Term 3 Week 3 2024 Newsletter

From the Principal

Welcome to Term 3! So far this term, we have welcomed many new students to the school. Not only in the mid year Reception class but also in other year levels. Since the start of the year, we have welcomed 25 new students to the school.

We currently have 240 students in our school. 2024 not only marks the 75 year anniversary of the school, it also marks the first time we have had an enrolment of over 200 students since Year 7 students moved to secondary education at the end of 2018. It has been even longer since our enrolment numbers were last around the 240 mark.

As our school continues to grow, I am ensuring that we implement structures so that student learning and wellbeing is not compromised. This year we modified and increased our leadership structure, and employed additional support staff. We also moved to consistent and evidence based approaches to student learning, as well as investing in staff professional learning.

Planning for 2025 is well on its way. The school continues to grow and in 2025 will have 11 classes. Planning beyond 2025 has also begun. I am working closely with the Catholic Education Finance and Building and Infrastructure teams. I hope to be able to share more with you before the end of the term. I gratefully appreciated the completion of the feedback survey done earlier this year, which has supported the development of our plan.

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop

I make no apologies for having high expectations of our students and believing that they are amazing. That is not to say that we are perfect, but the moment I view students as being just "okay" or "good", I am simply limiting their potential.

This week was the feast day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. She saw the goodness and opportunity in every child. One of St Mary‘s many powerful quotes is:

“Do more with action than words”.

Our students regularly show how amazing they are, both in and out of the school.

Catholic Schools Cross Country Carnival

I had the good fortune this week to attend the Catholic Schools Cross Country Carnival. I was very impressed with our students' participation, encouragement, support, and the general manner they conducted themselves. There was a noticeable difference between our students and students of other schools. I know that I walked around as a proud principal of the school.

SALA Exhibition Launch and Opening

Last week we had the opening of our SALA Exhibition. The quality of the work on display is another example of how amazing our students are and that they “do more with actions than words”. Thank you to Suzanne Healey, our Visual Art Teacher, who has facilitated this amazing opportunity for our students.

Consistency is the key

Over the last few years we have worked towards building consistency across the school. This includes our approach to teaching and learning, and the development of Literacy and Numeracy Agreements. Putting these structures in place is designed to improve the learning outcomes of our students.

Looking at our data since implementing these structures, we have seen significant growth in our student learning and outcomes. Our Year 3 NAPLAN data (click on the image of the graph to enlarge) is a good example of how well we are performing.

NAPLAN is no longer using "bands" as achievement levels; students now achieve a result in one of four categories:

Exceeding
Strong
Developing
Needs Attention

In Reading, Writing, Spelling, and Numeracy, we had no students in the ‘Needs Attention’ category.
In Grammar, we had considerably fewer students in the "Needs Attention" category in comparison to schools in the western region and across all CESA schools.

A significant number of our students were in the "Strong" category. Areas for growth include increasing the number of students in the "Exceeding" category, particularly in Reading and Writing. We are addressing this with the introduction of the "7 Steps to Writing Success" program.

It is clear, from the table above, that we are providing students with great learning, and that they are achieving sound learning outcomes. We compared well against both Catholic schools in the western region of Adelaide as well as across the whole of Catholic Education South Australia.

New staff

As we grow, we ensure our school has the staff required to support our students. We welcome Skye Peucker and Tegan Dart to our community. Skye has joined the administration ESO team, and Tegan is supporting students in her role of curriculum ESO.

Finally, please note that we have a student free day on Friday 6 September 2024. Please contact Jo at OSHC if you require care.

Lee Abela
Principal

From the Assistant Principal Religious Identity & Mission

This week we turn our focus to a remarkable woman whose legacy continues to resonate deeply: St Mary MacKillop, as we celebrate her Feast Day on 8 August. Born on 15 January 1842, in Melbourne, Australia, St Mary MacKillop’s life and work exemplify compassion, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of education and justice for all.

A vision of education

St Mary MacKillop, co-founder of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, is celebrated as Australia’s first saint. Her mission was clear from a young age: to provide education and care for the poor and underserved communities. Alongside Father Julian Tenison Woods, St Mary established schools and institutions across Australia, even in the most remote areas. Her commitment to education was driven by a deep belief that every child deserved a chance to learn and thrive, regardless of their background.

Overcoming Challenges

St Mary’s journey was not without its challenges. She faced significant opposition, both from within the Church and the broader community. Despite these obstacles, her unwavering faith and determination guided her efforts. Her resilience and dedication were instrumental in overcoming these barriers, allowing her vision to flourish and make a lasting impact.

A legacy of compassion

St Mary MacKillop’s legacy extends beyond her work in education. Her life was marked by a profound sense of compassion and service. She worked tirelessly to assist those in need, including the sick and impoverished. Her actions reflected a deep understanding of the values of empathy and kindness, setting a powerful example for future generations.

Canonisation and recognition

St Mary MacKillop was beatified in 1995 and canonised as a saint by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010. Her canonisation was a momentous occasion for Australia and the global Catholic community, recognising her extraordinary contributions and the enduring influence of her work. Today, her legacy is celebrated not only through her canonisation but also through numerous schools and institutions named in her honour.

Inspiration for today

As we reflect on St Mary MacKillop’s life and achievements, we are reminded of the profound impact that one person’s vision and dedication can have on the world. Her commitment to education, her resilience in the face of adversity, and her compassionate service continue to inspire individuals and communities around the globe.

In honouring St Mary MacKillop, let us strive to carry forward her spirit of selfless service and unwavering commitment to justice and education. Her life is a testament to the power of faith, perseverance, and a generous heart.

As St Mary MacKillop once said:

“Never see a need without doing something about it”.

Marissa Redden
Assistant Principal
Religious Identity & Mission

From the Assistant Principal Learning, Engagement & Teaching

Embracing CESA Key Capabilities for student success

At OLQP, we are excited to share with you that our teaching practices align with the Catholic Education South Australia (CESA) Key Capabilities. These capabilities are designed to equip our students with essential skills and attributes for their personal, academic, and spiritual growth.

Understanding the CESA Key Capabilities

The CESA key capabilities framework focuses on several core areas:

Navy Key – Moral, Compassionate, Ecologically Aware:
Understanding the needs and emotions of others, fostering an inclusive environment and promoting practices that protect the environment.
Teal Key – Spiritually Aware and Inspired by Faith:
Having a deep knowledge and understanding of themselves as learners and their continuous growing relationship with God.
Purple Key – Confident and careful Creators and Users of ICTs:
Fostering an environment where students understand effective platforms and adapt to changes in the digital landscape.
Red Key – Knowledgeable, Inquisitive and Innovative:
Enhancing students' abilities to think critically and feel free to express their creativity and come up with innovative solutions..
Blue Key – Literate, numerate and Effective Communicators:
Developing strong communication skills for effective interaction and the ability to solve problems effectively.
Yellow Key – Self-aware, Collaborative and Social Adept:
Promoting collaborative work and the importance of teamwork.
Orange Key – Intercultural and Globally Minded:
Building students' skills, including empathy, cultural and ethical understanding.

Student-led Conferences – Week 9

A highlight of this term will be our student-led conferences. These conferences are a fantastic opportunity for students to take ownership of their learning journey. During the conferences, students will:

Present their learning outcomes to their parents and teachers.
Reflect on their strengths and areas for growth.
Set personal goals based on the feedback received.

The student-led conferences will not only showcase our students' academic achievements but also highlight their development in the key capabilities. This process encourages students to become more responsible and proactive in their learning, fostering a sense of pride and student agency.

We look forward to witnessing their growth and celebrating their achievements throughout the term. Thank you for your continued support and partnership in our educational journey.

Adriana Pilla
Assistant Principal
Learning, Engagement and Teaching