Mary, Our Lady of the Cape and Mother of God,

Watch over us and help us to show:

Compassion for everyone;

Appreciation for all that we have;

Respect for ourselves, each other and our environment; and

Excellence in all we do, to live as Jesus taught us.

Amen

World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

“Do not cast me off in my old age” (Psalm 71:9) is the theme chosen by the Holy Father for the fourth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.

Pope Francis proclaimed the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly to be celebrated on the fourth Sunday in July each year – July 28 in 2024. The Day is marked near the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the Grandparents of Jesus. The theme this year is meant to call attention to the fact that, sadly, loneliness is the bitter lot in life of many elderly persons, so often the victims of the throw-away culture. The Pope wishes to support communities to forge bonds between the generations and to combat loneliness, as he emphasises how grandparents are a gift both to society and the Church.

I give thanks to you, Lord,

For the blessing of a long life

For, to those who take refuge in You, grant always to bear fruit.

Forsake me not when my strength declines.

Teach me to look with hope to the future you give me.

Guard with love, all grandchildren

And all the little ones who seek shelter in You.

Protect, O Lord, Pope Francis

And grant the Church to deliver the world from loneliness.

Direct our steps in the way of peace.

Amen

Dear Parents and Community Members,

Congratulations to our team of runners who competed in the Interschool Cross Country last week. All students ran well and completed the course in a good time. Special mention to the following students who placed in the top 10 in their respective year groups:

Year 3

2nd Place - Cara Archer

4th Place - Matilda Saunders

Year 4

3rd Place - Leo Todd

4th Place - Lea Murray

7th Place - Avalon McCarthy

9th Place - Fletcher Brierty

Year 5

9th Place - Archer Saunders

Year 6

9th Place - Clancy Duffield

It was very daunting for all our students to compete against more than 80 other runners, but they were all amazing in the way they gave their all, and tried their best. We are extremely proud of all their efforts. Special thanks to the parents and grandparents who were there to support our team.

Next week, Week 4, is Wellbeing Week. During this week, students may wear their sports uniforms every day. There will be no homework this week, no parent/teacher meetings, and there will be lots of activities during the week that focus on looking after ourselves.

It is with great excitement that our building project is complete! We now have two new Pre-primary classrooms, a spacious foyer between the Pre-primary and Year 1 classrooms, and a huge covered walkway between the Pre-primary and Kindy buildings. We started moving into the rooms today, with the plan being to have classes there from Monday. Also from Monday, the Year 1 students will hang their bags in the foyer area, with entry being from the front school courtyard. This completes our Early Learning Centre, and we are so proud to have these amazing spaces for our students to learn and grow. Come and check them out!

Last week’s activities based around possums were very popular with our Little Seedlings and their parents! This week was all about kangaroos. Little Seedlings playgroup is on every Monday morning during term time. Please spread the word and come along to join in the fun!

https://forms.office.com/r/E3xRtm4K9R

The next meeting for our Advisory Council is Wednesday 14 August at 5.00pm in the school staff room.

Please note that teachers record attendance in the mornings between 8.50 and 9.00am. If your child arrives later than that, you will need to sign them in at the office, so their attendance can be changed from ‘absent’ to ‘present’. It is important that students are at school in time to unpack their bags, greet their teachers and friends and settle into the classroom for a good start to the day. Thank you for helping us with this.

Unfortunately, students are not able to play on the playground equipment before or after school, due to supervision and safety concerns. Please leave the school grounds promptly at the end of the day. This includes the Early Childhood play area. Thank you.

We are enrolling now for Pre-Kindy for next year.

Contact the office if you have any questions.

Our Book Week Dress-up will be held in Week 6 on Wednesday 21 August.

Each year since 1945 the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) has brought children and books together across Australia through CBCA Book Week. During this time schools and public libraries spend one glorious week celebrating books and Australian children's authors and illustrators. Libraries create colourful displays, develop activities, and tell stories relating to a theme to highlight the importance of reading. We will have our dress-up day with students dressed as their favourite book character. Recycled costumes are fun to make and good for the enrvironment. Get creative and have fun planning costumes - remember characters must be in a book and as always, thank you for your support of your children.

As mentioned in the last newsletter, unfortunately, we are reducing the number of days each week that our canteen will be available, from the end of August. Our current canteen manager, Pippa Walsh, will be leaving to have her baby on Friday 23 August. Taking over from Pippa on Fridays, starting on Friday 30 August will be Sara Drmota. We thank Pippa for her work in the canteen last year and this year, and wish her well for her new family addition.

We welcome Sara back to the OLC staff group, too! To clarify, from Week 7 this term, canteen will only be available for students to order lunch, on Fridays, commencing Friday 30 August. Volunteers are still needed to assist Sara to prepare lunches for our students. Your children will LOVE seeing you helping out in the canteen. You can either click the link below to register online, or complete the form outside the office. https://volunteersignup.org/FKFDR

Thank you!

OLC is looking for a volunteer to help run the Uniform Shop. The Uniform Shop is open on a Wednesday from 8.20am - 9am. Please see the Admin Office if you would like to volunteer. We very thankful to Anna Rowe for her dedicated service in our uniform shop.

Have a wonderful week!

May God bless you

Mrs Angela Hegney

Principal

Term three was off to a busy start, with our Confirmation candidates participating in a workshop with their parents on Tuesday night. The students and parents, explored the Sacrament and discussed the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit that they will receive. The sacrament of Confirmation allows the students to confirm their commitment to the Catholic faith themselves, after their parents initially made that decision at their baptism. It strengthens our faith and reminds us to live like Jesus. The candidates will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on Sunday the 8th of September morning at 8.30am. All members of the OLC family are invited to attend the mass and to pray for these students in the next stage of their faith journey.

Our MJR program identifies students who show the Spirit of Jesus by being Welcoming, Encouraging, Saying Sorry and Saying Thank you (WESTies). We are always considering how we greet, treat and speak to each other at our school. Each week we identify 5 students who have spread the Spirit of Jesus through their words and actions, and they are acknowledged on the MJR board in the undercover area. Keep an eye out for people making Jesus real, and feel free to nominate them for recognition via the nomination form in any classroom or the office. Congratulations to this week's winners!

On Friday the 16th August we are celebrating our school Feast Day for the Assumption of Mary. This is a day for appreciating and understanding Mary as our Patroness, understanding, and celebrating the Feast of the Assumption, growing awareness of those less fortunate in the world, and demonstrating our capacity to “give” as an antidote to need. Last year we raised over $2000 for Catholic Mission Australia’s support for the Ukraine. This year funds raised will go to Catholic Mission Australia for various countries in need.

Students are asked to wear their sports uniforms for the day.

Classes will participate in a whole school liturgy at 10.00am. From midday until 1.00pm, we hold our fundraising market stalls and outdoor activities, with the help of the Year 6 students. Parents are also welcome to attend this with their child/ren if they would like to come along.

Our stalls are focussed on the fun that comes from participation, rather than the acquisition of “things” to take home. This comes from a sustainability perspective and a desire to minimise packaging and collection of items that essentially end up as landfill in the long run.

Activities on the day include the following:

To assist, we are asking that children bring money that they have earned from doing jobs around the house so that they can understand the value of the money they are donating. We ask that the children bring no more than $20.00 maximum (in coins please) for the day. It helps to have coins contained in a clearly labelled snap lock bag with your child's name and class in case it gets dropped on the tour around the school. Classroom teachers will be explaining how we make Jesus Real by helping those less fortunate and in need by raising money. We look forward to a fun filled day celebrating our wonderful school.

On Friday afternoon the OLC choir combined forces with the Cornerstone choir for a party in the hall. The students' voices sounded incredible together as they sang some 2 part harmonies in preparation for the One Big Voice Concert. Afterwards, some time was spent meeting new friends and sharing pizzas. We cannot wait to join them at the Arena on August 22!

Mrs Sherborne and Mrs Graham

We have some exciting P&F fundraisers planned for this term, including

-Father’s Day raffle

-Local wine fundraiser

-Sports carnival treats

-Fun gold coin donation for the kids

Stay tuned for more details!

Email: admin@ladyofcape.wa.edu.au
Website: www.ladyofcape.wa.edu.au
Location: 245 Cape Naturaliste Road, Dunsborough WA, Australia
Phone: 9781 3200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OLCDunsborough/