Term 2 Week 3 2024 Newsletter

Download any of the following documents by clicking on the link.

Playgroup & Occasional Care

• Occasional Care flyer
• Playgroup flyer
• Playgroup term outline - Term 2, 2024
• Playgroup session outline - 2024

Parents & Friends Committee

• Email: PNF@olpq.catholic.edu.au

Second hand Uniform Shop

• Second hand uniform consignment form

Enrolments

• Application for Enrolment form

Canteen

• Canteen menu and price list April 2024
• Qkr! instructions
• Help! I can't download the Qkr! app!

Term calendars

• Term 1, 2024 calendar
• Term 2, 2024 calendar - Updated May 2024
• Term 3, 2024 calendar - Updated May 2024
• Term 4, 2024 calendar - Updated May 2024

Welcome to Term 2.

You may have heard me say towards the end of last term, "The way you end the term often dictates the way you start the next term". As a school community, we ended Term 1 well and we have certainly started Term 2 on many positive notes.

Secondary Pathways

It is important to me that when our students move onto secondary education, they are well prepared and ready to continue being successful. This includes:

• academically,
• socially and emotionally, and
• from an organisational point of view.

To gain information on this, I met with leadership from three secondary pathways options open to our families in the region. I have now met with:

• Nazareth College,
• St Michael's College. and
• Mount Carmel College.

Primary schools do not often approach secondary schools seeking feedback. Overall, the feedback I received from these three schools indicates that our students settle into secondary schooling well, and that our students are ready for the world of secondary education.

They did share with me with a few things to think about, which we will address as a whole school. Despite this, the leadership at these secondary schools did indicate issues were not specific to just Our Lady Queen of Peace School but, in fact, of all primary schools.

I also discussed with the leadership staff what were the guaranteed pathways into secondary education, as well as how we can work collaboratively to build stronger relationships and ties with them. At this stage, there were no short answers to these questions, but I have left these questions as homework for them to follow up. Once I have all the information, I will forward it to our school community.

Homework

I recently heard that Our Lady Queen of Peace School does not provide or believe in homework.

This is completely incorrect.

Homework is an opportunity for students to practise their learning at home, and for families to be part of the learning journey with their child. Homework must be related to and an extension of the students’ learning in class, with a clear focus on practice and deepening a student's understanding. In the past, parents have expressed that the provided reader is too easy for their child; our expectation of parents is to practise and reinforce learning with their child and not teach them – this is our job.

Our homework expectations

Reception, Years 1 & 2
Maximum time per day: 10 mins

• Students are provided books to read at home, high frequency words to learn to support reading.
• They can also practise handwriting, spelling, counting and number facts, prepare oral language reports or ‘sharing’ as part of units of inquiry.

Years 3 & 4
Maximum time per day: 15 mins

• Homework could encompass reading, spelling, dictation, number facts and strategies, developing skills and knowledge to automaticity.

Years 5 & 6
Maximum time per day: 20 mins

• Homework could encompass reading, spelling, dictation, number facts and strategies, developing skills and knowledge to automaticity.

Farewell and welcome

Sadly, we have said "Goodbye" to the Lyons, O’Bryan and Kavura families as they have moved away from the area. We wish our leaving families all the best on the next chapter of their lives.

We recently welcomed the Langman, Chang and Paris families to the Our Lady Queen of Peace School community.

Mother’s Day Breakfast

It was wonderful to see so many mothers, grandmothers, aunties and significant mother figures attend our Mother’s Day Breakfast! For the first time, this year's breakfast was a staff led event, and provided our P & F members, who were the previous organisers, the opportunity to attend and enjoy the breakfast as a parent / caregiver.

I have received considerable positive feedback:

• "It was lovely of the staff to provide this."
• "The food and coffee were great!"
• "The student performances were beautiful."
• "We loved the backdrop and photo taking."
• "Loved the setting, including the tablecloths and plants."

A special note of thanks to Adriana Pilla and Marissa Redden for their coordination of the staff and to our amazing staff for helping out!

ANZAC Day

As a school, we continue to strengthen the concept of Community. Our school recently participated in the Seaton Park RSL dawn service. It was lovely to see students from the school join staff and participate in this significant community and national commemoration. It is important to me that the school becomes part of the fabric of the area.

School Growth

Our school continues to grow, and looking ahead into the future, all signs point to this growth continuing. Diana, Adriana, Marissa, and I have been meeting regularly with the CESA Building and Infrastructure team and GGA (architects). We have also applied to Catholic Education for a building grant.

We are slowly running out of physical space. This current planning, work and time we are investing is to ensure we have enough space to expand into as the school community grows. In time, we will again consult with the community, and are thankful for those that were able to complete the survey. Your thoughts, comments, and requests are included in our thinking.

Please ensure that you submit any sibling enrolments as soon as possible.

I am thankful to our community for their recommendation of Our Lady Queen of Peace School to others outside our community. We receive many enrolment enquires due to family recommendations and the positive word of mouth regarding our school.

Please remember that my door is always open; I try my best to make myself available to meet with families. If you ever have any questions, complaints, or celebrations you want to share with me, always feel welcome to do so.

Take care.

Lee Abela
Principal

This week Catholic schools around South Australia celebrated Catholic Education Week. The week had a core focus on celebrating teaching and learning as well as what it means to be part of a Catholic school community.

This year we chose to highlight our Mercy values through a range of activities throughout the week.

On Monday we focused on Respect and Compassion, where our student leadership group (school captains, house captains, music captains and SRC) visited the residents at Mt Carmel Residential Care.

Our values of Hospitality and Service were on display on Tuesday with the whole school getting involved in cooking soup and dessert for Fred’s Van, a meal service provided by volunteers of the St Vincent de Paul Society.

On Wednesday we focused on the value of Justice by giving back to Foodbank with our Can Drive and sculpture competition. Each class created a sculpture using their donated cans, with the best sculpture awarded a trophy. Congratulations to 5/6SH for their sculpture of a crocodile!

We had a wonderful day coming together as a school community on Thursday for our annual Sports Day. This gave students an opportunity to demonstrate the value of Courage when giving the events a go, and was highlighted through the house spirit points awarded throughout the day.

Finally we concluded the week with community prayer, bringing together all six of our Mercy values and celebrating all the wonderful things that make Our Lady Queen of Peace School a wonderful community.

Raising Hearts and Minds Prayer

Loving God,
Guide us to know life in its fullness, to raise our hearts and minds to know God’s love.
Raise our hearts and minds to be inspired by Jesus, the Catholic faith and tradition.
Raise our hearts to be loving, compassionate and respectful.
Raise our minds to be inquisitive, capable and seek truth.
May we be aware of listening to the stirring of our hearts to prompt action.
Guide us to respond to the needs of others and all of God’s creation.
In all our thoughts, words and actions, help us to raise our hearts and minds in creating
the world you desire.
Loving God hear our prayer.

Amen

Marissa Redden
Assistant Principal
Religious Identity & Mission

Get ready for a dose of excitement as we gear up for another three incredible events happening right here at Our Lady Queen of Peace School. From fostering a love for reading to experiencing the thrill of live broadcasting, there's something for everyone to enjoy!

The scheduled events will aim to foster community engagement:

• We delve into the captivating world of National Simultaneous Storytime, where imaginations soar in unison across the nation.
• Discover the magic of book fairs as we explore the corridors lined with literary treasures.
• Don't miss out on the electrifying buzz as Nova919 broadcasts live from the heart of our school, amplifying the joy of storytelling and education.

National Simultaneous Storytime

Join us on Wednesday 22 May 2024, as we participate in National Simultaneous Storytime! This nationwide event celebrates the joy of reading by having schools, libraries, and families across Australia read the same book at exactly the same time.

This year, we'll be diving into the magical world of storytelling with ‘Bowerbird Blues’. Get ready to embark on an adventure together as we share the magic of reading with our students. This year, we'll be joined by the esteemed Mayor of the City of Charles Sturt, Angela Evans, as our guest reader! Mayor Angela Evans has graciously agreed to join us for this event, and we're thrilled to have her share the joy of reading with our staff and students. Her participation underscores our community's commitment to education and literacy.

Scholastic Book Fair

Calling all bookworms and reading enthusiasts! Our Scholastic Book Fair is back in 2024 and will be taking place from Monday 20 May to Friday 24 May in the Food Technology foyer, before and after school. The Book Fair offers a treasure trove of books for readers of all ages. From captivating stories to educational resources, the Book Fair is the perfect opportunity to explore new worlds and discover new favourites. Not only will you find great reads, but your purchases will also support our school library and literacy programs. Don't miss out on this chance to stock up on fantastic books!

NOVA919 Live Broadcast

Get ready to turn up the volume and dance to the beat as NOVA 919 broadcasts live from our school on Friday 24 May 2024!

This thrilling event will bring the excitement of radio to our school grounds, with live music, entertaining hosts, and plenty of surprises in store. Whether you're a music aficionado or just looking for a fun-filled morning, this broadcast promises to be an unforgettable experience for students, staff, and families alike.

📣 Important Update: Nova919 Visit Revised Time! 📣 

We are excited to announce the revised schedule for the Nova919 visit!

New Details:

• Gate opening time: 7am
  Parents and children can start arriving from this time. Parents are responsible for their children until staff supervision begins.
• Staff supervision: Starts at 8am
  From this time onwards, our staff will be on hand to supervise the children.

Fruit will be available to all students and a coffee van for all parents / caregivers. All are welcome to join us for this once in a lifetime event.

Mark your calendars and spread the word – these events are not to be missed! We look forward to celebrating the joy of reading, the magic of storytelling, and the thrill of live broadcasting with our school community. See you there!

Adriana Pilla
Assistant Principal
Learning, Engagement and Teaching

This year marks an exciting chapter in our journey towards cultivating a strong culture of inclusivity within our school community. As the appointed Key Teacher for Inclusive Education, I am thrilled to embark on this journey alongside our dedicated staff.

Data collection

Every learner deserves an equal opportunity to thrive. Australian students with disability must be able to access and participate in education on the same basis as their peers. To ensure this, students with disability may receive adjustments to access education, based on the professional judgement of teachers, in consultation with the student and/or their parents, guardians or carers. The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) takes place every year.

The NCCD data collection counts:

• the number of school students receiving an adjustment or 'help' due to disability.
• the level of adjustment they are receiving to access education on the same bases as other students.

All schools in Australia must collect information about students with disability.

NCCD

The NCCD:

• ensures that the information collected is transparent, consistent and reliable,
• provides better information that improves understanding of students with disability,
• allows parents, guardians, carers, teachers, principals, education authorities and government to better support students with disability.

The NCCD data informs funding and work by schools and sectors. It ensures that support for students with disability becomes routine in the day-to-day practice of schools.

For more information about the NCCD:

• please feel welcome to contact me: Olivia.Mammone@olqp.catholic.edu.au OR
• click on the factsheet image or the following link: NCCD Parent Factsheet.
• in languages other than English, the NCCD Parent Factsheet can be accessed HERE.

Olivia Mammone
Key Teacher - Inclusive Education

SAPSASA Athletics Carnival

On Thursday 4 April 2024, students ranging from Years 4-6 represented our school at the annual SAPSASA Athletics Carnival at the Port Adelaide Athletics Club. 

The students competed against other schools in the Port SAPSASA district in a range of track and field events. 

Well done to all the students involved. They were wonderful ambassadors for our school and were successful throughout the day, coming third overall in Division 3!

SAPSASA Cross Country

Congratulations to Sophie P and Henry S who were selected in the Port SAPSASA Cross Country team. We wish both students all the best for their upcoming carnival in June 2024.

SACPSSA Swimming Carnival

On Wednesday 3 April 2024, 11 students ranging from Years 3-6 represented our school at the annual Catholic Schools Swimming Carnival at the SA Aquatic Centre, Oaklands Park.

The students competed against other Catholic schools in the metropolitan area in the strokes of freestyle, backstroke, butterfly and breaststroke.

Students were successful throughout the day, placing in numerous individual events.

Overall

Well done to all the students involved these events. They represented our school with pride and participated with great tenacity in all their events.

Sincere thanks go to our parent volunteers who volunteered their time to help with timekeeping and officiating. 

This year's Mother's Day breakfast was an outstanding celebration of all the significant caregivers and adults in our students' lives.

Held on Friday 10 May 2024, bacon and egg rolls were on offer for parents, with pancakes for their children. Our school choir performed admirably and the photo booth was very popular.

Check out some images in the following gallery.

More photos are available on our Facebook page - just click HERE to access!

Thank you to all members of our community who have been able to participate in the "Shop for your School" promotional campaign at the Port Adelaide Plaza!

Our school came first and won $10,000!

It was fantastic to see the school community unite and work together to achieve this amazing result.

More information regarding our receiving the prize will be shared soon!

ANZAC Day

Last week in 2CE, we delved into the significance of ANZAC Day, exploring its importance through engaging activities.

We read books that shed light on this significant day in Australian and New Zealand history.

Additionally, we had the wonderful opportunity to utilise our school's cooking facilities, crafting delicious ANZAC biscuits. We hope you enjoy the recipe as much as we enjoyed making them!

Please click on the recipe below to access an enlarged version.

Courtney Elliott and Marissa Redden
2CE teachers

Goal setting

This term, we are excited to share our focus on setting and achieving goals. We believe that goals are vital in unlocking our potential and becoming the best versions of ourselves. To facilitate this process, we introduced goal trees, which serve as visual reminders of our aspirations. We commenced our journey by explicitly learning about the purpose of a goal and how to successfully achieve one through practice, reflection and feedback. 

Each student has set 3 goals: one personal, one behavioural, and one academic. Throughout the term, we will monitor these goals, providing continuous feedback and implementing strategies to ensure success for all!

Join us in witnessing the remarkable growth of our students as they strive towards their aspirations! 

Olivia Mammone
3/4OM teacher

As we embark on another exciting term of language learning, I am thrilled to introduce myself as the newest addition to the Spanish teaching team!

After completing a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Spanish and Italian and a Graduate Diploma in TESOL, I packed my bags and travelled to Spain to teach English as a foreign language at a language school in Ávila. Teaching various age groups, from children as young as three years old, up to adults, I found my passion in the early years.

After five years immersing myself in the language and culture, I returned to Adelaide eager to share the beauty of the Spanish language and culture with others, so went back to university to complete my Master in Teaching (Early Childhood Education). I have a passion for language and dedication to education.  I strive to bring a fresh perspective and innovative approach to our Spanish curriculum.

Term 2 language focus

Throughout Term 2, our focus in Spanish classes will centre around immersive language experiences and practical application. My expertise lies in creating dynamic learning environments where students not only grasp the fundamentals of Spanish grammar and vocabulary but also develop confidence in speaking and understanding the language in real-world contexts.

Term 2 learning in my classes

• Reception - Likes / dislikes (me gusta / no me gusta) 
• Years 1/2 - Food vocabulary
  Ordering food at markets and restaurants/cafes.
  Asking and responding when ordering.
  Sharing opinions about food .
• Year 5/6 - Verb conjugations to be, to have and to wear (ser, tener y llevar)
  Describe ourselves and others (personality and physical descriptions).
  Introduce Spanish descriptive vocab and noun-adjective agreement.

We look forward to a rewarding and enriching Term 2 filled with language learning adventures!

Rebecca Belperio
Spanish teacher

Come and join the fun!

• Playgroup is on Wednesdays 9am-10.30am for children 0-5 years.
• Occasional Care is on Tuesdays 9am-12noon for children 3-5 years.

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

More questions?

Playgroup - Rachael Stathis

• Phone: 8279 8800
• Email: RStathis@olqp.catholic.edu.au

Occasional Care - Andi Benzija

• Phone: 8279 8800
• Email: Andi.Benzija@olqp.catholic.edu.au

NEW OPENING TIMES:

FRIDAYS

• 8.40am – 9am
• 2.45pm – 3.10pm

The 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.

Location:

Located in the P & F Room (near the girls' toilets, adjacent the basketball courts).

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

P & F Committee

New families and permanent bookings:

All new family bookings and permanent bookings 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

Australian Sports Camps are running three day school sports camps for primary aged children in the July 2024 school holidays. 

It is a great opportunity for children from your school to improve their skills or learn a new sport with friends.

Click on the image of the flyer for access to more information.

If you have any further questions don’t hesitate to get in contact.

Lachlan Milligan
Phone: 1300 914 368
Web page: australiansportscamps.com.au
Facebook: facebook.com/AustralianSportsCamps

Please click on the images below to enlarge and access more information.