Our Lady of the Visitation School is currently participating in the CESA / NSI Partnerships - Enhancing the use of Data for School Improvement Program Outline 2020 and 2021.  The funding for this program is provided by the Australian Government Reform Support and is conducted through Curtin University.  Tina Ida & I began this program in Term 1, but COVID-19 caused the program to be suspended.  It is now continuing on a revised timeline.

The aim of this project is to see how we can become a better school.  What better way than to get feedback from the major stakeholders.  It will involve receiving feedback from parents, students and staff.  This will involve three surveys to assess:

• Student voice, What’s Happening in This School? (WHITS) survey

• Staff voice, School Organisational Climate Survey (SOCS)

• Parent and caregiver voice, Parent and Caregiver Survey (PaCS)

Our students have been completing the survey this week.

I ask all parents to take some time to complete the PaCS – Parent and Caregiver Survey.  This can be accessed via – www.NSIPartnerships.com.au

The password is:  OLVPACS

The data will be completely anonymous and your feedback will be important as we move forward as a school community to become an even better school.  The survey will close on Friday September 11.

Earlier this year, I wrote to all families regarding Fee Remissions if your work had been affected by  COVID-19.  You may have been stood down, had hours reduced or unfortunately lost your job.  These remissions still apply, as we know that COVID-19 is still having an impact on people’s employment.

If your family has lost significant income due to COVID-19 you will receive a total school fee remission effective immediately.  We will continue to review the fee situation for individual families and the school as a whole.

A COVID Remission form is available on request.

Why listening to children is so important?

Making a point of listening to every child you know is one of the most important things you can do. It shows children you really care and respect that they are worth listening to. This helps them feel they are special and respected. Being listened to also helps children to practice putting ideas into words, explore their feelings, and develop self-confidence. When you listen to your child, you benefit by learning more about how your child thinks and feels, and what they need.

Our annual Sports Fun Day this year will be on Friday 18 September (Week 9).

Information regarding our Sports Fun Day will be sent home next week with more details of this wonderful event. The children have begun training and practicing for this event. 

COVID-19 – as this is an outside event, parents and family members are invited to attend.  We ask parents to be aware of social distancing and hygiene practices.  We have a number of staff who have completed the COVID Marshal Training.  There will be no canteen / drinks etc.  Ruga’s Café will do a Special Meal deal – more information to follow.

I encourage all families to come along and support their child / children.  All children (especially the younger ones) enjoy the support of family members at events such as these.  It also gives parents the opportunity to see what is happening in PE at OLV.  Once again Mr Merrett has put together a great program for all students to be actively involved in the day.  The day will begin at 10.45am and conclude at 3.20pm.

All students should know which Sports Team they are in.  If you are unsure, please check with your child’s class teacher.  For Sports Fun Day, students are expected to wear a coloured top which represents their team colour and school sports shorts. 

Attendance at Assembly:  at this stage parents attending will be limited to 45 (given the dimensions of the Veritas Centre).  This will be by invitation only.  In the week preceding the Assembly I will discuss with the leader of the Assembly who will be invited.  There will be a sign in sheet for parents who attend. 

Parents attending please ensure you follow the COVID protocols - social distancing and hygiene.

School Hats

From next Monday 31 August, all students will need to begin to wear their school hat for all PE lessons and play times.  The students will be reminded of this throughout this week.  Students not wearing their hats by Monday 7th September will be missing out on their play, they will be required to sit in the shade.  Week 7 (next week) is a reminder week. 

Father’s Day Stall

Sadly, there will be no Father’s Day Stall this year due to COVID-19.  We were also unable to have a Mother’s Day stall earlier in the year due to the same circumstances.

Celebrations - Masses and Liturgies

We are getting back to normal with our liturgical celebrations at school. Last week, 4 of our classes celebrated a mass for The Feast of the Assumption – a beautiful, prayerful experience led by Mr DeTullio.

On Tuesday, we had the first of three buddy masses for the term – the next will be next Tuesday, 1^st of September.

Celebrations – Our Faith

During this week, we will continue to focus on our responsibility as stewards of creation. Catholic Education South Australia (CESA) has suggested that all Catholic school communities in South Australia commit to saying Grace before meals. Grace helps us to understand our interdependence with creation and gives witness to our faith and commitment to ecological conversion.

Families are encouraged to say grace before their evening meal as a family.

PRAYER BEFORE MEALS

Loving God,

Thank you for the food we are about to eat.

Thank you for the people who made it.

We pray for all those who do not have enough to eat.

Help us to care for all creation.

Amen.

Made in the Image of God - (Human Sexuality Program)

Earlier this term you were provided with details from Bianca Bruno of your child’s learning focus in Religious Education this term.  All classes will begin teaching the Being Sexual strand of the Human Sexuality Program for Catholic Schools, Made in the Image of God commencing from Week 7.

Class teachers will be sending home a letter that outlines the content of what shall be covered in their class.  I encourage you to read this information carefully so that you are fully aware of the content your child will be covering during this unit. 

The Made in the Image of God program is an integrated human sexuality program that is grounded in a Catholic understanding of the human person.  In particular, it draws upon two integral beliefs: 

• Humans are made in the image and likeness of God and are deserving of the utmost dignity and honour. 
• Sexuality, integral to the human person, is a gift from God through which we can live out our vocation to love.  

This program values the partnership that schools have with parents; it has been designed with the intention of supporting parents and caregivers in their key role as primary educators of their children in the area of human sexuality. 

Should you have any enquiries please feel free to contact your child’s classroom teacher or me.

God bless you and take care,

Patrick.

School Fees

Statements were sent home last week as a reminder of amounts owing, transactions and payment options.  Final instalments are due by 27th November 2020. If you have not already entered into a regular payment plan (e.g. BPay, Centrepay, direct debit or credit card repayments) to cover your fees, please contact Micaela to discuss ASAP. 

School Card for 2020

School Card applications are required annually, with submissions encouraged as early as possible in the year.  The School Card Scheme is administered by the State Government to provide financial assistance towards the cost of education for full time students of lower income families. For eligible families, OLV applies a 50% discount on the net tuition fee.  Any parent/caregiver who would like more information about the scheme can contact Micaela at the school or the School Card section on 1800 672 758 (free call) to discuss or visit the link below: 

www.sa.gov.au/topics/education-and-learning/financial-help-scholarships-and-grants/school-card-scheme

School Card applications can be made online or forms are available from the School Office.

Fee Remission for 2020

Please be assured of the school’s support for your family during these difficult times.  If your family has lost significant income due to COVID-19, you will receive a total school fee remission effective immediately, initially for a period of 3 months.  Parents/caregivers experiencing financial difficulties are encouraged to apply for fee remission ASAP.  Application forms for fee remission are available from the School Office and can also be requested by phone or email.

We assure parents/caregivers that all details provided will be kept strictly confidential.  If you are having difficulty with meeting your fee obligations or have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Micaela Callipari (Bursar) or Frank DeTullio (Principal) on 8248 2480. 

Thank you

Micaela Callipari

Bursar

Never fear: Book Week is still going ahead in 2020 - different dates but the same amount of fun...! We look forward to sharing more details with you closer to the time. Book Week at OLV will be celebrated in Term 4, Week 2 (17th - 23rd October 2020). #curiouscreatureswildminds

What a wonderful start to Term 3 for GIR, playing, learning and growing together! A new classroom and a new group of students! 

Earlier this term, the Reception Blue and R/1 Classes participated in a Nature Play Incursion. Although we had cool weather conditions on the day, our students loved being in the outdoors embracing nature.