Term 1 Week 3 2024

A Message from the Principal

Dear parents and friends,

What an exhilarating week it has been at Our Lady's! From swimming trials to leadership speeches and upcoming events, there's a buzz of activity and achievement echoing through our school.

On Monday, our talented students showcased their swimming prowess at the CW Swimming trials in Barcaldine. Every participant gave their best, but special congratulations are in order for Archie N and Quincy O, who secured their spots to represent Central West later this term. Well done to all participants for their outstanding efforts! A special thanks to Mrs Neuendorf and parents for supporting our students on the day.

Tuesday was a day filled with nerves and excitement as our Year 6 students delivered their leadership speeches for School or House Captain roles in 2024. The level of dedication and passion displayed by each student was truly commendable. We eagerly anticipate announcing our new school leaders at Friday morning's commissioning ceremony.

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, February 21st, as we host our P&F AGM and first general meeting for 2024. This is a crucial event where all executive positions for the year will be voted on. We extend a warm invitation to all parents to join us and contribute to the vibrant community spirit at Our Lady's.

We're thrilled to announce that Our Lady's has experienced remarkable growth, with our student population increasing from 88 to 108 students at the start of 2024. This milestone is a testament to the dedication of our staff, the support of our community, and the excellence of our educational programs. Due to increased numbers in some classes, Year 4 will now have P.E and Arts on Wednesday mornings starting from Week 6, February 28th, at 8:45am. Students in this class are reminded to wear their P.E uniforms on Wednesdays moving forward from the 28^th February.

NAPLAN testing will take place in Term 1, with detailed information being sent home via email and included in the newsletter for families with students in Year 3 and Year 5 in the coming weeks.

Additionally, mark your calendars for our parent information night and school disco on Thursday, February 15th, starting at 6pm. Check the newsletter and our Facebook page for the evening's timetable, and we encourage all families to attend this fun-filled event.

God Bless

Mr Peter Thurecht

Reflection – Sr Kym Harris OSB

When the best isn’t good enough

Some time ago, Sr Diana and I tried out the local fish and chip shops looking for ‘the best’. We found one that almost fitted the bill but when we went back again later, it wasn’t quite as good.  Recently, as we went for fish and chips at a shop we found fault with first time round, I said, ‘I am not looking for the best’.  She questioned this, ‘How so?’ ‘Well, if I want the best and it is only good, I’ll be disappointed but if I want something good, I can still enjoy it.’  Which we did.

I had been pondering recently on how often products and services, be they cruises or coffee, massages or mandarins are advertised to us as being ‘the best’.  And we are told to expect the best because we are worth it.  Really?  If our happiness is based on wanting the best, we will always be looking for something better.  We are setting ourselves up for disappointment and discontent.

But if we open ourselves to this world as it comes to us, looking for the good and being grateful when we get it, we open ourselves to contentment.  The smallest actions, like courtesy from the person at the petrol station or our child trying at their swimming lesson, can give us a spark of happiness.  And those sparks build up an attitude of contentment.  The more contented we are, the more we will notice the good people and things around us, the more we will grow into being the best person that we, and God, truly want us to be.

Loving God, let me appreciate the good people and things that are around me.  Give me a generous heart that is able to find wonder and happiness in the ordinary things of life.  I ask this in Jesus’ name confident that you will hear me. 

Sr Kym Harris osb

APRE News

Next week is extremely special in the religious life of our school. We celebrate Shrove Tuesday on the 13^th of February and the following day is Ash Wednesday.

Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Day in some places, is the day before the Christian season of Lent begins. It is observed in many countries, especially those with a strong Christian tradition. The date of Shrove Tuesday varies each year, as it is directly linked to the date of Easter, which is a moveable feast based on the lunar calendar.

One of the most popular customs associated with Shrove Tuesday is the consumption of pancakes. This tradition is believed to have originated as a way to use up rich and fatty ingredients like eggs, milk, and sugar before the fasting period of Lent begins. Pancakes became a symbolic food associated with Shrove Tuesday due to their simplicity and the use of these perishable ingredients.

On Tuesday morning we will have the annual, hotly contested ‘Pancake Flip Off’ as our Year 6 Leaders battle to cook as many pancakes as they can in five minutes in an effort to acquire the prized ‘Golden Flipper’ trophy for their house. Following this, students will be able to purchase a pancake sandwich (2 pancakes) for $1. All funds raised will kick off our fundraising for Caritas’ Project Compassion. We ask that students pay their money to their class teacher on Tuesday morning.

The following day is Ash Wednesday, which signifies the beginning of the season of Lent. We will recognise this day by celebrating a Mass, lead by our Year 3 Class, at St Brigid’s Church at 9am. We welcome all to join us.

Lent is a season of penance, reflection, and preparation for Easter in the Christian calendar. It typically lasts for 40 days (excluding Sundays), symbolizing the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness. The start of Lent is marked by Ash Wednesday, which occurs the day after Shrove Tuesday.

During Lent, many Christians observe fasting, prayer, and acts of repentance. It is seen as a time of spiritual growth, renewal, and a preparation for the celebration of Easter, which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. On Ash Wednesday, we are anointed with Ashes on our foreheads and respond to the words ‘start a new beginning with Jesus’ (traditionally, ‘repent and believe in the Gospel). These words epitomise Lent – how can we use this time of preparation to renew our relationship with Jesus and make the world a better place?

God Bless,

Ange

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, Mrs Angela Arthur and Ms Sarah Wall. If you have concerns, please do not hesitate to contact one of our officers.

15th February - Parent Info Night & Disco

Catholic School Parents Queensland - P&F

Wednesday, February 21st, we host our P&F AGM and first general meeting for 2024, all parents are invited to attend and put forward a nomination for one of the executive or non-executive positions. The meeting will be held at 5:30pm in C Block.

We encorouge you to attend in person but we understand that this is not always possible, zoom details will be emailed out on Wednesday the 21st.

Executive Positions

President: Bill Seeney
Vice-President: Sarah Wall
Secretary: Sarah Hoolihan
Treasurer: Georgia Seeney

Non-Executive Positions

Fundraising Co-Ordinator: Lisa Neuendorf
Board Rep: Ruth Tindall
Pastoral Care: Hannah Batt
Parental Engagement: Megan Sidebottom

"The Catholic school participates in the evangelizing mission of the Church. It centres its vision on the life and teachings of Christ with the Gospels as the reference points of its philosophy. It is concerned with building a Christian community where parents, staff and students work together.

The Parents and Friends (P & F) Association is the formal structure, recognised by the Church and Catholic education authorities, which represents all the parents/carers in the school and acts in their interests and on their behalf.

The P & F Association exists to support the school community and is involved in the total life of the school. Parents/carers, as first educators of their children, have a vital collaborative role to play in the development and implementation of the educational philosophy and policy of the school.

The local P & F Association plays a significant role in the development of a collaborative and cooperative school community where parents/carers are recognised as authentic partners, with teachers and the administration, in the education of their children."

Scholastic Bookclub

Bookclub is back for 2024!

Orders are due online or to the school office by Thursday 15th February.

The school office can accept payment by cash or eftpos.

Mobile Phone & Wearable Technology Policy

Uniform Policy

Tuckshop

Key Dates

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. https://m.facebook.com/people/Central-West-QLD-Catholic-Church/100080215845014/

Dear Longreach Parishioners,

The time has come to say thank you and farewell to Fr Shaiju.  Originally posted to the Central West for 1 year, this has extended to 4 years, and for over half of that time he was the only priest in our region.  His dedication to his ministry and the people of the Central West in the face of so much adversity is deserving of two send-offs!

• Dinner on Saturday night, 10^th February, at Harry’s Restaurant.  You will need to purchase your own meal and drinks.  For planning purposes, please RSVP to Kath McPhee on 0417 783 627
• Morning tea after 9 am Mass on Sunday 11^th February.  Weather permitting, morning tea will be held in the courtyard outside the Church.  Morning tea is free for everyone, although if you are able to bring a plate of food to share it will be gratefully received

Everyone is most welcome to come and say thank you and farewell at either one, or both, of these occasions.  

Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton

Community Notices

Qantas Founders Museum to exhibit Internationally Acclaimed Artist Yayoi Kusama’s infinity art experience

Qantas Founders Museum proudly announces a prominent artwork by the globally celebrated artist Yayoi Kusama, to be unveiled from 16 March to 22 September 2024 on loan from the National Gallery of Australia.

Kusama’s infinity experience THE SPIRITS OF THE PUMPKINS DESCENDED INTO THE HEAVENS will travel to Longreach in Western Queensland.

Renowned for her mesmerising installations, sculptures, and paintings characterized by recurring motifs such as dots, eyes, nets, and pumpkins, Kusama delves into the realms of repetition and sensory experiences. This immersive installation showcases Kusama’s signature style, inviting viewers into a mind-bending journey through vibrant colours, mirrors, and meticulously crafted pumpkin sculptures.

CEO of Qantas Founders Museum, Tony Cullen, expressed immense pride and privilege in collaborating with the National Gallery to grant such an iconic installation to regional Queensland. Mr Cullen highlighted the rare opportunity for the local community, schools, and visitors to engage with world-class contemporary art.

Senior Curator Sarah Johnson, Qantas Founders Museum, echoed the sentiment, emphasising the significance of featuring Kusama’s artwork in Longreach, extending the National Gallery’s collection to remote communities of western Queensland. She continued, “Kusama’s art is beloved worldwide, and people of all ages are encouraged to participate in this unique artistic encounter in our community”.          

Dr. Nick Mitzevich, Director of the National Gallery, hailed Kusama as one of Japan's most influential contemporary artists, with the mesmerising nature of the installation and its unparalleled visual appeal. “I am thrilled that more people in regional Australia will be able to experience this remarkable artwork. The National Gallery’s Art Across Australia program will connect more people with extraordinary art from the national collection.”

The official unveiling of THE SPIRITS OF THE PUMPKINS DESCENDED INTO THE HEAVENS from the National Gallery will take place on March 15, 2024, at the Qantas Founders Museum, Longreach. Further details regarding public programs and announcements will be released soon.

This work of art is on loan from the National Gallery of Australia as part of Art Across Australia.

Share #ArtAcrossAustralia

Image caption: Yayoi Kusama, THE SPIRITS OF THE PUMPKINS DESCENDED INTO THE HEAVENS, 2017, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased 2018 with the assistance of Andrew and Hiroko Gwinnett. © YAYOI KUSAMA.

Clean up Australia Day

School zone safety – advice for motorists, parents and carers

With school back for 2024, we need to keep safety top-of-mind when travelling through active school zones and around our school community.

School zone times have been standardised in Queensland to help motorists remember when to slow down. The standard operating times for most school zones in Queensland are 7–9am and 2–4pm, with some operating all day between 7am–4pm.

Speeding remains a significant concern, contributing to fatalities and injuries, and police will be on the lookout for speeding motorists. Keeping below the signed speed limit in school zones helps keep everyone safe. This simple adjustment may have minimal impact on travel time but has the potential to significantly contribute to saving lives.

Children's crossings are identified by children's crossing flags, displayed near crossings before and after school hours. 

When the crossing is supervised, you, as a motorist, must:

• Wait until all pedestrians, bicycle riders, or personal mobility device riders have crossed the road and the crossing supervisor has returned to the footpath.
• Abide by the direction given by the School Crossing Supervisor.

Please keep our children safe by staying alert, slowing down and obeying our school crossing supervisors who are there to help kids cross the road safely.  

You can also help children become more road safety aware by:

• Showing them how to look for vehicles coming in and out of driveways and discourage them from playing behind parked cars, or with toys or balls when walking to school. 
• Ensuring your child knows the safest route to and from school. This is usually the way with the least traffic and the fewest roads to cross and teach your child to always walk on footpaths. 
• Showing your child how to cross at traffic lights when the green 'walk' sign is showing at pedestrian crossings when vehicles have stopped and at supervised school crossings when the supervisor has signalled it is safe to do so. 
• Accompanying children when walking or riding to school until they are old enough to understand road safety (usually around 10 years or older). 
• Teaching your child if they catch the bus to never cross in front of or behind a bus; wait until the bus goes before crossing the road. 
• Making sure wheeled devices (bicycle, scooter, skateboard, or rollerblades) used to travel to school are well maintained and that the appropriate protective and safety gear (for example, helmet, visible clothing, knee and elbow pads) are used. 

Visit the Street Smarts website for more information about what to do at pedestrian and children crossings.

Central West Hospital & Health Services

Longreach Playgroup

Australian Camps Association (ACA)