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We pray that God’s Spirit will move our hearts and give us the strength and courage we need to share God’s love with others.
God of joy and hope, you never tire of us even though we fall and fail.
May your love burn within us so that through our words and deeds we can be your witnesses in the world bringing Jesus’ message of hope and love to all we meet.
We ask this prayer through Jesus, your Son.
Amen.
Dear Parents and Carers
What a wonderful display of community spirit and fun over the last week. It is so rewarding to see our students so excited, proud and engaged.
Mission Fete was another huge success with approximately $9,000 raised. Mission Fete Day is always an opportunity for us as a community to work together as we combine prayer, action and reflection with a great sense of fun and much excitement.
The theme of this year’s World Mission Day was “Hearts on Fire, Feet on the Move”. In his message, Pope Francis encourages us to share the good news of Jesus with others, calling us not just to have hearts burning with love, but to show this in word and action. Pope Francis also said “God's heart has a special place for the poor, so much so that he himself became poor” (2013)
Arguably the student’s favourite day of the year, the positive vibe again was significantly evident. Student voice is crucial in raising money for missions, as it leads to increased engagement, motivation, and participation. It fosters creativity, builds a sense of community and instills a sense of ownership and responsibility in students. All of this cannot happen without the support of the teachers, staff and yourselves. Special mention to Lib MacPherson who donated the raffle prizes again this year and the staff who contributed to the Adventure Park passes. Many thanks to Rebecca Nancarrow our wonderful Religious Education Leader and Marianne Caddy our Learning and Teaching Leader and direct contact and support with Sr Abeba in Bulbula.The people in Bulbula will feel happy and excited when the money they raise today will allow them to go to school, plant some seeds to grow food, get cows and chickens for milk and eggs, begin a little business to earn an income, have food and get some of the medicine they need.
We are acting as Jesus would want us to. Helping others by the things that we do, the things that we say and the way we make people feel.
We know that the people in Bulbula will be so grateful for all the money we raise to help them. Sr Abeba thanks us for all of the help we can give, in the videos she sends us and the letters she writes to us. We see their gratitude in the smiles of the people. They do not have very much, but they are happy and grateful.
Involving students offers valuable learning opportunities including leading to more inclusive fundraising approaches. Ultimately, student voice contributes to more effective and sustainable fundraising efforts. We have seen this time and again with our Annual Mission Fete.
Many thanks to you the parents and carers for getting behind this with your children and your extremely generous spirit and compassion in action.
The Arts Trail was exemplary and led brilliantly by our very talented Rachael Thomas. Rachael’s passion and skills with the Year 4-6 students this year in the Visual Arts space makes a huge difference to their learning. Next year she will also be teaching the Year 3 Visual Arts. All teachers across the school do an amazing job planning and providing opportunity for students to express their creativity through the Arts.
Visual arts in primary school age children offers numerous benefits, including cognitive development, fine motor skill improvement, self-expression, creativity, emotional and social development, confidence and self-esteem, cultural awareness, aesthetic appreciation, stress reduction, and even academic benefits. These advantages contribute to a child's overall growth and well-being, making art an essential part of primary education.
We thank Rachael and all the teachers for the support of the children with Visual Arts opportunities over the year and indeed for their favourite showcase pieces on display. Special mention also to the planning committee from each hub Kylene, Miranda, Helen, Christine, Marnie, Emily and the Visual Arts Leaders.
Many thanks also to Alison O'Donnell (icypole sales), Bella , Luke , John Stephensen & Neil Lester with the music and the School Choir and students from the band that performed.
Bike shelter: Finally, our bike shelter is complete and in use. I would like to acknowledge Kington Ocean Grove for their kind donation of $12,500 to the $80,000 plus structure. It looks wonderful and is a great addition for our travel smart students.
The Annual General Meeting for the School Advisory Council is this Wednesday in the staffroom, tomorrow night, Wednesday 15 November at 7 pm. All welcome.
The PFA Annual General Meeting is at 6.30 pm this Monday 20 November at the Covenant in the main street. All welcome.
Wishing you all a wonderful fortnight ahead.
Kerryn
This week some of the Year 5 children completed surveys about some of the dangerous areas to ride a bike in Ocean Grove. The project is called "Bike Spot" and the local government are trying to identify the most dangerous areas to ride bikes and will then work to fix these areas.
Report a student absence using the Parent Access Module (PAM).
Access the PAM login page by clicking on the following link: http://pam.staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au. Your username is the email address you have provided to school.
Click on Parent Notified Absences button
Click on + Add Future Absence
Add Absence details, enter the following information: student, reason, absence period, absence date, notes if required.
For new families please sign up to PAM (Parent Access Module) by clicking the link here: http://pam.staroceangrove.catholic.edu.au This will take you to the PAM login page. Click on the 'Forgot Password?' link and follow the prompts. You will be asked to enter your email address, then you will need to access the link sent to your email address. You can then create a password and this, along with your email address will be your login to PAM.
Please BYO folding chair, or picnic rug.
Term 4 2024
Thursday 21 November: Yr 5 Parish Mass/Year 1 MOPA Excursion
Friday 22 November: Yr 5BC assembly
Thursday 28 November: Yr 3 Parish Mass
Friday 29 November: Staff Professional Learning Day - Student Free Day
Staff Planning Day for 2025
Tuesday 3 December: School Concert 5:30pm-7:30pm
Wednesday 4 December: Prep orientation
Thursday 5 December: Prep orientation
Tuesday 10 December: Whole school orientation/Prep orientation
Wednesday 11 December: Future leaders days 2025
Friday 6 December: Diversity Day 2pm assembly
Tuesday 10 December: Whole school orientation day 9.15am - 11am
Wednesday 12 December: Yr 6 end of year excursion
Friday 13 December: Yr 6EB assembly/End of year Mass
Monday 16 December: Whole school Beach Day (students are welcome to bring plastic shovels and buckets. Ensure they remember to bring sunscreen and hats).
Wednesday 18 December: Yr 6 Graduation Assembly/Last day of school Students finish at 1pm
Term1 2025
Tuesday 28 January: Staff return
Wednesday 29 January: Staff professional Learning day
Thursday 30 January: Students return
Please note: Please refer to the Parent Calendar for all dates
Drummond Street Services
Parenting Children Who Worry Dates/Times: Monday's 5-6:30pm, between 27/11/2023- 18/12/2023
Do you want to:
- Understand your children's worry better?
- Learn ways to help your children manage their worries?
Across a Four Week Program run by Child and Family Practitioners Chris Swain and Mo Musil, this group aims to support parents of children ages 4-12 with difficulty related to anxiety and worry.
Through the four weeks some of these topics will be discussed:
- Nature of worry
- Helping children manage worries
- Setting up rules, routines and schedules
- Modelling healthy anxiety behavior
- Listening and learning from our children.
Cost: FREE
Location: Drummond Street Services
47 Yarra Street Geelong
Duration: 1.5 hrs
Dates/Times: Monday's 5-6:30pm, between 27/11/2023- 18/12/2023
Healthy Screentime Dates/Times: Thursday 7th December 4-6pm
A 90 minute presentation on the effect of excessive technology usage on children of different ages, how to determine healthy and unhealthy usage of technology, and ways to manage and adapt your children's behavior around technology.
Cost: FREE
Location: Drummond Street Services Geelong
47 Yarra Street
Duration: 2 hours
Dates/Times: Thursday 7th December 4-6pm
Questions about this event? Call (03) 9663 6733 or email events@ds.org.au
We guarantee that your privacy will be respected. Drummond Street Services respects your privacy and confidentiality. For more information, please see our Client Rights and Responsibilities and Privacy Policy.
https://events.blackthorn.io/en/5g5EK4T7/g/64TJheb7W2/screentime-blues-4a2YOd15VV