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Mrs Janice Moore / Ms Angela Gilbert / Mrs Sarah Jackman
Mr Garry Birch / Mr Chris Golightly
Dear Parents
I frequently talk to the students about the importance of being respectful to our peers, adults, traditions, cultures and special events. I have once again been overwhelmed by the amount of interest from people wishing to enrol their children here at Lourdes. What has been rewarding is when asked why OLOL, most if not all have heard great things from others about our school. And for this I thank you the parents for not only your positive talk but your ongoing support of what we do. The students also play a major role as ambassadors and our teachers are terrific in regard to the lengths, they will go to providing the best learning and pastoral environment possible.
One prospective family mentioned about the level of behaviour of our students, especially in public arenas. How is this achieved? It is something that needs constant attention, but consistent expectation of good behaviour is a major factor. Both my parents were teachers. Now, they were old school. I clearly remember two pieces of advice they gave me just before I started my career in teaching – 34 Yr. 6’s at Emerald State School. Rule No.1 The first thing that you need to set up in your classroom is the establishment of fear. Rule No. 2 Don’t smile till Easter. So I gave it a go. Yes, the 34 eleven-year olds were pretty quiet most of the time, did their work and their mums and dads were happy that they didn’t receive the dreaded phone call from the Principal. Further experience in working with young people in the 30 years since, plus 3 kids of my own, has changed how I interact with students.
Recently, I had the privilege of chatting to a few young men all of whom I had previously taught and still keep in touch with now and then. Now, they were certainly no angels back then, but it is always very rewarding to see how each of them have transformed into confident yet humble, well-spoken and courteous young men, who all speak highly of both their primary and secondary schooling. They all have benefited from clearly defined boundaries, teachers who wanted to spend time with them and got to know them and a quality Catholic education throughout their primary and secondary schooling which has been vital in enhancing the respect they have for themselves and of others.
The word “respect” was once commonly used in all aspects of life. However, as we can see almost on a daily occurrence, an increase in disrespect has grown to almost crisis point in our society as evidenced in the increased violence and anti-social behaviours. Individually, it is extremely hard to change society, but we can make a big difference in our little corner of it. It is up to us, the important adults in children’s lives, to make sure that we are doing our part to be respectful adults and to teach our children to be respectful emerging adults.
We can quickly lose credibility, if we are rude to our children while teaching them to be polite. The following piece of writing is a young person’s response to the invitation to put into writing their feelings about respect – there is a moral to this piece of writing:
“Everyone expects respect
No matter who they are.
The only way to gain it is to treat everyone
As a friend, as an equal person,
As part of our extended family
No matter their colour or creed.
Only then, will you start to get
The respect you so dearly need.” [David Harris]
And the moral: Respect has to be earned not demanded.
It’s for sure that children learn their standards of respect from what they see around them, and parents and teachers are in a powerful position to teach by their own example, as well as by instruction. Because our children take their cues from us, we need to be sure that we are setting the best possible standards. Schools teach children about respect, but parents have the most influence on how respectful children become.
Respect is not the same as obedience. Children might obey because they are afraid but, if they respect their parents and teachers, they will obey because they know that parents want what is best for them. Respect is an attitude and being respectful helps children succeed in life. If children do not have respect for their parents, peers, faith, culture, authority and most importantly, themselves, then it’s almost impossible for them to succeed. The best way to teach respect is to show respect. When children experience respect, they know what it feels like and begin to understand how important it is.
If we reinforce our children’s positive and respectful behaviour and eliminate disrespect by immediately calling attention to it and discouraging it, we are helping to develop the moral intelligence of our children. This will improve their ability to be able to apply critical analysis to television, films, music, injustice, and peer pressure. Remember, that together we can be a powerful influence on building a culture of respect in our school, community and beyond.
Pupil Free Days
A reminder to check the school calendar about upcoming pupil free days. The first of which is Friday 4th September for all schools. On this day teachers come together to discuss and learn more about effective practices in assessment and reporting. Friday 18th September is for all Catholic schools in the Toowoomba Diocese. Our teachers will join with those from the three other Lighthouse Numeracy schools to showcase and share best practice in the teaching and learning of mathematics.
School Fees
It has been brought to my attention that there are numerous families who have fallen in arrears with the payment of school fees. I am hoping that this may be a result on families not receiving or not knowing that school fee invoices this year are sent via email. Reminders will be sent electronically and via hard copy to the families concerned. In the meantime, please double check your emails and if you have not received school fee invoices, please contact the school to double check we have the correct email address. It also maybe a side affect of COVID-19, however, we have informed families about the various financial assistance packages we have available. If we do not hear from you, we can only assume that you remain in a stable financial situation and your ability to meet your financial obligation to the school has not been affected.
The payment of these fees is urgently required. We are unable to proceed in purchasing further resources, provide additional staffing or planned maintenance to building and grounds until we have received these fees and levies. Your immediate attention to the payment of these fees will be greatly appreciated.
Athletics
A big thank you to all the students, staff and St. Saviour’s College students for their efforts in making a success of this year’s carnival. We certainly missed the cheering and the atmosphere parents create at these events, but we do thank you for your understanding of the COVID-19 regulations currently in place.
Our Prep to Year 2 students will participate in their own mini-carnival tomorrow morning, commencing at 9:00am here at school. Program for the event is as follows:
- Students are encouraged to wear their house colours to school
- Please ensure your child has their hat, water bottle and is wearing sunscreen.
- First events will commence at 9:00am
- The order of events will be 5 years boys, 5 years girls, 6 years boys, 6 years girls, 7 years boys, 7 years girls, 8 years boys, 8 years girls and relays
- Presentations will be at 12:30pm in the school hall
- Parents are welcome to attend but please observe the following requirements:
- Please sign in all adults on the attendance register at the gate
- Please utilise the hand sanitiser on arrival
- Spectators are required to stay behind the bunting – please do not mingle with the children
- It is important that all adults avoid congregating in groups. Please observe the 1.5m rule while on school grounds
- Depending on numbers, some spectators may need to watch from behind the fence.
I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Mrs. Rachel Salisbury for her ongoing efforts in organizing this year’s athletics carnival. We could have taken the easy option and cancelled athletics for the year but we were in full agreeance to provide the kids with as many opportunities as possible.
Fathers’ Day Stall
Our annual fathers’ Day Stall will be held next Thursday – 3rd September. Our Year 5 cohort will be once again hosting this event. We still require further donated Fathers’ Day gifts. It would be greatly appreciated if all donations be dropped into school by next Wednesday. Thank you for your continued support.
Swimming
A reminder that swimming lessons will be held each day of Week 9, commencing Monday 7th September. Mrs Salisbury has already forwarded home all the information regarding these lessons and this info can also be found in the PE News of the newsletter. Please note that unfortunately no spectators are permitted at these lessons.
Assemblies
Thank you for your continued support and attendance at our weekly assemblies. The kids get a real buzz out of you being there. Our last assembly of the Term will be Thursday 10th September. There will be no assembly in the last week of term due to the number of other end-of-term activities occurring.
Last Week of Term Events
- Monday 14th September
Speaking Festival – Hall
- Tuesday 15th September
Yr. 4 Gala Sports Day – Kearneys Spring Sporting Fields (no spectators)
Celebrating the Early Years (Under 8’s Day)
P&F Meeting @ 6:30 p.m.
- Thursday 17th September
P-2 Gymnastics
Free Dress Day – Crazy hair theme (Gold coin donation)
Juiced up Grom – healthy eating presentation - Grades 2-6 1:40 p.m. (gold coin)
Mr. Golightly’s birthday
- Friday 18th September
Pupil Free Day
Thanks for reading…Chris
School Photos
Owen Studios have contacted our school to advise some of the sibling photos have not uploaded for parents to view. Any parents who have not received their sibling photos (via the link from Owen Studios) please advise Hazel or Carla at the School Office by Friday 28th August on 4591 1200. Thank you.
How are we supposed to Look as a Learner and as a Global Citizen? We continue with our focus on the acronym, CALLed to Think and over the past couple of newsletters we have focused on C= Communicate and A= Act. This week is an emphasis on L= Look... Lourdes learners look as both a learner and global citizen.
Look as a Learner
Perhaps when you consider how a learner must look, images of a student sitting up straight, looking at the teacher and then looking down at their book, comes to mind. Here at Lourdes there is more to learning. When we consider the traits of a learner and their dispositions (their habits of thinking and doing) and how they should ‘look’, we are encouraging our students to look for learning intentions and success criteria so they can self-assess where they are at with their learning. We are also wanting them to look for ways to help their own learning such as look for vocabulary on the walls of classrooms or examples of what success looks like. Willingly looking for ways to share their learning, students may look for ways to support peers. This is what it means to ‘Look as a Learner.’
Look as a Global Citizen
When we consider how we ‘Look as a Global Citizen’ we are emphasising the values of looking beyond our own interests. Recognising that all humans are shaped by different circumstances and culture, we can see things from different perspectives and respect one another. Seeing what we do locally, affects us globally. At Lourdes we want to encourage our students to look at the world critically and analytically to make a difference for the better, not only for themselves but for all.
Consequently, we aim for our Lourdes Learners to Look as a learner and as a global citizen.
Thanks for reading,
Miranda
Assistant Principal
miranda.murray@twb.catholic.edu.au
Faith & Religious Education News
Unfortunately, we are unable to celebrate our annual Father's Day Mass due to Covid-19 restrictions on numbers gathering in the hall for Mass. Instead 3M and Mr Mollison are sharing an assembly at 2:15pm next Thursday afternoon (3rd September 2020).
Our Fathers’ Day Stall is on Thursday, 3rd September 2020 - Remember to send in your gift donation to your class teacher and bring $2 to purchase. Those who donate, get the first opportunity to purchase. We thank the Year 5’s for organising this service.
Our next gathering for the Sacrament of 1st Reconciliation is on Wednesday 9th September at 7:00pm. A plan for the seating in the church will be sent home with the children. The children will have a practise of the ceremony during school time and will be able to guide their chosen adult to their seats. We will have short final meeting at 3:30pm in the church on Tuesday 8th September to check seating and final questions. Candidates and their adult are asked to be at the church on the 9th by 6:40pm. Please ensure you and your child have completed their reconciliation workbooks by then and the children know their “Act of Contrition/Sorry” prayer. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Mrs Moore at school or by email on Janice.Moore@twb.catholic.edu.au
Confirmation and First Eucharist Candidates have restarted their preparation and will celebrate these sacraments with Father Quinlan over four masses in October. We thank Rosie Glassey for her lovely parish welcome at our meeting last Wednesday. Rosie really enjoys sharing her passion for being part of the OLOL Parish community. N.B. If you haven’t given me your child’s confirmation name or sponsor or chosen your date for the Confirmation/ Communion Ceremony (only a couple of dates left – (13th October and 20th October are full) – please do so as soon as possible.
We have our Crazy Hair Coloured Clothes day on Thursday 17th September. Design your craziest hairdo, wear your sun safe coloured clothes, suitable footwear, brimmed hat and bring along a gold coin for the missions. We support St Vincent De Paul and Catholic Mission this term.
Please note there is no End of Term Assembly on Thursday 17th September – due to clashes with other class commitments.
N.B. There are Pupil Free Days on Friday 4th September 2020 and Friday 18th September 2020 this term.
If you have any other RE queries or questions please contact me on Janice.Moore@twb.catholic.edu.au or contact the school office.
Have a great week.
Janice Moore
Assistant Principal Religious Education (APRE)
Prep
Things are progressing well in the Prep area as we develop into Lourdes Learners. As our understanding of the reading strategies grow our fluency with our reading and writing develops and gives us confidence in our learning. Please ensure home readers and picture books are looked at every night – the more you practise the better you get!
Oral presentations have been held this week based on your child’s favourite story – the ability to retell a story helps with comprehension.
Swimming is not too far away – please make sure notes are returned and remember to practise getting dressed and undressed all by yourself!
Becoming a Lourdes Learner involves living the Lourdes Way – please reinforce this at home by talking about making good choices and being a good friend.
Boxes Needed Please
We are collecting boxes of all shapes and sizes for our box construction activity on the 15th September.
Boxes can be dropped in to Prep W at any time.
Thank you.
We look forward to catching up on the 12th September for our parent/teacher interviews.
Cheers,
Liz and Melita
Year 1
Welcome to another busy week in Grade 1. This week we will continue reading Dreaming stories to discuss the features of the plot, the character and the setting. The students will create a story map and will do an oral retell of the story. This will be recorded by the student’s working partner.
The children have been introduced to this term’s METS task and they are very excited. They will be planning and building a park landscape for a bee bot to travel around. Please send in an A2 size sheet of cardboard if you have not done so already.
We need 2 parent helpers per class to help with running the year 1 activity during our Celebration of the Early Years in week 10. Please let us know if you can help.
Swimming and gymnastics permission forms have been sent home. Please send them back if you have not done so.
Please send in a gift for our Father’s Day stall. Thank you
Jenny and Ange
Year 2
Week 7 is upon us and what a busy time we are having this term. Last Friday we enjoyed our Mets task which involved making Marvellous Mixtures. We had fun collaborating with our year 2 friends to plan our mixtures, using some of our Maths and Science skills. We will be writing up our procedures, making sure that we follow the Learning Intentions and Success Criteria.
On Friday this week Year 2 will compete in the Junior School running races and relays at school from 9:00 to 11:00am. Please send your child in warm clothing. They are welcome to wear their team colours. Remember to pack drink bottles and plenty of food. Spectators are welcome. The Athletics Presentation Assembly will be at 12.30pm on the same day.
On Monday 1st September, we will be choosing our semi-finalists for the Speaking Festival. Please continue to practise these poems at home, using lots of expression. The OLOL Speaking Festival is held on Monday 14th September.
There is a Pupil Free Day on Friday 4th September.
On Monday 7th September, we change over to Summer uniform, however as it is swimming week we will wear our sports uniform every day.
Please send any swimming notes into class teachers as soon as possible – these lessons will be held in Week 9 and the Year 2 lesson is at 11am. Unfortunately, there are no spectators allowed this year due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Don’t forget to bring in your gifts for the Father’s Day Stall, which will be held on Thursday 3rd September. All gifts should be brought to your child’s class teacher as soon as possible. Please send in $2 (or more if you require 2 or 3 gifts - depending on supply).
Please send in some donations of threading items such as beads, shells, metal nuts, coloured pasta, large holed buttons, fruit loops, Nutrigrain and anything wonderful that can be threaded. We would love some more Arrowroot biscuits.
If you can help at the Celebrating the Early Years Day on the morning of the 15th of September please email us. We will start with a Liturgy at 10:00am which you are welcome to attend. The activities start at 11:00am and finish at 12:45pm.
Thanks
Dennielle, Allyson, Sarah, Aleisha and Megan
Year 3
Last week we went to Cobb and Co and learnt about the Giabal and Jarowair people- the Indigenous people who lived around this area before the arrival of European Settlers. We also explored a number of the Cobb and Co displays during our morning there. Please enjoy the photos that were taken.
On Monday and Tuesday, Year 3 had a great time running, jumping and throwing at the OLOL Athletics Carnivals. We thank Mrs Salisbury for her organisational efforts. Presentations for Athletics will be at 12:30pm in the hall this Friday (28th August 2020).
Last week 3G did a lovely job of reminding us to be “Supercarers” of our world during their assembly prayer. We can make a little difference everyday by looking after our small part of the world. Tomorrow, 3MR will present the school assembly prayer at 2:15pm – we look forward to sharing our prayer with you.
On Monday 1st September, we will be choosing our semi-finalists for the Speaking Festival, 4 students from each class will be chosen to present to Mrs McVeigh – then 5 finalists will be chosen to present at the OLOL Speaking Festival on Monday 14th September. Remember to keep practising your poem!
Next Thursday (3rd September), it is 3M’s turn to present the assembly prayer at 2:15pm– it will be a Fathers’ Day theme as we are unable to have our usual Fathers’ Day Mass due to Covid-19 gathering restrictions. The Fathers’ Day stall will also be held next Thursday (3rd September 2020) – gifts can still be sent into classroom teachers and remember to bring your $2 on the day to purchase a gift – preference will be given to students who have donated a gift. We hope all Dads have a special day on Sunday the 6th.
Please remember we have a Pupil Free Day on Friday 4th September.
On Monday 7th September, we change over to Summer uniform - but as it is swimming week – Mr Golightly has given permission for students to wear their sports uniform every day. Remember to name all clothing, swimmers, towels, slip on shoes, and goggles for easy owner return.
Please send any swimming notes into class teachers as soon as possible – these lessons will be held in Week 9 and the Year 3 lessons will be at 10:30am. Unfortunately, there are no spectators allowed this year due to Covid19 restrictions.
Some students will be making their Sacrament of Reconciliation on Wednesday 9th September; please keep these students in your prayers.
Have a great week!
Angela, Annie, Damian and Janice.
Year 4
Welcome to Week 7! Year 4 are having a fabulous time learning with our METS task of building roller coasters. At the time of writing this article, we are very excited to invite our parents and caregivers to our METS Showcase on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30pm in the hall. All three classes are eager to demonstrate how our roller coasters work, and more importantly, how our Maths, Science, Technology and English have been incorporated into this task. It has certainly been a big undertaking but an exciting adventure. The students have been so involved and keen to learn, really impressing their teachers.
Congratulations to all students who competed in the Athletics Carnival on Monday and Tuesday – a real credit to you, given the chilly weather. We look forward to the Athletics Presentation Assembly on Friday 28th August at 12:30pm. There will still be our regular Assembly on Thursday afternoon.
Swimming Notes and Gala Sports Day notes went home last week and we would appreciate it if they can be returned as soon as possible. Swimming is being held in Week 9 – 7th September and students can wear their sports uniform every day, even though this is the date for the Summer Uniform changeover. Unfortunately, under the COVID-19 restrictions, no parents can watch these lessons. We are very lucky to have such a wonderful PE Teacher in Mrs Salisbury, who has organised all these recent sporting events. Thank you, Mrs Salisbury!
Parent/Teacher interview notes have/will be sent out soon – please keep an eye out and return them if you wish to see your child’s teacher at the end of this Term.
Speaking Festival is just around the corner, so please keep practising with your partner, especially as we have missed our Drama lesson this week, due to the Athletics Carnival.
Don’t forget to bring in your $2-$5 gifts for the Father’s Day Stall, which will be held on Thursday 3rd September. All gifts should be brought to your child’s class teacher as soon as possible.
Thank you to Mrs Moore who has been working hard to arrange for our Sacraments to take place this year, under our COVID restrictions.
Please read all notes and newsletter articles to ensure that you are aware of all that is happening. A busy time, not to mention that it is a crucial time in our teaching as well, so students must attend school during these few weeks, if they are well.
Don’t forget that Friday 4th September and Friday 18th September (last day of the Term) are Pupil Free Days!
Have a lovely couple of weeks as we say goodbye to Winter!
Suzanne, Toni and Garry
Year 5
What a busy couple of weeks we’ve had! We have been finalising details for our METS unit, Pizza Party. We’ve written procedures and algorithms for the pizza making process as well as created formulas in excel to display our budgets and collated data from the favourite pizza toppings from year 6 students and teachers. We will use this data to enter into tables using Excel and use our Excel skills to create graphs.
Father’s Day presents need to be brought in, we do not have many at the moment, so please send them in before the end of the week. Thank you also to be parents who have indicated that you are willing to help on the stall. We still need some more helpers please. Don’t forget your money for the stall!
Swimming and camp notes need to be brought back as well.
Lastly a reminder that homework is due every Tuesday. The past few weeks has seen several students not completing homework. Now is the time for students to learn good homework management at home. Next term year 5 homework will increase, so the jump in year 6 will not be as of a shock as it could be.
Tim, Steve and Emily
Year 6
Congratulations to athletes on their fantastic performances at our Athletics carnivals held this week. Thanks to Mrs Salisbury for organising such wonderful days for us. We’re looking forward to finding out who wins this Friday at 12:30pm in the hall!
Father’s Day
Please remember to bring in gifts for the Father’s Day stall which will be held on Thursday 3rd September. A special assembly will also be held on this day. A reminder that Friday 4th September is a pupil free day.
Camp
Woohoo, it’s on. Remember, we leave on Monday 5th October, which is the Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday. We’ll return, exhausted, on Friday 9th October. Notes have been sent home. Please return forms ASAP.
Bookweek
Curious Creatures, Wild Minds – it’s dress up again this year, but not until early to mid-Term 4. Put your thinking caps on!
Matilda
We’re off to the Empire Theatre this Thursday August 27th to watch “Matilda” thanks to St Ursula’s College. Notes have gone home. Please return ASAP.
Pizza Day
The Yr 5 students are making pizzas again this year as part of their METS unit and because they can’t invite their parents along, they’ve very kindly offered to make us all a pizza each. The Pizza Day will be held on Friday 28th August.
Day One/Prep Photo
Thanks to those parents who have already sent in beautiful prep or first year of school pictures – please send pictures from your son or daughter’s first day or year of school (might not have been at OLOL), to class teachers before the end of this term – preferably via email. Kylie.McKenzie@twb.catholic.edu.au Larry.Lee@twb.catholic.edu.au
Narratives
We’ve been analysing Narratives throughout the term and have begun writing small pieces describing settings and characterisation – the work done by students has been incredible. We’ve started working on plots in the last week and will begin planning a narrative this week. Keep an eye out for some fabulous writing and description.
Art
Thanks to families for donating egg cartons and containers. We have enough now! We began painting an island scene this week using cool colours – some terrific artworks have been produced! We’ve learned about primary and secondary colours and painted the colour wheel, so we’re excited to test our painting skills. We’ll also start making a gift for Father’s Day in the coming weeks.
Library Borrowing
6M – Tuesday, 6L – Thursday.
Tuckshop
Tuckshop continues this Friday.
Assembly
6L will take on leadership of assemblies from Week 8 (Year 5 will take over duties next week, just in case we’re not back from the Empire Theatre in time). 6M will begin doing morning duties around the school – flag, bins, sports equipment.
Public Speaking Competition
The finals for our annual public speaking competition will be held on Monday of Week 10, (14th September). Copies of monologues students are using for this competition have been placed on Teams. Students will need to be prepared to present their monologues from Monday 31st August – finalists, to perform during week 10, will be selected from this date.
Sports Uniforms
A reminder that sports uniforms should only be worn each Thursday and Friday.
Notes to be returned
- Camp
- Swimming
- Empire Theatre Visit
Thanks
Kylie & Larry
German
Due to Athletics, Year 6 will be looking at time clocks next week. This week they will look at Weather, Weekdays, Months and Seasons.
Years 3 – 5 missed German this week so they will do the Weather, Weekdays, Months and Seasons next week.
Christine Fisher, LOTE
Occupational Therapy (OT) tips for home Prep – Grade 2
This information is general to help support your child to learn at home.
Cutting tips
- Bold the outline with a highlighter or marker to help guide cutting.
- Hold scissors and paper with ‘thumbs on top’. You can place a sticker on your child’s thumb nail as a reminder.
- Begin first with cutting straight lines, then basic shapes, then complex shapes. You can use the junk mail or magazines to find things to cut around. Use these pictures to make a collage.
Gluing tips
- When gluing, put the glue on the object being glued and the paper.
- Make a mark or draw a line as a visual of where the glue should go.
Pencil grasp tips
- When holding a pencil or texta, the thumb, index, and middle finger should sit on the pencil shaft comfortably. The index finger and thumb generate the movement of the pencil while the middle finger stabilises the pencil from the side.
- Have your child hold a small coin or cotton ball with their pinky and ring fingers leaving only their index finger, middle finger and thumb available to hold the pencil.
Posture tips
- Feet should be flat on the floor (a footstool or a thick book can be placed under the feet to assist if feet do not reach the floor).
- You child’s wrist should be supported on the table and the paper stabilised by their non dominant hand.
Handwriting tips
- When printing, prompt your child to use a top down formation - ‘Start at the top!’.
- Draw a green line along the left margin of the paper and a red line on the right to signal where to ‘start’ and ‘stop’.
- If your child has difficulty writing on the line, darken the baseline with a marker.
- Use a highlighter to indicate where to write between lines.
Participation tips
- Allow your child to take short, intermittent movement breaks (3-5 minutes every 15 minutes for preps – year 2, every 20 - 25 minutes for older students).
- Use a reward chart with stickers or ticks to reinforce positive behaviors.
- Break down instructions into simple 1-2 step directions.
- Have your child repeat directions to reinforce understanding.
Some ideas for movement breaks
- Hopscotch - try jumping (‘jumpscotch’ – great for kids who may find hopping difficult) or hopping in the squares. If jumping, remember to jump with feet together and maintaining control of jumping. Perhaps a grid can be marked out on the driveway using chalk or on the floor with masking tape. Make the grid as long or varied as you’d like. Be creative!
- Walking along a line - tape a line to the floor using masking tape or draw one on concrete using chalk. Walk heel to toe (ie heel of the leading foot is touching the toes of the foot behind) along the line forwards and backwards. Try walking along the line on your tiptoes. Try taking giant steps along the line (but don’t overbalance!). Take turns and keep a score on how many times the line was stepped off.
- Stepping stones - place cut outs of different pictures/colours/shapes on the floor with varying distances between them (or use different coloured sheets of paper). Ask the child to follow the course by putting one foot on each ‘stone’ (eg ‘follow the green path’ or provide instructions as to which stone to stand on next as they go).
- Balance in a crawl position - practise keeping balance by getting into a crawling position and then lifting up one leg or one arm. When this becomes easy, try lifting up an arm and a leg at the same time (opposite arm to leg). See how long your child can hold this position for!
- Statues - for a variation on the traditional game (eg freezing when the music stops), try jumping off a stool or chair and maintaining the landing position for a few seconds – like a ‘statue’. This takes good balance.
- Riding bikes, scooters etc.
- Obstacle course - create your own obstacle course in the backyard or inside on a rainy day. Incorporate portions to crawl through (eg tunnel of dining room chairs), climb over, balance on, jump on, step between etc. A fun variation can be to do an ‘under and over course’ ie you have to go under the first thing, over the next, then under the next etc.
- Animal walks - frog leaps, kangaroo jumps, waddling like a duck etc.
- Silly walks - walk up the hallway or along the driveway doing a silly walk. Do the walks as accurately as possible. Try not to rush! You might like to use masking tape on the floor to create a ‘tightrope’ to balance along (approximately 3m).
- Marching on the spot when counting.
- Simon says - try to balance with only the following body parts on the floor (eg ‘Simon says balance on your bottom and one foot’). You may wish to start incorporating some left and right concepts into the directions you give to make it more difficult eg ‘left foot and right hand’.
Kate Tague
Learning Support Teacher
Choir
After a long break, our Choir has started back! To keep a safe distance when singing and to keep within our required numbers for current COVID19 regulations, we have split choir into two groups as follows:
- Weeks 7, 8, 9 & 10 Students in choir from Grades 5 & 6
Please bring your lunch to the music room at second break so that we can start singing after we have eaten.
Looking forward to hearing you sing again!
Mrs. Rosier.
Speaking Festival 2020
This term all classes are participating in the Speaking Festival for 2020. Each class will have the opportunity to learn a poem/monologue from their Drama Specialist teachers, Mrs McVeigh or Mrs Rosier.
Each class will receive a hard copy of the poem to be left at home to rehearse with, along with an email from the classroom teacher with a copy of the poems attached in case your child misplaces theirs. The support you can give at home in encouraging them to say their poem daily as part of their homework is important. If the child is confident with their words, then they can give more to the energy of the presentation as well as concentrate more on the creative delivery rather than concentrating on the words.
Each performance will be judged on certain aspects of their performance including facial expressions, projection, pace, diction, appropriate actions, use of their space particularly in the monologues and connection for the Year 4 partner work with their Poem in pairs.
JUDGING (Wk 8-9)
The children will have the opportunity to learn the poem in class time, however we would appreciate your support in encouraging your child to learn their words and with choosing the poem they would like to take on to compete with (if their grade has been given this option). This is a compulsory event and will be judged by a specialist teacher with the class as an audience. This will be done in Week 8 – 9 so please make sure your child is ready to compete.
# No costumes are necessary at this stage except for Year 6 who are performing their Monologues in costume.
After the whole class has competed, we will choose five children from each class to go on to the finals.
FINALS (Wk 10)
The Finals will be held in the last week of the term with the Year 4 – 6 classes competing in the first session followed by the Year 1 – 3 classes competing after morning tea on Monday the 14th September.
We look forward to a great Festival for 2020. If you have any queries please email,
Anita.Mcveigh@twb.catholic.edu.au or Ebony.rosier@twb.catholic.edu.au
Thanks for your support,
Anita McVeigh and Ebony Rosier
It’s always busy in the LIBRARY and we love seeing Lourdes Learners being Lourdes Readers! New books are arriving all the time. Be sure to come by and ‘check them out’.
10 Tips to be a Reader
- Read
- Read
- Read
- Read
- Read
- Read
- Read
- Read
- Read
- Read
Reading is a great way to improve our reading skills but sometimes there are barriers…
Some more tips to help you become a Reader:
- Choose books that are at the right level (nothing is enjoyable if you struggle with it constantly) for you
- Choose to read books that interest you
- Have a reading routine (every night before bed, in the car on the way to school…)
- Find alternative ways to read (try Sunshine Online or read through a recipe book to find a new dish to cook)
- Try a new author or series
- Ask your Librarian for a recommendation
- Ask a friend to help you out by suggesting their favourite book
- Try a Non-Fiction book if you usually read Fiction
- Try a Fiction book if you usually read Non-Fiction
Library Borrowing Day Change
Students in both Year 1 classes will borrow on a Monday in Week 9 and 10 this term. Please remember to send your child/rens library books in on Monday rather than Tuesday.
Book Week 2020
The theme for Book Week in 2020 is Curious Creatures, Wild Minds… Book Week was officially moved to Term 4 earlier in the year as a result of COVID-19. We will celebrate in Term 4 with a book themed dress-up, Readers Cup and an incursion performance called “The Greatest Discovery” for some grade levels. There will be NO whole school DRESS UP day on 26th August (please note that both PREP classes have decided that they will continue to dress up on 26th August). Readers Cup and Book Week Dress-up will be on Monday 2nd November 2020.
Readers Cup will be back in Term 4
Our annual readers cup competition will be held on Monday 2nd November.
Book Fair 2020 Reminder
Book Fair will return to Lourdes in Term 4 from 5th – 10th November 2020. This will be a wonderful opportunity to stock up on fabulous books for Christmas. Mark your calendar NOW!
Chess News
Chess lessons are going along well. We have been invited to enter a team of four students into the upcoming Toowoomba Chess Teams Competition. We wish the team attending the best of luck on competition day.
Questions about Chess? Email: Danielle.Leathart@twb.catholic.edu.au
Book Club
Issue 6 catalogues have gone home. If you missed out please contact your child/rens teacher. If you have any Book Club issues or concerns please contact us at LourdesLib@twb.catholic.edu.au
Be sure to place your orders via the LOOP App before Wednesday 2nd September 2020.
Thanks for reading!
Danielle & Gael
Upcoming Dates
Week |
Date |
Event |
Venue |
Who |
Term 3 |
||||
7 |
24/08/20 |
Athletics Carnival Day 1 |
O’Quinn Street |
Grades 3-6 |
7 |
25/08/20 |
Athletics Carnival Day 2 |
O’Quinn Street |
Students born 2008-2011 |
7 |
28/08/20 |
Athletics Carnival Day 3 |
OLOL |
Prep to grade 2 |
9 |
7-11/09/20 |
Swimming Lessons |
Glennie |
Prep – Grade 6 |
10 |
15/09/20 |
Catholic Gala Day - Soccer |
Kearney’s Spring |
Grade 4 |
10 |
17/09/20 |
Gymnastics |
Allstars Gymnastics |
Prep – Grade 2 |
Term 4 |
||||
3 |
20/10/20 |
Ball Games Carnival |
OLOL Hall |
Prep – Grade 6 |
4 |
30/10/20 |
OLOL Cross Country |
Newtown Park |
Prep – Grade 6 |
9 |
02/12/20 |
OLOL Swimming Carnival |
Glennie |
Grade 3-6 |
Thank You
Thank you to Solomons Flooring & Sultan’s Blinds for sponsoring our Athletics Carnival Medallions.
Your support is greatly appreciated. Please support our local family businesses.
P – Grade 6 Swimming Lessons
Who: |
Grade P-6 Students |
When: |
Week 9, Term 3 – 7th – 11th September 2020 |
Where: |
Glennie Aquatic Centre |
Travel: |
Bus to and from venue |
Cost: |
$44.00 – This will be charged to your next school fees. |
What to bring: |
Togs, (girls - 1 piece swimmers), Towel, Goggles & Thongs or sandals. A bathing cap will be provided. |
What to wear: |
Students are to wear their sports uniform each day this week, with their normal joggers. They will change into their sandals or thongs at school. |
Lesson Times:
9:00 |
9:30 |
10:00 |
10:30 |
11:00 |
11:30 |
12:00 |
12:30 |
1:00 |
Grade 6 |
Grade 5 |
Grade 4 |
Grade 3 |
Grade 2 |
1B |
1M |
PW |
PH |
Just as with any other classes, swimming is part of the curriculum and children are expected to participate unless a note of explanation is provided. Participation in this program, for the students in grades 5 & 6, is also a prerequisite for water-based activities on camp.
A massive thank you to the P & F for their generous donation, helping to keep swimming lessons affordable for all.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions no spectators will be permitted to attend. We appreciate your support.
Grade 4 Soccer Gala Day
During Week 10 of this term the Year 4 students will attend the Catholic Schools Soccer Gala Day. This is a social carnival aimed at providing students with further opportunity to participate in team sport.
Who: |
Boys and Girls in Year 4 |
When: |
Tuesday 15th September 2020 |
Time: |
9:15am – 1:00pm |
Where: |
Kearney’s Spring |
Cost: |
$4 to be charged to your school account |
What to Wear: |
School sports uniform. |
What to Bring: |
Morning tea & lunch, water bottle & hat. NO CANTEEN |
Transport: |
Students will travel to and from the venue by bus. |
Please make sure your child is at school no later than 8:20am
Due to COVID-19 restrictions no spectators will be permitted to attend. We appreciate your support.
Prep – Grade 2 Gymnastics
Who: |
Prep, Grade 1 & 2 |
When: |
Thursday 17th September 2020 |
Where: |
Allstar Gymnastics Academy, Bridge Street. |
Transport: |
Bus to and from the gym. |
Cost: |
$6.00 – To be charged to your next school fee account. |
Times: |
Grade 2 – 11:00-12:00; Grade 1 – 12:00–1:00pm; Prep – 1:00-2:00pm |
What to wear: |
OLOL Sports uniform. Bike Pants underneath skirts. |
What to Take: |
Drink Bottle – VERY IMPORTANT! |
The lesson will be age and developmentally appropriate and fully supervised by qualified coaches.
Thank you to the OLOL P & F for subsidising this learning opportunity.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions no spectators will be permitted to attend. We appreciate your support.
Spring has certainly come early for the OLOL 'Australian Native's Walk' on the Goodwood St footpath. Our natives are finally starting to florish after a long struggle against the odds. Many are starting to bloom for Spring, bringing in more bees and birds to the school grounds, which is just so exciting!!
Once again, any of your unwanted Council Rates 'free plants' vouchers, will be greatly appreciated, and put to good use. Many thanks in advance, and please go for a quick stroll with your children through the natives. They really are beautiful.