Newsletter

Our Lady's Primary School - Friday 19th February, 2021

Our Lady's Primary School Surrey Hills


Guided by the life of Jesus Christ

Inspired by the Spirit of Mary

Our Lady’s Primary School is a place of growth and challenge.

Where we seek to ignite imagination and promote a lifelong passion for God and learning 

Learning together in Faith Hope and Love


Principal: Mrs Annie Engellenner - principal@olsurreyhills.catholic.edu.au

Office Manager: Mrs Julie Leung - jleung@olsurreyhills.catholic.edu.au

Parish Priest: Fr Brendan Reed - wattlepark@cam.org.au 

Hours of Supervision of Students: Monday – Friday 8.30am -3.45pm

School Office Hours: Monday to Friday - 8.30am – 4.00pm


Reflection

When Jesus said to love your neighbour, I have a feeling he didn’t simply mean be nice to the family living next-door.  

In fact, I reckon Jesus wasn’t even referring to our next-door neighbours at all, I think he had far bigger plans.

I think he intended to challenge us to love all of the people we come into contact with.

At this time of the year we turn our attention to Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion. As we begin the season of Lent we are called on to “Be More”. This year Caratas, through Project Compassion reminds us that simple actions can change the world. Our words, our acts of kindness are demonstrations of faith, love and generosity.Even at a school level we can all make a positive difference to those around us every single day just by simply being kind!

 “Kindness is a beautiful human attribute. When we say, “she is a kind Person” “or he was surely kind to me,” we express a very warm feeling. In our competitive and often violent world, kindness is not the most frequent response. But when we encounter it, we know that we are blessed. Is it possible to become a kind person? Yes, but it requires discipline. Kindness is to treat another person as your ‘kin’. To be kind is to reach out to someone as a kindred spirit.

Here is a great challenge. All people, whatever their colour, religion, gender, belong to humankind and are called to be kind to one another, treating one another as brothers and sisters. There is hardly a day in our lives in which we are not called to this”.

Let’s continue to teach our children to be kind! 

School Improvement Plan Goals - 2018 - 2021

Strategic Intent:

At Our Lady’s School, we aim to strengthen our Catholic community through: fostering respectful relationships; clear, strategic faith-filled leadership; and our commitment to professional pedagogical excellence that is founded upon our deep knowledge, collegiality, effective teamwork and our Gospel inspired dedication to the learning and wellbeing of each child.

Education in Faith

That students understand and make more meaningful, relevant connections between the Catholic story and their own lives.

That staff develop their capacity to design and implement a contemporary RE curriculum.

Leadership and Management

That staff teamwork and ownership of the Vision and educational priorities of the school will improve

Learning and Teaching

That student learning outcomes will improve.

Student Wellbeing

That the wellbeing of all students will improve.

School Community

That the home/ school partnership is strengthened to the benefit of student learning outcomes. 

IMPORTANT DATES

Saturday 20th @2pm 

Working Bee - Postponed to the 13th March

Tuesday 23rd Feb

Wednesday 24th Feb




Thursday 25th February @ 9.15am

Parent Teacher Conversations from 2:30pm

Parent Teacher Conversations from 3.45pm

District Swimming Event Years 3-6


Whole School Mass in the Playground


Friday 5th MarchOpen Morning - School Tours
Monday 8th MarchLabour Day Public Holiday
Friday 19th MarchReconciliation 2021 Group Reflection Day (Year 3)

Sunday 28th March

Thursday 1st April @ 1.45pm

Friday 2nd April

Palm Sunday

Last Day of Term 1

Good Friday

Leadership and Management: To grow and sustain a professional culture that is characterised by excellence, shared vision, collaboration, a strong sense of teamwork and a focus on continuous improvement.

How wonderful it was to welcome back our students on Thursday after the sudden lockdown. Thank you all for your communication and support during this time. As a staff we have develped a plan so we are ready to respond with agility in the event of future snap lockdowns. This week has taught us that 2021 is going to continue to present us with challenges.  To ensure we continue to priortize the learnig and wellbeing of our students we will continue to rethink ways of working and being togther. I thank you for your coperation.

Farewell Richa

On the 5th March we will farewell Richa, our Camp Australia Coordinator. Richa has been part of the OLPS community for many years and we are all very sad to say farewell. Richa will be returning to India to reunite with her partner and family. We are so very grateful to all that Richa has brought to our community. May you be held in the palm of God’s hands Richa. Travel Safe.

Looking forward to seeing you at our liturgy this coming Thursday @ 9.15am. This will be a special occasion for our Year 6 students who will be presented with their jackets and a special welcome for our prep students. Please note that masks will need to be worn, if social distancing cannot be assured. Parents will be asked to sign in using our Our Lady's QR Code that will be placed on the school gates.

Have a great week 

Annie

Parent / Teacher Conversations - 23rd February 2.30pm- 7:15pm and 24th February 3.45pm- 7.15pm

Parent/Teacher conversations will take place on;

  • 23rd  February 2.30pm- 7:15pm

  • 24th February 3.45pm- 7.15pm 

These interviews are an opportunity for you to share important information about your child with their teacher. These interviews are strictly 10 minutes in length, however if you require more time with your teacher, please arrange a separate meeting.

  • Interviews will be held at school in the Hall (MPC). Teachers will be spread out to protect the privacy of your conversations.

  • Interviews are  10 minutes in length 

  • If you have any further inquiries, please contact the school office on 98987655.

On Tuesday the 23rd of Feb, classes will conclude early to support our parent and teacher conversations. Please indicate your preference for your child's supervision on this below form. Please complete this form by Monday 22nd, at 9.00am.

Please open the link to the google form to indicate your supervision needs.

Click here to access the supervision form

Education In Faith


This Thursday the 25th of February we will be holding our Opening of the School Liturgy on the basketball courts at 9:15am led by Fr. Brendan Reed and Fr Trac Ngyuen. Parents are invited and welcome to attend, however in line with COVID-19 restrictions, must sign in to attend the liturgy as well as wear masks throughout the service. Chairs will be placed for seating at the back of the court. This Liturgy will include commissioning of our School Staff and PEB members, as well as our Foundation Students receiving their Guardian Angels.  Our Year 6 Students will also receive their jumpers at this Liturgy. We look forward to seeing our community come together for this special occasion, and welcoming of a new school year. 

Sacramental Program

Students receiving their Sacrament of Reconciliation have begun classroom preparation, and will continue to prepare for the expectations of the Mass throughout the school week. Our Year 4 students will receive their Sacrament of Reconciliation on the 10th of March at Our Lady’s Wattle Park Parish at 7:30pm, and Year 3 students will receive theirs on the 25th of March at 7:30pm. Any families who wish to combine siblings together, are asked to email Emily Nicholson (esnicholson@olsurreyhills.catholic.edu.au) to organise attending a Mass. As our Year 4’s have had some preparation it is preferred that those who wish to combine siblings join for the 25th of March Sacrament date, to allow time for our Year 3’s to prepare.  All bookings for this must be made through the trybooking link, which is shared with you here.Try Booking Link - Please click

The student receiving the Sacrament is able to bring two guests alongside them for support, due to COVID-19 restrictions. 

Year 3 students will have a Reconciliation Reflection Day at Our Lady’s Surrey Hills on Friday the 19th of March, alongside students from Our Holy Redeemer. Students will be supported by Year 3/4 teaching staff and Sacramental Coordinator, Nanette Giovanini. Year 4 students were able to actively participate in a reflection day in 2020, prior to COVID-19 Stage Four Lockdown. 

Emily Nicholson

Religious Education Leader

Positive Behaviour for Learning

At Our Lady’s our objective is to promote Positive Behaviour for Positive Learning.  Positive behaviour results in a healthy self esteem and responsible citizenship and improves the learning and wellbeing of all students in a school environment. 

The teachers have spent a lot of time teaching what is expected at Our Lady’s.  Each class has unpacked our school expectations for both inside the classroom and on the playground. All our students are now familiar with our Respectful Relationship - Consequence Flowchart. We value the partnership between home and school, so it would be wonderful if we could work together by discussing the below expectations with your child/children at home. You may even like to put this on the fridge as a visual reminder.

GREEN:  GO ZONE

We start on green with a clean slate each day.We all come to school knowing the expectation to be.

School Expectations

Respectful of Self 

Respectful of Others

Respectful of Environment 

Be a Learner

BLUE:  REMINDER ZONE

A first reminder is given by the teacher for not following the school expectations.

We are reminded about the expectation and receive a verbal or nonverbal reminder to stop inappropriate behaviour and get back on task.

YELLOW: RISE UP  ZONE

A second reminder is given by the teacher.You will need to have a restorative conversation with your teacher.You will be reminded about your ongoing behaviour choices and the impact on yourself and others.A consequence may be given

RED ZONE:  BEHAVIOUR SHEET

A third reminder is given by the teacher.The teacher will ask you to complete a behaviour sheet.An immediate behaviour sheet will be given in the case of high level misbehaviour. No reminders will be required.Your parents will be notified about your behaviour sheet.The sheet will be sent home for your parents to sign.You need to return this to the office before 9am the next morning.If you receive two behaviour sheets within the term your parents will be contacted for a formal meeting.

Ange Loadman - Student Wellbeing Leader


Our Lady's QR Code

Our Lady’s QR Code

We have introduced an “Our Lady’s QR code”.To support contact tracing, if you are at school for more than15 minutes,we must record your;

  • first name

  • phone number

To do this efficiently, we will be using the Victorian Government QR Code Service. All check-in data is housed in secure databases managed by Service Victoria, the Victorian Government’s online hub for transacting with the government. Unless DHHS contact tracers request data for coronavirus (COVID-19) contact tracing purposes, it is automatically deleted after 28 days.How do I scan a QR code?

Families can scan the QR code by opening up their smartphone’s camera and allowing it to focus on the code. The smartphone will then generally identify the code and say what to do next. If this does not work, download the Service Victoria app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Student Learning - Year 3 /4

In Year Three and Four we have enjoyed reconnecting with one another after our long holidays.

It has been so fabulous to see all the students sharing stories, playing games, and beginning to

understand their ways of working together again. The students have explored their learning

spaces and learnt new routines to support a smooth transition to year 3/4. A way for us to

connect and reflect each week as a level is through morning prayer. This week the 3/4

community was led in prayer by 3/4U. Our focus has been on what it means to be a kind and

respectful person, and to love one another in our school community.

We have also been sharing what we already know about our new learning topics, and what we

are excited to learn about. It was great to see collaboration of students in these learning tasks

and the sharing of our knowledge. What a start to an exciting year ahead!

Rose Urqhart, Emily Nicholson and Simone Lancuba

Interested in helping in the classrooms?

Classroom Helpers Workshop 2021

Our Literacy Leader Kimberly Chin has put together a presentation that outlines ways in which you can support the literacy program of our junior students in our school. We invite you to take a look at the presentation and email Kimberly if you would like to know more. Thank you to our parents that have already expressed interest.

kchin@olsurreyhills.catholic.edu.au

Safer Internet Day - Inform and Empower

Staying Safe Online - Presentation - Click Here!

Last Wednesday we welcomed Marty Mc Gauran to OLPS. Marty worked with the students through the day building knowledge and understanding about being safe in the online world. The Staff and Parent community also spent time with Marty and Psychologist Carly McGauran to ensure that the messages we are reinforcing are consistent across home and school. Please remember that Marty and Carly's presentation is available to view if you registered for the event.


COVID UPDATE

We will continue to  keep all families well-informed on all matters COVID related and its impact on school operation.

COVID  Protocols

We are pleased to advise families that many of the COVID restrictions in place from last year have been eased. At the same time we are very aware of our need to exercise strong COVID protocols to ensure the safety of our children and all community members. To support the wellbeing of our families we will have the following protocols in place as recommended by Catholic Education Melbourne

COVID Protocols

Masks to be worn by guests and parents when inside school buildings 

Parents onsite for more than 15 minutes must enter via the school office and log in through the School’s QR Code. 

This will provide the required information of parent name, contact details, date and time of attendance at school. 

Assemblies can be celebrated but restricted to students and school staff - unfortunately parents cannot access these events due to our limited density capacity of one person per two square metres. 

  • Hand Sanitising and washing of hands will continue to take place regularly throughout the day

  •  Drink taps are able to be used but we still require all students to have a drink bottle at school 

  • High touch areas are disinfected each day 

  • Non Sharing of Food remains in place and will continue to do so to ensure the safety of students with medical and health needs. 

  •  Grade 5/6 Inter-School Sport will re-commence. 

  • Excursions and Incursions for all year levels are permitted COVID safe practices such as displaying many signs and posters, sanitising throughout the day, adults maintaining physical distance and wearing masks at times will continue to ensure we keep all in our community safe and strong as we possibly can.

We request that any child who shows signs of being unwell must remain at home. Parents please note that children will be isolated in the sick bay and we will call parents if we identify that your child is unwell. This protocol is in place for the safety of all children and members of our community.

School Uniform

The purpose of the school uniform is to identify each student as a member of this community, and thereby to establish a common bond. The children at OLPS are very proud of their school. The parents and staff together believe that wearing a simple school uniform enhances this feeling of belonging. The wearing of uniforms establishes attitudes of pride and cooperation and adds to the tone of the school. 

Parents are urged to ensure children wear their uniform and take pride in their appearance. Our school leaders were recently photographed with Fr Trac following the Opening of the Parish Year Mass. Our leaders are a great example of how our uniform is to be worn.

We will contact you should a concern arise in this area. During First and Fourth terms the school hat is a uniform requirement. Children are to wear black leather type shoes (or black shoes that are totally black) with navy blue/white socks every day with the exception of designated Physical Education days (white socks with no branding). 

Please remember that we only permit ear studs. Hair longer than collar length is to be tied back, both to assist focus in learning and to avoid head lice, which can be rife at this time of year. I also ask that students do not wear nail polish to school and that jewellery is kept to a necklace/chain. Please ensure blue or white hair ribbons are worn to school – we have to say large bows/hair ties/Jo-Jo bows are for after school and weekends. Please ensure that all items of clothing and belongings are clearly labelled. Unfortunately we ended up with many unclaimed items at the end of last year which we washed and found a new home. Please check your labels regularly, as often they fall off or the writing wears away.

Mobile devices, including Moochie Smart watches need to be signed in at the office at the commencement of each day. Devices can be collected from the office at the conclusion of the school day.

Our Lady’s Primary School discourages students bringing personal mobile phones to school. It does; however, acknowledge that some students may bring a personal mobile phone to school, particularly if they are travelling independently to and from school.

 

"Mobile phones are not permitted for use at Our Lady’s Primary School during school hours:

Students who bring a personal mobile phone to school must switch them off and hand and sign them into the office prior to the commencement of the school day and may collect them from at the conclusion of the school day or if they are required to leave school early." -OLPS Mobile Phone Policy 2020

Student Medical Issues

Please contact the school office if there are any medical issues that we should be aware of. It is most important that all medical forms, asthma and anaphylaxis plans, are updated for the 2021 school year and returned promptly. We are advised that children may need to be excluded from school if they do not have the required medical information or medication available at the school eg. Epipens, with the correct ‘use by dates’. 

Do I have to complete an Action Plan, if the child only has seasonal asthma, or asthma symptoms when they have a cold? 

Yes, any time asthma medication is prescribed and expected to be taken at school or the children's service, it must by law be accompanied by a medical management plan. If the health professional is concerned about diagnosing the child with asthma, it is recommended that they put a shorter review date on the action plan, and write a covering letter to the school or children's service explaining the expected time frame the child will need reliever medication.

Notifying the School of Student Absences

Schools were advised at the beginning of 2018 of the following changes to Attendance Guidelines - ‘Schools must advise parents/guardians of unexpected absences, on the same day, as soon as practicable….’ of the absence from school of all students. As a result, it is essential that parents contact the school by 9.00am either by phone, 98987655 and leave a message, via email olsurreyhills.caqtholic.edu.au, if your child will be absent from school. Parents who do not contact the school will be phoned throughout the day seeking clarity on the whereabouts of their child. As a means of saving our administration team from making multiple phone calls we ask that parents contact the school to advise of student absences. If a child is to be absent for a number of days then parents are asked to advise the class teacher of an extended time of absence. This may be applicable to family holidays, extended periods of illness etc. This process has been put in place as a matter of safety for the children in our care. We thank parents for your support of this procedure

All Things Green

During our sustainability time , our Year 6 students put down stepping stones to protect our little indigenous plants. Great work team!

Anne Skeete - Sustainability Coordinator

School Community - Mowing Roster

As many of you know, the school nature strips and grounds are maintained by the school Dads, with fortnightly mowing & leaf blowing.This year, we are seeking some more volunteers for the list.It is just two 90min sessions per year, working in a group of four.Please text Chris Gazzola on 0411 221 475 if you are available to help out.

From the Office

The school fee accounts are currently being arranged for the 2021 school year. The 2021 school fee statement of account will hopefully be issued by the end of next week. Thank you for your patience at this time.  

Camps, Sports and excursion Fund ( CSCF)

The CSEF provides payments to assist eligible families to cover the costs of camps, sporting activities and excursions. Camp, Sports and Excursions Fun (CSEF) Families holding a valid means-tested concession card or temporary foster parents are eligible to apply. A Special Consideration category also exists. Schools can receive applications from families over term one and two. Families can list more than one student in the one application form if they are attending the same school. 

Who can apply? 

Parents/carers wishing to apply for CSEF payments for 2021 must submit their application form to the school office before the last day of term 2 (25 June 2021). Applications available at the school office and are also available here: https://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/Pages/csef.aspx 

Key Enrolment dates for Year 5 students in 2021 starting Year 7 in 2023 

The key enrolment dates for students who will be starting Year 7 in 2023 are:

  • 27th January 2021- Applications will open for year 5 students 

  • 20th August 2021- Applications will close 

  • 22 October 2021- Offers will be posted to prospective Year 7 applicants 

  • 12th November 2021- Final date for parents/carers to accept offer made by school The key enrolment dates for students who will be starting Year 7 in 2023 

Open Days - 2021

Friday 5th March     9.00am  10am, 12noon

Friday 12th March    9.00am  10am, 12noon

Saturday 27th March   10am to 11.00am

Wednesday 28th April  9.00am  10am, 12noon

Please share our Open Mornings with your friends on social media.

Quote

“The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” – Nelson Henderson. 

Term Dates

2021 Victorian Term Dates

Term 1   Wednesday January 27th - Thursday April 1st @1.45pm

Term 2   Monday April 19th - Friday June 25th @ 1.45pm

Term 3   Monday July 12th - Friday September 17th @ 1.45pm

Term 4   Monday October 4th – Thursday December 16th @ 1.45pm             

Dogs at School.

Many of our families have welcomed puppies over the recent months which is wonderful because we know the benefits of having a dog as part of the family. I do wish to bring to your attention some safety protocols that we must abide by for the wellbeing and safety of our school community. 

  • Any dog or other animals brought onto school grounds must be appropriately restrained at all times. This must be on a short (non-extendable) lead and restrained by a person at least 16 years of age who is able to restrain the animal. 
  • Owners of dogs and/or other animals on school grounds must comply with all relevant local council regulations & other statutory provisions such as the Victorian Domestic Animals Act 1994. 
  • Always be mindful that children are the first priority in a school environment and that some children are unfamiliar and/or afraid of dogs & other animals.
  • Assess the temperament & demeanour of their animal before entering the school grounds and are requested not to enter the school grounds if the animal is not suited to an environment where children are present.
  • Animals with a difficult temperament and who are fearful, timid or dominant should not be brought onto the school grounds at any time.
  • Take responsibility for the care of the animal.
  • Not leave dogs or other animals tied-up and/or left unattended at any time.


Thank you for your cooperation.

School Community - New Tuck Shop System!

‘Watch this space! New tuckshop system coming to Our Lady’s in a few weeks!’

Parents & Friends Association (PFA) Class Representative

Thank you to our parents that have voluntered to be class reps this year. 

Prep: Lisa Grant, Kat Brosolo, Joanna Kelly

Year 1 /2 C: Kasia De Costa, Emma Ryan

Year 1 /2 L: Jess Campbell, Laura Edgcumbe

Year 3 /4 L: Rach Voshege, Melissa Pellegrini

Year 3 /4 N: Marjie Langford, Rach Glass

Year 3 /4 L: Emma Lynch, Elaine Hanlon

Year 5 /6 H&L : Daniela Greening, Cath Bergan, Steph Johnson

School Uniform

Please see attached below information regarding Our Lady's School Uniform, including how to order online and the uniform price list.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • Uniform Orders are filled on Mondays.
  • Please order Uniform Orders thru CDF.
  • To keep costs low we are only stocking limited quantities across the Range. If items are not available please allow a 2 week turn around to allow time for items to be ordered and delivered from our Supplier.
  • If you need to try on Uniforms for size this can also be done on Mondays unless other arrangements have been made with Krista.
  • If you have any queries, please email Krista on uniformshop@olsurreyhills.catholic.edu.au

Uniform Policy

Download

How to Order Online through CDF Pay

Download

Our Lady's Uniform Price List

Download

Child Safety

All students attending Our Lady’s Primary School have the right to feel safe and be safe. The highest possible standard of care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people is a fundamental responsibility of all within our school community.