Term 1 Week 4 Newsletter 25-03-2022
Principal News
Pope Francis
How do we build up our school and classroom communities?
Speaking with teachers in 2015, Pope Francis reminded his audience that, “As Jesus taught us, the Law and the Prophets are summed up in two commandments: love the Lord your God and love your neighbour (cf. Mt 22:34-40). We can ask ourselves: who is a teacher’s neighbour? Your students are your “neighbour”! It is with them that you spend your days. It is they who await guidance, direction, a response — and, even before that, good questions!”
We need to keep on loving. The early Christians knew this and focused on the importance of love within their communities. The phrase ‘building up’ was often used as St Paul encouraged the fledgling communities to seek the best in each other and to use actions that allowed for encounters of grace and goodness. As Oscar Romero reminds us:
We plant the seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
Let us be encouraged that the good relationships we are building now in faith and life will shelter and nurture those who come after. Let us particularly focus on our students at the start of this new school year.
Year 6 Leaders
As a school community it is important to recognise that we are all leaders. We can be leaders in everything that we do in our daily lives - in our work, at school, when we are teaching others or when we are learning from others. Often in life we are faced with difficult decisions and challenges and it is our attitude that often determines the path we take and the choices that we make.
Facing challenges and learning from our mistakes takes courage and support from family, friends and our school community. As our Year 6 leaders continue on their journey of learning and leadership throughout the year, we wish them every success and pray that they will have the strength to face challenges, learn from their mistakes and strive to be the best that they can be.
Whilst all Year 6 students are leaders, I would like to congratulate the following students who have been nominated by their peers and teachers to serve in the following roles.
School Captains- Georgie White and Sonny Butler
Leaders of Ministry- Elanor Ward, Ben Borra and Jemima Ward
Leaders of Social Justice- Isabella De Guisti and Harvey Power
Leaders of Sustainability- Amarli Goulding and Thomas Smith
Leaders of Sport- Matilda Pope and Cooper Williams
School Expectations for Success
2022 School Improvement Plan
As a school, we are constantly reflecting on what we are doing and how we are doing things. High performing schools have a clear line of sight to where they want to be, what they are trying to achieve and deliberately focus their time and energy to achieve this. Ongoing staff professional learning is key. Teacher learning drives student learning.
At times, we must also ask ourselves, "What is taking up a lot of our time and energy but is making very little impact on students learning and wellbeing?"
Our School Improvement Plan for 2022, is a result of our school analysing our data and prioritising where we are trying to make the biggest impact for our students.
GOAL: OLHC has a strong Catholic Identity and Culture.
Specific areas for Improvement:
1. Students will have a deeper understanding of the Scriptures and their importance to their lives.
2. Students' understanding of the Scriptures will influence their behaviours towards their peers.
How will we do it?
1. All teachers will implement a high quality Religious Education program.
2. Assistant Principal Mission & Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching will ensure Project-based Learning in years 5 and 6, Storytelling Cycle, and Worlds of the Text are evident in all classrooms by supporting programming and learning and teaching.
3. Use of the Mission of Jesus Christ Discernment tool to develop teacher understanding of Religious Education content and confidence in planning appropriate learning experiences, and assessment for student learning.
4. Use of Learning Intentions & Success Criteria in all classrooms
5. Effective teaching pedagogy will be evidenced in all classrooms.
6. Programs will include rigorous assessment practices.
7. If leaders support staff to rigorously plan for, and implement a high quality Religious Education program (including Project-based Learning, Storytelling pedagogy & Worlds of the Text & rigorous assessment) then teachers will clearly understand Catholic values, beliefs and practices and teach them with conviction.
8. If teachers clearly understand Catholic values, beliefs and practices and teach them with conviction, then students will be more engaged in their learning, and gain a deeper understanding of the Scriptures and importance to their lives.
GOAL: At OLHC we use quality Assessment to Inform our Teaching Instruction
Specific areas for Improvement:
1. Increase student growth and achievement in writing.
2. Increase student growth and achievement in place value, multiplication and division.
How will we do it?
1. If leaders provide professional learning in Lyn Sharratt’s Parameter 3 (Quality Assessment informs instruction) then teachers will be able to implement the assessment waterfall model and the Instructional Strategies into their practice.
2. If teachers implement the assessment waterfall model, then students will become assessment capable learners in writing.
3. If teachers embed the Components of the High Impact Literacy Instruction, then students will be able to improve their writing through targeted instruction based on assessment data.
(Accountable talk, Gradual Release of Responsibility Model, Differentiated Instruction, Higher-order thinking and robust performance tasks)
4. If leaders provide professional learning on Grammar and Punctuation and Spelling, then teachers will be able to improve their pedagogy in these areas.
5. If teachers improve their pedagogy in teaching writing (including spelling and grammar and punctuation) then students will become more proficient writers.
6. Implement a new Grammar & Punctuation and spelling Scope and Sequences.
If leaders and teachers implement a new Grammar & Punctuation and Spelling Scope and sequences
7. If leaders provide professional learning in the conceptual development of place value and multiplication and division then teachers will be able to use this to structure learning experiences.
8. If teachers structure learning experiences to support students to develop a deeper conceptual understanding then students will be able to apply this to solve problems.
9. If teachers use formative assessment data to inform their instruction, then students will demonstrate growth in their mathematical skills and understanding.
Covid Updates
You may be aware the NSW Premier and NSW Minister for Education have recently announced changes to the COVID settings in schools. These new settings are:
Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs)
The NSW Government is supplying an additional 8 RATs for each student to use at your discretion for the remainder of the term. Twice weekly surveillance testing is no longer required as NSW Health guidelines now move to testing only when symptomatic. We expect to receive these additional tests in the coming weeks and will distribute these to you as quickly as possible once they arrive.
Visitors and Volunteers
From Monday 28 February, visitors are permitted in schools regardless of their vaccination status. We do ask that if you or a family member are experiencing symptoms you do not visit the school at that time.
Volunteers in school are still required by the current Public Health Order to meet vaccination requirements.
Mask Wearing
From Monday 7 March, masks will no longer be mandatory for staff in primary schools. This staggered change recognises the lower vaccination rates in primary school aged students.
Students will continue to be supported to wear a mask should they choose to do so. Please supply a suitable mask should your child choose to continue wearing one.
QR Codes
Service NSW no longer requires visitors to sign into schools using the Service NSW App. Visitors are still required to sign into the school using the Who’s On Location system in the school office.
We will continue to communicate any further changes to COVID settings to you as quickly as possible. Once again, thank you for your trust and support in our school throughout this pandemic.
Mission News
CONFIRMATION
This week we began preparation with our Stage 2 students for the Sacrament of Confirmation. 40 students will receive the sacrament from Bishop Homeming on Wednesday, 16th of March in our Parish church.
Below is a little bit of our learning so far:
What is the name of the second sacrament in the process of becoming initiated into the Catholic community? Confirmation
What does Confirmation mean? It is a sealing or confirmation of our baptism
When children are confirmed, what are they asked to do? Repeat their baptismal promises and commit to be more involved in the mission of Jesus - we think this means making good choices for ourselves, caring and loving others and loving Jesus!
Thank you to Mrs Rodda, Mr Denny and Mrs Sciascia for supporting myself and our students in their preparation for the Sacrament.
This week we received a number of excellent applications from our Year 6 students to attend the Incitare Retreat with Mrs Jeffery. It is very difficult to choose between students who are committed to exploring and continuing their faith journey.
I congratulate Ben B, Jemima W, Ellanor W, Sonny B, Amber B and Georgie W who will attend Incitare this year. I look forward to working with these students as they bring their learning and experiences back to OLHC, and share them with their class and our whole Parish school community.
Making Jesus Real Awards
KP
Alyssa J - For making Jesus real in our class through her attentiveness to the needs of others and being willing to help and support her classmates and teachers. Thank you Alyssa.
1L
Reuben T - For inviting others into a game, making sure everyone is included.
1P
Willow H - For relating to her peers with kindness and empathy.
Robbie S-A - For always showing love and concern towards others. keep shining your light, Robbie!
2L
Evan S - For seeing when your friend needs some support and helping them.
2P
Tyler N - For always displaying beautiful manners both inside and outside of the classroom. Keep it up, Tyler!
3L
Milani H - For the gentle way she encourages and supports her classmates. You are a wonderful role model in our school. Thank you Milani.
3P
Oliver B - For being a kind and helpful member of our classroom and always shining your light.
4L
Harper J -For displaying qualities of kindness and gentleness in her interactions with others.
5P
Matthew N - For always being a great friend.
6L
Kallum H - For using his initiative and an obvious improvement in his leadership skills!
Amber B - For the kindness and care you show in everything you do! You are the face of Jesus.
Learning & Teaching
Kindergarten - Mathematics - representing and interpreting data
Year 1 - Mathematics - number combinations for addition and subtraction and using informal units to measure, record and compare length.
Year 2 - Mathematics - using the jump strategy on a number line to solve addition and subtraction problems and using informal units to measure, record and compare length.
Year 3-Science Solid Liquid or Gas Investigations and Area Maths fun
Year 4 Place Value Maths game, redaing and Writing
Year 5 Bump it Up wall and reading tasks
Year 6 Gardening, Maths and Writing
OLHC Achievement Awards
KP
Willow F - For working hard to apply her sound knowledge with success when writing. great work Willow.
Vera H - For always being such a focused and attentive learner, doing her best at all times. Great work Vera.
Patrick P - For improved attention and focus on his learning. Keep up the great work Patrick.
1L
Ned R - For a great start to the new school year and setting examples for our year 1 classroom. Well done Ned!
Oliver D - For your hard work in writing, you have created some wonderful complete sentences this week, Ollie!
Teilani B - For your focus and commitment in all your mathematics work - your hard work is shining through!
1P
Zarli B-P - For consistently thinking about what she has done well and what she needs to do to improve her writing. Well done Zarli!
Mae E - For always being an eager student to share her ideas during classroom discussons. Well done, Mae!
2L
Taze P - For fantastic use of the jump strategy and placing it on a nnumber line.
Taetum P-S-B - For fantistic segmenting and sorting in spelling activities. Well done, Taetum!
Isla D - For using amazing adjectives in your writing and using the 'Bump It Up Wall'.
2P
Kenzi W - For your wonderful effort in 'number busting'. You are making great progress, keep on working hard, Kenzi!
Heidi W - For having a great flair for writing and working really hard to achieve her writing goal . You're a star, Heidi.
3L
Brody C - For his positive attitude to learning. I am proud of the enthusiasm and dedication you have shown this week.
Mason B - For his growth in confidence and 'can-do' attitude to learning. Keep up the great work Mase!
Ellie B - For being a happy, responsible and positive learner who always tries her best in all that she does. Ellie, thank you for your beautiful smile and your hard work.
3P
Hamish J - For independently using our Bump-It-Up Wall to make improvements to your writing.
Abigail P - For working with multiplication to accurately measure and record area using square centimeters.
4L
Sophie M - For taking risks and extending herself in Math, so that she can reach her learning goals.
Lacey N - For persistence and perseverance in writing and always striving to do her best.
Robert G - For diplaying a focused and determined attitude to learning and contributing enthusiastically to conversations.
5P
Sienna S - For always being on task and producing great work to a high standard.
Reid S - For applying his math skills and strategies to all types of questions.
6L
Amarli G - For a fantastic effort in all tasks! I love how you push yourself to be better each time.
Matilda P - For asking excellent questions during class to clarify her learning!
Maverick J - For working hard and showing persistence during our Maths tasks!
Sports News
Summer Sports Trials
Earlier this month, a number of our Stage 3 students participated in the Summer Sports trials to be selected for our Diocesan Sports teams.
Cricket: Sonny, Cooper W, Isaac, Reid, Hugh
Basketball: Maverick
Touch Football: Harvey
Polding AFL team slection
Congratulations to Harvey in Year 6 for being selected to represent the Diocese at the Polding AFL competition in Newcastle at the end of March.
School News
2022 Premiers Reading Challenge
Next week, a note will come home about the Premier's Reading Challenge. If your child/ren wish to participate, please ensure the permission slip is returned to Mrs Rose so that accounts can be set up.
2022 school travel applications are now open
Below is some useful information to assist with student travel enquiries.
Applications for student travel in 2022 opened on Tuesday 12 October 2021.
Students who need a School Opal card or travel pass for 2022 can apply now. A new application will need to be submitted if they are applying for a school travel pass for the first time, or if they are requesting an additional travel entitlement as a result of a new shared parental responsibility situation (e.g. joint custody).
Students who change address, school, campus location, or who have repeated a year or received an expiry notification from Transport for NSW for their school travel entitlement should renew or update their details before the end of term 4. This will ensure that schools can endorse applications and current entitlements are updated and remain valid. School Opal card holders will have the changes applied to their existing card.
If a student’s distance eligibility has changed based on their grade the system will automatically update their entitlement if they meet the new criteria. If they do not meet the new eligibility criteria, they will receive an expiry notification via email.
Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition that is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply.
Term Bus Pass holders will receive a notification to re-apply.
Students in the Opal network applying for an Opal card (including a Term Bus Pass) for the first time will receive their Student Opal card at their nominated postal address. Cards will be mailed out from January 2022.
Students living in rural and regional (R&R) areas should receive their travel pass at the start of the new school year from their nominated transport operator. It may come via the school or be sent directly to them at home. Note: some R&R operators do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.
School Student Transport Scheme site change (SSTS)
On 1 October 2021 the School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) information and application portal was moved to transportnsw.info.
Access to the School Portal will also be via transportnsw.info. To navigate to the School Portal from the home page click Tickets and Opal, then School students, then scroll down to Information for school staff and select School portal.
Community News
NORPA Youth Program 2022
NORPA Youth offers young people opportunities to experience and build skills in theatre-making and live performance.
Young people will join experienced theatre practitioners, including Julian Louis, Kate McDowell and Noa Rotem to develop performance skills using the full force of the creative mind.