Newsletter Term 1 Week 10, 2024

Easter Season

As we embark on the Easter season - a time of renewal and hope - let us think about how we can make changes in our own lives that will enable us to bring the joy and mercy of Christ's message to the world that surrounds us today - hope.

At this time of year it is easy to get lost in chocolates (what is left of them), please keep the journey of Jesus as the central focus of this Holy time.

Teacher Learning Conversations

It has been a great opportunity this week to chat with parents before or after their Learning Conversations.  The feedback I have received from these chats has been overwhelmingly positive.  At OLV the relationship between Parents and teachers is crucial for quality teaching and learning.  Research clearly demonstrates the significant influence of parental engagement with their child’s learning, results in higher educational achievements.

These studies demonstrate that the children are more likely to develop positive self-esteem, be motivated to learn, be positive about school and achieve good grades. Adolescents are less likely to have discipline issues, get involved in substance abuse or drop out of school. Young people are more likely to maintain high aspirations and plan to go on to further education and build a career.

When schools and teachers operate from a belief of working in partnership, focusing on ways of connecting with parents to support what they are doing at home, and lay the foundations for a collaboration in which the actions of parents and teachers complement each other, good educational outcomes are achieved.

Developing and fostering strong relationships between home and school and parents and teachers is my priority as leader of Our Lady of the Visitation School.

Italian Celebration - 'La Pasquetta'

Each year, Italian’s celebrate ‘La Pasquetta,’ also known as Easter Monday in Australia. After a reflective Pasqua (Easter) season, La Pasquetta continues to acknowledge the resurrection of Jesus and signals a time to rejoice in the sunshine and fresh breezes. Families and friends pack up their leftovers from their Easter feast and head off for a picnic in the park, beach, vineyard, or meadows. In Italy, this is a day to relax and enjoy the outdoors whilst playing card games, soccer, and bocce.

We will celebrate La Pasquetta at OLV on Thursday the 11th of April of Week 11. To give our students a taste of this cultural experience, the morning will begin with an Easter assembly, followed by a range of Italian themed activities, and finished off with a picnic. Students are invited to bring a picnic rug in which they will sit with their buddy class on the oval, just like families and friends in Italy. Please ensure you pack your child a normal recess. As an added treat to finish off the term and give students a sweet taste of Italy, they will be able to enjoy a chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry ice cream.

Students are encouraged to dress up in Italian themed colours or accessories (green, white, red) which reflect aspects of the Italian culture, or can remain in their school uniform if preferred. However, please ensure that clothing is comfortable, and sports shoes are worn to enable participation in organised activities.

Stage 2 Building Update

Building on Stage 2 and the St Francis Hall upgrade is making solid progress.  A lot of work has been scheduled for the school holiday period, which will necessitate the Railway Tce car park being closed for the 2 weeks of the holidays.  There will also be restricted access to the area near the OSHC Building as the builders will be joining the new storm water to the existing drains.  This is works that can only be done in school holiday time.

Back Gates

I would to clarify that the external gates (on Railway Tce) have been left opened during the day to enable large trucks to make delivery to the building site.  But the two internal gates (Sliding gate and pedestrian gate) are padlocked shut during school hours, to ensure the safety of the students.

End of Term

I would like to remind you that Term 1 ends Friday 12 April at the normal time of 3:25pm.  Term 2 resumes Monday 29 April at 8:50am for all children.

Winter Uniform

The beginning of Term 2 is the designated change over to the Winter School Uniform.  As the weather at the beginning of Term 2 is often still warm, there will be a two week change over period.  Our school uniform policy has been inserted below for your information.

WINTER UNIFORM (WORN IN TERMS 2 & 3)

To purchase uniforms please follow the link :
https://campusschoolwear.com.au/collections/our-lady-of-the-visitation

Harmony Week

Harmony Week was celebrated in Week 8. Harmony Week is a celebration that recognises diversity and brings together people from all different cultures and backgrounds. At OLV, we celebrated our cultural diversity through a number of classroom activities, a Liturgy and showing our support by wearing something orange. It was an inclusiveness week full of high regard for one another, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.​

During the Liturgy, over 16 flags from around the world were presented and displayed, representing the many cultures and backgrounds we enjoy, and celebrate, here at OLV.  As mentioned in the Liturgy, we don’t need an event like Harmony Week to be an inclusive, respectful and nurturing environment. Students are taught how to be, and remain, inclusive within many subject areas, HASS, RE, PE, Drama, and Child Protection for a few examples, all of which supports students’ participation in learning and enhances opportunities to both demonstrate learning and value difference.

Holy Week

For many Christians, Holy Week is a special week during which they can reflect on Lent and their faith before celebrating Easter. They can think about the sacrifices that they believe Jesus Christ made for them in the lead-up to celebrating Jesus' resurrection.

All of us want to get successful, that’s human nature. However, to achieve success there’s a fair amount of sacrifice involved. Sacrifice isn’t just about monetary gain / pursuits but also about discipline, living in humility, staying humble, and so forth. Sacrifice to stay committed to eating healthy food and giving yourself a day in the week to eat whatever you want?? It’s not easy, but you know the effect in the long term – for a healthier version of you or children learn to sacrifice in sharing their toys and other possessions – for the hope of a friendship. God knew His sacrifice would grant us long term benefits – the knowledge of eternal life.

Let’s give thanks to God for sending Jesus to save us. We ask for joy in remaining to be ‘Easter people’ to celebrate the work of Christ. We ask for the courage to share God’s great love and gospel message with other people.  Amen.

As Term 1 ends, it’s a timely reminder, and an ideal opportunity, to reflect on the term that’s been with all its achievements, learning and growing while thinking about all the opportunities and excitement a new term brings. We have much to be grateful for and we have much to celebrate but also know we have much to do still.  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1-9). Whatever you get up to in the upcoming holidays, enjoy the break from the routine of school and be safe.

God Bless.
Mrs. Caldinez

School & Preschool Fees 2024

Need to set up a payment plan? 
A reminder to all families that school and preschool fees are due 5 April 2024, unless you have an existing payment arrangement.  Quarterly fee balances are expected by week 6 of each term, with payment in full by 22 November 2024.  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 me to discuss your payment option by no later than Tuesday, 2nd of April.

Are you eligible for School Card in 2024? 
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 2024 – based on your family's gross income in 2022/2023.

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 22/2023             income limit                                                                                        financial year

1 child                                              $70,994                                $1,365
2 children                                         $72,262                                $1,390
3 children                                         $73,530                                $1,414
4 children                                         $74,798                                $1,439
5 children                                         $76,066                                $1,463
Each additional child                        $1,268                                  $25

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 applies to school fees only.

If you have any questions regarding school or preschool fees, school card, or to set up a payment plan, please contact the office on 8440 9700 or email accounts@olv.catholic.edu.au

Student Absences

Please remember to let the school know when your child is or will be absent from school.  You can let us know by phoning 8440 9700 (press 1 for the absence line to leave a message).  Alternatively you can send an email to absent@olv.catholic.edu.au with your childs name and the reason for the absence e.g. illness, family/social or holiday.

Family Details & Student Information

It is really important to have at all times the correct information for all students.  If you have recently moved address, changed your phone numbers and/or your email address, could you please make sure that the office is made aware of the changes.

Emergency contacts other than Parents - You may like to add one or two more names to your records as an Emergency Contact  (e.g. Grandparent, Aunt/Uncle, older Brother or Sister or even a close friend),  that way if there is ever an issue and we are unable to contact either parent in an emergency then we would have another one or two people to contact.

Medication & Medical Details

Does your child have any medical issues that we are unaware of?  If so please let us know as a matter of urgency so that we can update our records.

If you would like us to administer medication to your child during the day, please make sure that a Medication Authority form is completed.  Medication of any sort needs to be in the original packaging with the Chemist Label showing the child's name, medication dosage, expiry date etc.

We also ask that if your child is to have 1/2 a tablet etc. then the medication needs to be precut before being given to the office.

No medication is to be given to the students to keep in their school bag.  All medication will need to be handed into the office and a Medication Authority signed by a Parent or Caregiver.

Epi Pens & Asthma Puffers & Medical Plans

We are in the process of making sure all medication held onsite is within the expiry date, is in the correct packaging with child's name etc and that all Medical Plans are up to date.  We will contact parents if anything needs updating and would appreciate a prompt response.

Lunch Orders

A few reminders regarding lunch orders:-

• Lunch orders are ordered and paid for via the QkR! app.  This needs to be completed by 9.00am.
• Please make sure that your child's correct class has been selected, otherwise the lunch will be sent to the wrong class.
• Before submitting the order make sure that you have selected the correct day that the child is to receive it.
• Once you have completed the order, don't forget to press submit.

Qkr Users

The Android Phone issue has now been resolved, parents/users can now download the App from the Google Play Store.

Apologies for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

Year 2 and 3 - Excursion to the Museum

Yesterday all the Year 2 and Year 3 classes went to the city to explore the Museum. The South Australian Museum has the most comprehensive collection of Australian Aboriginal cultural material in the world and works with Aboriginal people to bring the collection's stories to life. Year 2LB and 3KG were very fortunate to have Charlie Black sharing his knowledge with us throughout the Aboriginal Exhibitions.

We also viewed the Yuendemu school doors:  At Yuendumu in the 1980s five artists were responsible for 27 Dreaming designs on the school doors. The designs represent more than 200 sites in the Warlpiri and Anmatyerre territory.  The artists intended for the doors to remind the Yuendumu schoolchildren of sites and obligations extending across their country. The doors remained at Yuendumu for 12 years, resisting the desert wind and sun, and surviving robust treatment from Warlpiri schoolchildren.

Thank you to all the parents and grandparents who supported us to make this excursion educational and enjoyable for all the students. It was lovely to see how students had the opportunity to explore different areas at the museum and look for areas that they were especially interested too.

The Last Supper in Year 2 and Year 3

This year Mrs Caldines supported our classes by providing us resources to support our teaching of the Easter Journey.

Linda invited us to re-enact the Last Supper in the classroom. She provided all the teachers with wine chalices (plastic cups with coloured paint and water) and unleavened bread ( pita bread).

During this Liturgy our students were respectful and reverent.

The Last Supper is an important event in the life of Jesus Christ where he shared a final meal with his disciples before his arrest. The bread and wine point to the body and blood of Christ to be sacrificed for our salvation on the cross. As Catholics we remember this event in the Lord’s Supper (and Holy Communion)

Scott Rathman Workshop

This Term Scott Rathman worked with a group of students to teach and inspire expression through art. Scott Rathman is an Arrernte descendant who has lived most of his life in Adelaide. The rich design in his work is a tribute to his grandmother who was a member of the Stolen Generation. Her strength and passion to overcome so much in her life inspired Scott and so many around her. His curiosity to explore and understand his cultural background is the passion that drives him to continue to look at new ways to combine the traditions of his heritage with designs of the present day. Scott’s business is Rusted Tin – Contemporary Aboriginal Arts and he has an art studio situated in Semaphore. He is a sought-after street artist in South Australia, Victoria, and NSW. Scott enjoys creating artworks in public places to gently remind people that Aboriginal people are still here and that their culture is still as important today as it has always been.

Scott held a design workshop with a small group of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students from Rec-Year 6 to gain an understanding of their stories and memories of OLV School. Later he will create a stunning mural for the whole school community to connect to and be proud of. The mural will be placed outside the new R/1 Building (on the actual new fence) to highlight a space of support, safety, friendship and community.

Thank you Scott for sharing your knowledge and Ms Kersten for allowing her students (Year 4KK) to support our younger students in the NUNGA group.

Nude Food Tuesdays

Nude Food is simply food that is not wrapped in foil, plastic or commercial packaging. OLV promotes Nude Food to empower students to make conscious choices about what they eat, and encourage them to think about their impact on the environment. We understand that parents are short on time but you could be amazed at how quick it can be to pack a nude food lunchbox. You could also consider allowing your child to pack their own lunchbox. You might be surprised at how enthused your child can be about their environmental impact!

To participate in nude food Try to avoid:

• Zip lock or plastic bags, plastic wrap or aluminium foil
• Single serve yoghurts and cheese
• Single use plastic forks and spoons
• Pre-packaged food, i.e. biscuits, snack bars and chips