Issue 3 I  17 March 2022

Dear Parents & Carers,

As a faith community we are focused on Christ-centred education in partnership with parents and our parish. We also maintain a clear and explicit focus on quality teaching and learning for all, where students are given the opportunity to become life-long learners with the provision of a comprehensive and engaging curriculum. 

Recently the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) released new syllabus documents for both English and Mathematics for students in kindergarten to year 2. To support the implementation of the new syllabus in 2023 we have a dedicated leadership team working with our teaching team to ensure the very best outcomes for each one of our learners. This year teachers are exploring the new documents during professional learning meetings in preparation for full implementation.

In addition to preparing for the new English and Mathematics syllabus we are trialling the implementation of a new Religious Education syllabus, starting with our youngest learners in kindergarten. The Broken Bay early years’ student-centred pedagogy invites each child to continue their journey of faith in an experiential learning environment inspired by the principles of Montessori play based learning.

Just like our students, the OLGC teaching team are life-long learners!

For a full list of our OLGC teaching and support staff please visit our website. 

Warm regards,
Fiona Dignan

Friday 18 March 2022 is the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence. Bullying can make children feel unsafe and unhappy. It stops them from being who they want to be and can affect their learning and relationships.

If bullying isn't challenged, it can create an environment where bullying is accepted and where everyone feels powerless to stop it.

Bullying is NEVER OK!

This year we are invited to celebrate the idea that a Kindness Culture starts with each one of us. A Kindness Culture promotes inclusiveness, respect and community belonging. The theme offers an opportunity to learn about kindness and demonstrate positive behaviour. Kindness plays an important role in bullying prevention. We will be exploring these concepts during Personal Development lessons and Wellbeing Wednesday activities during the week.

We encourage you to discuss the theme with your children and together find practical ways to help promote a kindness culture in your homes.

To bring awareness to this important day we invite the children to wear a splash of orange on Friday to school.

Paola Brannan
Assistant Principal

Thursday 17 March
Open Day and Open Night

Friday 18 March
Wear a splash of orange for National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence
9:15am Year 3 Mass
4pm & 5:30pm Celebration of Reconciliation

Tuesday 22 March
NSWCPS Swimming Carnival 

Friday 25 March
9:15am Kindergarten & Year 6 Mass 

Wednesday 30 March
Cross Country

Thursday 31 March
11:45am End of Term Liturgy 

Friday 1 April
School photos

The NSW English curriculum has recently undergone comprehensive reform after an extensive curriculum review and consultation. The reform recommendations include the priority of strong foundations for learning with a new English syllabus. They key features include developing competence in oral language, reading and writing.

This year is a transition year for the implementation of the new syllabus with the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) expecting full implementation in 2023. OLGC are embracing the new K-2 English syllabus in 2022 as we understand that the skills of reading, writing and spelling are best developed through systematic, explicit teaching. Every day our dynamic and experienced OLGC teachers plan lessons that provide rich opportunities and experiences to ensure these skills are developed.

NESA have provided a guide to help carers and parents support their Kindergarten to Year 2 children to develop their oral language skills. Oral language and communicating focuses on developing speaking, listening and interacting skills. These skills become more advanced as students’ progress through the grades and include supporting them to provide more detail in their oral language and socially connect with both peers and teachers confidently.

You can help your Kindergarten child at home by:

• Modelling listening skills by taking turns when speaking with your child and waiting for them to respond
• Asking your child open-ended questions about their day or surroundings. For example, Tell me about a book you read today or How did you make that artwork?
• Gradually building the number of verbal instructions from 1 single direction to 2 directions then up to 3 directions for your child to follow. For example, pack your bag, brush your teeth and put on your shoes

You can help your Years 1-2 child at home by:

• Using and explaining language that describes position such as left/right, near/far, above/below. Play games such as ‘Simon Says’ or design a map and go on a treasure hunt.
• Comparing and discussing different aspects of life around you. For example, what is the same or different about seasons, movies, books, food, clothes, cars or weather
• Continuing to support your child to successfully complete 2- and 3-step instructions. For example, make your bed, put on your jacket, turn out the light
• Introduce more detailed texts to your child, such as beginning chapter books, so they can focus and listen to you read about one topic over a longer period of time.  For example, reading one or two chapters a night. Visiting your local library or downloading an app linked to your library called Borrow Box are great places to find some audiobooks to develop listening skills.

Ms Alexandria Vumbaca
Year 1 Teacher and English Coordinator

School photos will be taken on Friday 1 April 2022. 

Ordering instructions are outlined below and will also be sent home with students this week. Individual and sibling photos can be ordered online by visiting www.advancedlife.com.au and entering the school code RAJ 9FZ CQ3. 

Students will need to wear full summer uniform on photo day. 

Dear Parents and Carers,

Thank you for such a wonderful turn out at the Term 1 P&F Meeting last Tuesday, it was fantastic to see so many parents invested in the running of their children’s school.

Ping pong tables:
Many of you may have seen the call by the school to investigate ways that P&F funds can be invested back into the school via a playground donation.
A preferred option is to purchase two, long lasting Ping pong tables that could be used for decades to come.
If you have any alternative ideas for the playground donation please contact the P&F via email pf.olgc.forestville@gmail.com

P&F Event Co-ordination for 2022 
Each year the P&F aims to hold events that build a sense of community in our school, fundraise for the school or provide support to  our local community. This year we are excited to be able to hold more P&F events.
 
The P&F assigns year groups to co-ordinate each event. Below is the assignment of school years to co-ordinating P&F events for 2022. Class parents will contact their year group & ask them to form a committee with a co-ordinator to organise the event. Please consider volunteering for the events assigned to your year groups.
 
Event Co-ordination 2022

OLGC P&F Committee