Welcome to a new and exciting school year! It is with great enthusiasm that I extend a warm welcome to all our students and families, both returning and new. At Our Lady of Victories, our strong Catholic identity remains at the heart of everything we do, fostering faith, learning, and community. We look forward to a year filled with opportunities for growth, success, and shared experiences.

School Improvement Goals (Learning and Wellbeing)

As we embark on this new academic year, OLV remains dedicated to continuous improvement in both learning and wellbeing. This year, our key focus areas are:

·         Learning: Consistent practices across all classrooms with a focus on strategies for reading and comprehension.

·         Wellbeing: Consistent approach to managing and supporting student wellbeing and behaviour.

During the year, staff will undertake teacher professional development in these areas to ensure high-quality teaching practices that benefit all learners. You will be kept up to date with school initiatives regarding these goals in future newsletters and FACE meetings.

Staff News

We are delighted to welcome two new staff members to OLV this year, Mrs Jasmine Plummer and Mrs Leonie Brown. Mrs Plummer is our new Learning Support Teacher and will be working alongside Mrs McCallum and Mrs Homer in this role and will be supporting both the students and teachers in Stage 2 (Year 3 and Year 4). Mrs Brown will be working with me on Year 6. 

Additionally, we congratulate Mrs Hannah Matheson on securing the Aboriginal Education Teacher role permanently within our school. Mrs Matheson, who held this role last year has a skill in building meaningful connections and provide culturally responsive support which has enriched the learning environment and inclusivity and respect for Aboriginal heritage.

We also extend our warmest congratulations to Miss Rhianon O’Bree and her fiancé Ben, on their recent engagement! This exciting milestone marks the beginning of a wonderful new chapter, and we couldn’t be happier for them. We wish Rhianon and Ben all the best as they plan their celebrations.

 School Attendance- It matters!  

As a parent, ensuring your child attends school daily is vital for their academic success and overall well-being. Regular attendance is a key contributor to student achievement and plays a significant role in shaping their future. At OLV, the school day begins promptly at 8:50am. Arriving on time ensures that students are ready to engage in their learning from the very beginning of the day.

The benefits of consistent school attendance go far beyond academics, instilling essential skills and values that prepare students for success both in school and in life.

Attending school every day provides a seamless learning experience, where each lesson builds upon the last, reinforcing knowledge and ensuring students stay on track with their peers. This continuous engagement helps them grasp key concepts, keeping their progress steady and aligned with the curriculum.

Beyond academics, regular attendance cultivates crucial life skills such as discipline, punctuality, and accountability. Establishing a daily routine teaches students the importance of commitment and responsibility—qualities that will serve them well throughout their lives. It also fosters resilience, helping them navigate and overcome everyday challenges in their educational journey.

Socially, being present at school strengthens students' ability to build and maintain meaningful relationships with classmates and teachers. Daily interactions enhance communication skills, emotional intelligence, and a sense of community, all of which contribute to their emotional and mental well-being.

If your child is unwell or unable to attend school, you are to explain your child’s absence in Compass. You have only 7 days to explain your child’s absence on Compass, if you don’t the absence will be marked as ‘unexplained’. Student attendance will be monitored closely, and contact will be made with parents regarding absenteeism when required.

Period Positivity @ OLV   

What is period poverty?

Period poverty is when people who menstruate don’t have access to the products, hygiene facilities and education they need to manage their periods.

What is period positivity?

Period Positivity is about making periods normal. From free period care products to more informative discussions, the initiative aims to promote greater accessibility, equity and dignity for all.

About the Period Positivity Program

Period poverty is the lack of access to sanitary products, menstrual hygiene education and inadequate toilet facilities. It is also the stigma and feelings of shame and embarrassment of a normal bodily function, and subsequent impacts on mental health.

In 2022 students from St Paul’s Catholic College Booragul advocated for female hygiene products to be made available in school toilets to provide access, equity and dignity to students who menstruate. A Diocese-wide working group was formed to investigate the impact of period poverty in our schools and lead the way in addressing the issues by exploring the feasibility of:

1. Installing free period products in dispensing machines in our schools, aligned with the placement of the sanitary bins.

2. Developing an awareness education program for schools in conjunction with the syllabus.

3. Developing a policy that will help reinforce the promotion of dignity, gender equality and reproductive health.

The working group soon developed an initiative called Period Positivity. The initiative is about making periods normal. From free period care products to more informative discussions, the initiative aims to promote greater accessibility, equity and dignity for all.

In 2022 a pilot program was conducted at St Paul’s Catholic College Booragul, trialling the installation of sanitary dispensing machines with the provision of free sanitary products at the school. The trial was very successful – with strong survey results in addition to positive student engagement and feedback.

Due to the success of the trial, dispensers were rolled out across all Diocesan Secondary schools in 2023. This is being followed up with a rollout across Primary schools in the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle across 2024.

The Period Positivity initiative to commence at Our Lady of Victories starting Term 1 in Week 5.

·   Sanitary products will be available to students for free, via dispensers in the toilet blocks.

·  If students find themselves needing pads, they will be available from the dispensers.

·  Students will still be able to use their own products, but there will be the option to use the free products provided in the female toilets for those who need them.

The product roll-out will be complemented by an educational awareness program that will be deployed to students. Professional Learning resources will enable teachers to be competent and confident to deliver the educational materials such as Menstrual health; information about periods and anatomy, dispelling myths, products, accessibility, gender equity and promoting dignity. For more information, please visit https://www.mn.catholic.edu.au/students/period-positivity/ .

Stage 3 Camp

the Stage 3 over night excursion to Great Aussie Bush Camp is fast approaching! Details regarding the camp will be shared soon, however I remind families that payment for the excursion will need to be finalised prior to the excursion.

Thank you for your continued support in making our school a welcoming and thriving learning environment. We look forward to a fantastic year ahead!