1 - 2nd February, 2024 - Term 1, Week 1

Principal's News

Dear Families,

Welcome back to the new school year! It seems that all of our students have settled into their classrooms well and are happy to be back with their friends! Our new Preps have done an amazing job of navigating the first week (with assistance from their buddies!) and although there have been some tired little faces at the end of each day, they are all still smiling, which is the main thing! We hope all families enjoyed the break and are ready for a great year.

Next Thursday we will celebrate our Beginning of Year Mass in the church at 12.30pm (the original time has changed due to scheduling issues for Fr. Matt) and we welcome all families to join us if you are able. We will come together to celebrate our wonderful school and ask for God’s blessings on the year ahead. Our School Leaders and Sports House Leaders will receive their badges during the mass, as well as the Student Leaders (Grades Three to Six) who will be voted in to represent their peers throughout the year.

Next Wednesday, information will be made available to you regarding expectations and routines for your child's classroom via Google Sites. A link for these slides will be sent home to all families next week and the slides will be available for viewing from 4pm on Wednesday. By presenting class information this way, we hope parents will have any wonderings clarified before you meet with your child's teacher at Parent/Teacher interviews in a couple of weeks. 

At the beginning of each year, I place a few reminders in the newsletter in regards to procedures at pick-up time each afternoon. Please be mindful that if you are in the Kiss and Go line to collect your child, you must not get out of your car to buckle them in, as this holds up the flow of cars. It’s a good idea for students to practice getting into the car quickly and doing up their own seatbelt to help pick-up run smoothly. If your child is unable to get themselves into their seatbelt, it’s a good idea to park and walk to the gate to collect them.

There are also strictly no U-turns in front of the school, as there is a lot of traffic moving each way, as well as families crossing the road, which makes it very dangerous to turn. Once you have collected your child in the line, please proceed either around the corner into Surgey Street or further up the road away from the school before you make any turn.  We appreciate your cooperation with these procedures, as they are in place for the safety of all of our students and families.

We have had a few cases of Covid appearing since our return to school, so if your child is displaying any symptoms, please take the time to test them to make sure that they are covid-free! While a lot of people seem to have less severe symptoms than when the pandemic first started, the rule in schools is that an infected child or staff member must stay home for five days or until their symptoms disappear. As we know from past years, once covid starts spreading through the school, it is very difficult to stop! Finding teachers to replace staff who are ill is equally as hard, so the more vigilant we are, the better!

Even though it is just the start of the year, believe it or not, we are already dealing with lots of inquiries for our 2025 school year! If you are an existing family who will have a child beginning school in 2025, could you please confirm this with us either by email or with a call to the office. Alternatively, you can go to our website and fill in the enrolment form provided (this will need to be done eventually, anyway) so that we are able to confirm numbers. We thank you for your help with this!

A letter will go home to parents today regarding changes to fee statements. Please make sure you read this correspondence and if you need to clarify anything, please contact Carolyn Clementson in the office or myself. Notes have also gone out this week to Grade Five and Six families which relate to those students.

It has been great to see all of our families back safe and sound from holidays and we look forward to a fantastic year!

Narelle Gallagher

OLSH School Calendar

Religious Education News

Beginning of Year Mass: Will be held at the OLSH Church on Thursday February 8th at 12:30pm. All families are welcome to attend.

Shrove Tuesday: Is a Christian celebration before the Lenten period. This year Shrove Tuesday will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 13th. The children will have pancakes for morning tea and develop understandings of why people eat pancakes at this time of the year. To ensure this event runs successfully, we require parental assistance cooking the pancakes. If you are available to help, please contact the front office.

Ash Wednesday: Is the beginning of Lent and is a special time for Catholics to think of ways we can be better people. We mark our foreheads with Ashes to remind us of our shortcomings and to help us become better people. Our Ash Wednesday Liturgy will be held in the OLSH Church on Wednesday, February 14th beginning at 12:30pm. All families and Merbein Parish members are welcome to attend. 

Learning and Teaching

This term, OLSH will start implementing Structured Literacy throughout all grades. This is an evidence-based approach to literacy instruction. The Sciences of Reading and Learning tell us that a systematic, explicit approach to teaching the alphabetic code and the grammatical rules offers our students the best opportunities to develop thier literacy. Structured Literacy is the approach endorsed by the International Dyslexia Association, the International Literacy Association, and the Australian National Inquiry into the Teaching of Literacy.

The staff at OLSH have been working hard over the past year so that we can implement Structured Literacy in our classrooms more fully this year. We will also be working with the Structured Literacy team from the Catholic Education Office over the next few years to provide the students at OLSH with the best and most innovative teaching practices - this is why we have a school closure next Friday. Having this program in our school is a substantial change to the way we teach literacy and will take some adjustment; however, the results will be worth it!

Wellbeing

SchoolTV

Very soon we will be launching a new initiative called School TV. This is an evidence-based, impartial platform that is designed to support parents to navigate the ups and downs of modern-day parenting, with the aim of raising happy, resilient and self-assured young people.

At its core, SchoolTV adopts a parent-centric, preventative approach, recognising the crucial role parents and caregivers play in shaping children's wellbeing. It serves to bridge the gap by deepening connections between schools and families and providing tools to support relationships and effective parenting strategies by empowering them with the knowledge to do so with confidence. The uniqueness of SchoolTV lies in offering diverse monthly topics, providing families with information on a varied array of topics.  

While we feel that we do offer some great support to our families and students in the area of mental health and wellbeing, integrating SchoolTV into existing programs can further bolster these efforts, shifting the focus from reactive to proactive measures and fostering a preventative stance towards community challenges.

Next week will be launching this platform through a link on our newsletter and other social media, such as our Facebook page.

OLSH Swimming Lessons

SSG & Parent Teacher Interviews

SSG Meetings are taking place on the 12th & 15th February. Bookings are open now on SIMON Everywhere and parents would have recieved an email if they are required to attend one.  Please note: If parents have attended an SSG meeting you will not be required to attend a Parent Teacher Interview.

Parent Teacher interviews are taking place on the 19th & 20th February – these will open on SIMON Everywhere next week.

Parent Notified Absence

If your child is absent from school, you are able to complete a Parent Notified Absence (PNA) on the SIMON Everywhere App which will automatically notify the teacher and a text message will not be sent.

Student Medical Profile

Please make sure that the school has been notified of any changes and updated paperwork that has been made to your child’s Medical Profile on PAM and to also include this on the pink Parental Authority and Consent Form each year.   

IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARENT TO MAKE OLSH AWARE OF ANY CHANGES.

Conveyance & CDC Bus Information

CONVEYANCE

Victoria: All children who live 4.8km away from the school, by the shortest route, are eligible for a Conveyance Allowance Bus Pass paid by the State Government. Application forms must be completed and returned to the office no later than Friday 17th February.

NSW: There is a bus travelling from Wentworth each morning and afternoon. Please contact CDC for information regarding the bus route. Applying for a bus pass is done online at http://www.transportnsw.info/school-students. If you live more than 1.6km from the pick-up/drop off area you will be eligible for a conveyance payments as well.

CDC BUS INFORMATION

For all bus route options please go to our website https://cdcvictoria.com.au/services/school-services/ for all school bus routes and maps. Mildura for school routes for Victorian residents and Wentworth for school routes for NSW residents.  We have had a fare price rise with our 2024 bus fares as per below.:

• 2hrs       $1.40
• Daily      $2.80
• Weekly $13.10 

You can purchase tickets upon boarding the bus. Please note that our buses are cash only and it is preferred to have change close to the ticket price.

Alternatively, we offer prepaid term passes you can purchase from our office in Bathurst Court. You will need to bring a small headshot of the child to go with the pass. If you email the photo, name of your children and the school they attend we can print the photo, create the pass and let you know when the pass is ready to collect save having to wait. These passes are based on the student concession prices; prepaid options are no cheaper than purchasing tickets on the bus however, they are a more convenient options for parents.

• Term 1 (30/01/2024-28/01/2024): $110.40
• Term 2 (15/04/2024-28/06/2024): $139.40
• Term 3 (15/07/2024-20/09/2024): $131.00
• Term 4 (07/10/2024-20/12/2024: $142.20
• Yearly (All terms excl school holidays): $523.00

These passes can be used 7 days a week including weekends during the school term only, they cannot be used during the school holidays.  These passes can be used on any of the CDC Mildura Victorian services.  We accept payment by cash, cheque or eftpos.  If you choose this option and throughout the Term the child lose their pass, you will be required to come into our office and pay $10.00 for a replacement card and another photo is required to make another pass.

 If you require any assistance, please contact CDC Mildura on 5023 0274.

Happy Birthday

We wish the following students a Happy Birthday:

• Sophie Barnes - 2nd January - 8 yrs

• William Cory - 2nd January - 5 yrs

• Summer Alderson - 8th January - 9 yrs

• Violet Goldsmith - 14th January - 9 yrs

• Laney Pollard - 15th January - 6 yrs

• Tommy Field - 20th January - 8 yrs

• Jacinta Wagner - 20th January - 8 yrs

• Morgan Dowling - 27th January - 8 yrs

• Maxwell Pulham - 31st January - 10 yrs

• Ava Dodson - 7th February - 9 yrs

• Charlotte Primarano - 7th February - 8 yrs

• Reuben Sheard - 8th February - 6 yrs

Student of the Week

Come & Play Richmond

Prep News

We have had a great week at school! All students have settled into the routines at school very well and are completing lots of learning tasks each day. I think they will be looking forward to the weekend!

Art smocks- Students will need an art smock at school.

SeeSaw- Thank you to those parents who have already signed up to See Saw. This is an easy way for us to show you what is happening in the classroom each day and to share any information. If you need a new note, please let me know.

Beginning of Year Mass- This is on Thursday 8th Feb at 12:30pm. Everyone is welcome to come along.

Sports Days- All students need sports uniform on Mondays and Fridays

Library Day- Students will need to return their current books so they can borrow. No bag means no borrowing. We will visit the library on Fridays.

Buddy Assembly- On Friday the 16th February, the Preps, along with their buddies will present an item at assembly at 9am. All parents are welcome to come.

Prep Rest Day  and School Closure - Friday 9th February. Students do not come to school.

Reading- Yesterday students took home their first home readers and they were very excited! Please make sure you are listening to/reading each night.

History- In History this term students are learning about themselves and their families. We would like each child to bring in a photo of themselves as a baby and a family photo. This photo can either be brought in and I will photocopy it or it can be emailed to me. We would like these photos by Monday the 12th of February. 

Letter Box- This term instead of doing Show and Tell we are going to do a Letter Box. One at a time students will bring home a box with a letter card instead. Their task will be to find things (around 5-6 things) around the house that start with this letter. Students will then bring the box back to school and share with the class what they found. Items will be sent home on the same day. Please contact me if you have any concerns.

Week One Photos

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 18

Next

Grade 1 News

It has been so great getting to know everyone and seeing how well the whole class has settled in. We are in for a great year!

Here are a few reminders for the start of the school year:

• Library day for Grade One is Monday (library bag required).
• Sports days are Mondays and Fridays (sports uniform required).
• Lots of communication happens via SeeSaw, so if you need another QR code to log in please email me.
• Student workbooks sent home for covering need to be returned on Monday please.
• Our Beginning Year Mass will be held on Thursday the 8th of February at 12:30pm.
• Friday the 9th of February is a whole school closure.
• Readers will be sent home on Monday.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me during office hours, either the SeeSaw app or email: glaity@olshmerbein.catholic.edu.au

Grade 2 News

 It was wonderful to see so many happy, excited students on Tuesday, ready for their first day of school. We have enjoyed learning our new routines and getting settled in our classroom.

Here are a few reminders for the start of the school year:

• Library day for Grade Two is Friday (library bag required).
• Sports days are Mondays and Fridays (sports uniform required).
• Please make sure you have joined SeeSaw to receive valuable reminders and information. Please let me know if you need another QR code invitation.
• Student workbooks sent home for covering need to be returned on Monday please.
• Our Beginning Year Mass will be held on Thursday the 8th of February at 12:30pm.
• Friday the 9th of February is a whole school closure
• Readers will be sent home on Monday.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me during office hours, either the SeeSaw app or email: lryan@olshmerbein.catholic.edu.au

Grade 3 & 4 News

 Hello everyone and welcome back to another action packed year that we trust will be filled with loads of learning and fun!

Although we have only been back a few days, it is amazing how quickly we step back into routines and structure quickly. Next Wednesday, information will be made available to you regarding expectations for the middle grades via Google Sites. This will contain important information about how our daily two hour literacy block will be structured this year. Please take the time to read this and ask questions if required. Along with this online information, a hard copy of your child’s timetable and information specific to your child’s grade will be sent home.

• If your child has not brought back their art folio or art smock, could this be done so ASAP please.
• Students were given their SEESAW logins this week. Could you please log onto these. Thanks to those who have already done this.
• Those students who wish to cover their books etc will be able to do so this weekend. These books MUST be brought back on Monday.
• Next Thursday we will be celebrating the Beginning of the School Year Mass, in the Church at 12.30PM. Everyone is most welcome.

Thank you and we both look forward to meeting with old and new faces soon.

Julie and Adam 😊

Grade Five News

• Welcome to the new school year. I am looking forward to working with your child and helping them achieve their learning goals. 
• This week we have spent lots of time getting familiar with the new routine and learning what makes each of us unique and special. We will soon have some work to share with you on Seesaw.
• Students are welcome to take their books home on a Friday afternoon if you would like to cover them. 

Grade Six News

• Big welcome back to everyone! It has been a great start to the year and I can’t wait to see what great things we achieve throughout the term. 
• Don’t forget to bring in art smocks asap. We will be using a lot of paints and pastels and they help prevent very dirty uniforms.
• Hopefully our Grade Six shirts will arrive next week. They had an issue with their printing machine but assure me there won’t be too much of a delay. 
• Just a reminder to check our uniform policy on the school website. Part of that policy includes no incorrect jewellery and no painted nails. Please speak to Narelle if you have any questions about uniform. 
• If you wish to take home student books to cover/contact please let me know when would suit and I can arrange sending them home.
  

General News

School Advisory Council Members:

Thel O’Shea, Hannah Mills, Grant Finlayson, Amy Cupper, Sandra Hammet, Lana Borchard,           Adam Lawrence (Staff Rep) & Narelle Gallagher (Principal)

SIMON Everywhere App

This can be downloaded from either the Google Play Store or the Apple Store.  The app has been updated earlier this year and an email was sent out to parents.  If you are having issues with logging in, can you please contact Mia in the office. 

Student Medical Profile

Medical Profile: Please make sure that the school has been notified of any changes that have been made to your child’s Medical Profile on PAM and to also include this on the pink Parental Authority and Consent Form each year. 

IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARENT TO MAKE OLSH AWARE OF ANY CHANGES.

Parent Notified Absence

If your child is unwell and will be absent from school, you are able to complete a Parent Notified Absence (PNA) on the SIMON Everywhere App or Parent Access Module (PAM) which will automatically notify the teacher and a text message will not be sent.

Newsletters

These are distributed every Friday on SIMON Everywhere and the OLSH Website. Please contact us if at any time you have any queries or require any further explanation about events, dates etc. Any items for the newsletter are asked to be handed in at the office by 9.00am on Friday.

Attendance & Sign in

A reminder to parents that the school needs to be notified of a student absence by 10 am on the day.  This can be done by calling the school office or by using SIMON Everywhere or sending an email to admin@olsmerbein.catholic.edu.au.

Second Hand Uniform

Please contact the school if you require any second hand uniform.