The South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools has announced that it will make Catholic education more affordable by lowering the school fees of every Catholic diocesan primary school in 2021 under its Making Catholic Education More Affordable initiative.

The exact level of fee reduction in each diocesan primary school will vary from school to school to take into account their circumstances and the needs of their families.

Our school is working with Catholic Education South Australia to finalise our fees for 2021 and these will be released in the coming weeks.  Our School Board will ratify the 2021 School Fees at our next meeting.

There is more information about the initiative in the letter sent from the Chair of the South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools to families this week and on the Catholic Education South Australia website at cesa.catholic.edu.au/fee-reductions.

This week parents of students in Reception to Year 4 received information regarding swimming lessons at Largs Bay Swim Centre in Week 2 of next Term.  Unfortunately, parents will not be allowed to watch lessons.  This is a decision, where we have aligned with the Largs Bay Swim Centres COVID Management Plan.  This year has had many difficulties and challenges which we have had to manoeuvre.

I empathise with the concerns of parents with younger children, as this will have implications for the younger students (changing).  To support all students, it is my intention to have ESO's (minimum 3) along with class teachers to be based at the pool to assist with the changing and management of the students. 

The staff are viewing this challenge with a positive mindset where the students can put into practice their independent skills of changing, looking after their belongings and following Teacher / ESO instructions.  I can ensure you that all students will be safe and cared for.

Sports Day is fast approaching!  Our students have been very busy practising for the events and each sports team has had an opportunity to hone their team chants in readiness for the day. 

The following information will help explain our expectations regarding Sports Day.

• Parents / Grandparents can attend Sports Day.  You are asked to complete the sheet sent home last week.  There will be a sign in sheet and sticky named labels for visitors to wear.
• All students are expected to attend Sports Day.
• School will start at normal time until 10.40
• The Out of School Hours Care service will be available for before and after school care as usual.
• Students are permitted to wear a coloured polo top or t-shirt in the colour of their sports team. TOPS MUST NOT DISPLAY BRAND NAMES, LOGOS OR OFFENSIVE IMAGES/SLOGANS.
• No coloured zinc or hairsprays etc are to be brought to school – this can be applied at home
• All students must wear their school sports shorts and school hat and bring a bottle of water.
• Please apply sunscreen to your child(ren) before they come to school - it will be re-applied by staff during the day as needed.
• Toilets – Parents / Grandparents are asked to use the Veritas centre toilets – all children are to use the other toilets.

Our Sports leaders will assist Mr Merrett in coordinating Sports Fun Day.  Our Sports Leaders are:

            St Elizabeth (Yellow)                                                         St Mary (Green)

            Mayah Edwards                                                                  Tara Coggins

            Jordan Smith                                                                       Liam Atkinson

            St Anthony (Blue)                                                              St Dominic (Red)

            Mackenzie Howie                                                                Achol Kuir

            Max Neville                                                                         Jayden Gustard

Sports Day is always a great event and a celebration of the effort and achievement of our student’s sporting abilities, school/team pride and good sportsmanship.  We look forward to sharing the day with you and your family next Friday. 

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 survey will be closing at the end of this week.  Many thanks to those parents who have completed the survey.

Next Tuesday, students from Yr 3 – 6 will compete in the Port SAPSASA Cross Country at Point Malcolm Reserve.  Parents attending are required to follow COVID Social distancing expectations.

Good Luck to those involved.

It has been pleasing seeing the students wearing their hats at recess, lunch and sports sessions given the warmer weather we have had.  The students are aware of the areas they need to play in if they do not have a hat.  Thanks for ensuring that your daughter or son has their hat.

With the nice weather we are having at the moment, if your child would rather wear their summer uniform on the warmer days for the rest of this term they are more than welcome to do so.

Congratulations to Bianca and Michael Bruno on the birth of Alex.  Although tired, Bianca and Michael are doing well and she is loving being a mother.

Congratulations are extend to Bianca, Chris & Anneka Cleaver on the birth of twins Andres and Leelani.  I am sure their hands are full dealing with twins.

School Fees

Final instalments are due by 27th November 2020!

If you have not already arranged a regular payment plan (e.g. EFT, BPay, Centrepay, direct debit or credit card repayments) to cover your fees, please contact Micaela to discuss ASAP. 

All parent/caregivers are reminded that it is a contractual obligation that forms part of your enrolment at the school that fees are paid within the terms of our fees policy. Please do not hesitate to come in and speak to myself or Mr Frank De Tullio about fees and any assistance you may need.

School Card for 2020

School Card applications are required annually!

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: 

https://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 De Tullio (Principal) on 8248 2480. 

Thank you

Micaela Callipari

Bursar

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.

Over the last few weeks in the kindy we have been learning about the first people of Australia, exploring the unique culture of our Aboriginal Australians and the many cultures that make up our collective identity.