Our Lady of Good Counsel School

Lest we forget.

There’s something incredibly poignant about remembering the lives laid down on our behalf by those members of the armed forces who represent our nation in conflict. Remembering. Calling this sacrifice into our minds, dwelling on it, being moved and shaped by thankfulness for it.

Our Heavenly Father,
You, O Lord, are the Lord of peace. We thank you for the peace and security that you have gifted our great nation.

We thank you Lord, for the courage and sacrifice of the ANZACS almost 100 years ago.

As we remember those who have fallen in battle, we give thanks to you, gracious God, for their great sacrifices in conflict and in captivity. They gave their lives for peace and freedom. Father, in our nation of wealth, prosperity and comfort, let us never forget the cost – the great cost – of this lifestyle which we now enjoy.

We pray for those who are still grieving the loss of friends and family killed on active service. Generations pass, but the grief of loss remains. Please help them to cast their worries upon you, the God of all comfort.

Lord, please help others to care to their needs with sensitivity and respect. And may they know the prayers and support of us, their fellow Australians.

It is in His mighty name we pray.
Amen.

Find the glitter!

Parenting expert, Rebecca Sparrow recently discussed how she talks to her children each morning on their drive to school. She tells them to look for the tiny bits of glitter in each day; she explains that the glitter is always there, but sometimes you have to really pay attention to see it.

This practice of teaching children about gratitude is important for their emotional wellbeing. Significant amounts of research points to the practice of gratitude in developing resilience, happiness and success. Too often, even as adults, we can get caught up in a negative cycle where instead we focus on each of the problems that we encounter throughout a day. During my career in education, I frequently encounter parents, whose first question to a child (who may be experiencing difficulties at school) is to say to them “Did anything bad happen today?”. Straight away, we are bringing the child’s focus into the negative. Instead of getting our children to look for the glitter in each day, we are asking them to hone-in on the problems and bring their attention to that.

Brene Brown wrote “What separates privilege from entitlement, is gratitude”. As a catholic school, our values of respect, excellence, justice and love are embedded across the daily lives of our staff and students. OLGC is in a privileged position, where we are all able to find glitter in our daily lives. Sadly, when we continue to focus on the negative, we lose sight of just how privileged we are; privileged to experience good health and healthcare, privileged to have a warm and safe home to return to each day, privileged to be granted a high-quality education – the list goes on.

As a school, we will encourage your children to constantly seek and find the glitter in their lives by modelling this gratitude ourselves. I ask that parents join me in this quest, and challenge each of you to find the glitter in your day and share that glitter with your children. Also, ask them and remind them to find that glitter and share it with you too!

Interschool Swimming Carnival

A huge thanks and congratulations to our Interschool Swimming Team who placed 4th overall in the carnival last week. Our students displayed superb sportsmanship, with many students swimming in multiple additional races to supplement events where our competitors were absent due to illness. The team spirit and cheering was contagious and a fantastic credit to our school. Thank you to Mrs Hesse for her many hours of preparation and time in both Swim Club and administration for the event.

Enrolments – Pre-Kindy and Kindy Program: 2025 and 2026

If you have a younger sibling, friend or family member who will be seeking enrolment in our Pre-Kindy or Kindy program for 2025 or 2026 please contact the administration staff as soon as possible. These places are filling up very fast (with a waitlist already in place for Pre-Kindy 2025) and we would hate for any siblings to miss out on enrolling.

Friends or family members that would like to see what OLGC can offer their child, should submit an EOI via our new website www.olgc.wa.edu.au or by contacting the office on 6242 3400 for an application, or to book a school tour.

Thank you to the Year 6 students for leading our ANZAC Day service this week. With reverence and respect, students, teachers and staff gathered to commemorate the legacy of the ANZACs and honour those who have served our nation. The ANZAC Day service serves as a poignant reminder that the spirit of the ANZACs lives on in the hearts and minds of our youth, inspiring hope, unity, and a commitment to peace.

As a school community, let us keep the Year 6 students in our thoughts and prayers as they embark on their Confirmation retreat (Friday, April 26). May they be filled with the wisdom, courage, and strength of the Holy Spirit, and may their hearts be open to receive the grace and blessings that come with the Sacrament of Confirmation. Together, let us support and encourage our students as they deepen their faith, strengthen their relationship with God, and prepare to embrace the responsibilities of living as fully initiated members of the Catholic Church

A reminder that all children enrolled to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation are required to attend next week’s workshop with a parent/caregiver. The workshop will be held in the Hall next Wednesday, May 1 at 5.30pm.

UNIFORM ORDERS

A new delivery from Perm-A-Pleat has arrived in the office. If you have placed an Order recently then please come in to collect your parcel.

Thank you.

It is essential that parents adhere to road and street regulations when dropping off and collecting their child. It is a regular occurrence to see:

- Parents entering the staff carpark with their vehicle to drop off and pick up children

- Cars parked across the footpath on Miles Street

- Vehicles not giving way to children crossing outside the church drive-through

We do not want to have to engage the services of the CoS Rangers, however, we will be obliged to do this for the safety of our students if parents fail to adhere to safe driving and parking practices.

On Monday the 23rd April, the Year 6 students led the ANZAC Day service. Anzac Day is a significant national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, commemorated on April 25th each year. It honours the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who served and sacrificed their lives during the Gallipoli Campaign of World War I, particularly those who fought on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey in 1915.

Anzac Day serves as a time for Australians and New Zealanders to reflect on the sacrifices made by their servicemen and women in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. It is a day to honour their bravery, resilience, and spirit of camaraderie, as well as to acknowledge the profound impact of war on individuals, families, and communities. The students and staff of Our Lady of Good Counsel pay our respects to those who have served our country.

The media team from CEWA’s head office came to capture the service which will then be shared with our broader community.

Uniform update:

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

White school socks

Girls socks for summer and winter uniform are now on the website to purchase.

Sport socks for boys and girls are now available.

Please note

The white socks are for the girls school uniform and the sport uniform,

Boys will wear the white socks for sport and the navy socks will be available soon to wear with their school uniform.

Pre-Kindy (3 Year Olds) Gold Polos

We are selling off limited gold polos in Sizes 2, 4, 6 to any child in Pre Kindy for $8.00

Please contact Terri if you are interested nicter1@bigpond.com

Some items are still available to buy from the school (limited stock)

Red sport polo

• Size 12

White short sleeve shirts $20

• Size 14, 16, 18

Boys blue school shirts (original make , neck size) $20

• Size 12.5, 13, 13.5, 14.5, 15, 16

Girls black tights (warmer style) $8

Hats

• Assorted faction hats sizes large and extra large $10

• Navy hats size small $15

Girls summer dresses $30

• Sizes 12, 14, 16

Assorted boys and girls bathers $5

Library bags $8

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 show.

Thank you

Terri Benedetti

Please join us to cook up meals for those most needed in our community.

We have confirmed the following dates for this year that we will be cooking:

• 06/06/2024, 9am-11am
• 13/09/2024, 9am-11am; and
• 22/11/2024, 10am-12pm

There is a register link in the flyer which came home via your class SeeSaw page which will take you straight to our form. Otherwise link is here if needed.

We would love support from our school community on this.

OLGC P&F Committee

ADHOC CALENDAR FOR 2024.

Preston Matsie and his sister Sydnee (OLGC alumni) both represented Hamersley Athletics Club in this year's State Athletics Championships and qualified and competed in their respective hurdles events.

Congratulations to you both.

The Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) is a free service funded by the Australian Government, designed to support seniors living at home (and receiving a government funded Home Care Package) or those living in residential facilities. Ie, Moline House Karrinyup, Myvista Balcatta, Myvista Mirrabooka, Bethanie Gwelup etc

It has been running for over 30 years and helps isolated seniors increase their sense of purpose, belonging and maintain their social connections. A regular visit from a friendly caring volunteer can make a huge difference in their lives.

At Umbrella Multicultural Community Care, we focus on seniors from CaLD backgrounds who may not have any other relatives or friends to chat with in their language or dialect. As a mother of former students of OLGC, Eloise and Julian Loughnan, I understand there are many families from diverse backgrounds that attend the school - who may like to join this program and connect with a CaLD senior. We facilitate, manage and support this introduction and ongoing companionship.

Any questions please reach out to myself or my colleagues on 9275 4411.

Elicia Anders
ACVVS & Volunteer Support Officer

Working days: Monday, Wednesday & Friday