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WELCOME BACK
It was great to have all the children returning this week. The smiles and enthusiasm as they came through the gates were very evident. We hope that they had a great rest and parents were able to spend some quality family time together.
We welcome two new students to our community this week. Arlo in Kindergarten and Jennifer in Year 3. I am sure they will enjoy their learning journeys with us.
NAIDOC IMMERSIONS
We are excited to be commemorating NAIDOC Week on Friday with some great immersion activities for children, parents and friends. NAIDOC is the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee and usually celebrates the occasion during the school holidays. We will be celebrating on Friday and all are invited to join us for the day or just parts of it. The Koori kids at OLV have been planning and practising their skills and heritage displays to share with us all.
Our day of celebrations will include Indigenous cultural and spiritual activities.
9.30: NAIDOC Liturgy in hall including cultural performance
10.15: Bush Tucker Morning Tea for all visitors
10:30-11.10: Join your child for a picnic lunch
BYO own picnic mat and food
11.10-1.00pm: Indigenous cultural Experiences for all classes
Visitors are welcome to join in as classes rotate through NAIDOC themed activities: Traditional Aboriginal Games, Dreamtime Storytelling, Yarning Circle and Totem Sketching
COVID REMINDERS
Sadly some of our children have not been able to return due to COVID infections and having to isolate. We hope that COVID doesn't hit them too hard and they make speedy recoveries. We miss having them here with us.
It is timely then to remind families of some of the protocols we still need to keep in mind. Firstly, parents need to notify the school (and NSW Health) that their child has tested positive with COVID either with a RAT or PCR.
Those siblings of positive COVID cases should:
- be RAT tested each morinng for 5 days before attending school with a negative result;
- are encouraged to wear a mask indoors if they feel comfortable to do so, though it is not mandatory;
- sanitize their hands before entering the school and regularly during the day.
In general, all visitors are required to sanitise upon arrival at school and be mindful of social distancing. Those adults with positive cases at home need to wear a mask indoors whilst visiting and test negative that morning with a RAT. If you need a new supply of RAT's for use with your children, please let us know and we will send some home.
NEW ARRANGEMENTS
At the end of last term, we surveyed parents about our "valet' drop off and pick up and the results of which were discussed at the last P&F Association meeting. The main points raised and discussed was the loss of opportunity for parents to get together and the loss of community feeling because of this. There were some safety concerns discussed as well. It was also evident in the responses that parents still wanted to use the valet for pickup in particular.
The following changes will be trialled and reviewed to see how we might improve if required.
1. Parents may drop off at and pick upfrom the "yellow quad" but are asked to not park on Lovell Pde. Parents should park in the church car park or the side streets then escort their children to the top gate or quad for drop off or wait on the quad for pick up. Gates are open form 8:30am
At morning drop off, parents are welcome to gather on the quad and after saying their goodbyes, stay for a chat and morning prayer. The children should move to the COLA ready for Assembly.
At pick up, the children will meet their parents on the quad at dismissal (or go to the COLA for valet). Parents may enter from 2:45pm. Parents should be mindful of traffic still using the valet drop pick up when crossing the road and keep a close eye on their children when exiting the gate. Parents may still collect or drop off their children at the gate if they don't wish to come in. Please do not park on Lovell Pde to do this. Car drop off will be at the bottom gate as explained below.
It is important to tell your children what the day's pick up arrangements will be.
2. Parents may continue drop off and pick up at the bottom gate on Lovell Pde. The gates will be open form 8:30am for children to enter the school. They should remain in their cars until the gates are opened by the teacher on duty.
If possible and practicable, parents should remain in their car and encourage their children to be independent about getting into and out of their car seats. It is understandable that this is sometimes difficult (especially for the younger ones) so there is a need for parents to be patient and wait till the car in front of you moves on. Please do not pull out before the car in front of you has moved on. Please have children fully dressed and bags packed before leaving for school in the morning so that the drop off can be quick and smooth.
We will continue to assemble those using this method and call them to the gate when you have arrived at the pickup spots. Please be mindful that there will probably be more children and parents crossing the road at the top gate.
I am confident that we can bring back some of the community feeling as well as provide convenience for families during this time. Let's see how it goes.
NEW STAFF
Sadly, we lost Miss Irwin at the end of last term in Year 3. She has been replaced for Term 3 by Miss Gallagher in a full time capacity as Miss Morris' replacement for Term 3. Mr Kemp will be replacing Miss Gallagher in the Year 4 class for the two days each week to relaease Mrs McGann for her executive roles.
SEMESTER REPORTS
Hopefully all parents and carers have read their children's reports and had the opportunity to meet with your child's teacher. If you didn't get the chance to discuss your child's progress, I encourage you to make contact and organise a time early this term to do so.
Please follow these instructions to access your child's report.
LOST & FOUND
At the moment we have approximately 15 school jackets in our Lost Property box. All of which do not have any form of indentification that can be deciphered. If your child is missing their jacket, please pop into the office at some time to claim it.
On the flip side, we often have reports from parents that children have placed their hat or jacket with their names on them somewhere (usually at play time) and when they went to recover it, the items were not there. Sometime other children may pick up someone else's items by mistake as there own without checking the name. I ask if you could please check your children's jackets and ensure they are the correct ones and have your name on them. If by chance you have someone else's items please send them into school so they can be reunited with their rightful owners.
Can you help the P&F?
Our P&F organises events for children such as:
- School Discos
- Mother’s Day/Father’s Day Stalls
- Fundraising events
Most importantly:
We build connections with school staff and give our ideas, opinions and make decisions on matters that directly affect our children and their school experience.
Every parent with a child enrolled in our school is able to join us at meetings and have a say on matters that affect them. Without more volunteers we will be unable to operate as we have previously.
There is a possibility we will not be able to:
- Have an operating canteen for the children to access at lunch times
- Run mother’s day and father’s day stalls
- Have fun events for the children such as a school disco
- Raise much needed funds for school resources and learning programs that will directly support your children now and in the future.
The P&F are seeking volunteers to attend our meetings and be an active part of the decision making process within the P&F.
We are currently need to fill the following positions to continue to run our P&F:
-President
-Vice president
-Canteen co-Ordinator
-General P&F members
If you are interested in learning more please come along to our next meeting on Monday 25th of July - we would love to see you there.
To contact the P&F, email:olvparentsandfriends@gmail.com
REGIONAL ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
We had a great day last term at our carnival. The children participated with great enthusiasm and spirit. We can't provide any details at the moment, but winners and champions will be presented at Friday's assembly next week at an early start of 2pm.
REGIONAL ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
The Regional Athletics Carnival is rescheduled for WEDNESDAY 27 JULY at MAITLAND.
The following chiuldren should be congratulated in being selected to represent the school at this event. Well done to:
Gemma M, Summer P, Suma M, Freya B, Isla W, Margreit K, Auncia G, Michelle A, Furahisha S, Tahlia B, Lily W, Annabelle H, Laura N-J, Aliera Mc, Pippa M, Kasey S, Indigo H, Marley B,
Billy F, Charlie F, Harry F, Harrison S, Max G, Heath F, Tyson L,Finlay T-B, Caleb J-P, Brian K, Jesse C, Benjamin T, Max B, Joseph B, Mark M, Maxwell W,
Good luck to them all.
Parents of these children should have received details for this event today.
TERM 3 SPORT
The children will begin their Term 3 GYMNASTICS for sport in Term 3 next week. The children love this instruction and some great skills are developed.
Kinder |
Zephyr K- for always being a kind and caring friend. Theodore B- for learning his “tricky words” Well done. Leo K- for excellent presentation in all areas. Josephine B- for working so well in all Key Learning Areas. Lorcan H- for excellent colouring, cutting and organisational skills when completing our eskimo sheet. |
Year 1 |
Thomas O: excellent achievement in Term 2. Eleanor T: great skills in Maths. Ruby Huhes: always being a great helper in the classroom. Tomi O: enthusiastic responses to questions in Religion lessons. |
Year 2 |
Anabel L: an excellent ability to identify the equation in problem solving. Audrey S: excellent work when revising syllable types in spelling. Vinny D: having a go at writing a reflection on the Far Away Tree. Jesuloba A: great work identifying syllable types in spelling. |
STAGE 2 |
Toma V: – For your improvements in spelling words with the /air/ sound. Max B: – For your improvements in conducting a survey on a topic of your choice. Michelle A: – For an amazing start at OLV. We love having you. Oliver W:– For improvements in following the PEEL acronym to write body paragraphs in persuasive texts. Well done! |
STAGE 3 |
Meti S:- For always trying your hardest in all KLA’s You demonstrate persistence with challenging tasks and seek assistance when needed. Emma P: - For your excellent persuasive and detailed advertisement about saving our world. Harry F:- For always challenging yourself in all KLA’s and taking on feedback to improve your work. Ojo T:- For always being the first to help others or take on jobs when people are away and for creating a very persuasive ad for the mattress you designed. |
EALD |
Tesa S: for working hard to learn English letters and sounds. Elsa : for working hard to learn speak, understand, read and write in English. Margreit K: for her openness in sharing the story of her family with the Aurora. Shamma N: for her openness in sharing the story of her family with the Aurora. |
Captains Awards |
Michelle A: for adapting to our new school and making new friends. Josie B: for welcoming and supporting a new student in your class. |
PBL Awards Being Responsible |
Kinder: Cooper G Year 1: Jemima K Year 2: Alierah Mc Year 3: Gabriella K Year 4: Shammah N Year 5/6 Blue: Cooper C Year 5/6 Red: Tahlia B |
We would like to wish the following children a Happy Birthday.
Kindergarten | |
Year 1 | Josie |
Year 2 | |
Year 3 | Max |
Year 4 | Toma |
Year 5/6 | Farahisha |
Congratulations and we hope you had a happy day