2021 eNewsletter No. 08
Principal’s Message
Dear OVC community, well this is an end of school year like no other that I have experienced in my 40 years in education. As mentioned in my communication, everything has been well and tightly managed in collaboration with SA Health and DfE. For those of you who have not read my email, here is the summary of events.
One of our Ocean View College staff members, who attended a Henley High School reunion party, tested positive to COVID on Wednesday 1st December. He had been at the school’s Student Free Day on Monday 29th and worked with some year 10 students on Tuesday the 30th. Despite only coming into close contact with a handful of staff, SA Health deemed that all staff be tested and complete 7 days of isolation. SA Health however, also advised that, as a school with primary enrolments we are classed as ‘high risk’, and as a result OVC has maintained online curriculum delivery for the remainder of the term (week 9), with a skeletal staff onsite to provide a service for a small number of vulnerable children and/or those of essential workers.
All staff have been tested twice and there are no further cases related to the original at this stage. We are also required to undergo a third test on day 13 (early next week). It is also pleasing to note that over 96% of staff are double vaccinated and the site has been fully cleaned and prepared for the 2022 school year.
On a more positive note, I would like to thanks the wonderful OVC teaching and non-teaching staff for their dedicated and caring approach to the learning outcomes of our children and young people. I have also appreciated the high-level family and community involvement that has bee prominent throughout the year at events such as the OVC 60th Celebration.
Our new buildings are finally complete and some students, families and staff have already experienced a performance or two that have occurred recently. As an audience member for the high energy Year 10 Drama performance, I initially felt like I was sitting in some other school’s theatre. It’s amazing and will serve the community for decades to come for a range of purposes.
Sadly after 21 years at OVC, Nola Tsoulakis is leaving us at the end of her tenure as Head of Primary Years. Please read Nola’s farewell below. Thankyou Nola for your tireless commitment to many generations of OVC students, some who now have their children with us! We wish you a happy and healthy 2022 and good luck with the next phase of your extensive career.
In addition, most of you will have experienced the bubbly and good-humoured Arlee Sharp from our Front Office. Unfortunately for us, but good for her, Arlee is retiring at the end of this term. We will sorely miss her character, commitment and cheeky spirit as she has guided many families, students and staff in such a professional and caring manner.
With the school reports and SACE results just around the corner, we wish all students the very best and hope that all families have a relaxing and safe Christmas break. See you in 2022!
Please also see our new Virtual Tour filmed by Advanced Photography https://advancedpromo.com.au/tours/oceanviewcollege/
Please keep up to date with school events by visiting our School Events Calendar.
Please find attached Happy Haven Holiday Program book online at happyhaven.sa.edu.au
Regards,
Chris Brandwood
Principal
School Fees / School Card
FINANCE REPORT – POLL
We report on the outcome of our POLLING vote from parents and carers in the school community.
We have never seen a more outstanding response, and we would like to thank our families for their interest in the school community and their children’s education.
This year 48 families responded. The vote included all children within the family and the count totalled as follows:
Primary = 15 said yes 1 said no
Secondary = 42 said yes 5 said no
The vote is based on the majority of votes. We report Governing Council sought the approval from our Principal and we advise approved of our M&S Charges for 2022.
2022 School Administration
During December 2021, students reports, back to school information and opening times will be sent out to families via Australia Post. During and January 2022, further information will be sent with M&S Invoices. Back to School information can also be obtained our website: https://oceanview.sa.edu.au/
ABSTUDY – Parents of eligible Aboriginal secondary students up to the age of 16 years old must apply for ABSTUDY AND SCHOOL CARD each year. Abstudy should be applied for at Centrelink and School Card at the school.
Please click on the button below to find out how to make payments and apply for School Card for low income earners and Abstudy.
School FeesPayment plans can be negotiated with our Finance Manager, Heather Long. Please ring the school on 8248 1422 or come see our friendly finance staff who are only too happy to help you with your school financial commitments.
Children's Centre Update
2021 has been an amazing year at the Children’s Centre. The children have been involved in so many learning experiences. They have enjoyed cooking, using produce from our veggie patch, making damper in the campfire, getting messy with mud, riding the bikes without training wheels and having lots and lots of fun. Just to name a few things.
The highlight for term 4 has been working with Aboriginal Artist David, to create a mural, depicting the importance of Ocean View College Children’s Centre on Kaurna Land. David chatted with the children about what living near the ocean means, how we need to care for the animals, plants around us, and work together as a community to share the story of being on Kaurna Land. The children were invited to add their handprint to the mural, using splatter painting technique. Our mural will proudly be displayed in the foyer area of the Children’s Centre.
On Tuesday 1st December we held our graduation ceremony and farewelled 15 children who will be heading off to school in 2022. We have enjoyed being part of their learning journey throughout the year and wish them all the best for 2021.
Ocean View College Children’s Centre staff team would like to wish all our families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We look forward to seeing some of you again in 2022.
Kind regards,
Kelly Squire
Children’s Centre Director
Primary Years Update
A big thank you to all the parents and caregivers for your support throughout 2021. There have been many new challenges at school and the community. Your understanding and willingness to adapt to the ever changing social conditions has been wonderful.
Term 4 has been an exciting term with many events. Students participated in a tennis carnival, basketball carnival and of course the annual colour run.
I’m thrilled that in week 7 we were able to celebrate and farewell our year 6 students as they now transition into life in the Middle School. It was a highlight of the term for both the students, teachers and the support staff present.
Unfortunately, we didn’t get to finish off with our Christmas assembly and R-6 swimming day. For anyone that has paid the swimming fees, this will be refunded into your school accounts.
Whilst our staff are disappointed we didn’t get to farewell our students in person, we will make the most of connecting with them online. Parents and caregivers can come to the school from Tuesday the 14th to collect any students’ books and/or personal items.
Year 6 Graduation
Staff Farewells
I’d like to give a big farewell to Carmel Ferris after 20 plus years of service. We cannot thank Carmel enough her commitment to supporting students and staff throughout this time. I know I speak for everyone in wishing her the very best for what the next chapter holds.
Jade Jones is also finishing up with us at the end of the year. Jade and her family are moving to the NT for a work opportunity. Jade has made a tremendous impression since beginning with Ocean View and we all wish her the best for her Adventure to the top end.
In 2022, we are welcoming back Ursula Gospic (taking over from Ms Ellie) into our year 5/6 cohort. Amy Kretschmer is also joining our team, coming from Grange Primary School to teach in our year 3/4 class.
Have a wonderful break everyone!
Kind regards,
Mark Van Hees
Acting Head of Primary Years (R-6)
High School - Middle Years Update
Just like that, another year is over! While we have had an unfortunate end to the school year, we still have much to celebrate!
On behalf of the Middle Years team, we would like to congratulate and farewell our fantastic group of year 9 students who are moving on to the big world of the Senior School. We have had a great year with this bunch! We have laughed, cried, and have learnt so much over our time together.
Some other highlights across the term have been
- Science Alive excursion for all Middle Years students
- Our Future Seekers program run through Mentor Group to provide our students with career exposure and advice
- Year 8 and 9 excursions to the University of South Australia
- Our Aboriginal Girls Academy
- The SAASTA Shield for our SAASTA Connect Students
- New Ways for Life, a resilience program was delivered for a select group of students
- Year 7 Excursion to West Lakes for aquatics fun!
It has been an absolute pleasure working with your young people in 2021 and I can’t wait to do it all again next year where we welcome approximately 120 new students to the Middle Years.
I hope that you and young person has a relaxing and safe holiday period. As always, if there is anything I can do to support you or your child please feel free to get in touch by phoning the school or by sending me an email, Rachel.seager380@schools.sa.edu.au
Kind regards,
Rachel Seager
Head of Middle School (Years 7 – 9)
High School - Senior Years Update
We are thankful that the bulk of the course work had been handed in by our Year 12s and the SACE results for Year 11 and 12 had been completed by the time our unfortunate closing.
While we said goodbye to our Graduating Year 12s at their Breakfast, Farewell Assembly and Graduation , the Year 10s and 11s were left with exam week and finishing off their course work.
The Year 12 SACE results will be release on Monday the 13th at 8.30am and students will be able to see theirs when they log in to Students Online, through the SACE Board website. Those students who qualify for an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) may receive offers from universities if they have applied online with SATAC. There are many offer rounds and students should not be discouraged if they don’t receive one immediately. If you have concerns on Monday morning, please call the school.
In 2022 we will start with Year 12s only, for their Orientation Day, on the Monday, and then welcome the Year 11s and our new Senior School Students, the Year 10s, on Tuesday. We will start off with an extended mentor group time to ensure students will hit the ground running for their first classes of the year.
We are also saying farewell to Bradley Graham, one of our Year 12 Mentors this year. We wish him well in his next position.
The Senior School Team wishes everyone a safe break and a Merry Christmas.
Kind regards,
Larah Stieg
Head of Senior School (Years 10 – 12)
