Newsletter September 19, 2024

From the Acting Principal-Mrs Annette Moore

Dear Families, 

As we reach the end of what has been an exciting and busy term I wanted to take an opportunity to thank our staff, students and families for their contribution to our school community. We are reminded in Sunday's Gospel that Jesus constantly showed his followers how to put love into action by serving God and one another. He gave without looking for reward or recognition and putting the needs of others before his own.  We see the act of service amongst our staff who show dedication to their craft, educating, creating enthusiasm for learning and showing compassion for the smallest members of our community.

As members of the school we are continuously striving to be the best versions of ourselves going beyond our words and into our actions. During this term we have the opportunity to put our service into action; through fundraising for the Vinnies Winter Appeal, participating in the Sacrament of Confirmation, representing the school at sporting events, and participating in the Maths competition. The simple act of looking out for our friends, choosing kindness and putting others before ourselves are examples of service to the school community. 

Congratulations on a wonderful Term 3, enjoy the holiday break and we look forward to seeing everyone return in Term 4.

Annette Moore

Some of the amazing images Mr. Cooney has shared from the learning has been immersed in on the Pilgrimage. Following in the footsteps of St. Paul and his writings.

On the First day of the Pilgrimage Mr. Cooney visited the ancient city of Corinth where St. Paul lived for 12 months, this included the Temple of Apollo and city ruins.

The journey has continued to Meteora where Byzantine Monks  chose to worship God  and establish communities over 600 years ago.

Ancient Athens

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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. 

Footy Colours Day tomorrow!

A reminder that we have Footy colours day tomorrow. Please bring a gold coin donation.

All monies raised will go to Catholic Mission.

In the light of Christ

Confirmation

Congratulations to our newly Confirmed Confirmation candidates who received the gift of the Holy Spirit during the third sacrament of initiation. Confirmation connects us to Christ and 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.

31 Candidates entered the Church on Friday 6th September and in the presence of their family, friends, teachers, Fr. Prakash and Most Rev Bishop Terry Curtin they renewed their Baptismal Promises.
Our young students have prepared well and are now ready to show their commitment to their belief as they continue their faith journey. Thank you must be extended to the Confirmation team, families and students for your commitment and preparation towards Confirmation.

Wellbeing- Positive Behaviour and Learning

Teaching and Learning-Term Overviews

Foundation: 

This term, the Foundation students explored Australian native animals. We examined their habitats and basic needs, including food, water, and shelter. We discovered numerous fascinating facts and put together a collage showcasing the animals in their various habitats in our gallery space. We also visited Healesville Sanctuary, where we had an amazing time observing many of the animals we had studied in their natural environments.  

Year 1: 

It has been a busy term full of learning and lots of fun in Year 1! The students have extended their reading skills by learning new sounds and spelling patterns and used these in their writing. A highlight in our writing unit was having the opportunity to make and eat yummy fairy bread following our focus unit on procedural text.  During Numeracy lessons the students explored the concept of sharing and arrays when looking at multiplication and division. The students also explored length, 3D objects and time.  Our Inquiry focus this term was Science, which allowed the students to explore Push and Pull forces and light and sound sources. We participated in a Light and Sound incursion which the students thoroughly enjoyed a range of hands-on experiments.  Within Religion the students worked collaboratively to discuss ways they could be stewards of God’s Creation. Many students suggested picking up litter in our environment, planting more trees and looking after God’s creatures.   Some special events we celebrated in Year 1 were: Book Week dress-up, Responsible Pet Ownership Incursion, Books to Life Incursion and Bastille Day. 

We are now ready for a BIG Term 4. We can’t wait! 

Year 2:

What a fabulous term we have had in Year 2! Our Science focus has seen us interact with and/or investigate snakes, sugar gliders, bean sprouts, oobleck, vertical slides, lifecycles, mirror mazes, floating whiteboard drawings and yeast reactions just to name a few things. Stewardship was our key area of learning for RE in which we learnt about Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ - his letter about caring for our common home. This area of study culminated with students taking part in a Nude Food day, which showed how we can reduce our daily school rubbish by half through using reusable containers. Literacy explored both the reading and writing of non-fiction texts with students researching, drafting and publishing information reports in a variety of ways. A massive congratulations to all our students for their wonderful efforts throughout the term! 

Year 3: 

It has been a busy term 3 in Grade 3! In Inquiry, we learnt all about the Earth, Sun and Moon. We enjoyed our excursion to the Planetarium, completed research projects and spent some time in the Science Discovery Dome on our incursion. 

In reading, we have loved exploring novels written by Roald Dahl including George’s Marvellous Medicine and Matilda. We have written information reports, and persuasive texts and continued with our Writer’s Notebooks. In Maths, we have worked hard to start learning our times tables, as well as looking at division and fractions. Our Religion unit focused on the parable of the Good Samaritan and how we can make choices to live out the golden rule of “love your neighbour as you love yourself”. We are looking forward to all of the exciting things we will learn about in term 4.

Year 4:

On Thursday the 12 of september 4A and 4C went to the MCG on a excursion. We left at 9:00. We went for about an hour and a half trip. The chairs could lean back and it was so cool.
EVENT 1 GAME ON SECTION
There were so many games we could even make an avatar, we even got sweat bands. There was a letter A that you meant to scan to start the game, we could do rock climbing, soccer, football and basketball. It was so fun there were so many games.
EVENT 2 SPORTS MUSEUM
There was a super cool 3D movie. There was a thing that played the football team's songs. There was so much room it was crazy how it actually fitted.
EVENT 3 THE TOUR
We got to go on the ground and even the room where the coaches give their big last speech. Our tour guides name was Glen. It was the best. I think that was the best excursion ever. It was fun, it was wonderful but it took us a long time to get to the MCG.  By Oliver

On Thursday the 12/9/2024 4A and 4C went on a excursion to the MCG. And saw the Game on section sports museum and a tour of the MCG. We had a small snack when we got there.
Game on
We got sweat bands with A’s on them that you scan on the game machines and it shows your avatar and gives you about 30 or 20 seconds to play the game. In your wrist band if you flip it inside out you can find your accounts code that you can redeem everytime you come back to us your original account. Game on is a section where you can play short games. You can also make an avatar for your account and there is a giant football that has giant mats beside it because you can rock climb on it. It doesn’t get you very high but it is fun. There are big soft different types of balls on the ground that you can lay on or sit on, my favourite one of the balls was the netball. In the game area you could play a game where you kick the football at the screen and you get scores and there is a similar game where you can hand ball through a player's arms to get a point. There was also a bike racing game but it was just using your arms so it was like you were a paralympian there was also a short surfing game and horse racing, basketball, and soccer.
Sports museum
After the game, on area we went into the sports museum and it was really cool. We got to go into a horse racing area and quickly colour in a horse then when it was done you could scan it then name it and then it would go on a big screen and you could watch it race and see if it would win. A part I really liked is all the short movies you could watch. We watched one about a footballer but I came in late so I wasn't able to watch it all so when we went up to the other area I saw another movie so I watched the whole thing and it talked about a football player that had to sneak out to play.
MCG tour
After the sports museum we went on a tour of the MCG. The tour guide's name was Glen. Glen led us around the MCG. One of the places she showed us was a big balcony. Towards the end of the tour Glen led us to the locker rooms, and one of my classmates did a pep talk and then all the boys started yelling. Then Glen led us to the ramp that they jogged up on the games and one of the LSO’s filmed us jogging up the ramp and after we went up the ramp we got to go out to see the grass!! Glen said we couldn’t touch it with our feet but we could with our hands and it felt really nice. After we felt the grass
Glen told us to jog down the ramp like winners and the LSO filmed us again it was fun. After that we went into the press conference room and one of my classmates pretended to be the couch and Glen asked her a few questions. After we finished our tour we grabbed the food baskets and brought them outside to eat lunch but after everyone
finished their lunch we jumped on the bus to head back to school. By Isobel.G

Year 5:

Term 3 has been an exciting journey for our Grade 5 students, filled with hands-on learning and new experiences. In 5A, students led the Kids Teaching Kids program, where they took on the role of educators, sharing their knowledge with peers in a collaborative and creative way. 5A also explored their creativity through weaving, learning traditional weaving techniques from our Kids Teaching Kids visitor Zanni.

Across the Grade 5 cohort, students made great strides in the Swimming program, building their skills and confidence in the water. In Science, they explored space, natural disasters and electrical circuits, learning how to put them together and experiment with different connections. The Space Dome experience took students on a journey through the universe, igniting their curiosity about astronomy. We also dove into history with War Horse, using the novel as a gateway to explore World War 1 and the experiences of both people and animals during that time.

Sustainability and caring for our environment were key themes this term. Students in 5A got involved in gardening, tree planting, and building nesting boxes to support local wildlife. We were excited to welcome our first-ever Fire Carrier Captains, who will help promote Indigenous perspectives at school. Continuing this focus, students participated in activities centred around Indigenous history, learning more about Australia’s rich cultural heritage.

In literacy, our Socratic Circles encouraged thoughtful discussion and critical thinking. The students also enjoyed their Grade 5 rotations, which offered them a chance to explore various activities across the term, and we wrapped it all up with a fun-filled end-of-term BBQ. We were fortunate to have a student teacher join 5A, providing fresh perspectives and support for our learners.

A huge thank you goes out to the entire Grade 5 team, especially the LSOs, for their unwavering support of both students and staff this term. Their dedication has been invaluable in making this a successful and memorable term for all involved.

Year 6:

This term the year 6 cohort have had a busy and amazing time. We have experienced many excursions and incursions including, swimming in week 6, MAD about Science experiments, exploring the Zoo, Interschool sports and many many more.
During inquiry we started off the term learning about the three states of matter and we all became little scientists experimenting with solids, liquids and gases. We then moved into a new unit that explored how animals adapt in different environments. Each year 6 student then created their own new animal to adapt to a new environment. Within the classroom we delved deep into two texts, Making Bombs for Hitler and Rowan of Rin. This gave us opportunity to explore new vocabulary and comprehension skills. During Maths we started off consolidating our understandings of fractions and then demonstrated our measuring skills, reading data and reading coordinates. This term also was centred around preparing our students for the Sacrament of Confirmation. We had 31 students who Confirmed their faith and received the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. It was a very reverent time and we are very proud of everyone who took part in this final sacrament of initiation.
Finally, Interschool sports did take place and we once again showed the sportsmanship skill of our students at Our Lady of the Way. We had an amazing time and we even have two sports, Basketball Boys and Cricket going through to the next round next term.
We have had a fulfilled, action packed term which has gone so fast. We look forward to concluding our primary school years next term.

Foundation

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6

Art Show

Physical Education

DISTRICT INTER-SCHOOL SPORT

On the September 6th, the Grade 6s competed in sporting events at Kilmore Primary School, St Patrick’s Primary School, and Assumption College. Our Basketballers, Cricketers, and Softballers made our school proud in the way they demonstrated respect throughout the day and even had rival schools compliment their behaviour and effort. Our boys basketball and boys cricket team performed so well that they progressed to Division events which will be held in term 4. We are lucky enough to have made grand finals in all sports and to really let the other schools in the area know that Our Lady of the Way is a force to be reckoned with. Great Job Grade 6s!

Our teams

ATHLETICS

This term, Our Lady of the Way have been superstars on the track and in the field. We have had our most successful day out at the District Athletics ever! We finished overall in 2nd place only 2 points behind the leader of the day! Super effort to all of those involved and a massive thank you Mrs Pera and to the parents who joined us on the day to help out! Almost half of our athletes progressed to Division. At division our success did not end with another 7 athletes making it through to the regional finals which will be held early next term. Amazing work to you all!

Our athletes

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Lilly Barnes in Year 4 on her selection in the School Sports Victoria 10 - 12 years, Vic Track & Field Team for the School Sports Australia Championship held in Sydney. Lilly has qualified in discus and will travel to Sydney in November to compete against other students. We wish Lilly all the very best!

Kids Teaching Kids

On Tuesday, September 3rd, 11 students from 5A left on a bus to Yea Wetlands for kids teaching kids. The 11 students were Anabelle, Eva, Scarlett, Lucas, Rudi, Jason, Porsche, Steph, Will, Rocco & Shailey. When we got off the bus in Yea we went through a building, which was an information centre, and it had Aboriginal paintings hanging on the wall. Once we left the
information building we walked through a forest, halfway through the forest walk we had to walk across a really wobbly bridge. All 11 students started jumping on the wobbly bridge, and it got even more wobbly. Once we walked across the bridge, we went to a tent that had someone (Zanni’s son) sitting in it. The boy directed us to our tent, then we saw Zanni (who runs kids teaching kids) and she showed us which trestle table was ours. After we found our trestle table we went and put our stuff down and sat down and listened to another school’s presentation (which was about fungi) After that Zanni explained what we were doing for the rest of the day. It was a really fun day!

Thank you to Mrs Bryan, Mrs Pera and Erin for organising this for us.

Written by Anabelle, Lucas, Rocco, Eva and Scarlett.

What a great day!

FIRE Carriers

On Thursday, Mrs Bryan, Mrs Mostyn and Mrs Pegler along with Tayte, Anabelle, Maciee, Lucas and Rudi were commissioned as our inaugural FIRE Carriers during a special ceremony at the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry. We look forward to working with Opening the Doors Foundation and becoming Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education, to promote respect fairness and inclusion for Aboriginal People.

Music Soiree

 The students who take music lessons have been working hard on their performances ready for the annual Soiree.

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. 

Well done to Anabelle!

I'm chopping my hair and need your help!

I’ve made the decision to take the big chop and change lives! We raised $500 last chop.  Let's see how much we can raise now!!! ANABELLES BIG CHOP #2!!

Variety – the Children’s Charity supports kids who are sick, experiencing disadvantage or living with a disability.

I will be donating my hair to help provide a wig to someone who has lost their hair, as well as raising vital funds for kids in need.  Every gift, no matter the amount, makes a difference.

To donate: https://hairwithheart.variety.org.au/event/hair-with-heart/donate

Thank you for your support!

Anabelle's long hair

Parents and Friends Meeting

Our Parents and Friends meeting will be held on Thursday, 10 October · 2:30 – 3:00pm
Please feel free to attend in person, or use the google link to join. 
Google Meet joining info https://meet.google.com/onf-yxua-mde

Specialist Days-Semester 2

Before and After School Care

CFA

Craigieburn Swimming Instructors