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Ms Angela Gilbert / Mrs Sarah Jackman
Mr Garry Birch / Mr Chris Golightly
Dear Parents & Carers
Being the last newsletter for the term I would like to extend a very sincere thank you for a wonderful start to the year. Short in time, but big in achievements. It is only through the genuine positive partnerships that exist here at OLOL that we continue to succeed in all we do here in this fantastic school community.
I am so thankful for the continued efforts of our great staff. In just one Term, the number of new initiatives & opportunities for the kids to be involved in has been great to see. The introduction of Visual Arts and STEM specialist lessons has been a big hit with the students. These initiatives along with getting stuck into our Writing Improvement Strategy have had a positive effect on our teaching and learning. Other extra curricula opportunities such as lunchtime basketball, after school golf lessons, drama club and morning fitness training all add to the richness of school life. All this just doesn’t happen. Behind the scenes, our amazing staff go to great lengths in organising these initiatives, and for that, I sincerely commend them for their time and effort.
The feedback I have received from both teachers and parents following recent parent teacher interviews is most rewarding. There is a real feeling that each and every person wants the best for the children who attend and want the school to continue providing its unique brand of service, care and quality education.
Being a parent is a hard job, a complicated job, and sometimes a lonely job. Probably, it’s the most important job people will ever have because as their child’s first teacher, they will make a difference one way or another. However, parents here at Lourdes have the opportunity to form a viable partnership with their child’s teacher, because together they have a common goal: a successful school year for each child. Teachers need to know that we are all on their side and if we aren’t, we need to be able to express ourselves as to why not.
It’s important to remember that parents and teachers are partners in helping each child achieve a successful transition to adulthood. This combined support is essential if the transition is to be a positive developmental experience for your child. A good relationship with your child’s teacher will make it easier for you to stay informed about your child’s progress across all areas of schooling and to work together if problems arise during the year.
On occasion, you might find that your teacher has constructive criticism about your child; it’s important to keep an open mind to the teacher’s comments. Neither the child nor the teacher is perfect – nor parents for that matter – so, if a problem arises, it’s important to consider both sides of the story. The outcome should be the one that helps your child succeed at school. There needs to be a sensitivity that respects the teacher as a well-trained professional and consideration that respects the parents who have special knowledge of their child.
Our teachers and support staff are dedicated and caring and want to excel in their teaching and guidance of young people. Everyone likes to be appreciated and teachers are no exception. If we continue with the “We” attitude and work with our child’s teacher, then our child will have a great school year and so will we, and, with a bit of luck, so will the teacher!!
We have had a challenging yet productive term. Let’s enjoy the Easter break and look forward to renewing the positive relationships that exist across our school community in Term 2.
Building Update
From discussions held at a site meeting last Thursday, we have been advised that the project is one month behind schedule. In consideration of the amount of wet weather, shortage of trades and at times scarcity of materials, the delays are understandable. In recent weeks, the suspended concrete slab for the second story of the admin block has been completed and initial framing commenced. Blockwork on the lift tower has been completed and will be a distinctive feature of the project. Two newly refurbished rooms in the original Merici block became available three weeks ago and have been a temporary home for our Visual Arts and Stem lessons.
The families of our Year 6 students were informed on Monday about the relocation of the Year 6 classes from the hall. 6M and 6C move into the two newly refurbished classrooms for the remainder of the year and 6L temporarily move into the current staffroom space until a third refurbished classroom becomes available. Northbuild are aware of our urgency to relocate all three classes into new rooms, but due to the abovementioned reasons, their ability to have a third room ready and certified to occupy has been hampered. The move will provide for a quieter and more comfortable teaching and learning environment, especially with the onset of the cooler weather. The staffroom facilities along with Visual Arts and Stem lessons, will move into the hall. This of course will be only temporary.
Disabled Parking
As with all public facilities, the school, parish and kindy have designated disabled parking bays. They are there for good reason. Parking in these spaces without a permit is not only illegal but creates more difficulty to those who have a disability to access school and parish buildings.
Cross Country Carnival
Due to prolonged wet weather and unviability of Newtown Park this week, the carnival will now be held on Thursday 21st April. Fingers crossed and lots of prayers for fine weather. Please refer to the P.E. section of previous newsletters for all the information you require in preparation for the carnival.
Water Relay
This Thursday our Year 2 classes are hosting a water relay for each year level. The Year 2 classes this term have been studying the water cycle and during their class discussions, they discovered that in some countries around the world, children must carry water over long distances every day just to have clean water to drink. We hope that this event will raise awareness for those that do not have easy access to fresh water. Weather permitting, the relay will be held across the road on the multipurpose court.
End of Term Mass
As mentioned in my correspondence to you on Sunday afternoon, due to COVID precautions we, unfortunately, we have decided to cancel this Friday’s end of term Mass. We hope and look forward to joining together next term for our annual ANZAC assembly on Friday 22nd April @ 1:45 p.m. and the very popular Mothers’ Day Mass on Wednesday 4th May @ 10:00 a.m.
Pupil Free Day
A reminder that Tuesday 19th April is a pupil free day for all Catholic schools in the Toowoomba Diocese. The first day of Term 2 is Wednesday 20th April.
Thanks for reading and have a safe and enjoyable Easter break.
Chris
Mr Chris Golightly
Principal
Parent Portal
The Sentral Parent Portal is now available at Our Lady of Lourdes. This will be useful for reporting your child's absence, viewing academic reports, and setting up parent-teacher interviews.
All families should have received an email with their unique family or student access key. For students with shared households, separate access keys have been provided.
How to register
- Register via https://sis-trn.twb.catholic.edu.au/auth/portal?action=register
- Create an account with your details, an email address and your own password
- Enter the Family Access Key or Student Key emailed to you (it is case sensitive so copy exactly as it appears)
- Download the app and login for easy access to notify the school of your child’s absence
Can't find your Family Access Key email?
Search your inbox or junk mail folders for an email from lourdes@twb.catholic.edu.au with the subject line Parent Portal Access Key Registration.
Already have Sentral for Parents with another school?
No problems. For those who already have an account with another school, logon to your existing Parent Portal via the website rather than the app and on the left-hand side:
- select ‘My Access’
- select ‘Add School’
- From the drop-down menu, select ‘Our Lady of Lourdes’
For more information click on the following links.
Need help with the Sentral Parent Portal?
Read the Sentral for Parents App User Guide
As we progress this initiative, we are sure the Parent Portal will become more and more significant in your day-to-day management of your child's enrolment at our school. Should you experience difficulties please do not hesitate to contact the office for assistance.
Flexischools
Could Parents please ensure their childrens class details are updated on their Flexischools accounts. To update class details, log onto your Flexischools Account:
- Select - Profile
- Select your Students Name
- Update your child's class details
Sibling Enrolment Paperwork
PREP 2023
SIBLING ENROLMENT PAPERWORK
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 their enrolment application paperwork has been submitted to the school. 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 this week.
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 and thank you to those families who have already submitted their paperwork.
Admin Office Hours
Our admin will be closed for the first week of the school holidays and will open 9:00am to 2:00pm Monday - Thursday during the second week of the holidays.
We will re-open on the Pupil Free Day, Tuesday 19th April. School office hours during term time are 8:00am to 3:30pm.
We wish you a safe and Happy Easter and look forward to connecting again with our families next term.
With thanks
Hazel & Carla
The Admin Team