Newsletter Term 2 Week 8 2025

Supporting Student Success Through Emotional Regulation and Focused Learning

As part of our ongoing commitment to high-quality teaching and learning, our staff have recently been engaging in professional development through the TeachWell programme. A key focus of this training has been on Cognitive Load Theory and Explicit Teaching—both of which emphasise the importance of maintaining a focused and disruption-free learning environment.

To support this, we kindly ask for your cooperation with the following:

Morning Drop-Off: Please drop your child at the line and refrain from entering the buildings unless you have a pre-arranged meeting with a staff member.
Afternoon Pick-Up: If you wish to speak with your child’s teacher, please wait until all students have been dismissed and exited the building.
Visitor Sign-In: Anyone onsite between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm (for anything other than dropping or picking up students) must sign in at the front office. This is a WHS and safeguarding requirement.

We deeply value our parent community and love sharing student learning with you. However, it’s essential that these interactions occur at appropriate times to avoid disrupting teaching and to ensure the dignity and wellbeing of all students.

In line with our focus on creating optimal learning environments, we are also supporting students in developing emotional regulation skills—the ability to understand and manage their emotions in healthy ways.

Here are a few ways you can support emotional regulation at home:

Name the Feeling: Help your child identify and label their emotions.
Model Calmness: Show how to respond to stress with calm and control.
Create a Calm Space: A quiet corner with books or sensory tools can help children reset.
Practise Breathing Techniques: Deep breathing can help children calm down when overwhelmed.
Celebrate Growth: Acknowledge when your child manages their emotions well.

These strategies help children build resilience, focus better in class, and develop strong social skills.

We are incredibly proud of our students who represented OLV at the Cross Country at Oakbank on Thursday, 4 June. A special congratulations to Madison in 6AM, who finished 24th and made the State Team—an outstanding achievement!

We also commend Claire in 5/6ED and Mackenzie in 6AM for their courage in nominating and auditioning for solo performances at the upcoming Catholic Schools Music Festival in Term 3. We are proud of your initiative and talent!

Teacher Illness and Staffing Challenges

We continue to experience significant challenges due to teacher illness and the ongoing shortage of available educators. These issues are making it increasingly difficult to secure relief and replacement staff at short notice. To support continuity of learning, our teachers provide detailed notes and plans for relief staff whenever they are away or unwell. We are also actively working to build a sustainable pool of contract and casual teachers to ensure consistent support for our students. We appreciate your understanding and support as we navigate these staffing pressures.

Thank you for your continued support in making Our Lady of the Visitation a place where every child can thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally.

Warm regards,
Sean Perry

Sacramental Program

As we journey towards the culmination of our 2025 Sacramental Program, our candidates continue to grow in knowledge, understanding, and faith in preparation for receiving the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion (Eucharist).

We hold all candidates in our prayers, and in a special way, we pray for those from OLV: Noah, Marissa, Jordan, Diego, and Javier.

The Confirmation celebration will take place on Wednesday, 27th August 2025 at 7:00pm at Sacred Heart Church, Semaphore.

May this be a time of grace, joy, and deep spiritual renewal for our candidates and their families.

Student Voice and Leadership

Student Representative Council (SRC) and House Leaders
At OLV, we continue to actively nurture leadership skills in our students, particularly through the roles of our SRC representatives and House/School Leaders. This term, our leaders have been seeking feedback from both peers and staff on their initiatives to date, including: the Clean-Up Challenge, lunchtime clubs, fundraising efforts, school assemblies, and liturgies. They also asked for suggestions on new areas to focus on.

A snapshot of what our leaders have been working on:

Better Buddies Bench – A Place for Connection
Watch this space!! Our leaders are in the early stages of transforming the ‘Dennis Moses’ bench into a Better Buddies Bench—a safe and welcoming space for students who may feel alone during recess or lunch. Leaders (roster based) will be stationed at the bench to offer companionship and play. Leaders are now brainstorming games and sourcing appropriate equipment to support this initiative.

Lunchtime Clubs – Student-Led and Student-Driven
Through class discussions facilitated by SRC representatives, the following student-led clubs will be running during Term 3 at recess or lunch:
• Reading Club
• Dodgeball
• Lego Club

These clubs offer inclusive, interest-based opportunities and demonstrate the power of student voice in shaping school life.

SRC Clean-Up Challenge – Environmental Stewardship in Action
Our ongoing school-wide Clean-Up Challenge has inspired students to take pride in our environment. Points are collected throughout each semester and contribute to Sports Day Spirit Cup house scores.
We’re thrilled to announce the current standings:
• 🏆 Clean-Up Champions: 5/6ED (86 points)
• 🎉 Special Mentions: 1CJ & Reception (joint 2nd – 80 points) and 6AM & 5NJ (joint 3rd – 76 points)

St Vinnie’s Can Drive – Generosity Meets Healthy Competition
This whole-school initiative invites students to donate non-perishable items, which are tallied as house points. The target is to exceed 900 items, beating our 2024 total.
Current standings:
• St. Anthony (Blue): 73
• St. Mary (Green): 56
• St. Dominic (Red): 55
• St. Elizabeth (Yellow): 44

Although it’s a slow start, leaders are confident that momentum will build! Don’t forget to bring in your donations.

Through these initiatives, we continue to foster student-led action, agency, and voice—developing real-world skills that support collaboration, empathy, and problem-solving. We are incredibly proud of their creativity, initiative, and commitment to building a stronger, more connected school community.

Diary Dates
Week 10