Children’s University

On Monday evening we held a special Children’s University Graduation Ceremony to acknowledge the children who have been part of Children’s University in 2020.  This year it has been particularly challenging for our children to complete additional hours of learning outside of the classroom and I am very proud of these children’s efforts and thank their parents for their support of them.  Luca from the Adelaide University attended the event where the children were presented with their certificates.  He acknowledged that our school had the highest number of children participate in Children’s University in South Australia.  This is an outstanding achievement and a reflection of the passion and leadership of Tina Wood.  I would also like to acknowledge the tremendous work of our Children’s University Coordinator, Tina Wood.

What a celebration it was for Book Week last Friday! Many thanks to all the parents who came and supported their children, having it on the courts enabled more parents to be able to attend.

I am pleased to inform the school community that Brown Falconer Architects have been appointed to create a Master Plan for Our Lady of the Visitation School.  The Master Plan will identify renovations, major repairs, reuse of existing buildings, new buildings, ancillary facilities, streetscape, play areas, access, parking, services and landscaping requirements/aspirations. 

Our timeline is to have a Master Plan completed by end of March 2021.  Although this timeline is tight, it is manageable.  The first stage is an Exploratory phase where they will question/consult with all stakeholders - students, staff and parents.  

This is an exciting time for our school as we build to ensure our children receive the best learning opportunities.

We will be holding a Remembrance Day Ceremony on Wednesday 11th November commencing at 10.30am. This will be coordinated by our Year 4 – 6 students.

We were asked by the Largs Bay RSL to participate in a community art project.  All students at OLV who have parents in or who have retired from the defence forces (15) participated in this art work (pictured above).  Our end product is outstanding.  Many thanks to Jess Valk and Christina Lagonicos for working with the children.  This will be placed on the back fence of the Largs Bay RSL. 

Class teachers are busy with assessments in order to further inform the report writing process which they are currently undertaking. Of course there are many forms of assessment used by teachers to gain a clear understanding of where a student is at in his or her learning journey. There are many types of formal testing, but teachers also rely on anecdotal records, feedback conversations with students and general observations about children and their commitment to and enthusiasm for learning. All of this information goes toward informing the written report which you will receive as a summary of your child’s learning across the year. If you have been in regular contact with the class teacher through meetings and informal conversations then the content of the report should really only confirm what you already know about your child and his or her capabilities. Reports will go home on Friday 27th November.

Each year I set a challenge to all the students that every student at OLV successfully complete the Premiers Reading Challenge.  On Tuesday 24th November, all children (except the Reception Blue class) will receive a certificate / medal at the Premiers Reading Challenge Award Ceremony.  For the fourth successive year, I will have the pleasure to announce again that every child completed the challenge.  A great achievement.  It was wonderful to have all of our students discovering the world of books and reading as this opens up many possibilities for the future. 

Parents are invited to the ceremony (Limited to 45 parents) and children are encouraged to wear previous years medals.

Many thanks must also go to Shey Angove for coordinating the Challenge.

Our challenge next year will be to achieve 100% five years in a row.

As the borders begin to open, those planning holidays for next year, the term dates are:

Term 1           27 January (Wednesday) – 9 April (Good Friday 2 April) 

Term 2           27 April – 2 July 

Term 3           19 July – 24 September 

Term 4           11 October – 10 December (Thursday) 

Due to events this term the Assembly will be in the odd weeks this term

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.

Celebrations – Masses and Liturgies

On Tuesday morning, Year 2 Red and Reception Blue led our parish mass on the theme of ‘God Our Light’. Their reading and singing were excellent and the older children showed tremendous leadership with the younger students. We had a sprinkling of family members who were able to join us. Father Roderick related Christ’s light that we receive at Baptism to the light that radiates from us when we share our gifts with those around us.

Next Wednesday our senior students will lead the school in acknowledging Remembrance Day.

Family Faith Formation

The 2020/2021 cycle of Family Faith Formation to prepare children for the sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion will commence very soon.

Due to the various restrictions we are under, I ask you to 'register your interest' if you wish to have your child or children participate in this cycle.

Please email familyfaith@catholicparishes.com.au or phone the parish office on 8449 6378 during business hours. Make sure you leave your name and contact number so I can return your call. Children need to be from a catholic family and at least 7 years old to be part of our group.

Please register as soon as possible.

Judy Fernandez Coordinator,
Family Faith Formation

Prayer

With so much time and energy being devoted worldwide to the pandemic over recent months, it is only natural that our thoughts may have moved away from those less fortunate than us, those in places of conflict, or those who are in situations from which they cannot leave.

I wonder if at some point in the coming days that we might be mindful of people living in the United States? Regardless of the electoral outcome, there is a sense that there may be civil unrest due to the result. We can only hope that people remain safe in what may become a tense situation.

“God never tires of forgiving us,
we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy.”
Pope Francis

God bless and take care,
Patrick.

In the Reception and Year One classes we have enjoyed reading a variety of shortlisted books for Book Week.

We have had a very busy start to the term, with lots of learning happening in Italian.

Congratulations to our Athletics team who competed at yesterday’s Catholic Schools Athletics Carnival at SA Athletics Stadium.