Term 1 Week 9 2023 Newsletter

From the Principal

Recent Change

On one hand it is hard to believe how close we are to the end of the term but on the other hand, given how much we have done this term, it makes sense that we are here. The new year has brought new life and change to the school, which has been well received by staff, students and families. Our school is in good shape and is travelling in the right direction which is fantastic.

Harmony Day

This year’s celebration of Harmony Day went beyond wearing orange or wearing cultural dress. Though these are important elements of Harmony Day, we wanted to really celebrate the cultural diversity that is an integral part of our school.

We started with a bilingual reading of ‘Nuestra piel arcoiris’ (Our Rainbow-Coloured Skin) by one of our students and their parent. “Our Rainbow-Colored Skin” is a book written by Colombian psychologist, Manuela Molina, which focuses on the richness of our differences and variances, having an appreciation for what makes us different, as well as what unites us as humans. It is an essential tool for starting conversations about racism from early childhood.

Through the pages of this book, with beautiful illustrations and simple texts, children will be able to understand that our different skin colours are due to a biological factor that does not make us better or worse than any other person. Explore the concept of racism and empower children to treat all human beings with the same respect and compassion.

It was a beautiful experience watching and listening to Ignacio’s mum, Luisa, read the story in Spanish, a page at a time, and then have Ignacio translate the reading to English.

Just before recess, we had an Argentinian dance duo perform for our community. This was then followed by a dance lesson, and at lunch time we shared a meal. Families were very generous in sharing food from their cultural background. I had hoped to have Brazilian and Indian dancers in the school but, unfortunately, they were not available. I know that Harmony Day 2024 will be bigger and better!

More photos of our Harmony Day celebrations can be accessed by clicking HERE.

In the office window is an art display that links to the rainbow-coloured skin story; every child in the school has contributed to this display.

Harmony Day 2023 was an excellent day that I am sure will be one of the highlights of my year.

Swimming Lessons

This year we have used a different approach to transporting children to and from swimming lessons. Rather than hiring a larger coach with a driver, this year Helen and I were the bus drivers. This approach was designed to reduce the cost – which it did significantly; funds that can be spent on students somewhere else through the year.

The benefits and outcomes of having Helen and myself drive were significantly greater than just saving money:

Strengthening of relations with students,
Positive behaviour on the bus,
Singing, laughing, and happiness, and
Manners and respect that students showed.

These intangible benefits and outcomes are priceless.

It might seem strange to have the Principal off-site for the week but over the last 12 months we have worked hard to build the leadership capacity of the school. This simply means the school should run smoothly, whether I am at school or not. Swimming week was a great example of this, with the school running well whilst I was out driving the bus.

Thank you to the parent helpers that supported the swimming program.

New courts

The resurfacing of the courts began in Week 8 with the removal of the posts and rings. During Week 9, the surface was prepared, and, in certain areas, resurfacing has begun. This work will continue until the end of the term.

The new court area will be ready and available to be used at the start of Term 2. There will be two half-courts and one full size court, which will include basketball and netball markings. The surfacing will include a 5mm layer of recycled tennis balls to make the area kinder when falling over. The half-court rings will also be adjustable to two different heights. I am sure the area will be well used.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Parent-teacher interviews commence Monday 3 April 2023. I encourage all families to make a time to meet with their child’s teacher. Marissa Redden and I will also be available to meet with families.

If a time that suits you is not available, please contact your child’s teacher to find an alternative time. The interview is a great way to see how your child is travelling, what supports are in place and plan together for the success of your child.

I have appreciated your support over the term so far and look forward to continuing to work together in Term 2.

Lee Abela
Principal

Specialist update - PE & Sport

SACPSSA Swimming Carnival

On Thursday 30 March 2023, 10 students ranging from Years 3-6, represented our school at the annual South Australian Catholic Primary Schools Sports Association's (SACPSSA's) Swimming Carnival at the SA Aquatic Centre, Oaklands Park:

Jayda, Douglas, Kylah, Maya, George C, Ignacio, Amy, Dylan A, Miles, and Archie P.

The students competed against other Catholic schools throughout the metropolitan area in freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke events. There were also 4 x 25m freestyle relays and a 4 x 25m open medley relay.

All the students represented the school magnificently, with the following exceptional results:

Jayda - Year 3 Age Champion
2nd - Year 3 25m freestyle Div A
2nd - Year 3 25m backstroke Div A
1st - Year 3 25m breaststroke Div B
3rd - Year 4 4x25m freestyle relay team
1st - Year 5 4x25m freestyle relay team

George C
1st - Year 5 25m backstroke Div B
4th - Year 5 50m breaststroke Div A
3rd - Year 5 50m freestyle Div A
1st - Year 5 4x25m freestyle relay team

Doug
3rd - Year 3 25m freestyle Div B
4th - Year 3 25m backstroke Div B
1st - Year 3 25m breaststroke Div C
3rd - Year 4 4x25m freestyle relay team

Kylah
4th - Year 3 25m freestyle Div C
4th - Year 3 25m backstroke Div C
3rd - Year 4 4x25m freestyle relay team

Maya
3rd - Year 4 25m freestyle Div B
4th - Year 4 25m backstroke Div B
4th - Year 4 25m breaststroke Div C
3rd - Year 4 4x25m freestyle relay team
1st - Year 5 4x25m freestyle relay team

Ignacio
1st- Year 5 25m freestyle Div B
4th - Year 5 50m backstroke Div A
3rd - Year 5 25m breaststroke Div B
3rd - Year 5 4x25m freestyle relay team

Archie
4th - Year 6 25m freestyle Div B

What is Good Sportsmanship?

With the after school netball and basketball seasons well underway and the soccer season about to commence, I wanted to remind our school community about good sportsmanship.

Teachers, coaches and parents all have a role to play in ensuring that our students always demonstrate good sportsmanship. Good sportsmanship is when people who are playing or watching a sport treat each other with respect. This includes players, parents, coaches, and officials.

How Can I Be a Good Sport?

There are lots of ways you can be a good sport. You can:

Have a positive attitude.
Give your best effort.
Shake hands with the other team before and after the game.
Support team mates by saying "good shot" or "good try." Never criticise a teammate for trying.
Accept calls and do not argue with officials.
Treat the other team with respect and never tease or bully.
Follow the rules of the game.
Help another player up who has fallen.
Take pride in winning but do not rub it in.
Accept a loss without whining or making excuses.

By being a good sport, students learn respect for others and self-control. These skills can help them manage many other parts of their life. They are also key to becoming a mature, respectful, and successful adult in the future.

Matt Annetta
PE teacher / Sport Coordinator

Block Swimming Week

Early Learning @ OLQP!

Playgroup at the Playground

Last week, to celebrate National Playgroup Week, our playgroup families went on an excursion to the Gordon Reserve Playground. We were very lucky to have lovely weather, which allowed us to have a lot of fun playing on the playground, singing and dancing, reading, blowing bubbles and playing with the parachute. It was a nice time to play with our playgroup friends in a new and exciting environment.

Why is play important?

Play is important in the development of children's fine and gross motor skills. Through play, children practice the control and coordination of large body movements (gross motor skills), as well as the coordination of small muscle movements (fine motor skills).

Some of the gross motor skills that we used at the playground included walking, swinging, sliding, climbing, running, jumping, and these skills all help to develop balance, coordination and core strength.

Some examples of fine motor skills that we used at the playground include climbing ladders, ropes and slides, hanging on bars, using our hands to grasp playground equipment or bubble containers and wands, playing with the small moveable puzzles at the playground. The development of fine motor skills also helps children to perform self-care tasks such as brushing their teeth, getting dressed, feeding themselves, as well as drawing and writing.

Children also can learn a lot of other skills while playing at the playground such as balance and social skills – like getting along, taking turns, problem solving, spatial awareness, persistence and learning about the capabilities of their own bodies. Playgrounds also allow children to participate in some risky play which allows children to recognise their limits and how to deal with risk in the future.

Developing our gross motor and fine motor skills is an important part of the play and learning that we do at playgroup each week.

Access the photo gallery following this article, and see how much fun we had!

Come and join in on the fun!

Playgroup is on Wednesdays 9-10.30am.
Occasional Care is on Tuesdays 9-12pm for children 3-5yrs.

For more information, please access the flyers regarding Playgroup and Occasional Care from the Useful Links section at the beginning of this newsletter.