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- Religious Education
- Principals Report
- Staffing Term 2
- Catholic Education Week 2021 – Theme in Port Pirie Diocese: Come and Stay
- NAPLAN
- School Photos – Thursday May 6
- School Attendance
- Thursdays Pick-up 2.30 pm
- Transition Students
- School Counsellor/ Social Worker
- Leader of Learning
- Canteen Price increase
- Health and Wellness
- Enrolment for Year 7 and 8 at Loxton High School in 2022
- Term 2 Calendar
- Happy Birthday!!!!
- Community News
St Joseph the Worker – Feast Day May 1st
Have you ever imagined St Joseph as a migrant worker? Would he have taken with him as many tools of trade as he could carry when he fled with Mary and the child Jesus into Egypt? What would it have been like for him trying to find work in a foreign land to support his family? Would anyone help them, or would these ‘outsiders’ be exploited or left to fend for themselves?
During the COVID-19 pandemic temporary seasonal workers have had a very difficult time. Many came to Australia for jobs that disappeared because of the pandemic. None the less, these workers found themselves ineligible for the Jobseeker allowance. Many could not go home. They became stranded in Australia because of closed borders. Without work or access to government support, they were forced to rely on charities.
Those who did find work were often exposed to risk of infection with the virus – for example in the coronavirus outbreak that centred on the meatworks in Colac in mid-2020, or in food delivery or cleaning.
Sadly, the exploitation of migrant workers is not something that only happens in other countries.
Before the pandemic, over a million overseas workers on temporary visas came to Australia each year. Even in the best of times, temporary seasonal workers are more vulnerable to exploitative working conditions than workers who have Australian citizenship. FairWork Australia says that “employees under the [Pacific Labour] Scheme have the same workplace rights as other employees in Australia”. But temporary seasonal workers might not know that. They are less likely to know what their rights are, and to be able to effectively assert them. It is not uncommon to hear stories of unreasonable accommodation charges and other levies being imposed. There have even been reports of passports being held by employers.
Migrant workers often lack friends and allies who can help them.
Can we see in the faces of temporary seasonal workers the face of St Joseph, seeking work in a foreign land, trying to support his family? Can we see migrant workers as our sisters and brothers in need of our care? Can we welcome them into our homes, communities and churches and defend their dignity and rights?
Let us entrust temporary seasonal workers in Australia to the protection of St Joseph the Worker.
Bishop Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM (Conv)
Chair, Bishops Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service
Bishop of Parramatta
Rosemary Perre
APRIM
Happy Easter!
We have many children at Our Lady of the River who have Greek heritage. This weekend is special for these families.
In 2021, Orthodox Easter Sunday falls on 2 May, just over a month after Western churches celebrate the holiday. The date on which Easter falls depends entirely on the calendar, followed by each variety of Christianity. Western Churches, typically Catholic, use the Gregorian calendar, the standard calendar for much of the world. However, the Orthodox Church follows the older Julian calendar, which often sets Orthodox Easter later than when Western Churches celebrate it. Sometimes both Easter celebrations are held on the same date, but Orthodox Easter tends to come a week or so after the Catholic Easter and can even arrive up to five weeks later. This Sunday, we wish our Greek Orthodox families a very Happy Easter.
Dear Parents, Caregivers, Staff, Students and Friends,
Welcome to Term 2! A busy week to get us back into the swing of routines. It was great to welcome staff, students and families back to school after a great holiday break. I felt incredibly blessed and privileged to experience the ANZAC Day Service at the Barmera Garden of Remembrance on Sunday. What a beautiful, powerful and reflective opportunity for our School Captain Representatives, Jack Hunter, Ruby Wishart and Paul Efthimiou.
Staff have planned lots of wonderful learning experiences for the students this term. There are also several extra-curricular events scattered throughout the term. Please make sure you check the school dates on the weekly newsletter and add relevant ones to your family calendar sent out at the end of the last term.
A reminder that I am always happy to have a chat with parents and caregivers at any time. Sharing celebrations, worries, concerns and answering queries is essential to maintain a team approach to supporting students. Please give me a call or make a time for a conversation.
This term, the communication methods to parents, caregivers and the community has changed. Due to the safety of protecting children's identity, the school is reducing the number of photos of students, especially close up shots of students on Facebook. We have trialed and are using a more measured, safe and strategic approach to publishing pictures online using the Seesaw app to celebrate student activities and achievements. Seesaw will also be the platform for the school, teachers, parents and caregivers to communicate about matters related to the students. The only communication via phone text-messaging will be to and from the Principal for late notices and emergencies.
In summary, we ask parents and caregivers to refer to the school newsletter for all important events and information on the SZapp. If parents and caregivers need clarification about school happenings, please contact the Administration Office on 85821128. General classroom reminders, photos and communication about students, their achievement and school events will be via Seesaw app.
Matters related to absenteeism must be communicated on the day via the SZapp or by contacting the Administration Office. Long term absenteeism of more than two days requires parents and caregivers to fill in an Absenteeism Form beforehand if possible and approved by the Principal. These forms are available at the Front Office or via email to info@olor.catholic.edu.au.
Facebook posts will be to communicate general information and celebration of school events.
Ros Oates
Principal
We have a few staffing changes this Term. We welcome Miss Maddie Trueman teaching the Year 2 class, and Miss Mel Pfeiler returns as an Education Support Officer across several year levels in the school.
Catholic Education Week 2021 – Theme in Port Pirie Diocese: Come and Stay
The Pt Pirie Diocesan schools contribute to joint activities to showcase the work of Catholic schools in our diocese. Each school’s uniqueness and opportunities are highlighted and students’ contributions to their communities are celebrated. Catholic Education Week is from 3 to 9 May, 2021.
Numerous activities will be occurring in each of our schools across the Riverland and the events being celebrated at Our Lady of the River are:
Sunday May 2 | 9am Mass. Whole school community invited to attend with the staff. |
Monday May 3 | St Joseph the Worker Day. Casual Day – Theme (dress as an important 'worker' in our community e.g. police, fire fighters, emergency personnel, veterans, and active military.) |
Wednesday May 5 | Whole School Mass followed by a walk to the river, shared sausage sizzle lunch with the community, visual arts activity and games. |
Thursday May 6 | School Photos Day – 200 Years of Catholic Education Photo |
Friday May 7 |
Mothers (Grandmothers, caregivers) Afternoon Tea 2.30 pm onwards and Community Appreciation Day. |
Afternoon tea, nibbles and drinks will be served in the school courtyard from 2.30 pm onwards by the senior captains.
Community Service Projects in each class e.g. Cards and Snack Baskets put together and dropped off at selected service centres from each class at the end of the day.
A reminder to families of Years 3, 5 and 7, NAPLAN is in Week 3 & 4, 14 – 22 May. Please ensure these dates are in your diaries and that your children are promptly at school on these days as the assessment time frames start in the morning block. NAPLAN tests the essential skills for every child to progress through school and life, such as Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar and Numeracy. It is important to remember that NAPLAN is not about passing or failing but about assessing learning progress. It is one test on one day, not a representation of all your child's strengths and abilities.
Please feel free to contact your child's teacher or the Leadership Team if you have any questions at all about the NAPLAN Assessment Program. Results for individual students will be sent home to families once they arrive at the school later in the year.
Our teachers have been working with students to ensure that they are prepared and confident for the NAPLAN Assessment. I am sure that all students participating will demonstrate their personal best.
School Photos – Thursday May 6
School photos are Thursday 6th May.
Photograph / Video Consent Forms
A reminder could all parents please make sure they have completed the consent form sent out in January and return it to the school as soon as possible.
Thank you
Going to school every day is the most crucial part of your child’s education. Students learn new things at school every day; socially, academically, emotionally and spiritually. We all want our student to get an excellent education, and the building blocks for a great education begin with students coming to school every day. If children miss school regularly, they may miss out on learning the fundamental skills that will set them up for success in their later years of school. There is no safe number of days for missing school; each day a student misses puts them behind and can affect their educational outcomes. Excessive full days off school or partial attendance (late arrival/early pick up) is classified as ‘Habitual Non-Attendance’ by Family and Community Services. All school staff are mandatory reporters and must notify Family And Community Services of habitual non-attendance. Research shows that poor school attendance is associated with:
- lower academic achievement, including literacy and numeracy
- early school leaving
- leaving school with fewer qualifications -reduced opportunities for students to learn and access educational resources, further limiting achievement
- further absenteeism in higher year levels.
Attendance patterns are established early, and a child regularly missing days in Kindergarten or the early years of school will often continue to miss classes in later years. Students must go to school every day- especially in the early years of Primary school. We want to work with families to ensure that maximum attendance at school for the benefit of each child. If your child is reluctant to come to school regularly, please discuss this with your child’s teacher. Remember, every day counts.
Parents are requested to notify the Administration Office if their child is to remain at school after 2.30 pm till 3.15 pm.
If parents are more than 15 minutes late after school for pick-up any days, please collect your child from the Administration Office. This process must be followed to ensure all children are safe.
On Wednesdays, our newest students to the Our Lady of the River School community are preparing to begin school and spend the day with a qualified Early Years Educator, Mrs Perre. The children learn about beginning school routines and positive learning practices. Our transition group is named 'BrightStart'. Any children 4 years of age are welcome and there are no fees for families. Please see the flyer attached. Contact the Administration Office for further details.
School Counsellor/ Social Worker
Just a reminder that OLOR is fortunate to have a qualified counsellor/social worker on site Tuesday’s and Thursdays. Kirsty is providing one on one child counselling and family-based support for those in our school community - please contact Kirsty if you wish to discuss concerns relating to your child’s mental health and wellbeing.
This year, under the guidance of Catholic Education School Performance Leaders, Mrs Oates has introduced the staff to the educational expert Lyn Sharratt and the teachings in her book, 'Clarity'. Sharratt focuses on 14 parameters (or principles). The framework is growth-oriented. We are focused on the progression in every child's learning and on the building of every teacher's capacity. This occurs through the appointment in schools of a School Quality Performance Team (which at Our Lady of the River School are Luke Cotter, Nicolette Roberts, Mel Steele and Ros) and common established understandings for all staff. Our Lady of the River School focus on this work is mainly in English (Reading) in Semester 1 and Numeracy in Semester 2, as is identified in our School Improvement Plan. However, this is expanding to other Key Learning Areas as well.
In our newsletters this term, I will highlight some of the reading strategies teachers use in their classrooms. One way the teachers are capturing the hearts and minds of students through literature is the use of Read Alouds.
ReadAlouds are text teachers read to students beyond the Year level independent reading ability of children in their class and are read fluently by the teacher. For students listening to teachers reading to them has a significant impact on literacy growth and development in reading. It aims to improve students' listening skills, reading comprehension and attitudes towards reading, and build vocabulary.
"Read Alouds are a joy, and for teachers, not just for kids. It's such a pleasure and transforms relationships between teachers and students," says Mem Fox.
As parents, you make a difference in your children's reading journey. Your role as an advocate for your children's reading success cannot be overestimated. It has a direct impact on the ease and confidence with which they pursue their reading and writing. It is the joy and love of sharing a good book on a nightly basis that sets the foundation for their reading success and ensures that reading is given its priority. Reading regularly with someone who cares is the inspiration that all readers deserve. Please refer to the attached flyer 'Some tips for home reading'.
National Simultaneous Storytime on Wednesday 19 May, 2021 @ 11am.
National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. Now in its 21st successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6/7.
This year NSS takes place from the International Space Station. Wow! OLOR will join in by sharing Give 'Me Some Space' written and illustrated by Philip Bunting.
Mel Steele
Leader of Learning
Due to increases in our supplier’s major raw ingredients such as flour and margarines over the past six months, they have been forced to review their pricing and will be implementing a price increase from the 1st of April. As a result, our canteen prices will rise across the board by approximately five percent, this new pricing will take effect from the beginning of Term 2. The updated price list for Term 2 has been attached below.
Over the past couple of weeks we have had a number of students and staff who have required time at home because of ill health. As we head into the cooler months, when cold and flu symptoms are common, it is important that we are mindful of our own health and the health of others. If your child has any symptoms please do not send them to school. Cold and flu symptoms are quickly spreading and infecting others - maybe our immunity is low after the lack of contact we had over last winter.
Enrolment for Year 7 and 8 at Loxton High School in 2022
Dear Parents/carers
Re: Students starting Year 7 and 8 at Loxton High School in 2022
During the first week of Term 2, enrolment packs will be distributed to parents for enrolment of their child/ren in Year 7 or 8 at Loxton High School for 2022.
Information regarding Transition visits, Parent Information Sessions and Principal Tours to be held throughout 2021 is also included in the packs.
Packs will be distributed via students currently attending one of Loxton High School’s catchment area schools:
- Loxton Primary School
- Loxton North School
- Loxton Lutheran School
- St Albert’s School
- Moorook Primary School
- Kingston-on-Murray Primary School
If your child currently does not attend one of the listed Primary schools, and you wish to enrol them for Year 7 or 8 at Loxton High School for 2022, please email the school dl.0895.info@schools.sa.edu.au with their details.
Please provide your child’s name, date of birth, current school, and year level for 2022.
Please also advise if you wish to have your enrolment documents sent home with your child if they currently attend Loxton High School, or via post.
If you have any queries please don’t hesitate to contact the school.
Skye Beauchamp
Assistant Principal, Junior School and Wellbeing
Please keep up to date with everything happening at Our Lady of the River School via our school newsletter. Attached with today's newsletter is a draft calendar for Term 2, 2021.