Issue 4 I  31 March 2022

Dear Parents & Carers,

Wishing our families rest, rejuvenation, and quality time together as we approach the end of term break and the sacred time of Holy Week. This is an important time for all Catholics as we reflect through prayer and focus on the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Year 6 Broken Bay Leadership Day
We are blessed to be part of a system of 44 schools across the Diocese of Broken Bay, under the leadership of Bishop Anthony and our Director of Schools, Danny Casey. Today all of the students in Year 6 from our Broken Bay schools came together online to focus on their leadership strengths and reflect on the theme of ‘The Light of my Leadership’. The morning session included a message from Danny Casey and an interview with Bishop Anthony.

Thank you to the Year 6 students who engaged in the day with enthusiasm and great maturity.  Leadership development occurs across every stage of learning at OLGC and is incredibly important as the students prepare for the transition to secondary school. Leadership skills allow children to have control of their lives and the ability to make things happen. Leadership skills build confidence and helps children solve problems, work in teams and learn to collaborate effectively.

2023 Enrolment Applications
We are an inclusive school and welcome families who would like a Catholic education for their children. If you know any families considering enrolling for kindergarten 2023 please encourage them to complete an application form available on our website and submit this as soon as possible.
We have begun enrolment meetings with parents and will start making offers for places early next term. We already have strong demand for places; hence I anticipate creating a waitlist for kindergarten 2023 applications in the near future. If attendance at our recent open day was not possible, a school tour can be arranged by contacting our school office.

World Autism Understanding Day
This Saturday the 2 April is a day to spread understanding and acceptance, by celebrating life on the autism spectrum. For further information please visit World Autism Understanding Day – Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect).

Winter Uniform
Students return for Term 2 in their summer uniform. The change date to the winter uniform is Monday 9 May.
 
Cross Country
It was so lovely to see how many students “Let their Light Shine” at our cross country this week, despite the unpredictable weather and the venue change. Some students shone with their running ability, others their determination to do their very best and some students used their cheerleading skills to ensure everyone was encouraged. My thanks to the parent volunteers who helped out on the day, as well as Mrs Morello and Mrs Thompson for their organisation both on the day and with the prior preparation.

Warm regards,
Fiona Dignan

Why is persistence important in learning?

At OLGC we design tasks across all curriculum areas that provide the opportunity for challenge and problem solving. Solving challenges requires persistence. Research shows that children gain satisfaction from the act of overcoming challenge, and this satisfaction leads to improved self-concept. Overcoming challenges also provides the strategies and experiences that can be useful in students’ later studies and lives. Challenge also contributes to brain development and growth.

In general, challenging tasks require students to:

• plan their approach, especially sequencing more than one step;
• process multiple pieces of information, with an expectation that they make connections between those pieces, and see concepts in new ways;
• choose their own strategies, goals, and level of accessing the task;
• spend time on the task and record their thinking;
• explain their strategies and justify their thinking to the teacher and other students.

We encourage you to also provide opportunities at home for children to show persistence and perseverance as they tackle different challenging tasks.

Have a happy and safe holiday.

Paola Brannan
Assistant Principal

Congratulations
Congratulations to all of our students who have received the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Thank you for keeping these students in your prayers.
They will continue with their Sacramental journey with First Eucharist next term.
 
Year of Family
Pope Francis has announced that 2022 is the Year of the Family.
The Year of the Family will conclude on 26 June 2022, on the occasion of the tenth World Meeting of Families in Rome with the Holy Father.
Pope Francis established the Year of the Family to help strengthen faith and live God's joy more fruitfully in family life.
 
Lent - A season of reflection    Lent.caritas.org.au
Let’s continue to support Project Compassion’s theme of ‘For all future generations’!
As we approach Holy Week and the end of our Lenten Season, I encourage each of us to reflect on our lives, our Lenten promises and remind ourselves of how our faith and God is present in our lives.
Through Project Compassion, we are focusing on their theme of ‘For all future generations’. We are reminded as we look around how important it is to give, support and guide the generations of the future and those less fortunate than ourselves to ensure that we together can build a better tomorrow.
We ask that all the family donation boxes are returned by Wednesday 30 March please.
Big thank you to those who have returned their boxes already.  

Calling all Altar servers
If your child is in Year 4, 5 or 6 and is interested in becoming an Altar server, we are recruiting!!
Please see attachment for more details in relation to training.
We are eager and keen to get more students serving at the Altar of God.
 
Holy Week & Easter
Our school will be holding stations at school for the children to prepare for Holy Week. We have been preparing for Easter each day this week with every grade sharing their dramatisation of the events of Holy Week, starting with Kindergarten showing Palm Sunday and concluding with presenting Jesus carrying the cross and his crucifixion. We will share photos of this with our community.
 
Holy Week and Easter is occurring during the holidays and I encourage each of us to join with our Parish for the events surrounding this important time in our liturgical calendar and part of our faith.   We are looking forward to celebrating the Easter Season with many more people this year, remembering that last year we had such restricted numbers.
 
May the forgiveness and healing peace of the Risen Lord be with us all this Easter.

We pray that our families at Our Lady of Good Counsel and our global community, that we will be filled with joy, compassion and hope for a better tomorrow.
 
Enjoy a peaceful, safe and relaxing holiday and I look forward with more of you in the near future.
 
Allison Houston
Religious Education Coordinator

Friday 1 April
School photos (students are to wear full summer uniform)

Tuesday 5 April
Year 3 Cricket Gala Day
Year 5 Soccer Gala Day

Thursday 7 April
Year 5 Cricket Gala Day
Year 6 Soccer Gala Day
Last day of Term 1

Tuesday 26 April 
First day of Term 2 

Monday 9 May
Students wear winter uniform

School photos will be taken tomorrow, Friday 1 April 2022. 

Individual and sibling photos can be ordered online by visiting www.advancedlife.com.au and entering the school code RAJ 9FZ CQ3. 

Students will need to wear full summer uniform on photo day. 

Dear Parents and Carers,
 
With the end of Term 1 in sight, we hope OLGC families are looking forward to a well-earned break from the routine. There are many exciting events happening for the children at school in the lead up to the school holidays and we hope it is lots of fun!
 
Here is an update on recent & future P&F events:
 
Kindy Welcome Night was held last Friday at the Terrey Hills Tavern. Many thanks to the Year 1 parents who volunteered to make this such a great night for the Kindy families. We hope everyone had an enjoyable night & that new Kindy families feel welcomed into the OLGC community.
 
Easter Raffle
Excitement is building for the drawing of the OLGC Easter Raffle next week. Good luck everyone!
 
Playground Support Suggestions
Reminder that if anyone has any Playground Support suggestions please contact the P&F on pf.olgc.forestville@gmail.com before the end of term. Please refer to the Compass notification for more information.
 
Disco - Friday 24 June
Save the Date for a great night for all OLGC children!
 
Second Hand Uniform Sales
Reminder that the Second Hand Uniform Shop is open every Wednesday and on-line sales are also available. Please refer to the Compass notification for more information.
 
Entertainment Book
If you would like to purchase the OLGC Entertainment book please see here for more information https://au.entdigital.net/orderbooks/2040e72. It will allow you to save money and support your school.
 
Many thanks to all the volunteers who help to make OLGC a wonderful and supportive community!
 
OLGC P&F Committee

Northern Beaches Environmental Art and Design Prize
Students are invited to participate in the Northern Beaches Environmental Art and Design Prize. 

Entries are now open for young artists and designers from 7- 12 years. Entries close at 5pm on Wednesday 11 May 2022.

Please see the Northern Beaches Council website for more information and an entry form.

Australia My Country Competition 2022
The Australia My Country (AMC) Competition is sponsored annually by the Forestville RSL sub-Branch and is designed to enhance the sense of pride and patriotism of participants by commemorating, through writing and art, Australia's proud military heritage. The competition is open to students in Years 3 to 6. 

The topic for 2022 is 31st May 1942, the day the War came to Sydney. 

Please visit the Forestville RSL website for more information and an entry form.

Canteen Co-ordinator - St Kieran's Catholic Primary School Manly Vale
St. Kieran’s Catholic Primary School Manly Vale is seeking to appoint a Canteen Co-ordinator. This is a temporary part-time role (30 hours per fortnight). The required days of work are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (non-negotiable) each week.

Click here to view the job description and further information.