COVID-19 Update

As we move forward, the government is slowly lifting COVID-19 restrictions to bring things back to “normal”.  Many of these restrictions are dependent on the size of rooms and is open to interpretation.  Other schools are now allowing parents into the school grounds.  This is something that I did not put in place due to our size and distance from car parks.  The information I have is that classrooms are still an area that parents are not to enter (excepting Learning Conversations in Week 10).  This week I have received advice that incursions and excursions can recommence.  This is reflected in our Vacation Care program.

Soccer - The North West Junior Soccer Association Board regrets to announce it has decided to cancel its 2020 football (soccer) season. This has occurred after lengthy consideration and in consultation with SA Health, Local Government, Sport SA and our Insurance provider.

The decision was based on:

• Children not receiving fair opportunity to play due to the reduction to the number of teams that we would normally be able to accommodate. This is due to the compliance requirements of spacing games resulting in a reduced number of games able to be programmed.

• Running large venues requires complex supervision. We are unable to sufficiently supervise these venues in the current COVID-19 environment to the required compliance level.

Micaela is currently working on reimbursing families that have paid for soccer.

Mr Merrett & I have had discussions in how we can provide some form of competitive soccer for our students this year (safely).

Our aim is to reinstate Assemblies, Masses, excursions, sport carnivals and other school events to get things back to normal.  This of course will be in line with SA Health & Government guidelines

Reports

Semester 1 Reports will be sent home next Friday 26 June.  This year there have been a number of changes we have made to make allowances for COVID-19 and our continual reflection to make our reports more meaningful for Parents.  At Our Lady of the Visitation School, Summative reports are provided twice a year at the end of each school semester. This report is one of a number of strategies used by your child’s teacher to communicate with you about their progress.  Reporting plays a key role in developing effective school / family partnerships to support student learning.

COVID-19

This report has taken into account the potential disruptive impact COVID-19 has had on students' learning.  We have developed a series of adjustments to give our students flexibility, and reassurance that we are committed to their academic success. Despite the challenging situation the world is facing with COVID-19, teaching, learning and student’s well-being has been the focus at Our Lady of the Visitation School in 2020.

Days Absent / Late Arrivals

In the 2020 Semester 1 and Semester 2 Reports, we have decided not to include days absent / late attendance.  Given the impact that COVID-19 had on rates of attendance in March / April, for this year this would not be a true indicator of why students were away due to illness or pandemic.  If there are issues with student’s attendance rate or punctuality, this will be raised by your child’s teacher.

Achievement & Grade Scale

Your child's report will list a grade for each subject studied.  This report incorporates the Australian Governments A-E grading system.

Students in Reception are exempt from this grading system.  The scale reflects the level at which a student is demonstrating achievement at their year level.  This year we have adopted new descriptors for the Grade Scale which we think better describes performance at each of five grade levels.  These new descriptors focus on the student’s knowledge, understanding & skills of the subject area and the student’s ability to apply this to their work.

Skills for Learning

The Skills for Learning criteria are based on CESA's Living Learning Leading Framework.  The Living Learning Leading Framework gives us a foundation understanding for everything we do at OLV – who we are, what we value and how we partner with you to ensure our students are developing as learners and young people in today’s world.

The Skills for learning criteria underpins everything we do, ensuring our students develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to thrive in a rapidly changing and complex world in which they live.

Developing students Skills for Learning, will enable them to thrive throughout their lives – from the early years, through schooling and beyond.

Distribution of Reports

Reports (hard copy) will be distributed next Friday 26 June.  Families / Parents requiring a second copy are asked to notify their child’s class teacher or to email Tracy in the front office - info@olv.catholic.edu.au who will coordinate a copy being emailed. 

Parent Teacher Conversations (Parent Teacher Interviews) will be conducted in Week 10.  Times have either already been sent home or will be with the Semester 1 Reports.  These interviews will give both teachers and parents an opportunity to discuss how your child is progressing.  Our aim is to have 100% attendance at these meetings.  There are several families who have yet to make contact with class teachers to make a time.  I strongly encourage all families to value these interviews and attend.

Meetings will run for 10 minutes. Please be punctual so that everyone can get their full appointment time.  Teachers will have their times displayed on the door outside their rooms, please knock when it is your appointment time, as this will hopefully keep teachers on time!.

Children are not allowed outside to play during interview times because of safety and supervision concerns.

If you have yet to organise an interview time with your child’s teacher please make contact with them so a mutually convenient time can be arranged

I am pleased to announce that Tiana Borrello has been appointed class teacher for the new Reception Class (Reception Blue) that will begin at the start of Term 3.  Tiana is an experienced Early Years teacher, who I know will provide our new students a great foundation to their learning. During the last two weeks Tiana has visited on two separate occasions, meeting staff and visiting her new students. Welcome Tiana!

If you have a child born between:

1st November 2015 and 30 April 2016 - Term 1 start

1 May 2016 - 31st October 2016 – Term 3 start

Students enrolled to attend OLV begin Growing into Reception (2 full days on their non Preschool days in the 2 terms prior to beginning Reception)

If you would like them to attend Reception at Our Lady of the Visitation School in 2021 please contact Tracy on 8248 2480 as soon as possible to organise a personal Principal tour of the school.

Those due to begin in 2022 – our Preschool enrolments are quickly filling up.  Please get your application in asap to avoid missing a spot.

Even though we are not having Assemblies at the moment, Principal Awards are still being celebrated in class from our School Leaders Ashton and Mark.

Growing into Reception:              Eloise Castle, Matilda McCallum, Michael Smith & Ollie Tsiboukis

R/1 Purple:                                   Caleb Allen & Harper Cowan                         

R/1 Red:                                       Jake Bishop & Arlia Gerazounis                                          

R/1 Yellow:                                   Callie Brand, Tayah Hammond & Amelia Raper             

2 Red:                                           Emily Leonard & Titan Reid                                         

3 Blue:                                          Alysia Baldacchino & Jonny McGlade                             

4/5 Blue:                                       Mayah Edwards & Max Neville

6 Red:                                           Jessica Carter & Thomas Page                                  

To accommodate the new Term 3 Reception class the following relocation of classes has been put in place.

Reception Blue (Miss Borrello)                           Growing into Reception Room (Blue door)

Growing into Reception (Mrs Atkinson)              moving to the old Uniform Shop (double unit facing                                                                                        courtyard in Main Building)

Music Room (Ms Robson)                                  Old P & F Room (new carpet)

Uniform Shop                                                     Previous STEM / Italian Room

There is a movement of other rooms in the Main Building where a new class of Term 3 Receptions for 2021 may be required.

Our Uniform Shop has moved to the old Italian/STEM Room, adjacent to the Preschool gate. It will continue to be open on Thursday mornings 8:30am - 9:30am.

We also encourage families to download the order form, so orders can be pre-packed and ready for collection. 

All the students from OLV School were involved in a School Sport SA Virtual Cross - Country Race during their PE lessons. A total of 10 000 students from 210 Schools entered this race in South Australia. Results can be found

https://www.facebook.com/schoolsportsa/ or https://www.education.sa.gov.au/teaching/sport/sports-and-competitions/school-sport-sa-home