26 July 2018

Newsletter Articles

Dates to Remember

Principal’s Message

Principal on Leave

A big welcome back to school for Term 3! It was wonderful to return on Tuesday and to see so many happy, smiling faces as the children caught up with friends and staff. Congratulations to the children and parents for the settled manner in which the children have returned to start the term.

As you are aware, Mr Vandermaat is on Long Service Leave for the first five weeks of the term (we won’t mention SOO3!) but we are more than happy to have WON THE SERIES!

In the meantime, I will do my best to keep things rolling along efficiently at OLV, with the help of Miss Morris as Acting Assistant Principal, Mrs Paff as Acting Religious Education Coordinator and all our wonderful staff.

We have a busy term ahead with lots of activities in store.

NAIDOC Liturgy

Thank you to Miss Morris for organising our Liturgy on Tuesday to belatedly acknowledge and celebrate NAIDOC week, which occurred during the holidays. The readings gave a powerful and important message about the need to live in peace and harmony through the action of reconciliation. A big thank you to the parents and grandparents who attended the Liturgy. It always adds to our community prayer when we have parents and friends join us. Please make an effort and feel free to join in our school liturgies each Monday morning.

Sad News

We offer our condolences to Mrs Catherine Bourne and her family on the passing of her mother just two months after her father’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with her during this very difficult time.

Mrs Bourne has decided to step down from her position as Executive Release Teacher. She will be greatly missed and we thank her for her wonderful contributions to OLV.

Welcome

Mrs Treena Francis

We warmly welcome Mrs Francis who will be working full time during Mr Vandermaat’s Long Service Leave. Mrs Francis will teach Year 5 on a Monday, Year 6 on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Year 4 on Friday during this time.

Upon Mr V’s return, Mrs Francis will take up the position previously held by Mrs Bourne, teaching Year 5 on Monday and Year 6 on Tuesday each week.

New Students

We also welcome two new students to our school, Maya (Kinder) & Lyla (Yr 3) Richards. We are very pleased to have the Richards family join our happy little community and want them to know they are very welcome indeed.

Professional Development

Today, the teachers worked with Mrs Virginia Milliken, a member of the Teaching and Learning Team from the CSO, on a plan to increase our level of Maths Problem Solving, which we have identified as an important focus for our school. It was a fruitful day and we are confident we are going to assist the children to increase their skills and understanding when it comes to working out the best way to solve mathematical problems.

Each class was taught by a Casual Relief Teacher, using work from the teachers’ programs.

COMPASS Update

ACCESSING REPORTS

Our first attempt at Digital Reports seems to have been very successful!

Once a few glitches were ironed out for some parents, they were able to access the reports online.

If you have not been able to gain access to your child’s report or if you have misplaced your log on details or need assistance with accessing COMPASS please contact the school office.

SMS / Email notification of Absence

As part of Our Lady of Victories’ commitment to student safety and welfare, our school has begun notifying parents of their child’s unexplained absence via SMS message & email.

This service provides a SMS / email notification to parents of children who are marked absent from school without explanation. Where possible, it would be appreciated if parents can notify the school at their earliest convenience regarding a child’s absence. If a child is going to be absent for the day or is intending to arrive late (eg medical appointments etc.), then parents are asked to use the COMPASS APP or call the office to notify the school before 9:30am on the day rather than sending a note afterward. It is hoped that by providing this service and in partnership with families we can continue to ensure all possible mechanisms are in place to maintain the safety of our students.

UNIFORM REMINDER

The students are currently in Winter Uniform and it has been noted that while most are conforming to the school requirements, there are some children who need to make a greater effort to wear correct uniform each day.

School Uniform

There is a noticeable number of students not wearing ties each day and many girls coming regularly without a belt on their tunic. When girls wear tights, they should be navy in colour.

We understand at times items can be mislaid and we appreciate the rush of mornings. However, if possible, it would be good to see greater adherence to the uniform policy.

Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

KINDER Enrolments 2019

The enrolment period for 2019 is now open. Parents who are seeking enrolment for their children at OLV in 2019 should ask for an Application for Enrolment from the office. Alternatively, an enrolment pack can be found our school website.

Or on the CSO website.

If you are aware of any families that are also considering enrolling next year, please pass on this message.

Healthy Harold

Our Lady of Victories will be visiting the Life Education Centre at Edgeworth on 31 July 2018 Week 2, Term 3. Permission notes went home with students yesterday. As in previous years, all the Life Education programs are designed to integrate with the school curriculum and topics are covered in a fun, and positive environment. The cost of the excursion is $10 per student, this includes the presentation, a workbook for each student and the bus transportation.

Healthy Harold Products will be available for purchase at the centre. A product list will be sent home with the permission form. If your child wishes to purchase a product, we ask that you put the correct amount of money in an envelope with your child’s name clearly marked on it, the product you wish to purchase and your child’s class. This envelope will then be taken with your child to the centre and they will be assisted to purchase the merchandise. There is no guarantee of what stock is available and the school is not responsible if replacement merchandise is offered to the children.

As part of our schools photograph and video permission consent that is on file for each child, your child may be photographed or videoed on the day for educational or promotional purposes. If you did not consent to your child being photographed or videoed they may be excluded, in this case we ask that you please explain to your children why they may not have their photo taken or appear in photos taken on the day.

All permission notes and general information notes sent home are also published on the school website and COMPASS portal for your convenience.

Wallsend Winter Fair

On Sunday 12 August the local community will be sharing the fun of the fair.

Our school will be marching in the Grand Parade at the Wallsend Winter Fair and the lunchtime dance group will be performing on the Baptist Church stage. Parents are asked to keep this date free as we would like to have as many children participating as possible.

A note is being sent home today to gain an idea of the number of families/children who will be coming along to the day to represent our school.

This is a popular local community event and it is a great opportunity for our school to contribute.

Dancing Group

Our lunchtime dancing classes are under way for Term 3. It has been a great hit the last two terms and we are looking forward to seeing our talented dancers perform at the Wallsend Winter Fair on Sunday, 12th August.

Thank you to the families who have already paid the $30 fee for the term and a reminder that those children who are participating again this term, will need to forward their payment to the school. If your child would like to begin classes, they are more than welcome to join the group.

ASPIRE

We congratulate Keilie H. of Year 6 on her participation in the ASPIRE presentation of Dark Matter at the Civic Theatre next week. Each year the Diocese Schools produce a show full of the talented singers, dancers, musicians and actors from all our primary and secondary schools. It will be great to see the talent of OLV on display in the wider community.

Years 5 & 6 will be attending the opening performance on Wednesday, 1st August at 11:00am. A permission note was sent home on Tuesday and needs to be returned to school by tomorrow, Friday 27th July.

There is no Class News this week due to the short week. We will have so much to tell you by Week 3!

Kind regards,
Helen Carroll – Acting Principal

Book Week 2018 – “Find Your Treasure”

Book Fair ------------Tuesday 21st August------------Book Parade

Every year since 1945, Australia has held a festival celebrating Australian authors and their books. The entire community comes together to honour Australian authors and illustrators with a nationwide Book Week. Children in schools learn about these Australian authors and illustrators and are introduced to their books in hopes of instilling the importance of reading.

Book Parade

This year the Children's Book Council Australia have chosen the theme "Find Your Treasure".

The first thing that may come to mind for you when you think of this theme is pirates!

You might be a classic swashbuckling pirate, a modern pirate like Jack Sparrow, a steampunk style pirate, or even an evil pirate! You could also dress up as a pirate's parrot, an octopus, a mermaid, or any other creature a pirate might encounter! Don't forget your pirate accessories, such as eye patches, swords, earrings, gold teeth, and more. Some hints: Peter Pan, Treasure Island, Pirates of the Caribbean or famous pirates in history!

Our annual fund raising Book Fair will also be celebrated on Tuesday 21st August! More information in coming weeks!

Thank you for your support!

Mrs M. Spencer - Librarian

P&F News

If parents would like to add to the monthly meeting agenda, please call Kylie Westaway or send an email to OLVparentsandfriends@gmail.com

Clothing Pool:

The Uniform Pool is now set up and operating from the “Bell Room” next to the Year 1 classroom. The Uniform Pool is open every Thursday morning from 8:40am – 9:10am.

Please Note: we can only take cash sales as no EFTPOS facilities are available.

Canteen Roster:

Please keep an eye on our facebook page and COMPASS for the Term 3 canteen roster that will be out soon.

A reminder that if you do not have a current WWC number on file with the school office you will no longer be able to put on the canteen roster. As we hate to turn volunteers away, we ask that all volunteers submit their WWC numbers to the office ASAP. If you need any assistance with applying for your number or the process involved. Please see Nicole P, in the Office or Nicole W, the Canteen co-ordinator.

LEXIA AT HOME

It is great to hear that so many children have been able to download the Lexia Core 5 program at home. Some are even using it with their IPads!

Here are the details again if you would like to do Lexia at home.

If you would like to use the program at home you will need to download this new version.

Or, you can use it via your web browser.

You do not need any codes but will need the admin user email address. lady@victories.com.au from there children log on with their usual Lexia username and password. I Pad and I Pad mini users can download the Core 5 app from the App store- search for “Lexia Reading Core 5”.

If you have any problems, please contact me at the school on a Tuesday or Friday. – (Jenny McCallum - Learning Support Teacher)

Mini Vinnies

A very big THANK YOU to everyone who helped make Vinnies Day a success. With the class socks, fund raising activities, sausage sizzle and pyjamas day, we have raised a total of $1020 for Vinnies Winter Appeal 2018. This is a fantastic result. Thank you so very much for your generosity and support. An extra special thank you to the members of Mini Vinnies who gave up many of their lunchtimes to run stalls or sell raffle tickets. Well done children.

Miss Morris.

SPORTS NEWS

Term 3 Gymnastics

For sport in Term 3, the children will participate in a Gymnastics program each week. So that we could have access to the excellent program that we have used in the past, we needed to change our sports day to Thursday for Term 3 this year. The cost of the program is included in the Sports Levy. The children started today and really enjoyed the activities. It’s a great way to develop and improve physical skills.

Diocesan Athletics Carnival

On Wednesday, 8th August, six of our students will represent our school and our region in the Diocesan Athletics Carnival at Glendale Sports Centre.

Congratulations to Isla W., Julian A., Maria K., Bailey W., Peace H. and Jesse F.!

We are very proud of you all and wish you luck at the Diocesan Carnival.