2 May 2019

Newsletter Articles

Dates to Remember

Principal’s Messages

WELCOME BACK

Term 2 Already!! Isn’t it great to be back. With another busy and productive term ahead, I am sure the children will be learning lots. We will see the growth of our Coding program in S&T, the consolidation of the Successful Foundations in Kindergarten, Year 6 Camp, Athletics Carnival and lots, lots more.

It was wonderful to hear the stories of what the children were up to in the holidays. It was great to see so many from our school at the Dawn Service on ANZAC Day.

We welcome Chase Bird to OLV as he settles into Year 2 this term. We wish him success at his new school.

OPEN SCHOOL

On Thursday next week, we are inviting all prospective and interested enrolees for Kindergarten 2020 to visit the school to help make up their minds about enrolling at OLV. The parents and children will be given a guided tour of the school by the children in Year 6, entertained by the dancers of our lunch time dancers (we will have to come up with a better name) and meet with the principal and Kinder teacher to discuss what the first year will be like at OLV. For more information go to the link below.

NEW FACEBOOK PAGE

From the beginning of Term 2, we are taking on the directive from the CSO to open our Facebook page to the “world wide web”. To date our page has been a closed page for invited friends only. With the implementation of a “Communications” policy by the school’s office we are required to open our page to the wider community to increase our public profile and provide opportunities to share the activities happening at school and much more

From 3pm tomorrow our new address will be:

And our current page will be closed down.

The new page will steer away from being a source of answers for questions, but rather a platform to promote the school and inform the community of what is happening at OLV.

Another aspect of the CSO policy is the reference to “Closed Groups”. Our diocesan schools and their related communities should not be promoting any closed groups within or about the school. Whilst these may be seen as a good way of passing on information etc. about what’s happening in your children’s classes, these groups are discouraged and should not, at any time, include the following:

• The school name or crest or reference to it;
• Photos of children in our school uniform;
• Photos of children or teachers without their permission;
• Any mention of other parents, staff or children’s performance or interaction with each other (ie gossip)

COMMUNICATIONS

The school provides information to parents via a number of platforms. These include:

• Facebook
• Newsletter via Schoolzine, Compass and email;
• Notifications via Compass and Schoolzine;
• School Website :

• Paper Notices – Rosters, calendar, term planners
• Word of mouth

As you can see, there are many ways parents receive information and where information can be retrieved. When our Facebook Page changes to an open page, parents are urged to use the other forms of communication and information sources rather than pose questions or seek reminders about upcoming events. If there are late changes to scheduled events, then COMPASS Notifications are the preferred means of passing on information, especially short term or unscheduled events. Don’t forget to make changes to your Term Planner if changes are notified.

If you need a question answered, please try the following:

• Refer to the last newsletter, Compass Notifications or the Schoolzine App
• Ask a friend
• Email the school at admin@shortland.catholic.edu.au
• Give the school a call on 49511003

AWARD ASSEMBLIES

One of our ways to improve the self-esteem and recognise excellence is to present children with awards each fortnight. Usually four children are highlighted from each class to receive an award for the effort and success they have had in social interactions, academic excellence and sporting prowess. It is always wonderful to see how all the children celebrate and recognise their peers when someone receives an award. Maybe we should give everyone an award for that. Parents and friends are always welcome to celebrate with us every second Friday.

Our Award Assembly days will be ODD WEEKS. Our first Award Assembly will be Week 1 (tomorrow 3 May) and ODD weeks from then.

MEETING TEACHERS

One important connection between parents and teachers is time to discuss in a respectful and planned manner, the progress of your children. This communication is essential and we encourage parents to make a connection with your child/ren’s teacher/s. However, it is important that you make arrangement to meet at a suitable and mutual time which allows for the best opportunity to discuss any concerns. Arriving unannounced or unexpectedly can make this opportunity difficult to manage. Please make an appointment if your discussion need close attention.

At the end of this term many assessment will be finalised and “Report Cards” will become available online through the COMPASS App. Parents will also have the opportunity to make an interview time for a discussion of your child’s progress with their teacher

YEAR 6 TEEN TALK

Tomorrow, Friday, 3 May, Year 6 will participate in an incursion called “Teen Talk”. Please ensure you have returned your permission slip and payment sent out last term by tomorrow.

WINTER UNIFORM

Our change into winter uniform is usually in mid-May. This would mean we will move into our winter uniform at the beginning of Week 3. SO, go through your cupboards, check out the sizes and be prepared for ties, jackets, tunics and long sleeves to meet the winter uniform requirements. Remember – sloppy joes are not accepted school uniform options.

Lunch Time Dance Group

One of the goals for our group of “lunch time dancers” is to provide them with opportunities to perform to their families and in the public arena. Two opportunities will soon be upon us. We have asked Miss Cheryl to prepare the children to perform at the OPEN MORNING on Thursday 9 May at 10:15am and again after the Mothers Mass and Luncheon at 11:30am on Friday 10 May.

The dancers will be required to wear black 3/4 tights (track pants or shorts for the boys) with a black singlet top (Bonds brand preferred). Black socks and black shoes (School Shoes are suitable). Cheryl will provide some extra bits to brighten up the group for their performance.

NAPLAN Online

The children in Year 3 & 5 will participate in NAPLAN Online Assessment between May 14 and May 24. All the assessments will be ONLINE, except for the Year 3 Writing Test, which will still be a pen and paper activity.

OOSH is HERE

St Nicholas OOSH put a lot of work into providing a compliant service for OUR school and approval has been given to conduct a service on site at OLV. We have had some takers already and the service has begun. It is important that we support the service so that it stays as a viable service for our community.

One issue that may arise is the need for Casual Care on occasions. If you think that you might need this, it will be necessary to have been enrolled in the service prior to making a booking. Remember that you need to contact the OOSH to book your child in and not the school.

The contact details are:

If you intend to use the OOSH either before or after school, you might like to download the application forms, fill them out and send them into school for processing.

Check out this link for more info on St Nicholas OOSH.

RE News

Mother’s Day Mass

Year 1 will be leading us at Mass next week to celebrate the beautiful gift of MOTHERHOOD. We will be having the usual Mother’s Day Mass but at 9.30am (Please note the change in our normal Mass time). This will be followed by some craft activities with the children and then a BBQ lunch. We will be entertained by the lunch time dance group at 11.30am. All are welcome, an invitation has been sent home today as well. Please return the catering slip by Wednesday next week.

From The Office

School Fees

Our Term 2 school fees for 2019 will be sent out to families shortly. It would be appreciated if all accounts be paid promptly.

Year 6 camp has been billed to Term 2 Fees. This payment is due by tomorrow 3rd May, 2019.

If you would like to manage your account with regular payments, please contact Leanne in the office, who can help you with a payment plan. Those who are in legitimate financial hardships can make application for consideration by making an appointment to see the Principal.

All extracurricular activities (Dance, Gymnastics etc) will be included on your accounts as they arise, so that a closer tracking of payments and receipts can be done. All receipts of payments will be emailed to the primary email supplied by parents through COMPASS.

Statements will be emailed home monthly. If you are paying by direct debit or BPAY your statement is for your records only.

KINDER Enrolments 2020

The enrolment period for 2020 is currently open. Parents who are seeking enrolment for their children at OLV in 2020 should ask for an Application for Enrolment from the office. Alternatively, an enrolment pack can be found our school website at the link below:

Or on the CSO website at:

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

Schoolzine App

Go to this link to download the SZapp:

You will be able to access the school newsletter there and notifications will also come through Schoolzine.

P & F News

NEXT MEETING

The Associations next meeting will be held on Monday 6 May at 7pm in the school library. Please come along and participate in the discussions that affect the decisions made by the Association.

EASTER RAFFLE

We had some great prizes to give out at the Raffle Draw last term. Thanks to all those who supported the Raffle with donations and ticket sales. It was a very successful fundraiser.

CANTEEN

The canteen will be open on Fridays only this term . If you can spare some time please let Rowena Olenjik know as we still need helpers for canteen to open consistently next term.

Term 2

UNIFORM POOL

Our Uniform Pool is located in the Bell Room next to Year 1 classroom. We are open every Thursday 8:40-9:10 am.

• Back in stock are our new school bags ($60) and our library bags ($15).
• Also available for purchase are Art Smocks ($10) and with winter coming our School Jackets in selected sizes only (size 4,6,8,14) for $45 each.
• Variety of used uniforms starting from $2 an item
• Cash only purchases as no Eftpos available

Please note our uniform pool runs on the generosity of those who donate their used uniforms. If you have any used uniforms you no longer require, please feel free to drop them at the school office for recycling through the uniform pool. We would really appreciate any winter uniforms and sports uniforms that no longer fit your child.

The Uniform Pool is located in the Bell Room next to the Year 1 classroom. It is open every Thursday morning 8.40am - 9.10am

New school bags ($60) and our library bags ($15) are back in stock.

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.

Pastoral Care News

Welcome back. I hope everyone had a restful and fun holiday. Last term our green thumb gardeners, Max, Sienna and Madelyn planted seeds. The result as you can see, are seedling ready to go into the vegetable garden.

I am asking for assistance with the gardens. I will place a timetable near the canteen. Could you write your name next to the time that best suits you to assist please?

Even an hour or two one afternoon would be really helpful.

Take Care and God Bless

Karen Johnson

Pastoral.jpg

LIBRARY

Book club order forms have gone home this week.

Please return or order on-line by Monday 13th May, 2019.

Sport News

Diocesan Cross Country

After our fun School Cross Country at the end of last term, we selected a team to represent the school at the Diocesan Cross Country Trial next week. Congratulations to the following children who were selected:

These children should have received information and permission slips for the Trials next week. These forms and payment need to be returned by Friday. If your child didn’t bring theirs home, please let the office know.

We wish them all the best of luck at the Trials next week.

Term 2 Sport

Our PD, H & PE syllabus requires the children to develop skills in dance. Next term we have organised a provider to teach the children aspects of dance with a goal to develop a performance at the end of term. This will be at a cost of $4.50 per child and will be added to the school fee accounts. This fee can be paid weekly, but a single payment for the total is preferred.

Class Awards