Newsletter Term 1 Week 10, 2025

OLV Community Newsletter - End of Term Update

Dear OLV Community,

It is hard to believe that we are already at the end of Term 1.  As we work through the last week of the term, I am delighted to reflect on the many wonderful events and developments that have taken place. It has been a term filled with growth, learning, and community spirit.

Facility Upgrades

• Court Resurfacing: Our courts have been resurfaced, providing a safer and more enjoyable space for our students to play and practice sports.
• Admin Building Re-roofing: The administration building has received a new roof, ensuring a more secure and weather-resistant environment.
• Playground Near Completion: We are excited to announce that the new playground is nearly complete, promising endless fun and adventure for our students.
• New Soccer Goals: The installation of new soccer goals has been completed, enhancing our sports facilities.
• Upcoming Backboard Installation: We are eagerly awaiting the installation of a new backboard with two adjustable hoops, making the courts accessible to all students.

Excursions and Incursions

• Our students have enjoyed various excursions to performances, broadening their cultural and artistic horizons.
• We have had enriching incursions, including visits from the fire department, which provided valuable safety education.
• Participation in sporting carnivals has fostered teamwork and school spirit.

Learning Opportunities

• This term has been packed with exciting and diverse learning opportunities, allowing our students to explore new interests and develop a range of skills.

Holiday Works

During the upcoming holidays, we have several important projects planned:

• Ceiling Repairs: Repairs to the ceiling in the administration building will be undertaken to ensure a safe and comfortable environment.
• Carpark Remarking: The Railway Tce (back) carpark will be remarked to improve traffic flow and safety.
• Court Lighting Installation: Lights will be installed on the courts to assist parents with dropping off and picking up students during darker hours.
• Stage 2 Build Defect Repairs: We will address defect repairs in the Stage 2 build to ensure all facilities are in top condition.

Term 2 Staffing

I would like to take this opportunity to bid farewell to Kayla Kersten and Alice Foley who will be commencing parenting leave at the end of this term! We wish them all the very best for their upcoming new additions to their families. We also welcome new staff who will be working with the OLV community throughout the end of this term and into Term 2

• Belinda D’Cruz - Belinda will be joining the Administration team as a Finance Officer, working closely with Micaela in the Office.
• Anna Nyugen - Anna will be working in the 4KK class, as we farewell Kayla Kersten who will be commencing parenting leave.
• Gesica Alvaro, Gesica will be taking over teaching Italian (on Wednesday and Thursday) as we farewell Alice Foley who will be taking parenting leave.

New Soccer Goals

This term our school was able to purchase new soccer goals.  This purchase was proudly supported by a City of Port Adelaide Enfield Grant of which we are grateful for.

Warm Regards
Sean

Project Compassion Boxes

Thank you for your support with our Term 1 fundraiser – Project Compassion. This is a gentle reminder that the Project Compassion boxes are due back at school please. No matter how small the donation, collectively it makes a huge difference. Thanking you in advance.

Holy Week

Holy Week is considered the most important time of the year for Catholics, as it commemorates the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. At OLV, we will celebrate Holy Week during Week 11.

What is Holy Week? Holy Week is the final week of Lent, the 40-day period of preparation for Easter, and begins on Palm Sunday, commemorating Jesus' entry into Jerusalem.

Why is it important? Holy Week is a time of reflection and prayer. It’s a time when Catholics remember and participate in events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection.

Key Days:

• Palm Sunday: Commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
• Maundy Thursday: Marks the Last Supper, Judas' betrayal, and Jesus' arrest.
• Good Friday: Commemorates Jesus' trial, sentence of death, crucifixion, and burial. This is also recognised as the Stations of the Cross.
• Holy Saturday: Concludes the Triduum of Holy Week with a late-night Easter Vigil service.

The Triduum: The three days from Holy (Maundy) Thursday evening to Easter Sunday evening are known as the Triduum, a period of reflection and prayer.

Easter Sunday: The celebration of Jesus' resurrection, marking the end of Holy Week and the beginning of the Easter season.

Significance: Holy Week is a time to focus on the core of the Christian faith – the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ – and to renew one's faith and commitment to following Him.

Week 11 Holy Week Celebrations at OLV - Veritas Centre at 9.10am

Monday 7th April – Palm Sunday re-enactment – 3VF
Tuesday 8th April – The Last Supper re-enactment – 4NM
Wednesday 9th April – Stations of the Cross – 2LB
Thursday 10th April – Easter Liturgy – 2EH

All Welcome. Please join us.

Easter Eggs and Easter Celebrations

Unfortunately for us, we have not celebrated the Resurrection of Jesus during this term so therefore, in tying into both religious symbolism and tradition:-

We will not give Easter eggs out this week because Easter eggs are a symbol of new life and the Resurrection of Jesus. It emphasises the joyous celebration of Christ's victory – the risen Jesus. In Catholic tradition, Lent (the 40 days before Easter) is a time of fasting, prayer, and reflection. It's more solemn, especially during Holy Week, which remembers Jesus' suffering and death.

Giving out Easter eggs before Easter would be like celebrating the victory before the story reaches its climax. Since the Resurrection hasn't happened yet in the liturgical timeline, it's appropriate to wait. Once Easter Sunday hits that’s when the celebration begins!

In short: staff will not be giving out eggs before Easter staying true to the spiritual flow of our Catholic story.

It might be something you would like to explain to your child/ren why we (as a Catholic school) don't give out eggs before the resurrection (Easter Sunday). The hollow egg represents the empty tomb - He's alive!

You will notice (if in attendance), the Resurrection has been excluded from Thursday's Easter Liturgy (2EH) 10/4 at 9.10am because Jesus hasn't risen yet. The Resurrection will be celebrated next term as part of our on-going Easter theme and Pentecost unit of work.

Thank you for your understanding and commitment towards our Catholic tradition and school ethos.

Other business

1. Newly Appointed Parish Priest for Lefevre Catholic Community – On the Second Sunday of Easter – 26th & 27th April 2025 we welcome Fr. Josy Sebastian MSFS - pronounced Joe–See. He is associated with the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS). MSFS focus on renewing parish life and educating youth through evangelisation and social apostolate. Fr. Josy comes to us from the Parishes of Noarlunga / Seaford and Willunga. We will welcome Fr. Josy accordingly in Term 2.
2. Indulge with a conscience this Easter – Chocolate is a delicious treat and popular gift at Easter. Australia wide, millions of dollars will be spent on buying thousands of kilograms of chocolate to enjoy. As delicious as this thought and activity is, it has been tainted with (child) slavery sadly. As consumers, we can take an active stance on combating slavery in the chocolate chain supplies / industries. Simply visit the following website to check a company’s traceability and transparency – it’s very interesting: https://www.chocolatescorecard.com/.
3. Stella Maris Volunteers required – Stella Maris at Taperoo (next to OLV Church) is in need of volunteers – can you help? They work on a roster basis – Mon-Fri 1pm-5pm. Stella Maris assist seafarers when ships dock into the harbour at Osborne. The Stella Maris volunteers help the seafarers get around locally: taking them shopping, change money to Australian dollars, and so forth. If you are interested, please ring Ian Keane, Centre Manager, on 0438 344 400 or the Parish Office 8449 6378. Thank you.

Thank you

I want to express personally my sincere gratitude and thanks to our OLV volunteers for their unwavering support and invaluable assistance during Term 1, especially during whole school events and preparations. Extending a helping hand, assisting where you can and showing compassion to all are immeasurable acts of kindness. Your kindness and help mean the world to us. Thank you.

I’d like to take this opportunity to wish our OLV community a very Blessed and Holy Easter. Celebrate with loved ones: spend time with family and friends, sharing meals, laughter, and the joy of the season.

Linda Caldinez

During HASS lessons this term, our Year 4 students have been learning about biomes and how animals benefit from the vegetation within different biomes (think of biomes as different 'neighborhoods' on Earth, each with its own special plants, animals, and weather, like a rainforest, desert, or grassland). Students chose a biome and used a range of different materials to create vegetation, a water source and animals. It was a beneficial hands on activity allowing students to be as creative as they wanted to be, bringing their creations to life.