Dear Families,

It is wonderful to have all our students back for the 2025 year. I would like to extend a warm welcome to our 75 prep students for 2025. For a bit of trivia, many of these children were born during the Covid 19 pandemic. I would also like to welcome the new families that have joined Lourdes in other year levels.

Change to Newsletter
This year there is a slight change to the newsletter and communication from our school and teachers.

Every even week, a newsletter will go to the community that contains information from myself, the school leadership team, and any information relevant to the whole community. This could include sport, extra-curricular activities, library, student protection, OHSC etc.

Every odd week, each year level will send home a ‘cohort newsletter’ with information/photos relevant to that year level.

We hope this new format ensures that all members of our school receive both whole school and year level related information in a timely and consistent way.

Before School Supervision
Supervision before school begins at 8.00 am. The supervised areas are:

Prep: prep playground

Years 1-4:  hall and backyard playground

Years 5-6: Holberton Street handball courts

Uniform
At our school gathering last Thursday, I spoke to the children of our theme for the year ‘We are a community’. Part of belonging to Lourdes is how we proudly wear our uniform. My message was that we wear our uniform the correct way – every day. This includes hair, shoes and earrings. Thank you for ensuring that your child/ren wears their uniform correctly each day.

School Advisory Council
The School Advisory Council is formed each year and serves the purpose of providing a crucial point of connection between the wider school community and school leadership. The OLOL SAC does not have governance responsibility or decision-making authority but supports me and the school leadership team. I am asking for expressions of interest for council members for this year. If you are interested, please email lourdes@twb.catholic.edu.au or call the school office to find out more information. Our first meeting is Tuesday February 11.

Animals on School Grounds
It is important to me that OLOL remains a safe place for all students. Please be aware that any animals being brought onto the school grounds, require prior permission. Please refrain from bringing dogs on site when dropping off/collecting children.

Growing Up Online – Parent Presentation by cyber safety expert Susan McLean – February 25
As a parent of 2 teenagers and 1 young adult, I am fully aware of the challenges parents face navigating parenting in a technology heavy world. In 2024, the P&F received a grant from Catholic School Parents Queensland. We have joined with Susan McLean from CyberSafety Solutions to work with our students in years 4-6 during the school day, followed by a parent presentation in the evening. Susan will speak to parents about the positive benefits of technology as well as what parents need to be aware of.

Please join us in the school hall at 6.00 pm for this presentation. (This presentation is not suitable for children.) You are welcome to bring parents from other schools to this night- they are very welcome.

Medication Update
As per the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Policy, if medication is required at a school level, parents are required to complete a new medical administration form each year. Forms can be collected from school admin.

I would like to finish my newsletter by thanking the parents and carers for preparing your children to return to school in such a positive way. It has been a very positive start to the school year.

Kind regards,

Bridget

Ms Bridget Trenerry
Principal

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