OUR LADY OF HOPE NEWSLETTER - Term 3 Week 1 2025

Leadership Dimension

Reflections from the Principal

Welcome to Term 3

Dear Students, Families and Staff,

I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable break. As we embark on Term 3, I am filled with excitement and optimism for the journey ahead. It is wonderful to see our school community come together once again, ready to embrace new challenges and opportunities amidst the chilly and wet weather. Each day, we are a day closer to summer!

Welcome to New Families

A special welcome to the new families joining us this term. We are delighted to have you as part of our community and look forward to getting to know you better. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance as you settle in to our school family. 

Reinforcing Good Habits

As we start this new term, I would like to remind everyone of the importance of maintaining good habits:

• Regular Attendance: Consistent attendance is crucial for academic success and personal growth. Let's make every day count! Our aim is to have every child achieving above 90% attendance.
• Wearing Uniform Correctly: Our school uniform is a symbol of pride and unity. We are thrilled to see our new uniform being worn proudly. We remain committed to ensuring our former uniform is worn correctly too and  remind families that the same format applies to children wearing their sports uniform and formal uniform on the specified days that your child's teacher has indicated. Our Leadership Team will be meeting with classes next week to ensure children are wearing their uniforms correctly. In particular, we will focus on jewellery, make up and hair accessories. Please work with us to build your child's personal responsibility for their uniform. 

• The OLOH Way: Let us recommit to the values that define our school community - Respect, Relationships, Responsibility, and Resilience. These principles guide our actions and interactions, helping us create a positive and supportive environment for all. This week our children have displayed a high level of respect at an incursion on Wednesday by the Music Viva Troupe (Wyniss Performances) and by C10 at Glesson College's Drama Production, Little Shop of Horrors. Our children should be affirmed for the terrific behaviour choices that they have made as we commence a new semester. 

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to your child's school - our school! Together, we can make Term 3 a rewarding and enriching experience for everyone.

May God be within us and amongst us.

Paul 

Paul Bennett                                                                                                                                                        Principal

The new OLOH Uniform - beautifully modelled by some of our Yr 3/4 students 

Thoughts from the Deputy Principal

Dear Families and Carers, 

Welcome back to Term 3! We hope you enjoyed a relaxing break and are ready for another exciting term of learning and growth. 

It was lovely to begin the term by welcoming our new Reception students and those joining Stars this week. It was heartwarming to see proud older siblings checking in on their younger siblings—introducing them to staff and friends, and ensuring they were settling in well. 

This term, we also welcome Ella Swan to our community as she completes her final teaching placement in C18 with Lea Cohen. 

A strong sense of community is something I’ve noticed since joining Our Lady of Hope School. It’s wonderful to see so many people share their skills and talents for the benefit of our students. At the end of Term 2, Kirsten and I hosted a volunteer induction and welcomed new volunteers. We’re already hearing about the ways they’re supporting our school—it’s a true blessing to witness such kindness in action. 

You would have received a letter last term regarding the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data for students with a disability (NCCD). All schools in Australia participate annually in the NCCD, which allows us to reflect on the adjustments we make to support students with disabilities. Teachers work in partnership with families to plan, review, and monitor these supports to ensure every child has the opportunity to participate fully at school. 

We’re committed to personalising learning and improving outcomes for all our students. We want each child to experience success, feel safe and be supported in taking risks with their learning. We hope to empower students to believe in themselves and grow into the best versions of themselves. It’s a privilege to be part of your child’s learning journey and we are excited to continue this partnership with you. 

If your child has a disability, or if you suspect they might, we encourage you to work closely with us to support their learning. You’re welcome to speak to your child’s class teacher, or reach out to me directly at ciara.james@oloh.catholic.edu.au. 

As part of our staff Professional Learning Day last Monday, we reflected on and shared regulation strategies to support students within our community. Our ESO staff engaged in a session titled "From Dysregulation to Engagement", exploring grounding techniques and the importance of strong “safe base” relationships for every student. 

As Term 2 ended, families received Semester 1 reports. This week, those with children in Years 3 and 5 also received NAPLAN results. We hope these reports have offered helpful insights into your child’s learning. If you’d like to discuss the reports, future learning goals, or adjustments to support growth, we warmly invite you to arrange a time with your child’s teacher. 

Thank you for your ongoing support, we are so glad to be walking alongside your children on this journey of growth and discovery. 

Warm regards, 
Ciara  

Ciara James                                                                                                                                                                      Deputy Principal 

Farewell

Farewell Robyn Reuther 

After 23 years at Our Lady of Hope School, Robyn has decided to embark on a new chapter in her life from the end of Term 3 week 4. Whilst we are saddened to see her go, we wish Robyn every blessing for her future endeavours. Robyn's contributions to our school have been immense and invaluable. She has passionately led the Performing Arts Programme, inspiring countless students through her dedication and creativity. Her leadership with the Catholic School Music Festival Choir, Instrumental Program, Liturgical Band & Dance Troupe, Our Lady of Hope School song and the Book Week Song/Parade has left a lasting impact on our community. Additionally, her efforts in organizing biannual Whole School Concerts, visiting performance artists and Holy Week presentations have brought joy and lasting memories to our school. Likewise, her deep knowledge about our campus history has been invaluable. It is challenging to articulate and capture the impact of her work at OLOH. We will miss Robyn's passion, talent and the positive energy she brought to every project. Please join me in thanking her for her significant contribution to OLOH and Greenwith Campus and wishing her health, happiness and harmony  in the years ahead.

Religious Dimension

Casual Day to raise money for St Vincent de Paul 2025

On Thursday, 31 July (Term 3 Week 2), we will be having a Casual Day to raise money for St Vincent De Paul to support their cause to help people in our community.

This will be a casual day with a fun difference as students can wear their pyjamas or onesie!

Students may make a voluntarily monetary donation to support this cause, which can be provided to their classroom teacher.

During week 3, Social Justice members will go to Woolworths (at the Stables) and buy non-perishable food with the donated money. On Friday, 8 August, all of the food will be divided between the Red, Blue, Yellow and Green Sports Teams as part of a competition to see which team can build the most creative sculpture with the donated items.

Students can wear their slippers in class but will need to wear appropriate footwear outside.

(Even though it is a casual day long hair needs to be tied back please.)

Thank you for your anticipated support!

Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
On Friday, 15 August, we will gather as a school community to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, a Holy Day of Obligation and a deeply significant occasion in the Catholic Church.

This feast commemorates the belief that Mary was taken into heaven at the end of her earthly life. The Gospel reading for this celebration reflects on Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth, a meaningful time of mutual support as both women prepared to welcome new life.

We warmly invite all families to attend this whole school Mass, which will begin at 9:15am in the Parish Centre.

Prior to the Mass, we will hold a Parent Prayer session, where we will pray one decade of the Rosary in honour of Mary’s Assumption. This quiet moment of reflection is a beautiful way to begin our celebration together. Please be sure to mark this special date in your calendar. We look forward to sharing this sacred celebration with you.

Mass Reminder

On Friday 1 August at 11.50 am, Room 15 will be celebrating their class mass. I hope you are able to attend this mass.

Sacramental Programme for 2025- 2026

On the final day of Term 2, enrolment forms for the Sacramental Programme were distributed to students from Year 3 onwards. If you have not yet received a form for your child, please let me know, and I will happily provide one. Once your child's enrolment is received, the Parish will share additional details about the upcoming Information Session.

I look forward to partnering with you in faith as we support your child's growth, learning, and spiritual development during this meaningful journey.

Kind regards

Suzie

Suzie Subotkiewicz                                                                                                                                          Assistant Principal - Religious Identity & Mission 

Learning Dimension

Dear Families,

At Our Lady of Hope, we are committed to nurturing the learning and wellbeing of every student. This term, we are pleased to offer a range of programs and opportunities that support our students’ academic, social, and emotional development, helping them to grow as confident, capable and compassionate learners. 

Cyber Safety Sessions – Wednesday, August 13 
We are pleased to welcome Cybersafe Families to our school on Wednesday, August 13. They will be running important sessions for students in Years 1–6, focusing on online safety, respectful digital interactions, and how to navigate the online world with confidence and responsibility. 

In addition to student sessions, parent and caregiver sessions will also be offered at the following times: 
• Morning session: 9:00–10:00am 
• Evening session: 6:30–7:30pm 

We encourage all families to attend one of these sessions. Please save the date and keep an eye out for more information in the coming weeks. 

Year 5/6 Body Image Program – Embrace Kids 
This term, our Year 5/6 students will take part in a program called ‘Embrace Kids’, a positive and empowering initiative designed to promote body confidence, self-acceptance, and kindness towards oneself and others. This engaging program will be facilitated by our school counsellor in collaboration with class teachers, supporting students to develop a healthy self-image and strong emotional wellbeing. 

Reception – What’s the Buzz? 
Our Reception students will begin the ‘What’s the Buzz?’ social skills program this term. This evidence-based program supports young learners in developing skills such as turn-taking, listening, empathy, and emotional regulation. Guided by our school counsellor and classroom teachers, the program helps nurture confident, respectful and socially aware learners, setting a strong foundation for future relationships and success at school. 

Children’s University Update 
Well done to all students participating in Children’s University this year and embracing a wide range of exciting learning opportunities. On Thursday, July 31, our liaison officer will visit to fit each student for their graduation gown.  Please note that graduation for eligible students will take place on Monday, November 3 at the University of Adelaide (City Campus). Graduates are asked to arrive by 9:45am, with the ceremony commencing sharply at 10:30am and concluding by approximately 12:00pm. Further details will be shared for those involved via Seesaw closer to the date. 

Reinforcing Our School Values 
You may have noticed new signage around our school grounds. These signs serve as daily reminders of our core school values: Respect, Relationships, Responsibility, and Resilience, and help reinforce positive behaviours in all learning and play spaces. 

As always, we thank you for your continued partnership in supporting the learning and wellbeing of our students. Together, we can ensure our children are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to thrive, both within and beyond the classroom. 

Warm regards

Sarah

Sarah Alford                                                                                                                                                          Leader of Learning & Wellbeing

Administrative Dimension

Finance News

Dear Families 

Term 3 fee statements will be sent home to all families via your eldest child early week 3. 

Term 3 fees are due for payment by no later than Friday, 29th August. 

A reminder that term 4 final balance of fees are due by no later than Friday, 21st November. 

Families who paid their fees in full and have a zero-balance owing will not receive a statement. 

If you do not receive a statement and believe that you should have, please contact the school to advise - they occasionally do get lost. 

If you think you will qualify for School Card, please remember that School Card applications must be made each year.  Please see below for the link that will take you to the site for school card applications online. 

https://online.forms.sa.edu.au/content/forms/af/public/application-for-school-card.html 

If you have any queries about your fees or are experiencing any financial difficulties, please do not hesitate to contact us for a confidential conversation regarding your situation.  Remember if we don’t know we cannot assist. 

If you have a query about fees, please email businessmgr@oloh.catholic.edu.au or call between 8:30am and 3:30pm any weekday. 

Kind regards 

Damian

Damian Emery                                                                                                                                                      Business Manager

OLOH Feedback Form

On the OLOH SZApp there is a tile at the bottom of the 'Home' page titled 'Feedback'. If you would like to share feedback about our school we encourage you to tap on this tile and provide your comments.

We are open to receiving positive and affirming comments and also feedback that may raise our awareness of issues that need to be addessed. All that we ask is that the text is polite and not offensive.

Ideally, we will have an opportunity to make contact to discuss your suggestion, feedback etc.

The first part of our school name, 'OUR', reflects our commitment to listen to our community and discern what will ensure we build and sustain a culture of excellence at Our Lady of Hope School. When people outside of our school look at how we behave we want them to exclaim "Look at how they love one another". 

Living Learning Leading Surveys

The 2025 Living Learning Leading (LLL) surveys will be distributed to our school families, staff and students next week. Each year, Catholic Education SA works in partnership with Curtin University to facilitate annual surveys for every CESA school across South Australia. All members of Our Lady of Hope School are strongly encouraged to share their observations of how our school operates, affirming the things we do really successfully and highlighting areas of concern. This feedback is viewed by our Leadership Team and the School Board which guides the direction of our OLOH Annual Improvement Plan. 

I acknowledge that we get asked to undertake many surveys in our work, social environments and sporting clubs, however, I trust that you will find 15 minutes to access the online LLL survey and share your thoughts about what we can do to further develop the culture of excellence we yearn for at Our Lady of Hope School. 

School Absentee Notification

Since the impact of COVID 19 our attendance data has dropped below 90%. I am setting our community a challenge to increase our student data attendance above 92%! Not being at school hinders learning and disrupts the important routines that children require to consolidate their learning and social/emotional connections. However, we also recognise that if your child is unwell they need to heal and minimise the impact upon staff and peers. If your child or children are going to be away for any reason (i.e. illness, family/social, medical/dental appointment, car trouble, running late etc.) we ask that parents please contact the Front Office via the SZapp absences form or if this is not possible by phone on 8289 8344.  If your child arrives at school after 8.50 am, please sign them in at the Front Office.

Community Dimension

Our Lady of Hope Principal Tours

School Calendar

Families are able to access a ‘live’ calendar at the following locations:

• Szapp tiles
• OLOH Website ‘News & Events’ tab – School Calendar
• OLOH online newsletter

A paper copy is static and doesn’t allow us to make alterations should circumstances change. Whilst it is our intention to eliminate date changes, should they be necessary, we will communicate these to families via Szapp/Seesaw.

A few upcoming highlights for Term 3 2025:

• 13/8      Parent Cybersafety Sessions (9am -10am / 6:30pm - 7:30pm) 

• 15/8      9.15am Whole School Mass – The Feast of the Assumption of Mary 

• 22/8      9.15am – 10.30am Book Week Parade & Celebrate Grandparents/VIP’s                                                              10.30am – 11am Parents visit classrooms 

• 5/9       OLOH Father’s Day Breakfast                                                                                                                                   9.15am Father’s Day Liturgy Mass 

• 12/9      9.05am Liturgy                                                                                                                                                         9.45am Thorndon Park - OLOH PICNIC  DAY (Pray for good weather!) 

• 23/9      CSMF Choir - Performance at Adelaide Convention Centre 

These are just some of the activities that will be held over the next 9 weeks.

Please check out the 'Live' school calendar sites listed above. 

Maggie Moo Music

Noticeboard

The services and events contained in this bulletin are in no way connected or endorsed by the school and are included in this newsletter for your information only.  Parents and caregivers need to make their own enquiries and assessments about the suitability of these events and services for the needs and those of their children.

Kildare College Tours Term 3