A PRAYER FOR KINDNESS AND GENTLENESS
Teach us to be like You in all our ways.
Teach us kindness, gentleness, generosity, and to be
giving, forgiving, loving and caring.
Teach us to follow in Your humble footsteps.
Guide us to the place You want us to be, take control.
Mould and shape us into the brilliant beings we were
always defined to be.
Amen
From the Principal's Desk
Dear Parents and Carers,
Every Thursday the Orana staff join in prayer. Mrs Wall lead us in prayer this week and the focus was kindness. One of the kindness quotes presented to us, touched my heart and I wish to share with you.
To laugh often and much,
to appreciate beauty,
to find the best in others,
to leave the world a bit better...
to know even one life has
breathed easier because you have lived:
that is to have succeeded.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
What does it mean to you to be just a little kinder in your daily life? To me, it means greeting those I meet with a smile. I seek to be kinder than necessary because everyone we meet is fighting some kind of battle. A random act of kindness could help a person work through a hardship they are carrying. Through our kind actions we are modelling to those around us how to treat others with respect. To be kind is to demonstrate respect.
At Orana this term we are focussing on a big essential question, "How do we create a culture of RESPECT?" This starts with kindness.
How can we as adults and leaders of our community share kindness with each other? How can the children in our care learn from us and aspire to be kind in all they do?
Janelle Quek - SWAN BAGS - COLES - Now available!
Mrs Cottier, Mrs Harrold and myself were invited to Coles for a photo shoot with Janelle and her fabulous art work this week. Janelle was one of six students to win Coles' national bag design competition in 2019. Janelle's artwork is inspired by the work of Walmajarri Aboriginal artist, Jimmy Pike.
As an Apple Distinguished School we pride ourselves on creativity and diversity, Janelle encapsulated our values through her artwork. We are incredibly proud of her achievements and cannot wait to purchase a "Swan" bag as they have been named within the Coles community. When I saw Janelle during the week she spoke to me about how happy she was to see her drawing on the Coles bag.
When you visit Coles next, watch out for the Swan bag! Check out the Week that Was for pictures of Janelle and her bag.
SACRAMENTS
Sacramental dates have been finalised and are available on the Orana online calendar. Year 3, 4 and 6 families received a separate email with the full Sacrametal program attached outlining the Retreat Day, Commitment Mass, Sacramental date and Certificate celebration Mass times. Please be aware of the tight timeframe due the COVID-19 restrictions. your patience and understanding in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Sacrament of Reconciliation will be celebrated on Thursday 29 October
Sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated on 19/20 September
Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on 21/22 November
LATE ARRIVAL and EARLY LEAVE SCHOOL PROCESSES
Please note that as of Monday 3 August if your child is late to school (after 9.15am) they will need to be signed in at the front office and they will take a late slip to their classroom teacher. If you are picking your child up early, please come to the front office and sign them out.
HIGHWAY HEROES - PARENT PORTAL - ORANA WEBSITE - COMING SOON
Lots of Tips and Tricks coming your way to support the Highway Heroes Program at home!
This term we are implementing a Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) program: BEST Program 4 Kids' Little Highway Heroes (K-PP) and Highway Heroes (Year 1- Year 6). This is a comprehensive, active teaching curriculum that introduces social, emotional and learning skills for children. SEL is the process of acquiring the skills to recognise and manage emotions, develop care and concern for others, establish positive relationships, make responsible decisions and handle challenging situations effectively. These skills are fundamental to a child's mental health and ability to learn. Over the coming weeks we will be sharing more information with you regarding this program. You will be receiving information from your child's classroom teacher throughout the remainder of this year, with tasks and activities that can be completed at home. Please try and get to this, so that the language we use is common and the messages we are trying to reinforce can be supported in the home environment also.
Kath Warburton will by holding a Parent/Carer Workshop on Friday 7 August focussing on the first Module of Highway Heroes - Connecting 4 Friendships. Please come along for this session, handy tips and tricks will be shared for you to make use of at home. The workshop will be held in the hall at 9.45am following the assembly.
Every kind act is a prayer, Blessed Mother Teresa
God bless,
Emma Bell
Short-term Principal
RESPECT - GENEROSITY - EXCELLENCE
From our Parish of Sts John & Paul
Please visit the Parish website for the latest information on weekend Masses.