Newsletter Term 4 Week 5, 2024

Children’s University

Next Monday 18 November, our students will attend the Children’s University Graduation ceremony at Bonython Hall on the Adelaide University campus.  This will be during the school day which is a major change to our normal practice. Our school has a high number of students who participate in the Children’s University Program.  This is an outstanding achievement.  This program is part of our school life and culture.

I believe that children who participate in Children’s University have the opportunity to learn in a rich range of contexts, experience new places, visit universities and attend their own graduation ceremonies. Participating in these activities introduces children to the joy of learning, brings a sense of wonder in the world around them and develops their confidence and aspirations for the brightest futures.  The key outcomes we want for the children include;

• They feel they have grown in confidence and self-belief
• They have enjoyed new experiences, in new places and want to keep exploring
• They believe they have a broader range of essential skills
• They feel empowered to make positive choices about their future
• They see learning that is fun, aspirational and lifelong
• They feel celebrated for their commitment to learning by their family, school and community. 

Many thanks must go to Tina Wood our Children’s University Coordinator who is totally committed to this program and is passionate about children increasing their passion for learning.  She is the best Children’s University coordinator a school could have!  Many thanks to the parents for supporting their children in this program. 

Remembrance Day

On Monday, along with Australians everywhere, we gathered to pay our respects for all who have and continue to defend Australia. The gathering was a time to reflect and think about those who have served in Australia's armed forces, those who continue to serve, and their loved ones.

Thank you to the students of 4KK and 4/5JN and the many teachers for delivering an informative, thought provoking liturgy. And a real honour - we were graced with the presence of members of our armed forces, Oscar Gavidia & Mitchell Currell, who contributed to our liturgy by the laying of a wreath.

Swimming

Our amazing R - 5 students have been participating in the Swimming program at the Largs Bay Swim Centre over the last two weeks.  Our students have been outstanding in their ability to be so independent – dressing themselves and being so organised.  It has been great seeing the children so excited about their lessons as well.  These swimming lessons play a vital part in the total development of the child.  The children have been so organised – many thanks to you!

The feedback I have received from the Largs Bay Swim Centre’s swimming coordinator and bus driver is that they have been impressed by our student’s behaviour, organisation and skills.  This positive feedback makes me proud of our students and school.

Many thanks to Mr Merrett for coordinating our Swimming Program and for our class teachers organisiation, and to parents for your assistance in organising the students each day.

End of Year Testing and Data Collection

Currently, our learners across all cohorts are undertaking diagnostic assessments in DIBELS (phonics/reading), PAT R (reading) and PAT M (numeracy). This is part of our ongoing commitment to track student progress, development and growth. These results will be analysed by our classroom teachers and leadership, at an individual, class and whole school level to ascertain areas that show strengths and areas that require an increased focus for 2025. Our DIBELS data will be used to inform intervention supports required for 2025.

Student wellbeing is also collected each term (Check In Pulse Survey), and it is important to remember that academic success and student wellbeing are closely linked, with each influencing and reinforcing the other. Elements such as self-esteem, persistence, motivation, resilience and a growth mindset all contribute to students’ positive wellbeing and experiences at school. We are encouraged that this will be a priority in 2025 as we continue with our whole school commitment to PBIS (Positive Behaviour Intervention Supports).

Upcoming Events

School Disco - Friday 22nd November - St Francis Hall
GIR, Reception  & Year 1 Disco   - 5pm - 6pm
Year 2 - Year 6 Disco                   - 6.30pm - 8.15pm

$10 entry fee (includes drink, snack, lollies & raffle ticket)
Payment and permission form to be completed via the Qkr! App by Monday 18th November.

OLV Christmas Concert - Thursday 5th December
Come along and join us for a joyful night of entertainment as OLV gathers to celebrate the Christmas season.  The evening will host a social gathering in true picnic style for families and friends of the students involved.

A program of the evening's performances, which contains a map of the event, with specific guidelines and regulations will be sent home next week.

End of Year Activities
As in any school, during the last weeks of Term 4 the school becomes even busier places.  Our Lady of The Visitation I am sure will be no different.  As the Year 4 & 5’s are doing Bike Ed in Week 9, we have had to adjust the timing of several End of Year celebrations.

Please make note of the following school events;

Please note several presentations have been split this year, as they were getting too long.

Tuesday 19th November
9.15am - Rec-Year 2 - Premiers Reading Challenge Presentation 
                (does not include Mid Year Reception)
2.00pm - Year 2-Year 6 - Premiers Reading Challenge Presentation

Friday 22nd November
5-6pm - GIR, Reception & Year 1 - Disco
6.30-8.15pm - Year 2-Year 6 - Disco

Wednesday 4th December
9.15am - Mid Year Rec-Year 1 - OLV Education Award Ceremony
1.30pm - Year 2-Year  6 - OLV Education Award Ceremony

Thursday 5th December
9.30am - End of Year Mass
5.15pm - OLV Christmas Concert (students arrive at 5.15pm - concert starts 5.45pm)

Tuesday 10th & Wednesday 11th December
Preschool closed

Wednesday 11th December
7.00pm -Year 6 Graduation Ceremony
 Last day of school for Year 6 students

Thursday 12th December
Last day of school for Preschool & Reception - Year 5 students

Spirit of Christmas

On Friday 29th November staff and students are encouraged to wear their Christmas attire for a gold coin donation. All funds raised will go towards assisting the Catholic Charities Appeal in providing crucial support to those in greatest need.

Charity is at the heart of our Catholic identity. Catholic Charities is our umbrella organisation that supports the following agencies working with the most vulnerable in South Australia.

The agencies supported by Catholic Charities are:

• Hutt St Centre
• Aboriginal Catholic Ministry
• Our Lady of La Vang & St Patrick’s Special Schools
• Centacare Catholic Family Services.

The Catholic Charities Appeal was founded in 1941 by Archbishop Beovich to help people in our community. Originally the Appeal was established to support the four orphanages in the Adelaide Diocese:

• The Orphanage of St Vincent de Paul
• St Joseph’s Orphanage Largs Bay
• The industrial Home for Boys at Brooklyn Park
• The Foundling Home for infants in association with the Refuge at Wattle Street, Fullarton.

As social circumstances changed, the large orphanages were closed and children were cared for in family-type homes. This led to an increase in the number of Catholic welfare agencies providing for the different needs of children and families.

Christmas can be a time of joy for many people because it's a celebration of love, sharing, and togetherness. The holiday can have different meanings for different people, but its core message is one of hope, joy, and love. Together we can contribute to another’s hope, joy and love.

Sacramental Program 2025

A sacramental program is a parish-led program that helps children prepare for sacraments and become members of the Catholic Church. The program is family-centred and supported by the APRIMs from Catholic schools. The sacraments that children typically prepare for are Confirmation, Reconciliation, and First Eucharist (Holy Communion).  The sacraments help children grow into the Catholic church community and feel a sense of belonging to the Family of God.

If your child enters Year 3 upwards in 2025 and you feel you are, and your child is interested in joining the 2025 Sacramental Program, please contact me or the following from the Lefevre Church Community:

Secretary: Carolyn Watt - 8449 6378 Address: 253 Military Road, Semaphore SA 5019 or Postal Address: PO Box 163, Semaphore, SA, 5019 Email: lefevre@catholicparishes.com.au

Pastoral Director: Deacon Tim Grauel - 8449 6378 Email: pplefevre@catholicparishes.com.au

Sacrament Coordinator: Bernadette Smith - 8449 6378 Email: familyfaith@catholicparishes.com.au

Pastoral Visitor: Sister Marie Egan - 8449 6378 Email: marie.egan@sosj.org.au

The program usually runs from February 2025 to September 2025 and requires participation from families, student and sponsor(s).

Education Support Officer (ESO)

An Education Support Officer (ESO) provides administration and classroom support within our school and in VERY brief, provides curriculum support for teaching staff by:

• contributing to the planning and delivery of curriculum with participating teachers
• delivering curriculum to children in small groups or to individuals under the direction of the teacher
• performing administrative duties and records management
• organising and preparing materials and resources for activities, and organising activities within the safety guidelines under the direction of the teacher
• discussing program implementation and evaluation with the teacher
• helping organise special events and children's work displays.

They were asked to reflect on a possible highlight for them during 2024 - here are some of the responses:

• ‘Building trusting relationships with both students and staff’
• ‘The positivity the student gets from engaging in group work follows them into their daily encounters’
• ‘Watching the students within my Sounds Write groups happily working hard to be successful learners’
• ‘I ‘love’ the fact that students feel comfortable enough to confide in me’
• ‘I can see that students are listening to each other and treating each other seriously while also having fun in their group work’
• ‘It’s extremely rewarding to see student have confidence in their ability’
• ‘Students have better hearing than I ever assumed!’
• ‘It’s comforting to witness the level of compassion and empathy students have, and display, on an array of levels’
• ‘Students are a joy to teach and be around’
• ‘Engaging in the variety of group work lessons and activities with an array of students – I really like the diversity my school day offers’
• ‘I look forward to the uniqueness every day brings’
• ‘Learning and facilitating the Sounds Write program with students. It has been wonderful to see their individual progress throughout the year’
• ‘The vibe of the school – the community feel between families, staff and students’
• ‘Coordinating the Children’s University program and supporting students on their journey towards the graduation’
• ‘Assisting students within The Move-It Program and seeing them further develop their coordination and gross motor skills’
• ‘Watching our community grow and thrive.’

Our support staff are vital members of the school community and play a key role in our students’ learning and development. If you know / see an ESO, please show your appreciation to them by recognising them for their contributions across all facets of OLV. ESOs do assist in creating our school’s positive ethos.

Thank you to all our ESOs who tirelessly work to provide the very best support for not only our students but teachers alike. We couldn’t do school without you!