Newsletter October 10, 2024

From the Principal

Dear Parents, Staff, Students and Friends of the Our Lady of the Way Community,

Welcome back to term 4. I hope that you and your families had a wonderful break over the holidays. It was wonderful to see the children arrive back and quickly return to the structures and routines of good learning practices. There are many community events occurring this term that we can all look forward to. We have the transition program for our 2025 foundation students and families across 3 Thursday’s in November. Our athletics carnival this year will once again be a twilight event allowing more family members to come and cheer on our great athletes. We will also have the second part of our Art Show, our Music Soiree, Christmas Carols, Year 6 Graduation and our end of year mass. Specific dates and times for all these events are listed in our calendar and more information will be provided in upcoming newsletters so please keep an eye out.
As you know I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in a Pilgrimage ‘Pathway of St Paul’ late last term. It was an incredible experience walking through ancient ruins dating back thousands and thousands of years. Being in the same areas where St Paul lived and preached in Corinth, Philippi and Ephesus as well as where St John the Evangelist wrote the Book of Revelations in a cave in Patmos was wonderful.
The one experience that really stood out for me was when we visited the Baptistry near the river Zygaktos on the outskirts of Philippi. This is where St Paul baptised a lady named Lydia who was the first European woman baptised by St Paul. Lydia is now a Saint in the Greek Orthodox Church. The area was so peaceful and meditative as we sat and listened to the running water of the river, the same water Paul had baptised people in. We were able to step into the river and walk across to a shrine that has been erected over the years. As a group we renewed our Baptismal promises and read an excerpt from Paul’s Letter to the Philippians…

Philippians 4:4-9

Final Exhortations
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
The word of the Lord

I have always found this passage to be quite reassuring and this was definitely the case as I sat by the river in the place where St Paul had been and looked over the words he had written to the people who once lived where I was. I simply feel so privileged and grateful to have been able to experience this and so much more during my time on the Pilgrimage.

Best wishes,
Terry 

Photos from the Pilgrimage

ALLERGIES AND MEDICATION

The allergy season has commenced. If your child suffers from allergies, please give them some antihistamine before they come to school. We are unable to administer any antihistamine or pain relief without an medication authority form or an allergy action plan. If your child has an action plan the action plan stipulates the need for this medication, please supply medication to the office. We no longer keep pain relief or antihistamine onsite for general use.

HATS

As the weather is starting to improve, a reminder that hats are to be worn for all outdoor activities in term 4. Please make sure your child has their hat at school. 

SPORTS CARNIVAL-CHANGE OF DATE

Due to a clash of dates, the date for the Sports Carnival has been moved. The new date is now on Thursday, November 28. It will run from 2.00pm-6.00pm. 

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. 

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 get their application in. 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.

SCHOOL UNIFORM
As we move into term 4 we also transition from our Winter uniform to our Summer uniform. All students should be in their Summer uniform by week 3. Of course, if the weather is still on the chilly side the winter uniform can be worn. School bucket hats must be worn for all outdoor activities throughout term 4, including recess and lunch time and PE classes.
A reminder to all girls that leggings are not part of the school uniform. Leggings are not to be worn.
Images of the Summer uniform are below. This image does not have the school woollen jumper or the soft cell jacket which are also part of our School uniform. Please ensure that the uniform your child is wearing adheres to our uniform policy. This includes school shoes. Shoes need to be all black and I emphasise the all. No other colour should be visible. On sport days your child can wear any colour runners.

Thank you for your continued support with this matter.

CHILDREN LEAVING SCHOOL EARLY

It has been noted that a large number of students are being picked up on a regular basis before the end of the school day. I fully understand if there is a pressing appointment or if it a one-off occurrence. However, those children for who this is a regular occurrence are missing out on a significant amount of learning time. Below you will see a table that identifies how easily a ‘little bit of time’ can add up to a ‘significant amount of time’. I therefore ask that you consider how vital it is for your child to be picked up early or arrive late for school so we are not impacting negatively on our child’s learning at school.

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

Please keep Father Prakash in your prayers as he continues to recover from illness. 

In Fr Prakash's absence, Fr Jossy is the priest in residence. He will celebrate mass on Wednesdays. where is is unable to, a prayer reflection will take place for the class mass.

Wellbeing- Positive Behaviour and Learning

REMEMBRANCE DAY

We will be commemorating Remembrance Day as a community on 11^th No at 10:40am in the hall. It is an important day in our nation’s tradition to pause, reflect and pay homage to the fallen service men and women.  All are welcome to join us for the commemorative service. 

Art Show

French words

Please see below some focus words for French.

Music Soiree

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

Book Covering help needed!

We have bags of books to be covered in contact. If you are able to assist with this task, please come to the office and collect a bag. 

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 Committee met today for their termly meeting to plan forward for events supporting the schools needs and raising funds. For those who may not be aware the money raised from P&F through sausage sizzles, icy pole days and the colour run go towards  supporting various school events such as:

• Purchasing gifts for Mothers  Day/ Fathers Day
• Donations of food for Community Breakfasts
• Donations of sausages for sausage sizzles.
• Purchasing of icy poles

And any other major school fundraising project : shade sails

Our P& F work in collaboration with the school on :

• Graduation gifts, year books and ceremony.
• Sports Carnivals
• Discos
• Partnering with Mini Vinnies on social justice fundraisers.

 As it is Term 4, P&F will be running icy pole day on Thursdays beginning Thursday 17^th October. Icy poles are sold for $1. They will be working students leaders on additional icy pole days ( weather dependant) to raise further money to subsidise the Year 6 Yearbook.

 If you are able to donate your time to help on icy pole Thursdays and have a Working With Children’s Check please email P&F on:  olwparentsandfriends@gmail.com

Specialist Days-Semester 2

Before and After School Care

Some information for Dads

CFA

Craigieburn Swimming Instructors