WELCOME BACK

Welcome back for Term 3, hoping that we can get back to some normalcy. All the children did themselves proud by slipping quickly back into the routines of school and focusing on their learning without too many distractions. Their enthusiasm to be back at school allows them to work towards being the best learners they can be. Starting the school term focused and ready to work is a great skill to have. Many children are showing their developing maturity by being able to start again after a break more focused, even with the cloud of COVID over our heads ready to cause disruptions again if things go sour.

 STAFF CHANGES

We have had to make a few changes to staff this term following the retirement of Mrs Nichols last term. Miss Gallagher was successful in her application for the vacant position which means we have appointed Miss Payton to replace her as REC Executive Release Teacher (ERT) for Mrs Dunn in Year 2.

Another change will be required when I take leave for the next 6 weeks. Mrs Dunn will be released for an extra day to take on the Acting Assistant Principal role to replace Mrs McGann as she moves into the Acting Principal role. Miss Payton will also take on the ERT role for this change. Parents of children in Year 2 can expect to see Mrs Dunn on class Monday, Tuesday & Friday, and Miss Payton on Wecnesday and Thursdays until the end of Week 8. We are fortunate to have 2 skilled teachers looking after our Year 2 children this term.

I can understand how parents might be concerned about change, but we are confident that these changes will not disrupt the excellent learning happening in Year 2.

SEMESTER REPORTS

With the interruption we experienced in the teaching and learning in Terms 1 & 2, changes were needed to be made to the Semester reports. The whole of the Diocese has adjusted the Semester reports to focus more on the commitment and organisation of the children during the COVID lockdown and how they have adjusted back into the school face-to-face learning environment. So, parents will not see an A-E scale of how their children sit relation to the expected grade outcomes. Instead, they will get a snapshot of how their children are prepared for future learning.

Semester 1 reports will come online through COMPASS from Friday at 4:00pm (See instructions below for how to access your children’s reports)

Interviews will be held on Friday next week (August 7). Again, instructions on how to book an interview time are below. This will be available from 4:00pm. We are considering a ZOOM option as well and parents who would rather this may contact their child’s teacher to have this scheduled for your preferred time.

IMPORTANT: YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE ACCESS TO YOUR CHILD’S COMPASS ACCOUNTS ONLINE – IF YOU ARE UNSURE OF YOUR ACCESS USERNAME AND/OR PASSWORD, PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE IN THE MORNING, BEFORE REPORTS ARE RELEASED ONLINE.

SEMESTER REPORTS

Parents will have access to their children’s Semester 1 Reports tomorrow. To access the reports follow these instructions:

1. Reports are available from 4:00pm on Friday 31 July
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 NAME or PHOTO – this brings up their “DASHBOARD”
4. Click on REPORTS from the tabs across the top. 
   
5. Select the required report from the list (Choose 2020 – Semester One). 
   
6. You can also use this to access all past reports - previous years are still available.

INTERVIEWS

Parent/Teacher Interviews are being held FRIDAY 7 AUGUST. To book a time with your child’s teachers follow these instructions:

1. Interview booking forms will be available for 4:00pm.
2. 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.
3. Click on your child’s name or photo – this brings up their “DASHBOARD”
4. Click on the COMMUNITY ICON (the 2 people)  
   
5. Choose “CONFERENCES” from the list  
   
6.  Choose a time from the timetable that suits and is still available. Do not choose a time that is not available  
   
7.  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.

Face-to-Face OR Zoom + Children

In this COVID cloud, we would also like to offer parents the option of having their interviews via ZOOM. If you would like this rather than a F2F meeting, make the booking via compass, then please let your child’s teacher know so that this can be arranged. In fact, all Year 1 and Year 4 interviews will be conducted in the ZOOM format. To make this successful, however, a strict time limit must be adhered to. Your child’s teacher will be in contact with you via COMPASS to arrange details.

Normally at the end of Semester 1, parents are invited to speak with their children’s teachers to discuss their children’s progress. This Semester we would like to try something a little different. As an option for parents to decide upon, the teachers would like to invite the children to be part of this discussion. We feel that including the children will give them more ownership to improvement and encouragement by recognition of their successes. It is envisaged that the children will take part in the first 5 minutes of the interview only and parents would conclude the discussion without the children.

KINDER 2021

We will be starting our interviews for prospective families of KINDERGARTEN children from Week 3. We have a healthy number seeking enrolment but a few more is always good. We would like to organise a letterbox drop in the Shortland, Maryland and Fletcher areas to spread the word that enrolments are still being accepted for Kindergarten ( and all other classes) in 2021. If you can lend a hand, please let Leanne in the office know and grab some flyers to distribute in your area. We are also looking for helpers to drop some off in the prominent retailers in the shopping centres in Shortland, Wallsend, Maryland and Fletcher.

Those parents that have already applied for a place in Kinder for their child next year should contact the office to make and an appointment for either Tuesday 11 or 18 August.

COVID UPDATE

When will we be back to normal? That’s probably the hope and question we all have. Since the start of term things have taken a nasty turn around the nation especially in Melbourne with some indications that it might be creeping back into Sydney. Where this spike takes us, only the next few weeks will tell.

We had hoped to get back to so normalcy this term with the return of Professional Service providers (OT’ ST’s etc.), volunteers, music and dance lessons and having small groups of parents back on site for liturgies etc. However, our advice is that all non-essential adults should not be in the school. So, we will be holding these off for another two weeks to see what transpires before we allow these services back into the school setting. Let’s cross our fingers and say a little prayer.

Whilst we still live under the COVID cloud, please continue to adhere to the physical distancing guidelines of staying at least 1.5m apart. This is especially so during the pick-up time in the afternoon. Please do not congregate at the gate as small groups with the children and adults mixing. I would hate to have to install a “Bunnings” fence to keep us apart. The children will be let out of the gate in small groups of 4-6, please collect your child and move straight to your car.

The other must do is to sanitise your hands before entering the office. Make sure you check out the spiffy new “Sanitisation Station” in the breezeway. Many thanks Paul Dunn. It is helping to --- Keep O-L-V , COVID free.

We are continuing to have the school cleaned thoroughly each day and encourage the children to wash and sanitise their hands at each break. Don’t forget to keep your child at home and get tested if they are displaying any symptoms. If tested children should remain in self-isolation until they have had a “negative to COVID-19” result returned.

Thanks for your cooperation.

PUPIL FREE DAYS

A reminder that there will be Pupil Free Days on

Friday 7 August and

Monday 24 August.

Please note that the published PFD for Tuesday 8 September has been cancelled.

TERM OVERVIEWS

Each newsletter, the teachers give a synopsis of what is happening in their class each fortnight. At the beginning of each term this class report takes the form of a Term Overview. It will outline the key concepts and learning expectations for the term. Please take the time to read them and gain an overview of what will be the Teaching & Learning focus for the term in your child’s class

CHILDREN’S UNIVERSITY

The children have been doing some very interesting things in the Children’s University. The group received their Term 3 Activity Book today and this will give credit for 5 hours for their learning log book if completed. There are some great activities that will really spark their curiosity.

 ASPIRE 20121 Auditions

Sadly, ASPIRE was unable to go into full production this year, but the organisers are excited about putting on a production for 2021. The Audition period is now open and the link below will take you to the Information Sheet and Audition dates to be part of the show. Children in Years 5 & 6 are invited to audition in late October.

Click hear for the Audition Information https://aspire.mn.catholic.edu.au/join-us/2021-auditions/

GOOD-BYE DICKIE KNEE

No, it is not a reference to Hey, Hey, It's Saturday.

As you read today’s edition of Our Lady’s Voice (OLV), I will probably be under the knife getting my “Dickie Knee” replaced. Thanks to all those who have expressed their good wishes. I have taken them with me and am looking forward to a speedy recovery. I leave OLV in the very capable hands of Mrs McGann and look forward to returning in Week 9.

GOOD FOR KIDS