Newsletter Term 2 Week 6, 2023

School Reports

This year we are moving to a new Student Reporting System that we have been directed by CESA to implement. This will bring consistency across our system.  This report is part of the SEQTA Student Management System, which the staff have been using. 

The new report will provide an A-E grade for the nine subject areas.  Each of the nine subject areas will also indicate a student’s “Approach to Learning” (Excellent, good, satisfactory, inconsistent).

The next section will indicate a student’s “Learner disposition” (works collaboratively with others, is organised for learning, maintains positive and respectful relationships makes safe and responsible choices, and is resilient)

The report will include a written comment for Religious Education, English and Numeracy and a general comment from the class teacher.

The reports will be sent home on the last day of this Term (7 July). 

Building Update

The new building is on track to be handed over in the July school holidays, in readiness for classes to move in for the start of Term 3.  The second fix has begun and external landscaping is taking shape. 

The new furniture for the classes has begun to arrive.  This is being stored at the back of the Veritas centre.  As a result of the lack of space available, we will not have Assemblies in Weeks 8 & 10 of this term.

New Reception Classes Term 3

We will be starting two new Reception Classes at the beginning of Term 3.  These classes will be based in the rooms behind the current Growing into Reception Class.  Brianna Schwidder will be teaching 1 class and Ros Braham and Estelle Brandt will be teaching the other.  All staff are known to the students with Estelle working in both GiR and Preschool this year.

We also welcome back Jess Izzo from her time away from school recovering from her surgery.  She will return 2 days a week for the remainder of this term and will be back full time from the start of next term.

Reception Enrolments in 2024 (Term 1 & Term 3)

If you have a child born between:

1st November 2018 and 30 April 2019 - Term 1 start
1 May 2018 - 31st October 2019 – Term 3 start

Students enrolled to attend OLV, begin Growing into Reception (2 full days on their non Preschool days in the 2 terms prior to beginning Reception).

If you would like them to attend Reception at Our Lady of the Visitation School in 2024 / 2025 please contact Tracy on 8248 2480 as soon as possible to organise a personal Principal tour of the school.

Those due to begin in 2024 / 2025 – please note that our Preschool enrolments are quickly filling up.  Please get your application in asap to avoid missing a spot.

Catholic Identity

Prayer

To acknowledge our Visitation Feast Day 31 May, we will reflect on our story.

Our Story: The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

† A reading for the holy gospel according to Luke     Luke 1:39-56

Mary hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea.
where she greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
her baby moved within her.

The Holy Spirit came upon Elizabeth.
Them in a loud voice she said to Mary:
“God has blessed you more than any other woman!
He has also blessed the child you will have.
Why should the mother of my Lord come to me?

As soon as I heard your greeting,
my baby became happy and moved within me.
The Lord has blessed you
because you believed that he will keep his promise.”

Mary said:
“ With all my heart I praise the Lord,
and I am glad because God my Savior.
He cares for me, his humble servant.
From now on, all people will say God has blessed me.
God All-Powerful had done great things for me,
and his name is holy.

“He always shows mercy to everyone who worships him.
The Lord has used his powerful arm to scatter those who are proud.
He drags strong rulers from their thrones
and puts humble people in places of power.
He gives the hungry  good things to eat,
and he sends the rich away with nothing in their hands.
He helps his servant Israel an is always merciful to his people.
He made this promise to our ancestors,
To Abraham and his family forever!”

Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months.
Then she went back home.

Our Lady of the Visitation Feast Day: 31 May

The feast for our school is on the 31 May.

This year we gathered to celebrate the 70h anniversary of our school. Our school’s name comes from the feast in our Church known as The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Visitation story is special to our school because it tells us of the time when Mary sets off to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth is the mother of St John the Baptist and Mary rushed to see her after she had been visited by Angel Gabriel, who told her she was going to be the mother of Jesus.

Our story reminds us to recognise the lifegiving presence of God in our hearts and in our minds. We model the grace of God by welcoming others and showing hospitality, generosity and friendship.

We thank Father Roderick for being our celebrant and our student leaders and SRC’s for leading our Mass.

We continued to learn more about Mary and Elizabeth’s sacred encounter in our classrooms. We discussed and illustrated the story.

Reconciliation Week Liturgy

National Reconciliation is celebrated every year in Australia from 27 May to 3 June. This year’s theme was Be a Voice for Generations. This theme encourages us to be a voice for reconciliation in our everyday lives.

At OLV we acknowledged and celebrated this significant week with a liturgy led by 2/3LB and 2EH who reminded us of what it means when we truly say ‘sorry’.

We engaged in learning experiences to further understand and understand the power of reconciliation and how can be a voice for generations.

Thriving People Event: We are living, learning and playing on Kaurna Land

On Wednesday 7 June Aboriginal students from Reception to Year 6 in Catholic Schools were invited to explore what it means to be thriving people, capable learners, leaders in our schools, communities and world. The event was held in Carclew House, in North Adelaide and students had the opportunity to experience a range of immersive activities that celebrated Aboriginal culture, history and stories.

We thank Ms Lorenza Bianchini for coordinating and leading the day. We also thank Ms Di Stedman and Ms Ros Braham for their time and support. We acknowledge and thank Zaiden form 4KK for his leadership in leading the workshop. Well done Zaiden!

“I enjoyed doing Aboriginal dances and learning more about my culture’’ Zaiden

OLV Biggest Family Afternoon Tea

A heartfelt thank you for supporting our Biggest Afternoon Tea. We thank you for your engagement and flexibility in the preparation. Most of all, we thank you for your presence and generosity. We truly are a community school.  

We raised a total of $939.00.  Well done everyone!

Learnwell

Our Foundations for Learning through Wellbeing

On Friday 9 June we will be joined by Madhavi Nawana Parker, Director of Positive Minds Australia, one of Australia’s leading experts on Wellbeing and Resilience. She is the co-author of What’s the Buzz, and has written many others such as The confident Minds Curriculum, Educator Wellbeing and The Resilience and Wellbeing Toolbox. Most recently she was a fellow finalist in the 2023 Women Changing the World Awards. Our staff are very excited to have Madhavi join us on our staff day and deepen our understanding on how we continue nurturing our students so they continue to thrive. You can find more information on Positive Minds Australia on https://positivemindsaustralia.com.au

In our next newsletter we look forward to sharing our learning with you.

LearnWell Team
Frank Detullio, Jhovana Fenu, Amelia Maddern, Alex Tuffin, Julie Taylor and Ges Alvaro

Classroom Pulse Check-In

Each term, all Catholic schools in South Australia undertake a Classroom Pulse Check In.

The purpose of the Classroom Pulse Check In is to find out how students are feeling about their experience of school. The results are then collated on our school dashboard in the form of a student summary and school graph.

To find out more about Classroom Pulse Check-In we welcome you to visit the Catholic Education website.

https://www.cesa.catholic.edu.au/news/wellbeing-initiative

School/Preschool Fees 2023

We strongly encourage families to enter a regular payment plan to keep fees at a manageable level.  If you have not already made your first instalment or entered a regular payment arrangement with us this year to pay weekly, fortnightly, monthly, or termly, please contact me to discuss your payment option as a matter of urgency.  If you are having difficulty paying fees, please contact Micaela to make a time to discuss assistance payment options available.  

School Card
School Card applications must be completed each year and apply to school fees only.

School Card assists families who are low income, experiencing hardship, self-employed or had a change of circumstances.  It is dependent upon your combined household income for 2021/2022 within income limits.

Eligibility income limits for school card:

Families who are eligible for School Card or believe they may be eligible are asked to apply online by using the following link:

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:
1st child Lower fee of $1,500
2nd child Lower fee of $1,200
3rd child Lower fee of $1,050
4th child Lower fee of $600
5th child Lower fee of $450

Fee Remission Assistance
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. 

If you have any questions regarding school or preschool fees, school card, or to set up a payment plan, please contact the front office on 8248 2480 or email accounts@olv.catholic.edu.au

Port SAPSASA Athletics Carnival   

Congratulations to our athletics team that competed at the SAPSASA Athletics Carnival.

The team had a very successful day finishing 1st and bringing home the Division 3 shield.

Well Done to all our athletes.

1st         Our Lady of the Visitation        65 points     
2nd        Semaphore Dominican            61 points
3rd         Alberton                                  43 points          

A special thank you to Ms Ida, Ms Jiranek, Isabella P and Mr D for supervising and marshalling the students. Much appreciated! 

Our next carnival will be the Catholic Schools Track and Field Carnival, on Wednesday 8th November 2023 at SA  Athletics Stadium. The students will be competing in the following age groups Year’s 3,4,5 & 6 for that carnival.

The following students need to be congratulated on being named as the school athletics captains.

Girls – Ajok K        Boys – Jack P

Below are the children who were successful in receiving points for our school.              

First

Under 10 Girls Relay  -  Marites M, Piper K, Jasmine W, Yar K

Second

Under 11 Girls Relay - Scarlett R, Isabel C, Caitlyn F & Anyeeth A
Under 10 Boys Relay - Zavier R, Lachlan J, Leo C, Ollie F
Under 12 Boys Relay - Eli Cl, Jack P, Rylan B, Leonardo Z

Third

Under 11 Boys Relay -  Kobe F, Bailey B, Titan R, Parker S
Under 12 Girls Relay -  Ajok K, Alysia B, Alex J, Aggie C 

Fourth

The following OLV students will be representing Port SAPSASA at a School Sport SA State Track and Field Carnival at Bridgestone Athletics Salisbury. This carnival will be on Tuesday 19th September 2023.

Port SAPSASA Swimming Carnival

The following are the results of the Port SAPSASA Swimming Carnival held at Largs Bay Swim Centre. 

Below are the children who were successful in scoring points for our school.               

First

Second

Third

Fourth

Congratulations to Syzmon D, Lotus B and Charlotte C who were selected to represent the Port SAPSASA Swimming Team in the State Division 1 Metro Swimming Carnival at the Marion Aquatics Centre. An awesome achievement!

Catholic Schools Swimming Carnival 

Our Lady of the Visitation School performed really well at the recent Section 6 Catholic Schools Swimming Championships finishing in 2nd place. 

Congratulations to Alex J who was named school swimming captain.  Our Year 5's are also to be congratulated on being awarded the Age Champion team.

Below are the children who were successful in receiving ribbons.             

First

Second

Third

Fourth

Special thanks to parents Cathy J & Rachel W for volunteering as officials on the day.  A special thank you to the parents for taking the children to training at the Largs Bay Swim Centre.  Keep up the training ov the winter if you can as we are still in Section 6 next year.

Yours in swimming
John Merrett & Jacob Desmond

Port SAPSASA Cross Country

Congratulations to students Ajok K, Kobe F, Yar K & Jasmine W who represented Port SAPSASA at the School Sport SA Cross Country Carnival at Oakbank Racecourse yesterday. We hope the weather treated you well.

It’s been 5 weeks since OLV went bin free!

It’s just like when you visit a national park. Whatever rubbish you bring in with you, must leave with you!  At OLV we are trying to make environmental change by allowing students to take responsibility for their waste and urging families to consider purchasing goods with less packaging. 

Here are some affordable reusable items you can purchase to make the transition to bin-free easier:

Officeworks -  Studymate Reusable Sandwich Bags 2 Pack  - $4.60
Big W -  Ms Fix-It Reusable Sandwich Bag 2 Pack  - $5
Kmart -   4 Pack Food Covers   - $5.50
Kmart -   4 Pack 250ml Food Containers   - $2
Kmart -   3 Pack 500ml Round Food Containers   - $2