1 August 2019

Newsletter Articles

Dates to Remember

Principal’s Messages

WELCOME BACK

We start the term with a full planner and a busy and hectic time ahead. As you can see by the calendar, things are filling the weeks fast. As I mentioned at assembly last week, it is terrific the way the children accept new people into our community. Sometimes it takes time for these students to adjust to new routines, regulations and expectations. But the patience and acceptance our children show is exemplary. I wish everyone a successful and happy term.

EARLY ARRIVALS

There is a growing number of students arriving before 8:30am – some earlier than 8am. Parents need to be aware that there is no supervision for early arrivals and there is no guarantee that the gate will be open or any staff on site before 8:30am.

Parents who need to drop children early to get to work or attend TAFE or Uni, are encouraged to make arrangements with St Nicholas OOSH to provide supervision for their child/ren if they need to drop children off early. See the details below how to enrol for OOSH.

LOCKED GATE

Just a reminder that if you are entering or leaving the school via the gate, please ensure that the magnet has been engaged before moving on. It takes a few seconds for the magnet to reset, so please just hold the gate closed until it engages again. THANK YOU

WALLSEND WINTER FAIR

On Sunday 11 August, OLV will be participating in the Wallsend Winter Fair. We would like to see the children march in the “Grand Parade” and dance in the Baptist Church. It would be great to see a good roll up for the parade. We will be giving away small gift packs to the crowd to help promote our school. The dancers have been working hard at getting their routine just right so hopefully the whole crew will be available. Please respond to the request sent home today to indicate if your child/ren will be participating on the day.

PUPL FREE DAYS

Parents may be feeling a little confused about the two Pupil Free Days at the beginning of this term. Having these days so close is not the best scenario, but circumstances have aligned to make the start of term a little disjointed. We apologise for the relatively short notice for Friday this week. We understand the pressure that it may place on families, in regards to child care, but these are an important time for staff development and school improvement. It is not normal practice for us to have two days clustered so closely and this should not happen again.

WELL BEING EXCURSION

The children and teachers of Year 5 & 6 will be attending a “Beautiful Minds” course next week on Thursday 8 August. It is a course that encourages self-esteem and provides input on how to cope with the expectations of peers and social media regarding body image and feeling accepted.

We will travel to Corpus Christi, Waratah, who are hosting the program for OLV and other schools in the region. The program splits the girls and boys in the group and works through pre-teen issues that they might encounter. It also addresses ways to respond to problems that may arise. We will need some assistance for transport as well, both to and from Waratah. Please return the permission slip by Monday. There is no cost involved.

An outline of the day is as follows:

9.50am – 1020am Recess and arrival

10.20am - 11.20am - Session 1
Girls - Body Image and self esteem girls
Boys - What is a real man?

11.20 - 12.20pm - Session 2
Girls - Friendships, inner bully, inner bestie
Boys - Real men do dumb things

12.20pm - 1.10pm – Lunch
Sausage sizzle and juice popper will be provided by Corpus Christi.

1.10pm - 2.10pm - Session 3
Gratitude, resilience and grit

More information about the courses can be found here:

ST PIUS X TRANSITION MEETINGS

I received the following correspondence from St Pius X addressed to parents who are enrolling their children at St Pius X High School in 2020.

Hi

My name is Rachael Moore. I am currently the Perry House Coordinator at St Pius X High School while Kieran Kelly is on leave for the term.

I will be looking after the Transition Meeting to St Patrick’s (which your students will attend if they are interested) and the St Pius X Transition Tour.

The following times have been locked into by St Patrick’s today:

St Pius X visits St Patricks (Our Lady of Victories Shortland invited and welcomed to attend):
Week 4 Friday 16th August at 9:30am

St Patricks and OLoV to visit St Pius X for a tour of the school:
Week 10 Friday 27th September at 9:30am

Parents should note that it will be their responsibility to organise transport for their children to attend these sessions.

SEMESTER REPORTS

Parents should have accessed their children’s Semester 1 Reports by now. If you haven’t yet accessed your child’s report, just follow the following instructions:

1. Reports were available from 5:00pm on Friday 28 June
2. Log into your Compass Account using the USERNAME and PASSWORD. If you haven’t already done so, complete this process on a computer first, then change the password to suit you.
3. Click on your child’s photo – this brings up their “DASHBOARD”
4. Click on REPORTS from the tabs across the top.

5. Select the required report from the list. You can use this to access all past reports as well.

AND INTERVIEWS

Parent/Teacher Interviews are being held tomorrow. It is not too late to book an interview with your child’s teacher. To book a time with your child’s teachers follow these instructions:

1. Log into your Compass Account using the USERNAME and PASSWORD. If you have not already done so, complete this process on a computer first, then change the password to suit you.
2. Click on your child’s photo – this brings up their “DASHBOARD”
3. Click on the COMMUNITY ICON (the 2 people)

4. Choose “CONFERENCES” from the list

5. Choose a time from the timetable that suits and is still available.
6. For a second child start from step 2 again

NB – “Conferences” are booked on a “first come – first served basis” – you will not be able to book “back to back” times for multiple children – a space is required to cater for movement from class to class

WOOLWORTHS EARN & LEARN

Thanks to everyone who have sent in “stickers” to school in this program. We have been able secure some sport equipment, gardening tools and storage boxes because of your enthusiasm.

SOO3

Well it looks like Winnie prevailed this year – that’s 2 in a row. Well done to NSW and supporters. You did a Qld on Qld. Enjoy the well deserved victory.

RE News

Term 3 Mission Activities

This term as a school we will be fundraising for Catholic Mission. Our Mini Vinnies Group decided it would be wonderful if each class carried out a fundraising activity on Thursdays over the term. Individual teachers will contact each class group to advise what material they would like donated. All items will cost 50c. We are presently in Week 2. I have listed what will be happening during each week. It might be an idea to keep this information handy so your child does not miss out.

Week 3- Year 6 selling lolly bags (WEDNESDAY)
Week 4 – Years 3 & 4 organising a cake stall.
Week 5- Year 5 selling jelly cups.
Week 6- Year 1 selling chips.
Week 7- Kindergarten selling popcorn.
Week 8- Year 2 selling ice blocks.

ALPHA COURSE

Have you heard of ALPHA? It is a series of interactive sessions that explore the basics of Christian faith. It is normally spread over 10-11 sessions once per week. The talks are designed to encourage conversation and explore the Christian faith in a friendly, open and informal setting. If you are interested, see the flyer for contact details. The course starts on August 21 from 1:00pm to 2:30pm.

Here is a testimonial from Karen Johnson who completed a recent ALPHA Course:

“When I was first asked if I would attend the Alpha Course, I was dubious. Why would I need to attend a course when I already believed? I didn’t have anything to lose by attending, so I did.

The first week, I sat at a table full of strangers. We were introduced, ate a meal together, which was served by a couple of lovely volunteers. There was a video clip we watched each week, followed by a discussion about the subject just shown. Everyone present was respectful and listened to opinions without judgement. The open discussion raised more questions.

The questions made me think, gave me a deeper understanding and strengthen by beliefs. I believe the Alpha Course united all who attended. It wasn’t based on one faith, but on the belief in Jesus. By the end of the course, I had made new friends and came away with the appreciation that my faith is strong. “

REFLECTION GARDEN

You might be wondering what is happening in the garden between the quadrangle and the hall. We are constructing a “Reflection Garden” which will be a quiet space for children to relax and chat and maybe spend some time reflecting on things. It will soon have a “river” of pebbles leading to the cross with a garden of succulents and flowers bordering its edges.

We need to thank John Hopkins who built and installed the cross and David Hughes for spending the last few weeks clearing the space.

More on the garden and how it will involve the children as it nears completion.

Lexia

Accessing Lexia Core 5 at home

Many children at school are accessing the Lexia Core 5 reading program. It helps build reading and spelling skills as well as extend vocabulary and comprehension skills.

If you would like to use the program at home you can download it for FREE

There have been some recent updates to the Lexia reading program.

You do not need to download the program anymore on your computer but can use the link below

(just keep it in your Favourites)

This is the best way as you will always be using the most recent updated version

You should use Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Microsoft Edge

If you do download just go to the link below and download the UK version

If you are using an iPad then you need to remove any old version of Lexia and download the latest version and register the device using email address lady@victories.com.au

You can download the app from here:

Children then log on with their user name and password

If you have any difficulties, please contact me at school on a Tuesday or Friday.

Mrs McCallum

From the Office

Office Hours

The NEW office hours are:

The office is unattended between the hours of 11.30am to 12.00pm.

School Fees

Our Term 3 school fees for 2019 have been sent home. All outstanding school fees are now overdue. It would be appreciated if all accounts are paid promptly.

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 experiencing legitimate financial hardships, can make application for consideration by making an appointment to see the Principal.

P & F News

NEXT MEETING

Our Associations next meeting will be on Monday next week – 5 August. Please come along and join in the conversations and decisions that affect your children.

PIE DRIVE

We launched our fund raiser for Term Three this week by publishing the ORDER FORM this week. If you would like to take advantage of getting some very tasty pies please return your order forms and payment to school by Monday 12 August. Deliveries should arrive for pickup on Monday 26 August.

CANTEEN NEWS

We are always looking for volunteers to help out with the activities of the P&F. If you might be available for the canteen next term, please access the following:

TERM 3

UNIFORM POOL

Our Uniform Pool is located in the Bell Room next to the 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.
• We have a Variety of used uniforms starting from $2 an item
• Cash only purchases as EFTPOS is not 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.

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

I hope you have all had a relaxing and enjoyable holiday.

If you get a chance, have a look at the changes that have taken place over the past 3 weeks. Maybe you could meet our new chickens. Sunshine, Grace and Ella. They have now settled in to their new home.

There is still a lot of work to be completed. If you could spare some time, I still need help in the garden. I also need someone with a ute or trailer who could pick up some rocks soon.

I will be hosting another afternoon tea on 8th August at 2.20pm in the hall. All are welcome. I look forward to serving you and having a chat.

Class News

Our first news from classes this term will be a little different. Part of the feedback that we received in surveys from parents was to be informed of what was happening in their children’s classes. In conjunction with the Term 1 Parent Information sessions with your child’s teacher, we will endeavour to provide parents with an overview of topics and concepts that your children will be presented with during the term. We encourage parents to familiarise themselves with these and interact with their children about them.

Just click on the links below and it will take you to our child’s page.

Year 2

Indigo H is participating in the MS Readathon, which raises funds for and awareness of Multiple Sclerosis. If you would like to sponsor her please let her know. Great Job Indigo.

Sport News

DIOCESAN ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

Congratulation to:

Jessie F, Jocelyn B, Suma M, Peace H & Julian A

who have been selected to represent the North Region and the school at the Diocesan Athletics Carnival next week. We wish the all the best in their endeavours. We are very proud of your success.

SOCCER GALA

The second chance at enjoying a bit of Soccer fun is coming up again on Friday next week. All previous information remains the same, but we just need to confirm the transport arrangements. If you child is participating, please fill out the form and return by Monday next week. We need at least 10 vehicles to transport children to Raymond Terrace.

Library News

BOOK CLUB

Class Awards

OOSH

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 be enrolled in the service prior to making a booking. Remember that you need to contact St Nicholas OOSH to book your child in, as we can’t do it through the school.

Their contact details are, Christine 0447 288 040 or tracey.sweetman@stnicholasoosh.org.au

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 to pass on for processing.

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

HEALTY LUNCH BOXES