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Mrs Janice Moore / Ms Angela Gilbert / Mrs Sarah Jackman
Mr Garry Birch / Mr Chris Golightly
Welcome back to the start of Term 3. It is great to see all the students return safe and sound from a well-deserved end of semester break. A very special welcome to the following new students and their families. Abbey, Nate, Oliver and Josephine in Year 2 and Ethan in Year 4. I am sure they will find the Lourdes community a very friendly and supportive place to belong.
A very warm welcome to Mrs Toni Gilmore who will be teaching in Year 4 for the remainder of the year and Ms Carla McCallum who will be assisting in the front office on a part-time basis. Both Toni and Carla are very excited about working closely with the students and staff and I wish them all the best in their new roles.
Mr Mollison returns as the teacher in the newly created Year 3 class. Not only is great to see Damian back on deck after being on leave for the first semester, the newly formed class has significantly reduced class sizes in this cohort enabling further opportunity for personalized learning and student and teacher wellbeing. I would like to personally thank all the Year 3 students, families, and teachers for their co-operation last term in making the transition a very smooth process.
Each new term brings with it an opportunity for students to build on previous achievements and to place further attention to areas which may need improving. I also believe that a new term will present additional opportunities for our school community to further build on the positive culture that exists here at OLOL and for our school to continue our quest to provide the best possible educational and pastoral environment for all the children who attend.
Our school strives to develop and express its own unique culture. However, we cannot do this alone. We rely greatly on each of our students and staff members being able to actively contribute to this culture in a positive manner. For this to occur, it is necessary for parents to play a proactive role in their children’s education. Families who choose to place their children in a Catholic school have a responsibility to that school to add to its unique culture and Christian dimension. For our school to continue to operate successfully, it must be able to count on the unity of purpose and conviction of all who belong. I know you will continue to work with us, so your children can grow in confidence as Lourdes Learners and respectful global citizens.
One of the most important things you as parents can do to assist the school and the teachers is to ensure you instill great value of school and education. Explain to your child that treating everyone with respect, attending school, being on time, wearing the correct uniform and placing a high value on learning is important to them. They are also important life skills. The value you place on the traits of a learner and being a global citizen will be the values your child holds into the future. Primary school is the crucial time to establish values, develop positive dispositions and an understanding of the benefits of being resilient and to persist in all endeavours.
The teaching and support staff here at OLOL will do everything we can to help your child to do their best. Let us know if we can support you in any way. Remember, communication between home and school is vital for a happy and productive school year. Your child’s teacher will inform you on the most effective mode of communication. Myself, Ms Miranda Murray (Assist. Principal) and Mrs Janice Moore (Assist. Principal Religious Education) are more than happy to meet and discuss matters at any stage.
Please keep in mind that in any organization, problems arise from time to time. A school community is a complex body involving the Parish, Head Office, School Administration, teachers and ancillary staff, visiting specialists, parent groups and students. As educators of children, we understand the concerns of parents and we ask that parents in return understand that the roles of the teacher continue to become more demanding and complex. The education of our students is a partnership.
When an issue arises, please contact the person concerned directly at the earliest opportunity and in the least formal way, i.e. a quick chat before or after school, courteous email or phone call at a reasonable time of day. Following this initial contact and if the matter seemingly cannot be resolved, the Principal or Assistant Principal should then become involved. Please avoid the approach of “going over their head” as all this creates is a feeling of distrust.
Another important point is to keep an open mind about what you hear. We love and cherish our children however it is wise to remember that they can sometimes embellish and misinterpret things. Checking ‘stories’ with those concerned in a courteous manner should resolve any such problems.
I am looking forward to another productive and successful school term. I have always been very proud of the efforts your children put into their schoolwork and their overall exemplary behaviour. Of course, this does not occur by accident or by good luck. 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 the effort.
School Renewal & Improvement Process - SRIP
Every four years, Catholic schools in the Toowoomba Diocese undertake a renewal process. This process enables parents, staff, and students to have a voice on the future direction of the school. Feedback from simple questions – “What does the school do well?” and “What could the school do better?” provides the Principal and school leadership with valuable information to create a fully informed strategic plan for the next four years. OLOL will undertake its SRIP on 1-3 September. Five external panel members will interview a cross section of our community over the first two days and from the feedback received compile a report and deliver their findings to the staff at the end of the third day. As a result of the SRIP there will be no school improvement survey for parents to complete this year. Please refer to the quadrennial review flyer attached to this newsletter for further information.
Communication
With even just a brief look at the upcoming events throughout the term, it is obvious that it will be another very busy school term. With this in mind, I urge all families to ensure you read the fortnightly newsletter, consult the school calendar, regularly check for information notes which are forwarded home by the teachers and download the Schoolzine App on your phone. These are our primary sources of communication between school and home. Failure to utilize or read the information provided can lead to additional stress at home and at school. To avoid this, establish a routine for class notes, locate the school calendar in a prominent position, refer to the online newsletter at any time and regularly check notifications & reminders on the App.
Catholic Education Week
Catholic Education Week will be celebrated across Queensland from 27 - 31 July. This annual event is held to promote the special ethos of Catholic schools and to highlight the great things that take place in Catholic schools every day across the state and country.
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.
There are 307 Catholic schools in Queensland that educate around 146,000 students and employ approximately 19,000 teachers and staff and most will celebrate Catholic Education Week in some way.
Due to COVID-19, celebrations this year have been restricted. Here at Lourdes we will be holding a special assembly on Wednesday 29 July at 2:15pm. All Catholic schools in the Toowoomba areas will have a Pupil Free Day on Friday 31 July. Unfortunately, the annual Catholic Schools Netball and Touch carnival for Year 5 & 6 students will not be held this year.
Report Cards
One of the benefits of being Principal is that I get to see what is happening in all classrooms and witness how every student is progressing through the school year. Having just read their recent report cards, I must comment on the effort level of the majority of students in all year levels. A high level of effort tells me that you are putting in 100% effort into your work and that you are doing the very best you can do. Yes, we can all work on improving some part of our performance but if we are giving it our very best, success is sure to follow. These reports will be forwarded home with the students at the end of next week.
Report cards for Semester One each year are based on learning that has occurred in Term One and Term Two and report on student achievement for the first half of the year. This is most important to keep in mind as students have a whole year to demonstrate the targeted knowledge.
Report cards for Semester One 2020 are modified to reflect the changed learning conditions for Term Two. The changed circumstances of the first half of Term Two may mean that not all learning areas have been fully covered or assessed as planned. It is also important to understand that the grades your child/children receive are reflective of the unforeseen circumstances we had during the term. The use of the rating “N” indicates that not enough information was available to make a judgement at this point in time.
All schools are required to report using the Federal Government’s A-E format. This has been in place now for many years now and a revised explanation of each achievement level is attached and is included in the report card. One issue that we often encounter is that of parents’ perception of A-E. If we are not too sure of something, we always revert to our default understandings – in this case “what A-E used to mean when I was at school”. The definitions are different and have been for many years, especially for the achievement level of ‘C’. A grading of ‘C’ means that your child at this point in time is demonstrating the targeted knowledge at the expected level for the particular year level they are in. In other words, that is where most children in a class should be at.
Learning is a journey and like all journeys, it will have its ups and downs. A person’s ability to apply higher-order thinking, transfer and application of knowledge to new situations etc, is different for each individual and often takes time, practise and maturity.
One of the main problems of A-E reporting is that Learning Areas especially English and Mathematics involve a broad spectrum of content. Assessing an achievement standard can sometimes prove difficult, especially in a situation where a child may have a strong application in a certain area, e.g. writing but is developing their application and understanding in another, e.g. spelling. This is where our biannual face to face parent/teacher interviews and regular communication regarding a child’s progress are vital. It is at these occasions where teachers have the time to fully explain your child’s ongoing progress and areas to work on.
Tuckshop
We urgently need tuckshop volunteers. We have enough for this week, but we are desperately short of help for the remainder of the term. All offers of assistance will be greatly appreciated. If we do not have enough volunteers, we, unfortunately, will not be able to offer this service for the kids. If you are able to help out, please contact the office as soon as possible.
Excursions
Class excursions and school camps are now permitted. A few teachers are eager to organize an excursion for their Year level. Please keep an eye out for the information notes provided by your child’s teacher regarding dates and consent forms. Be assured that the provision of COVID-19 precautions are included in our risk assessment procedures.
Building Maintenance & I.T. Expenditure
Several minor internal building improvements occurred over the recent school holidays. New storage and bookshelves were installed in the Year 5 classrooms, anti-glare blinds were put up in the Year 2 rooms and acoustic pinboards were attached to the back walls of Yr 3G and 3MR classrooms.
In addition to this, a major investment in the provision of additional devices for students' use was undertaken with the purchase of 60 laptops which will be used in the Yr 5 & 6 classrooms as well as the Library. The Music/ Drama room and Prep W will also soon receive upgraded interactive TV panels to replace the aging Smart Boards. Such investments in the classroom and digital resourcing would not be possible without each family’s contribution to the school Building Fund which forms part of your quarterly school fee and levy invoices. Your continued support in the timely payment of fees and levies will enable the school to continue its provision of quality resources.
School Fees
Just another reminder that school fee invoices are now issued on a quarterly basis i.e. once per term instead of monthly as in previous years. These invoices will be emailed to each family’s email address we have on file. Three things: Firstly please check that you are receiving these invoices via email. Secondly, let us know if you have changed your email address and third, don’t panic when you see the amount – it is for the quarter not the month.
Play Areas
The joint P&F/ School rejuvenation project of the play area across the road on Goodwood St. is now complete. With the recent wet weather, it is a bit muddy underfoot, so we have held the kids back from playing there until next Monday. In response to the temporary building on the grassed area school side, Year 2 and 3 students will be permitted to access the oval area and tennis court across the road during their lunch break as of next Monday. This will provide ample space for those wishing to play ball sports during their play time at lunch.
Thanks for reading……Chris
DATE CLAIMER - SCHOOL PHOTOS
School Photos will now take place on Wednesday 5 August 2020. Further information will be provided in the next newsletter.
SCHOOL BANKING
School Banking will recommence next week on Tuesday 21 July
School Banking is available for the students through the Commonwealth Bank and is designed to encourage savings on a regular basis. Banking day is Tuesday. Bank books are to be presented to the classroom teacher who will send them to the office. These are returned to the student within the next 2 days.
What is the School Banking Program?
The School Banking program run through the Commonwealth Bank provides a fun, interactive and engaging way for young Australians to learn about money and develop good saving habits. Run nationally since 1931 through participating primary schools, School Banking encourages students to regularly deposit money into their Youthsaver account and earn silver Dollarmites tokens, which can then be redeemed for an exciting reward through our School Banking Rewards Program. When students join the program they receive a Dollarmites deposit wallet to use when making School Banking deposits.
How Do I Get My Child Started?
All you need to do is open a Youthsaver account for your child or they can use their existing one. If they require a Dollarmites deposit wallet for their existing Youthsaver account, contact us or visit your nearest branch. The Youthsaver account is a savings account that has no monthly account fees and offers a competitive bonus interest rate when you make at least one deposit and no withdrawals in a calendar month on balances up to $50,000. If you have any questions, please call 132 221 anytime or visit your nearest branch.
School Renewal & Improvement Process- SRIP
Please refer to the below flyer.
NCCD
Hazel & Carla
Welcome back to Term 3, 2020!
I hope everyone had a fabulous break and you all feel refreshed for the new term ahead. Next week report cards will go home. A reminder as per the previous newsletter, that report cards will look a little different considering the unforeseen, extra-ordinary and disruptive Term 2 we all experienced. The report card is an opportunity to share both academic and non-academic knowledge, understanding and skills, incorporating elements of the dispositions and 21st century skills of our students. The comments will reflect our continued work on developing the ‘Lourdes Learner’.
Towards the end of Term 2, in light of the current climate and nature of our interconnected world, teachers partook in professional development on Global Citizenship Education and participated in refining the language around the traits of Lourdes Learners who are CALLed to Think as a learner and as a global citizen. We believe that with a focus on Global Citizenship Education our students will be resilient and respectful critical thinkers who grow as confident learners for life and live out our Catholic values of service to others.
Global Citizenship Education builds on the work around our Lighthouse Numeracy journey, an area of focus mentioned in previous newsletters and communication home to parents. Over the past few years, our emphasis has been on developing mathematical mindsets, valuing student thinking, seeing Maths in the real world, collaborating with others, persisting through a challenge, setting goals and utilising various high impact strategies to support student learning. We have been integrating Maths with other learning areas to engage students in real world problems and to provide opportunities for learners to make connections, deepen understandings and transfer learning to unfamiliar situations.
At OLOL, we aim to develop the traits of both a learner and a global citizen- learners who have the dispositions and competencies that help them navigate a complex, fast-changing ‘globalized’ world. Exploring themes such as identity and diversity, poverty and wealth, sustainability and social justice, engages students in real-world issues through the curriculum. This enables teachers to equip learners with critical thinking skills and opportunities to develop and communicate their own points of view, whilst respecting the views of others that are different from their own. We endeavour to support learners in making and discussing reasoned judgments and to effectively deal with controversial issues they face through media and communication technology. Ultimately, we want active, informed global citizens who thrive in complex times, can apply thinking to new situations and are inspired to change the world.
The traits of a learner and of a global citizen are exemplified with the acronym CALLed to Think; to be a Lourdes Learner, students need to Communicate, Act, Look, Listen and Think. The following table illustrates our current development in this space. We currently have a team of staff who are further refining this language for school artwork to be placed in classrooms and around the school to help embed into our school culture. If you would like to offer feedback or share your thoughts, please contact me.
Thanks for reading.
Miranda Murray, Assistant Principal
Faith & Religious Education News
Welcome back to Term 3. I hope you all have had a restful winter break.
Next Wednesday, 22 July 2020, we have our first parent meeting for those children preparing for the Sacrament of 1st Reconciliation in the OLOL hall at 3:30pm. Children will receive their booklets and families will be organised into small working groups. Lists for these groups will be sent out after the meeting. This will be followed by a parent/child information afternoon on Wednesday 5 August 2020.
Please remember social distancing requirements – keeping your attendance to one adult and the candidate.
Week 3 is Catholic Education Week.
Bishop’s In-service Day will be on Friday 31 July 2020. This is a pupil free day.
Confirmation and First Eucharist Preparation will restart on Wednesday 19 August 2020 at 3:30 pm in the school.
Dates for your Diary for Term 3
Wednesday 22 July – 1st Parent meeting for First Reconciliation - 3:30 pm OLOL Hall
Catholic Education Week – Week 3
Friday 31 July – Bishop’s In-service Pupil Free Day
Wednesday 5 August– 2nd Parent meeting for First Reconciliation - 3:30 pm OLOL Hall
Wednesday 19 - Confirmation/First Eucharist restart 3:30 pm OLOL Hall
Wednesday 9 September – Sacrament of First Reconciliation–7 pm OLOL Church
Thursday 17 September – Crazy Hair Coloured Clothes Day – Gold coin donation for our Missions
Friday 18 September – Pupil Free Day
Another busy term ahead!
Have a great week!
Janice Moore, Assistant Principal Religious Education (APRE)
Prep
A very big welcome to Term 3!
We all know the routine now so we start from day 1 to continue our learning journey. Letter of the Week, sight words, word families, maths concepts, science, religion and history are all ready to go. Please support our classroom work by completing the homework, listening and helping with home readers and asking about each day and what they have learnt.
Class newsletters and information will be sent home this week and Semester One report cards will be sent home in week 2.
We will continue to be vigilant with social distancing and personal hygiene.
Any questions/problems please don’t hesitate to ask - our school has an open-door policy. We can work things out together.
Cheers,
Melita and Liz
Prep Pics
Year 1
It’s Term 3 already! It was great to welcome the children back to school on Monday and hear their holiday stories. It seems like everyone has grown taller over the two weeks.
In English, this term we start by looking at characters in stories. The children will take what they already know about characters to help them create a character and write a description of this character.
In Maths, both classes have started working on mental maths every day. This week, we are looking at numbers, making them and locating them on a number line.
One of the greatest gifts you can give your child is the gift of reading! Please continue to read at home with your child and have the children read with or to you. Keep working with spelling and sight words at home. We always appreciate the work that you do at home.
Looking forward to having a great term with lots of learning and laughter.
From Ange and Jenny
Year 2
Welcome back everyone! It is lovely to see the year twos returning to school with so much enthusiasm! We are excited for a fresh start with lots of interesting new units of work as we become even better Lourdes learners.
At the end of last term we had a lovely morning at Newtown Park. The sun was shining and we all played so well together.
This half term in English we will be learning about different poetry styles and creating a poetry anthology which incorporates the different styles and techniques. In Science we are learning about marvellous mixtures and in H.A.S.S we are learning about the olden days. This term in health we will be exploring the You Can Do It Program, focusing on confidence, resilience and problem solving.
We welcome our two lovely new students Oliver and Josephine and two of our amazing friends who have returned to Lourdes, Nate and Abbey. We hope that you settle in smoothly and feel very welcome.
As we journey through the term let us know if you have any queries or concerns. We are more than happy to help!
Aleisha, Megan, Allyson, Dennielle and Sarah
Year 3
Welcome back! We hope everyone had an enjoyable break – we are looking forward to another great term. There are changes this semester in Year 3 – this week we welcome Mr. Mollison back from Long Service leave and he will be taking the reins of a third Year 3 class. 3M will be found at the of the stairs in Merici block - below the Year 5 classes.
In Term 3, we will be looking at reading and writing information texts in English, practising our problem-solving skills in Maths, sorting animal groups in Science, becoming supercarers in Religion and in HASS we will be learning about Australia – looking at maps, states and the characteristics of different places.
This Friday 17 July 2020 is a free dress day for National Pyjama Day – please bring a gold coin donation for the Pjyama Foundation – raising awareness for children in foster care and wear your pyjamas for this day. We acknowledge our own Pyjama Angels – Mrs. Wagner and Mrs. Monte.
The first preparation meeting for Reconciliation will be held on Wednesday 22nd July, at 3:30pm in the school hall – to keep our numbers to the required social distancing levels – could one adult come along with the candidate.
Just a reminder that Friday 31 July is a pupil-free day.
Have a great week!
Cheers
Angela, Annie, Damian and Janice
Year 4
Welcome back to Term 3! An especially big welcome to Mrs Toni Gilmore, who is now teaching in 4G and who was joined on her first day by Ethan, who is also starting at Our Lady of Lourdes this Semester. We certainly hope that you enjoy our beautiful school!
This Term starts with lots of new units ready to start! Our METS unit is a new unit in which we will be looking at forces and the design and construction of marble roller coasters! We look forward to seeing some fantastic ideas! Our history knowledge will be further developed as we start to learn about the First Fleet. In Religion we will be looking at the New Testament and how Jesus’ life would have been like and how he taught using parables.
Although church is starting to reopen, Year 4 will not be returning to Wednesday Mass this Term. If you haven’t returned your PE notes, please return them as soon as possible!
Enjoy this week with no homework, we start again next week! Please continue to stay safe and we look forward to a full term at school!
Garry, Suzanne and Toni
Year 5
Welcome back to Term 3.
It is another busy term full of learning. Religion this term will be centred around Communities of Believers and different faiths, particularly Judaism. In English this term, the students will be focussing on the text type of procedure and narratives. The students will continue to develop their skills in reading, comprehension, spelling and handwriting.
We will be running our Pizza METS unit this term, so look forward to students bringing home some pizza making skills later this term. In Mathematics, there will be a continued effort to increase the quick recall of times tables and number facts whilst learning new concepts and problem solving strategies. In Science, the unit focuses on Adaptations and Survival of plants and animals in different environments. This term we will be teaching an Information Technology unit working with algorithms and using apps such as SWAY and Greenscreen technology.
A few important events to be mindful of include: The Father’s Day stall, which Year 5 will run, Assemblies will commence in Week 2; 5F Week 3, 5S Week 4 and 5M Week 5.
Homework will begin next week with increased expectation around homework completion as we enter the second half of the year. We hope you have a wonderful week.
Steve, Emily and Tim
Year 6
Welcome back to Term 3. We hope all Yr. 6 families enjoyed a restful holiday break. We’ll hit the ground running this week and begin almost all of our Term 3 units. Units this term include:
Religion:
How do we Make Sense of the Jesus of Faith?
Mathematics:
All aspects of Mathematics - number, operations, measurement, geometry, statistics and probability
English:
Analysis of Narratives, spelling, grammar, reading groups,
HASS:
Migrants and Their Contributions to Australia
Science:
It’s Electrifying
Art:
Tints, Shade, Line and Design
Health:
Transitioning and Change
Technology:
Hands Off
German/PE/Music & Drama:
Lessons will take place each Tuesday and PE and Music/Drama lessons with Mrs Salisbury and Mrs McVeigh will now be enjoyed each Thursday – consequently, sports uniforms will now need to be worn each Thursday and Friday.
Resources for Science Unit:
We will gratefully accept any donations of batteries – any types and sizes, for use in our Science unit for this term.
Library Borrowing:
6M – Tuesday, 6L – Thursday.
Tuckshop:
Tuckshop begins this Friday.
Assembly:
Whole school assemblies will begin next Thursday 23rd July at 2.15pm in the school hall. 6M will lead assembly prayer on this day.
Leadership Opportunities:
6M will continue to lead assemblies and 6L will complete day to day setup and other jobs around the school until Week 7 when classes will swap responsibilities.
Term 3 Sport:
A reminder that there is no competitive Friday Afternoon Sport for this Term. West and Catholic Athletics carnivals have also been cancelled, as has the Catholic Touch and Netball Carnivals. Keep an eye on the newsletter for more information about the possibility of school cross country and athletics carnivals.
Dress in Pyjamas Day:
This Friday is dress in your pyjamas day to raise awareness of children in care. A gold coin donation is asked for this privilege.
Pupil Free Day:
Friday 31st July is a pupil free day. Teachers will still attend school and will join together for an update in Religious Education.
Homework:
We will continue with online homework this Semester. Students are asked to complete Spelling City, Maths Online and Reading Eggs activities. Activities need to be completed by each Friday morning. Spelling and weekly concepts from Mathematics, as well as punctuation and grammar, will be tested each Friday morning. Homework begins today.
Report Cards:
Semester 1 report cards will be forwarded home in Week 2.
Thanks,
Kylie and Larry
German
This fortnight we are talking about our school and our classroom and things we use in the classroom.
Christine Fisher, LOTE
Welcome to term 3 from the Learning Hub! We are getting into reading in the Hub. Please visit our Book Exchange if you are looking for new books to read. We have so many choices of genres, authors and styles of books. Reading at home is so important for school success. The following article was published in LD Online. It provides some great ideas for getting reluctant reader reading!
When Kids Hate to Read
By: Anne Svensen
Would your child rather take out the rubbish than pick up a book? Dr. Marie Carbo, founder and executive director of the National Reading Styles Institute, says children's emotions about reading have a huge impact on whether or not they'll become lifelong readers.
In this interview from the Family Education Network, Dr. Carbo answered the following questions about how you can encourage reading at home.
How well are kids reading these days?
Well, too many kids can't read, but there's another growing problem to contend with in this country. We're seeing more and more kids that can read well but don't. I think that in the process of learning how to read, kids get turned off.
There are a lot of distractions out there. Kids aren't living in little log cabins where all there is to do is read. It could be a combination of watching too much television at home and doing a lot of boring worksheets in school.
Once children lose interest in reading, it's hard to get them back.
The motivation to read also tends to decrease as kids get older. Reading is like any other skill. If you don't practice, you won't develop the vocabulary, the skills, and the ease. You won't be able to read fast.
For some high school students, just reading a chapter in a textbook becomes like climbing a mountain, even though they are good readers.
How can parents recognize the difference between an emotionally turned-off reader and a child with a learning problem?
Go to the library and ask the librarian for books that would be appropriate for your child's age. Can your child read that material? Can they understand it and discuss it with you?
Does your child show symptoms that something's wrong? If kids complain of stomachaches, don't like going to school, or don't like reading anything, then they're probably struggling.
If they reverse b's and d's when they copy letters, that could be an indication of a visual problem, especially if it persists through the end of first grade.
How can parents encourage kids to read at home when they're struggling with reading in school?
It all depends on how it's done. Try to make it relaxing and low-key for a short part of the day. Share something of your own. Read aloud some funny or interesting parts of a book that you're reading. Draw your child in with a riddle book for kids, a passage from Sports Illustrated, or a newspaper story.
Show your own enjoyment with it. Make it really short and really light. You don't want to be heavy-handed about it, especially if your child is being turned off at school.
For kids who have lost the motivation to read, the way back is through material that's intensely interesting to them. The likelihood is that your child may almost have to disassociate what he's doing at school with the act of reading something for fun.
Again, ask a librarian to recommend some high-interest, age-appropriate stuff and share some fun parts of it. If your kid likes a movie, bring home the book. Really get down to their interests.
What should parents not do when they're reading with their kids?
I'll never forget this. A woman was sitting behind me on an airplane reading with her child. It was excruciating to listen. Her child was doing more stumbling than reading; the kid was going through torture.
All you need to do in that situation is read the book to your child first, then read it together. Many parents think that the struggle is normal – that it should be hard, that that's how you learn. That is the first thing I want to wipe out of people's minds.
Reading is supposed to feel good to the child. When it does, they'll become readers. We all repeat things that are pleasurable.
What encouragement can you give parents of struggling readers?
I want parents to feel hopeful. If your kids are struggling, there are strategies that you can use to help. Of course it's easier if your child's teacher addresses a problem, but parents can approach reading in ways that really can have an impact.
Kate Tague, LST
Be the reason…
Our latest Library display reminds us to be thoughtful. Many classes last week shared “The Cool Bean” which was a entertaining story about how being cool was really about giving someone a wink, a nod or a smile at just the right moment. Books have a wonderful way of reminding us to be kind and thoughtful.
Borrowing Days
Day Classes
Monday 2TJ / 2D / 2V / 3MR / 3G
Tuesday 1M / 1B / 6M / 4L
Wednesday PREP W / PREP H / 4W
Thursday 3M / 6L
Friday 5F / 5M / 5S / 2V / 4B
Sunshine Online
During the weeks of online learning we subscribed to a trial of Sunshine Books. This was a popular reading platform during this time with many classes and families. We now have an ongoing subscription to Sunshine Online. The Library and Learning Support staff have worked together to make this resource available for Lourdes readers. It includes a range of fiction, non-fiction, indigenous themed and mathematics themed readers to support your home reading routines.
How to access Sunshine Online Books:
Via AccessIt @ au.accessit.online/ORL13/ if you are using a computer or laptop. Look for the Sunshine Books Icon on the AccessIt homepage.
Via the Sunshine Online APP if you are using an iPad or tablet
Username: lourdes2
Password: lourdes2
Please make use of this fabulous resource and include it as part of your weekly home reading routine. Here are some photos of our Year 1 and 2 students using Sunshine Online for Buddy Reading during last term.
Chess News
Lessons will resume in Term 3. Students who have attended Chess in the past will receive a note. If your child/ren have not participated previously but are interested in joining us in Term 3 please Email: Danielle.Leathart@twb.catholic.edu.au or drop by the Library and I will get a form sent home as soon as possible.
Date Claimer!!!
Don’t forget National Pyjama Day on Friday 17 July (THIS FRIDAY). Students can wear their PJs to school and bring a Gold Coin to support children in Foster Care. We will also have a GUEST READER share a story with us on the day.
Book Club
Issue 5 Book Club catalogues will arrive soon. Keep an eye on school bags. All Book Club orders must be placed via the LOOP ordering APP.
We can not accept ANY CASH payments.
If you have any issues or questions about Book Club please email: LourdesLib@twb.catholic.edu.au
Thanks for reading!
Danielle & Gael
CHOIR
After a long break, our Choir will start back in week 3! To keep a safe distance when singing and to keep within our required numbers for current COVID19 regulations, we will split choir into two groups as follows:
- Weeks 3,4,5 & 6 Students in choir from Grades 3 & 4
- Weeks 7,8,9 & 10 Students in choir from Grades 5 & 6
Please bring your lunch to the music room at second break so that we can start singing after we have eaten.
Looking forward to hearing you sing again!
Mrs Rosier
Tuckshop Menu
The Tuckshop is always in need of Volunteers on a Friday between the hours of 8.15am- 1.30pm, and bakers to donate pikelets each week.
If you are interested in trying something new in 2020 and meeting new people, please think about joining as a volunteer. We have a roster system in place so we can aim to mix it up and not tire the same volunteers each week. We definitely need some more regular volunteers to add to the list.
Contact Teagan Harch 0434 701 559 alternatively teaganharch@gmail.com