2021 Parent Information Nights

I’d like to thank all the families who came along to the Parent Information Night over the last week, especially those who have attended both nights.  Thank you to our OSHC Team who coordinated the creches on both nights.

It was great to see so many parents and caregivers come along to support their children, the teachers and the wider school community. As I have mentioned previously, the staff at Our Lady of the Visitation School are here to work in partnership with you, working together to educate the students in our school community.

Parent-School relationships are so important.  Parents play a vital role in the education and development of their children.  There are many benefits to a parent-teacher partnership. When parents and teachers work together it sends a clear, consistent, and positive message to students that school is important, that learning is important and that achievement is expected.

If you wish to discuss any concerns about your child’s education and needs, please in the first instance communicate with your child’s teacher, or staff member who is most directly involved with your concern.  Communication can be in the form of an e-mail, a telephone call or by coming in to see your child’s teacher.  Please note that if you are coming to see your child’s class teacher, please make a mutually convenient time to meet as teachers often have commitments before school or after school and are often surrounded by other students and parents, which can make discussing complex issues difficult.

By dealing directly with your child’s class teacher, you as parents will be able to develop a relationship built on trust.  Also your child’s teacher is in the best position to share with you their observations and deal with your concerns.  If after speaking with the teacher you are not satisfied with the response, then please feel free to contact me.

Staff are committed to communicating with you on a regular basis.  We have a number of different methods this communication happens.  Newsletters are just one means of communication.  Emailing parents and messages on our school app 'SKOOLBAG' are another way we communicate to parents.   FACEBOOK is also used to share what is happening at OLV. 

Our intention is to build a harmonious environment for all, however just as in every family there are occasions when misunderstandings occur, it is important that parents do not approach another student – all interactions are to be made to a member of staff.  Email, as I said at our Parent Information Night, in the event of a school closure due to COVID (this will happen) email & text will be used to communicate the procedures. 

Please ensure that your contact details are kept up to date at all times.

Our practice is to have our Pupil Free Days on the Friday prior the long weekends in March and June.  On Friday 5th March (preceding Adelaide Cup Long weekend) we will have our first Pupil Free Day (Preschool will be open).  The teachers will continue their learning in the area of Inclusive Education.

OSHC is available, please book by ringing Sue on 0448863051

Due to the congestion in the front staff car park in the afternoon, we would like to request that parents who are collecting children from OSHC before 4.45pm, to please park in the car park on Railway Terrace.  The gates will remain open until 4.45pm, after which time the staff car park can be used. The mornings are not as congested, but if the Railway Terrace gates are open we ask that you please use this carpark.  They are usually opened from about 8.00am. 

Thank you for your co-operation in this matter, and please let me know if there are any issues.

This notice is from the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment (the department), to advise you that the department has requested that your child’s school provide a ‘statement of addresses’, in accordance with the Australian Education Regulation 2013 (Cth) (Regulation).

Purpose of the collection
This collection is routinely used to inform Commonwealth school education policy, and to help ensure that Commonwealth funding arrangements for non-government schools are based on need, and are fair and transparent. The information collected in the statement of addresses will be used to inform school funding calculations.

For more information please refer to the following document.  

https://schools.education.gov.au/schoolshub/help/files/AC.Collection.Notice.Parent.Guardian.07.02.2020.pdf

Hello everyone and welcome to another OLV Newsletter!

Our Faith

This week the season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, which also marks the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Donations to Project Compassion allows Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to alleviate poverty, hunger, oppression and injustice.

We encourage you to put your compassion into action this Lent through your prayer, fasting and almsgiving by supporting Project Compassion. Each family will receive a Project Compassion box.

Saint Oscar Romero is our inspiration for Project Compassion 2021, so in his words let’s “Aspire not to have more, but to be more.”

Our School

Today our students participated in our parish mass celebrating Ash Wednesday in the Veritas Centre.  The Student Representatives led the school community in celebration of this significant day.

Our Community

On Shrove Tuesday, we were fortunate enough to have a number of parent volunteers shake, mix, prepare, cook and serve pancakes for the very grateful children of our school. It was lovely to see so many people give up some of their own time, but I believe they were amply rewarded by the smiles and “thanks’ that they received.

It was truly amazing to see the goodwill from our helpers and to other parents who offered assistance in other ways.

Thank you all so much.

God bless you and take care,

Patrick.

School Fees 2021
School fee statements were sent home in week 2, which include the 2021 Tuition and Preschool Fees as listed on our School & Preschool Fee Schedule 2021: https://www.olv.catholic.edu.au/enrolment/school-fees

We ask that if you have not already entered into a regular payment plan (e.g. BPAY, Centrepay, or direct debit repayments) that will clear your fees by the end of the 2021 year, or contacted the school to extend your time to pay, that you contact Micaela to discuss payment options available. 

Payments made by 26^th of March will attract a 5% discount off the total 2021 School Fees if no other balances remain outstanding from prior years (does not apply to Preschool Fees).

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 DeTullio about fees and any assistance you may need.

School Card for 2021
School Card applications are required annually.  2021 School Card application forms are now available online and from the front office.

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. 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 

For eligible families, OLV’s lower income fee will apply once School Card is approved. 

Fee Remission for 2021
Parents/caregivers experiencing financial difficulties are encouraged to apply for fee remission ASAP.  Please email accounts@olv.catholic.edu.au for a fee remission form or collect from the front office if you wish to apply. 

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. 

Preschool Fees 2021
Preschool Fees were billed in full - payments can be made in full or periodically, ensuring your first instalment is made no later than 12^th of March, clearing your quarterly or half yearly balance no later than Week 7 of each term.  Lunch Care Fees are billed at the beginning of the term and are due in full by Week 7 of each term.

OSHC Fees
Families accessing our OSHC service are reminded that OSHC Fees are billed on a separate system, with payment details and options listed on the weekly distributed invoice/statements.  Payments made via BPay have a separate BPay reference number to school fee accounts and must be used so payments are allocated to the correct account.  Payments made via EFT must include “child’s name” and “OSHC” as a reference in the payment description.

Qkr!
Have you heard about our new payment App?

Our Lady of the Visitation is now using Qkr!, a payment app that has been implemented in schools and businesses across Australia as a payment option for various financial transactions.  As per the app title, QKR! is “quicker” plus easier & convenient.

The app is available for payments of fees (School & OSHC), Children’s University, Soccer and other payments as they arise. 

Small cash events will always remain for students to purchase ice blocks, Mother’s/Father’s Day gifts etc.

Please feel free to speak to Micaela should you have any queries or need assistance in loading the app, or if you would like more information.

Thank you
Micaela Callipari
Bursar
accounts@olv.catholic.edu.au

Science in the 2/3 unit

Students in the Year 2/3 Unit were introduced to our science topic through a Five Senses Nature Scavenger Hunt Activity. 

Come and try Calisthenics!

Calisthenics is a mix of Dance, Acro, Clubs and Rods, Marching, Singing and Acting!

From 2.5 years old

The first 2 lessons are free!

Lessons Tuesday and Wednesday in Semaphore and Taperoo

Check us out on Facebook or email

largsnorthcalisthenics@hotmail.com

*The cost of the program is FREE, with use of government sports vouchers accessed via your Medicare card number (Sports Voucher code is your Medicare Card Number plus individual reference number, 11 digits). See www.sportsvouchers.sa.gov.au for info. Covering all coaching sessions, your very own benefits pack jammed full of awesome goodies, plus other great offers throughout the season!