Newsletter Term 2 Week 6, 2025

Keeping Our School Safe, Informed, and Thriving

As part of our ongoing commitment to the safety and wellbeing of all students, staff, and visitors, we’d like to remind our community of a few important procedures and updates.

Visitor Sign-In Requirements

To maintain a secure environment, all visitors (including parents and carers) must sign in at the front office if they are onsite (for reasons other than dropping off or collecting students) after 9:00am or before 3:00pm (2:00pm on Wednesdays) . This is a requirement under our Work Health and Safety (WHS) guidelines and ensures we are aware of everyone on school grounds during learning hours.

If you need to meet with a teacher, please contact them via email to arrange a suitable time. This helps us avoid disruptions to classroom learning and allows teachers to give you their full attention during scheduled meetings.

Staff Professional Learning

This Friday, our staff will be engaging in valuable professional development to continue enhancing our teaching practices. We are focusing on:

• Cognitive Load Theory with TeachWell
• Positive Behaviour Interventions and Supports (PBIS) with LearnWell
• Adventure to Thrive, supporting student wellbeing and resilience

These sessions are part of our commitment to continuous improvement and delivering high-quality education for every student.

Student Reports

Teachers are currently in the process of writing end-of-semester reports. These reports reflect each child’s progress and achievements and are a testament to the hard work of both students and staff. We appreciate your support and understanding during this busy time.

Long Weekend Reminder

A friendly reminder that this Friday is a student-free day, and with the public holiday on Monday, we wish all families a safe and enjoyable long weekend. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Tuesday.

Car Parking and Safety

We kindly ask all families to be mindful of the parking situation around the school, especially during drop-off and pick-up times. Please:

• Use the Kiss and Go zones as intended
• Obey all parking signs and avoid stopping in restricted areas
• Be cautious and respectful of pedestrians and other drivers

We are currently in communication with the local council regarding the no-parking zone along Railway Terrace, as we understand this area is often used by families waiting for a space in the car park. We will keep you updated on any developments.

Thank you for your continued support in keeping our school a safe, respectful, and thriving place for all.

Warm regards,
Sean

Walking Together in Unity: Harmony and Reconciliation

During this National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June), we are asked to reflect on our relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, honouring their histories and cultures, and walking forward together with truth (Veritas) and respect.

This time calls us to live out our faith through justice and inclusion, ensuring every person has the right to feel safe, seen and heard. Let’s continue building communities where diversity is celebrated, voices are respected, and everyone belongs.

"Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow." — Isaiah 1:17

May our actions during this week and beyond reflect our commitment to reconciliation and the Gospel call to justice.

World Refugee Day – Finding Freedom: Diversity in Community

On Thursday 19 June at 9.30am in the Veritas Centre, our school community will gather for a special liturgy, led by our Student Representative Council (SRC), to recognise World Refugee Day.

This year’s theme, Finding Freedom: Diversity in Community, reminds us of the courage and resilience of refugees—people who have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety and hope. As a Catholic school, we are guided by the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, particularly the call to uphold the dignity of every person, show solidarity, and care for the marginalised.

Through prayer, reflection and action, our students continue to learn the importance of welcoming others and building a community where everyone belongs.

"I was a stranger, and you welcomed me." — Matthew 25:35

Let us continue to be a school that opens hearts and minds in love and compassion.

The Visitation of the Blessed Mary hosted by 1CJ on 30th May

Why the Feast of the Visitation is special to us. At Our Lady of the Visitation School, we are named after a very special moment in the life of Mary, the mother of Jesus. It's called The Visitation—when Mary went on a journey to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who was also expecting a baby.

Mary didn’t just visit to say hello—she went to help, support, and share the joy of Jesus growing in her heart. When Elizabeth saw Mary, she was filled with joy and recognised that something holy was happening.

"Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!" — Luke 1:42

This feast is special to our school because it reminds us to:

• Be kind and helpful to others, like Mary was to Elizabeth
• Carry Jesus in our hearts and share His love with everyone we meet
• Celebrate the good in others and be thankful for our friendships
• Look out for those who need support—especially those who may be feeling alone

Mary’s visit to Elizabeth was filled with love, faith, and joy. At Our Lady of the Visitation School, we try to live like Mary every day by showing:

• Respecting – Mary listened to and honoured Elizabeth. We show respect when we listen to others, use kind words, and treat everyone fairly.
• Caring – Mary helped Elizabeth when she needed support. We care for each other by being friendly, including others, and offering help when someone is sad or hurt.
• Learning – Mary trusted God and said "yes" to His plan. We learn by trying our best, asking questions, and growing in faith just like Mary did.

Mary’s special visit reminds us that we can make a big difference in the lives of others through small acts of kindness, just like she did.

Pupil Free Days

A reminder that Friday 6th June is a Pupil Free Day. We also would like to advise that two additional pupil free days have been approved and will be taking place on the first Monday of Term 3 and Term 4. 

OSHC will be available on all three Pupil Free Days. 

School & Preschool Fees 2025

Please be advised that current School and Preschool Fee Statements have been uploaded to the Community Portal.  Please take the time to check your statement and ensure payments will repay any outstanding balance in the required time frame outlined in the 2025 School Fee Schedule.  All parents/caregivers are reminded that it is a contractual obligation that forms part of your enrolment at the school that fees are paid within the terms of our fees policy. 

Need to set up a payment plan?

A reminder to all families that school and preschool fees were due 31 March 2025 unless you have an existing payment arrangement.  Minimum quarterly fee balances are expected by week 6 of each term, with payment in full due 21 November 2025.  If you have not already made your first instalment or entered a regular payment arrangement with us this year to pay weekly, fortnightly, monthly, or termly, please contact our Finance Officer, Belinda to discuss your payment option as soon as possible.

Are you eligible for School Card in 2025?

The School Card Scheme is administered by the State Government and assists families who are low income, experiencing hardship, self-employed or had a change of circumstances. 

The tables below list the income limits for applications lodged in 2025 – based on your family's gross income in 2023/2024.

To qualify for School Card, your family's gross income must be below a certain limit.  The limit depends on how many dependent children you have.

You will need to provide proof of income – such as pay slips or Centrelink information.

Eligibility income limits for school card:

No of dependent children   Combined gross family        Gross weekly school card
                                               income for 2023/2024           income limit|
                                               financial year

1 child                                        $74,189                                $1,426
2 children                                   $75,514                                $1,452
3 children                                   $76,839                                $1,478
4 children                                   $78,164                                $1,504
5 children                                   $79,489                                $1,530
Each additional child                  $1,325                                  $26

Families who are eligible for School Card or believe they may be eligible are asked to apply online by using the following link:

https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/education-and-learning/financial-help-scholarships-and-grants/school-card-scheme

Please note, an application must be completed each year and apply to school fees only.

OSHC Fees

Families accessing our OSHC service are reminded that OSHC fees need to be paid promptly after accounts are sent home each week.  OSHC fees are billed on a separate system, with payment details and options listed on the weekly distributed invoice/statements.  Payments made via BPay have the same Biller Code of 297788, however, the BPay Reference Number is different to school fee accounts and must be used so payments are allocated to the correct account.  Payments made via EFT must include either your BPay reference number, or your “child’s name” and “OSHC” as a reference in the payment description.

If you have any questions regarding school or preschool fees, school card, or to set up a payment plan, please contact the finance office on 8440 9703 or email accounts@olv.catholic.edu.au

OLV Staff participating in Professional Development

Teaching staff and ESO’s are consistently engaged in professional development activities as part of their ongoing commitment to improving instructional practices, staying current with educational research, and meeting the evolving needs of students. These opportunities allow educators to collaborate and implement new strategies that enhance student learning and school-wide success.

This semester, one of our key professional development focuses has been mathematics. Throughout these sessions, staff have worked collaboratively to strengthen our shared understanding and approach to effective mathematics instruction. A central component has been the development of an agreed practice, which outlines consistent, evidence-based strategies to be used across all classrooms to ensure continuity and high-quality teaching.

We have also focused on implementing daily reviews to reinforce prior learning, support retention, and build mathematical fluency. Another important area has been the use of hands-on mathematics, encouraging students to engage with concrete materials and real-world problem-solving to deepen conceptual understanding. Additionally, we have begun curriculum mapping to ensure alignment across year levels, identify gaps or overlaps, and create a cohesive progression of mathematical concepts throughout the school.

Tina Ida
Leader of Learning

Our Educational Support Officers at work

At OLV our Educational Support Officers (ESOs) play a vital role in supporting the learning and wellbeing of our students. Working closely with classroom teachers, they help create inclusive and engaging learning environments where every child can be successful.

This term, we’re proud to highlight the incredible work of our ESOs and the ongoing professional development opportunities built into their weekly timetables. As part of our commitment to lifelong learning, ESOs participate in regular training sessions. These sessions are embedded during school hours, ensuring ESOs continue to grow their expertise while staying closely connected to classroom needs.

Throughout the week, you’ll find ESOs actively engaged in a range of classroom, 1:1  and small-group activities.

Here are some examples of our ESOs engaging with students to practice some of the new skills they have been introduced to as part of this ongoing commitment to providing professional development opportunities.

 We would like to thank the students in REC MJ for their enthusiasm and engagement in being part of this process this term. (A double thumbs up from our reception students is the feedback they have provided to our ESOs).

We’re incredibly grateful for the dedication and adaptability of our ESOs, who help make OLV a supportive and nurturing place for all learners.

Sandra Naismith
Inclusive Education Coordinator

The EnviroClub is excited to share that we’ve started planting our very own veggie patch!

As part of our efforts to promote sustainability and healthy living, we’ve already sown a variety of vegetables and herbs, including carrots, beans, spinach, broccoli, spring onions, and an assortment of herbs.

You can visit our veggie patch in between the Middle Years building and the old OSHC room. This hands-on project not only helps us learn more about where our food comes from, but also encourages teamwork, responsibility and care for our environment.

We’re looking forward to watching our garden grow and eventually harvesting our homegrown produce!

Parenting Children in a Digital World

In today’s digital age, children are growing up surrounded by technology—from smartphones and tablets to online learning and social media. While the internet offers many benefits, it also presents new challenges and risks. As parents and carers, you play a vital role in guiding your child to use technology safely, responsibly, and confidently.

Start with Conversation

Talk openly with your child about their online activities. Ask about the websites they visit, the games they play, and who they interact with. Creating a safe, judgement-free space helps your child feel comfortable coming to you with questions or concerns.

Set Clear Boundaries

Establish family rules around screen time, device use, and appropriate content. These might include:

• No devices during meals or before bed
• Using the internet in shared family spaces
• Asking permission before downloading apps or joining platforms

Use Parental Controls

Take advantage of built-in safety features on devices, browsers, and apps:

• Activate filters to block harmful content
• Enable privacy settings
• Monitor usage with tools like Google Family Link or Apple Screen Time

Stay Involved

Even older children benefit from guidance. Stay engaged by:

• Keeping an eye on the apps they use and who they interact with
• Being alert for signs of cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, or excessive screen time

Teach Digital Smarts

Support your child in developing strong digital skills:

• Understand the importance of online privacy
• Recognise reliable information versus fake news
• Be kind and respectful in online interactions

Want to Learn More?

Join Catholic Schools Parents South Australia for a free parent seminar:
Parenting in a Digital World: Safe, Smart, Empowered - June 4th
🔗 Click here to find out more and register

Recommended Resources

• Raising Children Network – Screen Time Checklist
  An Australian Government-supported site offering evidence-based advice in collaboration with leading researchers.
  Visit the Raising Children Network
   
• Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child
  A national research collaboration supporting young children as they grow up in a digital world.
  Learn more here
   
• ARC Linkage Project – Young Children in Digital Society
  A research project developing practical resources for families and educators to support healthy technology use in early childhood.

Warm regards,
Julie Taylor