Dear Families,

Welcome back to Term 2! I hope that everyone had some time over the holidays and long weekend to refresh.

SRIP:
Our school is a place where we constantly evaluate and check in, to ensure that we are examining our achievements, student performance and engagement, to be meeting the needs of all the learners at Lourdes. Next week, we will have our School Renewal and Improvement Review. During this week we welcome members from Toowoomba Catholic Schools to carry out the review. They will meet with staff, students, members of our P&F and School Advisory Committee, Fr Quinlan and other members of our community. Following the review, I will receive a comprehensive review report that identifies findings and offers improvement strategies for consideration as we plan the next 4-year Strategic Plan for Our Lady of Lourdes.

Cross Country:
I would like to congratulate our students for their participation at the Cross-Country last Thursday. I was impressed with our students’ who showed great determination, sportsmanship and house spirit throughout the day. Thank you to our staff for assisting with all the jobs which allowed the day to be such a success. Thank you also to Mrs Wigan and Mr Dugdale for their time in preparing the carnival and the extra cross-country training opportunities leading into the day. A big congratulations to Fraser house for the win on the day!

Building Works:
Over the school holidays, the demountables were removed and new turf was layed. The demountables were brought to OLOL in 2020, so for many students (and families) this is the first time they are seeing this green and open space. Once the turf has established, it will be a welcome space for children to use during their play times. The outdoor learning area is still being built on the Holberton Street side of the school, but we are beginning to see some progress.

Student Mobile Phones:
Mobile phones are not to be used while students are on school grounds. As per the parent handbook, mobile phones and other digital devices are not encouraged, but if required by a student, they must be handed into the school administration upon the student's arrival at school and collected from the office prior to leaving the school grounds. Should parents/guardians need to contact their child, please ring the school office which is open until 3:45pm each day. A message can then be given to your child.

Winter Uniform:
Students will begin to wear the winter uniform on Tuesday May 7 (following the Labour Day long week-end).

Tuckshop Launch:
We welcome our new convenor, Kate Vanderplas who will be operating our Tuckshop on Fridays.  Next Friday 10th May we will be launching our Tuckshop for 2024.  As part of our Tuckshop launch all children will be offered a sausage sizzle for big lunch.  Our P&F have kindly sponsored this launch.  If anyone is available to help with cooking of sausages / serving please contact the office.  

I am very much looking forward to a great term of learning and engagement.

Take care,

Bridget

Bridget Trenerry

Upcoming Events

Lourdes transition to the Diocesan Approach to Reading

Lourdes and Toowoomba Catholic Schools have a strong commitment to ensure that every child can read proficiently by the time they finish school. We know that being able to read well is a fundamental skill to achieving success at school and beyond.

Changes to the Australian Curriculum, and the evolution of recent reading research, has prompted a review of our Diocesan reading program to ensure our children have the best chance of success. The Grattan Institute’s ‘The Reading Guarantee’ confirms the value of a structured literacy approach, including a focus on phonics in the early years, which if adopted, will ensure that all students have the best chance to read well. TCS is updating our reading program to make sure all students have the best chance to succeed. We’re calling it ‘The Diocesan Approach to Reading’ and it’s based on the latest science of reading. At Lourdes, we have begun implementing this approach. This new approach will be used in every classroom, every day. In conjunction with this approach, P-2 classrooms will also be utilising the Decodable Readers Australia platform to support classroom learning.

There is clear alignment between the actions recommended in the ‘The Reading Guarantee’ and the initiatives established in TCS’s Diocesan Approach to Reading. As this is gradually implemented, parents can expect to see the following in their child’s classroom.

1. Systematic phonics instruction

• Your child will continue to learn words by ‘sight’, starting with high frequency words; however, these will be taught by first attending to sound/letter correspondence within the words. This process is vital so that your child can store sound/letter relationships permanently in their memory and apply to new words.
• They’ll practice these skills using ‘decodable’ texts, which align with the phonics rules they’ve learned.

2. Whole-class read-alouds

• Your child’s teacher will engage in whole-class read-alouds. This ensures that all students experience exciting stories and learn new vocabulary, even if they can’t yet read confidently on their own.

3. Explicit vocabulary teaching

• Throughout their schooling, your child will be taught new words explicitly.
• By the end of school, they’ll have a rich vocabulary and background knowledge, enabling them to understand more complex texts in subjects like Biology and History.

4. Diagnostic check-ins

• Strong and regular diagnostic check-ins are conducted for each student.
• These assessments help identify the next steps in their learning journey.

5. Individualised support

• All students will receive targeted evidence-based reading instruction as a whole class and individualised support will continue through small focus groups and one-on-one instruction for students who require more opportunity for practice or learning intervention.

Thank you for partnering with us in your child’s education. Together, we’ll nurture their love for reading and empower them to live a full and flourishing life.

ICAS – 2024
We know our students are amazing, so we’re giving our Year 4-6 students the opportunity to showcase and celebrate their talents in the world-renowned ICAS competition this year. 

What is ICAS? 
ICAS is an online academic competition that gives students the opportunity to challenge their higher order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling Bee, and Digital Technologies.

 Every student who participates is celebrated and recognised with a printed certificate in each subject area, and an online results report to track development each year. Top performers are eligible for one of the highly coveted ICAS medals. To learn more about this year’s exciting ICAS competition, visit: (icasassessments.com/products-icas/)

How to participate in ICAS: 
If you wish for your child to participate in ICAS this year, please: 

1. Read about ICAS subjects and prices here: (icasassessments.com/products-icas/) 
2. Read the Privacy Collection Statement below.
3. Read the terms and conditions here: (icasassessments.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2023-ICAS-Assessments-Schools-TsCs_S2023.V6-1.pdf)
4. Go to the Parent Portal to sign up to chosen subject areas here: https://shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps
5. Enter our school’s access code – VRM716
6. Enter your child’s details, select the subject areas your child would like to participate in, then proceed to payment.

Please note that the ICAS subject areas shown for selection are at the school’s discretion.  After payment is made via the Parent Payment System, you will receive an order confirmation email, please keep this for your records

We are excited to be offering ICAS to our Year 4-6 students this year and look forward to celebrating their achievements. Please do not hesitate to contact Emily McKay or Janice Moore if you have any questions. 

Emily

Emily McKay
Acting Assistant Principal

Welcome back to Term 2.   

I hope everyone had a lovely Easter Break filled with the blessings of the Resurrection. 

The end of last term was busy with St Patrick’s Day – we raised money for our Project Compassion Caritas Appeal

We ended our term with our Holy Week prayer. Each class prepared a part of the story beautifully. We thank Mrs Rosier, Mrs Holzheimer and the class teachers for their input and support in the preparation and performance of the prayer.

Last Thursday afternoon we finished our Easter Story. We thank Mrs Coren, Mrs McKenzie, the Year 6C and 6M classes for the time and effort they put into sharing their version of the Resurrection and Road to Emmaus Story with us. 

Today, we commemorated Anzac Day, remembering the Anzac legacy of mateship, ingenuity and persistence which has inspired our Australian Spirit for future generations. We thank the Year 5s, Miss Packer, Miss Rosentreter, Mr Birch, and Mrs Garcha for the preparation of their prayerful and thoughtful assembly. We were so lucky to have as our Anzac Day guest speaker, Sergeant Mark Cameron from the Oakey Air Base – father of Rose in Year 2D – his presence was deeply appreciated.   A special thank you goes to Mrs Sarah O’Neil for her beautiful floral wreath which she kindly donated to us - We share this wreath with the OLOL parish for their special Anzac Mass tomorrow at 9:30 am.

Tomorrow our school will be represented by our school captains Hallie and Rylan at the 9:30am Wreath Laying ANZAC ceremony at the Mothers Memorial.

 Next Sunday (28th April 2024), candidates for Confirmation and First Eucharist meet in the church at 10:30am, for their fourth preparation session. 

Calling for photos of Mothers and their Children for our Mother’s Day Mass in week 4 on Friday 10^th May at 10 am– Send in One photo per family.  Email to Janice.Moore@twb.catholic.edu.au   - Please ensure photos are emailed to school no later than Friday,  3rd May

So, we can cater for our visitors – please fill in this simple form by Monday 6th May 2024.

https://forms.office.com/r/wAxpSDa6Xm?origin=lprLink

Helpers needed: Is there anyone who is willing to help set up and supervise the mothers morning tea area? Please let Mrs Moore know. Help will be needed to set up before before Mass and after the Mass on Friday 10th May 2024.

Please note we have assemblies at 2 pm on a Thursday in Week 3, 5, 6, 8, 9 and at 12:00 noon on Friday of Week 10 

 Diary Dates    

Sunday  28^rd April – 4^th Confirmation/First Eucharist Preparation Workshop at 10:30am in OLOL Church  

Friday 10^th May – OLOL Mother’s Day Mass 10:00am - a special morning tea has been organised after mass for our OLOL Mums and Grandmothers – Children will have their own packed morning tea - please stay and share some morning tea with your children.  

Monday 20^th May – Practise for Confirmation Sacrament 3:30pm in OLOL Church 

Tuesday 21^st May- Sacrament of Confirmation 7 pm OLOL Church  

Thursday 23^rd May – Practise for First Eucharist Sacrament 3:30pm in the OLOL Church 

Sunday 26^th May –Sacrament for First Eucharist – 11:00am OLOL Church 

Thursday 15^th June – Favourite sports team Coloured Clothes Day – Gold Coin donation for St Vincent De Paul 

Friday 23^rd June – NAIDOC Assembly led by Year 4 - 12:00 noon  

It’s another busy term! 

 Have a blessed week!   

Janice

Janice Moore
Assistant Principal Religious Education (APRE)

Prep

Welcome to Term 2! We hope that you all had an enjoyable holiday.  

We have jumped straight back into our Prep routine – learning never stops! Each class sent home their class newsletter outlining the curriculum for the term. Please be sure to read this note as it contains important information, including changes to homework.

We remind you that it is very important to start back into the school routine. Diet, exercise, and sleep are fundamental to your child’s learning. Please also remind the children to follow the Lourdes Way, even at home, and to continue to look for opportunities to be bucket fillers.

Please always pack a school jumper/jacket. Our playground can get chilly as we move closer to Winter.

Thank you to the parents who attended the Easter Bonnet Parade. It was wonderful to see so many of you there. The children were glowing with pride as they showed off their Easter bonnet creations. Our heartfelt thank you to the families who purchased and sold tickets. All funds raised are used for Prep resources. Our congratulations to the winners of the Easter Raffle prizes:

1^st prize  - Kayci Dohnt

2^nd prize – Bron Betros

3^rd prize  - Travis McCarthy

We hope you enjoyed the prizes as much as we enjoyed putting them together!

All of the children excitedly participated in the Cross Country Fun Run. Seeing the children dressed in their house colours made for an impressive display. It was a great effort by all. Our congratulations to the place winners. A big thank you to Mr. Moyler and Mr. Chandler who assisted us in getting to Newtown Park safely and back.

Finally, our thanks to our parent helpers who volunteered their time for Morning Fitness and Trains in Term 1. Your time and assistance are very much appreciated, and the children love your involvement.

Amy, Becky, and Melita    

Year 1

Welcome to Term 2! It was wonderful to have everyone back at school, feeling refreshed and enthusiastic for another exciting term of learning and fun! We spent time last week revisiting what it means to be a Lourdes Learner and the importance of always trying our best. We aren’t afraid of finding ourselves in the Learning Pit because we know that mistakes help our brain to grow!

In English over the next few weeks, we will be learning about and reading Dreamtime Stories. We are reading How the Birds got their Colours, and discussing the characters, setting and plot. We are learning to write creatively, expanding on our ideas using rich vocabulary. We call these words WOW words. Some of the WOW words that have appeared in our writing so far are shuffled, pierced, juicy and accidentally.

Our Mathematics focus is counting strategies, and strategies for addition and subtraction. We have reviewed the count on and count back strategies using a number line. We know it is more efficient to start at the larger number when counting on, so even if the number sentence is 6 + 3, we know to start at 6 and count on 3. This week we are investigating the rainbow facts strategy. These are our number combinations to ten. It is important that we can visualise and recall these facts, so please help us practise at home. 

We have been talking about ANZAC Day and why it is an important day for Australians. We have been reading stories about the ANZACs and making our own red poppies. We commemorated ANZAC Day as a school on Wednesday with a very special ANZAC Day assembly, led by Year 5.

A few reminders of Year 1 routines:

• Monday - Library borrowing for 1B, 1M and 1T
• Wednesday - Specialist lessons for Art, Music and Drama
• Thursday and Friday - Sports uniform for 1B, 1M and 1T

If you would like to be involved with our morning reading routine, please get in touch with your class teacher. Thank you to those people who have already volunteered. We can see the difference it is making for our students! 

Have a great week!

Dennielle, Laura and Jenny         

Year 2

Welcome back to Term 2! We have had a great start with the Cross Country last week. Well done to the students for their wonderful participation and effort on the day. This week is another busy week, with the ANZAC Day assembly this afternoon and our Year 2 Retreat at Newtown Park this Friday. We will be walking to the park after morning tea and returning by lunchtime.

This term, we are exploring information texts in English, the patterns and movement of the Sun, Earth and Moon in Science, how Jesus lived and his mission in Religion and, in HASS, will look at relationships to Country/Place.  

Our excursion to the Planetarium is coming up on the 9^th May. Please ensure that all permission forms are completed as soon as possible.

Homework started this week – please note the changes to spelling and home reading this term, as outlined in the homework booklet.

Have a great week!

Ange B, Ange G and Sarah

Year 3

Welcome to Term 2!  We are super excited for a new term full of new learning opportunities.

In English this term, we are focusing on writing an explanation text. Students will be learning about the structure, cohesion of sentences, language features and punctuation involved in explanation texts.

Maths:

• Addition and subtraction strategies
• Fractions
• 3D objects
• Measuring Length
• Time – to 5 minute intervals
• Multiplication and division strategies

In HASS, students will explore the similarities and differences between places in Australia and neighbouring countries in terms of their natural, managed, and constructed features.

Science this term will involve lots of research, questioning, and experimenting of different sources of heat and how temperature changes when heat energy is transferred from one object to another.

In Religion, students will be learning about our local parish and diocese. They will explore the roles important people take on to support Father Quinlan and the parish. Students will also be learning about the of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, First Eucharist), as well as the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Last week, the Year 3 classes welcomed Mrs Moore in to lead us through a mediation about the resurrection of Jesus. It was a spiritual time and a time to reflect on the importance of this event as part of the Easter story.

Demi, Kirsty and Melissa

Year 4

Students have settled back into the school routine and hit the ground running with their learning.

We started last week with a short learning week and finally got to participate in our Cross Country.  Congratulations to Fraser house and all students for 'doing their best’. Best of luck to those students who are selected to represent our school at the West Zone Carnival – Evie, Max, Ashton, Isaac, Myley and Nathan.  Special mention and congratulations to Angus Campbell, who received one of the prestigious Living Spirit Awards at the Cross Country.

Today, we commemorated ANZAC Day – with a special Assembly led by Year 5 and tomorrow is another public holiday. Just a reminder that the changeover to Winter Uniform occurs in Week 4 – after the Labour Day holiday.

In English this term students will continue to develop their literacy skills and we will link our Hass topic, The First Fleet, with English as students write and present a recount of a convict’s life. During Maths lessons we will continue to work on our number facts, addition and subtraction, units of time and focus on fractions. We will explore various eco-systems and life cycles in Science. In Religion we will focus on the Sacraments and prayers that we can use to help us in our lives. We will continue to attend mass each Wednesday to prepare students who are making their sacraments for this year. 

This term our specialists' lessons (music, drama and S.T.E.M) will remain the same as last term and be held in the middle session on Mondays and P.E is every Wednesday. Students are welcome to wear their sports uniform on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Just a quick reminder that our Mother’s Day mass will be held on Friday 10^th May.  One of the lovely aspects of this popular mass is the PowerPoint with photos of children with their mothers.  If you have a photo that you would like to include in this PowerPoint, please email the photo to Janice.Moore@twb.catholic.edu.au by Friday, 3^rd May.  In the past, the students have always eagerly looked for their photos on this PowerPoint.

We look forward to another excellent term! 

Suzanne, Aleisha, Jessica and Danielle

Year 5

Term 2 started off with a bang with two short weeks and our ANZAC day ceremony.  We would like to commend the Year 5’s on their reverence and respect for service men and women during this commemoration. We have received many reports from members of the community about the wonderful job they all did. So, well done Year 5! 

Key Dates 

• Monday 6^th May – Labour Day Holiday
• 9^th – 10^th and 13^th - 14^th May – Book Fair
• Friday 10^th May – Mothers' Day Mass & morning tea@ 10am
• Tuesday 14^th May – Darling Downs Cross Country
• Saturday 18^th May – P & F Trivia Night 5:30pm
• Monday 20^th May – School Photos
• Tuesday 28^th May – Athletics Carnival Day 1
• Thursday 30^th May – Athletics Carnival Day 2
• Thursday 13^th June – Sports Team Dress Up Day – Catholic Mission Gold Coin donation - St Vincent de Paul
• Wednesday 19^th June – Ball Games Carnival
• Friday 21^st June – NAIDOC Assembly @ 12pm – Final Day of term

Term 2 curriculum focus 

Religion: Students will develop their understanding of the Holy Spirit and have become experts in using the bible.

English: Term 2 brings revision and new rounds of learning. We will spend time revising Persuasive writing and its associated language features.

Maths: During this term students will engage in three impact cycles.: 

• Cycle 1: perimeter and area
• Cycle 2: decimals and revision of place value
• Cycle 3: fractions/percentages
• Cycle 4: NETS

HASS:  Students investigate how and why the colonies developed in the 1800’s. They will identify the reasons why people migrated to Australia and look at the experiences and contributions of particular migrant groups.

Science: In Term 2, students will be exploring matter and in particular, the observable properties of solids, liquids, and gases by modelling the motion and arrangement of particles. Students will have fun conducting research projects and sharing information to inform their peers. Throughout the term, numerous investigations and experiments will be conducted to assist the students with their understanding of matter. 

CANVAS:
This term students will continue to use CANVAS to access content for the above curriculum areas. We have been using this resource since the beginning of the year and the students are well versed in knowing that they can access this content at any time—revision, online learning from home. Parents, if you're interested, get your child to take you on a tour so you can see what is going on. 

Homework: 
Homework resumes in Week 3. A reminder that homework is issued on Tuesdays and is due the following Tuesday. Homework is a beneficial as it gives the students more opportunities to consolidate their learning. Students are required to complete the following allocated tasks: 1 Reading Eggs task, 1 or 2 Maths Online tasks, 1 revision task on Maths Online and spelling words practise. It is also expected that students read a quality novel for at least 20 minutes, 5 times per week. 

We understand that life is busy! To assist with homework commitments, the Year 5 classrooms are open from 8:00am on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday for students to come in and work on their homework.

Jess, Garry, Sandra and Lisa  

Year 6

Welcome back to Term 2.  We hope all families enjoyed a restful break.

Much happening this term – here’s a very brief overview:

Religion: Prophets (Mrs McKenzie will teach Religion during Term 2)

Mathematics: Timetables, multiplying and dividing by powers of 10, fractions on a number line as well as the link between fractions, decimals and percentages (Flexible groupings will again be utilised during Term 2 – Mrs Coren, Mr Shoebridge and Mrs McKenzie), Number facts, mental computation strategies

English: “Boy Overboard” by Morris Gleitzmann (narratives will be our writing focus during Term 2) and “The Arrival” by Shaun Tan, spelling, reading (focus – QAR Skill – Think and Search), Weekly Grammar. (Home room teachers will teach English with the whole cohort joining together for instruction on assessment tasks). Each student has been given a copy of Boy Overboard already. Copies should remain at school as some have been borrowed from other schools.

HASS: Who were the People who Came to Australia? (Mrs Coren will teach HaSS)

Science: Changes – Properties of Materials (Mr Shoebridge will teach Science)

Visual Arts: Specialist Teacher – Mrs Simmons

Italian:  Specialist Teacher - Mrs Simmons

STEM: Specialist Teacher - Mrs Dolley

Health: Real Talk – Class teachers will teach Health and address topics relating to our Identity during Term 2

PE: Specialist Teacher – Mr Dugdale

(Cross Country, Athletics and Ballgames will keep us busy throughout Term 2!)

Friday Sport: No interschool sport this term. We will practice Track and Field skills each Friday at either Newtown Park or the school oval – more information on this in the coming weeks.

Timetables and Assessment Planners:  Term 2 timetable were given out during week 1 and assessment planners will be given to each student by the end of week 2 – great resources to keep in study spaces and consistently use a reference to build executive functioning skills of time management and organisation. Also, a fantastic resource to utilise, with units on Canvas, to catch up work when absent.

Emailing Teachers:  As mentioned at the beginning of the school year, our preferred method of communication is email.  All three of us endeavour to read emails before and after each school day – we rarely get the opportunity to read them throughout the school day. We also aim to answer emails within 24 - 48 hours – emails received after staff meetings or late on a school day will not be answered until the following workday/s.

Mathematics Team Challenge:  Notes will be forwarded home over the coming week to students selected to represent the school at the Darling Downs Mathematics Challenge. Two teams of keen mathematicians will head down to St Ursula’s College on Tuesday 7^th May to compete against other schools.  Go Lourdes Go!

Leadership Opportunities during Term 2:  Leadership opportunities during term 2 – 6M – bins, 6F assembly and 6C newsletter items.  As a cohort, we are making a concerted effort to find as many ways as we can to serve. Consequently, this term students will also be involved in the following additional service/leadership opportunities:

- sports morning for the whole school
- peer tutoring-homework hub for Yr 4 and 5
- sports umpiring during lunch break,
- reading to younger grades in the library at break times
- prep fitness
- chess, rubiks cube demo,
- Just Dance at lunch time and finally
- skipping sessions

Weekly Testing Sent Home:  We will continue to send home any testing completed during class for parents to view.  The overwhelming majority of parents were thankful of us sending work home – a great opportunity to be kept in the loop about how individuals are progressing from week to week and also a large part of the feedback process between students, teachers and parents. We ask that, if there’s time, parents quickly initial the top right-hand corner of each assessment piece, so we know parents have viewed it.

Homework: Homework routine began at the end of Week 1 (Work will be posted online each Friday and is due the following Friday.)

Specialist Lessons: PE will be held each Tuesday along with STEM and Visual Arts. Italian will be held each Thursday throughout Term 2.  Consequently, sports uniforms will be required each Tuesday and Friday this term.

Library: Year 6 students will borrow from the library each Thursday. Remember, kids who read succeed!

Cross Country Success: Well done to all Yr. 6 students who participated in our annual school cross country last Thursday. Thanks to house and school captains who assisted with setting up and packing up the carnival.

Kylie, Shauna, and Steve

STEM

Year 3:
Last term Year 3 explored a range of peripheral devices and categorised them into input, output, and storage, while also investigating the two components of a computer, hardware, and software. The students designed and constructed their own computers using recyclable materials and reflected on which materials worked well. There were some highly creative constructions.

Year 4:
In Term One Year 4 investigated food and fibre production, how food gets from the paddock to our plate and food technology that is used in modern and traditional societies. Students researched a particular food or fibre and investigated what it is, where it is produced, how it is produced and the finished products and shared their information with the class. The students discovered lots of new knowledge about the different foods they eat and where they come from.

Year 5:
Last term Year 5 became familiar with algorithms and created their own quiz in Power Point. Students created five questions on a topic with a choice of answers, which they turned into an interactive quiz by linking slides so that other students could play and trial their quiz. This group of students were very inventive with some outstanding knowledge on a variety of topics and some extraordinary digital skills adding some extra features to their quiz.

Year 6:
In Term One students investigated the design process used to create a product through the steps of investigating, devising, producing, and evaluating. They researched, planned, designed, and constructed their own park, whilst following a set criteria. There were some outstanding constructions created with recyclable and craft materials, very ingenious. Year 6’s also worked collaboratively in groups to follow step by step instructions to create a magnificent battery-operated Ferris Wheel from a Playground Building Set, lots of problem solving and negotiation was involved.

Megan

Megan Dolley

Visual Arts

Welcome back to Term 2, this term visual arts will continue for P-2 and years 5 and 6.

Prep:
The preps have been working on the “k” sound this week, so we have created a picture of a “kicking karate cat”. Next week we will draw an elephant under an umbrella for the letters e and u.

Year 1:
This week we have explored the season of Autumn. The students experienced printing leaves in Autumn colours. The students will continue the theme by drawing an Autumn tree scene.

Year 2:
A huge thank you to the parent helpers that helped the year 2’s with their paper mâché’ last term.  It was a huge undertaking, very messy but a lot of fun was had by all, and the results are looking great. This week he students will complete this project by painting the final details onto our statues.

Year 5:
This week the year 5’s will paint a picture of poppies in commemoration of ANZAC day. Next week we will begin to explore the 7 elements of Art; line, tone, colour, texture, shape, space and form through a picture of their choice.

Year 6:
The year 6’s will commence this term by completing their indigenous art titled, “My Special Place”. The artwork is being completed on a piece of timber using acrylic paints. Students researched modern indigenous artworks, then using aboriginal symbols and vibrant colours they have created a painting which symbolise their special places.

Italian

Benvenuto a Term 2 (Welcome to Term 2). This term the students will continue to practise short conversations with each other. The major focus of the term will be food! Names and descriptions of food, cultural traditions concerning food and finally we will conclude the term by making some fresh pasta using a variety of pasta machines.

Signora Loretta Simmons

Upcoming Dates

OLOL Cross Country Carnival Results

Overall House Results: Fraser 317, Bradman 309, Beetson 298 & Goolagong 232

Living Spirit: Angus 4L & Liliana 6M

Representative Sport—Toowoomba & Darling Downs Teams - Selections

Toowoomba Hockey: Matthew (Grade 5), Angus (Grade 6), Chloe (Grade 6) & Amarni (Grade 6).

Darling Downs Basketball: Amelia (Grade 6).

Darling Downs Softball: Angus (Grade 6), Jonathon (Grade 6), Chloe (Grade 6) & Amarni (Grade 6).

Representative 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, 2013 or 2014. 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 2024.  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 form.

Here is the LINK to nominate a student. Please submit a new response for each individual child.

Please see below for upcoming trial dates. Please ensure that you confirm these details when the trial notice is released.

Rachel.Wigan@twb.catholic.edu.au

Welcome back to Term 2! Thanks to all those children who remembered to return their Holiday Loans last week. If you forgot – don’t panic – send them in this week. Please ensure all books travel to and from school in a library bag to avoid damage and associated charges. We really appreciate it when students pop by to let us know about damages before the next borrower discovers a wet, mouldy, missing pages, torn mess of a book. 

Term 2 Important Dates 

We are celebrating READ MORE in MAY with a range of activities to encourage reading. 

Thursday May 9 Book Fair Begins @ 8am in the Library 

Tuesday May 14 Book Fair Finishes @ 3:35pm in the Library 

Wednesday May 15 Author Visit – NAT AMOORE (Year 3/4/5/6) 

Wednesday May 22 National Simultaneous Storytime – Bowerbird Blues by Aura Parker 

Lunch Time in the Library 

This term we are offering Robotics sessions with students in Year 3 and 4 at Morning Tea. The first sessions last week were very popular, and I look forward to helping the students who come along learn more about robotics and coding.  

Our Year 3 classes also commenced Coding lessons last week and they were very excited to learn more about block code, repeat, loops, bugs and debugging 

At Big Lunch we offer reading, colouring-in, iPads for Year 1/2 friends and Minecraft, Scratch and Cool Math Games for our Year 5/6 friends. The Library is always a fun, safe place to hang out during break times.  

Graphic Novels: Unlock Imagination and Reading Skills! 

Graphic Novels are popular amongst students but have been given a bad rap in the past. It was commonly thought that graphic novels don’t count as “real reading.” However, teachers and literacy experts disagree. Graphic novels offer unique benefits that can enhance your child’s reading journey: 

• Improved Literacy Skills: Graphic novels contain both text and captivating visual elements. Readers must decode, analyse, and comprehend the text, enhancing their reading comprehension. These books follow plots, character development, and cause-and-effect relationships, just like traditional novels. 

• Engaging and Supportive: For reluctant readers, graphic novels provide extra support. The combination of text and pictures helps kids navigate complex stories. They offer context that might otherwise be challenging to grasp. 
• Quality Reading Material: Graphic novels feature exciting plots, dynamic characters, and conflicts. The only difference is the addition of images that support the narrative. By introducing graphic novels to your child, you ignite their imagination and creativity in new and exciting ways." 

Remember, encouraging diverse reading formats, including graphic novels, can foster strong reading habits and a lifelong love for books!  

Want to know more:  

3 Ways Graphic Novels Benefit Reading Skills | Scholastic 

Parent Guide to Book Genres: Graphic Novels (scholastic.com) 10 Reasons You Should Encourage Graphic Novel Reading - Everyday Reading (everyday-reading.com)  

AccessIt 

Please bookmark our Library AccessIt (https://au.accessit.online/ORL13/) page on your family devices. This is a great place to read, find answers and discover NEW things. Available 24/7. Students will need to sign in with their OLOusername@twb.catholic.edu.au and Password to use Wheelers (eBooks), Click View (video streaming service) and Britannica (encyclopedia).  

Chess Lessons  

Lessons commenced on Tuesday morning this week and all of our spaces are currently FULL. If you would like to add your child to the waitlist, please email: Danielle.Leathart@twb.catholic.edu.au  We have a team of 10 Lourdes kids participating in the TCS Chess Tournament on Friday 26th April. We wish them all the best as they challenge players from other schools across the Toowoomba Diocese.  

Book Club  

Issue Three catalogues have now been handed out. Please place all orders via LOOP by COB April 30th 2024. Questions about Book Club? Contact: Danielle.Leathart@twb.catholic.edu.au   

Keep Reading 

Mrs Leathart, Mrs Monte and Mrs Kemp.  

Trivia Night

Tickets can be booked via:

http://www.trybooking.com/CRDUU