Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope you had a restful change to the usual routine over the last two weeks. As we embark on a new term, I wanted to reiterate our commitment to providing an exceptional educational experience at Orana Catholic Primary School. I also wish to remind everyone of the importance of maintaining a positive and constructive culture that values each child and staff member as unique and special. Let us collectively embrace this new term and foster an environment encouraging growth, inclusivity, and a positive outlook for all.

Catholic Identity Pillar

Catholic Performing Arts Festival

The Catholic Performing Arts Festival commences this week. Ms Sarah Draper and Mrs Kathryn Alp took Year 6 student representatives Vidya and Zaiden to the Catholic Performing Arts Opening Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral. It was a lovely celebration, embracing prayer and the Performing Arts.

MacKillop House Mass

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the MacKillop House Mass will now be held next Friday 26th July, at 9am in the school hall. The earlier start time allows Ms Draper and music students to attend their scheduled Catholic Performing Arts Festival commitments. You are all invited to attend.

Education Pillar

Professional Development

On Monday, the Orana staff collaborated to work on various initiatives to continue striving towards achieving our school improvement plan goals, followed by a team-building activity. The working parties covered all four pillars of Quality Catholic Education:

Catholic Identity: Godly Play Kits and Outdoor Aboriginal Perspectives Prayer Space.

Education: Whole School Fitness and Class Sport, Cultural and Linguistically Diverse Education and Homework Action Research.

Community: Library Cultural Diversity and xxx Audit, Community Learning Engagement

Stewardship: Earth Care and Sustainability, Marketing and Quality Catholic Education Award Applications.

NAIDOC Week

This week at Orana, we are celebrating NAIDOC Week. The 2024 theme honours the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture - with fire a symbol of connection to Country, to each other and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. (www.naidoc.org.au) Thank you to our Aboriginal and Cultural Diversity team, which organised various engaging activities promoting Aboriginal perspectives in education both in the classrooms and during breaks. Students made damper; listened to stories; sang songs and completed various learning activities in class. I encourage you to ask your children to share with you some of their experiences during NAIDOC Week.

100 Days of School

Yesterday we marked the 100th day of the school year. Some staff dressed up to promote fun and engagement as students in junior years participated in fun lessons based on hundreds.

Community Pillar

Condolences to our Parish Priest Father John Daly; his mother sadly passed away last week. We pray Father John and his family at this sad time. May they be comforted by God’s love and their treasured memories.

Stewardship Pillar

Improvement and Maintenance Projects

Several projects were undertaken over the holiday break to improve and maintain the excellent Orana learning environment.

· Tree trimming, removal, and planting as directed by the tree audit to ensure a safe, healthy, well-maintained green canopy.

· Artificial turf installed to the Year 1 outdoor learning space.

· Outdoor blinds installed to the Pre-primary verandas to create protected outdoor learning spaces.

· Sand sifting and top-ups to the sandpits for play opportunities and adequate soft-fall for climbing equipment.

· Office space re-fit to allow for additional workspaces.

· Replacement of bathroom exhaust fans.

· Marking of the athletics carnival track.

Thank you to the staff who organised and liaised with contractors.

God bless and take care.

Kind regards,

Dee Johnston

NAIDOC Week Lunch Time Activity

Young Voices Awards

Earlier this year Beth, Rachel and Lily Morris from Year 5 educational competition organised by the Australian Catholic University. They were asked to create either a print, digital or photographic piece on the theme "Do good, be good, spread good news." Our students created podcasts and keynote presentations; interviewed people and produced some excellent pieces of writing. The university commented on the high standard of the entries received from Orana.

Congratulations to Beth who entered a fantastic podcast about the Homeless Service that the Orana staff, students and parents contribute to. Rachel’s piece of writing about her grandfather was truly inspirational. A special congratulations to Lily who received a Highly Commended award in the junior section for her video presentation on The Friends of Queen’s Park Bushland (FQPB).

Well done, Year 5 students!

MacKillop House Mass

At the earlier time of 9am, we will celebrate Mass to begin MacKillop House Day. All parents and carers are most welcome to attend. We will acknowledge some MacKillop House students in presenting awards of moments that they have demonstrated the character traits of Mary MacKillop - Fairness and Leadership. Mary MacKillop or Mary of the Cross is the first saint of Australia.

Students of MacKillop House will also enjoy extra play time and a celebratory icy pole.

Confirmation Preparation - Year Six

Please make note of the following important dates:

• Parent Faith Formation - Thursday, 25th July 7-8pm in school library (children do not attend).
• Commitment Mass Weekend: Saturday, 27th July 5.30pm OR
• Sunday, 28th July 10.30am
• Students, Parents/Carers and Parish will pray the commitment prayer in the Mass (words will be sent to you).
• After Mass, go to the hall and choose which date you would like your child to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation.
• Confirmation Retreat – 14th August at the parish | parents drop off and pick up from the parish 8.50-2.30pm.
• Parent/Child Workshop – 14th August at the parish | 4.30-5.30pm OR 5.45-6.45pm.
• Confirmation Rehearsal – 29th August at the church | Saturday celebration 5.30-6.15pm or Sunday celebration 6.15-7pm.
• Sacrament of Confirmation – 7th September 5.30pm OR 8th September 10.30am
• Thanksgiving Mass with Cake and Certificates - 14th September 5.30pm OR 15th September 10.30am

We are thrilled to announce that we are starting a book club at Orana in Week 2, Term 3! This initiative aims to encourage a love for reading and provide our students with a fun and engaging way to explore new books, share their thoughts, and build a sense of community.

The book club will be open to students in Years 3 to 6, and meetings will be held every Tuesday morning at 8 am in the school library. During these sessions, students will have time to silently read and then discuss books.

We believe that a book club can offer numerous benefits, including enhancing reading skills, fostering critical thinking, and creating lasting friendships. It is a wonderful opportunity for students to connect over shared stories and learn from one another.

The numbers are limited, if you are interested in having your child participate, please complete the form below by Tuesday, 16 July.

Dear Orana P and F Community,

Billy G’s Gourmet Cookie Dough Fundraiser is here!

Help us to raise funds for the school P and F whilst you enjoy dough-licious home-made cookies.

There are 9 delicious flavours to choose from, including one for your beloved family pooch.

Please note Billy G’s is a completely cashless fundraiser.

All orders must be placed online and paid by credit or debit card or PayPal, so make sure you create your online fundraising page at www.australianfundraising.com.au today.

How do we create a Fundraising Page?

Creating a fundraising page is easy!

1. Visit www.australianfundraising.com.au and click the “Cookie Dough Login” button on the home page. Then click the register button to fundraise on the cybersafe, Billy G’s Cookie Dough platform.

2. Complete the registration details, Choose your goals and create a unique avatar!

3. Place your order using the “Order Now” button and share your fundraising page with your family and friends via the “Share” section so they can start buying some yummy cookie dough. Easy!

The cookie dough shop will be available to purchase between the 14th and the 28th of June 2024.

The orders will be available for collection on the 26th July 2024 from the school quad.

Your children have received a Billy G’s Order Form with instructions on how to collect orders today.

Please contact the front office if you have not yet received your form.

For any queries please contact Priya Narsing by email on sailesh.priya@yahoo.com

Our school P & F still require the following positions to be filled:

P & F Chair

Coordinator of Classroom Reps

Please consider how you can assist your child's school through the P & F. It is by filling these positions, that community events can take place. You can also join the committee as a general member. If you have any queries, please contact the P & F - oranapandf@gmail.com

Thank-you all

Orana P and F

Track tops and pants are now available at Uniform Concepts. Socks are in limited supply in some sizes, so please wear plain white socks until the new socks arrive, if the required size is unavailable. We have some old uniform stock for sale. Look out on Seesaw for a list of available items.

Here is a preview of our new optional Orana rain jacket. It will keep students warm and dry as they travel to and from school. This will replace the need for umbrellas that are difficult to store during the day and can be unsafe if not used with care.

Wedding Anniversary Mass - Sunday 4th August at 10.30am

Calling all couples celebrating significant wedding anniversaries this year - 1, 10, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 years or more! Register in the church's foyer no later than 26th May. Hand in your wedding photo by 31st May.

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults - Willetton Catholic Parish

There will be a six -week Period of Enquiry on Tuesdays from the 23rd July to 27th August. All meetings will be at the Parish Centre from 7.00-8.00pm. During this time, we invite everyone who wants to know more about the Catholic faith, especially those who want to be baptised and who want to receive the sacraments of Holy Eucharist, Confirmation and Reconciliation. After the Period of Enquiry, new candidates and catechumens and their sponsors will begin an eight-month program to prepare them for their sacraments at Easter next year. A list of weekly topics are on posters around the Church and they will also published below. For all enquiries, please contact John Richards at livecompany10@gmail.com or call 0417933470. You can also contact Fr John Daly or Fr CJ Millen via the Parish Office.

Term 3 - Tuesday 16th July - Friday 20th September

Term 4 - Monday 7th October - Friday 6th December

Pupil Free Day (Catholic Day) - 26th August

Pupil Free Day - 7 October

2024 - Term 3 - Week 2 and 3

• Start of Catholic Performing Arts Festival - Week 2
• Monday 22nd July - CPAF Primary Piano
• Monday 22nd July - Young Engineers Club - 3.30pm
• Tuesday 23rd July - CPAF Primary Piano
• Wednesday 24th July - CPAF Primary Piano
• Wednesday 24th July - Kindy Incursion - West Oz Wildlife
• Thursday 25th July - CPAF Primary Piano
• Thursday 25th July - CPAF Percussion Ensemble
• Thursday 25th July - Year 3 & 5 Religious Education Assessment Practice Test - 9.30am
• Thursday 25th July - Confirmation Faith Formation at Orana - 7pm - 8pm
• Friday 26th July - CPAF Primary Piano
• Friday 26th July - MacKillop House Mass - 9.30am
• Friday 26th July - CPAF Classical Guitar Ensemble
• Saturday 27th July - Confirmation Commitment Mass - 5.30pm
  
• Sunday 28th July - Confirmation Commitment Mass - 10.30am
• Monday 29th July - Young Engineers Club
• Wednesday 31st July - Cultural Inclusion Day
• Thursday 1st Aug - CPAF - Orana Hosting
• Thursday 1st Aug - Year 3 & 5 Religious Education Assessment @ 9am
• Friday 2nd Aug - CPAF - Brass & Woodwind Ensembles at Orana
• Friday 2nd Aug - Farmyard on Wheels Incursion - Pre-Kindy
• Friday 2nd Aug - Year 2 Liturgy 9.30am

Best Practice RecommendationsAlthough a child aged over 7 can legally ride in the front passenger seat of a vehicle with two or more rows of seats, it is recommended that children under 12 years of age always use the rear seats first. (KidSafe WA)

Smoking and Vaping is not permitted on school premises; including in private vehicles in the drive through lines or carparks. Thank-you for your cooperation.