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WELCOME BACK
2023 has started with gusto. Week three already and the children have settled in really well. It was wonderful to see the enthusiasm and feel the energy they brought back with them from the holidays. We look forward to watching them grow throughout the year and working closely with the children on their learning journeys.
SCHOOL FEES
Next week you will receive your annual school fee account. It will outline the total amount owing for the 2023 year. Parents should not be put off by the total amount as it would be expected that this would be covered over the first three terms of the school year.
Parents may make payment via a number of methods which include Bpay online, credit card at the office or Direct Debit. You may pay in regular instalments via these methods, lump sum payment (preferably at the beginning of each term) or adhoc payments. Parents are encouraged not to use COMPASS to pay accounts as the charges are much greater than other methods.
If there is a genuine concern about your ability to pay the school fees, please contact the office to arrange a time to discuss your situation with the Principal and how we can assist. Those with Health Care Cards are eligible for a concession on Tuition Fees. These need to be on file at the office. Those already with concessions will need to touch base again to discuss your situation and confirm details.
Mrs Fry is able to help you with a payment plan that will help you with your household budget.
AFTERNOON PICKUP
Parent should note that there are a lot of people about the school trying to go home in the afternoon. We ask that everyone be patieint and consider others during this process. Important things to consider are:
- Not everyone can quickly fasten their children into their seats - so we need to hold on for a few seconds longer before pulling out from the car in front.
- There are a lot of children and parents crossing the road outside the top Lovell Pde gate - so we need to be vigilant as we pass the school in our cars.
- Lovell Pde becomes very congested at this time -- so we need to consider where we park. Trying not to park between the church and the school gate during this time. This will help the valet pick up run smoothly without cars not moving forward because they are walking their children to the car.
NEW STAFF
Our teaching team has some new faces this year. Miss Morris and Mrs Carroll have extended their leave and have been replaced by Mrs Catherine Fren (Year 3) and Mr Mark Fren (Year 4), respectively, for Term 1. Ms Laura Slattery joins us in Year 5 replacing Mrs York. Mr Blake Watmore joins the Stage 3 Team releasing Mrs McGann for her executive duties and Ms Slattery who is also acting as our Gifted Education Mentor.
We farewelled Mrs Laura Pont as our school counsellor and welcome Mrs Clare McMahon in that role. Miss Rhiannon O'Bree has moved to Year 1 to replace Mrs Bradley who is on leave this term. Mrs Dunn continues in Kindergarten this year, as does Miss Payton in Year 2.
COMMUNICATION
Our chief form of communication is via COMPASS. This way we avoid paper wastage and ensure that everyone gets the same message. Important messages and notes don't get lost and are always available to refer to via the APP. Please ensure that you use your COMPASS App and read the notifications that come to you. Some may be from your child's teacher and some may be from the school in general.
Our Newsletter goes out to all families via three forms - COMPASS notification and link, the SchoolZine App and as a link on our Facebook page. The Date claimer on the SchoolZine App is a good way to check for events coming up. We are changing Newsletter day to Fridays of Odd Weeks.
STAYING HEALTHY
One way to keep healthy is to ensure we re getting some exercise in our lifestlye. One way we can encourage this might be to ride or walk to school once a week. Please read below and act upon some of the suggestions if you can
5 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR CHILD/REN
When my children were little, and even now that they are not, it is often difficult to get any sort of detail from them about their day with the way we usually phrase our questions. The usual “How was your day?” is met with a monosyllabic response or a shrug of the shoulders. “What did you do today?” receives the same or similar response. This often ends in multiple more questions being asked, with not much more information being divulged.
So, how do we find out more without asking more? One suggestion is to try these questions instead. Have your child focus on just one aspect/subject. It may feel really ‘clunky’ and awkward at first, and your child may not have detailed answers at first, but it will become more natural over time.
- What did you learn about today?
- How did you do?
- What did you do (or would you do) if you didn’t understand?
- How can you improve on your learning?
- What are you most proud of?
(Lyn Sharratt, 2019, Clarity: What Matters Most in Learning, Teaching and Leading, p65)
I would love to get some feedback as to how these questions were received by your child and what their responses were.
OUR NEW VISION AND MISSION STATEMENTS
During the later part of 2021 and all of 2022, the staff worked on an update to our Vision and Mission statements to more closely align our goal (vision) with how we will achieve this (mission). We looked closely at the two intersecting charisms (ways of living the Gospel) of the Josephites and the Dominicans, as they both had and have prominence in the development of Our Lady of Victories.
At the heart of the Dominican charism is the purposeful and dynamic search for TRUTH (Veritas). The search for truth leads us to a personal encounter with God who is our centre. It drives us to inspire our students to be aware of wonder and awe, of beauty and joy, recognising the innate dignity and creativity of each person. The Josephite charism is based upon Mary MacKillop’s core belief of “Never see a need without doing something about it”. Mary MacKillop was selfless, and spread a spirituality based on her ‘gritty determination’, her love and concern for others, and her dedication to making a difference. Together, our search for truth and wanting to help each other forms the core of what strive for at OLV.
After much discussion, PD, and deep thinking, we have developed a simple, but strong vision, and ways we can live this. It has since been developed into signage that will soon be displayed in multiple locations around the school. Further discussion on the development and xxx of our Vision and Mission statement will be presented at the next P&F meeting.
On Monday, we introduced the students to our Vision and Mission statement in the form of an award. Each fortnight, at our assembly, the teachers will find a student, or group of students, who are actively living our Vision and Mission through their actions. Awards will have the reason on them and these can be seen in the awards section of the newsletter. Our V&M statements also link with our PBL (Positive Behaviours for Learning) focus of I AM SAFE, I AM A LEARNER and I AM RESPONSIBLE in that the same sort of caring, community minded actions are encouraged through this initiative as well. It will be unpacked over time with the students so they know HOW to live our V&M.
We have a beautiful community at OLV and this will serve to ensure that we instil lifelong values that will benefit our community for years to come, and other communities into which our students enter, after they leave us.
PROJECT COMPASSION
This term our school will focus on fundraising for Caritas Australia. We will do a few activities throughout the term.
What is Project Compassion?
Project Compassion is Caritas Australia's main annual fundraising campaign. It mobilises Australians to raise much-needed funds to help alleviate poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity in the most vulnerable and marginalised communities in the world.
Next Monday Year 2 will introduce us to the theme and focus for Project Compassion this year. The eldest child in your family will come home with a project compassion box for your family to contribute to Caritas Australia. All boxes will need to be returned back to school during the last week of school this term.
Our first fundraising activity will be Shrove Tuesday which is also knows and Pancake Tuesday (Tuesday 21st February). The children will be able to buy pancakes during their lunch breaks. There will be more information via COMPASS & Facebook.
Our second fundraising activity will be St Patrick’s Day Friday 17th March where all children will be able to wear green clothes for a gold coin donation.
Our third fundraising activity will be St Joseph’s Day Monday the 20th March where children will be able to dress up like a carpenter or wear brown or black clothes for a gold coin donation.
MONDAY MORNING LITURGIES
I would like to invite everyone to join us each Monday for Monday Liturgy at 9am. Our main focus this term is making the children aware of the wonderful work Caritas does around the world to help less fortunate people. The following is a list of dates each class will present the Monday Liturgy. You are more than welcome each week - not just your own class.
Week 4- Year 2
Week 5- Year 5
Week 6- Year 3
Week 7-Year 4
Week 8- Year 1
Week 9- Kindergarten
Week 10- Year 6
Week 11-Year 2
VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION
In order to Volunteer at OLV you are required to complete the Volunteer Induction and be cleared by the Catholic Schools Office to Volunteer.
Please follow this link https://www.mn.catholic.org.au/people/volunteer/ and complete the steps.
EXTERNAL PROVIDERS
If your child will be seeing a provider (eg; speech therapist or occupational therapist) this year at school, please complete the attached application form and return to school. If you require further information, please don't hesitate to contact the office.
COMPASS
OLV uses the "Compass" App. Log in details for parents/carers have been emailed to all new parents. If you are still unable to login, or your account has been made inactive, please contact Leanne in the office to arrange a reset of your password.
- For all new families please familiarise yourself with the information booklet you received in your information pack or enrolment pack "Parent Portal Compass User Guide" I have also attached this.
- Only Parents/Carers have access to Compass Parent Portal. Parents must have separate email addresses in order to both have access to compass.
- New Users when logging into Compass are given the opportunity to update their details. It has been noted that some parents have updated their mobile phone number by taking out the gaps within the phone number. This is not required. The system requires phones numbers to be in this format.
- REMINDER: PLEASE ONLY EXPLAIN WHOLE DAY ABSENCES - PLEASE DO NOT REPORT PARTIAL ABSENCES through the Compass App. Reporting partial absences will cause inconsistences with your child's attendance.
- SMS's are sent to parents of students who are absent from 9.35am each weekday morning. You will receive a text message if your child was not present during the marking the roll process. Please logon onto compass and explain your child's absence. Do not reply to the text as compass does not accept reply texts.
- Please notify the office beforehand if your child is going to arrive late; you will however still receive an SMS. The arrival time of the student will be logged as an explained absence when they present to school on their arrival.
- On occasion you may be sent a text message even though your child is in attendance at school, this may be becuase they have arrived late and not come to the office for sign in. If your child is late please come into the office with your child and sign them in via the compass kiosk.
QKR APP
You will find attached instructions for QKR App. This easy to use phone app gives you the flexibility to place orders for Canteen and fundraisers from your phone. It also reduces the need for your child to bring cash to school. Please remember to amend your child's year group on the QKR App to aid the timely collection of their order. We will be moving to a wider usage of this app as the term progresses.
FINANCE NEWS
Fee Statements will be emailed out shortly.
- Any school fees that are outstanding, without an agreed payment arrangement with the Prinicpal, will be actioned per the Diocesan Fee Collection Policy.
- For those families experiencing financial hardship it is not too late to contact the school office to arrange an appointment with the Principal or Finance Office, to discuss payment options.
- For those families showing a credit balance on their statement, these credits will be applied when 2023 fees are generated.
- Payments can be made via BPay, Direct Debit, or credit card over the phone or in the office.
Any fee payers that wish to establish a new direct debit or adjust their existing direct debit, please contact Leanne in the office.
LOST PROPERTY
Please take notice of the below Lost Property Box. Everything is this box does not have a name on it. Some items are brand new. If nothing has been claimed by the end of the month all items will be donated to the Seconds Shop.
Please put your child's name on everything school clothing item.
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN YOUR CHILD'S CLASS
Each newsletter we hope to give parents a taste of what's happening in your child's class. This week we are providing parents with an overview of the Term's work for each subject (Key Learnig Area or KLA). Please make contact with your child's teacher if you need anything explained.
Kinder
Term 1 Term Overview
Year 2 Term Overview
Year 3 and Year 4
Year 3 and Year 4 Term Overview
Year 5 and Year 6
Year 5 and Year 6 term overview
REGIONAL SWIMMING CARNIVAL
We had 14 very eager children that competed in the NOrth Region Swimming Carnival on Wednesday. They race against other children in our region from Waratah, Mayfield, Stockton, Nelson Bay and Raymond Terrace. We had a great day with some successes. Well done to all the children: Gemma, Margreit, Indigo, Summer, Suma, Pippa, Kacey, Emmesen, Sienna, Clayton, Charlie, Harrison, Thomas, Gibson. We are very proud of you all.
Congratulations to Tom, Gemma and Harrison who qualified for the Regional Swimming Team
REGIONAL WINTER SPORTS TRIALS
We are looking ffor talented children in Year 5 & 6 who play SOCCER, NETBALL, RUGBY LEAGUE & HOCKEY to nominate for the Regional Winter Sports Trials. Your child should be playing rergualrly in a team on wekends and are of a high standard (representative standard preferred). If your child fits these parameters please send me a note to nominate your child and I can forward you the details of the trial which will be held on Thursday 23 February.
| Kinder |
Welcome to OLV |
| Year 1 |
Caleb S: for demonstrating a 'Growth Mindset' during sport! Taylor P: for your great ideas on how to be a friend! Harry W: for settling back into schoo l and being resilient the last three days when coming into school! Lorcan H: for showing a great 'Growth Mindset' and persisting when making mistakes! |
| Year 2 |
Malachi K: for outstanding reading of his magic words. Allison A: for enthusiastically sharing her ideas with the class during discussion. Henry W: for his great explanation of the two 'pools' in his holiday recount. Fetui T: for her growing confidence to share all of her knowledge and skills. |
| Year 3 |
Vinny D: for always trying his best and following our class rules. Afia O: for enthusiastically embracing new learning experiences. Evan S: for enjoying school and demonstrating the correct way to behave in class. Grace B: for being an inspiring learner who is eager to aim high. |
| Year 4 |
Pippa M: for always working hard in class and for being a responsible learner! Luka S: for being a great leader and having a helpful attitude in helping his new teacher. Jennifer F: for doing her best work at all times and her kindness towards her peers. Toma V: for bookwork presentation and a positive attitude towards learning. |
| Year 5 |
Millie H: for listening to others in class discussions with respect and sharing her ideas. Heath F: for showing a positive attitude towards his learning and for having a go! Shammah N: for being an active listener and learner during class activities. Toby I: for being a curious learner and a keen participant in class discussions. |
| Year 6 |
Gemma M: for showing great listening skills and contributing to all class discussions Alek S: for awesome enthusiasm show during science this week. Ava G: for setting the standard for ringing the bell - on time, every time - for the leadership group. Harrison S: for being an active learner, contributing to discussions and assisting others during group work. |
|
Mission & Vision Awards |
Kindergarten: Year 1 – Amelia I for showing respect to others Year 2 – Josie B for being kind and caring to others. Year 3 - Thea W for working cooperatively with her peers. Year 4 - Max B for helping his new teacher at OLV. Thank you, Max! Year 5 – Maddie H for showing kindness towards others and for being a loving friend. Year 6 – All of Year 6 |
| Captains Awards |
Max S, Thea W |
| Principals Awards |
Harry W, Leo K, |
| Lexia Awards |
Jesuloba A, Erleen S |
We would like to wish the following children a Happy Birthday.
| Kindergarten | Oriana H, Arch R, Henry B |
| Year 1 | Arlo C |
| Year 2 | Ruby H, Tomi O, Henry W |
| Year 3 | Lily P, Billy F, Afia O |
| Year 4 | |
| Year 5 | Leisha K, Michelle A, Benjamin T, William T |
| Year 6 | Gemma M, Summer P |
Congratulations and we hope you had a happy day
UIFORM POOL
The uniform pool is run by the P&F and aims to provide second-hand school uniforms at an affordable price for all families.
The uniform pool is open on Tuesday mornings from 8.45-9.15am. It is located next to the Kindergarten classroom.
Purchases can be paid for via cash or direct deposit.
We would appreciate any donations of outgrown uniforms that are in a wearable condition.
P&F MEETING
P & F meetings are held on the last Monday of each month at 7pm in the school library. All parents are welcome to attend.
Next meeting: Monday 27th February at 7pm in the school library
Our March meeting will be also include the Annual General Meeting which will be held on 27 March.
ST NICHOLAS OOSH Services
How to enrol for our OOSH Services:
You will be able to access the school newsletter here, special dates notifications and other messages from time to time.
Go to this link to download the Schoolzine App: