

Our Lady of the Way relationship with charity organisations has led to the opportunity to support this cause.  In honour of his dear friend and colleague, Brendon ‘KB’ WARBURTON, Kyle GEMMILL (Lace from Grade 2, father) ran 441 km over 7 days in 2023, an incredible feat, to raise over $145,000 towards this rare and aggressive cancer.

Please refer to the below link -

KB's Legacy - One Step at a Time (kbslegacy.org.au)

441 Coffee has been sourced from premium coffee providers so please consider ordering 441 Coffee, knowing that each cup of coffee assists with research into this rare cancer and is in step with supporting our charity organisations. 

Kyle Gemmill

President of KB's Legacy - One Step at a Time

CFA

Craigieburn Swimming Instructors