Term 4 Week 6 2023

A Message from the Principal

Dear parents and friends,

The end of year formalities are approaching and part of this is the announcement of departing staff. Miss Dannielle Canning has been part of the Our Lady’s community for the last four years. In this time, she has been a dedicated classroom teacher. Her kind nature and willingness to support all will be missed by everyone at Our Lady’s. Danni is leaving to move closer to her family. We will formally farewell Danni at our carol’s morning on Tuesday 28th November. Staffing for 2024 will be announced in our final newsletter this Term (Thursday of Week 8).

Our second carol’s morning will be held on Tuesday 28^th November at 9:10am. The later timeslot will give our local kindergartens time to arrive. Each class will present two carols to the school. Teachers and students over the coming weeks will be making props and practicing their song. I have inside information that the staff will also provide entertainment for the crowd with their own rendition of a Christmas carol. All are welcome to attend, parents, grandparents, and younger siblings. It will be a lovely way to finish the year – lock it into your calendars. The reviews from last year were extremely positive!!!

This month, Mr Chapman, Mr Kopacz, Mr KD, Mr Harris and myself are raising money for Movember. Patchy, lopsided, itchy or epic – growing a moustache creates an opportunity for a conversation starter. Men’s mental health takes many shapes too and it’s often difficult to tell when someone we know is struggling. We would love if you could help us raise funds and awareness for men’s health. Please click this link to donate:

https://movember.com/t/OurLadysStaff?mc=1

Finally, our school will hold its Remembrance Day service this Friday morning. Our Year 3 class will lead us in prayer at 8.40am in the MPC to honour the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. At 11am on Friday we will observe a minute’s silence as a school. On Saturday, our students are invited to participate in the service led by Longreach RSL at 10:40am in Edkins Park. Students are to wear full formal uniform and arrive by 10:30am so they can be seated for the ceremony.

I encourage families to take a moment and reflect on the words and symbolism within the poem, ‘In Flanders Field’ by John McCrae. It’s a poem that always comes to mind at this time of year for me. LEST WE FORGET.

In Flanders Field

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

God bless,

Mr Peter Thurecht

Reflection – Sr Kym Harris OSB

Reminding ourselves who we are…and what is important.

This week we celebrate the horse race that ‘stops the nation’, one of the quirky ways we recognise who we are as Australian nation.  Yes, it is odd.   People, who normally have no interest in horse racing, stop, get together, dress up and have a sweep in which the winners usually get next to nothing as a prize but the one who has the ticket for the horse who came last shares in the ‘winnings’.  In a broad sense that is this ritual by which we remind ourselves of who we are.  It all sounds a little silly but actually it can be an important ritual.  It focuses our minds and hearts of what is important in case we can get too bogged down in necessities, crises and the sheer ordinary details of life.  Getting together with other people and having fun is central to the building up of a community, especially when we celebrate with people who are not necessarily our family or friends.

We need ritual in other areas of life but most importantly in our relationship with God. Rarely will God push into our lives making a big splash.  Rather, in respect and love, God waits for us to respond in love.  We need ritual prayer to remind ourselves of this loving, waiting God.  The ritual can be as profound as Sunday Eucharist or as simple as a prayer made as the cake goes into the over.  Time honoured rituals are prayer at the beginning and end of each day, and before meals.  As believers, it is a good idea to ask ourselves what do we do to remind ourselves that we are people of God.

Loving God, we so often get caught up in the business of life, forgetting that your love upholds our lives. Give us the wisdom of your Spirit that we may regularly remind ourselves that your care surrounds us at all times.  We ask this in Jesus’ name, confident that you will hear us.

APRE News

This Saturday is Remembrance Day. Our Year 3 Class are leading us in a special prayer assembly this Friday at 8:35am in honour of those who have served in times of conflict. We encourage you all to join us.

The very name of this occasion, ‘Remembrance Day’ implies that it is something to ‘remember’, something in the past, something from long ago. It’s saddening to realise that the same war and hate we celebrated an end to over 100 years ago is still raging in various parts of our world today. It’s easy to question where Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is in our world if He allows such horror to continue. As Catholics, we are asked to remain faithful in the hope that Jesus promised us. Pope Francis reminds us of the love and hope of Jesus Christ in his encyclical, Fratelli Tutti (2020). I have included a short reflection below by Rachel McLean – Leader Formation, Catholic Education Services, Cairns. As we draw closer to Remembrance Day, I hope that you experience some of the hope and love that Jesus shares with us all as He asks us to care for our neighbour.

Images of war, violence and destruction fill our social media feeds. Pope Francis has been inviting us to think of our neighbour since he began his papacy and this year, as he releases his latest Encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, we are called again to consider who is our neighbour.

When we look through the news and some of our social media feeds, we can be brought to tears by the vulnerability of children caught in war zones, in places that we may have heard about in geography and religion classes, but not necessarily known about in terms of human cost and the impact of war. One image that was thrust into the global spotlight in 2016 was that of Omran Daqneesh, the 5 year old who became the face of Aleppo’s devastation as a result of the Syrian Civil war.

For almost 12 months, Omran’s bloodied face, was used to cast shade on the rebels and support the Syrian government. When Omran’s face filled the news feeds in 2016, the war had been raging for 5 years…now, 4 years later, not much has changed.

Whilst the barrel bombs and the rockets no longer rain daily in the capital, the devastation remains. Not only to the buildings and infrastructure, but to the health and livelihood of the citizens of Syria who are dying from starvation and Covid-19.  

Today, Omran and his family no longer fill our social media; yet they, and thousands like them need their stories told. Why not search beyond your ‘likes’ to see what is happening to those communities like Omran’s in Syria who have been and continue to be effected by war. Let’s do more than ‘like’ an image; engage in the image. Learn about the story and share the story with others. Let us foster a culture of encounter.

Perhaps the words of Pope Francis will help… Mercy nourishes and strengthens solidarity towards others as a necessary response to God’s gracious love, “which has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit” (Rom 5:5). Each of us is responsible for his or her neighbour: we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they live. Concern for fostering good relationships with others and the ability to overcome prejudice and fear are essential ingredients for promoting the culture of encounter…let yourselves be robbed of the hope and joy of life born of your experience of God’s mercy, as manifested in the people you meet on your journey!

Rachel McLean – Leader Formation, Catholic Education Services, Cairns https://www.cns.catholic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Remembrance-Day-Prayer-and-Reflection-for-Parents-2020.pdf

Link to full encyclical: https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20201003_enciclica-fratelli-tutti.html

Student Protection

Student Protection is taken very seriously within our school and Diocese. Each year all staff undertake mandatory student protection training at the beginning of the year. This year our School Student Protection Officers are Mr Peter Thurecht and Mrs Angela Arthur. If you have concerns, please do not hesitate to contact one of our officers.

Book Lists 2024

As we come to the end of another year, we begin our preparations for the following year. A change that will occur in 2024, will be that families are responsible for purchasing all items on their child’s booklist. In the past, we have been fortunate as a community to have access to various grants which have subsidized the resources needed to be purchased by families. However, this year there are no grants available to cover these costs. As a school, we will endeavor to keep book list costs to a minimum. The book lists will come out as soon as they are ready, so that families can spread purchases across a period, rather than buying everything at once. There may also be resources from this year that students can use next year as well.

Families who experience economic hardship relating to the purchase of the ‘Book List’ should contact the school to request support for any costs that are not affordable, as we do not want any child to be disadvantaged.

Annual Awards Evening

ANNUAL AWARDS EVENING - Wednesday 22nd November

To assist with catering for the Annual Awards Evening please complete the following google form. Orders are open now and will close on Friday 17th November at 3:00pm. Payment can be made at the School Office prior to Awards Evening or on the night by cash or eftpos.

As we cannot store food over the holidays, we need numbers for catering.

Awards Evening google form: https://forms.gle/r3CLoxuwYNTp7Bk96

Swimming Carnival

SWIMMING CARNIVAL - Friday 24th November

To assist with catering for the swimming carnival please complete the following google form or alternatively you can place your order via Quickcliq. Orders are open now and will close on Friday 17th November at 3:00pm. If not ordering through Quickcliq payment can be made by eftpos or cash at the school office before the carnival or at the tuckshop on carnival day.

PLEASE NOTE: menu only available for 1st lunch.

Swimming carnival google form: https://forms.gle/4nKSdSdL8nf1vDYF6

If placing an order via Quickcliq – instructions are as follows:

-Select your child’s name

-In the calendar select date 24/11/2023 (a notice will pop up “special event menu”)

-Make your item selection

-Add to cart and continue to checkout as normal

Christmas Carols

Prep Nativity Assembly

Catholic School Parents Queensland – P&F

2023 Fete Anne Webber Photography

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Swimming Schedule for Term 4 2023

Swimming Lessons – Commencing Tuesday 10th October until Tuesday 21st November (7 lessons)

Annual Swimming Carnival – Friday 24th November

Swimming instructors this year will be Mr. Peter Thurecht, Mrs. Lisa Neuendorf & Mrs. Angela Arthur as well as support staff.

Swimming lessons will commence in Week 2 of Term 4 for all students. To assist with the tight timetable, Years 5, 6 and Prep students are required to come to school with their sun safe swimmers under their sports uniform. All other classes will get dressed at school prior to their lesson. As Year 3 & 4 are the last swimming lesson for the day they will not get changed back into their uniform to go home in the afternoon.

Things every student will need;

• Sun safe swimming togs
• Swimming cap
• Towel
• Goggles
• Slip on shoes

Please ensure that all students belongings are named so that items can be easily returned if they are misplaced.

Prep - Miss Bongioletti

Welcome to week 6!

We have had another busy fortnight in Prep.

Over the last two weeks we have been lucky enough to have Mrs. Sidebottom visit us and show us some amazing Indigenous stories and craft. For National Kangaroo Day Mrs. Sidebottom shared the wonderful book Kangaroo Malu with us then we did our own artworks.

Next we got to use some very special new dot painting bottles to create our very own rainbow snake!

Grandparents Day

On Friday the 3^rd of November we celebrated Grandparents Day with some lovely, shared activities in the classroom. It was great to celebrate these special people in our lives.

Reminders

Tuesday: Swimming, Library and Homework 😊

Until next time, Miss Bongioletti

Year 1 - Miss Walker

This fortnight we have been on more excursions and celebrated special days and people.

Last week we adventured off for an excursion to Edkins Park for a HaSS lesson where we looked at playgrounds and identified features included on the playground. We enjoyed a little play, a picnic lunch and took some photos for our playground books we are creating this week.

This week we celebrated Grandparents Day! Thank you to all our beautiful and loved grandparents who came into our classroom as well as those who joined us from a distance via Zoom land!

Yesterday we celebrated the Melbourne Cup race by making beautiful fascinators and dapper ties that we wore to cheer the race on!

Till Next Time –

Miss Walker

Year 2 - Miss Braden

Welcome to Week 6!

Pioneer’s Home

Year 2 had their final visit to the Pioneer residents for the year. We celebrated Grandparent’s Day and had a lovely morning with our friends.

Grandparent’s Day

It was lovely to have Grandparent’s visit on Friday, via zoom and in person. Thank you for a wonderful morning!

Melbourne Cup

Year 2 are modelling their one-of-a-kind fascinators they made for the race that stops the nation

Talk soon,

Miss Libby Braden

Year 3 - Mr Komndi-Diggins

We are quicky coming to the end of the school year and the class has been extremely busy in the classroom. Here are some things that have happened this fortnight.

English:

The class have been work hard compiling all their knowledge about persuasive texts into their final persuasive writing. They have reviewed information, drafted, edited and written their final copy of their persuasive texts.

Mathematics:

In Mathematics, the focus over the last 2 weeks has been on 3D shapes and in particular prisms. The students have been building their understanding of the features of prisms. They have used cube manipulatives to create prisms and their initials.

HaSS:

Over the course of this term, the class have been learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. They have explored the 3 main flags of Australia and build their knowledge of what they represent. As a task the students had to combine features from all 3 flags to create a ‘new Australian’ flag.

House Shield:

Every class in the school has been given the opportunity to design a shield for our sporting houses: Kennedy and Thomson. Year 3 has explored who Sister Ursula Kennedy and Sir Edward Deas Thomson were and have incorporated colours and imagery associated with them to create their house shields.

Melbourne Cup:

The Melbourne Cup occurred during this fortnight, and it was the “race that stopped the Year 3 class”. The students tested out their designer skills as they created their own matching jockey and horse blinders.

God Bless,

Mr KD

Persuasive Writing

Mathematics

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HaSS

House Shields

Melbourne Cup

Year 4 - Miss Godfrey

In Religion this week, we kicked off our second learning cycle which is about the Sacraments of Healing. We have been exploring some of Jesus’ healing miracles and have made the scripture come to life by acting out the miracles of Jesus healing the blind man and Jesus healing the man with leprosy. Please enjoy some action shots from our performances. 

From, 

Year 4 and Miss Godfrey

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Year 5 - Miss Canning

Welcome back to week 6! This term is flying by, and I am looking forward to starting Christmas craft in the next few weeks.

In Spanish we are learning about the different names for rooms in a house. It has been a lot of fun as we have learnt a trick along the way. Did you know when Spanish words start with ‘La’ they often end with an ‘a’ at the end.

In Drama the students are working very hard on learning their Christmas carol for our concert at the end of the year. As a class, Year 5 have decided to sing an Aussie Christmas carol called “Deck the shed with bits of wattle.” It is a great carol, and the students are really getting into singing it.

That is all from Year 5 this week.

Miss Canning

Year 6 - Mr Kopacz

Hello, this past fortnight in Year 6 has been a busy time, with students getting back into the swing of learning after an amazing week at camp in Brisbane.

In Religion this fortnight we’ve continued our exploration into key figures that have positively shaped Australian social issues and connected these figures with the Catholic Social Teachings of Subsidiarity and Participation. Students have been busy researching as we have roleplayed as interviewers and the people we have researched, such as Faith Bandler, Pearl Gibbs, and so many more.

During Mathematics students have been working tremendously well across a variety of topics such as place value multiplication, and more recently converting measurements between mm, cm and m. We have been practicing some practical examples and identifying common instances of when to convert or when to use appropriate units of measurement.

English this fortnight has been focused on planning and organising information about our English Assessment. Students have been busy utilising a variety of online and physical resources to identify information for their assessment.

Students were very excited to watch the Melbourne Cup yesterday, and in Year 6 we had 11 students present yesterday so we each picked two horses out of a hat. Emily received 1^st place, Adrian 2^nd place, Xander 3^rd place and Ethan last place.

We also were fortunate enough to have some buddy time in the Library this week, we spent time helping our buddies to pick out two picture books and read to each other. Mrs. Carter also spent some time reading to both sets of buddies about a brand new book called Do Not Open This Book Again by Andy Lee. Students had a great laugh listening to Mrs. Carter and engaging with group reading.

Religion

Mathematics

English

Melbourne Cup

Buddy Reading

Year 6 High School Transition

The full transition day will be held on Monday 20^th November parents/caregivers will be required to drop their child off and collect them from the highschool.

Mr. Kopacz will meet students at the High School on this day.

NOTES:

• Full formal school uniform including hat are required to be worn.
• Students will take their school bags.

Mobile Phone & Wearable Technology Policy

Uniform Policy

Tuckshop

Key Dates

2024 School Dates

The school office will close on Wednesday 6th December at 3:30pm and will reopen on Monday 15th January at 8:00am.

TERM DATES
Term 1 - Monday, 22 January to Thursday, 28 March
Term 2 - Monday, 15 April to Friday 21 June
Term 3 - Monday, 8 July to Friday, 13 September
Term 4 - Monday, 30 September to Wednesday, 27 November

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
• Monday, 1 January – New Year’s Day
• Friday, 26 January – Australia Day 
• Friday, 29 March – Good Friday 
• Monday, 1 April – Easter Monday 
• Thursday, 25 April – ANZAC Day 
• Monday, 6 May – Labour Day
• Monday, 7 October – King’s Birthday 
• Wednesday, 25 December – Christmas Day
• Thursday, 26 December – Boxing Day

The Cathedral College Rockhampton

Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton

Caritas Australia

St Brigid’s Parish News

Please follow us on Facebook for up to date information on what’s happening in the St Brigid’s Parish.

Take 2 with Jesus

Daily Reflections on the Sunday Gospel

Jesus teaches us on honesty and humility.

This week’s reflections are based on the Gospel reading for the 31^s Sunday, Year A (Mt 23:1-12).  Further reflections on this Gospel can be found at https://prayasyoucan.com.au/sunday_programmes/31st-sunday-a/.

Sunday

Jesus said,

‘The scribes and Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. 

You must therefore do what they tell you and listen to what they say but…’

(Mt 23:1-3)

Jesus is very clear concerning respect for the Law and for those called to teach it.  That being said, what follows on this is a trenchant sustained attack on these very ‘teachers’ for the hypocrisy of their lives: they have subverted Law and the practice of religion away from worship of God to adulation of themselves.  Few things alienate us from God more effectively than hypocrisy. 

Loving Jesus, let me treasure my religious practice as a way of knowing and loving you more dearly.  Save me from letting me think I am better than others.

Pray the words that Jesus taught us…Our Father, who art in heaven…

Continue your prayer through this day by pondering how your religious practices increase your respect for others.

Monday

Jesus said’

‘…but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practise what they preach.’

 (Mt 23:3)

I was recently sounding off about people who take drugs.  My niece’s boyfriend quietly brought me down to earth with a simple observation on the type of families that some of these people come from.  Without attacking me or condoning drug use, he challenged me to be more understanding and realistic.  He didn’t preach, but he sure did practise compassion. 

Loving Jesus, let me see where my life does not live up to my words.

Pray the words that Jesus taught us…Our Father, who art in heaven…

Continue your prayer through this day by listening to what you say and looking at what you do. 

Tuesday

Jesus said,

‘They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on people’s shoulders,

but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they!’

 (Mt 23:4)

The whole point of the Incarnation, of Jesus becoming human was to make it as easy as possible for us to realise how much God loves us. Religious practice is there to facilitate this.  It is to teach us to lighten others’ burdens, reaching out and showing through our lives the deep mercy we have been shown.

Loving Jesus, show me how to lighten the burdens of those around me so that your compassion is seen in my life. 

Pray the words that Jesus taught us…Our Father, who art in heaven…

Continue your prayer through this day by recognising the burden on one person and doing something about it.

Wednesday

Jesus answered,

‘Everything they do is done to attract attention…like wanting the place of honour

… [or] being greeted obsequiously in the market squares.’

(Mt 23:5)

Attracting attention is not seen as a bad thing in our society – what with selfies, Instagram, Snapchat and whatever happens to be the latest in self-promotion.  What is sad about that is that seeking one’s self esteem from the transient approval of others is the best way to undermine our sense of self.  We discover best and truest self in the loving gaze of our God. 

 Loving Jesus, let me place my sense of self in the love and desire you have for me.   

Pray the words that Jesus taught us…Our Father, who art in heaven…

Continue your prayer through this day by naming some of the qualities that God has given you.

Thursday

Jesus continued,

 ‘Nor must you allow yourself to be called teachers,

for you have only one teacher, the Christ.’

 (Mt 23:10)

Jesus is here using hyperbole to shock us out of our complacent way of thinking.  Our ‘teaching’ is faulty unless it is based on the teaching of Christ.  Anything good we do is but a reflection of the goodness of God and we need to recognise this or we will become proud.  

Loving Jesus, let me see the true nature of reality: that you are the source of all goodness.  When I know this may I show it to the world by my way of living. 

Pray the words that Jesus taught us…Our Father, who art in heaven…

Continue your prayer through this day by noticing when you ‘teach’ others and what attitude you have.

Friday

Jesus continued,

‘The greatest among you must be your servant.’

 (Mt 23:11)

In most families and workplaces, most people overestimate the amount of work they do for the group.  In other words, most people feel a bit put upon.  From such a view, one can too easily think one is a good servant.  But are we?  Jesus is our model of servant: he gave generously and wisely, serving the needs of others.   

Loving Jesus, let me recognise what type of servant I am, one who feels put upon or one who gives generously and wisely as you did. 

Pray the words that Jesus taught us…Our Father, who art in heaven…

Continue your prayer through this day by noticing your inner attitude when you have to serve.

Saturday

Jesus continued,

‘Anyone who exalts him or herself will be humbled,

And anyone who humbles him or herself will be exalted.’

(Mt 23:12)

Pride is a barrier, and one that cuts us off from true loving and real life.  It insidiously undermines the very grounds of happiness.  Humility, on the other hand, makes us gentle and sensitive, open to giving and receiving love, alive to all the nuances of happiness and beauty. Over and over, we have to choose between them. 

 Loving Jesus, show how humility should flourish in my life. 

Pray the words that Jesus taught us…Our Father, who art in heaven…

Continue your prayer through this day by pondering in what ways humility would open you to the fullness of life. 

‘Take 2 with Jesus’ is an initiative of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton. This material is written by Sr. Kym Harris osb.  © All material is copyright but may be freely used in free publications with acknowledgement of source and the author.

Community Notices

Remembrance Day - Saturday 11th November 2023

NRL - League Stars 23rd & 24th November 2023

League Stars is a non-contact skill-based participation program. The program is designed to cater for Primary School students of all ages and ability levels. League Stars is the perfect introduction to the Rugby League world, with lots of fun games and activities delivered by NRL accredited deliverers.

Dates: Thursday 23^rd November & Friday 24^th November

Session Times: 3:15pm – 4:45pm (1.5hrs)

Venue: Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School Oval (Please use Kite St entry)

Cost: $49

Participants receive: Bag, hat, ball, stickers, bag tag.

Longreach Regional Council

Lifestart - Speak Up Program

About Lifestart

SpeakUP is delivered by Lifestart, a non-profit organisation established in 1996 that provides a range of programs and services for children and young people living with disability, as well as their families and carers, with the aim of helping them live their lives to their fullest potential through increased social inclusion and participation. Our organisation is made up of a range of allied health professionals and experts, including speech pathologists and occupational therapists, and is a registered NDIS provider. Explore our website to learn more.

What do we offer?

• SpeakUP is for students aged 7-16 years with a disability who attend a mainstream school in NSW, ACT, VIC, or QLD.
• It is free of charge and open to young people with or without an NDIS plan.
• It is run online, via video sessions, out of school time. Most young people do their sessions when they get home from school.
• Each young person will have 6 online video sessions with a SpeakUP facilitator. During the sessions, the facilitator will lead the young person through different activities, talking about what is important to the young person, what they like about school and what they would like to change so that they can participate more fully at school.
• The facilitator will support the young person to identify and express a small, achievable goal related to participation at school, and then work through challenges they might come up against.
• A key part of SpeakUP is that the goal comes from the young person and isn’t about the parent/ carer’s goal for them, it’s not a therapy goal or an education goal.
• Another key part of SpeakUP is the involvement of parents or carers (we call them allies). We have 2 learning online modules for them to watch and 2 group zoom sessions for them to attend during the term.

Click here to watch a short video to explain SpeakUP to young people.

Click here to register your expression of interest for participation

Selectability

Non State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme (NSSTAS)

Applications for the Non State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme are now open and will close on Tuesday 31st October.

Are you eligible to apply? Visit the website to find out: https://www.schooltransport.com.au/ 

Don’t miss your chance to apply here: https://www.schooltransport.com.au/

Central West Health