From the Principal
2021 Parent Information Night
I’d like to thank all the families who came along to the Parent Information Night over the last week, especially those who have attended both nights. Thank you to our OSHC Team who coordinated the creches on both nights.
It was great to see so many parents and caregivers come along to support their children, the teachers and the wider school community. As I have mentioned previously, the staff at Our Lady of the Visitation School are here to work in partnership with you, working together to educate the students in our school community.
Parent-School relationships are so important. Parents play a vital role in the education and development of their children. There are many benefits to a parent-teacher partnership. When parents and teachers work together it sends a clear, consistent, and positive message to students that school is important, that learning is important and that achievement is expected.
If you wish to discuss any concerns about your child’s education and needs, please in the first instance communicate with your child’s teacher, or staff member who is most directly involved with your concern. Communication can be in the form of an e-mail, a telephone call or by coming in to see your child’s teacher. Please note that if you are coming to see your child’s class teacher, please make a mutually convenient time to meet as teachers often have commitments before school or after school and are often surrounded by other students and parents, which can make discussing complex issues difficult.
By dealing directly with your child’s class teacher, you as parents will be able to develop a relationship built on trust. Also your child’s teacher is in the best position to share with you their observations and deal with your concerns. If after speaking with the teacher you are not satisfied with the response, then please feel free to contact me.
Communication is vital
Staff are committed to communicating with you on a regular basis. We have a number of different methods this communication happens. Newsletters are just one means of communication. Emailing parents and messages on our school app 'SKOOLBAG' are another way we communicate to parents. FACEBOOK is also used to share what is happening at OLV.
Our intention is to build a harmonious environment for all, however just as in every family there are occasions when misunderstandings occur, it is important that parents do not approach another student – all interactions are to be made to a member of staff. Email, as I said at our Parent Information Night, in the event of a school closure due to COVID (this will happen) email & text will be used to communicate the procedures.
Please ensure that your contact details are kept up to date at all times.
Pupil Free Day
Our practice is to have our Pupil Free Days on the Friday prior the long weekends in March and June. On Friday 5th March (preceding Adelaide Cup Long weekend) we will have our first Pupil Free Day (Preschool will be open). The teachers will continue their learning in the area of Inclusive Education.
OSHC is available, please book by ringing Sue on 0448863051
Staff Carpark
Due to the congestion in the front staff car park in the afternoon, we would like to request that parents who are collecting children from OSHC before 4.45pm, to please park in the car park on Railway Terrace. The gates will remain open until 4.45pm, after which time the staff car park can be used. The mornings are not as congested, but if the Railway Terrace gates are open we ask that you please use this carpark. They are usually opened from about 8.00am.
Thank you for your co-operation in this matter, and please let me know if there are any issues.
Address Collection
This notice is from the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment (the department), to advise you that the department has requested that your child’s school provide a ‘statement of addresses’, in accordance with the Australian Education Regulation 2013 (Cth) (Regulation).
Purpose of the collection
This collection is routinely used to inform Commonwealth school education policy, and to help ensure that Commonwealth funding arrangements for non-government schools are based on need, and are fair and transparent. The information collected in the statement of addresses will be used to inform school funding calculations.
For more information please refer to the this document.
