Term 2 Week 10 2023 Newsletter

From the Principal

I am sure that most people have noticed, when they see me walk around the school, how proud I am to be the principal of Our Lady Queen of Peace School, and how much I love the school and the community.

Feedback

Mid year enrolment family

Recently, I took a mid year Reception family, whom I originally met last year, on another tour of the school. They asked if my plan of moving the classes around as discussed during the original visit had occurred.

They were pleased to hear and see that this had indeed occurred and were able to see my original vision for the Early Years precinct come to life. We both agreed that this change was imperative. As we moved through the rest of the school, they were impressed with how much has been achieved in such a short time.

Parishioner

I regularly attend Sunday Mass at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church. After Mass a couple of weeks ago, a man approached me and asked if I was the new principal of the school. Proudly, I said, "Yes!". He told me that his children attended the school but remembers that at the time the school had many children leave.

He continued to say that he had noticed the school improvements and heard good things about the school.

CESA Consultant – Safeguarding and Child Protection

I was contacted by a Catholic Education SA (CESA) representative for a tour of the school, and to have a conversation regarding the structures we have in place for child protection. I proudly spoke about the changes that have occurred in the school and then engaged in conversation about our child protection systems. The CESA representative spoke highly of the systems we have in place and our commitment to child protection.

Disco

Thank you to the Parents and Friends Committee for coordinating and delivering a great disco evening for our students. Events like these do not happen without the help of many people. The feedback from students was positive.

This event was also well supported by the staff of the school. It was great to see many teaching and support staff at the disco. Just in case you haven’t heard or seen, the staff cut the floor again with a dance! The disco was a great example of community and partnership.

School Improvement

Nature Play

The Nature Play area in the Early Years precinct is near completion. I am hoping to take classes for a walk through before the end of the term. It will be an exciting addition to this area and the school. It is important to understand that although it is called Nature Play, it will be filled with learning opportunities.

A common question I have been asked is, “Who is allowed to play on it?” My vision is that the Nature Play in the Early Years precinct is mainly for Early Years (R-2) students. Older students are welcome to share this space but their focus will be on helping younger children rather than dominating the play space. With my strong beliefs on community, I am reluctant to implement limited access to spaces in the school.

Construction of our larger Nature Play facility (replacing our current playground) is due to start in late August.

Farewell

We say goodbye to Chevelle Prokop who has been providing educational support across the school. Chevelle is studying to be a teacher and will be on placement in Term 3. I thank her for her commitment to supporting our students and being a part of our community.

I wish you a happy and safe term break. Term 3 begins on Monday 24 July. I look forward to seeing our mid year enrolment class “officially” begin their journey at Our Lady Queen of Peace School, and can't wait to see the joy, excitement and learning that our new Nature Play area will bring.

Lee Abela
Principal

Book Week: 19 - 25 August 2023

Greetings, bookworms and literature enthusiasts! We are thrilled to announce the upcoming OLQP Book Week 2023. It is a highly anticipated event that celebrates the magic of books and encourages a lifelong love for reading. Set your calendars and get ready to embark on a literary journey like no other.

What is Book Week 2023?

Every year, the Children's Book Council of Australia holds a book week across Australia to promote the importance of reading and the joy that children can find in it. Schools, libraries, booksellers, authors, illustrators, and children come together to celebrate Australian literature in a whole host of events and parades, with the week culminating with the Book of the Year Awards.

Book Week was first introduced in 1945. Each year, Book Week has a particular theme that the entire week will be focused on. At the end of the week, the Book of the Year Awards take place! This is a fantastic event that aims to celebrate and promote the amazing quality of the literature released. Books are shortlisted in various categories, which include:

Older Readers
Younger Readers
Early Childhood
Best Picture Book
The Eve Pownall Award
The Award for New Illustrator

When is Book Week 2023?

Book Week will be held 19-25 August, Week 5 of Term 3. The 2023 Book Week theme is: 'Read, Grow, Inspire.'

The importance of Book Week

Anything that furthers children’s ability to read and find a passion for it is, of course, an important cause. This is what Book Week is all about, with the primary aim of the event being to share great works of children’s literature and spark a love of reading that will stay with young people for life. We all know how important reading is for children’s cognitive and emotional development. It equips them with vital literacy skills and widens the scope of their imagination.

Book Week gives children, teachers, parents, and guardians an excuse to dive into the world of children’s books together. By creating an annual event out of reading that everyone looks forwards to, children are likely to look back with fond memories and continue reading as a hobby later on in life.

Read, Grow, Inspire

The theme of "Read, Grow, Inspire" is focused on how literature has the capacity to develop a child's inner world and how it can plant the seed of inspiration for them to express their own creativity. In this manner, children are almost like plants and literature is the sun, the soil, and the water. With good literature, students can grow and flourish. This not only celebrates the wonderful relationship between children and books but also honours the authors and the role they play in a child's development.

Book Week at OLQP

Book Week is celebrated in many different ways all across the country. Within our school and library, you will be able to see eye-catching book-themed displays and activities about the books children will read. Activities may include staging a small role play, undertaking a scavenger hunt using picture books, drawing a favourite character, designing a book cover, participating in our annual Book Week costume parade and more. We look forward to having as much parent participation in our festivities as possible. Stay tuned for what's to come, as more information will come out about our Book Week festivities!

This year, Book Week 2023 promises a celebration of literature that will captivate and inspire readers of all ages. Whether you're a lifelong bookworm or simply someone who appreciates the power of words, this event is for you. Mark your calendars, and spread the word about OLQP Book Week 2023!

Adriana Pilla
Leader of Learning - Literacy
Book Week Coordinator

Class update - 5/6 T gallery

Specialist update - PE

Importance of an active lifestyle

As a parent, you want the best for your child. One of the best things you can do for them is to encourage an active lifestyle. There are countless benefits to physical activity, and it's never too early (or late) to start.

Regular physical activity is vital for children's physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children and adolescents need at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily. Here are some great reasons why:

Improved physical health: Regular physical activity can help children maintain a healthy weight, build strong bones and muscles, improve coordination and balance, and enhance respiratory and cardiovascular health.
Better mental health: Exercise has been linked to improved mood, reduced anxiety and depression, and better stress tolerance.
Increased academic performance: Multiple studies have shown that children who have physical activity integrated into their daily routine perform better academically.
Social benefits: Physical activity can help children develop social skills, form lasting friendships, and become more confident in themselves.
Instilling healthy habits: By encouraging your children to maintain an active lifestyle, you are setting the stage for a lifetime of good habits.

So, what can you do to promote physical activity in your child's life? Start small. Encourage your child to engage in activities they enjoy, whether it's joining a sports team or simply taking a daily walk with you. Keep it fun and make it a family affair.

Port District SAPSASA Representatives

Congratulations to the following students who were recently selected for Port District SAPSASA representative teams this term! Your hard work, dedication, and talent has been acknowledged, and you should be incredibly proud of your achievements.

Sophie - Cross country
Jay and Archie - Football (AFL)
Leila - Netball

3/4 netball team
Semester 1 Thursday Division 1 Winners

A huge congratulations to the 3/4 netball team, led by the exceptional coaching of Michelle P, on their victory in the Thursday Division 1 Netball competition at St Clair Recreation Centre for Semester 1! Your hard work, determination, and team camaraderie is an asset and this is a great achievement. In recognition, the girls will be presented with medallions at our school assembly on the last day of term.

Matthew Annetta
PE teacher