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CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK - DRAWING FROM THE WELL
Schools across the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle will celebrate their strength of community when they open doors to families and friends for Catholic Schools Week (CSW) 2020.
CSW runs from Sunday 1 March to Saturday 7 March and the theme is “Drawing from the well. Invitation, Encounter, Witness”. This acknowledges that Jesus Christ is always at the heart of everything we do. Recognising this is the foundation of a Catholic school education, the lens through which everything is viewed, and the belief that informs all policies and decisions.
“Invitation, Encounter, Witness” celebrates the connection of the school community with Jesus Chirst. Our students are invited to the well, where, with Jesus as their guide they encounter diversity of learning in a supportive and inclusive environment, and witness service to others and the community.
We opened our school to the community to come and have look at the great things we do. Year 5 & 6 opened the week with a wonderful, welcoming liturgy that focussed on the school community. Morning Tea and Open Classes finished off our morning.
On Wednesday and Friday mornings of this week from 10am, the school will be open to interested families looking to enrol in 2021. We will start with a short presentation and move to school tours conducted by the students. We have invited all the preschools in the area to come along as a group or as individual families.
Catholic Schools Week also marks the start of the 2021 enrolment period for all 58 schools across the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle. The region’s newest Catholic high school, Catherine McAuley Catholic College, Medowie, will welcome its first enrolments in Year 7 and Year 8 for 2021.
With so many activities happening across all schools throughout the week, check out our Catholic Schools Week's Events Calendar or contact your local school to make sure you don’t miss out on the chance to get involved in the celebrations and see why so many families choose a Catholic education for their child.
If a member of your family is a student of one of our schools, or if you are considering a Catholic education for your child, please come along and celebrate with us.
CALENDAR ON THE PHONE
It was brought to our attention that the calendar of school events could not be accessed on your mobile devices. We have tried to rectify this problem by adding a button on the SCHOOLZINE App.
Look for the DATE CLAIMER tile on your dash board when you open the App on your phone. All the term activities should be there.
PUPIL FREE DAY
A reminder to all families that there will be a PUPIL FREE DAY on Thursday 19 March. The school will be closed so that teachers can attend a Writing In-service with other teachers in the Diocese. This day will form part of our skill buiilding of teachers so that our Spelling Focus can be extended into the writing of the children.
1-2-3 MAGIC
Expressions of Interest
Are you interested in attending a parenting program to learn:
- Why children behave the way they do
- How to support your children to manage their own emotions and behaviour
- How the brain effects behaviour
- How to maintain a successful relationship with your child
- Learn to manage difficult behaviour in children 2-12
After receiving a number of expressions of interest, the program will be presented to any anyone interested on March 24, 31 & April 7.
The Family Action Centre of the University of Newcastle will present a proven successful parenting strategy called “1-2-3 MAGIC” The course consists of 3 x 2 hour sessions and is provided free. Please read the flyer for the finer details.
CHILDREN’S UNIVERSITY
Learning doesn’t always happen within the classroom setting. Children experience a myriad of learnings outside the formal school setting without really realising it.
At our assembly last week, were visited by a representative of the Children’s University. She explained to the children (and interested parents) about a program offered by the University of Newcastle as a way to encourage children to explore their learning outside the prescribed curriculum, be it in sport, the arts, technology and more.
There will be opportunities in school (lunch times and after school) as well as recognising the learning activities they are involved in themselves. The children are given a “passport” to get stamped when they recognise learning in which they have participated. Their aim is to participate in 30 extra-curricular learning hours by the end of the year.
If your child with your support is intereted in participating, return the EOI sent home last week. It is attached. PLEASE RETURN THESE BY TOMORROW.
COMPASS COMMUNICATION
As COMPASS has been with us now for over a year, the teachers are ready to explore new ways of engaging parents on their children’s learning. The App will be used to convey messages, reminders and notices relevant to each class. It will be a forum to communicate.
To ensure you have this access parents will either need the APP or access COMPASS through the webpage at:
https://shortland-nsw.compass.education
Compass Instructions
NAPLAN 2020
Naplan will be held between 12-22 May. The students will be involved in 4 tests – Writing (Year 5 will type and Year 3 will use pencil and paper), Reading, Language Conventions and Numeracy.
Plenty of opportunity will be given at school to familiarise the students with the online testing platform, but the following links may be used at home as well.
Public Demonstration site
In advance of taking NAPLAN Online, students, teachers and parents are invited to use the public demonstration tests to familiarise themselves with the type of questions and related functionalities available in the NAPLAN Online assessment.
Some of the key features include a range of question types, onscreen tools, timers and interactive navigation. Students are encouraged to try all the tests for their year level to practise the complete range of question formats available in the online assessment.
https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site
Tailored testing
NAPLAN Online uses a tailored test design, which automatically adapts to a student's test performance and asks questions that match the student's achievement level. Tailored testing allows students to demonstrate what they know and encourages students to stay engaged with the test. Tailored testing also provides teachers and schools access to more targeted and detailed information on students’ performance in the online assessment.
https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/research-and-development/tailored-testsCatholic Schools Week
Thank you 5/6 for your wonderful liturgy which started our Catholic Schools Week of in such a reverent and uplifting way. I would like to thank Millers Bakery for the lovely cakes and slices the parents were able to enjoy for morning tea. The left overs were shared with the students during recess.
Stations of the Cross
As you will have seen on our Facebook and Compass pages. each Friday for the rest of the term we will be participating in the Stations of the Cross at 2:30pm in the Church. It was wonderful to see a number of parents join us last Friday. We would like to extend this invitation to all family and friends.
On Monday 6 April, Year 3 and Year 4 will be leading our Liturgy which will be the Stations of the Cross. The children will follow the Stations of the VIA DOLOROSA around the school and stop at the different stations where we will hear the story and show respect.
All families and friends are invited to come along.
Caritas/ Project Compassion Boxes
Last week every family should have received a Project Compassion box. This term all fundraising will go towards Caritas. There will be an activity each week so please watch for notices to be displayed on Facebook and Compass. This week we will sell ice-blocks on Thursday for 50c.
Week 7-Project Compassion Liturgy led by Year 3
Week 8-St Joseph’s Liturgy led by Year 1
Week 9-Annunciation Liturgy led by Year 4
Week 10-Palm Sunday Liturgy led by Year 2
Lent time has started. We are at the beginning of a season of reflection and preparation before the celebration of Easter. By observing the 40 days of Lent, we replicate Jesus’s sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days.
During this special time our School Mini Vinnies group will organize furnishing for people in need within our school and local community. The Mini Vinnies group model of “See, Think, Do” is a great way to get young people thinking and talking about their spirituality; connecting their beliefs and values with service activities and issues in their community. We can support them to make their faith real, meaningful and relevant.
Have a great week
2020 School Fees
Fee statements have been emailed to the email address nominated to the school. Please ensure your email and address details are up to date and notify us of any changes immediately. If you have not received your statement please contact the office.
Payment Options:
BPAY
Our Biller Code is 136119 and the Reference Number is the account number on your statement (BPAY is only available for fee payments. If you pay any excursions etc via BPAY please email the school otherwise the payment will be deducted from your fees.
Direct Debit:
Please contact the office for a Direct Debit Request Form.
Instalments:
Payment plans are offered commencing Term 1. Your nominated deduction amount must be finalised by the due date on your payment plan. If you wish to pay by instalments you can contact Leanne in the office to assist you in calculating a week, fortnightly or monthly payment.
Credit Card/Eftpos:
OLV accepts Mastercard of Visa only. An authorisation slip is provided at the bottom of your statement each term. Payments can also be made over the telephone
In Person
Parents are welcome to pay directly to the office between 8.30am and 3.00pm.
| 2020 Fee Description | Yearly Amount |
Billing Arrangement |
Family or Student Fee |
| 2020 Tuition Fees | $1275.00 | $425 x 3 Terms | Per Student |
| 2020 Diocesan Family & School Building Levy | $1250.00 |
$418.00 Term 1 $416.00 Terms 2 & 3 |
Per Family - Eldest Child |
| 2020 Resource Fee | $270.00 | $90.00 x 3 Terms | Per Student |
| 2020 Technology Fee | $150.00 | $50.00 x 3 Terms | Per Student |
| 2020 Grounds Levy | $150.00 | $50.00 x 3 Terms | Per Family |
| 2020 Sport Fee | $140.00 | $47.00 x 3 Terms | Per Student |
| Diocesan Pastoral Contribution | |||
| 2020 Voluntary Contributions | $300.00 | $100.00 x 3 Terms | Per Family |
Family Discount:
The Family Discount is applicable only to Tuition Fees, this is applicable to each child enrolled in a Maitland Newcatle Diocesan School.
The Diocesan Family and School Building Levy:
DFSBL is a compulsory fee, a rebate is applicable to families who contribute to the Parish Planned Giving. As the levy is a compulsory fee it is not tax deductible.
Diocesan Pastoral Contriution:
The DPC was intorouced in 2017 as a voluntary contribution of $300 per family ($100 per term). A preference section was included on the family discount form, please ensure you have completed and returned the form.
| Number of Children Enrolled in Maitland Newcastle Diocesan Schools | Discount Percentage applied to Tuition Fees |
| 1 Child Family | 0% |
| 2 Child Family | 10% |
| 3 Child Family | 20% |
| 4 Child Family | 40% |
| 5 Child Family | 50% |
Fee Concession:
OLV will assist those families who are experiencing genuine financial dificulties. Those families are encouraged to contact the Office as soon as possible for a confidential discussion. Any agreement reached isvalid for the current year of applicaiton. If your finanical circumstances change during the year please make contact with the office as soon as possible in order for us to assist you in organising an agreeable payment plan.
Health Care Card or Pension Card:
This provides a rebate of 50% off your tuition fees, less any family discount applied.
Please contact the Office as early as possible in 2020 for the relevant forms and provide a copy of your concession card.
VOLUNTEERS AND WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECK
All new volunteers who wish to volunteer at Our Lady of Victories (or any school/parish in the Diocese) are required to complete the Volunteer Induction Handbook. This hand book covers all aspects of volunteering at school from Induction through to Code of Conduct, WHS, Confidentiality and Privacy. Volunteers are required to complete a National Criminal History Check Consent Form (150 point of ID required), Working with Children Check Clearance, Registration Form, Volunteer Policy Declaration and Code of Conduct Declaration. Volunteers are only able to assist in schools once all documents have been received and cleared (this can take up to 3 weeks).
The steps to obtain a Working with Children Check Clearance Number are as follows:
- Fill out an online application from www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/check
- When you have completed the application form, you will receive and Application number (APP by email.
- Take this Application number and proof of your identity to a NSW motor registry or Service NSW Office. As it is not paid work the $80.00 fee will be waived.
- Once your application has been processed and you are cleared, you will receive your Working with Children Check number (WWC) by email( or post if you do have an email address).
Book Club went home last week. Please have order forms and on-line orders finalized by Monday 16th March, 2020. No late orders can be accepted as Scholastic will charge a delivery fee.
Please have your child’s name and items to be ordered clearly marked on the form. Thank you.
Just a reminder that library borrowing is each Wednesday. Students need to have a library borrowing bag to be able to take their books home. Please no plastic shopping bags.
A very big thank you to those families who have provided library bags and are enjoying reading to their child or having their child read to them or, just enjoying talking about the books they have borrowed.
Happy reading
AGM AND NEXT GENERAL MEETING
The Association held its Annual General Meeting last Monday evening. Reports were given and all positions of the executive were vacated. 2019 was a great year for the P&F Association and all the outgoing exec memebers need to be congratulated and thanked for their enthusiam and spirit to provide tose little bit extras for all the children in our community.
After some discussion, a new executive was installed with the exception of a PRESIDENT. The new executive is:
President -- TBA
Secretary -- Kylie Westaway
Treasurer -- NAs Obray
Canteen -- Haylie Goodchild
As the President's position is still open, we are looking for somone to fill this position. As President of the Association the President role is to:
- Provide leadership and act as a representative of the P&F Association and the parent body.
- Oversee the day to day running of the P&F and ensure that the P&F constitutes if business in line with the aims, vision, and values of the P&F Association
- Ensure that all rules and regulations pertaining to the P&F’s Constitution are observed including sub-committees. (See P&F Constitution).
- act impartially and in the best interests of the P&F.
It is the President’s responsibility to:
- Support and encourage all volunteers and executive members
- Adhere to the Constitution
- Ensure effective, regular and respectful communication between the P&F, the school community and the wider community.
- Foster and utilize skills of all committee members and parent body.
- Foster fair participation of all members and ensure that all new members and parents are made to feel welcome
- Ensure correct functioning of all office bearers and sub-committees.
- Where appropriate, sound out suitable people who may be available for executive positions or to act in other capacities.
- Not become involved in activities which could undermine the President’s reputation for impartiality.
- Ensure proper handover of tasks and on the job training are provided as required
Meetings
- Ensure that meetings are opened with a prayer/reflection.
- Perform customary courtesies – including thanking executives and other helpers, and welcoming new members.
- Verify the accuracy of the minutes to be presented.
- Sign minutes as correct when they have been confirmed.
- Ensure that meetings are properly convened in accordance with the Constitution. This includes giving proper notice of the meeting and that a quorum is present
- Ensure that an agenda is prepared and circulated, this can be prepared with the help of the Secretary.
- That the meeting begins and ends punctually pointing out major changes to the agenda.
- That all motions and amendments are put in clearly understood terms and related to the business of the meeting.
- That control of the meeting is maintained. (See Code of Conduct).
- That an issue is thoroughly discussed, that those wishing to speak are allowed to do so, uninterrupted and that private discussion among members does not take place.
- Decisions made at the meeting are acted upon promptly.
- The meeting is closed only after all other business is concluded.
- The President must not take any side in a discussion. S/he must ensure that all points on both sides are raised and thoroughly debated. If the issue being discussed is one that the President feels very strongly about s/he should step down from the chair for that particular discussion which enables him/her to speak from the floor. The Vice President can take the chair. In the case of a tied vote the President is advised to vote to maintain the status quo. This is because a change in status should not occur by the majority of one vote particularly that of the President. It is worth mentioning here that when the status quo is to be changed (for example in the case of school uniform) it should be established prior to a vote being called what % must be in favour of the change for it to take place. It is usually 65-75%.
Weekly/Monthly snap shot
In any given week the President of the Parents and Friends Association at OLV would:
- Have informal contact with other members
- Check at school office for any correspondence (is this the secretary)
- Discuss matters with Principal
- Action governance requests
- Check associations email account for correspondence
- Co-sign cheques
- Provde guidance to executive as required
EASTER RAFFLE
We will be holding our Eastr Raffle again in the next couple of weeks. Tickets will be going home soon and families are asked to sell them to their friends and acquaintences. We will be hold an Out of Uniform Day on FRIDAY 3 APRIL to remind families to bring in a donation of an Easter treat so that we can put together the hampers
GIRLS SHORTS OPTION
Lowes have informed us that the option of shorts and top for the girls should be available in the next couple of weeks. Keep your eye out for them.
HAIR SCRUNCHIE'S
OLV Hair Scrunchie Packs are now available to purchase for $5 each at our School Uniform Shop. If you can’t make it to the shop on a Thursday Morning, then send your $5 in a labelled envelope via your child’s class note bag.
KINDER
In Religion we are reading stories in the Bible about Jesus as a friend. We have read “Jesus and the Children”, “Jesus Heals Ten Lepers” and “Jesus and Zacchaeus”. These stories introduce the children to the idea that Jesus’ way of being a friend means caring for our special friends and also reaching out to those who need a friend. In English we have learnt the letter names and sounds for the letters a to f. We have learn ten sight words and use these to make sentences eg. “Look at me in Kindergarten”. A lot of revision is needed to reinforce automatic recognition. If homework is a challenge, please let me know so adjustments can be made. In Maths we are learning about addition. We added the dots on dominos to find the total and played a game called ‘Rabbit Ears.’ Our fingers are fantastic for helping us solve number problems – please encourage this. We enjoyed using shiny, coloured stones to demonstrate our understanding of the concept of addition. Some examples can be seen in the photos below. Thank you to the parents and Grandparents who joined us for Catholic Schools Week and shared some time during play provocations with their children.
YEAR 1
In Religion this week we've started our new topic about Lent and Easter. Last week was the beginning of Lent with our Ash Wednesday Mass. The children received ashes on their forehead marked in the shape of a cross. In English we read the story 'Guji Guji' by Chih-Yuan Chen. We enjoyed the book, and it was interesting to note the similarities and differences between it and 'The Ugly Duckling' (which we've also looked at recently). In Maths last week we were learning about Mass. Year 1 hefted objects to find which objects were lighter, heavier or balanced. This week, they have been working on Multiplication and Division outcomes. We have been working in learning centres, group-based learning, doing a variety of hands on activities to develop our skills at skip counting. In Health we have been learning about our qualities on the inside and outside. Our outside qualities are the things we can see, like our appearance; our eye colour, hair colour, skin colour, whether we are tall or short. Our inside qualities are more about our personalities, whether we are shy, outgoing, friendly, brave, kind, creative and many others. In History we listened with great interest to Mrs Spencer share her memories of when she was a student at OLV in ‘the olden days’!! We wrote reflections of what our school was like back then...from stories of the cane, to going to get hot chips for lunch from the shop on Cobby St!
YEAR 2
Monday was the beginning of Catholic Schools Week. We had such a great time Monday morning showing parents our books and allowing them to join in with a few of the educational games we have learnt. You can see pictures on our Facebook page.
We will complete our Religion unit Jesus the Teacher this week and start our Lent and Ester Unit. The children have listened to a number of parables during our first unit so please take the time to ask them to retell you a parable and explain the hidden message.
During English last week we wrote extra pages for the book We’re going on a Bear Hunt which I am hoping to scan and upload onto our compass page so you can all read in the next few days.
Last week in Mathematics we were looking at patterns and learnt two new words: ascending and descending and the children needed to use these words to describe each pattern. Please encourage your child to explain these words to you.
During Craft we have been working on some printing techniques. We are working on a turtle print. We used potatoes for the main body and wood for the black dots on the turtles back. Hopefully these pictures will be finished this week and displayed around our room so if you have the time please poke your head in the door and have a look. We have completed so beautiful art work of sharks, fish and penguins.
YEAR 3
Religion: as part of the unit we have been working on, we have compared a child’s life in 2020 to a child’s life in the first century. We have also compared family life of today with that in the first century. English: we continue to enjoy reading the book ‘The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane’ by Kate DiCamillo. We are learning new vocabulary, and having opportunities to improve our comprehension skills. Mathematics: we have been learning about patterns and number sequences. This week we are doing some length activities. We have measured common items in centimetres and millimetres. Science: we have learnt about light. We found it travels in straight lines and if it is blocked by an opaque object, a shadow is created. We did some fun experiments to see what causes shadows to become smaller and larger. We also found out that objects can be transparent, translucent or opaque. We did some experiments about heat too and learnt about conductors and insulators. Physical Education (Wednesdays with Year 4): we have had a lot of fun over the last few weeks doing balancing, running, skipping, galloping and hopping activities. This week we worked in groups to make an obstacle course where we could put these skills to the test. We had a lovely time on Thursday visiting the residents of AVEO, Shortland. We exchanged stories and played some games with the residents.
YEAR 4
YEAR 5/6
What a couple of weeks we have had!
In RE, we have completed activities to pinpoint the goals, challenges and outcomes of Jesus’ mission and we will now examine Jesus’ death and resurrection as the fulfilment of his mission.
In English, we have been working really hard with our spelling and applying the rules we have learnt. Our novel has got us on the edge of our seat and we have learnt a lot about the history of Cambodia, then called Kampuchea, through our characters. We are getting really good at summarising each chapter using only 10 words! Talk about succinct!
In Maths we have worked on various strategies to assist with solving multiplication problems and we now move on to creating, continuing and explaining different patterns.
Last week we had our first visit to AVEO for the year. We loved it – again! Some had the opportunity to go on to the putting green and ‘play’ golf, some had the opportunity to make beautiful creations with beads, and others had the upstairs games room where we could choose from quoits, carpet bowls or table tennis. All of the activities were enjoyed and it was lovely to meet up with our AVEO ‘friends’ again.
Five students had the opportunity to represent the school at the CSO Mass last Tuesday for the launch of Project Compassion and Catholic Schools Week. Sam, Deacon, Olivia , Bailey and Logan all donned their blazers and went to this event.
On Monday, the class opened our celbrations of Catholic Schools Week with a beautiful liturgy. Year 6 all had readings and Year 5 had the opportunity to process through the hall with different objects to place on the prayer table to help set the focus for our liturgy. Ms McGann was so proud of us all. It was a beautiful way to start a very important week in all Catholic Schools, but particularly ours!
LEARNING SUPPORT
We have many students at Our Lady of Victories who require and receive adjustments at school in different areas – such as curriculum, social skills, health, communication and various other areas of school life.
Collaboration with parents is a key aspect of providing the best possible supports for all our students.
The class teachers and I welcome open communication during the year with parents and with external providers (e.g. speech pathologists, doctors, occupational therapists) in order to plan and provide relevant adjustments for children.
We will continue to have Personal Planning meetings for in Term 1 and Term 4 for students who require substantial adjustments at school. These will be scheduled by the Learning Support Teacher.
Class teachers will maintain contact with parents of those students who require supplementary adjustments in different aspects of school life. These adjustments will be explained and reviewed at parent teacher meetings. Planning/ collaborative meetings can also be arranged at the request of teachers, parents or myself as required throughout the year.
Please contact me at school on a Tuesday or Friday if you have any questions about Learning Support or collaboration.
Jenny McCallum
Learning Support Teacher
DIOCESAN SWIMMING
Three of our children were selected to represent the school and North Region at the recent Diocesan Swimming Carnival. Bailey, Gemma & Isla all performed exceptionally well at the Regional Carnival to be selected. They competed against the "best of the best' in the Diocese and performed very well. Great effort children -- we are very proud of you. Special mention goes to Gemma who was selceted to represent the Diocese at the Polding Campionships later this month.
SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY
On April 1, the children will participate in our annual Cross Country Championships in and around the school grounds. We will be selecting our team to represent at the Diocesan Cross Country event. Racing will commence at 10am and parents and friends are welcome to join us our come along and cheer them on.
We would like to wish the following children a Happy Birthday
Ava G, Ariana C, Gibson F, Lochlain H, Vincent D, Ojo T
Congratulations and we hope you had a happy day
| Kinder | Evie Hales, Andre' Catteau |
| Year 1 | |
| Year 2 | |
| Year 3 | Junior H, Loclain H, Summer P, Zoe W |
| Year 4 | Finlay B, Caleb J, Lily W |
| Year 5/6 | Olivia K, Julian A, Deacon W, Elsie O |
| Principals | |
| Captains | |
| Lexia Awards |
You will be able to access the school newsletter here and notifications will come through Schoolzine. Please DO NOT use the old SkoolBag App. It is no longer used for communications of notifications and messages..
Go to this link to download the Schoolzine App:
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 an SMS / email notification to parents of children who are marked absent from school without explanation once the roll has been checked in the morning.
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 (e.g. 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.
USING THE ATTENDANCE NOTIFICATIONS
COMPASS is the preferred method of informing the school that your child is away. By sending it through COMPASS, it is immediately synced to the class roll. Teachers endeavour (technology permitting) to have their rolls marked by 9:30am. If your child is not present and you have not sent a compass notification (or contacted the office of an absence) you will be sent an SMS to advise that we have not received an absence “note” and your child is not present.
Please refrain from using other electronic forms of notifications such as email, Schoolzine or other APPS we have used in the past. If in doubt, call the office.
Check out this link for more info on St Nicholas OOSH.