Dear Families,

There have been two wonderful community events this past fortnight. On Monday, St Patrick’s day, everyone wore their best green to raise money for Caritas. Thank you for supporting this. Saturday was the OLOL race day, held at Clifford Park. I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the race day committee, who gave their time and commitment to provide a fantastic school event. I would also like to thank all parents who bought raffle tickets, race day tickets or provided sponsorship through their business.  It is community events like these, that make Lourdes such a great place for all our students and families.

School Photos New Date

Due to the concern regarding Cyclone Alfred, the school photos will now be taken on Monday April 28. This is Week 2 of next term. Students will wear their summer uniform for these photos.

Staffing

Welcome to Carol Dennis who will be teaching 1T for the remainder of Semester One, while Mrs Dennielle Taylor is on leave. Carol is a very experienced teacher with a passion and expert skill set for teaching the early years.

Keeping Everyone Safe Around Lourdes

Please note some points below, regarding parking near the school:

• Parking on nature strips is not permitted. To respect the residences close to Lourdes, please observe the Toowoomba Regional Council rules by parking in the correct way.
• Disability parking spots are only for people who hold a ‘disability parking permit’. Please do not use these car spaces in the church or Kindy car park.

Thank You

The decision to close school for two days at the end of Week 6, was not something we were anticipating would happen this year. I would like to thank you all for your understanding and responding to the communication so well.

We have just over two weeks left of Term 2. I look forward to seeing many of you around the school, at the Parent Teacher interviews.

Bridget

Ms Bridget Trenerry
Principal

Upcoming Events

Parent Teacher Interviews

The registration window to book a time for Parent Teacher Interviews via the Parent Portal has now closed. Depending on your child’s teacher availability, the interviews will be held on Monday and Tuesday in Week 9 and Tuesday in Week 10.

These interviews are a valuable opportunity to discuss your child’s learning progress, goals, behaviour, study habits, learning support plans, along with how your child is displaying the traits of a Lourdes Learner and living the Lourdes Way.

Not only is it a time for parents to gain an insight into their child’s day at school but it is a wonderful opportunity for teachers to learn more about their students from parents. Collaborative discussions with a focus on continual improvement and growth will be most beneficial for teachers, parents and ultimately our students.

Interviews are scheduled for 15 minute sessions. We ask that teachers and parents are respectful of these times to ensure that interviews run to time. If 15 minutes have passed and you still have items to discuss, please arrange another mutually agreeable time.

To respect the privacy of all, and to minimise interruptions during these interviews, we ask that parents wait in the following locations. Teachers then will be able to welcome you in once previous interviews are completed:

• Prep to Year 4 classes will have chairs placed outside classrooms for parents to sit.
• Year 5 parents please wait in the general learning classroom located between the Art Room and the 5MG classroom. To access, use the stairs outside of the main Admin entry and enter via the upstairs Art room door.
• Year 6C parents chairs will be placed in the undercover eating area.
• Year 6M parents chairs will be placed on the handball courts.

Lourdes Learners and the Learning Pit

You may hear us talk about being Lourdes Learners and our focus on the traits of a learner and a global citizen. A common reference in classrooms is the Learning Pit and seeing failure as an opportunity to grow. We challenge each other at Lourdes to check our thinking and tell ourselves some of these effective mantras to help our learning:

“My effort and attitude determine my abilities”

“I can learn anything I put my mind to.”

“Mistakes help my brain grow.”

“I will have a go and try new things.”

“I will not give up when I am in the Learning Pit.”

“What are some strategies I can use to help me get out of the pit?”

“I can learn from others’ thoughts and problem-solving strategies.”

The way we think is vital to whether we succeed or not and whether we learn or not. Students learn best when they think about the concepts they are learning about and use strategies, dispositions and a positive belief about themselves as a learner to overcome challenges.

The Learning Pit was created by James Nottingham as a model to help students understand and articulate their learning process, especially when they encounter challenges. The concept encourages resilience, a growth mindset, curiosity, and criticial thinking skills.

The idea is that when learners face difficulties, they enter the "pit" which is where they struggle and feel challenged. However, this struggle is essential for deep learning and understanding. As they work through the challenges, they eventually emerge from the pit with a better grasp of the concept and a sense of accomplishment

Practising strategies to think, retrieve knowledge and use or apply that knowledge helps make learning stick. Simply asking your child what they learnt when reading today or what they learnt in Maths, helps them think about the learning and retrieve knowledge. This strengthens learning. If they discuss challenges, ask what strategies they have already tried to help them get out of the ‘learning pit’.

The Learning Pit – Adapted from James Nottigham

Thanks for reading,

Miranda

Miranda Murray
Assistant Principal

Confirmation and First Eucharist Preparation

The third preparation meeting for our Confirmation and First Eucharist participants is on Sunday 23^rdMarch at 10:45am in the OLOL Church. Please ensure that you have completed Topic 2 as a family before coming to this preparation session. Confirmation of your chosen “Confirmation name” and sponsor are also due.  If you have any questions, or queries please direct them to the Parish Office – Office hours are: 9:00am – 1:00pm weekdays

Email: ourladyoflourdesparish@twb.catholic.org.au Telephone contact: 46 34 1453.  

St Patrick’s Day

It’s was St Patrick’s Day last Monday 17^th March –We celebrated with a “Wear Green and Orange coloured clothes” Day. St Patrick is the patron Saint of Ireland – Many of the early settlers, catholic priests, nuns and brothers who came to Australia were from Ireland. These priests, nuns and brothers were the teachers who taught the Catholic Faith in the early catholic schools around Australia. We honour St Patrick by remembering his special day. St Patrick taught the people of Ireland about the Trinity – the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit by using a clover leaf – 3 leaves on one stem. Just like we believe the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit are one.   

We raised some more money for the Caritas Lenten Appeal. Our Pancake Day on Shrove Tuesday raised $870.70 which was a great start to our Caritas Appeal.  Each Friday is “50c Friday” for Lent – every little bit helps those in need.  

Assembly

We thank the classes who have shared their thoughtful assemblies about being a community and being kind over the last couple of weeks. Tomorrow, 4V will share their assembly. 

 N.B. Assemblies start at 2:15pm.

Please note there is no Assembly in Week 9 due to the swimming commitments.  

Holy Week Prayer

We have our whole school Holy Week Stations of the Cross Prayer at 11:15am on Friday 4^th April in the OLOL hall.  

Please come along to pray with us.  

If you choose to take your children home after this prayer commemoration – please alert your class teacher rather than the office, so that rolls can be recorded accurately. 

Mothers Day Photos

Calling for photos of Mothers and their Children for our Mother’s Day Mass (Thursday 8^th  May 10am) 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 2^nd  May.  

Diary Dates 

Term 1  

Friday 4^th April – Whole School Holy Week Stations of the Cross Prayer- 11:15am OLOL School Hall  

Term 2   

Tuesday 22^nd April – Pupil Free Day  

Wednesday 23^rd  April – Term 2 begins 

Thursday 24^th April – OLOL Anzac Day Reflection 2:15pm – OLOL Hall – Led by Year 5         

Wednesday   30^th April – This will be the fourth Confirmation/First Eucharist Preparation Workshop at 3:30pm in OLOL Church   

Thursday 8^th  May – OLOL Mother’s Day Mass 10:00am and Morning tea – Mother's Day Photos sent to Mrs Moore by 2nd May 2025.  So we can cater for our visitors – please fill in this simple form by Monday 5th May 2025.  

https://forms.office.com/r/fKGevTT8DE

Monday 12^th May – Practise for Confirmation Sacrament 3:30pm in OLOL Church  

Tuesday 13th May- Sacrament of Confirmation 7:00pm OLOL Church   

Thursday 15th  May – Practise for First Eucharist Sacrament 3:30pm in the OLOL Church  

Sunday 18^th May –Sacrament for First Eucharist – 11:30am OLOL Church  

Have a blessed week! 

Janice

Janice Moore
Assistant Principal Mission and Identity

(APMI)

Upcoming Dates

Please note information has been emailed to all relevant preferred contacts regarding the following activities:

• Yr1-6 OLOL Swimming Lessons at Glennie Aquatic Centre
• Catholic Schools Yr4 T-Ball Gala Day
• OLOL Cross Country

If any of these activities are relevant to your child, please ensure you give permission for them to participate via the Parent Portal

Term 1 OLOL Swimming Lessons – Yr1-6

Lesson Times – Subject to Change:

Inter School Sport Information

The final round of Term 1 Inter School Sport will be held on Friday Week 8. Draws will be advertised on either the Wednesday or Thursday of Week 8. All information is the same as previous rounds however students who competed in OLOL jerseys for AFL and Touch Football, will be required to return their playing uniform immediately after the last game.

Congratulations

Well done to the 7 seven swimmers (Hollie, Ashlee, Millicent, Bronte, Sophie, Charlotte, and Evie) who represented West Zone at the DDSS Swimming Carnival. A special congratulations to Sophie Hancock who is the first student from OLOL to gain Darling Downs selection in 2025. Sophie was selected in the U10 50m Backstroke and team relay events and will now participate at the upcoming State Championships.

Congratulations to Zoe McGaghan who was selected in the West Zone Netball team. We wish her all the best at the upcoming DDSS U12 Netball trials

Cross Country Training

Please Note: Students are to be dropped off at the park at 7:20am. Please ensure that you walk your child to the meeting place and check them in with a staff member present. Following training, all students will walk back to school as a group with supervising teachers.

OLOL P-6 Cross Country  

Date:     Wednesday 2 April

Venue: Newtown Park

Travel: Students will walk to and from Newtown Park in class groups.

Event Timetable & Formats

9:00am Prep - Grade 2 Fun Run

10:00am Grade 3-6 Competitive Cross-Country Event

Catholic Schools Yr4 T-Ball Gala Day

• Participants: OLOL Yr 4 Students (students will be randomly selected into teams)
• Date: Tuesday 1 April
• Time: 8:30-1.00pm
• Venue: Kearney’s Spring
• Transport: Students will travel to and from the venue by bus.
• Uniform: OLOL Sports uniform including OLOL hat and suitable footwear.
• What to Bring: Morning tea, snacks, water bottle (No canteen available)

 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 2013, 2014 or 2015. Strict nomination requirements apply, and it is at the sole discretion of the school to decide whether to nominate individual students. OLOL will also host trials for sports which have multiple students seeking to nominate to attend the TPSS or DDSS trials. All trials will be advertised by email to parents, on assembly and in PE lessons, and posted on the Sports Board outside the Hall.

     *Please note that the dates below are subject to change.

Concerns and Questions

If you have any future questions or concerns, always feel free to contact me. I am very keen to ensure the high level of communication previously delivered by Rachel continues and students are given every possible opportunity to play, enjoy, and learn in a friendly, safe, positive, and inclusive environment. Please note that I do not work at OLOL on Mondays except for occasional Sporting School lessons, however I am still available to be contacted to ensure I can support and assist in any way possible.

Richard Dugdale
PE Teacher

richard.dugdale2@twb.catholic.edu.au

Top 10 ways to be a Better Reader!

Happy St. Partick’s Day

St. Patrick's Day, celebrated annually on March 17th, honours St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. This festive day is marked at Lourdes with a free dress day and the children looked wonderful on Monday in all their green and they have the opportunity to learn more about St Patick via the Learn More: St. Partick’s Day via AccessIt. Check out our display in the library!

Harmony Week 2025

Harmony Week, celebrated from March 17 to 23, 2025, is a significant event that highlights the importance of inclusivity, respect, and a sense of belonging for everyone. It provides an opportunity to celebrate rich cultural diversity at Lourdes and promotes the message that "everyone belongs". By participating in Harmony Week activities, communities can foster understanding, empathy, and unity among people from different backgrounds. For more information, you can visit the Harmony Week - Everyone belongs or check out the video all about it on AccessIt (logon required to watch ClickView).

AccessIt

Did you know you can access our Library Catalogue any place, anytime! Scan the QR Code below or go to https://au.accessit.online/ORL13. Check out the link to Wheelers eBooks for great new titles, delivered straight to your device. Students will need their school email address and password to access titles.

Library Opening Times

Chess

Chess Lessons continue this week. Please remind your children that Chess is a game of strategy and concentration, and thus quiet participation is expected when they attend lessons. Any questions or concerns please contact: Danielle.Leathart@twb.catholic.edu.au

Book Club

Issue 2 Orders have now been placed, and we expect delivery early next week. Thank you to all those families who support Book Club. Your purchases help us to earn rewards points so that we can purchase class sets and other resources for the students of Lourdes.  Please email queries about Book Club to Danielle.Leathart@twb.catholic.edu.au

Mrs Leathart, Mrs Monte and Mrs Kemp

St Ursula's College

Cobb and Co Easter Holiday Program – Virtual Reality (VR)

• Build and personalise your own cardboard VR (Virtual Reality) headset to keep
• Learn to unlock its full potential with a smartphone
• Embark on an interactive museum trail to collect materials
• Customise their headset for a one-of-a-kind experience
• While doing this the Australian School of Entrepreneurship will deliver, at the appropriate age level, their special brand of:
• Creative thinking
• Entrepreneurship
• Local problems identification, solving and planning
• Encourage our youth to be the leaders of the future

Details:

• Wednesday 9 to Friday 11 April 2025 – 4 sessions a day
• Designed for ages 5-12, but all ages are welcome
• Other sessions are available for older children and adults (12+)
• BYO own smartphone or use a parent/guardian’s phone for the session
• $15 per child, which includes workshop and museum entry

• Book online at: https://www.museum.qld.gov.au/cobb-and-co/whats-on/build-your-own-vr-headset