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Ms Angela Gilbert / Mrs Sarah Jackman
Mr Garry Birch / Mr Chris Golightly
Dear Parents and Carers
At this time of term, it is easy to become a 60-minute player. For those who are not versed in rugby league terminology, the most valuable players are those who persist for the full 80 minutes of the game. There are of course those on the field that the coach needs to rest and those who want a rest and an early shower well before the full-time siren.
In school terms, the 60-minute players are those who when the going gets a little tough, begin to focus on excuses and look for shortcuts rather than what needs to be done and what is best for the team. They are the ones who lose sight of the benefits of persistence and commitment, the holidays are too far away…. they can’t go on…. even if it is only another two weeks. 60-minute players become less tolerant of others, say things they wouldn’t say to others in the first couple of weeks of school, want everything to go their way and start to make poor choices.
It is at times like the last few weeks of a term when we all need to dig a bit deeper to get things done and done well and try not to let things get us down. This is a hard concept for young people to grasp and it is a big part of the learning curve at primary school. Adults too can fall into this trap but hopefully, parents and teachers have enough resolve during the tough times to be role models for children.
One issue that can raise its head at this time of term is inappropriate behaviour being perceived as bullying. The word bullying can be misused and taken out of context. Throughout each school term, the classroom teachers and I spend time talking to the classes about this important issue and I know the teachers address pro-active approaches on a regular basis with common language being used across all year levels. However, each age group requires a different approach because bullying can take on many forms - depending on the age and maturity of children & adults for that matter.
I can’t promise any parent that there won’t be a case of bullying here at Lourdes this year. I will promise however that we will never ignore any case of bullying that is reported and that as a community we will do all we can to ensure that every student at the school will feel safe.
Bullying can be concisely defined as… “any act that causes hurt or fear in another person. Bullying exists where there is an imbalance of power and where there is a deliberate intent to cause harm or distress through repeated negative behaviours, either in person or online.”
When dealing with reports of bullying, the following key indicators need to be evident – any act, imbalance of power, deliberate intent and repeated negative behaviours. In other words, a one-off push and shove, argument or heat of the moment name calling between students of the same age is not bullying. Children, like us, are people and people from time to time have disagreements, get frustrated and do things out of character - it’s called life.
In my experience, physical bullying is very rare. More commonly we experience teasing that can escalate as various parties attempt to have the last word or it is at the end of a term when people become more emotionally drained and resilience levels are low.
Such instances can escalate into bullying if left unchecked. Too often cases of bullying are not reported. As I mentioned before, we will never ignore reports of a bullying nature, but teachers are not mind readers and need to know the facts for something to be done. At times, I speak with parents who only come to me or the class teacher after a long period of time because their children convince them that if they say anything, it will only get worse...in fact it is, the opposite that is true.
Again, from my experience most negative incidences that we deal with can be resolved simply. It is always better to deal with issues at the earliest opportunity before things go too far. So please don’t be reluctant to share your concern with your child’s teacher if you feel your son or daughter is not being treated with respect on a regular basis.
In speaking with students, we urge them in the first instance to be resilient. That is, some stuff we just learn to put up with - life and people are not always fair. If, however, a pattern develops, the next skill we work on is becoming appropriately assertive. To confidently learn how to say STOP, I don’t like that, give it a break etc. If then, the perpetrators continue, we know it must be reported.
Everyone needs to expect respect. This is the core element of being part of a positive school community.
Swimming
A reminder that school swimming lessons for Grades 1-6 commence next Monday. An online consent form was sent home some weeks ago. It is most important that this consent form is completed for every child. No consent form, no swim. These lessons are conducted each day next week at the Glennie Pool. Classes are bused to and from the pool for their lessons. Please ensure your child has everything they need for swimming packed each day in a separate bag and clearly name all belongings. For more information please read the PE section of the newsletter.
Hours of Supervision
The official supervision time before school is from 8:00 am to 8:30 am. Students arriving earlier than 8:00 am are to wait quietly in the undercover area outside the hall. Children arriving too early, i.e., between 7:30 am and 7:45 am need to be enrolled at the TCKC before school hours care which operates out of the hall from 6:30am to 8:00am.
In the afternoons, the official supervision time is from 2:40 pm to 3:30 pm at the Stop, Drop & Go zone only. Some leeway is granted to allow parents to arrive at the zone closer to 3:30 pm as possible to reduce congestion at 3:00 pm. Any children remaining after 3:35 pm, however, will need to be picked up from the library.
Stop, Drop & Go
This service continues to work well on most days. The pick-up zone works best when P-3 teachers are fully informed of which time your child will be picked up i.e., first at 2:40pm or second at 3:00pm This will enable them to ensure they are ready and waiting at the correct pick-up time. The stop, drop and go zone also works extremely well when parents picking up their children at 3:00pm time their arrival to just after 3:00pm. This allows time for the kids to get to the pick zone from their classrooms.
Golf Lessons
Last week 15 students from Grades 5-6 took up the opportunity to participate in a 4-week golf lesson program from a professional coach at the City Golf Club. Many thanks to Mrs Wigan for organising a grant that enabled the school to provide these lessons free of charge for the students. I also appreciate the time of teachers who have volunteered their time to supervise the students during these lessons. I hope Mr Franzmann doesn’t hog the coaches’ time to improve his game. Four lessons might not be enough!! Keep an eye out in the newsletter or communication from Mrs. Wigan, for future after school coaching sessions as we are endeavoring to continue organising similar opportunities in a variety of sports throughout the year. Numbers attending will be limited. So, to avoid disappointment, prompt registration is required.
Cross Country Carnival
I am certainly looking forward to our upcoming Cross Country Carnival which will be held at Newtown Park on Monday 28th March. Please refer to the P.E. News in the newsletter for all the details. A reminder for the students to wear their new sporting house polo shirts. The shirts look great, and this will be the first occasion that they can be worn. I’m sure it will make for a colourful sight on the day. These shirts are available to be purchased from the school via Flexischools for $25.
School Fees
A thank you to all families who have already paid this term’s school fees or who have set up a regular payment scheme. Your prompt payment allows the school to meet its financial commitments, so I really do appreciate your support. It would be great to have all families up to date with school fee payments or committed to direct debits etc., by the end of the term. Delaying payment of school fees only compounds the debt owed to the school as the year goes on.
Changes to Calendar
Due to forecasted wet weather, we unfortunately had to postpone last Friday night’s “Meet & Greet” for all new families to the school. Believing this is an important part of welcoming new families to the school, we will be hosting this event on Friday 6th May from 5:30pm to 7:00pm.
As a result, the usual BBQ & Disco for the whole school community has been moved back to Friday 20th May. More information about this event will be posted closer to the date. This will also give us some extra time to ensure the Year 6 classes have been moved out of the hall and into their new classrooms.
Pupil Free Day
A reminder that school resumes in Term 2 on Wednesday 20th April as Monday 18th is a public holiday and Tuesday 19th is a pupil free day.
Thanks for reading….
Chris
Mr Chris Golightly
Principal
PREP 2023
Enrolments Due by 31 March 2022
It is that time of year again where we urgently request for any existing family who may have a child eligible for Prep in 2023 to ensure an enrolment application has been submitted. Children who are born between 01 July 2017 to 30 June 2018, are eligible for entry into the 2023 Prep program.
It is vitally important that we have secured a place for children of existing families prior to offering places to new families and as such, request our current families to please complete and submit enrolment forms no later than the end of March 2022.
The enrolment forms can now be found under the 'For Parents' tab via our website Our Lady of Lourdes Primary (ololtwb.catholic.edu.au)
If you have trouble accessing this form, please see us at the office for further assistance.
With thanks
Hazel & Carla
The Admin Team
Our Professional Learning Community
One of the most important influences on school communities is teachers’ belief in each other to make a positive difference in the lives of each and every student. Also known as teacher collective efficacy, education professor John Hattie, considers it the most important influence on student learning and achievement.
Collective efficacy is evident when teachers see themselves as part of a team working for all students. It involves teachers’ participation as a professional learning community where they collaborate and share ideas, learn about high-impact strategies for teaching and learning, set goals together, collate data and evaluate their impact. It also involves a shared sense of community and having each other's back when it comes to looking after each learner in the school. This means that all teachers and staff members can be seen talking to students about their learning and behaviour throughout the school day, and not just students from their own class.
We believe in this importance at Lourdes and the potential for success when we share experiences and support each other. If you would like to know more about how this works, feel free to contact me or your child’s teacher.
NAPLAN
NAPLAN (National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy) is used by governments, education authorities and schools to determine how children are performing in reading, writing, spelling, punctuation, grammar, and numeracy.
All students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are expected to sit the NAPLAN tests, which are held in May each year across Australia.
On Tuesday in Week 10, students in Years 3 & 5 will participate in a Naplan Practice Omnibus Test (various reading, language and numeracy questions for 45 minutes) and Year 5 students will have an additional online 42 minute Practice Writing Test the same day. It is important to understand that this Practice Test is separate from the actual NAPLAN Test which will occur in Week 4, Term 2. Results will not be reported for any of the practice tests.
For more information, please visit the following link https://nap.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/naplan-information-brochure-for-parents-and-carers.pdf
Miranda
Miranda Murray
Assistant Principal
miranda.murray@twb.catholic.edu.au
Faith & Religious Education News
St Patrick's Day
It’s St Patrick’s Day tomorrow 17th March – Please wear your weird and wonderful sun safe green outfits and bring a gold coin donation to celebrate St Patrick’s Day tomorrow. We will raise some more money for the Caritas Lenten Appeal. Our Pancake Day on Shrove Tuesday raised $357.85c which was a great start to our Caritas Appeal. Each Friday is “50c Friday” for Lent – every little bit helps those in need.
Today our Year 6 leadership groups gathered for the first time. The Mini Vinnies group have decided to organise an Easter Egg hunt for the Preps and Year 1s in Week 10 this term. It would be great if these Year 6 students could bring in a bag of little eggs to hide. (Shhh - don’t tell the Preps and Year 1’s!!!)
We have our End of Term 1 Mass on Friday, 1st April at 12 noon in the OLOL church for Years 3-6. Please come along to pray with us.
The next large group meeting for our Confirmation and First Eucharist preparation participants is on Wednesday 27th April at 3:30 pm in the OLOL Church. If you have any questions or queries please direct them to the Parish Office – Office hours are 9 am – 1 pm weekdays, email: oloparish@bigpond.com phone contact 46 34 1453
Calling for photos of Mothers and their Children for our Mother’s Day Mass (Wednesday 4th May) next term – Take One photo per family over the Easter Holidays ready for next term! Email to Janice.Moore@twb.catholic.edu.au
Please ensure photos are at school no later than Friday 29th April.
Diary Dates
Term 2
Wednesday 20th April – Term 2 begins
Friday 22nd April – OLOL Anzac Day Reflection 2:00 pm – OLOL Church – Year 3-6
Wednesday 27th April – 2nd Confirmation/First Eucharist Parent Meeting at 3:30 pm in OLOL Church
Wednesday 4th May – OLOL Mother’s Day Mass 10 am – Mothers Day Photos sent to Mrs Moore by 29/4/2022
Have a blessed week!
Janice
Janice Moore
Assistant Principal Religious Education (APRE)
Prep
This will be the last school newsletter for Term 1. Please make sure you check our classroom whiteboards and your emails for weekly updates.
Our History unit is progressing nicely - all children need a baby photo by the end of this week and we look forward to our excursion to Cobb & Co on the 24th March. The cost of the bus will be $5 and will be added to your fees.
Revise, revise, revise - our motto in Prep is the more you practise, the better you get! Please don’t assume your child will remember the letters/sounds and sight words from week to week - they all need be practised and revised every week.
The Bucket Filling has been amazing! These good deeds should continue for the whole year but certainly our preparation for Easter is moving along nicely and the children are beginning to understand the real meaning of Easter.
Thank you so much for your support this term and we look forward to catching up on the 26th March for your child’s interview.
Regards,
Melita, Tabitha and Liz
Year 1
Last week, the children had a fantastic time investigating the external features of snails. They had a closer look at the snails using magnifying glasses. This enabled them to draw a scientific diagram of a snail. Thank you to everyone who brought in snails for us to study.
The children are in the final stages of completing their animal habitat for STEM. They have enjoyed the planning, designing and building process.
This week, the children will sequence the events in the story Wombat Stew. They will use this to help them write a recount from the point of view of the dingo.
Jen and Ange
Year 2
Welcome to Week 8!
This week the Year 2 students are busy writing information report about an Australian animal. We have been studying the features of information reports and comparing their structure to narratives. Our focus has been developing research skills and writing quality sentences that include noun groups, pronouns, conjunctions and a range of interesting vocabulary.
In Maths we are collecting and classifying data as well as continuing to revise number patterns, place value, coins and calendars.
In Science we are learning to appreciate the earth’s natural resources. While learning about The Water Cycle, one of our focuses this term is to gain understanding of how in some countries children don’t have access to clean running water, requiring them to carry water over long distances. In week 10, the Year 2 students will lead the school in a Water Relay Challenge! We hope to raise awareness of our less fortunate neighbours, while gaining appreciation of what we have. Thinking outside of ourselves helps us to become Global Citizens. We are praying for our friends overseas so that they too can have clean running water in their homes.
Next week we are swimming, so please fill in any outstanding swimming notes ASAP. Swimming lessons will be on Monday to Thursday next week. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions, no spectators are permitted at the pool. Students are to wear their sports uniform each day next week and ensure that all items are named.
The Cross Country is on Monday 28th March – see PE notes for further details.
Don’t forget St Patrick’s Day dress up tomorrow (Thursday). Please bring in a gold coin to be sure!
Have a grand week!
Dennielle, Sarah, Aleisha
Year 3
The weeks are flying by and we continue to work hard in Year 3.
Over the last few weeks, we have worked with place value of numbers, time, money, graphs and data in Maths. These are very practical topics which can be practised with everyday items at home. It would be great if the children had an opportunity to count some coins, look at different ways to make different amounts of money and even purchase something small like a bottle of milk or loaf of bread to experience the real world of money and receiving change. Chatting to the children about the use of real money (not credit cards) helps with their understanding of the value of money. Getting into the habit of telling the time, both on an analogue and digital clock, at different times of the day helps with time awareness. In English we have been writing persuasive texts. We are getting very good at writing an OREO paragraph to persuade someone.
In RE we have been looking at the 10 Commandments, the importance of following God’s Rules and discovering the 2 great Commandments which Jesus gave us – love God with all your heart and love your neighbour.
Tomorrow, we celebrate St Patrick’s Day - 17th March – remember to come dressed in your sun safe green outfit and bring a gold coin for our Caritas Project Compassion Appeal.
A reminder to complete the Forms notes for parent-teacher interviews and our Empire Theatre excursion, if you have not already done so.
Please also fill in any outstanding swimming notes and cross-country notes ASAP. Swimming lessons will be on Monday to Thursday next week. The Year 3 lesson is 11:00 -11:30 each day. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions, no spectators are permitted at the pool. Students are to wear their sports uniform each day next week and have everything they brought to school named – swimmers, towel, slip on shoes, t-shirt, shorts and underwear!
The school Cross Country is on Monday 28th March – see PE notes for further details.
In Week 10, we have our End of Term Mass on Friday 1st April at 12 noon. All are welcome to join us.
Have a great week!
Angela, Sarah, Demi and Janice
Year 4
Welcome to Week 8! Can you believe that there are just over two weeks left in this Term? Firstly, we would like to encourage all parents to be checking their emails as there have been a number of permission slips sent home as Forms documents. There were permission forms for swimming which is next week, Gala Day which is in Week 10 and the Empire Theatre excursion, which is next Term, but we need numbers now to book the buses. Please see your class teacher if you haven’t received these forms.
Regarding swimming next week, we would encourage all students to wear their sports uniform every day, as it makes it easier for the children to change. Don’t forget towel, thongs, goggles, and underwear. We have found in the past that the children are usually extra hungry in swimming week, so perhaps extra food needs to be packed. For Gala Day, all students need to be at school on time so that we can catch the buses to Kearney Springs. Students will wear their sports uniform, bring a packed morning tea (there is no canteen) and we will be back at school at lunchtime. Parents are welcome to come and watch, but they are not to sit with their children.
Tomorrow is St Patrick’s Day – it is our first Free Dress Day of the year. To fit with the theme of the day, children are encouraged to wear green or orange and bring a gold coin as a donation to Caritas. Well done to those students who have been training for Cross Country before school – we look forward to seeing you compete on the Monday of Week 10. All other students will be encouraged to participate in the Fun Run to gain points for your house. May the best team win!
All classes are working hard to fit in all the learning and assessment in the short available time, so we would encourage all students to attend if possible.
Suzanne, Toni and Garry
Year 5
It’s week 8 and we are still putting our best effort into all of our work. We are busily working on our narrative writing techniques with a focus on figurative language. Our major focus includes metaphor, simile, onomatopoeia and personification. The students are working through the learning pit in Math when it comes to problem solving and the four operations. Many discussions have been had around the building up of the quick recall of their number facts (including timetables, rainbow facts, doubles, near doubles), which is one of the main errors when completing these operations. Keep practising at home.
Don’t forget your 50c donation for the missions each week during Lent. This is a time when we think about others that we can help in our community.
Our religion focus is on the Ten Commandments and how we as Year 5 students at OLOL can live out these commandments in our lives. Respect your parents (this is in children friendly language) is one of the commandments. We are doing some extra focus on this commandment and how we can live this commandment. The question is, have you noticed a change in your child’s ability to recognise what needs to be done around home without having to be told? Have you noticed a change in their attitude towards responding to job requests? We have a new saying in Year 5, it is ‘cheerful obedience.’ Cheerful obedience is the ability to do what is asked immediately without complaining and doing it with a smile.
Swimming is in week 9 – Thanks to all those who have returned their notes, please return your note as soon as possible if you are yet to do so. Sports uniform can be worn each day in week 9 as it is easier for students to change. As we swim in the first session, students may come dressed in their swimmers ready. Remember girls to wear one piece please. Please ensure they have thongs, sandals or slides for walking to and from the pool. Students that do not participate in swimming lessons may not be able to participate in water activities at camp for safety.
Thank you to those who have filled in the online permission form for students to borrow senior fiction at the school library. If you have not filled in the form already, please click on the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/H6rribVKUW
On Friday 18th March, this week, the students will be heading to Emu Gully for a one-day Challenge Camp (this is not an overnight camp). Thank you to everyone for responding to the notes. Please be at school on time (8:15 am) to catch the bus. All students must have a wide brimmed hat (no caps are permitted) and a water bottle before getting on the bus. All food is provided on the day. This day camp will be charged to Term 1 fees.
Our final thought to leave you with this week is how impressed we have been in the children's mindsets towards the executive functioning skills. It has been fabulous to see that most of the students have returned their focus sheets and that quality discussion have occurred with child and parent/s. Two areas that require some further commitment is task initiation and organization. Task initiation is the ability to independently start tasks when needed. It is the process that allows you to just begin something even when you don’t really want to. We are sure that many understand what organization means, for the purpose of being consistent with the language used a description for organization in year 5 is as follows. Organisation is the ability to develop and maintain a system that keeps materials and plans orderly.
Tim, Jess and Emily
Year 6
Date Claimers
Thursday 17 March: St Patrick’s Day Free Dress. Gold coin donation for Lenten Mission Appeal.
Monday 21- Thursday 24 March: Swimming Week (sport uniform worn all week)
Friday 25 March: Toowoomba Show Holiday
Monday 28 March: Cross Country Carnival
Friday 1 April: Last Day of Term
Lent
Students are encouraged to participate in 50c Friday. This money goes to Caritas Australia – Project Compassion appeal. Did you now that just $48 can provide 40 kg of chicken feed for a Rural training school in the Solomon Islands?
Leadership Day
Treetops. We had such a fantastic day flying through the trees, conquering fears, and supporting our peers. It is so rewarding to hear students’ positive comments when reflecting about their experience.
“My mates kept encouraging me. I preserved even though I had never done this before. I felt proud of myself.” Jack Reimers
Leadership Assembly
“I am the Way, the Truth and The Life.” Thank you for supporting your children last week at our assembly, where students pledged to live as leaders who honour the call of Pope Francis to be obedient, loving, forgiving, joyful, compassionate, caring, humble and grateful. We will live out the Lourdes Way in 2022 remembering to share a sense of humour and a smile every day.
Teaching and Learning
HaSS: We have completed our first unit on the Birth of Our Nation. Students imagined going back over 120 years ago and brought a simple prop to represent a key figure at the time of Federation.
Parent-teacher interviews
Interviews will be in the last week of term. Each class teacher has emailed details to parents. We look forward to sharing information about your child’s progress and work habits.
Larry, Kylie and Shauna
Art
How exciting, we have been privileged to use one of the new Year 6 rooms for visual arts for the next few weeks. The children have been very keen to see and work in the new space and it has been great to have a central hub for art.
Preps have followed a guided drawing lesson on how to draw a penguin for the letter P. They had fun trying to think of “P” names for their penguin. This week they will visit the new year 6 room and collage a nest for the letter N.
Year 1s listened to a story called “Henri’s Scissors” about the French artist Henry Matisse and his magnificent paper cut outs. They have now begun to create their own version of one of Matisse’s most famous cut out art works “The Snail”.
Year 2s are in the process of creating a water colour painting entitled “Creation”. They have completed their drawing and are looking forward to painting this week.
Year 3s finished their warm and cool coloured hand and have begun working with complimentary colours to create an artwork inspired by the artist Keith Haring. Keith Haring was an American artist whose pop art emerged from the New York City graffiti subculture of the 1980’s.
Year 4s completed their Toucan drawing and have now begun work on a South American Sloth painting using oil pastel and water colours. Close attention has been given to choosing different shades of colours and lines to create the impression of texture.
Loretta Simmons
This week we wanted to bring the NCCD process to your attention. This has been happening across Australia for a quite a few years now. This is a timely reminder of what is involved. We have already met with many parents who have provided us with invaluable information on the adjustments and modifications best suited to meet the needs of their children. We really value these discussions and thank these parents for their input and information sharing.
Every year, from August to August, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD).
This is a cyclical, on-going process. The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability. These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD guidelines (2019).
Information provided about students to the Australian Government for the NCCD includes:
- year of schooling
- category of disability: physical, cognitive, sensory or social/emotional
- level of adjustment provided: support provided within quality differentiated teaching practice, supplementary, substantial or extensive.
This information assists schools to:
- formally recognise the supports and adjustments provided to students with disability in schools
- consider how they can strengthen the support of students with disability in schools
- develop shared practices so that they can review their learning programs in order to improve educational outcomes for students with disability.
The NCCD provides state and federal governments with the information they need to plan more broadly for the support of students with disability.
The NCCD will have no direct impact on your child and your child will not be involved in any testing process. The school will provide data to the Australian Government in such a way that no individual student will be able to be identified – the privacy and confidentiality of all students is ensured. All information is protected by privacy laws that regulate the collection, storage and disclosure of personal information. To find out more about these matters, please refer to the Australian Government’s Privacy Policy (https://www.education.gov.au/privacy-policy).
Further information about the NCCD can be found on the NCCD Portal (https://www.nccd.edu.au) and in the attached brochure.
If you have any questions about the NCCD, please contact the school.
Allyson & Maria
Allyson Jessen & Maria Kehoe
Learning Support Teachers
Upcoming Dates
Week |
Date |
Event |
Venue |
Who |
9 |
21-24/03/2022 |
1-6 Swimming Lessons |
Glennie |
Grades 1-6 |
10 |
28/03/2022 |
OLOL Cross Country |
Newtown Park |
P-6 |
10 |
29/03/2022 |
T Ball GALA Day |
Kearney’s Spring |
Grade 4 |
Grade 1 – 6 Swimming Lessons
Who: Grade 1 - 6 Students
When: Week 9, Term 1 - 21st - 24th March (25/03/22 Public Holiday)
Where: Glennie Aquatic Centre
Travel: Bus to and from the venue.
Cost: $36 - 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. Students are discouraged from wearing rash/sun shirts. These restrict the swimmer’s movement and weigh them down in the water.
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.
Spectators: Due to Covid-19 Restrictions, spectators are not permitted to attend school swimming lessons. We appreciate your support with this.
Lesson Times:
9:00 - Year 6
9.30 - Year 5
10:00 - Break
10.30 - Year 4
11.00 - Year 3
11.30 - Year 2
12:00 - Year 1B
12.30 - Year 1M
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 is highly recommended for the students in Grades 5 & 6, as many of the activities on camp are water-based.
A massive thank you to the P&F for their generous donation helping to keep swimming lessons affordable for all.
It is a mandatory requirement that permission be sought from parents and guardians prior to the commencement of lessons. Please click on this link to complete the online form:
2022 Term 1 Swimming Lessons Consent Form
Please complete a separate form for each child.
PLEASE RESPOND BY FRIDAY 18th MARCH 2022
Cross Country Training
The Our Lady of Lourdes Cross Country Carnival will be held on Monday 28th of March at Newtown Park. In preparation for this event, we will be running a cross country training program, as below:
Who: |
Children in grade 3-6 ONLY Due to teacher/student ratios, children in grades P-2 are not permitted to attend. |
When: |
Monday, Wednesday & Friday Mornings – Starting Monday 21st February and concluding on Wednesday 23rd March 2022 |
Time: |
7:30am Sharp |
Where: |
Rose Garden – Newtown Park |
What to Bring: |
Water Bottle, Hat & Asthma Puffers if required. Students can wear their sports uniform for the entire day. |
PLEASE NOTE – STUDENTS ARE TO BE DROPPED OFF AT THE PARK AT 7:30AM.
PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU WALK YOUR CHILDREN TO THE MEETING PLACE AND CHECK THEM IN WITH THE STAFF MEMBER PRESENT.
FOLLOWING TRAINING WE WILL WALK BACK TO SCHOOL AS A GROUP.
IMPORTANT: As part of the risk assessment process for Cross Country Running, all students that run the competitive track must participate in a training program. Students can complete this at our school training sessions or individually outside of school. ALL STUDENTS wishing to run the competitive track must also have a SIGNED CONSENT form. These will be sent home with interested students.
OLOL Cross Country Carnival
Monday 28th March 2022 – 8:30-1:00pm – Newtown Park
Prep- Grade 2 Fun Run
- Approximate run time 9:00 – 10:00am
- Students will walk to Newtown Park in Class Groups.
- Prep, Grade 1 and 2 students will run an extended lap of the oval (approximately 600m).
- The following ribbons and house points will be presented to students in Prep – Grade 2:
1st Place |
Blue Ribbon |
20 House Points |
2nd Place |
Red Ribbon |
12 House Points |
3rd Place |
Green Ribbon |
8 House Points |
4th Place |
Yellow Ribbon |
4 House Points |
5th Place onwards |
Navy Participation Ribbon |
1 House Point |
- Race Order: Grade 2 boys, Grade 2 Girls, Grade 1 Boys, Grade 1 Girls, Prep Boys & Prep Girls.
- After these races, the P-2 students will return to school.
Grade 3-6 Competitive Cross-Country Event
- Approximate starting time – 10:00am
- Students will walk to Newtown Park in class groups.
- Following the P-2 Fun Run, grade 3-6 students will participate in a competitive cross-country race.
- Students have already nominated for this event, and consent forms have been emailed to those families. Only students that have completed the consent form will be allowed to run the full track.
- The link below will also direct you to the consent form.
2022 CROSS COUNTRY CARNIVAL CONSENT FORM
Starting Time |
Age |
Year Born |
Distance |
10:00am |
8/9 Years boys |
2013/2014 |
1km |
10:15am |
8/9 Years girls |
2013/2014 |
1km |
10: 30am |
10 Years boys |
2012 |
2km |
10:45am |
10 Years girls |
2012 |
3km |
11:00am |
11 Years boys |
2011 |
3km |
11:15am |
11 Years girls |
2011 |
3km |
11:30am |
12 Years boys |
2010 |
3km |
11:45am |
12 Years girls |
2010 |
3km |
These are only approximate and subject to change.
The following ribbons/medallions and house/individual points will be presented to students in 9-12 years:
1st Place |
Blue Ribbon & Medallion |
20 House & Individual Points |
2nd Place |
Red Ribbon & Medallion |
12 House & Individual Points |
3rd Place |
Green Ribbon & Medallion |
8 House & Individual Points |
4th Place |
Yellow Ribbon |
4 House & Individual Points |
5th Place onwards |
|
4 House & Individual Points |
- As with Athletics and swimming, all students in grade 3 who are born in 2014 (8 years), have attended training and wish to run the competitive event, will participate in the 2013 or 9 year’s category. However, as they are not of appropriate age, they will not be eligible for age championship points, nor will they be eligible to continue on to the West Zone Carnival. These students will be awarded a place ribbon and 4 participation points, regardless of finishing place. Please see me if you require further clarification on this.
- The first 6 place getters, in the 10, 11 & 12 Years age categories, will be offered the opportunity to represent the school at the West Zone Cross Country Carnival. There are qualification times in place for this event which students must run to be eligible. These times will be adhered to regardless of whether students finished in the top 6 at our school carnival.
9-year-olds are not eligible to compete at West Zone.
- The course will be marked with markers and marshals will be stationed around the course.
- After the races, we will have presentations and return to school by 1:00pm. This is subject to change.
Grade 3-6 Fun Run
- This event is open to ALL grade 3-6 students, regardless of whether they have already run the Competitive Cross-Country Race.
- The event will be 1 lap around the competitive cross-country course.
- All students will be encouraged to at least walk the track.
- All students who participate will receive one (1) point for their house.
In the Morning before coming to School
- Please apply sunscreen before coming to school and remind the children to apply more throughout the morning.
- Students are also required to bring their morning tea and lunch with them. Depending on time, we will eat morning tea and possibly lunch at the park.
- It is crucial that the children drink lots of water, so please make sure they have a water bottle.
- PUFFERS and EPI-PENS – please make sure your child has their own with them if required.
- Please make sure students have been to the toilet prior to arriving at school. While there are toilets available at the park, we would rather avoid using them where possible.
- Students will walk to Newtown Park in Class Groups.
Spectators
Spectators are welcome to attend.
Volunteers
If you are able to help set up in the morning, we will be down at the park from 7:30am. Grade 6 students in the Sports Leadership Group are also asked to arrive at 7:30 to assist with setting up.
Representative School Sport—Toowoomba & Darling Downs Teams
Throughout the course of the year Toowoomba Primary School Sport and Darling Downs School Sport offer trials to eligible students for a variety of team and individual sports. To be eligible for selection, students need to be born in 2012, 2011 or 2010. Strict nomination requirements apply, and it is at the sole discretion of the school to decide whether to nominate individual students.
In order to gain interest levels and an idea of previous experience, an electronic representative Sport Nomination Form has been sent out. This form outlines all relevant information regarding the trials for the whole of 2022. Please thoroughly read all information. If your child is of a high standard in their chosen sport/s and would like to be considered for nomination, please complete the nomination form. No student will be nominated for a trial without a completed medical form and online expression of interest. Here is the LINK for the form.
Representative Teams
Congratulations to the following students that have been selected into representative school sport teams:
Toowoomba Basketball Team: Novena (Grade 6) & Lucy (Grade 5).
Rachel.Wigan@twb.catholic.edu.au
Library Learning
We are learning about the features of fiction and non-fiction texts and how we can find this information when we are unsure. As we explore the features of texts, we will also look at the features of digital texts and strategies for digital reading.
Bookmark the Library AccessIt Page
Please take a moment to click the link and bookmark our Library Webpage. To use Britannica and Click View your child will need to logon with their olousername@twb.catholic.edu.au and password.
Library & Information Service (accessit.online)
Tech Lessons with PREP
In PREP we are continuing to work on our keyboarding and tracking pad skills each Thursday. Some students have asked if they can ‘play’ these games at home. The answer is YES! All the activities I use in these sessions are available via AccessIt.
Go to: Library & Information Service (accessit.online)
Click on CLASS PAGES and look for the picture of a bee. There are a range of activities and tasks here. Note: If using activities from ABCYa on an iPad you will need to Download the APP.
Digital Reading
Why not try to add a digital reading activity to your week? We have subscriptions to many quality places to find something to read.
- Reading Eggs.
- Students have individual logon details for this subscription. For any issues with Reading Eggs please contact your child’s teacher.
- Sunshine Online.
- Username : Lourdes2 Password : Lourdes123. Class teachers may provide students with individual logon details for this subscription. All books are available to all users via the generic logon above. All issues or concerns to Leathart@twb.catholic.edu.au
- Britannica Online.
- Username: lourdes Password: packs All issues or concerns to Leathart@twb.catholic.edu.au
Digital Reading Tips:
- Ignore distractions like links to other places, sounds, buttons or flashing advertisements if reading on the Internet.
- Set a time limit. Spending 20 minutes on Reading Eggs or two books via Sunshine Online or reading one article on Britannica. Be strict about this.
- Have a clear focus. Why are you reading this? Is it for homework reading? Are you researching for an assignment? Are you interested in a topic and want to know more?
- Read out loud to help with understanding, focus and fluency.
Typing Tournament
Typing is one of those essential life skills. Here at Our Lady of Lourdes we have a paid subscription to Typing Tournament to teach students how to touch type in a sequential, organised way. Logon details are available from your child/rens teacher or contact Danielle.Leathart@twb.catholic.edu.au
Borrowing Days
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
6L 6M 6C |
3S 2T / 2D / 2V 5P / 5F / 5M |
1M / 1B 3G 4B / 4G |
Prep LJW Prep H 3GM |
4L |
Please ensure Library bags are sent in on your child/rens borrowing day each week.
Senior Fiction Permission
There are still a very large number of Senior Fiction notes outstanding. Please fill in this Form ASAP. It was due on Wednesday February 23. A record of your response will be kept on the library database.
https://forms.office.com/r/H6rribVKUW
Should you wish for any further information please direct questions to Mrs Leathart (Danielle.Leathart@twb.catholic.edu.au).
CHESS Lessons
There is an upcoming tournament that Mr Lord spoke with CHESS students about and sent home information on a flyer. This tournament is not being organised by the school and supervision on the day is NOT being provided. For all questions and queries about this tournament please contact the organiser via the details provided on the flyer. We do organise attendance (with supervision) at the Teams Tournament as a school later in the year.
Term 2 Chess Lessons – SIGN UP NOW!!! https://forms.office.com/r/ny99ncxqv1
Book Club
Book Club ISSUE TWO orders have been placed and we expect delivery sometime this week. Orders will be handed out once they have arrived at school. For issues or concerns with Book Club please contact Mrs Leathart (Danielle.Leathart@twb.catholice.du.au).
IntegratedSTEM
IntegratedSTEM sessions with Fraser, Lizzy and the team will be back next term. Get in QUICK. With only 25 places available these sessions will fill up FAST. All registrations are to be completed ONLINE. Payment is required when registering. The school cannot accept payments for this extra-curricular activity. This activity does run afterschool and students will need to be collected from Stop, Drop and Go at 4:15pm each Thursday afternoon. A staff member from the school will be present to supervise the session and the collection of children. Please arrive promptly at the collection point each week. School Contact Person: Danielle.Leathart@twb.catholic.edu.au
Enjoy your books,
Mrs Leathart & Mrs Monte
Students are loving the extra opportunity to share their dramatic flair in our Drama Club each week! This term Year 5 and 6 classes attend specialist drama lessons each week with Mrs Holzheimer. During our Drama Club we have been extending on our skills in developing characters and improvising - all whilst having loads of fun! Any students in year 5 and 6 are welcome to join us.
What - Drama Club
Who - Year 5 and 6 students
When – Wednesday at lunch
Amanda
Amanda Holzheimer
Drama Teacher
The children who have been participating in the lunch time garden club, have certainly been enjoying the fruits of their labour this term. Their spinach, parsley and basil, have particularly been enjoying the wet weather.
Our first plant stall for the year will be held on the last Wednesday of this term, Wednesday the 30th of March. We have a lovely assortment of succulents again, veggies, and some OLOL specialty plants, that are very difficult to find at nurseries. These plants have been successfully grown from seeds by our very own Garden Crew boys, from the mother plants that we have here in the school garden. More information will be provided on the school Facebook page at a later date.
We can't wait to see you at the stall.
Jo
TCKC - Outside School Hours Care
OSHC Adventures
Over the last two weeks the OSHC has been going on an adventure to experience different sports. The children express their interest and passion for sports so each day we experienced a different sports. These sporting activities sparked plenty of conversation around famous sports stars and fun facts about each sport.
Enrolling in Before or After School Care
If you are looking at enrolling your child in either before or after school care but are unsure about where to start, do not hesitate to reach out to our team. You are most welcome to pop into the hall to have a chat. If you know you're ready to enrol you can find our enrolments forms on our website www.tckc.qld.edu.au
Vacation Care
We are excited to have released our vacation care program for the upcoming school holidays. Please note we will also be operating on Tuesday 19th April for the pupil free day beginning term 2. Our enrolled families will be notified of our location for Easter school holidays. Due to the building works we are unable to operate from OLOL over the Easter period.
We look forward to seeing you around
Miss Alannah, Miss Mackenzie and Miss Emily
Contact details
Coordinator: Alannah O'Neil
Phone: 0429 572 021
Email: OLOCare@tckc.qld.edu.au
Coordinator
Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Kindergartens and Care