We come to the end of Semester 1, one I have never known to be full of twists and turns (fingers crossed we have seen the worst of it).  At the end of Term 1 we had no idea of what Term 2 was going to be like – online learning was what we were going to be doing in Term 2.  Fortunately the majority of students were back at school by Week 3 and learning and school life has returned to “normal”.  I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thanks to all the staff for their great work and to all the parents who have helped support their children in any way to ensure children’s learning and well-being has been a priority at OLV.

I will write to you all on the first day of next term, outlining what school will look like in Term 3.  I suspect as COVID-19 restrictions / social distancing requirements are being lifted we will be able to reintroduce – Assembly, masses, parents volunteering, parents allowed back in the classroom, excursions & Sports Day.  As I have experienced this year, a lot can happen in 2 weeks!  It is my expectation that school life should be back to normal next term.

I hope that you all have a safe and enjoyable time with your children over the school holiday break and look forward to working with you all again next term.  Preschool & School resumes on Monday 20 July.

Tricia Valk – Tricia had informed me back in Term 1 that she wished to retire at terms end.  Then COVID-19 hit and I needed her expertise in IT to ensure we could provide online learning for our students.  Sadly time has come where she will be retiring at the end of this term.  Tricia has been involved in the Library and in ensuring our ICT in the school enables students to learn and teachers to do their work with minimal disruptions.  Tricia, you will be missed by all of us at OLV, your hard work and attention to detail have greatly benefited us in the library and ICT.  On behalf of the school community I wish Tricia good health and a happy retirement.

Bianca Bruno – Bianca leaves us for 12 months as she takes Maternity Leave.  I wish her well as she prepares for the birth of her first baby.  Her life will never be the same!

Patrick Fitzgerald – Patrick will be joining us for 12 months as APRIM whilst Bianca is on Maternity Leave.  Patrick will be working on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday.  He is an experienced educator and is looking forward working with us.

Tiana Borrello -  has been appointed class teacher to 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.

The majority of Student Learning Conversations have now been completed and we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who made the time to come along in the cold. It was great to see so many students confidently leading the learning review, talking about their strengths, and working together with parents and teachers to set goals for future learning. We value this important opportunity to meet together and hope that you will continue to support us in developing your child’s potential.

We are currently finalising enrolments for 2021 and 2022.  With the reintroduction of Term 3 Receptions, our Preschool has recently been granted approval for those children who turn 5 between 1 May – 31 October to begin their 12 months of Preschool in Term 3.

Our transition to school program (Growing into Reception) which is coordinated by Vanessa Atkinson has been highly successful. Feedback from parents involved in this program have voiced their high level of satisfaction from their child being prepared to start school. For those children enrolled to begin Reception at OLV, they can attend the Growing into Reception program for the two terms prior to them starting school.  For more details please don't hesitate to see me.

If you have a child due to commence school in 2021 or 2022 (or you have friends, relatives or acquaintances at Preschools), please ensure an Application for Enrolment form has been completed and lodged at the Front Office.  Positions are filling up for 2021 Term 1 and Term 3 Intakes and we need to ensure that there is a space for all our Kindy children.  A Principal Tour (individual) is available for families new to Our Lady of the Visitation School. This can be made by contacting the school.

PLAYGROUP

will recommence next term –

Wednesday 22 July

All welcome – spread the word.

As I finish my last week before I enter the next chapter of my life, I am filled with gratitude and optimism. Gratitude for being part of such a beautiful school community for the past 3.5 years, and optimism for what is to come while I am on Maternity Leave for the next 12 months. 

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Patrick Fitzgerald, as my replacement. Patrick will be working at OLV Monday - Wednesday, and Our Lady Queen of Peace as Acting APRIM on Thursday and Friday's for Term 3. Patrick comes to us holding a permanent teaching position at Whitefriars School, with a desire for religious leadership. He has a gentle and witty nature, and an ability to connect to children and staff authentically that will ensure he is an asset to our school. 

I'm sure our school community will make him feel welcome in my absence. 

Go gently these holidays, it has been a big first half of the year. 

Bianca Bruno - APRIM

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:         Toben Beard, Jalen Hawley-Cleaver, Mariah Ryan & Jack Zahirski 

R/1 Purple:                                Brayden Evans & Seth Sainsbury                                                   

R/1 Red:                                    Noah Atkinson & Marissa Ellison                                               

R/1 Yellow:                                Rumaisa Hasanat & William Hocking                                     

2 Red:                                        Max Brand & Hannah Gregg                                                         

3 Blue:                                       Jayson Mallett & Shayda Yousefpour                                             

4/5 Blue:                                    Jake Atkinson, Tara Coggins  & Ella Gustard                             

6 Red:                                        Gavin Bosworth, Achol Kuir & Israel Strecker                                                         

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. 

The R/1 classes have loved making popstick boats, spinning wheels and bugs from natural resources. They also began to use iMovie and create movies of themselves reading a reader out loud.

We have had a busy term learning about all things Italian and Italy.

Our Lady of the Visitation Preschool is celebrating being awarded national Little Scientists House accreditation.

The rigorous application process involved assessment in four areas: the centre’s educational philosophy, facilities and equipment provided for the children to carry out research, how the educators encouraged children to pursue their own research and how parents and outside agencies were involved.