Contents
- From the Principal
- Student Voice
- NAPLAN Results - Year 5
- Parent Grievance Procedure Flowchart
- Teaching and Learning
- From the APRIM
- Year 5/6 TP - Class update
- OLQP Children's University Relaunch Confirmed!
- Book Week Feedback
- Book Week 2022 Celebrations
- Book Week Competition Winners!
- Father's Day Stall and Breakfast
- Book Club Rewards
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar Lunch
- Vacation Care October Holidays 2022
- Need OSHC on the Pupil Free Day?
- Woodville Little Athletics Centre
- Port SAPSASA Boys Cricket 2022
- Little Heroes Foundation Fundraiser
- OLQP Enrolments 2023-2025
- Before & After School Care
- Second-hand uniform shop
- Canteen News
- Early Learning @ OLQP!
Term 3 Week 6 Newsletter
The previous fortnight has been filled with so many great whole school events:
- school photos,
- Showdown Donut Day,
- Book Week,
- Father’s Day Gift Stall, and
- Father’s Day Breakfast.
The success of all these events is due entirely to the partnership between the school, the Parents and Friends Committee, and families in general. We have begun to add #celebratethegoodOLQP to our Facebook posts to demonstrate this successful partnership.
It is important that we strengthen the concept of celebrating the good as there is so much good that occurs in our school. Sometimes in the busyness of life, we get caught up with the challenges and forget that good exists. Our good does not only exist in school events. The good exists in the everyday teaching and learning of students. This has been evident in our results in InitiaLit and PLD, NAPLAN data, MiniLit and MacqLit data, and the success students experience everyday. I appreciate this is an area we need to share more with families!
My Dad
When I look back on my life, my father had a significant influence on me as a person and as an educator. I come from a long line of butchers, and though I learnt the trade and ran my Dad’s shop whilst he was unwell, I was the first to break this long line and pursue a different career.
My Dad always wanted his children to have a different life to his, which we indeed all have. I have recently been thinking about my dad and the lessons he taught me, particularly as I navigate the waters of being the Principal of Our Lady Queen of Peace School.
My meetings with families over the last few weeks have highlighted that there are many excellent things that are occurring at the school. It has also made me aware that there are some people who are struggling to see the positivity and are stuck in the negative.
My Dad would say:
- It is the squeaky wheel that gets the oil but be careful of giving oil to something that you don’t believe or know about factually. The moment you do this, you are allowing other people’s thoughts to become your own.
- Go to the source. If you have heard something that is concerning, if you are unhappy about something or unsure of where your child is with their learning, stop talking about it and go have a conversation – this could be with the teacher or the Principal in our context.
- If you only look for the bad, that is all that you will see. Change your thinking to look for the good and you will be surprised at how much you will find!
My father was a wise man and I miss him everyday. I have recently had conversations with a number of families about some concerns they have about the school. I encourage you to help them see the good that is occurring in the school and not let one person’s negative conversation influence yours.
2023 planning
It is the time of year when as a school we begin planning for next year. To begin with we are looking at class structures and staffing.
If you have any changes or requests regarding your child for 2023, could you please inform the school by Friday 9 September 2022. This information ensures that we are able to plan and accommodate for all children to thrive successfully on their learning journey.
I ask you to let the school know by email – info@olqp.catholic.edu.au.
Please remember if you would like to make a time to meet with me to discuss any issues, you simply need to contact staff in the front office to make an appointment.
Pupil Free Day
On Friday 9 September 2022, the staff will be engaging in a Staff Retreat Day. We will be based at St Aloysius College to reconnect with our Mercy tradition. The plan is to resurrect the 
Mercy keys of:
- Integrity,
- Loyalty,
- Compassion,
- Justice,
- Mutual respect,
- Responsibility, and
- Hospitality.
The intention is for these Mercy keys to permeate through the school. This will link with “What does it mean to be a student at Our Lady Queen of Peace School” and what are our expectations of our students.
Links to the Mercy keys will also be evident in our teaching and learning, our Respectful Relationships Policy, and in our everyday.
I wish all fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, as well as mothers and caregivers that are doing a double shift, a very happy Father’s Day!
Lee Abela
Principal
Nature Play Area
On Wednesday 31 August 2022, I received the first design concept of our Nature Play area. I will be sharing the plan with the community and will be open to feedback. I was so excited receiving this design concept, and immediately called each Year 3 to Year 6 class and asked for two students to attend a meeting and provide feedback (I will also do this with the R-2 classes).
The feedback I received from these students was positive, and the questions students asked were really insightful. As we move towards school improvement, I want to hear from all stakeholders: students, staff and families. I am keen to have the process move as quickly as possible. Once the design is finalised, a costing will occur and then the work commencement date will be booked. My hope is that we will see some building work before the end of the year.
Pulse Check Data
For the last couple of years, Catholic Education South Australia (CESA) has conducted a Pulse Check survey each term. The purpose of the Pulse Check is to check in with students to see how they feel about their school, their learning and wellbeing.
There are 8 questions (the same questions each survey) with three response options: Not very often, Sometimes, and Most of the time.
As you can imagine, we would like all students to be in the ‘Most of the time’ category. It is our aim that students in the ‘Not very often’ category move up to ‘Sometimes’ and students who respond with ‘Sometimes’ move up to ‘Most of the time’.
The data we have received from each survey is pleasing but there is some room for improvement.
Our Term 3 data indicates:
- 71% of students ‘Most of the time’
- 23% of students ‘Sometimes’
- 6% of students ‘Not very often’
It’s also important to know that no student indicated ‘Not very often’ in all questions. Though it’s not many, the most ‘Not very often’ appeared in 4 out of the 8 questions (only for 2 students).
Overall, I believe our data is positive.
Do you have a concern?
From time to time, problems will arise in a school setting. As a school, we have a process of whom to go to when parents have a grievance.
It is important that parents do not approach students or make gestures at them.
Problems can be easily dealt with by going to the right person at an appropriate time. If you have any questions about this process, please contact the school on 8279 8800.
Sunday’s Gospel reading, Lk 14:1. 7-14 Humble yourself and be exalted, includes a message about humility which is as relevant today as it was in the first century.
I have included Greg Sunter’s reflection of the gospel below:
It is part of human nature to want to fit in and to want to belong. Sometimes we are tempted to seek this acceptance at any cost. When our sense of belonging is achieved through the harming, humiliation or exploitation of others then the price is too high. When our desire for the latest fashion comes at the expense of others being able to simply live, then the price is too high. When we lift ourselves up by putting others down, then the price is too high.
Greg Sunter
Sacramental Program information
A reminder that there will be a parent information night for the Sacramental Program of First Reconciliation on Wednesday 14 September (Week 8) in the Our Lady Queen of Peace School library at 6:15pm.
If you would like your child to participate in the Sacramental Program, please join us for this information session; you may also contact me at school for further information.
R U OK? Day
Lastly, Thursday 8 September is R U OK? Day. In recognition of this the Year 1/2 cohort will be hosting a whole school liturgy in the school hall at 10am. Please feel very welcome to join us.
May your week be blessed.
Marissa Redden
APRIM
What colour is Monday? What does summer taste like? What does blue smell like? These questions are based around the experience of synesthesia.
Synesthesia is essentially when more than one of your senses are used to describe your reaction, thoughts, or emotions to something. For example, you may use the sense of smell to describe what you see, or your sense of sight to describe what you hear.
Some of the activities we did were to answer a series of questions and then collect data on those responses. We listened to the notes on a piano keyboard and coloured each key with the colour that best represents the sound. We also created artwork that matched the letters of our name.
Our final task was to choose a piece of instrumental music, and then create artwork that represented the sounds and emotions of that music. The students found this to be quite a challenging yet rewarding task, as they were not creating the conventional artwork of an image or picture but instead trying to use visual art to represent sound. The music selected ranged from classical piano to heavy rock. Below are some examples of what we have been doing throughout the term.
What is the colour of noise? |
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What is the smell of happiness? |
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Colour the keyboard the way it sounds |
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Letters, lines, and patterns |
 |
Leigh Turbill and Oliver Parker
Year 5/6 TP Teachers
Visual responses to different music heard
Exciting news! The Children’s University Australia (CUA) program will begin at OLQP in Term 4, 2022 after a relaunch at 11.15am on Friday 23 September 2022!
Gemma from CUA Adelaide will attend and speak to students in Years 2-5 about how they can participate in this “life-long learning” program at OLQP. Gemma will also bring academic gowns and mortar boards that students who graduate each year have the opportunity to wear.
Here are some images of previous OLQP CUA graduates:
Parents are most welcome and encouraged to attend the session, where information regarding the whole program including registration will be shared. More information will be sent home soon!
We look forward to meeting with Gemma for this most exciting relaunch!
#celebratethegoodOLQP
"Book Week and the week leading in to it were super busy for the library, with just over 500 students from 6 different sites coming for book week visits.
"It was great to see so many students from Our Lady Queen of Peace visit the Civic Library as part of their Book Week celebrations. Students learnt about the collections and services available at public libraries and many were surprised to hear that with a free library card they have the potential to borrow up to 100 items! Librarian, Julia, shared some CBCA shortlisted books with the students and they enjoyed making a collage based on Walk of the Whales by Nick Bland. Thanks for visiting the library fellow book worms!!"
Julia Orlowski
Literacy and Learning Officer - Children’s
Charles Sturt Library Service
#celebratethegoodOLQP
I was very impressed with the RC and RD classes on their excursion to the Woodville Library, they were very well behaved and listened to instructions.
It was a pleasure to be part of this experience with the students, they all represented themselves and their school community well.
A fantastic and well run Book Week - congratulations to all the OLQP community.
Sarah, OLQP parent
#celebratethegoodOLQP
This was the first ever event I have attended. I don’t have anything to compare it to but I thought it ran quite smoothly.
Tegan, OLQP parent
#celebratethegoodOLQP
Most of the students showed impeccable behaviour being themselves and also respectful during the excursion.
Thanks to the school staff, especially Mrs Cummings for her organisation and lead.
Luisa, OLQP parent
Each year we celebrate Book Week to share the joy of reading and recognise some amazing Australian authors and illustrators. Reading is what helps us to develop our knowledge of words, improve our imagination and creativity, exercise our brain, and build our general knowledge.
Book Week Activities
Last week, the children were involved in a variety of whole school activities from an excursion to the Woodville library, special guest speakers, a scavenger hunt using picture books, and creating their own dream catchers (just to name a few).
Book Week Parade
The children have been reading the CBCA shortlisted books and have participated in some additional Book Week activities in their own classrooms. On Wednesday 24 August 2022, children participated in the highly anticipated Book Week Parade. We saw many children dressed up as their favourite book character or came to school wearing comfortable pyjamas to tie into this year's theme – 'Dreaming with eyes open'. It was truly beautiful to see the children’s happy faces as they paraded their costume in front of our school community.
There was a natural buzz of excitement and fun in the air as we celebrated Book Week together. I would like to thank all our families for their effort and help to put together their children’s costumes for our Book Week Parade.
Book Swap
I would also like to acknowledge the following 5/6 students for their assistance in certain activities from facilitating Book Swap to giving up their time during recess and lunch to help run small group library activities.
Thank you to:
| Kesar | Amy | Miles | Austin |
| Savannah | Lily | Sebastian | Archie |
| Ella | Avah B | Elliot | EJ |
| Ava A | Bailee | Andrew | Alex |
| Charlie | Seriannah | Louisa |
A special mention to our school captains, Avah and Halen, for hosting this year's Parade with enthusiasm and lots of energy. Well done!
Adriana Pilla
Literacy Leader of Learning
It was wonderful to receive many Book Week competition entries this year. Children were invited to draw about a favourite dream, design a book week poster around this year's theme or write a short story. Congratulations to all the children who entered in our Book Week Competition.
There were several outstanding entries which made it very hard to decide on the winners.
Congratulations to the following students:
| Yana | Erald | Mateo | Maya | Indy B |
| Evie | Sophie P | Amelia R | Tyree | Giuliana |
| Zahlia | Mitchell E | Poppy W | Kylah | Isabella - REW |
| Jas S | Lily S | CK | Alexander K | George N |
| Alexis | Louisa H |
"Guess the Staff Member Behind the Book" Competition Winner
Congratulations to George C for correctly identifying all the staff members in the “Guess the Staff Member Behind the Book” competition!
George won a $5 canteen voucher!
Adriana Pilla
Literacy Leader of Learning
Father's Day Gift Stall
The Father's Day gift stall, held on Thursday 1 September 2022, was a great success!
Students had opportunities to purchase a gift for the special significant adults in their lives in class groups as well as individually at recess time.
It was great to see students use their financial literacy skills and make wise, considered gift purchases.
Raffle tickets sales were as popular as ever, and congratulations to the winners!
A major shout-out to the P & F Committee for staging another wonderful event for our students and community!
Father's Day Breakfast
The community turnout at the Father's Day Breakfast on Friday 2 September 2022 was outstanding!
It was great to see all the fathers and significant adults in our children's lives share in a community meal on site.
This event is facilitated by the P & F Committee but importantly supported by many members of the OLQP community, including the Larizza and Argent families.
Thank you again to our Book Club supporters!
With the total of your purchases, we were able to able to get these books for the library, FREE!
Your support of Book Club is really appreciated!
Jeanette Barge
ESO Library
As part of this year's Book Week festivities, the children had the opportunity to pre-order their lunch. Inspired by the book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, the children received a sausage, cupcake, a piece of fruit and a fruit box.
The event would not have run so smoothly if it were not for the amazing OLQP Parents and Friends committee. They worked tirelessly to ensure orders were collated, supplies were organised, decorations were displayed and sausages were cooked to perfection. It was a huge undertaking and we are so very lucky to have such a supportive group who are always thinking of the children first.
A special mention to Corin, Louisa, Corrina, Seema, Lauren and Justine for their amazing efforts on the day. And for Mr Abela for helping to cook the BBQ too.
We would also like to thank Tony and Marks @ The Brickworks for their donation of 150 mandarins and apples. Their generosity towards this school fundraiser was very much appreciated by all!
Adriana Pilla
Literacy Leader of Learning
Program & Booking Information
Exciting and fun sessions are likely to fill up fast, so book now to avoid the disappointment of missing out!
Please find our exciting Vacation Care program and booking information for the October 2022 school holidays in the downloadable link below:
My name is Margherita McAuliffe and I am a committee member of Woodville Little Athletics Centre.
Our season is commencing soon on 24 September 2022.
We hold our meets every Saturday Morning, 8.45am at Findon High School Oval, Drummond Avenue, Findon.
Our athletics club is family friendly and all inclusive – catering for all levels of abilities – All of our committee members and coaches have a current Working With Children Check (WWCC).
As you are aware, sport plays a very important part in children's mental and physical wellbeing so we are encouraging as many children to give Little Athletics a go!
If you have any questions, please feel free to email and I will be more than happy to respond.
Margherita McAuliffe
Woodville Little Athletics Committee Member
Disco Extravaganza!!
The Associazione Sinopolese Del South Australia and Maria SS Di Tutte Le Grazie present a fundraising event for the Little Heroes Foundation, supporting children's physical and mental health.
Tickets include a 3-course dinner, show and drinks package, where you can dance the night away to the best hits of the 70s and 80s!
Friday 14 October 2022
To book tickets or for more information, download the flyer below.
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” 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 access the website app, families must have an email address that is recorded on their Spike account. Families 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 OLQP Second-hand Uniform Shop service, facilitated by a dedicated group of parents, supports the community access quality and affordable second-hand uniforms for their children.
Please note CURRENT opening times:
MONDAYS - P & F Room (adjacent the Canteen)
- 8.40am – 9am
- 2.45pm – 3.10pm
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 (or consignment items) to the Second-hand Uniform Shop volunteers.
Call 8279 8800 if you require more information.
Louisa Scopacasa
Second-hand Uniform Shop Coordinator
P & F Committee
T
he 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
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:
Playgroup
During Term 3, 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!
More questions?
Rachael Stathis
Occasional Care and Playgroup Coordinator
Social