WELCOME BACK

It might seem a little late, but it is great to see everyone at OLV again. The start of the year was a bit disjointed for a number of reasons -- extra PFD, Yr 1 prep for Successful Foundations, Kinder starting later than usual and of course that horrible COVID. But the enthusiasm, excitement and joy of starting a new year is all that you need to enjoy coming back for another year. 

We have lots of new children and families to welcome as they start the new school year. With 20 new Kinders and a smattering of new students throughout the other classes, our school has grown a little and we look forward to our new families learning lots and enjoying life at OLV. Welcome to Allison, Ruby, Josie, Matilda, Lucy, Kaidence, Christopher, Ruby, Jemima, Poppy, Malachi, Elizabeth, Charlie, Cherokee, Tomi, Thomas, Beatrice, Maksim, Eleanor and Henry in Kinder, Lily in Year 1, Leisha and Emmesen in Year 3 and Sonia in Year 5.

Our new Year 6 students are champing at the bit with anticipation for the year ahead and have begun to step into their leadership roles with gusto. We look forward to formally inducting them into their leadership roles at Mass tomorrow. Already they have shown they are up to it, performing some of their responsibilities so well.

AFTERNOON DISMISSAL

One of the lessons we have learnt for COVID is that things are changing all the time. There are a number of restrictions that make it necessary to organise our dismissal a little differently this first term. Added to the responsibilty for the safety of all the children, we ask parents to be patient and to follow these simple instructions.

1) WHICH GATE??

We are trying to spread out the contact of adults with the children (especially not your own). To do this we have nominated certain gates for the children to leave.

Whilst only a suggestion, we would like children in Yrs 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 to be picked up from the bottom gate on Lovell Pde. Kinder & Yr 1 and their siblings of these children will exit via the top gate on Lovell Pde.

2) SIBLINGS --

It would be most practical for siblings to leave via the same gate. It is suggested that parents decide from which gate siblings should leave together ready for collection. We ask that this arrangement stays uniform throughout the term so we know who to expect at which gate. Siblings of Kinder and Yr 1 to the top gate. The children have been advised about this and have practised lining up  for the correct gate. The entrance gate on Sandgate Rd is also a good alternative for those who wish to pick up from there, especially children in Yrs 3-6. Just park along Sandgate Rd and meet your child at the gate.

3) CONGESTIONS & SOCIAL DISTANCING --

So that we don't have a flood of children and adults at each gate, we ask that social distancing be adhered to when waiting for your children. Parents are asked to line up along the footpath on Lovell Pde outside each gate - the red spots are good indicators. Please move forward along the dots as your children exit the gates then move immediately to your vehicle.

4) ROAD SAFETY --

My observations of the affternoon dismissal tells me that there are some dangerous practices being employed along Lovell Pde. As it is not a wide street and parents and teachers are parking on both sides of the street, we need to be mindful of the children's saftety when crossing over. That is why we are insisting no child leaves the gate without the hand of an adult. If you are driving along Lovell Pde please take care and try to avoid doing a U-Turn at Malta Street (directly opposite the top gate) or anywhere else in the street.

5) EARLY PICKUPS --

Due to some perceived delay and the need to be somewhere else quickly, some parents are deciding to pick up their children early before the bell rings at 2:55. We are trying to ensure that children are out the gates by 3:00pm as best we can. Regular early pickups are something we do not encourage as this will  affect your child's attendance record. Please be patient.

LEADERS INDUCTION OPENING MASS

Tomorrow we will be holding the first school Mass for the year. We will be celebrating the start of the year and making a commintment to our Teaching and Learning for 2021. At this Mass the Year 6 will be "inducted" as leaders of the school and be presented with their Leaders Badge and Blazer.

Parents only of Yr 6 children are welcome to join us but must check in at the office upon arrival, follow the COVID procedures and sit socially distanced from children, staff and each other. Sorry, no other relatives at  this time. Mass commences at 9:15am in the school hall.

BELL TIMES 

It has been brought to my attention that there is some confusion regarding morning bell times. This is the offical practise. 

First bell at 8:50  -- this reminds children who are here to go to the toilet, wash their hands, grab a drink of water and line up.

A Second Bell at 8:55am -- All children should be at school by this time. This bell signals the beginning of our morning assembly, which involves our school prayer, messages and birthday announcements.  Then it is straight off to class.