Term 1 Week 6 2024

A Message from the Principal

Dear parents and friends,

I am delighted to announce that Mr. Mitchell Neuendorf has been elected as the new Board Chairperson of Our Lady's Catholic Primary School. Mitchell has been a part of our school community for many years. With four children attending Our Lady's, Mitchell brings a wealth of experience and insight about our school to this role. I would also like to take this opportunity to introduce our other School Board members, who play a crucial role in guiding the strategic direction of our school. Our Parent Representatives are Ruth Tindall, Peta-Ann Gowing, Rhiannon Matthews, and Kristy Osborne. Mr. Komndi Diggins and Mrs. Arthur are our Staff and Parish Representatives. Our School Board meets on the third Wednesday of each month.

Last Wednesday, our P&F Annual General Meeting was held and Mr. Bill Seeney was re-elected as the President of the Parent & Friends Association for the year 2024. I am also pleased to inform you that the executive committee for 2024 remains largely unchanged, with the team from 2023 filling the other executive positions. This continuity ensures a smooth transition and allows us to build upon the successes of the previous year. As we embark on a new year, the Parent & Friends Association has already begun brainstorming and discussing various fundraising activities. With a plethora of fantastic ideas flowing, I encourage you to stay tuned for updates throughout the year. Your participation and support in these initiatives are invaluable and greatly contribute to the enhancement of our school community.

I would like to extend my gratitude to those families who have taken notice of the recent email regarding the congestion of traffic at Sandpiper Street during after-school pick-up times. Your cooperation and willingness to utilise our MPC Loop Pick Up Zone have not gone unnoticed, and your proactive efforts are greatly appreciated. In our continued commitment to the safety and well-being of our students, I would like to inform you that the police will commence patrols of Sandpiper Street to ensure that all vehicles are parked safely and in compliance with traffic regulations. These patrols aim to further protect our students and alleviate any potential hazards associated with congested traffic conditions.

Over the past fortnight, we have observed a concerning trend of students arriving late to school. While we understand that mornings can sometimes be hectic for families, it is imperative that students arrive on time to ensure a smooth start to the school day. Arriving late on a consistent basis can have several negative impacts on students. Firstly, it can cause them to feel anxious and unsettled when entering the classroom, disrupting their ability to focus and engage in learning activities. Additionally, being late may result in students missing valuable instructional time, potentially affecting their academic progress, and understanding of important concepts.

To mitigate these challenges, we highly encourage all families to prioritise punctuality and ensure that students arrive at school on time each day. However, if circumstances arise that lead to your child being late, we kindly request that parents and guardians take the following steps to minimise disruption:

1. Limit interrupting the teacher: If arriving late, please avoid engaging in conversations with the teacher at the classroom door, as this can disrupt the flow of the lesson.
2. Quietly place lunch boxes away: Encourage students to quietly and independently store their lunch boxes in the fridge, allowing the class to continue without disruption.
3. Allow students to quietly enter the learning space: Instruct students to enter the classroom quietly and take their seats without drawing undue attention to their late arrival.

By adhering to these steps, we can ensure a smoother transition for late-arriving students and minimise disruptions to the learning environment for their peers.

Finally, Congratulations to Mr. Komndi-Diggins and Georgina Rutherford on their Valentine's Day engagement! And congratulations to Miss Braden and Charlie Williams on their recent engagement as well! Here's to a future filled with beautiful wedding memories!

God Bless

Mr. Peter Thurecht

Reflection – Sr Kym Harris OSB

Hope we can believe in.

As we watch the American Presidential primaries, many of us are amused and horrified at some of the candidates.  How can people believe in them?  Common sense seems to have been thrown to the winds but, let’s be honest; the people believing in them are not so different from you and me.  Most people, in desperate situations, will thrash around and grab the easiest solution entailing the least trouble to themselves. That such solutions don’t work seems to be irrelevant.  Look at the tax debate in this country.  Who is prepared to sit down and do the hard yards of working out a fair solution and carrying it through? We can be like that in facing our financial problems, our shaky marriages, our unruly children, our ill-health and our addictions. We think, God could be a great help…if only he would come in and take away these issues…but God doesn’t work like that. 

God comes to us, just where and as we are, offers to be with us, giving the courage to face the issues squarely and making us realise that we are in a bigger mess than we first thought.  This is tough love of the toughest kind.  Strangely, this is Mercy: not letting us off the hook as though we were wimps but taking us seriously and letting us become adults, fully alive working through and growing in the challenges of our life.  If we want our hopes fulfilled, we have to have the courage to take God’s hand and walk into the mess, our own mess.

Loving God, toughen me up to face the challenges of my life and family.  Give me the wisdom to see as you see and the courage to let your Spirit loose in my life. I ask this in Jesus’ name, confident that you will hear me.

Sr Kym Harris osb

APRE News

Friday the 16^th of February was a pupil free day for Our Lady’s – Bishop’s Inservice Day. This day is a gift to our staff each year from our Bishop to support them in gaining their annual accreditation to teach Religion in a Catholic School (10 hours each year).

So, what were we up to while the students were away?

The theme for this year was Social Action and Justice. The day began with a live streamed address from the Cathedral College in Rockhampton. We heard from our Diocesan Catholic Education Director, Leesa Jeffcoat and individuals who spoke on behalf of Bishop Michael who was unfortunately injured and unable to attend.

Staff then engaged with a series of workshops from various presenters on the topic of Social Action and Justic.

Sister Melissa Dwyer, a Canossian Daughter of Charity, spoke to us from Rome. Prior to entering religious life, she had a dream of representing Australia as an Olympic javelin thrower. A volunteer mission experience in Africa helped her to discover that God’s dream for her was to leave the sporting arena and serve Him radically as a consecrated woman.

Sr. Mel asserted that “Jesus is not loved, because He is not known” and this is the mission of catholic schools today. “As schools, we can spread the Good News”.

She went on to say that “social action and justice are real opportunities for living faith in young people”.

Our second workshop, was with Professor Mary Coloe pbvm, a member of the Presentation Sisters of Victoria with many years of teaching in secondary schools. Professor Mary offers in-services for teachers in schools, workshops for parishes, and talks for Spirituality in the Pub.

She spoke about ‘God’s Dream – The Kingdom of God’, and that ‘Jesus’ teaching began from His heart. He had compassion’. She encouraged us as teachers to model ourselves on Jesus, the greatest teacher of all.

Our final session was particularly inspiring from Samara Thomson, St Vincent de Paul society. Samara spoke about only being asked to give what we have. If we only have 10% of ourselves to give and we give it, that’s 100% of what we had and that’s enough.

The St Vincent de Paul society is not just about offering charity but getting to know and value the person we are serving. She gave staff the ‘Life Boat Challenge’ which provided for great discussion and debate amongst our team. I’ve included it below for you. There are no right or wrong answers but if you are interested to hear what our staff came up with, please let me know.

Lifeboat Challenge

A passenger ship has sunk off the east coast of Australia. The passengers listed below were able to get on a lifeboat before the ship finally went down into the deep. Unfortunately, the boat can only hold 14 people safely, and there are currently 15 people on board. You and your group must make the decision on whom to sacrifice and throw into the ocean. The one person you decide to throw overboard will not survive. They will be eaten by sharks and have no chance of survival at all. Who will you pick to go throw overboard? The person you pick to throw overboard should be ranked number 1 (as in first choice to go over). Rank every passenger from 1-15 without making anyone equal.

• Religious Leader – aged 25 – single – male
• Electrical Engineer – 40’s – male
• Olympic Swimmer – 40’s – male
• Doctor – female – married with three children – age 25
• Artist – male – aged 60 – widowed
• Navy Captain – retired – male – aged 70 – divorced
• Nurse – married – no children – female – age 20
• Pregnant woman – unmarried – aged 27
• Teenage Boy – age 14 – epileptic
• Government Employee – male – aged 40
• Military Soldier – aged 21 – female
• Scientist – male – married with two children – 36yrs old
• 7yr old boy – male – only child
• 45yr old housewife – married with two children – unable to swim
• 31 yr old – criminal record for robbery – male – unmarried – two children

Have a great week. God bless,

Ange

Altar Servers

Fr Peter is looking for volunteers for Altar Serving - children aged 8 years and over. If you are interested, please come along to the Church at 3:30pm on Tuesdays 12^th and 26^th of March for 30 minutes to learn what this role involves. Please RSVP to Angela Arthur – angela_arthur@rok.catholic.edu.au

Berry Street Parent Webinar - 6/3/24

Parent Information Webinar (Wednesday, 6 March – 6:00pm-7:00pm)

This 60-minute session, facilitated by a Berry Street Education Model consultant, will give your parent community practical strategies which they can do at home to help their child manage their stress response. Parents and carers will find out what is happening in their child’s brain when they have a melt down and ways that they can help them to come back into calm.

The Zoom link for this webinar is:

https://berrystreet.zoom.us/j/93962300061?pwd=V1FPR29rV3JMaXRzVEE5NzBseG1Ydz09

Meeting ID: 939 6230 0061

Passcode: 631113

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.

NAPLAN Information for Parents & Carers

Mobile Phone & Wearable Technology Policy

Uniform Policy

Uniform Order Form

If you require winter uniforms or additional day uniforms, please complete the order form sent home with your child on Monday, 19th February, or download the below order form and return it to the school office by Monday, 4th March. Payment can be made by cash or eftpos and can be paid upon ordering or when uniforms are collected.

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/

Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton

The Cathedral College 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

Easter at Edkins

School zone safety – advice for motorists, parents and carers

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

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Longreach Playgroup

Australian Camps Association (ACA)