Dear Parents

This time five years ago, our school celebrated its’ 75^th anniversary in style with a 1940’s themed dinner dance and a student art display. And yes, that means that our wonderful school turned 80 this year. What a tremendous achievement and it is only right that we take some time to reflect on the service and impact our great school has had on local community and the thousands of students who have passed through the school gates since 1940. It is hard to believe that amidst the horrors and atrocities of World War II, the Ursuline Sisters along with the Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba managed to build and commence schooling for the children of the Newtown district.

Since 1940, the students who have attended OLOL have witnessed possibly the greatest period of change in history, not to mention the many wondrous achievements of humankind. Lourdes students would have prayed for a swift end to WWII and in 1945 their prayers were answered. And in 1969, students and their teachers would have gathered around in a classroom to watch, possibly on a grainy black and white television, definitely listened on the wireless, to see or hear Neil Armstrong’s famous quote…”One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” as he stepped onto the moon. A feat, just a few years earlier people thought was just science fiction. Since our school started, students and teachers have come together to witness greatness in 18 Olympic Games from London in 1948 to Rio in 2016 and next Tuesday as they have done every year along with the rest of the nation, cheer along to their 81^st Melbourne Cup.

80 years is something special and we should celebrate the multitude of achievements and give thanks to what has been a wonderful institution of care and learning within the traditions of the Catholic faith. As most Catholic schools, we remain humble of what we have done and what we will continue to do. It is easy to show off but that is not part of our make-up. However, we do remain proud and will always continue to do what is best for all who are part of our community.

The 75^th celebration was a gift that just keeps on giving…. we still have several OLOL 75^th Anniversary Cookbooks available!

Traffic Management System

To alleviate the traffic congestion during the morning drop off and afternoon pick-up times, a traffic management system has been created. Yesterday, all families should have received a hard copy of the written instructions and a site map of the school precinct with the direction of travel highlighted. Remember…. left in, left out for both car parks. For your convenience, these documents are also attached to this newsletter.

The main issue I wish to reiterate, is our genuine request for parents utilizing either Stop, Drop, and Go zone, to delay your afternoon pick up time until after 3:00 p.m. The children are supervised every afternoon until 3:30 p.m. There is no need for parents to arrive at the Stop, Drop & Go zones prior to 3:00 p.m. This practice is the major contributing factor to traffic congestion in the afternoons.

As mentioned in my letter, we will closely monitor the flow of traffic over the next week. We really would appreciate that all parents and carers closely follow the new direction of travel when utilizing either the Church or main carparks. I would also greatly appreciate it if you could pass these instructions to grandparents or other people who may collect your children from school.

Not only will this system help create a more efficient traffic flow but most importantly a much safer environment for all members of the School and Parish community. I thank you in advance for your ongoing co-operation and patience.

End of Term Events

Even though we have endeavoured to conduct as many events as possible for the kids which were not able to be held earlier in the year due to the lockdown and COVID 19 restrictions, some of our traditional end of year activities will continue to entail restrictions of some sort. Please take the time to note the following changes. 

1. The Final Assembly will be held on Thursday 19^th November at 2:00pm. Attendees for this event are limited to parents of Year 6 students and parents of Year 5 students receiving academic awards only. 

2. Prep Orientation morning will be held on Tuesday 24^th November from 9:00 to 10:00am. Parents of 2021 Preppies are cordially invited to attend an information session in the hall during this time. 

3. Due to difficulty to keep the number of people down, we have had to limit the Christmas Concert to our Preppies only. This concert will be held on Monday 30^th November at 2:00pm. in the hall. Unfortunately, our Year 1-4’s will not be involved in a Christmas Concert this year. 

4. Our annual Year 6 Graduation Mass will be held on Monday 1^st December at 6:30pm. Due to the restrictions, this very special event will be held in the hall instead of the Church. Attendees are limited to two adults per Year 6 student. 

5. The Swimming Carnival will be held on Wednesday 2^nd December at the Glennie Pool. Unfortunately, no spectators are permitted at this event. 

6. Our End of Year Thanksgiving Mass will go ahead on the last day of term, Friday 4^th December at 12:00pm. Unfortunately, attendance is restricted to students and staff only. Students can be collected from school following the conclusion of the Mass.

Cross Country Carnival

Fingers crossed for a window of fine weather on Friday so our cross-country carnival can go ahead. Lourdes should set up a contract with the Farmers’ Federation as every time we set an outdoor event…it rains!! Please take the time to read the information that has been in the last couple of newsletters. Spectators are welcome but must remain on the outside of the course at Newtown Park. No spectators are permitted inside the course or anywhere near the start/finish line where the students will be under their respective house shade tents.  Good luck to all competitors!

Tuckshop

Due to the cross-country carnival, lunch orders only for Tuckshop this Friday. All students will need to bring their own morning tea.

2021 Classes

Over the next few weeks, we will be going through the process of creating class lists for the 2021 school year. The first stage is that the teachers of the current year level come together to commence a draft list. Consideration is given to a balance of girls and boys, a balance of learning styles, matching learning styles and requirements to teacher strengths and friendship groups. These draft lists are then provided to our learning support teacher to ensure a balance of learning styles and needs has been achieved. Ms. Murray and I then complete a final check before families are notified.

Report Cards

Semester Two report cards will be forwarded home on the second last day of Term, Thursday 3^rd December. Please inform your child’s teacher if you are planning on heading away on holiday earlier than this date so a report card can be prepared earlier if possible. Alternatively, we can arrange for the report card to be collected from school at a letter date or posted to your home address.

World Teachers' Day

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our teaching staff a very happy World Teachers’ Day for this Friday. I believe it is the most important profession and without great teachers we would not have great leaders, nurses, tradespeople, doctors, scientists etc, and not to mention future great teachers! Teaching is a vocation with immense responsibility but one that tremendously fulfilling. Congratulations to all our OLOL teachers on the magnificent work they do each and every day.

Volunteers Morning Tea

Even though we have been limited this year in requiring voluntary assistance, many of our daily and weekly programs and services would not be possible without the wonderful assistance of parent volunteers. Whether it be in the tuckshop, classroom assistance with reading, gross motor programs, etc., your help is highly valued, and the children greatly benefit from your involvement. As a small gesture of appreciation, I extend an invitation to anyone who has volunteered their time here at school in one capacity or another to join with me at our annual Volunteers Morning Tea on Tuesday 10^th November at 10:00am. in the hall.

School Fees

Just a reminder to ensure that you are fully up to date with the payment of this year’s school fees by the end of the term. Chasing outstanding fees owed at the end of the year is a very time consuming exercise and places the school at a financial disadvantage when attempting to carry our building and ground maintenance as well as affecting our ability to purchase much needed resources for 2021. Your co-operation and support in the timely payment of fees and levies is always greatly appreciated.

Thanks for reading

Chris