Term 1 Week 3 2023 Newsletter

A new year

Last year, I was the fourth Principal of the school in just over 12 months. This year, I am going into my second year as Principal of Our Lady Queen of Peace School. As simple as that may sound, it is a significant change in direction for the school.

There were many times last year that I felt like I was walking in someone else’s shoes – the structure of the school had already been set, staff were already appointed, even some of the money had already been spent. This year is my year!

As you would be aware, the structure of the school has changed, as well as the location of classrooms and specialist areas. I have learnt a lot about Our Lady Queen of Peace – the students, families, and areas that we need to build and improve upon. With all this in mind, the staffing team complements and will enable significant change to occur at our school; change in ensuring we are providing quality teaching and learning, catering for the needs of all children, and that we have facilities that allow for student engagement.

I have said it many times in the last 3 weeks: “Our 2023 staff team is strong!”. I have already seen a notable difference in student learning, engagement and behaviour.

This year we have looked at specialised subjects and have employed specialist teachers to teach them. Students have responded well and enjoyed this change. This year students have 5 specialist areas:

• Physical Education,
• Music/Drama,
• Spanish,
• Visual Arts, and
• Science/STEM.

Not only are students receiving specialist teaching in these curriculum areas, but classroom teachers also have more time to focus on literacy and numeracy.

The team:

School Improvement – over the holidays

Over the holiday break, the school was busy with trades people working on projects.

• We have a new Music Room which includes a stage area and 3 instrumental booths for music tutors to provide individual lessons to students.

• Both the boys' and girls’ toilets had the partition walls and doors replaced, not only improving the look but also increasing the safety and privacy of our children.

• We have introduced a Food Technology space in the school – this will provide the opportunity for students to cook at school and make connections across multiple curriculum areas.

We see parents/families as an important part of our community. I believe we enrol families into the school and not students. It is through our partnership that children are able to thrive.

• We have relocated the Parent Room. It is a space where families should feel welcome, meet other families and have access to coffee and tea. I encourage you to have a look.

School Improvement – school structure

In the restructure of classroom locations, teachers have focused on classroom design and the influence it has on student learning. We have also created greater definition between the Early Years (Reception to Year 2) and the Primary Years (Years 3-6) areas, and are providing and an environment that value-adds to their learning experience. Everything we are doing has a focus on learning.

Sadly, access to trades and workers has not been easy or a quick process (I have spent many hours working in the Food Technology room). In the Early Years precinct, the stage area will be replaced with an outdoor classroom gathering space, a sand and water zone, log balance zones, a flat spider web zone, and some gardening beds. Each element has a specific purpose and link to child learning and development. This will not begin as quickly as hoped, the earliest starting date at this stage is in May.

In the Primary Years precinct, we again have focused on the outdoor learning spaces. In the Year 3/4 class, outdoor furniture has been purchased to complement the glass bi-fold doors, allowing for both indoor and outdoor learning to occur. We have fenced the area (Botting Street) to create a Years 3/4 Zone and a Years 5/6 Zone.

We are waiting for council approval, but we will have three commercial-grade sun shade sails installed in the Years 5/6 zone. This will provide the students with an amazing outdoor learning space. It will look fantastic, and its design and use are centred around student learning.

What lies ahead ...

On top of the above mentioned improvements, the basketball/netball courts will be resurfaced and the playground converted into a Nature Play space. Mid 2022, we started the "school improvement ball rolling" by creating a third Years 1/2 classroom. It then gained momentum, continuing with external painting, installation of a new school bell/PA system, and the creation of the Discovery Room. My hope is the ball will never stop rolling now that it has started, and that school improvement will always been seen as a priority.

We will only have three newsletters a term. The next one will be in Week 6. I will be using SeeSaw more this year for school communication, and Facebook for our celebrations and examples of learning. I will always make myself available to families that want to meet.

Kind regards

Lee Abela
Principal

Welcome to 2023!

I hope that everyone was able to enjoy quality family time over the Christmas break. I am looking forward to the year ahead and supporting the faith formation of students at Our Lady Queen of Peace. 

A Blessing for the new school year by Michael McGirr

With gratitude for the gift of a fresh new year we ask blessing on our whole community.
May every classroom be a place of respect and possibility.
May every staffroom and playground be a place of friendship and laughter.
May every hall and assembly be a place of connection.
May every library be a place of connection.
May every tree and plant call us to care for creation.
May every snack and lunch remind us of those who are hungry.
May every student grow in confidence and love of life.
May every teacher find daily vision and hope.
May every support worker help create a sense of belonging.
May every leader find openness and patience.
May every parent grow in wisdom.
May every name in this school be blessed because each person is precious and only together can we learn and grow.

Ash Wednesday Liturgy + Lent

Ash Wednesday begins the 40 day season of Lent that leads to Easter.

On Ash Wednesday we will come together as a school community for a liturgy at 10:15am in the Church, where we will come together to acknowledge the times that we have turned away from God and ask for his forgiveness. This will begin our learning on following Jesus during this Lenten period. All families are invited to join us for our Liturgy next week.

Project Compassion

The beginning of Lent also marks the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Donations to Project Compassion allow Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. 

The theme of Project Compassion 2023 is ‘For All Future Generations’ and reminds us that the good we do today will impact the lives of generations to come. It invites us to make the world a better place by working together now and finding long-term solutions to global issues. 

We encourage you to put your compassion into action this Lent through prayer, fasting and almsgiving in support of Project Compassion. Each family will receive a Project Compassion box for their donations.

Marissa Redden
APRIM 

Good Beginnings program

As part of our Good Beginnings program we explored the RED KEY CAPABILITY:

• Knowledgeable – knowledge of things,
• Inquisitive – asking questions, and
• Innovative – finding a way, solving a problem, seeking a solution.

The learning intention for the Jellybean Challenge was to work in a team to create a free-standing jellybean tower. Of course, we could NOT eat the jellybeans BUT Ms Hackett kept some spare for after we had completed the challenge.

We thought about:

• How we used logic and reasoning when faced with the challenge? 
• What questions we had before beginning our design? 
• How would we work through the solutions and revise our plans if they did not quite work!  

We had to build a cube first using jellybeans and toothpicks to join the beans and then build the tower. We had 20 minutes to complete the task.

It was a lot of fun and very frustrating at times as we had to reconsider our designs so the towers would not fall over. Most of us were successful!

And the jellybeans were delicious too!

View images from the Jelly Bean Challenge in the following Gallery article.

Sue Hackett
5/6 teacher

STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics

Students have began participating in the ‘Peace Feeds the World’ school project, which will be facilitated through STEM.

Students across the entire school have worked together to create and sustain the school's vegetable gardens, worm farms, and compost tumbler. Learning opportunities are endless when out in the garden, and our young students have proven to be innovative and enthusiastic budding scientists. They have worked scientifically to learn about plants, their lifecycles, and the role of bees in pollination.

Mathematically, our youngest students have counted out scoops of soil and measured watering cans as they set up and tended to the garden.

Most importantly, our students proudly demonstrated their strong sense of community, as they worked together as a team to support one another and learn to nurture and care for all living things. 

View images of our exciting STEM work in the following Gallery article.

Tamara Brooker
STEM / Science teacher

It's hard to believe that Week 3 of 2023 has ended!

Family statements were posted to all families in Week 2, 2023.

My door is always open, and I welcome and invite all families to contact me if they have any questions regarding accounts or finances.

For families who are not on any fee arrangements, the Term 1, 2023 instalment is due on Friday 14 April 2023.

An "Early Bird" discount of 5% is applicable to fees paid in full by Friday 14 April 2023.

My current office hours are:

• Mon to Thurs 9.15am - 2.45pm
• Friday: 9.15am - 4pm 

I can also be contacted by phone (8279 8800) or email (info@olqp.catholic.edu.au).

Diana Frangos
Finance Officer

Literacy News 2023 

Welcome to a new school year and a platform to share all things literacy! I am extremely proud and excited to share with the school community our whole school approach to Literacy.

Our Journey so far...

Since 2019, Our Lady Queen of Peace School’s first experience with evidence-based literacy practice was through reading intervention. After reviewing performance assessment data, the leadership team could see there were issues across key learning areas and particularly with reading. Through the early diagnostics process, we reviewed the research literature about The Science of Reading and decided that synthetic phonics was the place to start.

“The body of work referred to as the “science of reading” is not an ideology, a philosophy, a political agenda, a one-size-fits-all approach, a program of instruction, not a specific component of instruction. It is the emerging consensus from many related disciplines, based on literally thousands of studies, supported by hundreds of millions research dollars, conducted across the world in many languages.”
Dr. Louisa Moats

The school introduced MiniLit, MultiLit’s Tier 2 small group literacy intervention program. After 12 months with MiniLit, students were making good progress, but there remained the logistical problem of too much demand. In a Response to Intervention framework, an exemplary instructional approach delivered to the whole class should be effective for 80 per cent of students, with only 20 per cent requiring more intensive support. Our school needed a more consistent approach at a whole class level to improve instruction and results for our students. 

This led the school’s leadership team training teachers and investing in the whole-class synthetic phonics instruction with InitiaLit. As part of this process, the school needed to quickly upskill staff in the content knowledge around a systematic synthetic phonics approach. It was an approach that paid off gradually, resulting in less children requiring intervention and a larger proportion of children having stronger reading and spelling skills. 

The Results... 

The results have been powerful. In the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check of 2022, 50 per cent of our students were at or above the benchmark. This year, the school anticipates a result of 85 per cent. In terms of impact, at the beginning of 2020, more than 70% of the students in Year 1 needed to access Tier 2 literacy intervention, with many on waiting lists. Three years later, at the beginning of 2023, after introducing the InitiaLit whole-class program, only 16% of students in Year 1 require Tier 2 intervention.

Our Programs... 

MiniLit Intervention 

MiniLit is an evidence-based, explicit and effective early literacy intervention program for teaching reading skills to children who are below the expected range for their age group in Year 1 or 2. MiniLit is a Tier 2 small group program (up to four students per group) within a Response to Intervention framework, but it can also be used on a one-to-one basis. 

MacqLit Intervention 

MacqLit is an explicit and systematic reading intervention program for small groups of older low-progress readers. It provides a comprehensive sequence of lessons that includes all the key components necessary for effective reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. The program is ideal for students who fall in the bottom 25% of a standardised reading test or curriculum-based measure, and who have particular difficulties in the area of word recognition. MacqLit is specifically aimed at struggling readers in Year 3 through to high school.

InitiaLit - Reception to Year 2

InitiaLit is an evidence-based whole-class literacy program providing all children with the essential core knowledge and strong foundations to become successful readers and writers. InitiaLit is a three-year program, covering the first three years of school (Foundation to Year 2). InitiLit is an evidence-based approach to reading and spelling that is aligned with the Australian National Curriculum.

PLD - Years 3-6

PLD provides an Australian, evidence-based approach to Structured Synthetic Phonics (SSP) for primary school educators. PLD’s method is derived from the disciplines of speech pathology, occupational therapy and education. As an Australian publisher and professional development provider, PLD advocates that literacy and learning outcomes are maximised for children when their Literacy, Oral Language and Movement & Motor skills are targeted.

Typically there is a significant range of ability in the majority of middle and upper primary classrooms. Some students will present with junior primary skills, while others will be above their age-related peers. Catering for this wide range in ability is central to the PLD process. While well developed oral language skills are critical for gaining academic understanding of content and information as students, oral language skill development is still required for many classrooms. Supporting students who are experiencing difficulty, while extending students who are more than capable, is central to PLD’s Structured Synthetic Phonic (SSP) offering.

Please feel free to see me for any further questions and queries. 

Adriana Pilla
Leader of Learning - Literacy

New email address

The Parents and Friends Committee can now be contacted via a newly established email address:

PNF@olqp.catholic.edu.au

Mary Anning Art Prize - SA Science Teachers Association

https://www.sasta.asn.au/student_activities/mary-anning-art-prize

Aim of the competition

The aim of the Mary Anning Art Prize is to have young South Australian artists create an original piece of artwork that tells us something about the prehistoric life of South Australia.

It is essential, to be eligible, that the artwork explores an element of South Australia’s rich and remarkable prehistoric past, and that the artist lives in South Australia. To explore and illustrate our own past is to better know who we are as South Australians, and to better understand our unique place in the history of life.

While all visual art-forms are eligible, each entry must be presented in the form of a single photograph of the artwork.

What makes a successful entry?

• Scientific accuracy, creativity, and originality
• The best art is not just a picture, or a sculpture. It tells a story!

What does a successful entry look like?

Are you wondering what the judges are looking for in a successful entry? Check out the video below.

Click HERE to view the winning entries.

I look forward to some fantastic OLQP entries!

Tamara Brooker
STEM / Science teacher

The OLQP Second-hand Uniform Shop service, facilitated by a dedicated group of parents, supports the community to access quality and affordable second-hand uniforms for their children.

New location

The Second-hand Uniform Shop is now located in the NEW P & F Room (near the girls' toilets, adjacent the basketball courts).

CURRENT opening times

MONDAYS - New P & F Room

• 8.40am – 9am
• 2.45pm – 3.10pm

How to donate

Do you have any OLQP uniform items that are washed and in good condition, that your child no longer wears?

If so, please consider passing them onto the Second-hand Uniform Shop.

• The staff in the front office are happy to accept and pass on your donation.
• If you wish to place your items on consignment, they must be accompanied by a fully completed consignment form.
• Consignment forms are available from the front office or just click HERE to download.

Call 8279 8800 if you require more information, or alternatively, you can email the P & F Committe using this email: PNF@olqp.catholic.edu.au.

Louisa Scopacasa
Second-hand Uniform Shop Coordinator
P & F Committee

Occasional Care

OLQP Occasional Care is an accredited program for 3-5 years olds, and is delivered by qualified educators.

OLQP Occasional Care is on Tuesdays 9am to 12noon during school terms.

Cost is $10 per session.

Further important information and details can be found via the link to the UPDATED downloadable flyer:

• Download Occasional Care flyer

Playgroup

Playgroup is scheduled on Wednesdays from 9am to 10.30am during school terms.

More information, including times and scheduled activities can be found in the UPDATED downloadable flyer via the link below.

Come along for play-based learning and fun, and make new friends!

• Download Playgroup flyer

More questions?

• Phone: 8279 8800
• Email: Rachael - rstathis@olqp.catholic.edu.au

Rachael Stathis
Occasional Care and Playgroup Coordinator

Australian Girls Choir Open Day

Look no further than the Australian Girls Choir (AGC) because we encourage, challenge and inspire girls as they learn to sing, dance and perform.

School aged girls are invited to come along to our Open Day on Saturday 18 February 2023 to try our fun and inclusive classes and learn more about being part of the AGC!

Click on the image (right) to access the flyer.

Please visit our website to register to attend our free Open Day: https://ausgirlschoir.com.au/joinagc

Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Jasmine Cruickshank (she/her)
General Manager - Public Relations and Marketing
Australian School of Performing Arts
Email:  agcinfo@aspagroup.com.au
Website:  www.aspagroup.com.au

Sibling enrolments

Do you have a toddler or child at kindergarten? Have you enrolled them at OLQP yet?

While priority is given to siblings of children already attending OLQP, we still require a completed “Application for Enrolment” for each and every child.

All families wishing to enrol their children in Reception for 2023-2025 must lodge a completed “Application for Enrolment” form as soon as possible.

Please note: If your child was born between 1 May and 31 October, they are eligible for our Semester 2 intake. "Application for Enrolment" forms are available from the school office or via the downloadable link below:

Download an Application for Enrolment form here.

Contact Maureen on 8279 8800 for more information.

Maureen Wilkinson
Enrolment Officer

Online bookings

A reminder to families that the new booking app is up and running, please speak to Jo if you are having difficulties accessing it.

Please continue to call or text if you are unable to secure your required spot as spaces are blocked to allow for the correct staff : child ratio, spots may be available on request. 

To be able to access the website app, families must have an email address that is recorded on their Spike account. Families must use their email address and PIN code to sign in. Families will be able to see their children's current and upcoming bookings, invoices and current balance owing.

The parent's child care app, Spike Childcare, can be saved to your mobile phone's homepage. Follow this link: Spike Childcare Booking App.

New families and permanent bookings:

All new family bookings and permanent bookings still need to be made through the OSHC office.

Please contact Jo on 0417 840 700, or pop into either the OSHC office or front office for an information pack.

Jo Fahey
OSHC Director

The school canteen is open EVERY Friday.

Orders can be placed via the QKR! App by 8am Friday mornings.

Alternatively, you can place your order in a brown paper bag with money enclosed and place it in the box provided in your child’s classroom.

The updated canteen menu can be accessed and downloaded via the link below.

Download the canteen menu here

Wendy Koegler
Canteen Manager