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Ms Angela Gilbert / Mrs Sarah Jackman
Mr Garry Birch / Mr Chris Golightly
Dear Parents
Hard to believe that we have reached the end of another school year. You just have to take a little time to wander around the school to see how well the students have progressed over a relatively short period of time. Our Preppies are confident and raring to go for Year One and of course our Year 6s most of who are slightly taller, a little anxious yet more than ready for the challenges of high school.
Upon reading report card comments, it is most rewarding to read how children have improved and developed into more responsible learners. It is now time though, to have a well-deserved break. A rest from the day-to-day routines and the daily challenges of academic endeavour and handling the various ups and downs of school life is definitely needed.
At our final assembly today, we acknowledged the time spent at OLOL by our departing Year 6 students. These assemblies are always a very special occasion filled with mixed emotions. My sincere appreciation to the Year 6 teachers for not only their time and effort in preparing the assembly but for their passion, dedication, and pastoral care of this wonderful group of kids. Finally, to all their teachers over the years, thanks to you, our Year 6 cohort a fully prepared to take the next big step in their life’s journey.
The presentation of academic awards was also conducted at today’s assembly. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the following Year 5 & 6 recipients of this year’s awards.
Serviam Award: Ellie Bennett and Jack Reimers
Academic Excellence Award:
Year 5: Jorja Pott and Cody Humphrys
Year 6: Ellie Bennett and Jay Cook
Academic Diligence Award:
Year 5: Evie Ward, Abigail Redinger, Olivia Hancock, Kaylee Sondergeld, Sophie Sondergeld, Lucy Sweeney
Year 6: Lexie King, Parker Orford, Archer Thurn, Emily Dwan, Novena Va'a, Madison Burchardt
Enhancement of Learning:
Year 5: Charlie O'Neil, Zeb Luck-Emaes, Arohamae Fatiaki, Luca Dwan, Blake Attrill, Caitlin Szabo
Year 6: Anna McKay, Lilah Hanna, Rebecca Wormald, Gianna Coppola, Ruby Zoet, Charlie Luetchford
The Arts:
Year 5: Mikayla Brasher and Harry Ryan
Year 6: Majella Ford, Jay Cook
Athlete of the Year: Madison Burchardt and Hayden Lobwein
We will have another opportunity to recognise the achievements of all students in Year 6 at next week’s Graduation Mass which officially marks the end of their primary schooling and enables the school community to congratulate them on their many achievements during their time here at Lourdes.
I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere appreciation once again to our teachers and support staff for the supreme effort you all put into making OLOL a very special place. The ongoing success of the school can be contributed to the team approach and your willingness to do that little extra for the students under your care. Thank you.
Thank you as well to all our parents for your continued support of our school. The building and maintaining of positive relationships with the teachers make a big difference. We really do appreciate all the assistance and look forward to renewing the strong partnership in 2023.
A special mention must go out to all the families who sadly end their time at OLOL. Over the years many of you have been ardent supporters of the school and have effectively contributed to the building of a strong and positive school culture. For that, I am most grateful and hope you leave us with many treasured memories.
To Fr. Quinlan and the parish community, your ongoing support and guidance have again been well received. The strong relationship which exists between the school and parish also contributes to the ongoing success of both communities. Thank you.
Additional Year 1 Class
I am most pleased to announce that we have received approval to create an additional Year 1 class in 2023. This new class will enable us to significantly reduce the student/teacher ratio for this cohort of children. The class will be temporarily located in the demountable buildings next to the existing Year One rooms. They will relocate into their brand new rooms in Term 2. Mrs. Laura Byrnes will move from her current role as STEM teacher to full-time teaching on Year 1. This was the first year we introduced specialist STEM classes and Laura has done an admirable job in planning, preparing, teaching, and assessing STEM lessons across all year levels. Laura, however, is most excited about the newly created position. Congratulations Laura!
Farewells
After 12 years of dedicated service to the Lourdes community, we bid a sad farewell to the great Mr. Larry Lee. Larry has been a tremendous teacher, coach, colleague, and true friend to many. I often speak about the importance of establishing a legacy during your career. Larry has certainly achieved this and his contribution to our school will be long remembered. On behalf of the OLOL school community, I extend our sincerest appreciation and best wishes to Larry and his wife Maryanne, as they embark on their new teaching positions in Brisbane.
Sadly, we will also be saying goodbye to our wonderful Prep teacher Mrs. Llyod-Jones. Tab’s dedication and genuine love of teaching young children will be sorely missed. I extend our combined well wishes in her new role at Downlands College. Thank you Tab for all you have done throughout the year.
Mr. Will Wigan has endeared himself to the students and staff this year. Will finishes his time as P.E. teacher at Lourdes next week. We have appreciated his willingness to take on this position, whilst still completing his studies in education. Thank you Will for all the extra opportunities you have provided the students, some of which in your own time. Best of luck with your ongoing study and we would love to see you back here at OLOL in the near future.
And for a person who has had more farewells than John Farnham, a massive thank you to our fabulous learning support teacher, Mrs. Maria Kehoe. Maria has been an integral part of the ongoing success of the school. Her devotion and expertise in providing targeted support to children throughout her career are unsurpassed. Maria retired three years ago, only to be called back like Alfie Langer to help out for two more years. Thank you Maria.
New Teachers
I extend a very warm welcome to the following people who will be joining the Lourdes team in the new year.
After five years of teaching experience at St. Joseph’s school in Chinchilla, Miss. Jessica Tully is very excited about teaching here in 2023. Jessica will be teaching Year 4 next year and yesterday spent some time here getting to know the staff, students and surroundings. I’m sure you will join me in providing a very warm welcome to Miss Tully in the new year.
As mentioned in a previous newsletter, our new full-time learning support teacher is Mr. Michael Cash. Michael joins the team after a highly successful time as Principal of St. Francis de Sales in Clifton and St. Thomas More’s here in Toowoomba. Michael’s wealth of experience and passion for learning support will be of great benefit to the students, staff and families of OLOL. Welcome back Cashy!
Mrs. Kara Wann will take over the PE teaching responsibilities next year. Kara is well known to the students and staff as she has been one of our regular supply teachers over the past couple of years. Kara joins us from Mater Dei where she has been teaching PE for the past 12 months. Great to have you with us Kara.
We are currently in the middle of a recruitment process for a vacant Year 5 position and hopefully will be in a position to inform families of the successful applicant by the end of next week.
With Mrs Byrnes moving to a full-time teaching role in Year 1, a part-time STEM teacher to take over this specialist role in 2023, will be announced in the near future.
Swimming Carnival
Our annual swimming carnival will be held on Wednesday 30th November for all students in Grades 3 to 6 at the Glennie Pool. All students need to be dropped directly to the Glennie Pool by 8:30 a.m. and collected from the pool by 3:00 p.m. Mrs. Wigan has forwarded home information about the carnival It is expected that all students attend the carnival and compete in at least one event. Please take the time to read all necessary information so you are fully informed of the program and requirements. Students are to wear their sporting house shirts or sports uniform.
Outstanding School Fees – URGENT
It is most important that your prompt attention to ensure all outstanding school fee invoices are paid by the end of school term. This is an extremely busy time of year and chasing up overdue accounts draws precious time and effort away from other school initiatives and activities. The school too, has many financial commitments to fulfill by the end of the year and over the school holidays. Your support in paying your fees and levies in full will greatly assist the school to continue to provide and upgrade school and classroom resources.
We have once again strived to keep our fees and levies to an absolute minimum with only a 4% increase. 2023 school fees and levies are as follows: -
2023 Booklists
Details of 2023 booklist requirements will be provided to all families next week via email. For whatever reason you do not receive on, please contact the school. Once again, Browns Bookstore is providing a great service to the families of OLOL. Please ensure that you utilize this service. Not only does it take the headache out of shopping around for individual items, but it ensures all children in a particular year level have exactly what is needed for the new school year. Students who do not have the necessary items or bring along different books, stationery etc., are placed at a disadvantage and can prove very frustrating for teachers.
Books & Stationary Drop Off
On Thursday 19th January, parents are invited to drop book list items off if they wish to their children’s classrooms from 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Due to the amount of professional development sessions during the pupil free days, this will be the only time available for parents to drop off these items prior to the commencement of the school year.
Uniform
A reminder to please consult the school’s uniform policy prior to purchasing any new items over the upcoming holidays, especially joggers for which are to be worn on Phys. Ed. Days and every Friday. All uniform requirements can be found on the website. Please pay particular attention to... Fluro/brightly coloured shoes or laces are not permitted.
Also, please note that the boys are required to wear short navy blue socks with their summer formal uniform…. not white.
Your assistance and co-operation in abiding by school rules and policies will be greatly appreciated.
End of Year Mass
Our school year will conclude with our traditional end of year Thanksgiving Mass. This special celebration will be held in the hall at 12:00 p.m. on Friday 2nd December. All parents and friends of the school are cordially invited to attend. Parents may wish to take or organise for their child to be collected from school following the Mass.
Class Placements 2023
Classes for 2023 are now finalized. All families will be notified of which class their child is in during the last week of term. Placement of students in classes involves input from their current teachers, Learning Support Teachers and school leadership team members. Several considerations are taken into account, the main one being an individual student’s academic interests and level of support. Other factors include a balance of boys to girls in each class, number of students requiring additional support, friendship groups and best fit for positive relationships within the classroom. Consequently, no further changes to the classes will be made.
2023 Classes
Prep W Mrs. Liz Wagner (Mon-Thurs) & Mrs. Loretta Simmons (Friday)
Prep H Mrs. Melita Hohn
Year 1M Mrs. Jenny McDonald
Year 1B Mrs. Laura Byrnes
Year 1T Mrs. Dennielle Taylor
Year 2G Miss. Angela Gilbert
Year 2B Mrs. Angela Burchardt
Year 2D Mrs. Sarah Davis
Year 3GB Mr. Garry Birch & Mrs. Sarah Goldthorpe
Year 3L Miss Demi Lawry
Year 3G Mrs. Toni Gilmore
Year 4L Mrs. Suzanne Lasserre
Year 4V Mrs. Aleisha Verdon
Year 4T Miss Jessica Tully
Year 5M Mrs. Emily McKay
Year 5P Miss Jessica Packer
Year 5 To be advised
Year 6M Mrs. Kylie McKenzie
Year 6C Mrs. Shauna Coren
Year 6F Mr. Tim Franzmann
A complete list of school staff will be included in the school calendar which will be distributed during the first week of term and will also appear in the first edition of the newsletter in 2023.
School Office Hours
The school’s office will be open over the school holiday period from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm, however, will close for Christmas at 2:30 pm on Wednesday 15th December, re-opening on Wednesday 4th January 2023 from 9:00 am.
Normal office hours, 8:00am - 3:30pm, will resume with the commencement of the 2023 school year at our new location. The new office Reception will be accessed from the school side only.
The first day of school for the students in 2023 is Tuesday 24th January.
As this is the final newsletter of the year, I take this opportunity to wish you all a very safe and happy Christmas. Thank you for your patience during the construction. Your continued support of what we strive to do here at OLOL is always valued and trust we can go on to bigger and better things in the new year.
Thanks for reading….
Chris
Mr Chris Golightly
Principal
Admin Office Hours
Christmas Holidays
Our Admin Office will be open over the school holiday period from 9:00am to 2:30pm, however, we will close for Christmas at 2:30pm on Wednesday 15th December, re-opening Wednesday 4th January 2023 from 9:00am.
Normal office hours 8:00am - 3:30pm will resume with the commencement of the 2023 school year.
Prep 2024 Enrolments
Enrolments for Prep 2024 are underway and we request that any current families who have siblings looking to enter Prep in 2024 (children born 01 July 2018 to 30 June 2019), if you have not already done so, would you please complete and submit your enrolment form as soon as possible. This will greatly assist us with our number allocations of new families looking at joining our school family and community.
Enrolment forms can be found under the 'For Parents' tab on our website Our Lady of Lourdes Primary (ololtwb.catholic.edu.au)
If you have any questions or require further information, please email enrolments at enrolments@ololtwb.catholic.edu.au or phone us on 4591 1200
Thank you
Hazel & Carla
The Admin Team
Another Successful Year
Unbelievably, this is the last newsletter for 2023. As with previous years, the teaching and learning of all learning areas, with a focus on the traits of a learner and a global citizen, has continued to enrich the lives of our young Lourdes Learners.
I commend the work of our tremendous teachers and support staff who have positively engaged with professional development opportunities for the benefit of our learners. The learnings taken from various seminars and workshops, particularly with writing improvement, has resulted in positive growth across the school.
Teaching practices that engage students and provide them with tools to learn and think, has been beneficial to learning at Lourdes. This has been due to our involvement with the Reading Improvement Strategy, the Lighthouse Numeracy Project, and the Writing Improvement Strategy. Our staff have benefited from new strategies that maximise learning and this has not only benefited the staff and their professional learning, but also our Lourdes Learners.
Teachers have supported each other in professional learning teams to focus on and improve student outcomes. Next year, our professional learning journey will involve consolidation and mastery over high impact strategies that ensure a quality education for learning and life.
Reports
It is this time of year I usually write an explanation about the upcoming report cards that will be distributed in the last week of term. You will be able to view your child’s report card via the Sentral Parent Portal. As it was for Semester One, printed copies of the report card will not be sent home.
This semester for each of our students, teachers have been gathering evidence of learning for each learning area to make informed judgements about what students know, understand and can do. Teachers will have gathered and analysed evidence of learning to provide a formal report on where students are at compared to the end of year level achievement standard.
Below are definitions of the grades you will see on your child’s report card. You will also see English and Mathematics comments which reflect your child’s success in learning and focus areas to enhance learning. An effort grade will also be provided.
The 'C' result in any learning area subject is the expected result. For further clarification, the following list provides definitions of other key terms you will read in the report card:
Evidence- a range of information that teachers collect including data, work samples, digital media, teacher notes, formal assessment tasks.
Typically- allows for those students who may not have displayed this during a particular assessment task, but it is evident in their work with the frequency required within this grade. There are a range of opportunities provided to demonstrate student learning to obtain the reported grade and is not limited to one test or one assignment.
Conceptual Understanding- a connected web of knowledge, rich in relationships and understanding and must be learned by thoughtful, mental activity
Sophistication- employing advanced or refined concepts
Skills- these are often what students need to be able to do, for example, creating texts, asking questions, re-reading and editing, summarising, counting etc.
Transfer- the ability of a student to take their current knowledge, skills and understandings and apply this to a new scenario and/or different context; the ability to think about their thinking (metacognition) and reflect on their learning and understanding
Happy Holidays
I hope everyone has a fabulous Christmas holiday and a rejuvenating break ready for another fabulous year of teaching and learning in 2023. I am looking forward to the holiday but also looking forward to next year working with new staff, new teaching teams, and new students and their families. Enjoy the festive season.
Thanks for reading.
Miranda
Miranda Murray
Assistant Principal
Faith & Religious Education News
It’s hard to believe we are nearly at the end of 2022. Today in our school hall, the Year 6 students shared their thoughts and memories about their time at OLOL –Presentations were made to academic award winners from Year 5 and 6. Congratulations to our Serviam Award Winners, Ellie Bennett and Jack Reimers.
The Year 6 Graduation Mass is on Tuesday, 29th November in the OLOL Church starting at 6:30pm. Children wear their smart formal summer uniform with black shoes to both these occasions.
Please continue to send in non-perishable items and gift cards for our St Vincent De Paul Christmas Collection. We will give these to our St Vincent De Paul Chapter at our End of Year Mass. Our St Vincent De Paul Chapter will distribute our donations amongst the less fortunate in our parish community. A big thank you to those who have already thoughtfully donated.
Our classes will be holding End of Year prayer celebrations – Please keep an eye out for classroom information on dates and times over this next week.
Our OLOL End of Year Mass is on Friday 2nd of December at 12:00 noon in our school hall. All are welcome to join us for this Mass. We will farewell our leaving teachers and announce our School Captains and Sports Captains for 2023 at this Mass.
You are welcome to take your child home after Mass on Friday 2nd December - please let your classroom teacher know.
Thank you for your support and attendance at all our Religious Celebrations during 2022.
We wish you all a happy and holy Christmas and we look forward to the renewal of 2023.
Have a great week!
Kind regards
Janice
Janice Moore
Assistant Principal Religious Education (APRE)
Prep
Christmas in Prep is going well – lots of reading, writing and filling their Christmas bag with all their activities!
Our excursion to the Blue Care and St Vincent’s nursing homes went very well. The residents loved our paintings and enjoyed our singing.
Our Christmas concert on Monday with Grades 1 and 2 was lots of fun – thank you to the families who were able to come along.
We wish you many blessings over the coming weeks and into Christmas and thank you so much for your support in 2022. Stay safe, take care and enjoy family time.
Warm Regards,
Melita, Tabitha and Liz
Year 1
Our year in grade one is almost over! What a wonderful year it has been.
The last couple of weeks have seen the year one students learning about the symbols of Christmas. When they have read about the origin of each symbol, the children have followed a procedure to make it. They will look amazing hanging on the Christmas tree.
We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our families a very merry Christmas and blessed New Year. Thank you for your support this year as the children continue being Lourdes Learners. All children experienced growth and we appreciate the time that you spent supporting your child at home.
All the best,
Jen and Ange
Year 2
In Year 2, over the next two weeks we are busy enjoying Christmas activities and finishing off outstanding assessment. We thoroughly enjoyed our Bunnings Workshop and would like to say thanks Polly for once again providing a fabulous craft activity.
The students all performed beautifully at their Christmas concert. A big thankyou to Mrs Wagner for organising such an enjoyable event. Thanks to the parents who came along to join in the fun.
We are all getting very excited about our trip to the movies to see ‘Strange World’ next week. Please remind students about making good behaviour choices so that everyone can attend. Our trip to Allstars Gymnastics is next Thursday so we all need to show our best behaviour so that we can enjoy these outings.
Please send in a piece of clothing for our fabric painting, and a Secret Santa gift if you haven’t already done so.
As the year ends, we are reflecting on the wonderful year that we have shared together, with so much learning and plenty of fun as well. Thank you for your incredible support and friendship over the year. We would like to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday. Have a lovely Christmas and we hope to see everyone next year. Happy Holidays!
Dennielle, Sarah, Aleisha
Year 3
What a great year we have had – it is hard to believe we are almost at the end! Well done to the students for their growth as learners this year and the way they have adapted to the changes in classes and rooms.
Next week, we have our end-of-term prayer at Newtown Park (weather permitting). This will be held on Monday morning at 9:00am. All are welcome to join us. Students are asked to wear their decorated Christmas shirt to school, along with their sports shorts/skirt and joggers.
Our Christmas trees are filling up with Secret Santa gifts – please send any outstanding presents in as soon as possible. They will be shared early next week.
The OLOL Swimming Carnival will be held next Wednesday, at Glennie. Please see the school newsletter for details and let your child’s teacher know as soon as possible if they will need to be walked to or from the pool if they attend before-school care or after-school care.
Next Friday, the end-of-year Mass will be held in the hall at 12:00pm. Please let your child’s teacher know if you will be collecting them after the Mass.
Don’t forget the school disco this Friday night.
Thank you for all of your support this year and we wish everybody a very happy, safe and holy Christmas break. See you next year.
Angela, Sarah, Demi and Janice
Year 4
Congratulations – another year has passed and with all that has gone on within and around the school and classrooms, this has been quite an achievement.
Please continue to send in gifts and donations for the St Vincent’s Christmas Hamper, baskets are in each classroom. Thank you for your kind donations. Children are also gifting each other through Secret Santa and these are due early next week.
A Christmas theme school disco will be held tomorrow night, Friday 25th, 5:30pm - 8:30pm.
The OLOL Swimming Carnival at Glennie, will be held next Wednesday. All details regarding the carnival and transport are in the school newsletter. Please see your class teacher if you have any further questions.
The end of year school liturgy will be held in the school hall at 12:00pm on the last Friday. Children may wish to go home after the liturgy.
Finally, thank you all for your ongoing support throughout the year, this adds much to your child’s attitude and progress. We wish you all a safe and holy Christmas.
Suzanne, Toni and Garry
Year 5
Well, it’s week 8 and we are almost at the end of 2022 and what a year it’s been! The children have been able to list many highlights and are certainly looking forward to stepping up to be the leaders of the school in 2023.
Leadership speeches were last week, and we can honestly say that we were so proud of every one of them. As we know there are only 10 positions, each student should not forget the significant role they play in the life of our school.
We are running a Secret Santa this year across the whole Year 5 cohort and gifts are due by Friday Week 8, as we have a few people heading off on early holidays. Thank you to the number of people who have already bought theirs in.
Thank you to those families that have donated something for our Christmas hamper; each class has their own basket which will be donated to St Vincent De Pauls to spread Christmas joy to those less fortunate. Your generosity is overwhelming so thank you!
Dates to Remember:
- 25th November - End of Year Disco
- 29th November – End of Year liturgy, Newtown Park at 1:30pm
- Pizza Popper Party Lunch at Newtown Park - $2 contribution
- Students will walk to park and have lunch before our Liturgy
- Parents and families are more than welcome to attend the Liturgy at 1:30pm
- 30th November - Swimming Carnival at Glennie
- 2nd December - End of Year Mass at 12:00pm
Many thanks for all your support this year and we are sure that all students are ready to take on the many adventures of Year 6. We wish you all a safe holiday and a blessed Christmas and we will see you in 2022.
God Bless,
Emily, Tim and Jess
Tim, Jess and Emily
Year 6
Look out secondary schools; here they come! What a wonderful Year 6 cohort we have had the pleasure of sharing the year with. Congratulations to all our fantastic Year 6 Lourdes Learners for the manner in which they have shown the way and set the tone for the rest of the school to follow.
Thank you, parents and guardians, for the support that you have shown us throughout the year.
Relish the final week and a half of primary school.
We sincerely wish each student and their wonderful families all the very best for the future. Enjoy a happy and holy Christmas and a brilliant 2023.
Graduation Mass
Our Graduation Mass will be held in Our Lady of Lourdes Church on Tuesday 29th November commencing at 6.30pm. Students are required to wear full formal school summer uniform to this celebration. Students need to be at school by 6:10pm. There is no restrictions on the number of attendees per family.
Fun Day
A fun day has been organised to finish off our primary school with a swim at Milne Bay Pool and pizza at the Newtown Park for Monday 28th November. Students are required to wear their sports uniform and be at school as per usual time.
Students will travel by bus to Milne Bay Aquatic Centre. Swimming attire: as per camp rules, students must wear a rashie and togs whilst at the pool. Students have the option of bringing money and buying morning tea from the pool café.
After attending the pool, students will travel by bus to Newtown Park. At the conclusion of feasting on pizza and playing games, students will walk back to school.
School Swimming Carnival
Nominations should be completed. A reminder that it is important for students to attend and add to the spirit of the carnival even if they are not swimming.
Interschool Sport
Our Year 6s played their final game of interschool sport as a representative of our great school. All the students played out of their skin as they strived to bring home the bacon in the OLOL colours for one last time.
Final Mass
Friday 2nd December at 12:00 noon. Students are free to leave with parents at the conclusion of the Mass.
Larry, Kylie and Shauna
STEM
Well, that’s a wrap for STEM 2022.
The serious problem solving has been completed and the marks have been finalised. The year 5 solar ovens were a hit, successfully making S’mores despite a somewhat overcast day. The year 6 data analysis supported their hypothesis that the vegetables would grow better in the greenhouse, and that was certainly the case looking at the plants! The year 2 transportation innovations were very elaborate and creative and the year 3 cool inventions were also amazing, with many even incorporating motors to run fans.
It has been a privilege to see students’ confidence grow, watch them collaborate to overcome challenges and observe their creativity unfold.
For the grand finale, the Prep’s have turned the Makerspace into Santa’s Workshop, there will be balloon battle-bot competitions and we’ll see if reindeer really can fly!
I hope the students have enjoyed their STEM lessons as much as I have.
Merry Christmas.
Laura
Laura Byrnes
STEM Teacher
Hello from The Hub,
We can’t quite believe that it is the end of the year. Below is an article, from LD Online, about how to support your child’s reading over a long break. It has been written with Dyslexic students in mind, however, applies to all children. We wish everybody a happy, healthy and holy Christmas, and look forward to a great 2023!
Strategies for Summer Reading for Children with Dyslexia
By: Dale S. Brown
As a parent, you play a critical role in your child's education during the summer — especially if your child has dyslexia. Without your help, kids are more likely to forget what they learned last year. A recent study estimates that summer loss for all students equals about a month of academic learning. Most likely, children with learning disabilities need even more reinforcement.
Help them remember what they learned in school. That way they can start next year caught up or ahead of the other students in their class. Bring out their natural love of learning. And encourage them to read for pleasure without the pressure they experience in the classroom.
Here are some summer strategies to help your child with dyslexia remember what they learned in school and see that reading can be useful and enjoyable:
- Give them material that motivates them to read, even though they might find it hard to do. Try comic books, directions for interesting projects, and mystery stories. Have them read information on possible activities as you plan your summer vacation. Let them decide what they want to read.
- Support them as they read. Read their book aloud to them, help them decode, and make it easy for them to get the meaning. Even if a question is asked again and again or if you feel irritated, act happy that they asked. Show them that reading is a way to find out what they need to know, or even to entertain themselves.
- Give them easy reading. Summer is supposed to be relaxed. Let them succeed and get absorbed in the book.
- When you read with them, make it your goal to enjoy the book together. You don't have to make them read perfectly! Avoid too much correction. In school next year, the teacher will help them improve their skills.
- Let younger children "pretend" to read. Read the story aloud together. Let them follow your voice. Have them look at the words as you point to them, even if they aren't actually reading. When they say the wrong word, say the word correctly and cheerfully while pointing to the word.
- Read aloud to them as you do daily chores, sightsee, or sit on the beach. Read an instruction manual with them as you try to fix something. While visiting a museum, read the interpretive materials. If you see the slightest sign they want to read aloud to you, let them!
- Model and teach persistence. When you are working on something that is hard, model the discipline and patience that you want them to show while learning to read. Teach them explicitly the value of working hard to do something challenging. Tell them inspirational stories about famous people — or members of your own family — who have overcome obstacles.
- Accommodate their dyslexia. For example, if they have to read aloud in public, have them memorize their passage ahead of time. If you give them a recipe for cooking (or any project involving written directions), be sure that it is at their reading level and that the print is large enough for them.
- Use technology. If you have a computer, equip it with software that reads aloud. Let them load books into their electronic devices and listen to them at the same time as they read the printed book in their hands.
- Use recorded books.
- Be a model of reading. Bring books to the beach and read them. If you are traveling, find a book for the whole family to read and discuss. If you are dyslexic, "read" your taped books on vacation, letting your child see you or give them their own tapes. Show and tell them how you overcome your own difficulties.
- Have reading matter conveniently available. You might carry small children's books and magazines with you and have them ready when you must wait in line for those crowded amusement park rides and popular sightseeing destinations.
The summer months are important to your child's academic development in two ways. First, they need to be reminded of what they learned during the school year so that they remember it when they return to school in January. Second, and perhaps more important, children with dyslexia can discover the joys of reading and other academic skills in the relaxed summer season. If nobody tells them they must read to do well at school, they might just pick up a book and enjoy it.
Allyson & Maria
Allyson Jessen & Maria Kehoe
Learning Support Teachers
Upcoming Dates
Week |
Date |
Event |
Venue |
Who |
8 |
NOW! |
Swimming Nominations Due |
- |
Grades 3 - 6 |
8 |
NOW! |
Friday Sport Uniforms Due |
- |
Grades 5 & 6 |
9 |
30/11/22 |
OLOL Swimming Carnival |
Glennie Aquatic Centre |
Grades 3 - 6 |
OLOL Swimming Carnival
Who: |
Grades 3 – 6 ONLY |
When: |
Wednesday 30th November 2022 |
Time: |
8:30 – 3:00pm |
Where: |
The Glennie Aquatic Centre |
Cost: |
$4.00 – To be charged to your next fee statement |
What to Bring: |
Swimwear, towel, bathing cap & underwear. House swimming caps will be provided for the children to wear during their races. These caps can be worn over the top of the child’s own cap. |
What to Wear: |
Children should come dressed in the swimwear, sports house polo shirt or house colours on the day. |
Morning Tea & Lunch: |
Students will be required to bring their own morning tea and lunch. There will also be a small canteen being run by the school P & F. Don’t forget to bring a water bottle! |
Transport: |
There will NOT be any bus travel provided. Students will need to be dropped directly to the Glennie Aquatic Centre between 8:00-8:30am. Likewise, children will need to be picked up from Glennie at approximately 2:45-3:00pm. Please utilise the drop off/ pick up zone in Vacy Street. After-School Care Students will be walked back to OLOL. Please advise your class teacher if your child needs to be walked back to school. |
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO SWIM?
The Carnival is for children in Grades 3-6 ONLY.
All students in grade 3 who are born in 2014, depending on numbers, will participate in the 2013 (9 year’s) category. However, as they are not of appropriate age, they will not be eligible for age championship points. As with Cross Country and Athletics, there will not be an age championship for these students, nor will records be kept. They will simply be participating in this carnival to provide them with a valuable experience and to gain participation house points.
HOW TO NOMINATE
A Microsoft Form has been placed on the Parent Portal for all families in Grades 3-6. You will need to complete one form for each eligible child in Grade 3-6. It is expected that all children in Grades 3-6 nominate themselves for at least one event. Less confident swimmers will be able to use a noodle or kickboard if necessary. In this case it would be best for them to nominate for the 25m Freestyle. All nominations were due by Monday 21st November. The Nominations date has been extended. Nominations can still be made via the Parent Portal. It would be greatly apprecited if late nominations could please be submitted at your earliest opportunity.
If you can not access the Parent Portal, please contact Carla in the front office for assitance.
A nomination confirmation note will be sent home this week. Please make sure you check your child’s nominations carefully; no changes will be made on the day.
CLICK HERE - SWIMMING CARNIVAL NOMINATION FORM
CARNIVAL TIMELINE
8:00-8:30 |
Students to arrive at the pool no later than 8:30am |
8:45 |
Butterfly – 100m, 25m, 50m |
9:45 |
Backstroke – 100m, 25m, 50m |
10:45 |
100m Individual Medley |
11:15 |
Breaststroke – 100m, 25m, 50m |
12:15 |
Freestyle – 100m, 25m, 50m |
1:45 |
Relays |
2:30 |
Presentation – if time allows |
2:45 |
Children to be collected by 2:45 from Vacy Street |
Please note: These times are approximate and may vary depending on the number of nominations in each event.
POINTS ALLOCATION
25m Events
1 point will be awarded to respective houses for each 25m swim completed. Results from 25m events will not contribute to Age Championship points.
50m, 100m and Individual Medley Events
The following points will be awarded to respective houses and individual age championship tallies following all 50m, 100m and Individual Medley Events:
1st Place – 10 Points (Blue Ribbon), 2nd Place – 6 points (Red Ribbon), 3rd Place – 4 Points (Green Ribbon), 4th Place – 2 Points (Yellow Ribbon) and 5th – 10th Place – 2 Points
Where there is more than one heat, points and ribbons will be awarded to the fastest swimmers overall.
LEGAL STROKE ACTIONS & DISQUALIFICATIONS
- In 50m and 100m events, except for the 8 years category, students will be judged and disqualified if their stroke does not meet the appropriate standard. As points gained from these events go towards age championship tallies, it is important that only legal stroke actions are awarded.
- 8 years events and all 25m events will not be judged in this way.
For further information please refer to the following website:
https://www.swimming.org.au/Assets/Rules/Swimming-Australia-Swimming-Rules.aspx
SPECTATORS
Spectators are welcome to attend the carnival.
DONATION OF AGE CHAMPIONSHIP MEDALLIONS
Thank you to the Twidale, Budden, Feurer & McGaghan Families for their generous donations of the swimming carnival medallions. Please support our local family businesses.
Your support is greatly appreciated.
CATHOLIC CARNIVAL AND WEST ZONE CARNIVAL TEAM SELECTION
In Week 2 of Term 1, 2023 (TBC), we will conduct swimming trials at the Glennie Pool to select a team to represent the school at the Catholic swimming Carnival and West Zone Swimming Carnival.
More information regarding the school swim team will be made available later.
FRIDAY INTERSCHOOL SPORT & FRIDAY NIGHT BASKETBALL UNIFORMS
Friday Inter-school sport and Friday Night Basketball has now drawn to a close. Thank You to all the staff members that trained and ran their teams each week. A special thank you to Mrs. McLean and Mr. Wigan for giving up their Friday nights to run our school basketball teams.
Please assist us by ensuring all Friday sport uniforms are returned THIS WEEK.
Please ensure that the uniforms you send back are clean and free of stains/marks where possible. It is a massive task for us to individually scrub and wash over 100 uniforms. A little tip… Gumption is excellent for removing stains on jerseys!
There are also a number of uniforms still to be returned following the Monday Touch comp and Last Term’s Catholic Netball & Touch Carnivals. Please search your child/ren’s room to ensure you don’t have nay Lourdes uniforms hidden away!
Rachel Wigan
Rachel.Wigan@twb.catholic.edu.au
Overdue Books
Despite a lot of time, effort and regular reminders, there are still a large number of outstanding loans. If an item has been lost, misplaced or damaged, please drop by the Library on a Tuesday / Wednesday or Thursday to see Mrs Leathart or Email: Danielle.Leathart@twb.catholice.edu.au. ALL Loans WERE due back by FRIDAY NOVEMEBER 18TH 2022. ALL OUTSTANDING LOANS have NOW been charged to your school fees.
Winners are GRINNERS!
Congratulations to 4G and 4L
These classes were the first group to return all their student loans for 2022.
Congratulations to 1M
This class were the BEST BOROWERS of 2022 with a grand total of 4085 books borrowed for the year. What a fantastic bunch of dedicated readers. ?
Book Club CHRISTMAS PACK WINNERS are BRONTE WELSH and LOUIS HUMPHRIES.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Please come to the Library to claim your prize.
Holiday Reading
Please check out the Lourdes Library Online Library & Information Service (accessit.online) Play a game. Follow the links to Reading Eggs, Britannica Online, Typing Tournament or perhaps try a Wheelers eBook?
Sign into Sunshine Online for a wide variety of levelled fiction or non-fiction reads.
Username: Lourdes2 Password: Lourdes123
Please check out the Town Library Libraries (tr.qld.gov.au) Be sure to book into their School Holiday programs to avoid disappointment.
Visit our local book stores The Book Tree Toowoomba :: The Book Tree Toowoomba Toowoomba | QBD Books - Australia's premier bookshop. Buy books online or in store. or Dymocks - Dymocks Toowoomba bookstore in Queensland (QLD)
And be sure to place a book or two under the Christmas Tree this year!
Remember, that your child/ren have worked hard to make fabulous progress in reading in 2022. Keeping up with 20 minutes each day over the holidays will help them maintain these skills.
Book Club
Issue 8 Orders were due on NOVEMBER 16TH 2022. We expect delivery sometime in the last week of term. Thank you so much for your support of Book Club in 2022. The books you purchase earn us points that we use to buy readers, class novel sets and supplies for your children.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas. See you in 2023.
Mrs Leathart & Mrs Monte
Danielle and Gael
It is with great sadness and yet great pride, that Mrs Sarah Kelly and I say "Farewell" to the 3 original members of our Garden Club at the end of the year. Tim, Tyler and Darius finish their time at OLOL, to head off to the next stage of their journey through life. It has been a privilege and a joy, for Sarah and I to be able to share our passion with these special boys. We have no doubt though, learnt more from them, than they from us.
We wish them well.
Jo