Dear Parents

Last week the school underwent a School Renewal and Improvement Process (SRIP). These reviews are an important part of how Toowoomba Catholic Schools monitors and supports schools within the Diocese. The reviews are about providing schools with quality and independent feedback to help them continue to improve learning outcomes for students. Each school is reviewed every four years, providing valuable opportunities for self-reflection and improvement.

The review was conducted by an external panel made of the Director of Teaching and Learning, Manager of Teaching and Learning, two Senior Education Officers and a peer Principal over a three-day period. The review included consultation with the school community through one on one interviews where two questions were asked – “What does the school do well?” and “Where could the school do better?”

Almost all teaching, admin, support and Parish staff were interviewed, approximately forty five parents from all year levels and approximately forty five Yr 5 & 6 students were interviewed. Information was also gathered from the school’s Strategic and Annual Action Plans, Teaching and Learning plans and other sources such as NAPLAN, MySchool website and the annual School Satisfaction Surveys. So, as you can see, the review was a very extensive process.

The external review provides the school with a comprehensive report that identifies findings and offers improvement strategies for consideration, reflection and action over the next four years. The final review report will be published on the school’s website at the beginning of Term 4. I wish to thank all who took the time to be interviewed. Your comments and feedback were certainly valued and formed a substantial part of future improvement plans.  

The overwhelming number of positive commendations received and overall satisfaction of how Lourdes as a school is progressing and how happy their children are, were most rewarding to receive. The school’s academic success over the past few years is testament to the hard work of all involved and proof that we must be doing plenty right.  Of course, like all organizations, there are always areas to improve and I am pleased to report that a number of issues raised have been or will be addressed in the near future.  Next term, I will provide you with further information that will address these areas and hopefully provide you with further information and a clearer understanding of current practices and possible future action plans.

Reading through the many affirmations, it became clear there is a common thread to what the respondents were saying. The staff and Yr 5 & 6 students also agree that OLOL is a very welcoming, caring, positive and supportive school which punches well above its weight when it comes to overall performance and extra curricula opportunities. The value placed on establishing and maintaining positive relationships with all members of the school community is visible and part of what we do.

With so many pressures placed on schools, students, teachers and parents to perform up to high expectations, it is important that this is balanced and supported by a positive and nurturing environment.

Once again, thank you to all who took part in the review process. The information collated is most useful in assisting the school to improve its day to day operations and to implement effective practices that will provide the students, parents and staff with a safe, enjoyable and quality teaching and learning environment.

School Traffic

The Stop, Drop & Go zones continue to work well. The zones flow extremely well when all drivers are aware of when and where to drop kids off or to pick them up. To assist with safety, please remain patient and only let your kids out of the car when you reach the top of the line i.e. where the is teacher on duty, unless you are instructed to do otherwise. Be conscious of vehicles that may be behind you. Allowing your children to hop out of the car halfway up the line is not only dangerous, as the teacher on duty is unable to assist students who may need assistance, but more often than not, causes unnecessary traffic congestion. The best time to arrive at these zones is anytime between 3:05pm and 3:30pm. Please avoid arriving early and parking in these zones as there is no guarantee that your child will be the first one at the pickup zone.

Further to school traffic around the school precinct, can I remind all who utilize the church carpark to reverse park when parking in this area, except if you require to use the disabled parking bays. This will provide for a far safer environment when departing the carpark during the busy times of the day. Once again, please slow right down and be ever vigilant of students and conscious of where you park your car.

Church Pick Up Zone

Parents who are arriving well before the 3:00pm bell and wait at the drop, stop & go zone behind the Church are causing unnecessary congestion in the Church carpark. Please delay you pick up time to at least 3:05pm as it takes 5-10 minutes for children to reach this area in the afternoons. 

Parent Interviews

Your child’s teacher will be in contact with you regarding the timing of Semester 2’s parent/teacher interviews. Some classes have commenced interviews already, while others will conduct theirs shortly after the school holidays due to the timing of school wide testing results and camps/excursions. These interviews are vital to maintain clear communication about your child’s ongoing progress and achievements to date. These interviews are also a great opportunity for teachers to inform parents about how students are tracking and clarify any misconceptions you may have around A-E reporting or how gradings are calculated. 

Uniforms

By now all children should have the full complement of summer uniform requirements. Please consult the uniform code which is available of the website for all necessary items. Including jewellery and hair accessories. Your commitment to abiding by the uniform policy is greatly appreciated and certainly goes a long way in avoiding unnecessary issues. All parents sign an enrolment contract which clearly states your agreeance to all school policies. The upcoming holidays should provide a great opportunity for parents to ensure all uniform items including hats to be clearly named with your children full name, not just initials. This makes the returning of lost items an easier task.

Pupil Free Day

A reminder that the last day of term – Friday 18th September is a pupil free day. The teaching staff will be joining with St. Stephen’s Pittsworth and St. Anthony’s teachers for further professional development and showcasing of new initiatives in the teaching and learning of mathematics.

Year 6 Camp

Our lucky Year 6 students will be away on camp for the first week of Term 4. The students along with Mr. Lee, Mrs. Mac, Mrs. Salisbury and myself will be travelling to the Capricorn Coast and Keppel Island for the week long camp. The kids are most excited about the many activities including snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef, caving, boom netting, rock climbing and much more.  Just a reminder to all parents of Year 6 students to ensure all necessary medical and consent forms have been returned. The students will return on the Friday afternoon, however its highly likely that the teachers will remain up there for another week or so!!

Last Week of Term Events

• Monday 14th September

Speaking Festival – Hall

• Tuesday 15th September

Yr. 4 Gala Sports Day – Kearneys Spring Sporting Fields (no spectators)

Celebrating the Early Years (Under 8’s Day)

P&F Meeting @ 6:30 p.m.

• Thursday 17th September

P-2 Gymnastics

Free Dress Day – Crazy hair theme (Gold coin donation)

Juiced up Grom – healthy eating presentation - Grades 2-6 1:40 p.m. (gold coin)

Mr. Golightly’s birthday

• Friday 18^th September

Pupil Free Day 

If you are taking a break over the upcoming school holidays, please travel safely and enjoy every minute of time with your children.

Thanks for reading…….Chris