OLOG eNewsletter Term 3 Week 8

Good afternoon Parents and Caregivers,

 It is hard to believe that I am at the end of my time here at your beautiful school.  It has been a pleasure to be here over the last 4 weeks.  

Canteen Offerings 

We are very pleased to let you know that we will be able to provide a new canteen offering on Wednesdays from the beginning of Term 4. 

Saucy Sweet Café, Jetty Road, Glenelg will supply lunch order options on a Wednesday.   

They will utilise our existing QKR! App set up for you to easily order lunch.  They will be delivered in class groups just before lunch.  Please note that ingredients that may include known allergens will be listed.  If your child has an allergy you will be able to select this tab on QKR! and fill this out.  A coloured sticker will be printed to ensure this food is cooked separately.  

Menu here: 

Student Achievements: 

Maddie and Billie Maselli recently went above and beyond to do the STEM Australian School of Mathematics (Flinders University) primary school extension program with many other schools. They presented their research and method and results at the science fair with international visitors.  

Great to represent OLOG at this course and show how maths translates to daily life. 

Volunteering at Our Lady of Grace 

As part of our extended community and to support our commitment to the protection and care of all children and young people, all volunteers are required to hold a current Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect – Education and Care (RRHAN-EC) Fundamentals course for volunteers. 

If your current RRHAN Fundamentals volunteer certificate IS NOW DUE FOR RENEWAL you will have received an email from Liza Wescombe our WHS coorcinator.   

We highly value the support that you can provide to our children and their education.  

Please renew your online training to stay compliant with the volunteer/safeguarding guidelines to continue to volunteer at OLOG.  Please email Liza your certificate upon completion - lwescombe@olog.catholic.edu.au

Link to Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect Education and Care (RRHAN-EC) Fundamentals training is below and an information flyer is also attached. Feel free to contact Liza if you have any questions. 

https://www.plink.sa.edu.au/ilp/pages/login.jsf  

Right to Disconnect 

As we continue to understand the Fair Work Commission’s new Right to Disconnect, we remind you of the following 

We understand that parent / caregiver engagement goes hand in hand with student wellbeing and success and productive communication with parents / caregivers is an essential feature of a positive school culture. Digital technologies have greatly assisted in this regard and the use of parent / caregiver information apps such as Audiri and Seesaw, social media (for general school information), school website, SEQTA and the use of email communication directly with staff is now routine. We appreciate that parent / caregiver expectations as to staff accessibility have evolved in the context of enhanced digital communication practices. While representing efficient modes of communication, the breadth of digital communication options can create ‘availability creep’ where school employees become more accessible in locations and at times of the day, weekends and during periods of leave when they should be able to disconnect from work. Indeed, recent laws have taken effect which provide school employees a right to disconnect.  

In the interests of respecting the rights of our staff and recognising the importance of facilitating and promoting healthy communication, we are introducing the following as standard protocol during term time: - Noting our staff spend a significant amount of their workday focussing on teaching or other activities applicable to their roles, staff will endeavour to respond to parent / caregiver communications requesting a response within 48 hours, noting staff will discern whether an urgent matter requires a shorter response timeframe; and - Parents / caregivers are encouraged to contact the school front office in the first instance for general information. We ask that parents and caregivers be mindful and supportive of the above. Thank you for your understanding. 

Disco 

Thank you to Sara Cox and our P&F for organising the school disco last Friday night.  It was a huge success.  I was very impressed with the dancing and also the respectful behaviour of the children.  We will review the event to fine tune moving forward.  A special thanks to our parents for helping us out.  I would also like to acknowledge the staff who attended in their own time on a Friday night.   

Thank you for your incredible welcome and for working in partnership with me during my short time here.  I am humbled by your willingness to trust me in overseeing facets of the school in Josette's absence. I know Josette is looking forward to her return on Monday. 

First Holy Communion

Last weekend the following children made their First Communion; James and Ava Newbold, Daniel Johnson, Edrielle Miro, Indianna Gianquitto, Lewis McCheane and Oliver Buljan.

It was a special time for the children and their families as they become fully initiated members of the Catholic Church.

We congratulate them as they continue on their faith journey.

Year 5/6 EB Mass

Last Thursday the Year 5/6EB Class celebrated the Feast Day of St Teresa of Calcutta “Mother Teresa”.

St Teresa was a great teacher, nun, missionary and a follower of Jesus. Mother Teresa received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for helping to relieve the sufferings of the poor. She was especially active in the slums of Calcutta, India. Less than 20 years after she died she was named a saint of the Roman Catholic Church.

Virtual Visible Wellbeing Parent Evening with Professor Lea Waters

This presentation introduces parents to Visible Wellbeing which combines the science of wellbeing with the science of learning to make wellbeing visible in all classes and across co-curricula at the school. Visible Wellbeing is the culmination of 20 years of high-impact research in psychology and education conducted and published by Lea Waters PhD. In this presentation, Lea shares a few of the Visible Wellbeing practices that can be easily used by parents to support the wellbeing of their children at home.

Date: Thursday November 7th, 2024
Time: 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Zoom Link: Please register via the following link: https://tinyurl.com/5yrxf6fu 

Attendees: All parents, carers and any school staff are welcome to attend the evening. Please note, this evening will also be attended by other VWB Program school members

Catholic Charities Month- September Appeal

September is Catholic Charities Month. Envelopes for the 2024 Appeal have been given to each child. Donations can be made via the reply-paid slip on the leaflet or online at https://adelaide.goodgiving.com.au/qr/cc.

Your donations will assist the following organisations; Hutt St Centre, Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, Centrecare Family Services, Our lady of La Vang and St Patricks Special School.

Joy and Blessings
Debbie Scuteri
APRIM/Inclusive Education Coordinator

OLOG Fee Statements were issued last week via your eldest child or published to the Community Portal for those currently registered.

1. Afterschool sports charges have been added to accounts for those participating in sports this term.
2. Afterschool sports charges are due in the term incurred, please make your payments by the end of Term 3.

Remember to check your statements for these adhoc charges as your direct debits may not cover these additional charges

Please ensure your payment plans will be sufficient to clear account balances by 15th November 2024.

 If you are experiencing difficulty managing your fees or if you have any queries regarding your account or payment plan please contact Kerri Rowell on 8177 9100 or finance@olog.catholic.edu.au 

Remember you can view your account and make payments via the Community Portal https://cesa-portal.civicaed.com.au/

Not registered yet?

Invitations have been issued again so please look out for an email sent to you from noreply@civicacloud.com.au - please check your junk or spam Inbox.

Updated Swimming Lessons Information and Consent form

Updated Schedule:

Week 1:
Year 3 - 12.30pm - 1.30pm
Year 1, Year 2 - 1.30pm - 2.30pm

Week 2:  
Reception - 2.00pm-2.45pm

Location: Marion Swimming Centre

As always, we rely on the invaluable support of our parent community to help ensure the smooth running of these lessons. We have recieved a few offers of assistance but will need assistance with transporting students to and from Marion Swimming Centre, as well as maintaining appropriate supervision ratios at all times. If you have the necessary Catholic clearances and are available to assist, please reach out to me as soon as possible.

Important: Online Consent Form

To streamline the process and give our children more time in the water, we are introducing a new online consent form this year. We ask that all parents complete this form promptly to ensure their child’s participation in the swimming lessons. 

The link will be sent via the whole school communication protal - AUDIRI.  If you need assistance with Audiri, please reach out to the front office. 

As the term progresses, we eagerly anticipate our major event, the House Cup Carnival, taking place on Friday, 27 September. This exciting day will see our Year 3-6 students come together in a celebration of athletic skill, teamwork, and house pride. It promises to be a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their talents and compete in a friendly, supportive atmosphere.

Leading up to the carnival, on Thursday, our Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 students will also get their chance to shine. They will dress in their house colours and participate in selected sports, giving our younger students a fun introduction to competition and house spirit.

These events not only highlight the physical abilities of our students but also foster leadership in our older students and help develop important life skills that extend beyond the sports field.

So far this term, we've enjoyed a variety of sporting events, including Green and Gold Day, SACPSSA Touch Football, SAPSASA Athletics, and SAPSASA Basketball. These events have featured outstanding individual performances, exceptional team achievements, and a wonderful sense of togetherness across the school.

We look forward to the upcoming term and the many opportunities it offers for our students to grow, learn, and thrive through Physical Education. Thank you for your continued support and involvement in your child's educational journey.

See you on the court or at the ground!

Mr M

This week, we are celebrating Roald Dahl, whose birthday is Friday 13th September. 

Dahl has written over 40 childrens and adult books, and His books, such as Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and The BFG, have sold over 250 million copies and inspired many films and musicals

Dahl was a passionate supporter of children's health and education, and his charity helps thousands of seriously ill children and their families

Did you Know?

Dahl was a fighter pilot, spy, and diplomat before becoming a writer of whimsical and witty tales for children and adults

In 2025, get excited for an animated adaptation of The Twits

Last Friday, nearly 200 students attended the annual P&F School Disco at Sacred Heart College.

Term 4 2024 will be the last term for the "old" uniform.  From Term 1 2025 students will be expected to be wearing the new style school uniform. 

In line with our sustainability and community values, we are proud to announce Our Lady of Grace School will donate any old uniform items to Ghana's First Women's Shelter.

We are also happy to take donations of backpacks, sneakers, and soccer boots!

We ask that all donations are clean and in good condition. 

Please bring your donations to the front office, and our P&F member Rebecca Thompson has offered to facilitate ensuring our donations are safely received in Ghana. 

Thankyou. 

Thankyou to our parent Madeline Stewart who arranged for all of our "old" sports uniforms to be donated to students in the APY Lands. 

http://marion.sa.gov.au/touch-a-truck

Informing the school of absences

If your child is not going to be at school due to illness, or will be late due to an appointment, it is imperative that you inform the school by:

• Phoning the 24 hour student absentee phone number: 8177 9191 before 8.55am; or
• Completing the absentee form in the Audiri app; or
• By emailing the class teacher or olog@olog.catholic.edu.au

Advance Notice of Absence / absence of more than five (5) days

For advance notice of your child’s absence, please complete the Application for Exemption from School Enrolment/Attendance Form, which is available from the Front Office.

Unexplained absence

If a child is not present and the school has not received an absentee call or email by 9:30am, the office will contact parents (generally via text) to ascertain the student’s whereabouts.

If your child is late

If your child arrives after 8:55am, they will need to enter through the Front Office and be signed in manually by a parents/caregiver via the IPAD (Passtab), then go to the classroom. If this process is not followed and the student has been marked as absent, an automated text message will be generated.

Early Departure

Should any child need to leave the school grounds during school hours e.g. dental/doctor appointment, parental permission must be given. All students must be signed out at the Front Office by their parent/caregiver before leaving the school.