Newsletter Term 4 Week 3, 2024

New Building

Our Year 2 & 3 classes were extremely excited on Monday to move into their new building.  They have all settled in well and have commented on how it is a calming learning environment.  Many thanks to all for your understanding during the building.

There are still aspects of the landscaping that will be complete over the next few weeks along with the identified defects.  Areas of the oval will be re grassed.

Work has begun this week on the new playground.  The theme of the playground with be a Railway station.  This area has been fenced off for the children’s safety.  Our aim is to have this project complete for the start of the 2025 school year.

St Francis Hall still has several items to be completed.  The Parish Theatre Group will be performing in there on the weekend of 9 & 10 November.  The stage will not be a permanent feature of the building.  Once the Theatre Group & School Disco have been completed, the floor will be polished.

We are currently in the process of  seeking approval from the Education standards Boards to relocate OSHC to this area.

There has been a lot building developments take place at OLV over the last few years which ensures our children have a safe and engaging learning environment to be proud of.

Planning for 2025

Planning for the 2025 school year has well and truly commenced. We are currently starting the process of ordering stationery and resources for our students for 2025.  We will also be starting the process of putting children into their classes for the 2025 school year. Please be aware that a significant amount of time and effort is put into this task to try and achieve the best social and educational environment for each child.

2025 Class Structures

Each year, we review our class structures to ensure that we have the best structures to support student learning and wellbeing.   We take into consideration curriculum needs, class sizes, learning needs, support requirements, space availability and general balance of classes.

In 2025, we will have the following class structures:

If we have fluctuations in enrolment numbers, these may change.  We have some limited spaces available in some year levels.  Please book a time for a tour of the school.

2025 School / Preschool Fees

At this week’s School Board and in conjunction with Catholic Education SA it was decided to once again freeze our School & Preschool Fees for 2025 at this year’s level.  It is at the heart of Catholic education that our schools are affordable and accessible to all.

If any family has financial concerns, we ask them to contact Micaela Callipari to confidentially discuss additional support through fee remissions.  The School Board over a number of years has reduced our School Fees to ensure it is affordable for parents. 

A 2025 School Fee Schedule will be sent home shortly.

Aquatics (Yr 6) & Swimming R – 5  Weeks 4 & 5

Over the next 2 weeks our students will be participating in the Swimming & Aquatics program at the Largs Bay Swim Centre & West Lakes Aquatic Centre

Please note that:

Parents are not permitted into the changerooms (staff will assist students).  Photos of children are not permitted (even your child), as others may be in the background.  This is a highly sensitive issue and I ask parents to follow this request.

This is an opportunity for our children to develop a sense of independence, by changing themselves.  During the “COVID Years” when parents were not permitted to attend the pool, the students showed that they are capable of this.  We will have extra staff attending to support children.

Children not swimming will accompany their class to the pool and sit with their class teacher. 

Year 6 Aquatics at West Lakes - Monday 4 November

Bus departs OLV at 8.55am sharp!! Meet on tennis courts.
Bus returns at 4.20pm Railway Tce Carpark – (rear of school) - please make note of these times!

Christmas Concert  Thursday 5 December – Preschool & School

We will be having an End of Year Christmas concert for Preschool & School on the school oval on Thursday 5 December (5.15 – 7.00).  All classes are preparing a song that they will present.  They are currently learning and rehearsing in their weekly Music lessons with Mrs Robson.  More details will follow shortly regarding costumes.

School Disco - Friday 22 November

Now that St Francis Hall’s renovations and upgrade has been completed we can hold our popular School Disco.  Once again there will be two sessions for the Junior students and older students.  Jess Easter will be coordinating this event and is looking for enthusiastic parents (must have WWCC clearance/Catholic clearance) to help her coordinate this event.

Information regarding the disco will be sent out on Monday.

Children’s University - Graduation

Students who have been involved in Children’s University learning and have accrued more than 30 hours will be attending the Graduation ceremony.  This year the graduation ceremony is on Monday 18 November and is during the school day, and so we will be taking the children on a bus to and from Bonython Hall (University of Adelaide).  Parents are welcome to meet us there.  Tina Wood has been in communication with parents regarding the organisation of this event.

World Teachers' Day - 25th October 2024

Theme: ‘“Valuing teachers' voices: towards a new social contract for education” — reminds us of the passion teachers bring to their profession daily, doing everything it takes to positively impact their students' lives.’

Dearest OLV teachers,

Teaching is one of those rare occupations where you never feel as though you have actually achieved anything. There is always the vague feeling that if you just had a bit more time, or an extra set of hands or some inspired thinking you would be a better teacher.

It can sometimes feel as though you will never be able to reach all your students, never get that student to read, never get that family to understand, never get your leadership team to see that your relationships with your students is worth more than any results on standardised testing.

But you know that you decided to be a teacher because you care. You care about your students. You care about their families. You care about the world, and how you can contribute to making society better by helping young people achieve and become the best people they can be. You touch hearts when you teach, and you touch the hearts of the future.

The legacy you leave will be all the students who will forever know that you cared about them, not just as learners but as people. You were there day after day, showing up, being the best teacher you could be. Giving them the strength and inspiration to learn to grow and to become whatever it is they so desire.

So, when the never-ending, meaningless paperwork and the mind-numbing meetings and the maddening behaviour of students, families and colleagues is making you question your career, remember and feel the power of why you became a teacher in the first place.

Thank you for all you do for our students. Know that you are APPRECIATED, know you are WORTHY and know you MATTER and MATTER MUCH.

God bless you all, YOU ARE AMAZING – THANK YOU.

Please remember to thank your child’s / ren’s teacher(s) for all they do for you and your child / ren, often going beyond their line of duty and habitually continuing at home way into the night. Behind the scenes, our teachers are unsung heroes, weaving the tapestry of knowledge that shapes the minds of tomorrow, your child’s / ren’s minds for their futures and the future of the world.

God of Mercy, sustain teachers who give everything they have. Strengthen teachers who assume the blame for so many problems beyond their control. Help exhausted teachers rest. God of Strength, encourage teachers to care intensely and inspire deeply to nourish the hands, hearts and minds of those they teach. AMEN.

Linda Caldinez