Term 1 Week 9 2024 Newsletter

From the Principal

It is hard to believe that this is the last newsletter for Term 1. I am not sure if time has moved quickly due to the fact we have had a significant number of great learning opportunities for students, that students have settled in quickly or that we have found our rhythm as a school. Regardless of the reason, it has been a great start to the new school year!

Big picture

Towards the end of my first year as Principal of OLQP, we initiated the adventure of working on a Master Plan. The Master Plan looks at the needs of the school that will best support students, in the short term, mid-term, and long term. As we did with school improvements around the school, we worked in partnership with architects Grieve Gillett Architects (GGA), ensuring the improvements align with the big picture of the Master Plan.

In the background, we continue to work on the plan, and recently we asked families to complete a survey. We will also be consulting with staff and students. This is an important process as our school is continuing to grow. I want to ensure that we do not run out of learning spaces and are prepared for the enrolment growth we are anticipating.

For some people, growing as a school can be concerning, and they may wonder how big the school will grow. It is my job is to ensure that we provide excellent teaching and learning as well as ensuring this occurs in a safe, caring, and loving environment.

Harmony Week

Last week, we celebrated Harmony Week. Some schools just celebrate the day but we have chosen to celebrate the week, with a Harmony activity every day. Our celebration allowed the school community to:

celebrate the multicultural fabric that we are a part of,
share a meal ,and
once again work in partnership with families.

This was clearly demonstrated by the:

Passata Making Day,
culturnal food shared lunch, and
cultural dress up day.

Thank you for making the week such an amazing success.

NAPLAN

Our school participated in NAPLAN testing recently. These tests provide useful data for individual achievement in comparison with national results and are a means of identifying particular needs at each year level. We recognise that these assessments can sometimes cause a level of concern for some students (and also parents/caregivers). I was very pleased to see our students demonstrate self-regulation, love of learning, and perseverance in the way they engaged in the NAPLAN testing. Once we receive the results, we will share them with you.

Being part of the community

I have commenced visiting our secondary feeder schools to:

develop an understanding of our relationship,
understand how our students transition and adapt to secondary education, and
gain an understanding of pathways.

So far, I have met with relevant staff from Nazareth Catholic College and St Michael’s College; I will be meeting with staff from Mount Carmel College soon. Our students transition smoothly into secondary education, both social and emotionally, and academically.

I will continue to remain in communication with these schools to strength our partnership and to confirm an understanding of pathways – especially knowing when families need to start applying for a placement at their school of choice.

Updated calendars

I will be distributing updated school calendars for Terms 2-4 soon. They will be as accurate as possible but, as we have already experienced this term, sometimes things change or need to be added.

I would like to wish you and your family a Happy Easter, and look forward to seeing you after the break on Tuesday 2 April, all ready for Parent Teacher interviews.

Lee Abela
Principal

From the Assistant Principal Religious Identity & Mission

As we approach the joyous celebration of Easter, we are reminded of the profound significance of this holy season in the life of our Catholic community. Easter is a time of rejoicing, as we commemorate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and the promise of new life that it brings to all who believe.

The Easter story begins with the solemn observance of Holy Week, a time of reflection and prayer that invites us to walk alongside Jesus in his final days on Earth. From Palm Sunday, when we wave palm branches in joyful acclaim, to Holy Thursday, when we remember the Last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist, to Good Friday, when we contemplate the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, each day of Holy Week deepens our appreciation for the love and mercy of our Saviour.

And then, on Easter Sunday, we gather to proclaim with joy and exultation: "Christ is risen! He is truly risen!" The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the central event of our faith, it is a message of hope that transcends time and space, bringing light into the darkness and joy into our hearts.

As a Catholic primary school, we are called to bear witness to the Easter message in all that we do. We seek to cultivate in our students a spirit of compassion, kindness, and generosity, reflecting the love of Christ in our words and actions. Through prayer, worship, and service, we strive to nurture the seeds of faith planted within each child, helping them to grow into disciples of Jesus Christ and stewards of God's creation.

Each morning this week we gathered as a school community for our Holy week liturgies. Each liturgy focused on a significant event in Holy week (Palm Sunday, the last supper and washing of the feet, Garden of Gethsemane, and Jesus on the cross) which included a Gospel reading, pray and reflection.

This Easter, let us give thanks for the blessings of faith, family, and community that enrich our lives each day. Let us rejoice in the hope of Easter morning, knowing that through Christ, we are made new and set free to live lives of purpose and meaning. And let us carry the message of Easter joy with us wherever we go, sharing the good news of God's love with all whom we encounter.

On behalf of the OLQP staff, I extend to you our warmest wishes for a blessed and joyful Easter season.

Marissa Redden
Assistant Principal Religious Identity & Mission

From the Assistant Principal Learning, Engagement & Teaching

Passata Day

In the spirit of fostering cultural harmony and community engagement, we kicked off Harmony Week celebrations with an inaugural Passata Making Day on Wednesday 20 March 2024. The event, which brought together students, staff, and members of the school community, aimed to celebrate the diversity of cultures represented within the school while promoting the values of collaboration and inclusivity.

Passata making is a traditional Italian practice of preserving crushed tomatoes, and served as a fitting activity to commemorate Harmony Week. Participants rolled up their sleeves, donned aprons, and gathered around tables laden with fresh tomatoes and basil. The students assisted the process by washing, chopping, and boiling the fresh tomatoes on site and then bottling the fresh passata.

Under the guidance of experienced volunteers and members of the Parents and Friends Committee, the students learned the art of preparing and cooking passata, sharing stories and laughter as they worked side by side. In a remarkable display of teamwork, the school made over 250 bottles, lovingly prepared and packaged.

The event saw Radio Italiana broadcast from the school grounds. Presenters Marco, Peter, Rosalie, Angela and Liliana were impressed with the concept and atmosphere. Their segment was inspired by the tradition of passata making and the presenters offered the school their tips and tricks to a delicious passata. The day also saw Nick from "The Sopranos" grace the students with his presence, serenading the crowd with enchanting melodies on his piano accordion. His performance set the perfect tone for a day filled with community spirit, culinary delights, and the joy of sharing an Italian cultural tradition.

Students enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to engage with cultural practices outside their own, gaining valuable insights into the Italian tradition:

"I've never made passata before, but it's been such a fun experience."
Alex, Year 6
"It smelt so yummy, and I can't wait for mum to buy some to eat for dinner."
Agamjot, Year 2
“I really loved it and learnt lots. Putting the leaves (basil) in the bottles was cool!”
Zavier, Reception
“My friends took turns to wash the tomato and we put them in the bowl. It was the best using our hands.”
Ryder, Reception
“I cut the tomatoes for the sauce to go in the machine. It was exciting.”
Thomas, Year 2
“Cutting and filling the bottles was fun. I liked watching the process and being part of the day.”
Carmel, Year 5
“It was something really good to learn, watch and be part of. I want to do it again.”
Giuliana, Year 6

I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to:

Sarah, parent of Alessandra (Year 2)
Tony, grandparent of Alessandra (Year 2)
Cathy, grandparent of Alessandra (Year 2)
Josie, great aunt of Alessandra (Year 2)
Rosanna, grandparent of Adele (Year 2)
Danielle, parent of Mia (Rec)
Ashleigh, parent of Charlotte (Rec)
Jonica, parent of Indy (Year 5) and Charlie (Year 2)
Michelle, parent of Emma (Year 2) and Elise (Rec), and
Rosa, parent of Ms Pilla,

for their invaluable contribution to Passata Day. Their dedication, enthusiasm, and willingness to volunteer their time was what made this event a resounding success. From organising logistics to lending a helping hand in the kitchen, their support was instrumental in creating a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our school and for embodying the spirit of community and collaboration.

By fostering a culture of inclusivity and appreciation for cultural diversity, initiatives like the Passata Making Day not only enrich our school experience but also pave the way for a more harmonious society.

Please visit our Facebook page to view more images of this amazing cultural experience!

www.facebook.com/olqpschoolsa/

Bond Blocks

In the realm of mathematics education, bridging the gap between counting and calculating can often be a challenging journey for students. Innovative tools like Bond Blocks are paving the way for a smoother transition, offering a hands-on approach to understanding numbers. Education Support Officer, Tanya Larsson, and I were fortunate enough to attend the Bond Blocks professional development day on Tuesday 27 February 2024, facilitated by SpeldSA. We are thrilled to introduce Bond Blocks as a groundbreaking mathematics intervention program at our school.

Bond Blocks serves as a representational manipulative, crafted to support students in grasping numerical concepts with depth, clarity and fluency. Each Bond Block is designed with a length that corresponds to a specific quantity, providing a tangible connection between the physical object and its numerical value. By offering a tactile method for exploring numbers, Bond Blocks empowers students. Whether it's addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division, these manipulatives provide a solid foundation for mathematical fluency and problem solving skills.

Incorporating Bond Blocks into our math intervention program at OLQP aligns with our commitment to excellence in education and our dedication to meeting the diverse needs of our students. Students that qualify for intervention support will take part in four 10 minute lessons per week. Through hands-on activities, collaborative learning opportunities, and targeted interventions, we aim to empower every student to reach their full mathematical potential and become confident, proficient mathematicians.