Term 4 Week 9 2024 Newsletter

Download any of the following documents by clicking on the link.

Policies

• Uniform Policy 0724

Playgroup & Occasional Care

• Occasional Care flyer
• Playgroup flyer

Parents & Friends Committee

• Email: PNF@olpq.catholic.edu.au

Second hand Uniform Shop

• Please note that the Parents and Friends Committee are no longer accepting uniforms for sale on consignment.

Enrolments

• Application for Enrolment form

Canteen

• Canteen menu and price list April 2024

Qkr!

• Qkr! instructions
• How to cancel a Qkr! lunch order (before the deadline)

It is hard to believe we are at the end of another school year. In many ways, it feels like just the other day I became the principal of Our Lady Queen of Peace School. Reflecting over the events of the year, it is clearly evident we have achieved many successes and improvements, all of which were child centred.

The “word of mouth” about our school continues to be positive and has increased our visibility and presence in the community. This has allowed the school to grow and create greater opportunities for all students. Moving into 2025, OLQP will become a 12 class school, as well as a mid year Reception intake group. We will continue to use space wisely, ensuring we continue to provide excellent learning and opportunities for students.

Farewell and good luck

As the school grows and the number of staff increases, staff changeover may appear more noticeable. This year, we are farewelling some teaching and support staff. We say goodbye and good luck to the following teachers:

• Leigh Turbill
• Courtney Elliott
• Michael Mastrangelo

We also say goodbye to the following support staff:

• Jackie Peddler
• Gabby Dama
• Alison Ferguson
• Tegan Dart
• Ava Falkenberg
• Sarah Watts

As previously communicated, Sarah Willets will be on leave in 2025.

St Mary MacKillop said, “Remember we are but travellers here”. It is a reminder that this life is temporary and a journey. As we journey through life, we encounter ups and downs, different experiences which can shape our lives and contribute to who we are. I am sure that we have been part of shaping the lives of these staff as they have been part of shaping ours.

I thank them for all they have contributed to our community and acknowledge they have become part of the OLQP fabric.

Transition

This past week, students had the opportunity to meet their 2025 teacher, class peers (the 2025 Receptions did this last week) and be in their 2025 classroom, allowing each student to transition in preparation for the new school year ahead. This is a unique but amazing opportunity we create for our students.

I would also like to acknowledge our process for class placements. We spend countless hours constructing and reviewing these placements. The process considers the voices of students, families and staff. Every endeavour is taken to bring these voices together to make our final placement.

I am mindful that not all schools use this process. Some take the 2-3 recommendations of students, enter this information into a computer program, which then constructs class lists with no other input. Though our process is far more time consuming, I would not have it any other way. Our process is a great example of:

• a child centred practice,
• our partnership with families,
• the relationship and knowledge that staff have with students,
• student agency.

We don’t stop

Over the last few weeks, we have had:

• incursions
• excursions
• a Sports Assembly
• new student transition visits
• staff professional conversations
• an evacuation fire drill
• the 2025 Reception Light Ceremony
• our school choir performance at West Lakes
• the End of Year mass
• Year 6 Retreat Day
• Year 6 Graduation Dinner
• Year 6 Final Liturgy
• Inflatable Day
• Report distribution

Thank you

I would like to thank families, staff and students for an amazing year. Our school works best when we all work together. Our partnership allows for excellent learning outcomes and personal development of your children / our students.

I would like to wish you a happy, safe and peaceful festive season, and look forward to seeing you in the new year.

Merry Christmas!

Lee Abela
Principal

A Joyful Christmas Reflection: Embracing the Gift of Christ

As we approach the close of another school year, it is with great joy and gratitude that we reflect on the season of Christmas, a time of peace, hope, and love. Christmas is not merely a celebration of a historical event but a profound reminder of God’s love for us, embodied in the birth of Jesus Christ. As members of a Catholic school community, it is essential for us to pause and reflect on the true meaning of this season and how it shapes our lives both individually and collectively.

At the heart of Christmas is the gift of Christ, who came into the world as a child to show us the depth of God's love and to offer us the ultimate example of humility, compassion, and selflessness. This season calls us to open our hearts to the love that was poured into the world through Christs birth and to share that love with others.

In our school, this time of year provides us with an opportunity to live out our faith in tangible ways. We come together as a community to celebrate Mass, participate in Advent prayers, and serve others through acts of charity. These traditions are not only expressions of our Catholic faith but are also powerful reminders of the true spirit of Christmas giving, compassion, and service.

In these final days of the year, let us pause to give thanks for the many blessings we have received and pray that the peace of Christ will fill our hearts and homes. May the joy of Christmas inspire us all to carry the light of Christ into the new year, spreading his love and joy in all that we do.

On behalf of the entire school community, I wish each of you a blessed and joyful Christmas season, filled with the love and peace of Christ. May it be a time of renewal, reflection, and deep connection with the true meaning of this holy celebration.

With peace and joy,

Marissa Redden
Assistant Principal
Religious Identity & Mission

Celebrating our volunteers

Last week, Our Lady Queen of Peace School came together to celebrate the heart and soul of our community: our volunteers. The Volunteers Breakfast, held in appreciation of the countless hours our dedicated helpers contribute, was a success!

The morning was filled with warmth and joy as volunteers gathered to enjoy a delicious breakfast prepared by our Principal, Lee Abela. The menu featured an array of treats, from fresh pastries to bacon and eggs, all served with love and gratitude. The event provided a wonderful opportunity for us to express our thanks personally to the volunteers who generously give their time and skills to support our school.

The Volunteers Breakfast event was a reminder of the incredible sense of community that our volunteers help to foster. From assisting in classrooms and coordinating special events, to coaching after school sports teams and supporting fundraisers, their contributions are invaluable.

On behalf of the entire OLQP community, we extend our sincerest gratitude to every volunteer. Your generosity and dedication make a world of difference, and we are so fortunate to have you as part of our school family.

We look forward to continuing this tradition and celebrating our incredible volunteers in the years to come.

New learning approach to literacy

At Our Lady Queen of Peace School, we are committed to providing innovative, evidence based learning experiences that empower our students to thrive. In partnership with renowned educators Bill and Christie-Lee Hansberry, we are thrilled to introduce the Playberry Laser Literacy Program across Years 3–6 in 2025.

This program is a multisensory, structured phonics approach designed to support both reading and spelling development. Grounded in the science of reading, Playberry Laser aligns seamlessly with our school's literacy goals, helping students build essential skills in:

• Phonological awareness
• Morphological knowledge
• Spelling rules
• Reading fluency

Playberry Laser takes an evidence informed approach, making literacy instruction engaging and effective for all learners. By incorporating its activities into our daily literacy blocks, we aim to provide students with a rich and dynamic learning experience that supports their growth as confident readers and writers.

For more details about the Playberry Laser Literacy Program, visit their website at playberrylaser.com.au.

Adriana Pilla
Assistant Principal
Learning, Engagement and Teaching

This week, RJC and RDS travelled to the City of Tea Tree Gully Road Safety and Cycle Centre in Ridgehaven. During our studies this year in Health and Physical Education, students learnt about topics including: emotions, skills required to interact respectfully with others, as well as the benefits of physical activity, and fair and inclusive play. This excursion helped us to put all these skills into practice whilst having a lot of fun too!

Thank you to our volunteers who helped make this day possible. We are very appreciative of your time and support!

James Cummings
Reception teacher

This past week, we reflected on the year in 1TM and talked about our favourite things from 2024. Students have enjoyed:

Sports day - Paul
PE, Music, STEM, Art and Spanish lessons - Shanaya
75 Year Anniversary celebrations (especially dancing with Miss Fab!) - Alessia
Learning about when Jesus was born in our Religion lessons - Brandice
Christmas Carols – Tanusha

We had lots of fun, learnt new things and grown so much this year! Our very first activity in 1TM was drawing self portraits. The students loved this so much, I thought we should draw another, one year later! Take a look at some of the drawings from the little artists in 1TM!

Tara May
Year 1 teacher

Mathematics

In 2NU this term, we completed a Mathematics unit on measurement. Students looked at measuring length, mass and capacity. We learnt how to measure the length of an object using formal and informal units, and how to measure with a ruler accurately. We used balance scales to estimate, measure and compare the mass of objects. We described capacity using appropriate language including empty, half full and full. Students enjoyed using hands on materials to assist with their understanding of measurement.

Natalie Urdanoff
Year 2 teacher

STEM adventures: term highlights!

It has been another action packed term in STEM, with students exploring coding, technology, and hands on learning in fun and creative ways. Here is a little snapshot of what has been happening:

Reception students
Our youngest learners stepped into the world of coding with BeeBots! They navigated mazes and coded their way through favourite stories like Goldilocks and the Three Bears, sequencing the events to help the BeeBots find their way. With iPads in hand, they also worked with QR codes to go on a "Where Is the Green Sheep?" adventure around the school.

Year 1/2
The Year 1 students and 2 students got their hands dirty maintaining the school gardens. They watered, pruned, and planted with care. In the classroom, they explored coding using Scratch and Makey Makey to bring simple codes to life. The highlight? Guiding Sphero robots through a maze that zigzagged across the Discovery Centre!

Year 3/4
The 3/4 students dove into robotics using Spike LEGO kits to build and code their own robotic creations. They also worked with Spheros and completed coding challenges during Hour of Code, learning why programming is such an important skill for the future.

Year 5/6
Our senior students tackled advanced coding with Spheros and Spike WeDo kits, creating complex builds and algorithms. They also took on leadership roles by helping maintain the gardens, setting a fantastic example for the younger students.

A big term in Space!

National Makers Empire Champions

A special congratulations to Amelia, Zahlia, and Charlie, who won the national Makers Empire competition! Their innovative thinking and teamwork shone brightly, and I could not be prouder of their amazing achievement.

It has been a term full of creativity, problem solving, and collaboration. I am so proud of all the students’ efforts. Check out the photos below to see the magic in action!

Thank you for your ongoing support in making STEM such an exciting part of our students learning journey at OLQP! 

Tamara Brooker
STEM teacher

Celebrating a remarkable term in Music

This term was a truly triumphant one for the music program at Our Lady Queen of Peace School, with countless moments of joy, pride, and achievement. A particular highlight was our much anticipated Music Soirée, held on Thursday 21 November. This delightful evening showcased the talents of students from Reception through to Year 6, as well as captivating performances by our Festival Choir, Ukulele Club, and School Band.

The soirée was expertly hosted by our enthusiastic Music Captains, who demonstrated exceptional leadership and professionalism. From stunning solo performances to vibrant group pieces, the evening was a celebration of hard work, creativity, and musical growth.

A special thank you goes to our incredible team of instrumental tutors - Julie, Imogen, Hannah, Willian, Carlie, Brock, and Alana—who guided and inspired our students throughout the year. Their dedication and expertise were instrumental (pun intended!) in fostering a love of music and developing the talents of our young performers. Thank you for all that you do!

Farewell to Imogen

As we celebrate our achievements, we also take a moment to bid a fond farewell to Imogen, our dedicated woodwind tutor for the past three years. Imogen has been a treasured part of our school community for much longer, as an old scholar who has given back so much through her time and expertise.

We thank Imogen for her commitment to our music program and for inspiring so many young musicians. While we will miss her dearly, we are thrilled to support her as she embarks on an exciting new chapter in her career as a paramedic. We wish her every success in the future.

Christmas cheer at West Lakes

The festive season was made even brighter thanks to our incredible Festival Choir, who performed a selection of Christmas carols at West Lakes Shopping Centre. The students delighted shoppers with their heartfelt renditions of classics such as The First Noel and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, spreading holiday cheer and showcasing their remarkable talents.

We extend a special thank you to Tanya Larsson for assisting the choir during this performance. Her support and guidance helped ensure the event was a resounding success, and we are so grateful for her efforts.

Thank you to everyone who supported the choir’s efforts and to the students for bringing the spirit of Christmas to our community.

As we wrap up another successful term, we look forward to even more wonderful musical adventures in the new year. Congratulations to all involved in making this term so special. 

Andrew Heuzenroeder
Music teacher

Come and join the fun!

• Occasional Care is on Tuesdays 9am-12noon for children 3-5 years.
• Playgroup is on Wednesdays 9am-10.30am for children 0-5 years.

For more information, please access the flyers regarding Playgroup and Occasional Care from the Useful Links section at the beginning of this newsletter.

More questions?

Contact - Andi Benzija

• Phone: 8279 8800
• Email: Andi.Benzija@olqp.catholic.edu.au

The Parents and Friends Committee is a success because of its volunteers. If you would like to join us, please email PNF@olqp.catholic.edu.au.

Corin Mitchell
Parents and Friends Committee Chairperson

Opening times:

Fridays

• 8.40am – 9am
• 2.45pm – 3.10pm

The second hand uniform shop service, facilitated by a dedicated group of parents, supports the community to access quality and affordable second-hand uniforms for their children.

Donations of quality second hand uniform items needed!

Donations needed. The P & F helps maintain a quality uniform shop for the school community. If you have any quality items at home that no longer fit, please consider donating to our shop through the front office.

Proceeds raised from the sale of these donations go towards student-centred projects and activities at our school.

Location:

Located in the P & F Room (near the girls' toilets, adjacent the basketball courts).

Call 8279 8800 if you require more information, or alternatively, you can email the P & F Committee using this email: PNF@olqp.catholic.edu.au.

P & F Committee

New families and permanent bookings:

All new family bookings and permanent bookings need to be made through the OSHC office.

Please contact Jo on 0417 840 700, or pop into either the OSHC office or front office for an information pack.

Jo Fahey
OSHC Director

PlayStart Soccer has weekend classes in your area! These are FUN soccer classes if your child is looking to get started in soccer or just looking to get active. Classes run on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 9am.

Term 1 kicks off from 8 February 2025. These classes are available now for all children aged 2-10 years old.

SA Government Sports Vouchers are accepted by PlayStart Soccer…SAVE $100!

If you want more information or to enrol, please head to www.playstart.com.au/soccer-programs/ or call Andrew on 0401 410 465.