News from our
Assistant Principal
Louise Gordon
Student Attendance
Systemic Catholic primary schools in the Archdiocese of Sydney must record daily student attendance. All student absences must be followed by an explanation/medical certificate from parents within one week of the absence. This can be completed using our school web based system – COMPASS.
If an explanation is not received within that time, the absence will automatically be recorded as an unexplained absence.
Note: Children who arrive at school after 8.55am must report to the office before going to class where a late note will be issued stating the reason for the partial absence.
Parents and carers of students who have accrued numerous days of partial or full day absence may be asked to attend an Attendance Improvement Planning meeting.
Parents are reminded that if your child will be on leave for 5 or more school days, an ‘Application for Leave form/Application for Extended Leave – Travel form’ at least three school days before the absence needs to be completed. It is a legal requirement that a principal must grant an exemption from attendance prior to such leave being taken.
Application for Travel leave / Exemption forms are available at the school office and on Compass under parent links. If an exemption certificate is not provided to the parent by the school before the absence, the absence will be recorded as unexplained/unacceptable.
NAPLAN Student Reports 2025
Individual student NAPLAN reports for students in Years 3 and 5 were sent home last week. The report shows a student’s results in the key areas of reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.
NAPLAN results are reported against proficiency standards with 4 levels of achievement to give teachers, parents and carers clearer information on how students are performing.
NAPLAN results are reported using measurement scales for each of the assessment areas of numeracy, reading, writing, spelling, and grammar and punctuation (these last 2 together called conventions of language).
The NAPLAN proficiency standards include 4 proficiency levels for each assessment area at each year level:
Exceeding: the student’s result exceeds expectations at the time of testing.
Strong: the student’s result meets challenging but reasonable expectations at the time of testing.
Developing: the student’s result indicates that they are working towards expectations at the time of testing.
Needs additional support: the student’s result indicates that they are not achieving the learning outcomes expected at the time of testing. They are likely to need additional support to progress satisfactorily.
Each of the standards represents increasingly challenging skills and understandings as students move through the years of schooling.
Please view the Interpreting NAPLAN results brochure using the link below:
If you have any questions regarding your child's NAPLAN report please make an interview time with your child’s teacher.
Student Safety- Before and After School
As part of our commitment to student wellbeing and community safety, we kindly ask for your support in ensuring that students travel to school and home safely and respectfully each day.
Please remind your child of the importance of:
🚶♀️ Using designated walking paths and pedestrian crossings
🚍 Following safe practices when using public transport or school buses
🏠 Heading straight home or to a supervised location after school hours
🚫 Respecting private property and not entering areas that are not open to the public
By reinforcing these expectations, we help build a safer and more considerate environment for our students and the local community.
Carline Procedures
Parents and carers are reminded of the following procedures to assist in ensuring the school carline service operates safely and efficiently:
Car signs need to clearly displayed and legible with your family surname
Students need to be able to enter and leave the car unassisted - Please do not leave your vehicle
Students are not to walk between cars and are to use the pedestrian crossing
Please refrain from opening car boots particularly with large cars - school bags should be transported in the vehicle
There needs to be two cars stationed before and after the pedestrian crossing when students enter or disembark from the car
Please drive slowly and be attentive at all times with the large number of students using this service
Please do not park in the School Office Administration or Staff carpark to drop off or to collect your child
**Please inform the school office prior to 2.30pm of any changes to your child’s afternoon dismissal procedure.
Kinder - Year 6 Public Speaking Competition at OLF
This term our students will have the opportunity to participate in the OLF Whole School Public Speaking Competition. Stage 2 (Years 3 & 4) and Stage 3 (Years 5 & 6) students will also have the opportunity to participate in the Sutherland Shire Network Public Speaking Competition.
The competition will consist of four rounds:
1. Class (within the school)
2. Grade (within the school)
3. Stage (within the school)
4. Interschool Finals Round - This round is only for students in Stage 2 and Stage 3 and will be externally held at De La Salle Caringbah.
Please click on this note attached for all of the information:
Notre Dame Professional Experience Students
We welcome the practicum students from Notre Dame University this term and wish them every success with their professional teaching experience. The practicum teachers will be working collaboratively with teachers designing a variety of teaching and learning activities aligned with the Curriculum and National Professional Teaching Standards to engage the students in authentic learning experiences.
100 Days of Kindergarten
Our littlest learners celebrated 100 Days of Kindergarten in style last week! This day is a fun and engaging way for students to reflect on their learning and accomplishments, often involving special activities, crafts, and projects centered around the number 100. It's a chance to recognize their hard work and build excitement for the rest of the school year.
Louise Gordon | Assistant Principal