Our Lady of Good Counsel School

Loving Father, as we come to the end of another term we turn to you in confidence and place any difficult relationships into the healing hands of Jesus, your Son.

Enable us to leave behind any pain of the past and any regrets or bitterness, entrusting the past to your mercy, the present to your love, and the future to your providence. Help us appreciate more the need to keep a good balance in our lives.

May the holiday be for us a time of rest and recreation to help restore us and re-create us in your image and likeness, as we enjoy more of the love and presence of our families, on whom we ask your blessing.

Amen.

Dear Families

We have had some amazing achievements at Our Lady of Good Counsel School recently - a testament to the hard work and commitment of our students and staff.

Tournament of Minds - State Finals

Keely (Y6), Toby (Y6), Grace O (Y6), Stella (Y5), Ilaria (Y5), Alix (Y5) and Lacey (Y5) competed in the State Finals of Tournament of Minds at ECU Joondalup on the weekend. This meant that they were in the Top 3 teams of all schools in Western Australia, which is a remarkable achievement.

The State Finals comprises of 2 separate challenges - the 3-hour Challenge and the spontaneous challenge. In the 3-hour Challenge, students are presented with the 'Challenge question' and have to independently (with no adult support at all) create a creative, out-of-the-box solution that they present to the judges over a period of 10-minutes. There are a number of criteria that they need to meet within their presentation, against which they are judged.

Our students were amazing!! Their presentation was creative, engaging, integrated musical elements, as well as demonstrated their visual arts knowledge and skills. I was incredibly proud of them and their hard work and they deserve to be congratulated!!

Interschool Athletics Carnival

More fantastic results from our students at the Interschool Athletics Carnival yesterday. Students competed at HBF Stadium and demonstrated excellent sportsmanship and school values throughout the day.

We achieved the following awards:

• Overall Girls Champion School
• Most Improved School

Well done to our students and Mrs Benedetti for her hard work in preparing students for their events.

Mrs Preston has been coordinating the Kids in Space - Makers Empire program with our Year 4-6 students in STEM this term. This program is run in collaboration with the Australian Space Agency and the Andy Thomas Space Foundation. The program tasks students with a 'learning by design' program in which they needed to work in teams through the design thinking processes to research, create and design an item that would assist an Astronaut in space, by making space life better / easier for them. They then 3D print their designs, and create a presentation booth which is then delivered at the Showcase against a range of other schools.

Yesterday, two OLGC teams presented their designs at Jospeh Banks Secondary College where the State Finals of the program were held. The students also had the opportunity to meet with and talk to Education minister Hon Sabine Winton.

Thank you to Mrs Preston for her wonderful delivery of this program.

Mrs Bennett has more information below regarding our fantastic CPAF results, but I wish to acknowledge Isabella Hemelaar (Y4) who was awarded the prestigious Sisters of Mercy Shield as the Top Performing Piano Soloist across all primary students in catholic schools in Western Australia. This is a truly remarkable achievement. Well done, Isabella.

Congratulations to Term 3 Values Award Recipients:

Junior Primary: Harrison De Longville (Pre-Primary)

Upper Primary: Stella Grount (Year 5)

Parent: Mrs Temisha Prendiville (Oliver (Y2), Jack (K) & Zara (Y1) )

We are excited to welcome our new Grounds & Maintenance Officer to OLGC from tomorrow (Thursday). Mr Michael Davis joins us from UWA where he was in the Grounds & Maintenance team for one of the residential colleges. Prior to that, Michael worked at AQWA as an Assistant Curator. He has 2 young children, and I am confident will be a fantastic addition to our school commuity. If you see him around, please introduce yourself and make him feel very welcome to OLGC.

As per the schools Enrolment Policy, a full terms notice is required in writing if you intend to withdraw your child from OLGC. Please send a formal written notification via email (addressed to myself) to admin@olgc.wa.edu.au by the end of Term 3 to avoid paying fees for Term 1, 2026. Thank you.

We have some limited availability for enrolments across the school in Years 2-6 for 2026. If you have friends or family who may be interested in enrolling their child at OLGC, please encourage them to contact Jenny or Shannon at the office for a tour, or further information.

Whilst we are at full capacity for students in Pre-Kindy, Kindy, Pre-Primary and Year 1 2026, we are still accepting enrolment applications for our waitlists in these years.

Congratulations to our 4 students who competed in the Raise Your Voice competition at St Dominic's Primary School on Monday. These 4 students were selected from their cohorts after delivering their individually prepared speeches. Toby (Y6), Skyla (Y6), Ava (Y5) and Sanjo (Y5) all represented OLGC with enthusiasm and pride. We were very proud also, when Sanjo was announced as the overall winner of the competition. Well done, Sanjo!! We are so proud of you.

Please use THIS LINK or the QR code to nominate a parent who demonstrates the school values of Love, Respect, Excellence or Justice across the life of our school community. An award will be presented to one parent at the end of each term, from the nominations received.

Thank you for the nominations that have been received. Please take the time to submit a nomination of you know someone worthy of this recognition.

A heartfelt thank you to all the families and students who supported our Family Mass. Many parishioners shared their appreciation for the choir’s beautiful singing and the liturgical dance group’s graceful performance. It was truly special to come together as a community and celebrate our faith.

Father Philip and Father Nicholas loved seeing the church alive with our smiles and joy, and they warmly invite you to come along to Mass whenever you can.

A sincere thank you to all the parents for making the time this evening to attend the First Eucharist Parent/Child Workshop with their children. Your presence and support are a special part of the preparation journey.

It is always wonderful to see families coming together to learn, share, and reflect on the importance of this sacrament. These moments of faith and connection help our children to deepen their understanding and experience of the Eucharist, and they are enriched by the guidance and encouragement you provide at home.

We are grateful for your commitment to walking alongside your child in their faith journey and look forward to celebrating the First Eucharist together as a community.

A heartfelt thank you to all the families who so generously supported our visitors—whether it was through loaned bedding, donated gifts, vouchers, or experiences. Your generosity truly reflects the spirit of our school community and brings to life the Catholic values we strive to live each day. It was inspiring to see such kindness extended so willingly, creating memories that will be treasured long after the visit.

The students from Wyndham had an amazing week filled with new experiences and opportunities. Their adventures took them behind the scenes at 92.9FM where they recorded their own sound bites, across the island tracks of Rottnest by bike, and into some of Perth’s most iconic landmarks including Optus Stadium, the WA Museum, and Fremantle Prison. Each experience broadened their horizons and left them with stories to share back home.

Yet, the most cherished moment of their visit came on the very first night, when they were warmly welcomed by our Year 5 and 6 students for a pizza and play afternoon. Even though the weather was wet, spirits remained bright as students bonded over painting, basketball, music, and of course, plenty of pizza! The teachers from Wyndham were deeply moved to see their students embraced with such warmth and generosity.

This visit was a beautiful reminder of the strength of community and the joy that comes when we open our doors—and our hearts—to others.

Recently, our students in Years 3–6 took part in the Assessing Wellbeing in Education (AWE) survey. This is designed to give students an opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings about their school experience, including how they feel about learning, friendships, and their overall sense of wellbeing.

This will help us better understand the needs of our students and guide how we continue to support them in both their learning and personal growth. It also offers valuable insights into how, as a school community, we can foster an environment where every child feels safe, supported, and able to thrive.

Capturing the supportive, collaborative, and contemporary teaching and learning experiences which inspire every learner at OLGC.

This term, our STEM program has been bursting with innovation, inquiry, and imagination. Across all year levels, students have engaged in hands-on investigations and collaborative projects that have deepened their understanding of the world around them—and beyond!

Kindergarten

Our youngest scientists have been exploring nature through sensory investigations, creating beautiful nature prints using clay and playdough. These experiences have helped them observe patterns and textures in the environment.

Pre-Primary

Students asked the big question: What do living things need to survive? By planting and growing mustard seeds, they observed the life cycle of plants and learned about the importance of sunlight, water, and care.

Year 1

In a creative collaboration with Years 5 and 6, students explored animal adaptations by designing Pokémon-style cards. Each card showcased a unique creature with special features suited to its habitat—blending science, storytelling, and design.

Year 2

Students investigated life cycles and the importance of protecting turtle nesting sites. Their learning highlighted the delicate balance of ecosystems and the role humans play in conservation.

Year 3

Students explored how living things can be grouped based on observable features and how they differ from non-living things. Through classification activities and nature walks, they developed foundational scientific thinking.

Year 4

Environmental science took centre stage with two major projects:

• Oil Spill Clean-Up: Students recreated an oil spill and tested various clean-up methods, learning about environmental impact and response strategies.
• Water Filtration: Students designed and tested filtration systems, investigating how to clean water using natural and synthetic materials.

Year 5

Through their Platypus Project, students explored structural features and adaptations in living things. Their research was transformed into engaging infographics that highlighted the unique traits of this iconic Australian animal.

Year 6

The term’s highlight was the Kids in Space challenge, where students worked in teams to design innovations that could support astronauts or apply space technology to solve Earth-based problems. Using the design thinking process—empathise, define, ideate, prototype, and test—students developed creative and practical solutions.

This culminated in the Kids in Space Showcase, where two Year 6 teams proudly presented their projects. Due to a scheduling clash with the interschool carnival, one team was represented by students from Years 4 and 5—an inspiring example of teamwork and adaptability.

Students also investigated how mould and salinity affect the growth and survival of living things.

These rich learning experiences would not be possible without the dedication and expertise of our STEM teacher, Mrs Sammy Preston. Sammy has worked tirelessly, often beyond her usual teaching days, to support and collaborate with our budding scientists, engineers, designers, and astronauts. Her passion for STEM education continues to inspire both students and staff, and we are so grateful for the energy and creativity she brings to OLGC.

On Monday morning 8/9/25, the Pre Primary students celebrated and blessed all father figures during their prayer assembly. Afterwards, the students proudly brought their dads into the classroom to share in special activities together. They shaved their dad’s faces, created heartfelt treasures and showed off their awesome soccer skills! The children loved writing a card for their dad and decorating it with their own special touches.

We hope all the special dads enjoyed Father’s Day and that they felt spoilt and loved by their children.

Let us celebrate our dads, not just today but every day, because they are the coolest!

Congratulations to all the students who participated in the 2025 Spirit of the Arts Catholic Performing Arts Festival. The festival ran from the end of July throughout the entirety of August.

As well as our school’s soloists who performed in the piano, strings and woodwind sections, OLGC’s Instrumental Ensemble and Choir also performed. Overall, more than 40 students represented OLGC in the festival.

All students should be incredibly proud of their achievements as it takes great courage to perform for an audience and everyone that participated performed to the very best of their ability.

Thank you also to all parents who have supported their child throughout the festival, particularly those who took students to their solo performances.

A special thanks must also go to the Mulholland family for the transport of the Choir and Ensemble to and from their performances and to Isabella Hemalaar in Year 4 for her amazing accompanying of the choir on the piano at their performance.

Isabella is also the proud recipient of the Sisters of Mercy West Perth Award for the best primary school piano performance at the festival. She was presented with her shield at the Finale of the Catholic Performing Arts Festival held at Newman College on 16th September which showcased the most outstanding performances from the festival this year. Congratulations Isabella!

I am so proud of you all!

Mrs Bennett

TERM 4 - Students are to wear the OLGC Summer Uniform on commencement of the new term.

Uniform update:

Samples are available to try for size at the school office.

All uniforms are now available on line through the schools website. Click on 'Uniforms' and it will take you to the Perm -a -Pleat website where all details will be shown.

All uniform orders need to be collected from the School Office and will not be delivered to the classrooms. The orders are delivered to the school every Tuesday. (Cut-off is Thursdays for a Tuesday delivery.)

Girls Summer Dresses (older style) - $60

Sizes 12, 14 and 16

Boys blue shirts ( Nell Gray brand, sizing by neck size)

Size 16

Faction hats - Blue - $10

XL

Faction hats - Green - $10

XL

Navy Bucket hat - $10

XL

Girls White Shirts - $10

Sizes 14, 16, 18

Boys Jammers - $10

Size 14 and 16

Boys racing bathers - $5

Sizes 8,10,12,14, 16

Term 4 - Summer Uniform

School uniforms are available for order on the school website, along with the official school requirements.

Thank you.

Kids just grow so fast! Do you have outgrown uniforms that could benefit another family? Maybe you're hunting for a spare polo shirt or some extra buttons?

Here at OLGC we have a second-hand uniform sale or swap page on Facebook. This is a closed group for the OLGC families who wish to sell, swap, or provide free uniforms to our school community.

To join simply click here or search on Facebook for "OLGC Uniforms – Sale or Swap".

It is important that all sales and swaps are done without consuming the precious resources of the school. Please contact each other directly and don't ask the office to hold items awaiting pick up.

Please contact the group administrator with any questions - Terri-Ann Shilcock - jtashilcock@gmail.com.

This ladies scarf was found in the school carpark - please come to the office if you think it is yours.

Thank you.

Parish Priest: Rev Fr Philip Akansighe

Assistant Priest: Rev Fr Nicholas Kerebba

Parish Office 19 Phillips Grove, Innaloo

Parish Office phone: 9446 1666

innaloo.karrinyup@perthcatholic.org.au

www.innalookarrinyup.perthcatholic.org.au

Parish Bulletins

We would like to take the opportunity to remind our local schools that magpie nesting season runs from now until November and during this period, magpies may swoop to protect their young. During this time, extra care should be taken when students are outdoors or walking to and from school.

Our Summer Season is about to start, and we have a couple of spots still available.

We’re excited to be running our Jungle Sports October School Holiday Programs at Lords Recreation Centre, Subiaco, and would love your support in sharing this opportunity with your school community.

Our programs are designed for children aged 3.5 – 7 years and include:

• Fun-filled mornings of multi-sport activities
• Skill development in a non-competitive environment
• Indoor sessions (no weather worries!)
• Professional coaches who create an engaging, safe and active experience

We are a Discover Sailing Centre that provides a variety of on water courses. We are holding some Tackers & Teens Courses (Junior Sailing) over the upcoming School holidays and would love to be able to get the word out there to get more kid’s out on the water!

Tackers is an Australian Sailing program for 7 – 12 year olds to teach kids the basics of sailing in a safe and fun environment. Children do not require any previous sailing experience or Hillarys Yacht Club membership to participate. All equipment is provided (including life jackets) until they move up into the Optimist Green Fleet to begin club racing. All courses are delivered by Australian Sailing qualified instructors.

Our Teens program is aimed at ages 12+.