Newsletter 15/5/2025
From the Principal:
Dear Parents and Carers,
A Joyful Moment in Our Church: Welcoming Our New Pope!
This month has brought an unforgettable moment in the life of the Catholic Church: the election of our new Holy Father! As the white smoke rose above the Sistine Chapel and the words "Habemus Papam!" echoed around the world, Catholics everywhere felt a wave of joy, hope, and renewal.
The election of a new Pope is not just a historical event—it’s a spiritual milestone that connects us with the heart of the Church. Our new Pope, Pope Leo XIV, comes to us as a shepherd for over a billion Catholics, chosen through prayer, discernment, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He brings with him a unique story, deep faith, and a loving heart ready to serve the people of God.
For us as members of a Catholic school community, this moment invites reflection. How can we grow in our own faith journeys? What can we learn from the Pope’s example of humility, service, and devotion to Christ?
There was much excitement around the school with questions from students and teachers explaining the meaning of papal traditions, and prayers being offered in thanksgiving. This is truly a living Church, and we are a part of it!
Let us continue to pray for our new Pope, that he may lead with wisdom, courage, and compassion. May we, too, be inspired to follow Jesus more closely in our words, actions, and hearts.
"Let the Church always be a place of mercy and hope, where everyone is welcomed, loved and forgiven." – Pope Francis
Important Dates:
Assembly Awards:
Congratulations to students from Kindergarten through to Grade 6!
We are incredibly proud of the positive choices you’ve been making each day, both in and out of the classroom. Your dedication to learning, your kindness to others, and your efforts to grow academically, socially, and emotionally have not gone unnoticed.
Keep up the great work—you are building strong habits that will support your success now and in the future. We can’t wait to see all the amazing things you’ll continue to achieve!
Harmonising Opportunities - Bendigo Bank Grant:
Last Wednesday our local Bendigo Bank awarded our school an amazing $15006.00 for musical instruments. The grant title, Harmonising Opportunities: Empowering students through music enables our school to provide instruments to all our students from Grades 4-6.
We have 26 students learning violin, flute, trumpet, trombone, saxophone or clarinet and we very much look forward to seeing their progress as the year goes on. What a fabulous opportunity for those students who want to join the orchestral and band opportunities provided by both St Brendan Shaw and St Patrick's Colleges and for everyone to have a go and have fun.
Lions Club Vision Screening:
Last week 61 of our children attended the free community Lions Free Vision Screening service provided by the Kingsmeadows Lions Club. They identified 14 children with some minor issues and 2 who may have multiple issues. All result letters were sent home last Friday. It is now up to parents to follow up on any potential concerns raised with further investigations by an eye health professional.
“Thank you for having a Lions Vision Screening at your school, the children were a delight today, very cooperative which enabled us to finish as early as we did.”
The Lions Club team will return again next year.
News From the OLOM Green Thumb Team:
St Brendan-Shaw College Taster Day Grade 5/6?
Last week, our Grade 5/6 students visited St Brendan-Shaw College for our annual Taster Day. We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity, which gave students a valuable glimpse into secondary school life. They participated in engaging hands-on lessons, including making pizza muffins in Home Economics, building World War I aeroplanes in Woodwork, and exploring chemical reactions and acidity in Science. Students also had the chance to ask questions and discuss any concerns about the transition to high school. It was a fantastic and inspiring day. Thank you again to St Brendan-Shaw College for hosting us.
Walk Safely to School Day:
We held our annual Walk Safely to School event today—what a fantastic turnout for a frosty morning! A big thank you to our local police officers who joined us on our journey along Emu Bay Road. Your presence helped make it a safe and memorable experience for everyone.
To warm up after the walk, a delicious breakfast was served upon arrival at school. We're also excited to share that our school was one of just 20 across Australia selected to receive a $250 grant to support our Breakfast Club. We feel very fortunate and grateful for this generous support!
Hand Foot & Mouth Virus:
Medical Alert: Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
We have been notified that there are cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Virus in the community.
We do not have any confirmed cases of hand, foot and mouth at school at present, and we would love to try and keep it this way.
Please keep a check on your child and look out for blisters in the mouth and on hands and feet. Your child may feel mildly unwell.
Hand foot and mouth is a contagious infection and is usually treated by using a soothing lotion or bath for the rash. It is important for children to follow good hand washing and cleaning techniques.
Please seek medical advice if you have any concerns.
Community Noticeboard:
