End of Term 3
This has been another busy term where there have been a number of highlights and excellent learning opportunities for our children. As we come to the end of Term 3, I would like to acknowledge our school staff. They are dedicated and committed to supporting students and families.
I hope you all have a safe and enjoyable time with your children over the school holiday break and I look forward to working with you all again next term. Term 4 is always an extremely busy term.
Permanent APRIM Appointment
Congratulations to Linda Caldinez who has been appointed as substantive APRIM at Our Lady of the Visitation School, 2025 (4 years, review + 4 years). Linda has shown a high work ethic and has introduced a number of new initiatives and her leadership with the school leaders and SRC’s has been well received by the students.
Catholic Schools Festival Choir
Congratulations of to our 26 Year 5 & 6 students who made up our 2024 Catholic Schools Festival Choir and who performed on Monday evening at Festival Theatre. One of the highlights was when Alessia sang a solo at the performance. They represented our school with great pride. It was a great performance.
Dearest All,
The sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion are significant steps in a person's journey of Catholic faith. Over the last week we have celebrated Confirmation and First Holy Communion with six of our OLV students – Szymon, Noah, Iva, Scarlet, Samantha and Madison. Supported by their teachers, sponsors and families, our sacramental students have spent the past three terms preparing and growing in their understanding of these sacraments and the responsibilities they carry.
Our sacramental students now have two families that should be most important in their lives: their domestic family and their church family. The diocesan guidelines:
Children, their family and sponsor(s) should be aware that Eucharist (Holy Communion) is not a once and done sacrament. Therefore, there needs to be encouragement to the children to form good habits of weekly celebration of the Eucharist for spiritual nourishment.
We should rejoice to see our sacramental students share in the sacramental life of the Catholic church, as lived and experienced in our parish family and, where possible and when permitted, in our Catholic schools. If the faith is not handed on to, experienced and practiced by our young people, then eventually our Catholic church will be nothing but empty pews and eventually empty lifeless buildings. A very sad thought for our Catholic faith!
Congratulations again to all our sacramental students: Szymon, Noah, Iva, Scarlet, Samantha and Madison, you all looked amazing and remembered your lines and actions extremely well – WELL DONE. I trust you spent the weekend celebrating with your loved ones. It has been a real pleasure being a guide in your spiritual journey witnessing you learn and grow. I pray that your faith in Jesus Christ, and the Catholic church, will grow ever stronger and that you live out the teachings of Jesus Christ with meaning and purpose.
God Bless.
Linda Caldinez
Click on the links to view the Southern Cross newsletter and the online edition of The Southern Cross - September 2024
Socktober Games by House Leaders
Socktober has been fun and enjoyable because we have been able to help others around the world who are less fortunate than ourselves. This year, our Socktober efforts went to helping Mongolia. Mongolia needs our help because of the fierce cold weather, the lack of food, water and heating. Catholic Mission has encouraged us to get involved, raising money while having fun.
This year, we had to create our own soccer balls from foam, bubble wrap, used clothes and socks which our OLV community donated. We made 29 Socktober soccer balls to play our Socktober Games. We created a timetable of different events for all year levels to participate.
Before the classes played their Socktober Games, we gave them a little lesson on how the Socktober soccer balls were made, Mongolia and their condition and the purpose of Catholic Mission. We played games like: soccer, European handball, volleyball, netball, dodgeball, under and over and a whole range of other sports that include the use of soccer balls. What a wonderful way to finish Term 3.
Thank you for your help and donations, together we raised $246.50…..give yourself a pat on the back.
Thank you for your generosity.
Yar, Hailey, Amir, Eli, Elise, Isabel, Alessia and Will
2024 House Leaders
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