Newsletter August 8, 2024

From the Principal

Dear Parents, Staff, Students and Friends of the Our Lady of the Way Community,

I am very excited to announce that we have received a positive response from the submission for a grant under the 2023–24 Building Fund for Non-Government Schools. The Victorian Government has committed $450 million in the 2023–24 State Budget to build and upgrade low-fee Catholic and independent schools across Victoria. I am delighted that our application for the ‘Construction of multipurpose hall, performing arts and music learning spaces, kitchen and amenities.’ has been approved for the amount of $1,000,000.00. This will mean that the loan we need from CDF is not as high as it could be, leaving the school in a better financial position.

Lauren Kathage MP, Member for Yan Yean visited the school on Monday 5^th August to view the plans and the site of our Multi-Purpose Hall, (preliminary plans for the hall are below). She was very impressed with our Student Leaders as Tour Guides and is very supportive of everything we building, both infrastructure and community, here at Our Lady of the Way.

As I stated last week the Victorian State Government is funding the building of an Early Learning Centre at Our Lady of the Way. The construction of these projects will happen at the same time, hopefully lessening the disruption to the school and community in terms of time taken to complete the projects.

2025 ENROLMENTS

Enrolments for Years 1 to 6 are currently open and we have limited places available in most year levels. If you know of anyone that is thinking about applying for a position can you please encourage them to get their application in. Applications are available on the school website www.ourladywallan.catholic.edu.au

If your child is not going to be continuing at Our Lady of the Way in 2025 I ask that you let Mrs Jodie Barnes know via the admin email ASAP. We have a waiting list in many levels and this may give the opportunity for another family to join our community.

TOYS AT SCHOOL

A reminder that we encourage children not to bring their personal toys to school to play with at recess or lunchtime. On occasions breakages occur or disputes over ownership eventuate. There are many things available for children to do during recess and lunchtime that are provided by the school. We encourage children to take up these opportunities, whether it be an indoor club or playing on the playground or playing courts, rather than bringing toys from home. Thank you for your support.

SAFETY AROUND SCHOOL

A reminder to all community members of the need to be safe at all times around school. All children need to get off their bike or scooter once they enter the school grounds, which includes the car parks, and walk them to the bike shed. This applies in reverse at the end of the day where children must walk out of the school grounds making sure that the pedestrian paths are used when walking towards the school gates rather than walking along the car park driveway.

A reminder that cars should only park in allocated bays. If the car parks are full please exit the area and park in the street. This is for the safety of all of our children.

Thank you for your continued support.

Best wishes,

Terry

SICK STUDENTS

At this time of year there are many illnesses going around, and we need to try and do all we can to lessen the spread of germs and diseases. Many students are arriving at school with cough and cold symptoms. If your child is unwell they will be asked to wear a mask whilst they remain in first aid until a parent arrives to collect them. 

AFTERNOON PICK UP

There is a teacher on yard duty until 3.30pm to supervise students. We understand, occasionally that there are delays out of the ordinary that prevent parents from making school pick up by this time. If this is the case, please call the office to advise us. Students need to remain with yard duty teachers until 3.30pm. If students have not been collected by 3.30pm, they will wait outside the office whilst staff contact parents. 

SPARE CLOTHES

With the recent rain, the mud is increasing and we have had many students looking for spare clothes after they have had a fall in the mud outside. Please supply a spare pair of socks, underwear and pants for your child in case this happens. 

IMPORTANT DATES

Please see the image below which shows where to locate the links to the calendar in this new format. The underlined section also indicates where the language can be changed. 

In the light of Christ

St Vincent De Paul Winter Appeal

We are proud supporters of the St.Vincent De Paul Annual Winter Appeal, and this year is no different. Especially during this time of the year when the days are chilly and the nights freezing, we are thinking of those in our community who need help getting through Winter. 

If you are able to spare any non-perishable food items or Winter necessities. We will be collecting and donating them to St. Vincent De Paul in August

Some suggestions include:

     Milk UHT                           Cereal                        Coffee                               Teabags                Sugar            

     Tins of baked beans          Rice                           Biscuits                             Tinned Soup         Pasta sauce

     Tinned tomatoes               Noodles                    Sweet or dry biscuits        Pasta                    Jam

Donations can be made in the classroom Winter Appeal Basket in each room. 

We would be most grateful for any donations you can make.  Our Mini Vinnie Team will be promoting this drive at Community Prayer and in classrooms.

All sausages need to be purchased through CDF Pay. No cash sales on the day will be accepted. 

Wellbeing- Positive Behaviour and Learning

RESPECT & RESPONSIBILITY

                 “I follow adult directions"

      "I am in the right place at the right time"

Over the next few weeks we will be focusing on two PBL expectations as we learn and practice our new bell routine.

At the start of the day, before breaks and at the end of the breaks you will hear the bell sound, music and then the bell. 

The first bell alerts us that it is time to start moving. The music playing allows us to move safely, without running to where we need to be. The final bell tells us we should be lined up as our teachers will be waiting. 

Over the next few weeks we will be practicing these routines with our teachers so that we demonstrate Respect and Responsibility.

Teaching and Learning

Book Week dress up day is on Friday, August 23rd. The whole school will enjoy an incursion "Your books to life show" on Tuesday, August 27th.

This week, some of our talented students from Years 3-6 participated in the Australian Mathematics Competition. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and dedication as they tackled challenging problems and showcased their mathematical skills. Congratulations to all participants for their outstanding efforts and commitment to academic excellence!

Program Support Group (PSG) Meeting

Bookings are now available on PAM to book a Program Support Group (PSG) meeting

Parents of students who are currently on a Personalised Learning Program (PLP) or students who have a Medical Management Plan (Annual Action Plan) for medical conditions, are invited to a Program Support Group (PSG) meeting for Semester 2, 2024. 

The purpose of the PSG meeting is for the parent/s, classroom teacher and Learning Diversity or Wellbeing Leader to discuss your child's current learning goals, progress and work collaboratively set new goals and adjustments that will support the student's learning. 

PSG meetings are also offered to parents of those students who have ongoing medical conditions which require a medical management plan, so that we can review the annual action plan, ensure we have accurate and up to date information and for parents/carers to sign the required documentation. 

Please select from the available dates to book a PSG meeting with the Classroom Teacher and either the Learning Diversity Leader (Mrs Nicole Pegler) and/or Deputy Principal/ Wellbeing Leader (Mrs Annette Moore). For medical management plans, the School First aid Officer (Mrs Trudy Sellner) may be in attendance. 

We prefer that you attend in person, however we are also offering online or a school initiated phone call for your convenience.

A guide to help you book your PSG meeting on PAM is attached, however, should you require any support to book the PSG or have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the school office or email; nicole.pegler@ourladywallan.catholic.edu.au

SIMON everywhere app

The SIMON everywhere app can be downloaded and used to access the PAM (Parent Access Module). This is where absences can be logged, medical details updated, access reports and view attendance records.  Please see the video below to assist in navigating your way around the app. 

Foundation students

Congratulations to all Foundation students who celebrated 100 Days Brighter
last Wednesday. There was a lot of excitement and bright colours in the air as
the children entered their classroom for the 100th time. The students celebrated
the day with a 100th day craft activity, catching up with their Year Six buddies,
participating in the Kaboom Sports incursion and having a special lunch of hot
chips, a 100th day cookie and a juice box. Thank you to Mrs Darcy and the
Year Six buddies, who made a special surprise in Makerspace using the 3D
printer to gift each Foundation student with a keyring to celebrate their special
day. Thank you to the Foundation teachers and support staff for making the day
such a wonderful celebration for the students.

100 Days Brighter!

Language at Our Lady of the Way

Mitchell Shire Council ‘Plants for Schools’ program

We have been fortunate enough to be a recipient of the Mitchell Shire 'Plants for Schools' Program. We received the ‘Beautiful Butterflies’ garden pack which included native plants that encourage pollinators to visit our garden. Kim (Mitchell Shire Council Environment Officer) delivered our plants to school and the Grade 5 students planted them in our Indigenous Garden. We can't wait to see the plants grow! Thank you again Kim and the Mitchell Shire

Planting our new trees

Parents and Friends

Parents and Friends are selling Sand Art kits. The kits are $50.00 each and have 10 different pictures to create.  The boxes can be ordered via CDF Pay. No cash orders will be accepted. 

All orders will be sent home with your child.

The money raised from these boxes will go towards paying for the sensory room, Sports Day BBQs and extra activities like croissants on Bastille Day.  Parents and Friends are supplying all sausages for the Winter Sausage Sizzle too!

Sand Art

Book covering help needed!

We have bags of books to be covered in contact. If you are able to assist with this task, please come to the office and collect a bag. 

Specialist Days-Semester 2

Winter Uniform

A reminder to all girls that leggings are not part of the school uniform. The winter uniform is either a kilt or long navy pants. Leggings are not to be worn. Images of the winter uniform are below. This image does not have the school woollen jumper or the soft cell jacket which are also part of our Winter Uniform. Please ensure that the uniform your child is wearing adheres to our uniform policy. This includes school shoes. Shoes need to be all black and I emphasise the all. No other colour should be visible. On sport days your child can wear any colour runners. Thank you for your continued support with this matter.

Music Lessons

Before and After School Care

Assumption College, Kilmore

CFA