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Welcome to Term 4!
As you know, last term OLOL underwent a massive school review. These independent reviews occur every four years and drill down on all aspects of the school. Although I had been briefed on the eventual outcome we received, our formal report was handed down on the last Thursday of the term.
To put it bluntly we 'aced' the review and the report is highly complimentary of all aspects of the school - including its community (that's you!).
One aspect that we received high commendation on was the way the curriculum is delivered at OLOL. The way we use data to drive an authentic system of 'point of need' pedagogy received much acclaim. As you all understand we use the skills of individual teachers and ESO's to cater to the individual student's needs - that is that students move between classes and teachers to be where they need to be at that point of time in their learning journey.
It was this complex and ingrained methodology of delivering the curriculum which has allowed OLOL to operate just vaguely outside the governmental 'return to school road map'. Basically, OLOL will tweak the road map to ensure that our students' return to the classroom is as valuable as possible considering the continuing disruption to their learning. [See Back to OLOL table below]
We can't wait to see the children again but the part online, part face-to-face schedule brings further demands for the teaching and support staff as the methodology behind the two modes is very different. We are putting in place many measures to ensure that the face-to-face time we have with the students is as intensive as possible while continuing a valuable remote program.
There will be many usual end-of-year activities that will have to be altered or canceled depending on the changing restrictions and we will keep you up to speed as we are able to make the decisions. At this point the Year 5 and 6 Camp has to be canceled, First Communion's will go ahead for Year 4, the Art Show is canceled, and 'Joseph' will be performed in some form.
Thank you, as always, for your support and understanding
Francine
This morning we met with Fr Hayes and members of the Parish Team to discuss the best way of celebrating First Eucharist. Given the uncertainty of how the numbers permitted in the Church may change with Covid restrictions, we have planned that students currently in Year 4 will make their First Eucharist during this year (2021) and the current Year 3 students will make their First Eucharist next year in 2022.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause for students in Year 3 and their families.
For students in Year 4 the plan will be as follows:
- Two Masses will be held on Sunday 14th November, one at 1:30pm and the other at 3:00pm
- Both Masses will be at OLOL Church (631 High St Armadale)
- The Communicant can invite up to six family members or friends
- All those in attendance over the age of 12 must be double vaccinated. This is a government mandate which has to be followed. As this may present a problem for some we have arranged for the Masses to be seven weeks away to ensure everyone has enough time to be vaccinated.
You will need to book a ticket to choose your preferred Mass. These will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Once the limit is reached for a particular Mass you will not be able to choose the Mass. Please read the form for more details.
To book your preferred Mass please follow the instructions:
- Click on the Calendar
- Click on your preferred time
- Click ‘Book Tickets’
- Enter 1 as the quantity, click Next
- Enter your child’s name and your email address, click Next
- Confirm the booking
- If the system does not allow you to book your chosen Mass that is because that Mass has reached capacity.
Once all families have booked their ticket Irene will be in touch with you regarding further details. If you have any questions in the meantime please contact Irene (irene.archer@olprahraneast.catholic.edu.au)
Kind regards,
Francine and Irene
Year 5 and 6 Mt Eliza Camp - Cancelled
Sadly our Year 5 and 6 camp has had to be cancelled for this year. We have, up to this point, been very lucky with fitting our camps in around random lockdowns, now, however, it seems our luck has run out! The 2021 senior fees included the camp, therefore year six will have their camp fee rebated and year five camp fee will be credited towards next years camp. Thank you for your understanding.
School Closure - Mon 1st November not Mon 29th November
I know families are exhausted by having their children at home for a term and a half and two school closure days in this context could seem difficult. What doesn't change despite covid conditions are the unrelenting administrative demands on teachers. As parents, you only see the tip of the iceberg of a teacher's workload - and you see the fun stuff. Behind every lesson is the rigorous personalisation of its delivery to ensure the lesson is targeted at the right level for the right student. This takes big picture planning in the form of a SIP (School Improvement Plan which has a scope of four years) and then an AAP (Annual Action Plan) which prioritises a specific improvement agenda and subsequent plan for the year. From these two big picture documents, each year levels specific planning takes place. Much of this is done in planning time some of this is done during holidays but the teacher's award is clear in the fact that teachers have to be given a certain amount of release time from face-to-face teaching to attend to all these tasks.
Therefore every school has school closure days to complete federal, state, system, and local requirements along with the everyday planning and documentation that now goes with the job.
Having said all of that, in recognition of the pressure families have been under during lockdown, we will not close the school on Monday 29th November as planned. I will instead pay for CRT teachers to release the staff to begin planning for 2022. This comes at a substantial cost to the school and so I hope that you appreciate this nod to your long-suffering lockdown and understand the closure day for data assessment analysis and reporting on the Monday before Cup Day. As Years 4, 5 and 6 are yet to return by that stage, Extend are happy to run school hours care but only if they get a minimum of 10 bookings - please contact them asap if you need Extend so that they can make arrangements. Please understand if they do not have 10 they are not able to run the day session.
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Congratualtions to Mrs Monique Gaylor and her husband Josh on the birth of Frankie Grace. Both Mum and Dad are in love with their beautiful new addition!
Please complete the School Intentions Form for 2022 here before Friday 15th October.
In this link you will find the School Intentions Form for 2022. It is essential for planning for next year that the school has up-to-date information. Please click on the link and fill in the very quick survey by Friday 15th October.