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Ms Angela Gilbert / Mrs Sarah Jackman
Mr Garry Birch / Mr Chris Golightly
Dear Parents & Carers
From time to time we all need little reminders of how lucky we are and how appreciative we should be of what we have. As adults, most of us have the ability to reflect on this. Just by watching the nightly news or reading the daily newspaper about the countless stories of disharmony and tragic loss across the globe, we soon realize how lucky we are. It may also just be quality time with close friends or family for our eyes to be open to what really matters but also how people, even adults can take the little things in life for granted.
Children, due to the way they see the world revolving around them regularly need reminders of how lucky they are to have what they have. Most young people by nature will at times take what other people do for them for granted. When this occurs, attitude towards others declines and as a result their ability to display appropriate behaviour and courtesy also diminishes. This poses a particular challenge for parents and teachers to constantly maintain the boundaries of permissible behaviour and the establishment of appropriate structures to ensure each child’s potential does not diminish.
Some parents and some teachers can get exhausted by the warfare of homework, bed time, lights out, morning routine, chores, manners, etiquette, study, uniform, social media, work ethic and a host of other battle grounds that can lead to the premature greying of hair! Other important adults in children lives fall into the trap of preferring to be their children’s best friend rather than their best parent.
Quite simply, children need boundaries within which to operate. If the fences are weak and undefended, young people will break through. Constantly asking them not to lean on the fence is about as useless as playing the flute and expecting the rats to follow. It only happens in fairy tales.
If a fence is weak whether it be in the home or in a school, many of our young people run the risk of crossing the boundaries of acceptable behaviour and also the risk of a missed opportunity. A weak fence tells a child that this particular expectation is not thought very important by adults...I wonder why it’s not worth defending ...I’ll give it a gentle nudge. The natural streak of inquisitiveness, when combined with a dose of cheekiness or boldness will soon realize these fences are not that strong.
However, if we take the time to build a strong fence and expectations that will withstand the odd bump, the boundaries become both known and respected. Young people generally admire strength. The teachers who are strong are the ones who are remembered with genuine fondness. Care needs to be taken not to confuse the setting of boundaries with oppressive restrictions. The strong teacher and the firm parent need not be strangers to compassion and sensitivity.
So, if your child mentions that their Teacher or Principal has been spending time of late firmly reminding classes of behavioural and academic expectations, you will know that we are just conducting some fence maintenance.
Don’t forget the power of delegating jobs around the house for your kids. School holidays provide a good opportunity to begin giving kids responsibility for jobs around the house. By doing this, you reinforce a sense of belonging, opportunity to contribute and a realization that not all things in life are handed to you on a plate. Attached is a newspaper article on this topic which was given to me by one of our teaching staff. Well worth a read!!
With all this in mind, it takes a real team effort to bring this all together whilst ensuring our students receive the best possible education. Our teaching, support staff and admin staff deserve commendation for their efforts. The support the staff deliver to the children, parents and to each other is a mark of their professionalism and dedication to their duties.
Of course, the success of so many events throughout the semester would not be possible without the support of you the parents. It is truly a great privilege to be entrusted with the education and welfare of your children. My special thanks to all parents & staff who volunteer their time. So many of you assist us in such a way that without your help we wouldn't be able to offer the standard of education, facilities, resources and opportunities which currently exist. I sincerely thank you for all that you do and for your ongoing support of the school and all who belong.
Nudgee College
The students were treated to a musical extravaganza on Tuesday. The Nudgee College instrumental and drumming band performance was a fantastic spectacle and most engaging for the students. I extend our sincerest thank you to the College for including OLOL once again on their regional tour.
Gymnastics
One of our strengths here at Lourdes is our ongoing commitment to provide our students with a variety of learning experiences and opportunities. We also endeavor to provide these at minimum or no cost to families. I also wish to acknowledge the teachers and support staff contribution, as if it wasn’t for their willingness and time to organize these activities, they just wouldn’t happen. Today, our Prep to Year 2’s travelled over to All Stars Gymnastics club for several gym sessions. From all reports the students loved the experience and hopefully sparked further interest in gymnastics or knowing the importance of remaining fit and healthy.
NAIDOC Assembly
We will conclude the semester with our annual NAIDOC assembly which will be hosted by our Yr. 3 classes. This assembly will commence at 12:00 p.m. in the hall. Parents are most welcome to take your children home after the assembly.
Building Update
With a lengthy period of fine weather, progress has stepped up. We are on track for more classes to move into their new classroom space at the beginning of next term. With continued fine weather and no further COVID or lack of materials issues, all classrooms in the Merici building and most of the new admin building will be completed by the end of August. If this timeline remains firm, it will be at this time that our Year 4 & 5 classes will move into their new classrooms and Years 1 & 3 will relocate to the temporary classroom spaces whilst demolition, refurbishment and extension of the Giabal building will occur. I commend the staff and students for their ongoing patience and co-operation during the building process. Remaining focused on the end product always helps deal with the short term issues. Please see some updated photos for your perusal.
Pupil free Day
A reminder that as indicated on the school calendar, Monday 11 July is a pupil free day. All our staff will be involved in Lourdes Learner, R.E. and new Australian Curriculum in-service and professional learning. Our after school hours and vacation care provider, TCKC, is once again offering vacation care here at the school and this includes the pupil free day.
Catholic Schools Athletics
The first major sporting event in Term 3 is the annual Catholic Schools Athletics Carnival on Friday 15th July at O’Quinn St. oval for those students selected in the school athletics squad. A training session for our younger children will be held on one afternoon during the week leading up to the carnival to provide them with some experience and confidence at running on the track Mrs. Wigan will notify families of the day as soon as possible. We are just waiting on TRC to confirm a suitable day. Notification of training sessions for older squad members will also be forwarded home soon.
I would like to wish everyone a very safe and enjoyable winter break and look forward to seeing you all back for another rewarding school term on Tuesday 12th July.
Thanks for reading…. Chris
Mr Chris Golightly
Principal
Student Report Cards
In the last newsletter, I mentioned the upcoming Academic Report that will be published to the Parent Portal. If you have not yet downloaded the Sentral for Parents app, please follow prompts to do so. To download the app, please follow the directions as per previous newsletters.
The app is not only useful for viewing academic reports, you can also report your child's absence, update personal information, and set up parent-teacher interviews etc.
It has been enjoyable reading the reports and the different ways our students are striving to be Lourdes Learners who demonstrate the traits of a leaner and global citizen. We hope you find the report provides an insight into how your child is progressing this year.
Here is an explanation of the reporting terminology you will read in your child’s upcoming report card. A student who receives a C grade has typically shown their year level achievement and the teacher has sufficient evidence of learning to assign the overall grade for that learning area. An example of the 'C' definition is below:
Evidence of the student's work typically demonstrates that the student has the targeted knowledge and
- expected conceptual understanding
- expected application of skills
- they are able to transfer the above to familiar situations
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 into a familiar or new scenario and/or different context; the ability to think
As always, if you would like more information or further clarification, please email me or your child’s teacher.
Wishing everyone a wonderful winter holiday.
Look forward to seeing you all next term.
Kind regards,
Miranda
Miranda Murray
Assistant Principal
Faith & Religious Education News
We celebrate our NAIDOC Week Assembly at 12 noon on Friday. All are welcome to attend.
Registration for the Sacrament of Reconciliation for Students from Year 3- 6 needed to be into the OLOL Parish by last Friday 17/6/2022. If anyone has any questions or queries, please contact the parish office (07 4634 1453 Weekdays 9 am – 1 pm) or email olol.parish@bigpond.com Reconciliation preparation begins in Term 3.
Sunday 17th July – 1st Reconciliation Workshop for Sacrament of Reconciliation Preparation – After 9:30 Mass (Year 3+) in OLOL Church – Morning Tea Provided
WE have a Grandparents Prayer assembly at 9 am on Wednesday 27/7/2022. Please invite your Grandparents to come along to our prayer and morning tea. Please send in 1 photo for the Grandparents Day photostory no later than Wednesday 20/7/2022 If there are any Volunteers available to help with a morning tea – please contact Mrs Moore.
Janice
Janice Moore
Assistant Principal Religious Education (APRE)
Extra-curricular Offerings for Term 3
CHESS
Chess is back in Term 3. This is the last opportunity for tour child/ren to participate in lessons this year. We do not offer Chess in Term 4. Please sign up soon as spaces are limited to 20 students. We meet each Tuesday morning, from 7:45am in Week 2 – 9, at the Library.
IntegratedSTEM
The team from IntegratedSTEM will be back in Term 3 to offer their Security Systems program each Thursday afternoon from July 28th. Collect a flyer from the office or go to www.integratedstem.com.au to register.
Mrs Leathart & Mrs Monte