Term 1 Week 7 2024

A Message from the Principal

Dear parents and friends,

We are excited to announce the launch of a new reading program, Accelerated Reader, across Year 3 to Year 6 at Our Lady's! Accelerated Reader is a dynamic digital platform designed to assess students' reading abilities and provide personalised book recommendations from our school library.

Here's how it works: After an initial assessment, students are matched with books that are just right for their reading level and interests. Once they've finished reading, they'll take a quiz at school to test their comprehension. With each successful quiz, students earn points, adding a fun and rewarding element to their reading journey.

Our goal with Accelerated Reader is simple: to foster a love of reading among our students. By engaging with a diverse range of books tailored to their individual needs. To learn more about Accelerated Reader and how it's transforming the way our students engage with reading, please watch the video linked below:

We are thrilled to embark on this reading adventure with our students and can't wait to see the impact it will have on their literacy skills and enjoyment of reading.

A massive thank you goes out to the families, friends, and staff who dedicated their time to participate in Clean Up Australia Day last Sunday at Apex Park. While we may not have collected the most rubbish or won a prize, the effort and commitment shown by our community members did not go unnoticed. Every piece of rubbish collected made a positive impact on the cleanliness of our beloved Thomson River. It fills me with immense pride to see how, as a small school, we come together to make a significant difference in our local area.

Just a friendly reminder that winter uniform orders are due back this week. If you haven't already submitted your order, please ensure you do so promptly to secure your items. There will be a limited supply of jumpers and tracksuits available once orders are filled.

God Bless

Mr. Peter Thurecht

Reflection – Sr Kym Harris OSB

Without Measure

I am currently reading a book called Beyond Measure: The Hidden History of Measurement.  It is non-fiction and with reviews like ‘thrilling’ and 5 stars, I thought I would give it a go.  And I am glad I did…. especially in this Season of Lent.  Compared with people of the past, we are constantly measuring ourselves and being measured by others.  We have ‘Smart watches’ telling us how well, or not, we are sleeping. Health stars on nearly every package of food.  In the past two weeks, I have been asked to assess the delivery of a package, and also had a phone call asking if I would do an online survey on the recent car service.  Really, if the package didn’t come or the car broke down – then I would like to give feedback, but this constant ‘how are we doing?’ is driving me nuts. I wonder what this constant ‘assessment’ does to our psyche, does to our spirit.  Do we measure up? Do others measure up?  And what are the really important measures that improve our lives?  

Did you notice that I said I found it helpful to read this book in the Season of Lent?  It is challenging me to ask myself how much I measure myself, and by what criteria.  It makes me ask what is really important in my life.  Playing with a child has no measurable feedback except watching the delight in the child.  There is no assessment in watching clouds form and reform but there is peace of soul. And in doing that, I am trying to simply let go and live life.  Same goes for prayer, there is only the assurance that an infinitely loving God who listens to me.

And now for our child/ren?  There are times when we need to assess their behaviour and give guidance.  But more importantly they need us to just be with them, enjoying their presence in a way that cannot be measured.  ‘Wasting’ time with them is one of the best gifts we can give.  It is like spending time with God in prayer.  As we journey through this Lent, I suggest you ask yourself what ‘measures’ you are putting on yourself, and to take a few off, relax, smell the roses and enjoy your life and your children more.

Loving God, you know all about me and love me still.  May I spend some time resting in that move without measure and then share that with my child/ren.  I ask this in Jesus’ name confident that you will hear me.

Sr Kym Harris osb

APRE News

On Ash Wednesday, we launched our school’s Project Compassion campaign for 2024. Project Compassion is the annual Lenten fundraising drive for Caritas, the Catholic Church’s international aid and development agency. Each year, Caritas shares the stories of Project Compassion with schools to inspire them to take action and raise awareness about the challenges experienced by people living in poverty, stories such as Ronita’s below 

Our fundraising efforts began on Shrove Tuesday with our Pancake Flip Off and Morning Tea. Our Student Representative Council will be coordinating our fundraising efforts moving forward and kicked off on Tuesday afternoon by selling Zooper Doopers for $1 each at the Sandpiper Street entrance to our school.

There are also donation boxes in all classrooms and the school office. Please encourage your children to give a little of what they have for the benefit of someone in need. Perhaps they could forego a tuckshop treat and donate instead? Ask Mum/Dad, Grandma or Grandpa if they could earn some $$$ for odd jobs and donate their efforts. Please help us reach our goal of raising $1000 as a school community.

Please join us for Mass this Sunday morning at 9am at St Brigid’s Church. Once per month our school volunteers to fulfil the ministries at Mass, including Children’s Liturgy. There is also a shared morning tea following Mass. If you or your children are able to assist by reading, bringing something forward or simply by joining us, please let Mrs Arthur know. All are welcome!

God bless and have a wonderful week,

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

Exciting News: Our New Website is Live!

We are thrilled to announce that our brand-new website has officially launched this week! While some elements are still undergoing updates, we couldn't wait to share our revamped online presence with you.

A huge shoutout goes to Anne Webber for her fantastic work in capturing the essence of our community through her stunning photography. We are immensely grateful for her talent and dedication. As we continue to fine-tune and enhance our website, be sure to keep an eye out for more photos being added from our photo shoot last year.

Explore our new digital home at ollrok.catholic.edu.au. Your feedback and suggestions are invaluable to us as we strive to create an engaging and informative online platform for all our stakeholders.

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

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

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.

Longreach Regional Council

Making better places to walk in Longreach

Longreach Regional Council is working on a project called the Longreach Walking Network Plan.

We need to know your favourite places to walk to help Council with this project. We also need to know things that will make walking easier for you such as better paths, more footpaths and other things like lights and water bubblers.

Please help us by answering the questions in this survey. https://www.cprgroup.com.au/LongreachWNP

This survey will close on Sunday 14 April 2024.

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)