THE HOME STRETCH

We have gone past "Hump Week" and begin the downhill run to the end of the year. Whilst there are many things that won't be the same as usual, it will still be an important time for all the children. The upside of the COVID restrictions is that the children can be more focused on their learning. 

END OF YEAR HAPPENINGS

We are looking forward to the end of a very difficult year for everyone. Who knows what 2021 will bring. Hopefully a bit of a return to normality. Parents have probably done it very hard this year -- missing out on a lot the activities they might attend with their children. At least with the easing of some restrictions we will be able to invite the Year 6 parents to some of the End of Year activities.

SEMESTER REPORTS

The children have been and will be working hard on assessment tasks during this middle part of the term. This will lead to a full end of year report. Our Mid year report looked mostly at how the children coped with the changed learning modes and their focus on applying themselves to learning remotely. This Semester we have had 6 full months of Teaching and Learning in a far more optimal mode, so we are able to assess and report in a more traditional way.

Reports will be released through COMPASS at the end of Week 9 -- 11 December.

KINDER 2021

We have enjoyed the company of our prospective Kinders for 2021 at two Orientation opportunities over the last two weeks. I was so proud of the children in Years 4 & 5 who acted as buddies for these children. Their enthusiasm and patience ensured our new little ones will find coming to OLV in 2021 a very enjoyable experience. 

WELL DONE TO ALL OUR BIG BUDDIES !!!

REFLECTIONS FROM OUR BIG BUDDIES

With Orientation finishing on Tuesday, we again got to experience the joy of having our new Kinders on site and our big buddies got to spend more time with their little buddies.

Last week was a huge learning curve, and today was far easier, for all concerned. I am very proud of how they have responded to the challenge of being a big buddy.

Afterwards, we spent some time reflecting on the experience and below are the responses to 2 of the questions posed.

1. What surprised you about your buddies?
2. What have you learnt about your buddies?

Cooper:

Somethings that surprised me about my buddies were one is very smart, one is very quiet and very kind, and one is very confident.

I have learnt a lot about my buddies. One is clever, one likes playing with the cars and one likes playing in the mud kitchen.

Fin:

Something that surprised me they are all confident.

Something that I have learnt about my buddies is they all like running games and cars.  

Tahlia:

Something that surprised me is that they all like to run, and to play in the mud kitchen, making mud cakes. Something that has surprised me is they all like to play with the rocks.

They all like drawing and making pictures for their family and taking them home to show them. 

Marley:

The thing that has surprised me about my buddies is that they're not shy and they talk to me.

Something that I have learnt about my buddies is that they're are really kind, caring and they all like dressing up in costumes (mostly dressing up like a unicorn or a princess).

Harry:

Something that surprised me was that no one was crying today when they got to big school.

Something that I have learnt about my buddies are that one likes to play in the sandpit and the other two like to play in the mud kitchen or on the playground.

Lily:

Something that surprises me about my buddies is that one has the cutest voice ever and the other is cute in all. 

Something I learnt about my buddies are that one likes Paw Patrol a lot and the other really likes blocks and towers.

Isla:

Something I am surprised about is them liking me because I didn’t think they would.

Something I have learned about my buddies is that they all are very nice and kind.

Ruby:

Something that has surprised me about my buddies is that they are talented and smart.

Something that I have learnt about my buddies is when they laugh, it makes me laugh because of how cute they are. 

El:
I was most surprised about how confident and fun they were. I thought that my buddies would be shy and just quietly play, but instead they were expressive and made me laugh a lot. What also surprised me was how they played with other kindies like they had known each other since pre-school.

I learnt about each of my their personalities and that they were such fun to have around. They made me laugh all morning and have lots of fun with them.

Xavier:

Something that surprised me about my buddies is how nice they were to each other and how well they got along.

Something I have learnt about my buddies is how well-mannered they all are.

Breanna:

I was surprised because one of my buddies was really confident and last year I had a really quiet buddy and I wasn't used to it.

I learnt that both my buddies have siblings in OLV already and know a bit about school.

Archie:

Something I have learnt about my buddies is that they’re all brave and friendly to everyone and they have become friends quickly.

Something that I learnt about my buddies is how cooperative they are with people.

Levi:

Something that surprised me about my buddies is that one got attached to the other big buddies in our group. Something else that surprised me was that I I thought it was going to be really hard with one buddy but then when I met him, we got along well and he listened really well.

I have learnt that all my buddies are nice kids and they all listen well. They all get along with each other and they get along with us.

Julian:

The thing that surprised me was that they were so keen to come to big school and excited to meet new friends. I was very surprised that they were very happy and joyful. 

Some things that I have learnt about my buddies are that they are very playful. My buddies are also enthusiastic because they always want something to do. One more thing that I have learnt about my buddies is that they are friendly, they are always happy and kind.

Georgina:

A thing that surprised me about my buddies is how shy some of them are.

Something I have learnt about my buddies is that one is adventurous and the other two are quieter.

SCHOOL PHOTOS

Parents should have received their children's school photos this week. Please let us know if there are any issues.

SOO3

What a turnaround after last week's effort. But what a great game. It was hard for NSW to get on top with the amount of possession QLD had. But the good defence and a late fightback by NSW didn't come off. Seems Pikachu had the last laugh. QLD 2-1 ... WOOHOO - the world order has been restored.

COVID REMINDERS

A couple of things have pricked my attention that probably need clarifying. 

When dropping off the children in the morning, please use the whole of the drop off area to stop and go. You are allowed to stop in the NO PARKING area for a quick drop off. Please do not get out of your car in that area. If you want to walk you children to the  gate them you will have to park outside the signed area further up Lovell Pde or in the church car park.

Secondly, when picking up your children at any of the gates, social distancing is required and groups of people chatting is not allowed -- children should be with their own parents only and parents should be 1.5m apart.

Thank you for your cooperation. I know it's hard on us all but we are in this together.

OOSH SURVEY

St Nicholas OOSH is seeking an indication if any families are looking to use the Vacation Care Program. St Nich's would like you to complete the Survey Monkey below to guage the extent of need our parents have.

Parents who do not usually use the before and after school care may also access the Vacation Care Program. The programs are very good and provide a wide variety of experiences and learning during the school break.

Please take the time to fill out the short survey on-line by clicking on the link. 

SWIMMING 2020

Unfortunately we have not been able to hold our intensive swimming program this year and our annual Swimming Carnival will not be going ahead in 2020.

No swimming carnival will make selection for the Regional Carnival difficult if that goes ahead in 2021. I would envisage inviting the children who represented this year to nominate and add any other interested swimmers into the team next year.

DATE CLAIMERS

If you are looking for what is happening in our school please ensure to check the date claimers tab on your schoolzine app.