Newsletter May 16, 2024

From the Principal

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

May is known as the ‘Month of Mary’ in the Catholic Church. As Our Lady of the Way Primary School, Mary naturally plays an important role in our Catholic Identity and who we are as a school community. We devote many prayers to Mary, and the Hail Mary is one of the first prayers taught to children at school. I recall when I was young, our Parish of St Peter’s East Bentleigh, used to have the Fatima Statue that was passed around families in the Parish on a weekly basis. Basically, it was a small blue suitcase that contained a Statue of Our Lady of Fatima, some candles, a prayer cloth, prayer cards and Rosary Beads. If your family name was listed in the weekly bulletin you could pick the case up from the church and have it for the week.
This was my first experience of praying the Rosary. As a family each night after dinner the candle would be lit and we would say a decade of the Rosary, dedicating it to a Joyful, Sorrowful or Glorious Mystery. Like most primary aged children, I was happy when it was over but now when I think about it I realise how important it was for my parents to share their faith with the family. Saying the Rosary together provided an opportunity to do just that. It was a great example to me that formal types of Prayer extended beyond Church and school. The Rosary is a beautiful prayer that provides us with an opportunity to pray in a meditative and contemplative way deepening our relationship with God. The children will have an opportunity to pray the Walking Rosary as part of our Feast Day celebrations on May 24, and maybe you may like to take a little time to pray a decade of the Rosary as a family during May. 
Below is a link to the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne website explaining how to Pray the Rosary.

Happy Month of Mary

Best wishes,
Terry

2024 STATE BUDGET

This past week the Allan Labor Government announced a $400 School Saving Bonus for all school students in government schools regardless of income, but only for health care card holders in Catholic schools. This is deeply unfair. We believe the payment should be means tested for all students or apply to all students. It should not be based on which school you attend. This policy punishes families for choosing to send their children to a Catholic school.

Our school, MACS and the peak body, the Victorian Catholic Education Authority, are working hard to oppose this policy and we need your help. We need to show the Victorian Government that punishing families who choose a Catholic school is unacceptable. Please consider contacting your local Member of Parliament to express your concern.
Our school’s local MP is Lauren Kathage and they can be contacted by calling 03 9432 9782 or by emailing lauren.kathage@parliament.vic.gov.au
I have emailed a letter to Ms Lauren Kathage  to outline my concerns as a Catholic Primary School principal. Below is a template letter to assist you with making your voice heard if you wish to send one yourself. Thank you for your time in reading this and for advocating for your family and our school.

SICK STUDENTS

At this time of year there are many illnesses going around, and we need to try and do all we can to lessen the spread of germs and diseases. Many students are arriving at school with cough and cold symptoms. If your child is unwell they will be asked to wear a mask whilst they remain in first aid until a parent arrives to collect them. 

AFTERNOON PICK UP

There is a teacher on yard duty until 3.30pm to supervise students. We understand, occasionally that there are delays out of the ordinary that prevent parents from making school pick up by this time. If this is the case, please call the office to advise us. Students need to remain with yard duty teachers until 3.30pm. If students have not been collected by 3.30pm, they will wait outside the office whilst staff contact parents. 

In the light of Christ

Dates for the celebration of Eucharist      

Booking instructions: www.schoolinterviews.com.au  Code: dgx77

Family Faith Evening Google Meet Link: http://meet.google.com/zmv-vxhr-qsr

Commitment Mass: Sunday, May 19 OR Sunday, May 26 (Book 1 only)

Family Retreat Day: (students only) Wednesday, May 29 (During school hours)

Faith Formation Night: Wednesday, May 29, 6.30pm online (see above)

Sacrament for Eucharist: Sunday, June 2, 9, 16 & 23 9.00am (Book 1 only)

Wellbeing- Positive Behaviour and Learning

RESILIENCE

“I accept the decisions of adults who work in the school”

Teaching and Learning

Our Lady of the Way will be participating in the National Simultaneous Storytime on Wednesday, May 22nd @ 12.00pm.  You do not need to do anything, however there is some informaton below about the event. 

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. Now in its 24th successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.

District Cross Country Championships

What an amazing day we had at the District Cross Country Championships at Trackside Kilmore. This was a long distance running event where we competed against all of the schools in the Mitchell district. Our Lady of the Way had 42 representatives across grades 4, 5, and 6. We are all super proud of how our students were able to compete with such class, respect, and a desire to perform. Overall, our school placed 2nd against 10 other schools. This is the highest we have ever placed and will be looking forward to claiming that top spot in years to come.

Students progressing to Division: Gracie B, Maisie M, Tayte A, Marco I, Gemma B, Sadie M, Matilda G

Students still with a chance to progress to Division: Will J, Matilda M

Our Cross Country Super stars

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CFA incursion for Foundation students!

Last week, the Foundation students had a visit from the Wallan CFA. The students
listened to firefighters Allison and Travis talk about what to do if there was smoke in
their homes and participated in role-play exercises that involved getting down low
and crawling under the smoke (CFA parachute) to get to a safe place. They learnt
how their letterbox is a safe place to meet if there is a fire in their home and the
importance of knowing their address. The students were also shown all the different
equipment on the fire truck and got to squirt the fire hose with firefighters John and

Chris.

Thank you to the CFA members for visiting our school and their dedication to keeping our community safe.

Foundation students enjoying the action!

Year 5-Camp Weekaway, Benloch

Day One at Camp (By: Mannat 5B)

On Wednesday, May 8 all of the year 5s went to camp. The bus ride was amazing and lots of people enjoyed it. When we arrived, everyone was really excited and the instructor told us what we are going to do at camp and she told us the rules. We did teamwork adventures on the obstacle courses. When we came from the adventure course, we all were excited to see the cabins. After telling our groups, the teachers gave a room number to everyone. Everyone was excited to see the cabins. Everyone was happy who they had and which room number they had. For afternoon tea, we all had chocolate cake. Lots of kids enjoyed it. After the afternoon tea everyone had free time. Some people were playing basketball, Gaga ball and volleyball. Then everyone had dinner. For dinner we had pineapple chicken pizza. Lots of people enjoyed eating it. We also had seconds and dessert. After eating we all went to the cabins and had a little chat before bed. Then it was 8:30pm so we all went to bed.

Day Two at Camp (by Lucas.T 5C)

On day two we woke up amazing, the cabins were filled with joy. Everyone was rushing to have breakfast the people who had to set up the dining hall were group C. We had delicious eggs and toast. After breakfast we had 1 hour of free time mostly all the kids played in the gaga pit and played volleyball. After the hour sped past, it was time for our first activity. Everyone loved their first activity. The people with environmental bingo were the first ones at the campsite then the other groups came. Then they had 30 minutes for free time. Then we had morning tea. It included cupcakes and fruit. After we had our second activity it was very fun. The GI Jane kids saw the flying fox kids go down. When everyone went back it was lunch time and we ate burgers. We had to go around the building to choose our burger toppings. The kids went first than the adults went to get their burger. It was time for the third activity. It took longer because the activities were far away from the camp. When we came back it was afternoon tea and we had apple muffins and for those with dietary restrictions, they had banana muffins. It was time for our final activity for the day it sped past,  then we had free time before it was time for dinner. The group to set up the dining hall was group E. We had pasta and garlic bread and everyone loved it. Then the adults gave us options to go to bed or watch the AFL. The teams playing were Melbourne Demons and Carlton. We could only watch it till half time then we had to go to bed (Carlton wone by one point!). That was day two of our amazing camp experience.

Last Day of Camp ( By Anabelle. R )

On the last day of camp we had the same things on. We had duty group B set up the plates, cups, knives and forks also all of the teachers knives, forks, plates and some juice. While the duty group was setting up the other kids had to start to pack up. Mr. Stella was blasting music down the corridors! After the duty group had finished and
everyone was ready and dressed, anyone who who wasn't in the duty group had to go to the dining hall. For the last day of camp we had pancakes and if you finished them and you were still hungry you could have some cereal or cereal if you didn't want pancakes at all. Once everyone had finished their breakfast we would have half an hour to an hour of free time to go and play then after free time had ended we went to go and sit at our tables right by the dinning hall in our activity groups. Group A was doing laser tag, Group B was canoeing, Group C was flying fox, Group D was doing GI Jane and Group E was doing environmental bingo. After we had all done our activities we had to come back to the activity tables and we had our morning tea. They served chocolate chip cookies and some fruit. For the rest of the day we had free time and could play basketball or soccer just as long as you didnt get dirty. Then we came back to the activities tables and then had some lunch. For lunch we had chicken wraps. Some of
the kids thought that the chicken was spicy so some of the kids had to rush back to their bags and get their drink bottles. Then as every good thing has to end the year fives had to go home.

Fun at camp!

Year 3 Breadmaking Incursion- May 13

Year 3A

On Monday, we made bread with a lady called Vesna. Firstly, she let us knead the dough. We tapped it softly on the back and front and then rolled it together into a ball. While we were out for recess, the dough was taken to the staff room to have the first rising. Then we came back to shape the dough. It also got much bigger. We had to fold the corners about 5 - 7 times. Then it had the second rising. Lastly, it was put in the oven ready for us to eat! 

By Ashaina

On Monday the 13th of May we made bread rolls. The person who was helping us was named Vesna. This incursion was for the Grade Three students at Our Lady of the Way. We had to do first rising, shaping, second rising and Vesna did the baking. Finally we ate the bread rolls. They were soooooo delicious!

By Shahin

Year 3B

On Monday the 13th of May, we had a fantastic incursion. We made bread rolls! They were so delicious. There were alot of steps to make the bread rolls.The ingredients were: Yeast, Salt, Flour and Warm Water. Vesna, the teacher, told us what it was going to be about. Then Vesna showed us some wheat and showed us some of the  other ingredients. She also asked us a few questions. 

First, Vensa started to ask us how much of each ingredient we needed to use while putting them in the bowl. After Vensa showed us how to knead the dough, we got to knead the dough ourselves. The dough felt so sticky you would have thought it was slime if you didn't know it was dough. We also had some people from 3D kneading the dough with us. It was really really fun.

Next, we got to go back to our classrooms for recess. After recess we got to do some work in the classroom. Then, we went back to the place where we did the kneading and started shaping it into a circle. It was hard but super fun! We had to wait for the bread to rise up and that took a very long time. 

Lastly, once the dough had risen it was time to bake it in the staffroom oven. After about half an hour we got to eat the bread!It was so so delicious! Some people had it with butter and others had it without butter. 

And that’s how our incursion went!

By Arya, Seerat and Brylie

Year 3C

On Monday the 13th of May the grade three students got to make bread with a bread making company. We made bread rolls and when we were finished we got to eat the bread. They made normal bread and gluten free bread. The lady taught us all the steps needed to make the bread. The steps we learnt about were making the dough, shaping the dough, cooking the dough, heating the dough in the oven then the bit we liked most was eating it. They also learnt how much wheat you needed to make the dough. 

All the kids in grade three enjoyed making the bread and they found it fun.

Jackson Thomas 

MAKING BREAD ROLLS

Making the bread was amazing! I didn't know that we had to do so many steps to make such delicious bread. 

I LOVED that we got to eat it. I think I might work there when I grow up. It was so cool that we saw real wheat!

What we needed was flour, yeast, salt and water to make the dough for the bread. We also needed a little bit of flour on the table so it wouldn't stick to it. We rolled it with our palm and NOT with our fingers otherwise it would stick to our fingers.Then,we had to roll and fold the dough.

The person who was teaching us said that I did it perfectly.Next,we had to shape it. The shape was a sphere. Then,we left it to go puffy.Then the exiting bit is when she showed us what it looked like.

The best bit of all was EATING IT!

By Ilaria Fiera 

Year 3D

On Monday, we had a breadmaking incursion where we learnt how to make bread. We made bread rolls. 

First, we had to put the flour into the bowl. Then we added some yeast, after that we added some salt. After the salt, we added warm water and we had to make sure the water was warm not cold. After that, we mixed it and then took out the dough from the bowl and placed it on the table (making sure there was flour on the table). Roll the dough around the flour. Then start kneading the dough. Put it in the bowl and let it sit for 1 hour. After that, take out the dough and start kneading again. Then pinch the edges and put them in the oven. Bake it and enjoy the fresh handmade bread!

By Eva Barnett 

Preparing the dough

Language at Our Lady of the Way

Specialist Days

Music Lessons

Before and After School Care

Assumption College, Kilmore

Assumption College Musical

The Frozen Jr. Spectacular is Almost Here!

Mark your calendars, gather your friends and family, and join us for a journey into the enchanting kingdom of Arendelle as Assumption College presents its Junior Production of "Frozen Jr."! The cast and crew have been working hard every rehearsal for what is shaping up to be a magical show. From mesmerising musical numbers to captivating choreography, this show promises to be an unforgettable experience for all.

When: Thursday 23rd May, 4:30pm & 7:00pm, and Friday 24th May 24th, 4:30pm & 7:00pm

Where: Assumption College Theatrette

Tickets: $20 each available for purchase through TryBooking at https://www.trybooking.com/CPXQG. 

Dress: Feel free to dress up as your favourite Frozen character to add an extra sprinkle of magic to the evening! 

See you there!

Community Events

Wallan Junior Fire Brigade

Wallan Junior Fire Brigade are recruiting new members. 

Kilmore Kookaburra Girl Guides

Kilmore Girl Guides is looking for new Girls to join, to have fun and make new friends. It is on each Thursday 4.30-6.00pm.

Girls develop confidence, self-reliance, learn team building and leadership skills while participating in Girl Guide activities.  Girl Guides learn by doing.

There’s a lot of on offer; local unit, Region, State and even International communities and activities - something for everybody.  We’re connected globally to over 10 million members in 150 countries.

For over 100 years Girl Guides Victoria has been providing fantastic opportunities for Girls aged 5-18 years to meet personal challenges.  As part of the largest volunteer organisation for Girls and Women in Australia our team is proud to be helping to develop a cleaner, brighter, better world around us.

Your daughter is welcome to attend three meetings for free to see if she would like to join us!

Please contact: Carolyn:  0400 578 103 or 
Kristy:  0422 138 908 or Carolyn.atkinson@guidesvic.org.au