21 November 2019

Newsletter Articles

Dates to Remember

Principal’s Messages

CLASSES 2020

We come to the end of the year and many parents and children wonder what will be in stall for the next year – what teacher will I have and in which classroom will I be I would like to inform parents of the class arrangements for 2020.

To prepare for these classes, the children and teachers will be moving classrooms around over the next couple of weeks. If you would like to help your child’s class move, the following schedule is proposed:

CAPTAINS 2020

There has been much discussion between parents, children and staff to come up with an alternative model for our School Captains from 2020. We have decided that all the current year 5 children (and those in the years to come) will be inducted as school leaders for 2020. There will be no “badged” captains, instead all the children will be given the opportunity to lead as a “Captain” for different occasions as the need arises.

END OF YEAR CELEBRATIONS

We will be changing the times for the end of year ceremonies on the last day of school. We will be having recess at 1:00pm followed by the Captains announcement at 1:20. From 1:45, Year 6 will lead us in the final liturgy of the day. We will end the year by sending off the Yr 6 children through our traditional tunnel clap out. Come along if you can.

YEAR 6 GRADUATION

We are celebrating the beautiful gift of Year 6 we have enjoyed for the last 7 years at their Graduation Mass on Thursday 12 December. The whole school will be attending and all are invited to come along and join the celebration. Mass will commence at 10:00am.

Afterwards the children and their invited guests will be sharing a luncheon in the hall.

END OF YEAR REPORTS

Your child’s school reports will be available on your COMPASS Apps from Friday 13 December. Please see below how you access the reports. If you would like to meet with your child’s teacher please make contact with them for a time in the final week.

How to access your child/ren’s semester report:

1. Log into your Compass Account using the USERNAME and PASSWORD. If you do not remember your USERNAME AND PASSWORD, please call the office so that we can reset it for you.
2. Click on your child’s photo – this brings up their “DASHBOARD”.
3. Click on REPORTS from the tabs across the top.
4. Select the required report from the list.

Have a practice accessing previous reports and ;et us know if you have any problems.

DANGEROUS DRIVING OBSERVED

Sadly, there have been some very dangerous happenings during the afternoon pick up – especially at the bottom Lovell Parade gate. We remind parents that it is important that when the children (especially the infants) leave the school grounds they need to be in the close supervision of their parents/guardians. Please do not park inappropriately and call children to the car and especially do not call them to cross the road unattended. We will be tightening up the dismissal to ensure the children’s safety and children will not be allowed to leave the grounds without that required supervision.

RE News

Bushfire Appeal

Just a reminder that all donations for the Bushfire Appeal need to be in by Friday 22nd November. I have attached a prayer you might like to say as a whole family.

PRAYER FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY BUSH FIRES

God of life and death, our prayers are where our hearts and minds have been during these last days and where they have so often been this season; with those whose lives have been touched in differing ways by the bushfires.

We pray for those who have lost their lives and their families and all who have been affected. We pray for those who have been injured and survived: for physical and emotional trauma; for the fear and hopelessness experienced; for the anger and frustration at the injustice of unavoidable disaster.

Let there be peace. Let there be hope. Let there be life.

We pray for those who have lost their home and property or are facing such loss: for those who have been forced to leave their memories and belongings; for the fear and disorientation of all involved; heal them from their nightmare memories.

Let there be peace. Let there be hope. Let there be life.

We pray for all involved in fighting the fire: for the Rural Fire Service and their leadership and all those we know and those we do not know; we pray for courage in a place of fear; for new strength in the face of exhaustion; for people who have travelled distances in order to resource those who experience fatigue.

Let there be peace. Let there be hope. Let there be life.

We pray for all who offer support and care at this time: for the various agencies, churches and community groups; for disaster response chaplains; for government services as they are activated; for friends and neighbours, known and unknown; for aiding recovery and providing a shoulder to cry on; we give thanks too, for the generosity of many, in small and large ways, for those who are struggling.

Let there be peace. Let there be hope. Let there be life.

We are mindful of the days, weeks and months ahead, for many dangerous days yet to come, for seasons of recovery and rebuilding, of homes, farms, lives and communities; we pray for strength, courage, patience and hope as grieving continues, as frustrations rise and the inevitable new changes occur.

Let there be peace. Let there be hope. Let there be life.

Keep us faithful and alert in our praying and our action.

Amen.

Source: Gather Proclaim Break Send via GPBS Facebook page. 11 Nov 2019

P & F News

Girls summer uniform shorts option

As mentioned in the last newsletter, students from Year 5 and Year 6 have requested that a pants option be made available on the girls’ summer uniform list in line with current CSO Policy. Currently there is only the summer tunic option. The P&F have discussed options and support the following shorts option as an addition to the summer uniform list. We are seeking parent comment until next Thursday 28 November and will finalise the option to be added at our next meeting on 9 December. A display in the ‘breezeway’ is for your consideration.

Peter Pan Blouse in Sky Blue with Logo - $34.95 (TBC)
Classic Shorts in Navy - $39.95 (TBC)

Tamburlaine Wine Fundraiser information

After the success (and fun) of last year’s wine tasting and fundraising night we are keen to host another. This year it will be on Thursday 5 December from 6-7:30pm in the school hall. The P&F will provide some nibbles and for you to enjoy whilst you taste the delicious, organic and preservative free wines from Tamburlaine Winery at Pokolbin. If you like what you taste you can place your order on the night, and there is no minimum order, and orders are delivered to your door.

If you can't make it to the wine tasting and you know what you like, you can place an order by sending the attached order form directly our friendly wine consultant Glen (email address is on the order form).

OLV Christmas Party Tuesday 17 December

Tuesday 17 December the P&F will be hosting a Christmas Party for all families and friends. The night will include Christmas Carol Karaoke, BBQ and canteen facilities, a visit from Santa, face painting, the Christmas Hamper Raffle draw and more!

If you would like a sausage sizzle, please pre order using the sausage sizzle note attached and return to the office by Friday 13 December (cash only).

Christmas Out of Uniform and raffle donations Tuesday 10 December

Continuing with tradition, we will also be having the annual Christmas hamper raffle which will be drawn on the night of the Christmas Party. The Christmas Hamper Raffle donation and out of uniform day will be held on Tuesday 10 December and we are inviting all the children to dress up in their Christmas themed costumes, hats and/or t-shirts. Instead of a gold coin donation we ask that families contribute items for our popular Christmas Hamper Raffle which will be drawn at the end of year Christmas Concert (Raffle tickets will come home this week).

We ask that each class send in different items for the raffle as follows:

Canteen News

The VICTORY CAFE will be closing on Friday 29 November. There will be no more lunch orders from then.

We are always looking for volunteers to help out with the activities of the P&F. If you might be available for the canteen in Term 4, please access the following:

TERM 4

Pastoral Care News

St John’s Parish School Trangie has challenged all schools to a “Bust The Dust Raindance” on 13th December at 1pm. As a group of country kids, they were looking for a way to help out in the drought. The rain dance is their idea to lift the spirits of kids suffering in drought.

Our Lady of Victories students are always up for a challenge and ready to help anyone. So here we go! We accept the challenge and will ensure our Rain dance cheers up those who need it.

OLV students have been visiting a retirement village this term. Feedback from our students and the residents at AVEO has been positive. I believe both parties are enjoying the visits and I hope we can continue visiting in 2020.

We have started making gifts for Christmas in our lunch craft and our students are still slaving away trying to get all the vegetable gardens growing. We have picked and tasted our own grown delicious strawberries and blueberries.

Don’t count the days, make the days count.

Take Care and God Bless

Karen

From the Office

Office Hours

Monday to Friday 8.30am to 11.30 am and 12.00pm to 3.00pm

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

School Fees

Term 3 school fees are now overdue. It would be appreciated if all accounts are paid promptly. Those paying weekly should continue doing so. Thanks you.

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.

Family Discount Form

A form was sent home at the beginning of Term for parents to complete in preparation for 2020 school fees. This is an important form that we then use to calculate the fees for the coming year. It is vital that all parents complete this form and indicate if we need to apply a family discount (including siblings across both primary and high schools within the Catholic system), Health Care Card discount and the optional contribution to the Diocesan Pastoral Care program. The Diocesan Pastoral Care program contributes to the ongoing wellbeing of those most in need within our Diocese. Please ensure this form is returned to the office by Friday 15th November, 2019.

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:

1. Fill out an online application from www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/check
2. When you have completed the application form, you will receive and Application number (APP by email.
3. 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.
4. 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).

Class News

Kinder

In Religion Kinder are learning about the Christian scriptures. We viewed a video clip about the Good Shepherd and learnt that Jesus cares for us as a shepherd cares for his sheep. He protects us and keeps us safe. In English we have been writing recounts about our visit to AVEO Retirement Village and about Year Six Fun Day. We are very good with our sentences but forget to use capital letters and full stops.

In Maths we have been practicing counting back to take away and using our fingers to help us. We had a very productive time creating mobiles from bits and pieces. It was challenging to make them stand upright but we did a good job and had great fun doing them. They are on display in our classroom and you are welcome to view them.

Year 1

In English, we have been completing assessments so that Mrs Hingston and Mrs Noble can finalise reports. The teachers have conducted special reading and spelling assessments over the last fortnight and they have been very pleased with the progress shown in Yr. 1!

In Maths, last week we collected data and recorded information into picture graphs. We discovered which hair and eye colour were the most common in our class. Year 1 also investigated whether a packet of smarties has the same amount of each colour. They recorded what they counted using tally marks and then made this into a labelled graph. This week we are learning about division strategies. Sometimes we can share evenly and other times there can be a remainder. Year 1 are applying their division skills to help with solving problems.

In Religion, we have now completed our unit on 'Values' and have started our 'Advent and Christmas' unit. We've discussed that Advent is a time of preparing and reflecting ahead of the birth of Jesus. We will change the cloth on our prayer space soon to purple (the colour of Advent) and will place our class Advent wreath there too, as a sign that we are waiting for Jesus.

Everyone had fun last week building their own wind vanes to test outside during our windy weather. Year 1 wrote a science report about their design and how it works. We have been discussing this week the difference between things that are living and non-living. Year 1 defined that for something to be alive it needs to breathe, grow and recreate.

Year 1 Wind Vanes

In Visual Arts, we are going to start painting natural landscapes, inspired by the work of artists like Arthur Boyd. This also is linked to our study in Geography of places with natural features.

Year 1 will be leading the school Liturgy on Monday 25th November in the school hall at 9am. Children have taken home readings this week and are very excited to present their last Liturgy for 2019. We look forward to share this with you all.

Year 2

In science this term our topic is water. Last week we looked at the water cycle and learnt the terms evaporation, precipitation and condensation. We did a little experiment around the school to see what happens when rain hits different surfaces. Attached are a few photos.

This Wednesday is our last swimming lesson. The children have really enjoyed swimming this term. I would encourage everyone to continue swimming lessons to help strengthen your child’s swimming ability.

Miss Gallagher would like all the children in our class to bring in recycled material for a task the children will be working on during her lessons on Thursday.

Just a reminder that we will be going on our excursion next Thursday. Please make sure you have paid your money and sent in your permission slip.

Year 3/4

In Religion, we have had further discussions on ‘justice’ and ways that the Catholic Church promotes justice in the world. We also thought about ways we can use our ‘gifts and talents’ that God has given us to foster justice in our world.

In English, we have been revising some aspects of grammar: definite and indefinite articles, conjunctions/connectives, adverbs, clauses.

In Maths, we have done some measuring of capacities and volumes. One important difference to remember is that capacity measures the amount a container can hold (usually liquid), and volume is the amount of space a container or object occupies.

Our visit to AVEO Retirement Village is this Thursday. We have been practicing some songs to sing to the residents as well as organising some of our artwork to take and show them.

Wednesday was our final swimming day. We all have shown improvement over the last six weeks and look forward to showing off our skills in the upcoming Swimming Carnival in Week 8.

In Science we are at the planning stage of the marble maze we are designing. Fingers crossed, we will get to making them next week.

Year 5

We have been very busy over the last two weeks, but a highlight was our visit to AVEO last Thursday. Here are some comments made by the class in their recounts written after the visit. There will be more in the next newsletter.

Ewan: I chose to talk to a man called Trevor. He was 86 years old and is a very kind person. We both talked about our lives and shared interesting stories. After that, we played a few games of quoits. After I lost at quoits I taught Trevor about the spheros and how they work. He showed me the theatre room, we talked some more and then we said goodbye to the residents and went back to school.

Jack: Bob and I looked at my art book and after that we played quoits then we went to read a book. After we looked at some of my work in my art book again, he got his phone and searched for some of the artists’ work. My favourite part of visiting AVEO was playing quoits. I am looking forward to sharing my work next time I go.

Sam: Today we went to AVEO to meet some retired people. We showed some of them our work and asked them some questions. Ari and I went together and spoke to a lady. We started talking to her about the holidays she had been on and what holidays we had had.

Olivia: When I was at AVEO I was very excited and met an extraordinary lady. I was nervous at first to go up to her and talk to her, but then I started up a conversation and showed her my Handwriting and Writing. I got to know her pretty fast and she told me she has a dog and I told her that I have a cat. We played a game of quoits, and she showed me the library/theatre.

Bailey: At first, I got to meet Bev and she showed me this amazing art. Then Darrel came down and I went and talked for ages which was really good. It was so much fun that it felt like time just flew by. It was really good when I talked to Darrel because we both like the amazing game of AFL and we also support the same team!

Maria: When we first got there I thought “Wow, this is an amazing place!” They have a golf course, a garden, Theatre room and a library. I met a lovely lady. Isabella and I played quoits with her and showed off our work to her. She was very impressed. I really loved talking to her. It only felt like we were talking for 10 minutes. When I go back I will show her more things that I’m interested in and proud of.

Isabella: We talked for a good 45 minutes about our school, our interests and families. Our new friend said she enjoyed living in the retirement village even though she had only been there for a short amount of time. We also talked about and read her some of our stories that we had written in our books. We talked another 5 minutes and played a few rounds of quoits. We explored the movie theatre and library. The chairs were soft like a sheep’s wool when we felt them.

Ari: It was really interesting to learn about my new friend. I talked about writing and all about me and my school. Time flew by. I would have liked to play more games with them, talk some more and have more time to have fun.

Year 6

In Religion, this week, we are working on our Advent and Christmas unit. We have discussed examples of waiting for something, in relation to our own lives and in the lives of people in the scriptures. As the season of Advent approaches, we prepare ourselves for the holy celebration of Christmas! In Maths, we are working with fractions and decimals paying particular attention to revising fractions of collections and to the conversion of fractions, decimals and percentages. We are gaining a good understanding after lots of practice. In Geography, we have looked at various aspects of life in New Guinea by observing portions of photographs and predicting what they were representing. When we looked at the wider picture, we discovered more about the situations. We discussed how this can be true about lots of things in life. We should always try to see the bigger picture to gain a better understanding. We attended our last Swimming Lesson yesterday. Well done to those who participated so well!

Library News

Book Club

Book Club order forms went home this week. The last for the year. Please ensure forms are clearly filled out with your child/children’s name and items to be ordered. Place order form and money in an envelope and put into classroom note bag. Order forms, money and on-line orders need to be finalised no later than Friday 22nd November, 2019. Scholastic charge a delivery fee after this date.

Happy reading

Sport News

Swimming Carnival

The children have been working hard at the pool developing and honing their swimming skills each week. They are all looking forward to the school swimming carnival coming up in Week 8 – 6 December.

Nomination Forms went home today and children need to return them to school by Wednesday next week – Week 7. Children may only nominate for 25m or 50m events for each Stroke. Only 50m races will attract championship points.

Juniors are 8-10 year olds and Seniors are 11-12 year olds. Children younger with abilty may enter the junior races and whilst can be selected to represent the school at next year’s Regional Carnival, will not be able to represent the Region.

We will not be conducting the Individual Medley. (If children wish to nominate for this event for the Regional Carnival they will need to provide a time from their club within the qualifying time.)

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.