Term 2 Week 5 2024

A Message from the Principal

Dear parents and friends,

The Leading with Integrity for Excellence program, held in Rockhampton this week, has been incredibly informative. Dr. Stephen Brown, a distinguished figure from the Brown Collective, spearheaded two days of profound discourse on Governance in Catholic Education and Ethics. Supported by guest speakers, each a specialist in their respective fields, including Miss Leesa Jeffcoat, Mr. Robert Rooney, and Mr. Trent May, the program delved deep into the intricacies of ethical governance and decision making. By honing our understanding of governance within Catholic education and delving into the nuances of civil law, canon law and ethics, our leadership team stands poised to navigate the complexities of educational stewardship with wisdom and integrity.

Our Lady's is gearing up for a morning of excitement as we prepare to attend Under 8s Day this Friday at Longreach State School. Our dedicated teachers have been hard at work, curating a plethora of engaging activities to delight and inspire children from across the region. This annual event is eagerly anticipated by our students, and this year promises to be no exception. Under 8s Day is more than just a celebration; it's a testament to the joy of learning and the boundless creativity of childhood. As our school community comes together to celebrate the wonder and curiosity of our youngest learners, we are reminded of the magic that happens when education is infused with joy and imagination.

As the sun sets on another memorable Year 5 camp, tales of adventure have been shared across the week. For our Year 5 students, the highlight of the week was the opportunity to build their own tents and immerse themselves in the beauty of Camp Fairbairn in Emerald. Student behaviour and willingness to have a go has been incredible which is a credit to the families, staff and students of Our Lady's. We eagerly await their return this Friday afternoon, knowing that they will bring back with them a treasure trove of unforgettable memories and newfound resilience.

Excitement is building as Our Lady's prepares to showcase its vibrant school spirit at this year's Longreach Show. Led by the creative Mrs. Neuendorf and supported by enthusiastic staff, our school is set to unveil an eye-catching float that celebrates the essence of our community. Stay tuned for more information on how you can get involved and help make our float a dazzling tribute to our school's enduring spirit and excellence.

God bless,

Mr Peter Thurecht

Reflection – Sr Kym Harris OSB

Living your Passion

I have recently been following some Youtubers, TwoSet Violin. They are two Taiwanese-Australians who trained as violinists and were accepted at a young age into respected Symphony Orchestras…but they realised they would never attain their dream of being soloists.  Ten years ago, they began Youtubing together, combining their serious love of classical music with their zany humour.  This proved to be so popular, they gave up the ‘day job’ and went full time into their alternative ventures.  Surprisingly to me, they have been well accepted in the traditional classical world as they have introduced many (young and old) to love and play classical music.  They followed their passion.

They followed their passion, yes, but they also grounded it in reality.  They practice, in fact insist on it in their daily life (4-5 hours a day), they look after their health (that was learnt the hard way), they are respectful of others (with their humour it would be too easy to be at another’s expense), they recognise their talents and find a way of playing with them.  They are prepared to fail. When their first choice didn’t work out, they found another to fulfill their passion.

True passion, for us Christians, comes from the Holy Spirit.  We have each been given gifts and talents, aspects of ourselves that make us feel more alive.  These can set us on fire but they need to be grounded in reality to give light and warmth to our lives.  As we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Spirit, let us take time to recognise and name some passion we would like to pursue.  Then pray for the Spirit’s Wisdom to make it a realistic part of our lives.

Loving Father, send us the Wisdom of your Spirit to discover and embrace a passion in my life.  Give me the knowledge to pursue it realistically and let me persevere when I come into difficulties or challenges.  I ask this in Jesus’ name, confident that you will hear me.

Sr Kym Harris osb

APRE News

This week we welcomed April Roth to our school. April is a member of the Formation, Identity and Religious Education (FIARE) Team at the Rockhampton Catholic Education Office. Her visit to our school this week was to support staff in better understanding their role as teachers of Religious Education including differentiating between being religious (the religious life of our school includes aspects such as saying ‘grace’ before meals and participating in liturgies & Masses) and teaching religion (engaging critically with their year level curriculums in the same way they would other key learning areas). This complements the work that Mr KD and I engaged in during our trip to Rockhampton a couple of weeks ago – how do we keep Catholic schools Catholic and meaningful in a modern era?

As we approach the Feast of Pentecost, we are reminded of the profound courage displayed by the disciples of Jesus. This sacred occasion, often referred to as the birthday of the Church, marks the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, empowering them to continue the mission of Jesus Christ.

The disciples, once timid and uncertain, were transformed into bold proclaimers of the Gospel, fearlessly spreading the message of love, hope, and redemption to all corners of the earth. Their unwavering faith and commitment serve as an inspiration to us all, urging us to embrace our own call to discipleship with courage and conviction.

In today's world, where challenges abound and uncertainty looms large, the message of Pentecost remains as relevant as ever. We are called to be witnesses of Christ's love in our communities, workplaces, and beyond. Like the disciples, we are tasked with continuing the mission of Jesus, embodying His teachings through acts of kindness, compassion, and service to others.

The Feast of Pentecost also marks the end of the six week season of Easter … if you still have Easter eggs left (as we do in our household), here is your permission to tuck in and enjoy!

As we gather for our Year 4 prayer assembly this Friday at 8:35 am, all are welcome to join us in reflection, prayer, and celebration. Let us come together as a community, united in our faith and inspired by the courage of the disciples, as we renew our commitment to living out the Gospel message in our daily lives.

May the spirit of Pentecost ignite within us a fervent desire to be true disciples of Christ, spreading His light and love to all we encounter.

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.

School Fees

Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month - It's in our control to end coercive control

In Queensland, the month of May is dedicated as Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month.

This annual initiative aims to:
• raise awareness of domestic and family violence and coercive control,
• highlight the support services available, and
• send a clear message that violence in our communities will not be tolerated.

The theme for 2024 is It’s in our control to end coercive control.

Domestic and Family Violence Coordinator for the Rockhampton Police District, Sergeant Hannah Buckenham, has suggested a positive way for our schools and colleges to support victims/ survivors of Domestic and Family Violence.

Across the Rockhampton and surrounding areas, Police frequently use DV safe phones and distribute them to victims/survivors. DV Safe Phones generously provide free smart phones to victims/survivors where their phone has been destroyed during an act of DV and they have no safe way to contact Police.

DV Safe Phones wipes and resets all phones received and applies a DV Safe application that allows the victims/survivor to safely use the phone.

During May, kindergartens, schools, colleges, and our Catholic Education Office are acting as collection points for old mobile phones and chargers. We invite students and families to bring in smart phones in working condition. These will then be passed on to QPS who will re-task them for use by victims/survivors of DFV.

Below are instructions on how you can prepare your phones for donation.

125 Year Celebration - Paver Fundraiser

As we commemorate our 125^th anniversary at Our Lady's next year, we invite you, our cherished families and friends, to contribute to our enduring Alumni Pavers Project. Located at Parents' Place, these pavers serve as timeless tributes to your connection with Our Lady's.

🔹 Cost: $40 per paver

🔹 Deadline: Please complete and return the accompanying form to the school by Friday, Week 5, Term 2, 2024 (May 17th).

🔹 Contact: For additional order forms or further inquiries, kindly reach out to our school office at 0749948375.

Your participation not only commemorates your history with Our Lady's but also supports vital projects organized by our Parents & Friends association.

Let's make our 125^th anniversary truly unforgettable, one paver at a time!

Our Lady's Catholic Primary School P&F

May's P&F meeting will be held on Wednesday 22nd commencing at 5:30pm in C Block all are welcome to attend. A zoom link will be emailed next week.

Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame Campdraft

Our Lady's P&F have been invited to cater at the 2024 Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame Camp Draft, which is held on Friday 31st of May, Saturday 1st of June and Sunday 2nd of June. This is a great opportunity for the P&F to raise funds for projects within our school which will benefit our students.

Our Lady’s P&F have committed to the following during the Camp Draft:

• Providing breakfast, lunch and dinner across the weekend. We are the sole caterers for the event.
• The operation of the bar across the weekend.

To make sure everything runs smoothly, we're counting on the support of many parents and friends to assist with tasks ranging from cooking dishes, serving meals and pouring drinks at the bar.

Click this link to assist with catering: https://signup.zone/LMwX8isYZCsLttbLT

For questions and further information about catering, please contact Lisa Neuendorf on 0447636787 or email lisa_neuendorf@rok.actholic.edu.au.

Click this link to assist with the bar: https://signup.zone/W4FDrMXcdhrH7qPs6

For questions and further information about the bar, please contact Bill Seeney on 0427580301 or James Batt on 0428173423

Just 1 Thing

As we begin Term 2 our fundraising efforts increase, we invite you to take every opportunity to help your child soar higher at Our Lady’s. 

Being involved in the school community helps your child feel connected and increases their willingness to learn. They get such a kick out of seeing mum / dad / grandparents and other special people at school. 

How do we achieve this??? By helping with Just 1 thing! Find out more and let us know how you can assist through the link below.

https://forms.gle/ekidPu8D3di2YXEm8

Our Lady's Playgroup

LSHS Year 6 Highschool Parent Information Evening & Transition Days

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

Outback Futures

The new year is off to a racing start! We have successfully brought on board three parent peers - Laura Noble (Blackall), Sheree Banning (Winton) and Hannah Batt (Longreach), with a Barcy Parent Peer to be hopefully added into the mix soon! I've attached their get to know you cards in case you would like to circulate them around. Thank you again to each of your input into the training, the characteristics of our parent peers and the content of the training. We have received really positive feedback both from the community and our outback futures team so far! The ladies are attending all of the playgroups in their towns and have already connected with so many new mothers and families. 

The Mater Research (Kerri Gillespie and Grace Branjerdporn) are doing some research and evaluation on the development of the Parent peer program and they may be reaching out to you separately to ask if you want to provide your input on your involvement. The research will hopefully help Outback Futures continue to receive funding for our parent peers! This is completely voluntary - and will consist of a 30 min phone call. If you're up for it, feel free to participate and if not, that's fine too!

Click here for the Outback Futures Top Tips Card: 240408 F1D Top Tip cards (14.8 x 10.5 cm) (canva.com) 

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.

Non State School Transport Assistance Scheme

The Non State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme (NSSTAS), funded by the State Government and administered by the Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC), provides financial assistance to families transporting children to non-state schools in Queensland.

The Scheme’s Bus Fare Assistance Program (BFAP) provides a rebate above a threshold amount to eligible families whose student attends a non-state school outside the Brisbane City Council boundary. Setting a threshold is necessary to ensure the funding provided by the State Government is adequate to meet demand.

The weekly family threshold for Semester One 2024 was set by the Committee in August 2023 at $35 ($25 for a concession card holder). Applications for Semester One travel can be made in May at SchoolTransport.com.au.

The threshold is reviewed by the NSSTAS Reference Committee every semester and adjusted based on available cash reserves and anticipated demand. It is set before the start of the upcoming semester to ensure schools and families can appropriately plan their travel arrangements.
The Committee has reviewed the Scheme for Semester 2 2024. I am pleased to advise the weekly family threshold will reduce to $25 ($15 for a concession card holder). Increased funding to recognise enrolment growth and a high rate of indexation has resulted in an increase in the total grant funding received, enabling the reduction. We are pleased that this will help families with greater financial assistance in a period of increased cost of living. Applications can be made online on the website for Semester 2 travel in October and further information about the Scheme is available at SchoolTransport.com.au.

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