Pupil Free Day         TOMORROW Friday 6th March

On Friday 6th March (preceding Adelaide Cup Long weekend) we will have our first Pupil Free Day (Preschool will be open as normal).  The teachers will continue their learning in the area of Inclusive Education.

OSHC is available, please book by ringing Sue on 0448 863 051.

Schools are now required to make reasonable adjustments to support all students with disabilities to fully participate in school, not just those eligible for targeted funding.

The focus of this day is to ensure our staff have a thorough and consistent understanding of what this means and are able to translate their knowledge into practice.  At OLV we have a number of targeted programs from Reception to Year 6 to support our students learning.  These programs have a major focus on literacy and numeracy.  Children are placed in these programs based on data from test results and screenings.  These support programs are tailored to student needs.  If your child is placed on a program, this will be communicated with you.

At OLV, we are committed to ensuring all students are being successful with their learning.

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the School Board will be held on Wednesday 11th March.   There will be drinks and nibbles from 6.30pm with the formalities beginning at 7pm.  This is a great opportunity to hear about the successes of the 2019 year and look forward to 2020 plans for Our Lady of the Visitation School. All families are welcome to attend the AGM.

It is during this meeting that we announce new Board members for the coming year.

The School Board is an advisory committee that provides direction and input for the school in a variety of matters, including financial, community and resource operations. I’m sure that many of you would have the knowledge and expertise to offer your support to the Board.

Wellbeing Coordinator

I would like to announce that Julie Taylor has been appointed to the role of Wellbeing coordinator at OLV.  Julie is well known to our school community, being an old scholar and parent.

Julie’s role is designed to enhance the capacity of our school to develop a positive school culture and to support students who are at risk of disengagement and of not achieving their educational potential.

The Wellbeing Coordinator promotes a whole school approach to health and wellbeing within the school community and works in collaboration with students, parents and school staff including broader community agencies.

Julie is currently meeting with teachers discussing students and class needs, providing Julie with a context to begin her work.

The Southern Cross

Please visit this link for the latest edition of The Southern Cross - https://thesoutherncross.org.au/category/schools/

2020 Assembly Roster

Assemblies are now on Friday starting at 2.20pm.  Parents are always welcome to attend our assembly’s as they are an important part of our school life and is a great insight into what is happening around the school.

Term 1                                                          

Week 8          Year 3 (Ms Jiranek)
Week 10        R/1 R  (Ms Cowan / Ms Maddern)

Did you know if you have food in your fridge, clothes on your body, a roof over your head and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of the entire world? Despite our own struggles we are considered privileged amongst our global community. Help Caritas Australia help those less fortunate than use by placing spare change in your family Projection Compassion Box that was send home last week. To read more about how Caritas Australia helps others, read Phany's story. 

Next Friday, 13th of March classes will be involved in Clean Up Schools Day. Clean Up is a national initiative to combat waste in our school environment and surrounding areas. Over the last 2 years we have reduced the number of rubbish bins in our school in an attempt to reduce waste going to landfill but we still have a litter problem. Students will be involved in class activities about sustainability as well as a clean up event. Keep your eyes peeled on the next newsletter for photos. 

Notes for Parent/Teacher Conversations which will be taking place in Week 8 went home earlier this week.  In these meetings, teachers will share the goals they have written for each student in the areas of Literacy, Numeracy and Well-being.  After reflecting on the experiences from these meetings held in previous years, the staff and I have decided that due to the different maturation levels of the students and their different capacity to participate in a meaningful way, that the following will apply:-

Reception/Year 1    Students do not attend 

Year 2 & 3                Optional for students to attend

Year 4 – 6                 Highly recommended that students attend

This is an opportunity for you to engage with your child’s teacher in regards to their learning plan for your child.  These learning plans are individualised and reflect the data/testing profile we have on each child, which will ensure that their learning needs will be met.

Please return these notices as soon as possible.  Class teachers will endeavour to place times for siblings as near as possible to each other.

The R/1 classes have begun their learning about Lent. We have celebrated two important events in Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. 

Our students once again have the opportunity to be involved in the Children’s University Australia program.

Children’s University Australia aims to provide high quality out of school hours activities to children aged between 7 and 14 years, engaging the wider community as learning partners in this process. An important principle of Children’s University is that participation is voluntary and it is intentionally something other than school. Activities must take place outside the normal school day during lunch, before school, after school, weekends and holidays.

In partnership with The University of Adelaide, we aim to raise aspirations and develop a love of learning by issuing students involved in Children’s University with a ‘Passport to Learning’ which records their individual learning journey.  After 30 hours of learning, the children are rewarded for their participation with certificates at a graduation ceremony to be held at the University of Adelaide. If your child would like to renew their CUA membership or become a new member of CUA for 2020 please speak to Tina Wood for more information.

SCHOOL FEE PAYMENT NOTICE

Parents and Caregivers are reminded that Compulsory Resource Fees were due on 7^th of February, unless a payment arrangement has been made to combine Resource and Tuition fees and repay total fees in instalments.  Full Resource and Tuition Fee payments made by 27^th of March will attract a 5% discount off the total 2020 School Fees, if no other balances remain outstanding from prior years.

If applying for School Card discount, please ensure a payment arrangement has been made to pay the full Resource Fee and part of the Tuition Fee while your application is assessed by the Department for Education.  Eligible applicants will receive a 50% remission off the Tuition Fee component only.  Please ensure applications are returned as soon as possible, or completed online via the following link: https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/education-and-learning/financial-help-scholarships-and-grants/school-card-scheme.  A new application must be completed each year.

PRESCHOOL FEE PAYMENT NOTICE

Statements with Preschool Fees were distributed to caregivers in Week 4.  Payments can be made in full or periodically, ensuring your first instalment is made no later than next week, 13^th of March, clearing your quarterly balance no later than Week 7 of each term.

Account payment options available are cash (in person only), cheque, Direct Debit, BPay, Electronic Funds Transfer, MasterCard, Visa, Centrepay (Centrelink) or EFTPOS.  BPay details and the School bank account details are provided on your statement linking the reference number directly to your school family account.  Direct Debit and Centrepay Application forms can be obtained from the School Office or by requesting a copy by phone or email accounts@olv.catholic.edu.au.

OSHC FEES

Families accessing our OSHC service are reminded that OSHC Fees are billed on a separate system, with payment details and options listed on the weekly distributed invoice/statements.  Payments made via BPay have a separate BPay reference number to school fee accounts and must be used so payments are allocated to the correct account.  Payments made via EFT must include “child’s name” and “OSHC” as a reference in the payment description.  Direct Debit instalments are also available, forms can be obtained from OSHC.

Please do not hesitate to contact Frank or myself if you have any queries or concerns.

Micaela Callipari

Bursar

OLV participates in the Scholastic Book club program where students are offered the opportunity to select items to purchase.  All proceeds from these purchases go towards resources in the library.  

A flyer with information on how to purchase has been sent home with your children along with the Issue 2 Catalogue.

Places are available for our Mid Year 2020 Reception Class beginning in Term 3 (20^th July).  These students have begun in the Growing into Reception program – it’s not too late.

If your child is turning 5 years by 31st October, please contact us to make a time for a tour and enrolment interview.  

We look forward to welcoming you and your child to our exciting learning community!