In mid-May, we celebrated a very special occasion – Miss O’Bree’s wedding! It was a beautiful day filled with love, laughter, and joy, and we couldn’t be happier for her as she begins this exciting new chapter as Mrs Avery. On behalf of the whole school community, we extend our warmest congratulations and best wishes to the new Mr and Mrs Avery!

As the term continues, teachers have also been busy preparing student reports. This process involves carefully analysing data, reviewing student work samples, and reflecting on each child’s progress and achievements across the curriculum. Aligned with NESA guidelines, school reports are designed to provide clear, consistent information about student learning, helping families understand how their child is progressing. It’s a wonderful opportunity to sit down with your child, celebrate their successes, and acknowledge the effort and growth they’ve made this semester.

Student-led Conferences will be scheduled in Week 9 (Monday, June 23rd- Friday, June 27th) for all grades except Year 2. Year 2 will hold their conferences in Week 10, on Thursday, July 3rd. More information regarding this will be shared on Compass.

OLV's Approach to Supporting Primary Students with

Mathematics Problem-Solving

At Our Lady of Victories, we are proud to implement a targeted initiative to strengthen mathematical problem-solving: the Density Model.

This model ensures that every primary student engages in explicit mathematics problem-solving instruction at the same time each week. During this dedicated block, all available teaching and support staff take flexible, small groups based on students’ specific needs. These groupings are regularly reviewed to adapt to student progress, ensuring that support remains relevant and effective.

Each group receives explicit instruction in problem-solving structures and comprehension strategies, helping students develop confidence, accuracy, and reasoning skills in line with their level of understanding.

What Kinds of Problems Do Students Solve?

Students explore a range of problem types, each targeting different thinking skills:

• Result Unknown: Students are given the start and the change, and must find the result (e.g., Liam had 8 marbles. He got 5 more. How many marbles does he have now?). These build foundational fluency with addition and subtraction.
• Change Unknown: Students know the start and the result, but must work out what changed (e.g., Liam had 8 marbles. Now he has 13. How many did he get?). These tasks develop students’ ability to use inverse operations.
• Start Unknown: Students know the change and result, and must find the starting amount (e.g., Liam got 5 more marbles. Now he has 13. How many did he start with?). These problems challenge students to work backwards and think flexibly.

Each structure is explicitly modelled using tools such as think boards, number lines,

and the CUBES strategy (Circle, Underline, Box, Evaluate, Solve), helping students learn to unpack and navigate complex word problems.

Why Vocabulary Matters in Maths

As renowned educator Dr Paul Swan reminds us, many students don’t struggle with the maths itself—they struggle with the language of maths. Words like difference, altogether, or how many more can confuse students if not taught clearly.

That’s why our approach places strong emphasis on building mathematical vocabulary. When students understand the language, they are better able to interpret problems, select strategies, and explain their thinking. This not only builds success in problem-solving but also boosts confidence and mathematical literacy.

How Our School Supports Vocabulary Development

Aligned with Dr Swan’s research, we have embedded a whole-school approach to teaching mathematical language, including:

• Developing visible Vocabulary Walls in every primary classroom
• Explicit teaching of key terms in every lesson

What Are the Benefits of the Density Model?

This approach brings significant advantages:

• Targeted Support: Instruction is tailored to each learner’s needs, accelerating growth.
• Reduced Group Sizes: All staff are teaching, so students benefit from more individual attention.
• Consistency and Clarity: This focus ensures shared language and problem-solving strategies.
• Flexible Grouping: Students move between groups as they progress.
• Boosted Confidence: Scaffolded learning builds success, which builds confidence.

By explicitly teaching the structures of problem types—result unknown, change unknown, and start unknown—we help students develop a deep understanding of mathematical operations. These experiences build strategic, flexible thinkers who can apply their knowledge in real-world contexts.

When combined with a strong focus on mathematical vocabulary, we ensure students aren’t just exposed to maths—they truly understand, use, and apply it.

As Dr Paul Swan highlights, when we teach the language of mathematics, we remove barriers to understanding and open the door to confident, capable problem solvers.

Together, we are building a culture of deep thinking, precise communication, and meaningful engagement with mathematics—every day, in every classroom.

PB4L @ OLV Update

This semester, our school has been actively embedding the Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) framework across all learning environments, with a strong focus on three key areas: Being Respectful, Active Listening, and Being Responsible.

Throughout the semester, students have engaged in explicit lessons, classroom discussions, and whole-school initiatives to build a clear understanding of what these behaviours look, sound, and feel like in various settings. From demonstrating respectful language and behaviour, to practising attentive listening during lessons and taking responsibility for their actions and belongings, our students have shown great progress and commitment.

To support and celebrate positive behaviour, we’ve implemented a token reward system. Students earn tokens when they demonstrate our PB4L focus behaviour. These tokens contribute to a whole-class tally, with the winning class enjoying a fun out-of-uniform day as a reward for their efforts and teamwork. Additionally, individual student awards are presented at assembly at the end of the PB4L behaviour focus cycle to recognise those who go above and beyond in modelling our PB4L values.

We are proud of the way our students have embraced these focus areas and look forward to continuing to build a safe, respectful, and responsible learning environment together. Thank you for your ongoing support in reinforcing these values at home.

Parent Line NSW: Free Telephone Counselling for Parents and Carers of Children

Parent Line NSW is a free telephone counselling, support and referral service for parents and carers with children aged 0 to 18 who live in New South Wales. Parent Line is also an information service for professionals working with children and families. 

Whether you need some help or just want someone to talk to, the qualified and experienced counsellors are available seven days a week to support you.

What Can I Talk to Parent Line NSW About?

The service receives calls from parents, carers and professionals who have questions or concerns about babies, children, or teenagers. Parent Line counsellors can help to support you, offering advice and guidance on concerns such as…

• Child and adolescent mental health
• Friendship issues and bullying
• Social media and increased screentime
• Anxiety in children
• Child and behaviour development
• Managing stress and anxiety
• Support during family separation
• School transitions
• Family violence 

Call Parent Line NSW on 1300 1300 52 to access free and confidential counselling. Open Monday to Friday (9am to 9pm) and Saturday & Sunday (4pm to 9pm).

OLV Year 6 McDonald's Fundraiser June 11th!

Mark your calendars — Our McDonald’s Fun Night fundraiser for Year 6 is happening on Wednesday, June 11th from 6pm to 7pm

Here’s how it works:

• Head to Wallsend McDonald's between 6pm and 7pm
• Order your dinner
• Say, “I’m from Our Lady of Victories!” at the counter or drive-thru

BUT WAIT — We need at least 30 people to mention Our Lady of Victories when ordering for us to receive 10% of the proceeds!

So please spread the word, bring your family and friends, and let’s make this the best (and tastiest) fundraiser ever!

 Let’s give our Year 6 students the fantastic send-off they deserve!