OLOG eNewsletter Term 2 Week 8

FROM THE PRINCIPAL - Josette Charles

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

At OLOG we promote the development of the whole person and understand that young people need to be supported in their physical, spiritual and emotional growth. But first and foremost, we are a place of learning and understand that helping our students reach their academic potential is essential. One of our OLOG Way Values is to be an excellent learner.

As we charge full steam ahead towards the end of Semester One, it is timely to look at our reporting processes at OLOG. Throughout each academic year, we have many opportunities to report both formally and informally to you as parents about your child’s progress. Late in Term 1, families were invited to participate in Learning Conversations with your child. In the last week of the term, your child’s report card will be sent home on Tuesday 2 July.

Along with these formal opportunities for reporting on progress, we always welcome parents and teachers to be in contact with each other in a spirit of partnership, to ensure that everyone is on the same page regarding your child’s education.

Learning Potential, https://www.learningpotential.gov.au/ a website published by the Australian Government, provides some excellent information for parents about school reports. It details that report cards are a great tool to help parents understand how your child is going at school, and importantly they can be used to start a conversation with your child about their learning. Here are some tips to help you analyse and discuss the upcoming reports with your child:

Stay positive - when reading your child’s report card, try to emphasise the positive. Praise your child for their improvement and achievements - and try to be specific with your praise. For example, “I’m really pleased with your progress in science. I can see you have been working hard.”
Focus on effort, not grades - try not to focus too much on the grades your child receives. When children are too focussed on their marks, they can develop a ‘grade orientation’ rather than a ‘learning orientation’ - and can become less likely to enjoy learning and to challenge themselves. Recognise your child’s hard work even if it is not reflected in their marks. The teacher’s comments can often tell you more about the effort your child is making at school than the results. For example, “Your teacher says you have really been concentrating and completing your learning tasks in Mathematics this term. I’m proud of you.”
Every child is different - Try not to compare your child’s report to that of an older sibling or friends. Your child is unique and shines in their own areas. Boost your child’s self-esteem by concentrating on the things they have excelled in, where they have tried the hardest and where they have shown the most improvement.
Talk about it - it is a good opportunity to use your child’s report card to talk to your child about how they are feeling about school. Ask your child what they think about school, their subjects and their report card. If your child raises any concerns, offer your support to help make a plan to address them. For instance, if your child wants to improve their mathematical skills, you can help them to set realistic weekly goals, like setting aside 10 minutes a day to focus on revision or review.
Valuable learning tool - your child’s report card is a great indicator of academic areas your child is excelling at and where they can improve. If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s report or their progress, or if there are any areas where your child needs some support, contact their teacher - they can tell you what they can do at school to support your child’s learning and how you can help at home.

The Leadership Team has the privilege of reading all student reports. Whilst it is a big task, it is something I thoroughly enjoy doing. I am always proud of student achievement, big or small, and take delight in being able to talk to them about what I have read in those incidental conversations whilst in classrooms or the playground.

Learning Conversations will be offered for parents and students in Term 3, Week 2. Should you wish to meet earlier to discuss your child’s progress or learning goals, please contact your child’s teacher to arrange a suitable time to meet. OLOG teachers have done a superb job in capturing student progress and goals.

Staffing Update:

Welcome to Amii OÇonnor who commences her new role on Monday as Front Admin/Receptionist. Amii brings experience in working within Admin and Front Office. She has recently been working in health and alongside specialists.
Mr Artiom Evans is on family leave until the end of the term. Mr Mylonas and Mrs Scuteri will be teaching in Year 5/6AE
Mrs Laura Giralamo will be on family leave with her family from Wednesday 26 June and returning Monday 19 August. Miss Bella Triglau- Phillips has been appointed to RecSB replacing Ms Giralamo. Bella brings EY teaching experience and will continue the teaching and learning as planned by Ms Giralamo.
Miss Easton - Music Performing Arts teacher is finishing at the end of the semester. Miss Easton has brought gifts of music and performing arts to all students. Miss Easton also works in another school and this has become difficult balancing more that one school. We thank Miss Easton and wish her well. Mr Mylonas will continue his specialist work with performing arts/dance.
Miss Lily Nichols has commenced her new role at OLOG as ESO . Lily also works at OLOG OSHC and has transitioned in her role working with staff and students.

Peace and Blessings

Josette Charles
Principal