Welcome back to the start of Term 3. It was wonderful to see all our students return safe and sound from a well-deserved mid semester break. A very special welcome to a number of new students and their families. I am sure they will find the Lourdes community a very friendly and supportive place to belong. 

A very warm welcome back to Mrs Lisa Garcha who will be teaching in Year 3 for the remainder of the year and Mr Steven Shoebridge who has joined the Year 6 teaching team for the semester. Both Lisa and Steve are very excited about working closely with the students and staff. We also welcome Mrs Vanessa Pohlner as a School Officer to our staff. Vanessa is no stranger to Lourdes, being an influential member of our P&F.  

A big thank you to our staff for planning and preparing wonderful learning experiences for our Lourdes Learners. As you will read in this week's newsletter there are many amazing events upcoming this term.

Loving Life at Lourdes - Upcoming Community Events

Each new term brings with it an opportunity for students to build on previous achievements and to pay attention to areas which may need improving. The new term also presents further opportunities for our school community to build on the positive culture that exists here at OLOL. Our school strives to develop and express its own unique culture, but we cannot do this alone. We rely greatly on each of our students, staff members, and parents to actively contribute to this culture in a positive manner.  

It is important parents and staff work in partnership so children can grow in confidence as Lourdes Learners and respectful global citizens. Treating everyone with respect, attending school, being on time, wearing the correct uniform and placing a high value on learning are important values you can help instill in your child.  

The value you place on the traits of a learner and a global citizen will be the values your child holds in the future. Primary school is a crucial time to establish values, develop positive dispositions and develop an understanding of the benefits of being resilient and persisting in all endeavours. For our school to continue to operate successfully, it must be able to count on the unity of all who belong. There are many events this term that will help build on the opportunities to unite as a community and love life at Lourdes. 

Catholic Education Week 

Catholic Education Week will be celebrated across Queensland next week from 23 - 29 July. Catholic Education Week is an opportunity for all 313 Catholic schools in Queensland to celebrate and promote their distinctive mission and ethos. Catholic education strives to make a difference in the lives of those in our schools and in the wider community by challenging young people to live out the message of Jesus and to reach their full potential as compassionate, contributing, life-giving members of society. During Catholic Education Week we are reminded about our call to nurture communities of faith, hope and love. 

All are welcome to the Annual Staff & Teacher Thank-You Mass followed by morning tea at 9:30 am on Sunday 30 July. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the difference staff make in the lives of those in the school and in the wider community.  

Another annual event during Catholic Education Week is the Netball and Touch carnivals for Year 5 & 6 students. They will join other students from catholic schools to play friendly games together. 

Don’t forget Friday 28 July is a pupil free day so all staff in Toowoomba Catholic Schools can come together for professional development. 

Grandparents Day 

Next week, grandparents are invited to our prayer assembly where we will gather together. It will be a time to value the wisdom and knowledge of our grandparents and to serve them as they have served others. Grandparents are invited into classrooms after the prayer assembly and then gather for morning tea. 

Loving the Arts at Lourdes 

In Week 7 of term, we will celebrate the Arts. All are invited to our Twilight Art Exhibition on Tuesday 22 August from 5:00pm. Along with the exhibited student artwork, there will be choir and drama performances.  If there are any artists in our community who would like to donate and auction off one of their pieces of art for the benefit of the school, please let me know. Likewise, if there are any artists who would like to have a stall and interact with attendees, please let me know.  

On Wednesday 23 August throughout the day, there will be more performances that parents will be welcome to attend. This will be a wonderful opportunity to showcase our students’ talents. More details of the exhibition and the performances on the Wednesday are to come. 

Week 7 is also our Book Week and our talented Art Teacher, Mrs Loretta Simmons is connecting her teaching of art to this year’s shortlisted books. Students will dress up as a favourite book character on Thurs 24 Aug. The children will also be involved with Readers Cup activities with Mrs Leathart, our school Librarian.

Chris’ Farewell 

On Friday of Week 9, the P&F will host Chris Golightly’s farewell dinner.  Join for a casual cocktail party at Our Lady of Lourdes School to farewell Principal Chris Golightly. Cost is $20 a head – this includes a cocktail dinner. Our fully stocked bar will be operating and live music by current school parent Harna & her Dad. Friday 8 September 2023 6:30 PM - 11:30 PM at school. This will be a great night. https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1079883 

Prayer Assembly and Whole School Mass 

All are welcome to come to the Church for Mary Mackillop Feast Day Prayer 10:00am (Prep-3) on Tues 8 August and the Feast of the Assumption Mass 10:00am (Yrs 3-6) on Tues 15 August.  For all our Dads, please keep the Fathers’ Day Mass followed by a sausage sizzle at 10:00am on Thursday 31 August. 

The events mentioned above are just some of the varied occasions we can unite as a community. We value opportunities to make sure students, parents, and staff feel like they belong to Lourdes and can contribute to its positive culture. Of course, these events don’t happen by chance and I thank all staff and parent volunteers who make these events come to life. 

Respectful Relationships and Protective Behaviours 

Everyone has the right to be respected, to feel valued and to be treated equally. We all have a role to play in fostering respect. The Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic schools firmly believes that Student Protection is everybody’s business. The safety and wellbeing of our students is of paramount importance. 

We have Student Protection Processes and Guidelines that reflect legislative and regulatory reporting requirements and the policies of Toowoomba Catholic Schools. All staff are trained in these processes and all of our schools have at least two nominated staff members, known as Student Protection Contacts, from whom students and staff can access support and advice.  

The Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools uses the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum in our schools as a means of educating students about personal safety and protective behaviours. You may have heard your child talk of the resources or strategies they have been learning to keep themselves safe. 

There are a number of resources parents can use to educate themselves and to gain help at home. The Respectful Relationships Hub is a site with useful contacts and resources for QLD schools and parents. Click here for more information.  

Particularly important is teaching safe online habits to our youngest children. Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has developed a new package of safety resources for young children aged 5 to 8 to help build good habits when using technology and to promote positive online experiences. For parents and carers, visit esafety.gov.au/mighty-heroes. 

High Expectations for a Successful Term

I am looking forward to another productive and successful school term. Amazing efforts in learning and exemplary behaviour do not occur by accident. The pride students take in their work and how they conduct themselves is a product of great parenting and a highly effective teaching and learning environment. It takes hard work, but the fruits of our labour will be well worth it for our learners. 

Thanks for reading 

Miranda

Ms Miranda Murray
Acting Principal

Upcoming Events

Welcome back to Term 3. I hope you all have had a restful winter break. It’s been a busy start to Term 3. 

We thank the Year 4’s for their thoughtful prayer for NAIDOC Week at the end of Term 2.

Last Tuesday, our School Captains – Olivia and Michael, Ms Murray and I were privileged to attend the Installation of Bishop Ken Howell – our new Bishop of Toowoomba. It was an occasion filled with ritual, incense, singing and a wonderful gathering of clergy – Archbishops, Bishops, priests, and deacons. Bishop Ken spoke of his eagerness to meet all in the parishes and schools of the Toowoomba Diocese. Although being a Brisbane boy born and bred – he spoke of his family connections with the Darling Downs, Granite belt and Western Downs. We were lucky enough to congratulate Bishop Ken on our way into the ceremony. It was wonderful to be part of this historic event.  

It’s “Pyjama Day” tomorrow 20/7/2023 – Please join in the fun by wearing your Pyjamas and bringing a Gold coin to support the “Pyjama Angels Foundation” -This group provides volunteers who help children in care. Through a simple program known as the “Love of Learning Program”, volunteers called “Pyjama Angels” are matched with a child in care, they spend an hour per week focussing on learning-based activities, reading stories aloud, playing games, helping with homework. In this time, they demonstrate that the child is loved and valued. We have our very own Pyjama Angels – Mrs Wagner and Mrs Monte – we thank them for the time and commitment they share with the children they see.

This Sunday, 23^rd August, the parish will have the first preparation workshop, at 10:30 am, for those children (Year 3–6) who are preparing for the Sacrament of 1^st Reconciliation in the OLOL Church. The children will receive their booklets and families will complete some activities.  All those who haven’t sent in a copy of their Baptism Certificate and A5 photo to the parish – please do so as soon as possible.  

This workshop will be followed by the second parent/child information workshop on Sunday 13/8/2023 after Mass at 10:30 am in the OLOL Church. The third preparation workshop is on Sunday 27/8/2023 at 10:30 am after Mass. A practise afternoon will be on Monday 4^th September at 3:30 pm in the OLOL church. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be celebrated on Tuesday 5/9/2023 at 7 pm. Any questions or queries please contact the OLOL Parish office. (07 4634 1453 Monday – Friday 9 am - 1pm) or email  olol.parish@bigpond.com 

 Week 3 is Catholic Education Week.  We will be celebrating with a special prayer assembly led by Year 2, for our OLOL Grandparents, starting at 9:00 am on Wednesday 26/7/2023. After our prayer, Grandparents will be invited to spend some time in their grandchildren’s classrooms followed by morning tea–Please ask your children’s Grandparents to mark this day in their diaries and encourage them to come along to pray and see what is happening in our classrooms.

Please fill the simple form which was sent via the Parent Portal by Tuesday 25/7/2023– so we can estimate the number of chairs we will need to put out and what our catering needs will be.

Please send in 1 photo for the Grandparents Day Powerpoint, no later than this afternoon – Wednesday 19/7/2023.  

If there are any Volunteers available to help with our morning tea – please contact Mrs Moore ASAP.  Please note there will be no assembly on Thursday 27/7/2023. 

Bishop’s In-service Pupil Free Day will be on Friday 28/7/2023.  Teachers will be attending an In-service at St Mary’s College. Students can enjoy a long weekend.

The OLOL Parish has invited all school staff and families to attend a special “Thank you Mass” on Sunday 30/7/2023 at 9:30am. Morning tea to follow.  Donations of a plate of food welcome.

We will share a sausage sizzle with our Dads/ Grandads/Poppies– so if there are any willing sausage cookers available- please let Mrs Moore know – we will start cooking at 8:30 am.   

Last year we asked for New Sock donations for The Base Soup Kitchen. We thought we would do this again when we have our "Crazy Sock" coloured clothes day on Thursday 14th September. We ask families to donate a new pair of socks with their gold coin – The Gold coin going to Catholic Mission and Socks to The Base Soup Kitchen. The Base Soup Kitchen were so very appreciative of our thoughtfulness last year– a new pair of socks can provide a small amount of dignity to those who are suffering hard times.  Socks can be sent in at any time. Please support both these initiatives to encourage our students to be thoughtful Global Citizens for our local and global communities. 

Please note there are only assemblies in Weeks 2, 4, 7 and 10 this term.

Dates for your Diary for Term 3  

Thursday 20^th July – Pyjama Day – Gold coin Donation for “The Pyjama Angels Foundation”  

Sunday 23^rd July – First Reconciliation Preparation Workshop 10:30AM  ( Year 3 - 6) OLOL church  

Catholic Education Week – Week 3 

Wednesday 26^th July - Catholic Education Week Assembly  - Grandparents Day 9:00am – Led by Year 2 – followed by classroom visits and morning tea.

Friday 28^th  July – Bishop’s In-service Pupil Free Day  

Sunday 30^th  July - Teacher Thank you Mass - 9:30am - OLOL Church  

Tuesday 8^th August – St Mary of the Cross Mackillop Feast Day Prayer 10:00am OLOL Church – Prep – 3 Classes 

Sunday 13^th August – 2^nd Reconciliation Preparation Workshop 10:30am  OLOL Church

Tuesday 15^th August – Assumption of Mary Feast Day – 10:00am  OLOL Church – 4-6 classes 

Sunday 27^th August – 3^rd Reconciliation Preparation Workshop – 10:30am OLOL Church

Thursday 31^st August – OLOL Fathers’ Day Mass and sausage sizzle – 10:00am - OLOL Hall  

Friday 1^st  September - CTJ Pupil Free Day  

Monday 4^th September – Practice for the Sacrament of Reconciliation 3:30pm OLOL Church 

Tuesday 5^th  September – Sacrament of First Reconciliation–7:00pm OLOL Church  

Wednesday 13^th September – Celebrating the Early Years (Prep to Year 2)  

Thursday 14^th September – Crazy Sock Coloured Clothes Day – Gold coin donation for Catholic Missions and a new pair of socks for The Base Soup Kitchen.

Friday 15^th September – End of Term 3 Assembly – 12:00 noon  

Another fun filled term ahead!  

Have a great week!  Stay warm!

Cheers

Janice

Janice Moore
Assistant Principal Religious Education (APRE)

Prep

Welcome to Term 3 – we have hit the ground running and straight back into our routines!

It was lovely to hear and write about everyone’s holiday.

Each class sent home class newsletters – this gives an outline of this term’s learning and activities.

This term’s excursions are to Cobb & Co and All Stars gymnastics – you will receive information through the parent portal.

An extra this term is a visit from Queensland Health on the 9^th August to test each students vision – you will be asked for permission through the parent portal.

August is our mystery reader month – parents are invited to pop in and read their favourite story to the class. Please don’t tell your child if you’re coming in – it’s very exciting when you suddenly turn up!

Please read the complete school newsletter to gather information regarding Catholic Education Week and Book Week.

As always, our doors are always open – please see us if you are unsure of anything.

Looking forward to another great term of becoming Lourdes Learners.

Melita, Liz and Loretta

Year 1

Welcome to Term 3, and what a busy term we have ahead of us. The children have settled back into the routine of school well and are looking forward to participating in all the fun learning activities we have planned. 

On Tuesday, we celebrated 100 days of Year One. The children have been eagerly counting the days for this event and it didn’t disappoint. We decked out the classrooms with 100 balloons, had a reading corner with 100 books, practiced counting collections of 100 things, explored what $100 dollars and 100 cents looks like, and made necklaces with 100 Frootloops!

On Thursday, we will wear our PJ’s to school for Pyjama Day to raise awareness and money for the Pyjama Angels Foundation who support children in Foster Care. 1T will also lead prayer at Assembly on Thursday. All are welcome to join us.

In celebration of Grandparents Day on Wednesday of Week 3, our Grandparents will be welcomed into our classrooms to explore what learning is like in 2023.

In Maths, we began the term by recognising, classifying and making shapes. We will then practice using directional language to follow directions to places and give robots directions to move around obstacles. In English, we have started exploring different text types for different purposes - to persuade, inform or entertain. In Religion, we will study aspects of the church and learn that the church is not just a place but the people. Our Science unit this term is all about Living Things, which links in with our trip to Pilton Zoo in week 5. In HASS, we will be looking at changes that have occurred over time - specifically between the daily lives of the children compared to their parents' and grandparents' childhoods. 

Students will perform their chosen poem in Drama this term, commencing in week 3. Mrs Holzheimer has asked if you could please encourage your child to rehearse in front of a small audience at home.

A big thank you to those parents who volunteered their time during our Wednesday Work Groups last term. We really appreciate your support and the children enjoy sharing their learning with you.

We will not run a roster this term due to the number of unavoidable cancellations last term, but helpers are still most welcome to pop in any Wednesday mornings that suit.

We are patiently waiting for our move into the amazing new classrooms, and will keep you updated when we know more.

Have a great term!

Laura, Jenny and Dennielle.   

Year 2

Welcome back! It has been great to see everybody after the holidays and we extend a special welcome to Javanah in 2G and Oliver in 2B.

This term, we will continue to work with 3-digit numbers, time, mass, fractions, addition and subtraction in Maths and will extend our learning to multiplication. In English, we will be learning to conduct and present a presentation. In HASS this term, students will be exploring how technology has changed over time and, later in the term, we will be investigating sound in Science.

In their Drama lessons this term, students will get ready to perform their poems.  The students are continuing to practice the way they use their voice, face and body so they can become a character and perform their pieces.  Students should be ready to perform in class from Week 3.  This will be used as part of their assessment for Drama this semester. Students have been given copies of their poems and there are spares in the classrooms if needed.

More information about our Loving the Arts at Lourdes Showcase will be coming up later in the term.  Please be sure to mark 22^nd and 23^rd August on your calendars!

Grandparents’ Day will be held next Wednesday – Year 2 students will be leading the liturgy at 9am in the hall.  We look forward to seeing everybody there!

Don’t forget Pyjama Day tomorrow – please bring a gold coin to support the ‘Pyjama Angels Foundation’.  The purpose of this day is to raise awareness and funds for children in foster care.

Have a great week,

Ange B, Ange G and Sarah         

Year 3

Welcome back to Term 3! We hope you all had a wonderful break. Everyone has come back from holidays with a renewed energy and enthusiasm for learning. How wonderful! We have a couple of new students who have joined us in Year 3. We wish Jahkiran and Annie a very warm welcome to Our Lady of Lourdes.

What’s on in Year 3…

This Term is another busy one. Please remember to read through both the newsletter articles and also the fortnightly news note. This will give you the best overview of what is happening in Year 3.

Maths – Students previously learnt about fact families and turnarounds – see their homework for an example of what this looks like. This week and next week students are learning about Australian money. You can support your child by playing shops, allowing them to pay with cash for items, and counting loose change around the house.

English – This term, students are learning about information reports. Students have been very engaged in reading groups and English lessons where we have explored how to identify facts in both fiction and non-fiction books.

Science – Students are exploring living things and non-living things in Science this Term. This ties beautifully with our English focus for the term. Students will compile their knowledge about living things and information reports at the end of the term to write their very own information report about an animal of their choice.

HASS – In HASS, students are learning about how Australia’s First Nation Peoples have a special connection to Country and Place. They enjoyed getting outside last week to participate in a Yarning Circle in the playground about a special place to them.

PJ Day - Tomorrow (Thursday) is PJ Day. Please bring a Gold Coin Donation to raise money for children in foster care.

Grandparents Day - The 26^th of July is Grandparents Day at Our Lady of Lourdes. Grandparents are invited along to an open classroom morning and special liturgy at 9am in the OLOL Hall. Please refer to the invitation that was sent home last term for more details.

Pupil Free Day - The 28^th of July is a Pupil Free Day – all teachers and school officers will be attending the Bishop’s Inservice Day.

Digital Safety - Students have been learning about how to be safe online and how to act when in unsafe scenarios. You may notice students come home with a Safety Hand activity sheet – please encourage your children to become familiar with their safety people to go to when they are uncertain or unsure.

Uniform – Please make sure your child is wearing the correct uniform each day. Formal uniform must have a tie and black dress shoes, navy socks or stockings. No bright coloured sports shoes – shoes must be black or white.

Mr Birch is off on an adventure – We hope Mr Birch has a wonderful holiday in Europe with his family. We will be looking forward to hearing about all of the wonderful experiences he has. Travel safe Mr Birch!

Have a great week everyone.

Sarah, Demi, Garry, Lisa, and Megan

Year 4

Welcome back to another term at Lourdes. All the children came back rested and are well and truly ready to learn again. We are looking forward to our third term, with our focus being Year 4 Lourdes Kids are Kind.  We have spoken what kindness might look and sound like, both in the classroom and the playground.

Congratulations to the students in Year 4 that competed at The Catholic Athletics Carnival last Friday – Hayley, Bethany, Matthew, Jose, Millie, Hudson B and Charlotte.  We are very proud of you.

Homework this term will be given out on a Tuesday and is expected to be completed by the following Tuesday for 4L and 4T. 4V will be required to hand their homework in on a Friday. Sports uniforms are to be worn on Tuesdays and Fridays this term. Each Friday this Term, the students will be learning bush dancing under the expert guidance of Mrs Fisher. Towards the end of the Term, the students will be presenting a Dance Liturgy, in which parents will be invited to attend and watch their child preform the dances. More information about this will be provided later in the term. 

Units being studied this term include a geography unit which compares Australia with an Asian country, with a particular focus on the different types of vegetation and animal life. In Science, we are investigating the water cycle and in Religion we will study the early church of Australia and the early church in the time after Jesus’s death. In our Mathematics unit we will be learning about decimals, multiplication and division facts, measurement facts and the use of different types of graphs.  Students also get to work with Mrs Simmons for two lessons each week – one is for Art and one is for Italian.

 Please check with your child if they are in need of any school supplies; whiteboard markers, rubbers and rulers may need replacing. This Thursday is Pyjama Day; children are asked to bring a gold coin donation for the pleasure of wearing your pyjamas for the day.   

Just a reminder that next Wednesday is Grandparent’s Day and all are welcome for the 9am Assembly in the hall and next Friday is a Pupil Free Day.  Another date claimer to keep in mind is that there will be a ‘Loving The Arts at Lourdes’ showcase to be held on 22^nd and 23^rd August.  More info to come!

Have a great couple of weeks!  

Suzanne, Aleisha, Jessica and Danielle

Year 5

Lourdes Learners

We have started this term with a renewed focus on what it means to be a learner in the classroom. We have discussed how our choices directly affect our ability to learn. Across the three classes, we are focusing on three key areas – listen, discuss, and collaborate. For example, students may view a stimulus in class. After viewing, they will be given questions to discuss in small groups, sharing what they saw and what they think. This means that if they were unsure, by listening to others, they gain ideas. By discussing and listening to others, this means that if they are asked to share with the group, anyone from that group could share what their group discussed. Collaboration has been a focus since the first day of school, as we have regularly discussed the importance of teamwork and how this is a skill everyone requires. Choosing to opt out isn’t an option. To learn you must be an active participant, and the natural consequence of not participating is not learning and gaining clarification.

Key Dates for Weeks 2 - 4

• Thursday, 20 July – Pyjama Day
• Friday, 21 July – Friday Sport Commences
• Wednesday, 26 July – Catholic Week Grandparents’ Day Assembly at 9am
• Thursday, 27 July – Catholic Schools Netball and Touch Carnival
• Friday, 28 July – Pupil Free Day for Bishop’s Inservice Day
• Thursday 3^rd of August- 5P Assembly

Curriculum

Religion – Students dive deeper into the history of pioneering Catholics, specifically St Mary MacKillop and the sisters of St Joseph. We explore and build our understanding of the contribution Mary MacKillop had in shaping a community of believers. By applying their research skills, students develop research questions, locate accurate information and present their findings in the form of a biography.

Maths – We are using our precision skills as we are learning to draw and construct nets for 3D objects. We are gathering all our knowledge from previous years, to discuss properties of 3D objects and how this informs the creation of nets.

English – Our work on historical narratives has begun, with our unit linking into HASS. Students are using texts set in the Goldfields of Australia to explore what life was like and the different perspectives that authors can write from.

HASS – Students are eagerly exploring what life was like on the goldfields and are trying to place themselves in the shoes of the people who were there. We are exploring different perspectives of what life was like, including first nations, women and Chinese miner’s perspectives. This knowledge will be important as they write their historical narratives in English.

Science – Students are learning how structural features and behaviours of living things enable their survival in certain habitats. Students have commenced this unit by learning some interesting things about how human beings have adapted over time.

Drama - Students have begun Drama lessons for the first time this year and are working on pieces to perform in class. Mrs H has spoken to students about this during their first lesson on Monday of Week 2. The focus will be on characterisation through monologues, duologues and improvisation skills. Keep an eye out for more information about our Loving The Arts at Lourdes Showcase coming up later in the term. Please be sure to mark 22nd and 23rd August on your calendars!

Congratulations Odin!

Last weekend Odin travelled to Hervey Bay to compete in the DD team for cross country. He placed 4^th in his race and his relay team finished 3^rd. With his placing and time, Odin was selected in the QLD team and will be off to Canberra later this term to compete again. We are all very proud. Congratulations Odin.

Sports Uniforms

Students were allocated uniforms on Monday for both Friday Sport and Catholic School Carnival in Week 3. Students have been given all instructions relating to these uniforms.

Friday Sport

• Bring uniform (depending on sport - jersey/singlet/shorts/socks) and protective equipment to school in a sling bag
• Mouthguards must be worn for Rugby League
• Shinpads must be worn for Soccer

Catholic Schools Carnival – (To be worn to school on Thursday 27^th July). These are to be returned to school washed on the following Monday after the carnival.

Netball:

• Girls – netball singlet and skirt
• Boys – no uniform given – they are just to wear their normal sports uniform

Touch

• Boys and Girls – numbered touch shirt
• They may wear football boots (these are not to be worn to school but can be changed into at Kearney Springs)

Formal Uniform

A few reminders about school uniforms. We have noticed the following:

• Students not wearing their tie.
• Short socks, instead of long socks, with shorts.
• Joggers/runners being worn with formal uniform.
• Haircuts that are not appropriate for school (e.g., mullets).
• Students wearing excessive jewellery (friendship bracelets etc.).
• Students wearing nail polish.

The following is a snip from the Parent Handbook which can be found on the school website.

Homework

Due to specialist lesson changes, homework will now run from Monday to Monday. In week one students will only have revision Maths Online to help assist with the first impact cycle. From week two, normal homework routine will commence with Maths Online, Spelling and Reading Eggs tasks. A reminder that our classroom is open from 8am Tuesday to Friday for students to come up and complete homework tasks.

Thanks for reading

Amy, Emily and Jess

Year 6

Welcome to Term Three and a special welcome to Mr Shoebridge who will be working with 6F.

Term 3 has started with the students bringing their positive attitude from last semester with them, which is great to see. Last week the three year 6 classes came together to discuss the introduction of creating learning goals in English and Mathematics as well as a personal goal. The students were challenged to write goals that were meaningful to their learning and promoted active engagement in their learning. These goals will be reviewed on a weekly basis as the students strive to attain achievement.

Training has commenced for the Catholic Schools Touch Football and Netball carnivals in Week 3. Students are to wear their sports uniform and will be supplied with a team jersey on the day. Interschool sport commences this Friday. Students are reminded to bring all equipment required for their sport. Mouth guards are a must for Rugby League. Shin pads are a must for Soccer.

Homework was handed out last Friday and like in previous terms is due on Thursday the following week. This week only, Mr Shoebridge’s class is completing spelling and reading tasks as he awaits login details for Mathsonline and Reading Eggs. Timetables and assessment calendars were sent out at the beginning of this week.

First day/year of school photos

We need one photo of your son or daughter (preferably on their own) from their first year of schooling before the end of this term. Photos will be used in the end of year PowerPoint presentations. Please email one photo to class teachers.

Mr Shoebridge’s email is: steven.shoebridge@twb.catholic.edu.au

Kylie, Shauna and Steven

Italian

Benvenuti (welcome) Year 3 and 4 to Italian. We are looking forward to a fun semester.

Please see the attached photos of Years 5 and 6 in their last week of Italian making pasta and tiramisu. What a lot of fun and from all reports quite delicious.

Visual Arts

Welcome to Semester 2, Prep to Year 2 will continue weekly art lessons and Years 3 and 4 will commence them. Many of the art projects this term will be based on short-listed books for book week.

Prep continues to work on their letters of the week. Last week they experienced finger painting water for their fabulous frog. This week they will paint a lion.

Year 1 began the term by illustrating their wonderful story books they completed in class. This week they will commence an artwork based on the story, “Frank’s Red Hat”.

Year 2 reflected on NAIDOC week and discussed special places. They are working on a modern indigenous artwork of Uluru.

Year 3 reflected on NAIDOC week and are working on a watercolour painting using Aboriginal symbols for meeting place.

Year 4 reflected on NAIDOC week and indigenous artworks. They are working on a modern interpretation of dot painting.

Loretta Simmons

Upcoming Dates

OLOL Ball Games Carnival

Congratulations to BEETSON on their Ball Games Carnival win! Great skills showed by all!

Representative Sport—Toowoomba & Darling Downs Teams

Throughout the course of the year Toowoomba Primary School Sport and Darling Downs School Sport offer trials to eligible students for a variety of team and individual sports.  To be eligible for selection, students need to be born in 2013, 2012 or 2011. Strict nomination requirements apply, and it is at the sole discretion of the school to decide whether to nominate individual students. 

In order to gain interest levels and an idea of previous experience, an electronic representative Sport Nomination Form has been sent out.  This form outlines all relevant information regarding the trials for the whole of 2023.  Please thoroughly read all information. If your child is of a high standard in their chosen sport/s and would like to be considered for nomination, please complete the nomination form.  No student will be nominated for a trial without a completed form.

Here is the LINK to nominate a student. Please submit a new response for each individual child.

Please see below for upcoming trial dates. Please ensure that you confirm these details when the trial notice is released.

Rachel.Wigan@twb.catholic.edu.au

Basketball Clinic

In Week 1 of Term 3 the students at OLOL participated in basketball clinics in Sport Lessons. The clinics were run by a professional basketball coach, Daniel Sims who was very eager to come back to our school for a second time this year. Daniel is very experienced in all areas of basketball with many years of involvement as a player and as a coach. The wealth of knowledge and skills he was able to share with the students were invaluable. We are very excited that Daniel is offering a basketball program at OLOL this term for students in Years 4-6 to further develop their skills and apply to game competitions. If you would like to register your child to participate in this program, please read the flyer attached for more information.

AFL

Welcome back to Term 3 everyone. We hope you had a wonderful break and a ready to read your way through another exciting term. Please remember to return your Library Books each week and that it is essential that books journey to and from school in a library bag, to keep them safe from damage.  

Book Week 

Term 3 is always an EXCITING time in the library as we read our way towards Book Week. There are a great range of books that have made the shortlist this year and over the coming weeks I will be reading some of these stories to classes as we try to guess who the winners will be. 

Book Week Dress Up day will happen on Thursday 24th August 2023. Some reminders about choosing costumes for Book Week… 

• Keep it simple. Homemade costumes are awesome but so is a store-bought costume or one you’ve borrowed from the neighbours and the one in dress up box already will work too. 
• Plan early. 
• Working backwards is OK – if you get stuck on a book to match your costume drop by the Library or send Mrs Leathart an email and I am sure we can find a book to match. 
• Group costumes can be fun too. Think: Where is green sheep? The Day the Crayons Quit. 

• No costume is wrong – movie characters, book related (school appropriate) t-shirt,  
• Cannot think of a book? Perhaps your child could come as an author? They wear regular, everyday clothes.  
• Pinterest is also a good source of ideas for Book Week. 
• The theme this year is: READ GROW INSPIRE 

Readers Cup 

Term 3 also means that Readers Cup is coming up! The Readers Cup competition will run on Thursday 24th August. We plan to use Kahoot for answering all the book questions again this year.  The titles for 2023 are: 

PREP Book Week Bear by Rory H. Mather 

Year 1 & 2 Pollution by Harriet Brindel and Sebastian Stands Out by Rory H. Mather 

Year 3 & 4 Silly Birds by Gregg Dreise and The Marvellous Manner of Water by Phillip Bunting 

Year 5 & 6 Jed by Kathryn England and Stolen Girl by Trina Saffioti 

Books that are underlined are available via the Reading Eggs Library.

Important Dates 

Chess 

Lessons commenced on Tuesday for Term 3. Thank you to all those new families who have signed up to learn all about playing Chess. For those children who are signed up please note there will be NO CHESS lessons on August 29th due to Mr Lord being unavailable. For questions about Chess please contact: Danielle.Leathart@twb.catholic.edu.au  

Book Club 

Issue 5 ORDERS are OPEN NOW and brochures were passed along to classes last Friday. Please place all orders via LOOP – no cash orders can be accepted.  

Book Club Issue 5, 2023 – Scholastic New Zealand by scholasticnz - Issuu 

Enjoy your books.  

Mrs Leathart & Mrs Monte

ARTS FEST 2023

What an exciting, fun filled week our last week of term was for our students and staff involved in the Toowoomba Catholic Schools ARTS FEST! Our Lady of Lourdes was fortunate enough to take part in many of the workshops designed to further students' skills in singing and acting. The Tuesday and Wednesday night concerts at the Empire Theatre were a wonderful way to showcase the many talents of our School Choir, Grade 4 Choir and Verse Speaking Choir! In addition, we would like to thank students involved in the spectacular Art Installation presented to guests at the Monday opening evening event as well as the Year 6 students who attended the Improvisation Workshop and Performance on the Wednesday. 

Many thanks go to our wonderful staff and adminstration team who worked behind the scenes coordinating our involvement and a big thank you to our lovely parents for coming to see us and for your continued support of the Performing Arts! 

Amanda Holzheimer and Ebony Rosier

Drama

Welcome back! We have a busy semester ahead with students in Year 1, 2, 5 and 6 participating in Drama lessons for Term 3 and 4. 

Our main focus for students in YEAR 1 and 2 will be to get ready to perform our poems.  The students are continuing to practice the way they use their voice, face and body in order to become a character and perform their pieces.  Students should be ready to perform in class from Week 3.  This will be used as part of their assessment for Drama this semester. 

Students in YEAR 5 and 6 will be undertaking Drama lessons for the first time this year.  We will also be working on pieces to perform in class and I will talk to the students about this in their first lesson on Monday of Week 2. Our main focus will be on characterisation through monologues, duologues and improvisation skills.  

Keep an eye out for more information about our Loving The Arts at Lourdes Showcase coming up later in the term.  Please be sure to mark 22nd and 23rd August on your calendars! 

If at any time you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact me.  Looking forward to another fabulous semester teaching your child. 

Amanda Holzheimer 

Amanda.Holzheimer@twb.catholic.edu.au 

Loving the Arts at Lourdes