Dear Parents and Carers

I just did a quick calculation…. after approximately 920 newsletter articles, it is you, the truly wonderful families, staff, students and parish of Our Lady of Lourdes that will read my final one.

Apart from declining tickets to last year’s State of Origin decider this has been truly the hardest decision I have ever made. Despite the suddenness of everything, I have spent plenty of time reflecting on 12 years of memories, friendships and achievements.

Our culture here is truly unique and it does not just happen by chance. It has been created from the passion and hard work by all who love this school community as much as I do and I know that I am leaving the school in the hands of committed and passionate people. Ms Murray, Mr Franzmann and Mrs Moore will take over the reigns until the appointment of a new Principal. Their combined experience in school leadership places them in good stead to confidently lead and manage the school.

I know the hard work in building and strengthening the Lourdes culture will continue. Your faith and support in the leadership team and staff is essential for ongoing success.

As I mentioned in my letter to you, it has truly been an honour and privilege. An honour to be one of only a few to lead this great school. And…. the privilege to have the opportunity to work in partnership with staff and families to accomplish many wonderful achievements.

In reflection I turn to the words of Ilan Shamir in an extract from Advice from a Tree which was used at the official opening and blessing of the new hall, library and multipurpose room in 2012, my first year here at Lourdes. This verse has had a profound affect on me and has been a source of inspiration ever since.

Stand tall and proud

Sink your roots deeply into the earth

Reflect the light of a greater source

Think long term

Go out on a limb

Remember your place among all living beings

Embrace with joy the changing seasons

For each yields its own abundance

The energy and birth of Spring

The growth and contentment of summer

The wisdom to let go like leaves in Autumn

The rest and quiet renewal of Winter.

Let your limbs sway and dance in the breeze

Be flexible and remember your roots

Feel the wind and the sun and delight in the presence of God

And most importantly

Enjoy the view

Finally, I wish to leave you and especially the students with my own pieces of advice for the journey ahead of them…..

1. Don’t underestimate kindness. It is a gift you can give to others that is totally free and brings great rewards.
2. Celebrate your successes but avoid arrogance by remembering it’s not all about you – you are one of 8 billion people in this world.
3. Most people are too worried about themselves to be worried about the mistakes you will make or the embarrassing situations you will experience – see the funny side, don’t dwell on them be quick to move on.
4. Surround yourself with good people. If you have trouble finding living ones turn to those who have gone before us & who have led exemplary lives – you will find these in something we call books
5. Speaking of books – if you develop a love of reading your life will be enriched beyond measure – you can’t google happiness!
6. Don’t be too proud to apologize and hug your mums and dads every day.
7. These next two are for the boys…. you can judge a man by how he treats women and secondly…by the time of your next Graduation…learn how to dance…a valuable skill you will need on more than one occasion. Girls…. for when you graduate…make sure your dress has more than half a metre of material and costs less than your dad’s car.
8. Positive relationships are at the heart of most successes in life. So invest in them.
9. Accept that life isn’t fair.
10. And…. the last one…if you can only remember one of these – go with the first.

For the last time, thank you for reading. Lourdes has not only been the best part of my career but an amazing chapter in my life. And for that, I will be eternally grateful.

God bless you all.

Chris

Mr Chris Golightly
Principal

It is Week 10 and what a term we have shared. We are so proud of our fantastic Lourdes Learners.

On Friday 17^th March, the school celebrated St Patrick’s Day – getting into the green spirit, enjoying making shamrocks and sharing some great stories about how St Patrick shared the story of Jesus with the people of Ireland– we thank Year 2D for their assembly last week. So far, we have raised $700.10 for our Caritas donation.

On Thursday 23^rd of March the Year 2 students and their teachers walked to Newtown for a prayer retreat. The children have been thinking about the wonders of God’s Creation and how we all have a special role to be Stewards or caretakers of our beautiful world. We were so lucky to have a clear, fresh sunny day. We sat under the big trees in the middle of Newtown Park, listened to the bird calls, gazed at the many different colours of the leaves and bushes, touched the lush green grass and watched the many little creatures who live in world of Newtown Park.  After our Prayer reflection the children were divided into groups of 4 and sent out to collect things to make a Nature Mandala. They were given the brief to only collect things that were on the ground – leaves, petals, sticks. Once they had collected their objects, they were then asked to work together make a mandala – which is a picture with repeating patterns. The final creations were amazing. These creations were left on the ground for other park goers to see. The students then enjoyed the social aspect of the park with a play on the playground and eating little lunch together. Congratulations to the Year 2’s for their prayerful approach to meditating and creating their mandalas. Please enjoy the photos we took.

Tomorrow, we commemorate the Holy Week Story at 11 am in the school hall – This is a very important event on our Church Calendar. We will tell the story of what happened to Jesus during the last days of his life on Earth before his Resurrection on Easter Sunday. Each class has a special part to play in this story. Mr Franzmann’s 6F class will conclude this story when we return in Term 2 on Wednesday 19^th April at 2 pm. Please come along and join us for this thoughtful prayer.

At the conclusion of our Holy Week Prayer, we will have a small farewell for Mr Golightly – as he firstly goes to walk the Camino in Spain and then on his return, he will take on the new challenges of his role as one of the Senior Education Leaders in the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office. There will be other opportunities for a formal farewell for Mr Golightly later in the year, those dates are yet to be set.

Families are welcome to take their children after our Holy Week Prayer. It is important that you alert your class teacher if you choose to do this – so we can mark rolls accordingly.

Our Mother's Day Mass and Morning Tea is on Friday 12^th May at 10 am in the School Hall. All Mothers, Grandmothers and those who are like Mothers to us are welcome to join us. Organise a picture over the holidays and remember to send in your Mothers Pic to Mrs Moore – One pic per family by Friday 5^th May – Janice.Moore@twb.catholic.edu.au

Please note there are no Thursday Assemblies in Week 1 and 2 of Term 2 due to other prayer celebrations during those weeks.

ANZAC Photos

Mrs McKay is looking for photos of serving and past serving members of the military who are in the community of Our Lady of Lourdes.  Please email photos to emily.mckay@twb.catholic.edu.au by Wednesday 19th April 2023.

Dates for Your Diary

Thursday 30^th March – Holy Week Prayer – Whole School - 11:00am School Hall

Term 2

Tuesday 18^th April – First Day Term 2

Wednesday 19^th April – Resurrection Prayer 2:00pm- led by 6F – School Hall

Sunday 23^rd April – 3^rd Confirmation /First Eucharist Preparation session 10:30am – OLOL Church

Monday 24^th April – Anzac Day Ceremony - Led by Year 5- 2:00pm -School Hall

Sunday 7^th May – 4^th Confirmation/First Eucharist Preparation session 10:30am -OLOL Church

Friday 12^th May – OLOL Mother’s Day Mass and Morning Tea – 10:00am – School Hall

Monday 15^th May – Practise for Confirmation - 3:30pm OLOL Church

Tuesday 16^th May – Sacrament of Confirmation - 7:00pm OLOL Church

Thursday 18^th May – Practise for First Eucharist - 3:30pm OLOL Church

Sunday 21^st May – Sacrament of First Eucharist – 11:00am OLOL Church

Have a Blessed Easter Holiday and we look forward to seeing everyone bright eyed and bushy tailed ready for another term of wonderful learning at Our Lady of Lourdes.

Janice

Janice Moore
Assistant Principal Religious Education (APRE)