Dear Parents and Carers

As we approach the end of another remarkable term, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on our accomplishments, share some important updates, and express my gratitude to everyone who contributes to making Our Lady of Lourdes such a wonderful place of learning and growth.

I am immensely proud of the hard work and dedication the students, teachers, and support staff have shown to continue with learning despite the challenges with the ongoing delays in the building project and having to pack and move mid-term. Staff and students alike have risen to the challenges and have continued to make our school thrive.

Thank you to all our families who supported our Twilight Art Exhibition and daytime student performances for ‘Loving the Arts at Lourdes’ last week. It was a fabulous week of celebrating the Arts. It was also an opportunity to celebrate and remind everyone of the importance of reading with the Book Week dress-up and the Readers’ Cup competition. A big thank you to the following people for their contribution in making ‘Loving the Arts at Lourdes’ a major success:

• All student performers! What talented and brave individuals performing in front of such a large audience
• Mrs Loretta Simmons, (Art and LOTE teacher), for her time with the students making incredible artwork, mounting all the art, and organising the balloon display donated by Air Affair Co
• Mrs Ebony Rosier (Music Teacher) and Mrs Amanda Holzheimer (Drama Teacher) for ensuring the smooth running of the performances and for teaching and practicing with the students
• Mrs Liz Wagner for organising the display boards and the catering and Mrs Melita Hohn for helping with catering on the night of the Art Exhibition
• Year 6 students who were amazing waiters on the night and the Year 6 teachers for organising them
• Mrs Aleisha Verdon for organising her husband and extraordinary artist, Des Verdon to paint Ross Haylock, our P&F President, on the night - this was so entertaining, and the end result was brilliant!
• Ebony Rosier and Mitch Humphrys for entertaining the crowd - amazing tunes and sensational singing
• Teacher Aides who put up all the artwork for display
• P&F for drinks and running the bar
• Artwork donated by Mandy McGuire – The Lilburne family. The sale of the artwork raised $200 for the school
• All Teachers for their flexibility in turning up to practices
• Janice Moore for running the PPT
• Tim Franzmann for being a popular MC
• Mrs Leathart for tying in Book Week to the Loving the Arts at Lourdes and for organising Readers' Cup and activities to inspire kids to read

Please let me know if I have missed anyone! Many hands certainly make light work and the effort from everyone is tremendous.

Fathers’ Day Mass

We hope all our fathers and father figures in our lives can make it to tomorrow’s Father’s Day Mass. Please join us for a sausage sizzle after Mass. Enjoy Fathers’ Day on Sunday. I hope you like the great gift this year from our school Fathers’ Day stall organized by our wonderful P&F. Thank you to Mandy Ryan, Corrine Baker, and Kristy Wyrzykowski for organizing it all and for our parent helpers who helped at each stall.

Building Project

Giabal Building has now been certified for staff and students to occupy it and all classes are now in their new spaces. Prep has also moved into the demountable classrooms in preparation for the upcoming refurbishment of the downstairs Quinlan building. This refurb will give us three even classrooms ready for three Prep classes next year.

The handball courts at the front of the school are almost ready! As soon as we have the front open to us, we will go back to our original times of an 8:30 – 3:00 pm school day for all students with two Stop Drop Go zones, one at the front on Ascot St and one behind the Church. Stay tuned next term for these changes.

After School Supervision

Please remember that the only places your child is to wait to be picked up after the end of day bell, is either at the Stop Drop and Go behind the Church or at Outside School Hours Care. These are the only supervised spots, and we wish all students to be safe.

Uniforms

Next week is the transition to wearing summer uniform. Due to Swimming Week for Prep-Year 3 in Week 9, these students can wear their sports uniform for the whole week. Please consult the uniform code which is available on the website for all necessary items. Your commitment to abiding by the uniform policy is greatly appreciated and certainly goes a long way in avoiding unnecessary issues. All parents sign an enrolment contract that clearly states your agreement to all school policies. The upcoming holidays should provide a great opportunity for parents to ensure all uniform items including full black shoes with formal uniform, and hats and other uniform items to be clearly named with your child’s full name, not just initials. This makes the returning of lost items an easier task.

Pupil Free Day

A reminder that this Friday 1^st September is a pupil free day. The Teachers will be meeting with Mater Dei teachers for professional development and School Officers will meet together for focused learning catered to their expertise. The office will be open.

Enrolments

Planning for staffing levels for the 2024 school year has already commenced. To assist us with planning, it would be greatly appreciated if you could inform us as soon as possible if you are not intending to return to OLOL next year.

Long Service Leave

I am away on long service leave in Week 10 of this term and Weeks 1 and 2 of next term. Planned since last year, I will be travelling throughout Europe with my Mum and Aunty. Mrs. Janice Moore, APRE, will ably deputise in my absence and Mr. Tim Franzmann and Mrs. Emily McKay will assist in the office to support Janice.

As this is our last newsletter for the term, I wish everyone a wonderful end of term and a relaxing holiday. If I don't see you at an upcoming school event or Chris Golightly's farewell on Friday 8 September, see you again next term!

Miranda

Ms Miranda Murray
Acting Principal

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