Term 3 Week 4 2024

A Message from the Principal

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Next week is filled with exciting activities and important events for our school community. Here are the key details to keep in mind. School Photo Day will be held on Wednesday, 7th August. The day will begin at 8 am with staff photos, followed by photos for all year levels. It is essential that all students wear their formal uniform on this day. To ensure everyone is properly dressed, we will provide formal uniforms to students if parents cannot be contacted. Please note that P.E. classes have been rescheduled to Monday, 5th August, to avoid any conflicts with the class photos. Students should wear their P.E. uniform on Monday.

There are several staff absences next week due to sports and professional development opportunities. On Monday, 5th August, Mr. Kopacz will be convening the Central West Cricket Trials at the Showgrounds. Additionally, Mr. KD will be teaching the Year 5 & 6 classes on this day. On Thursday and Friday, 8th-9th August, Miss Walker and Mr. KD will attend Berry Street Training in Rockhampton. From Monday to Thursday, 5th-8th August, I will be in Rockhampton attending the Leading with Integrity for Excellence (LWIE) program, which focuses on governance for Catholic schools. During my absence, Mrs. Thurecht and Mr. Komndi-Diggins will act as Principal. These events are part of our ongoing efforts to build capacity and enhance the quality of education at our school. We appreciate your understanding and support as we manage these activities.

Wedding bells are in the air next week as we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Miss Libby Braden and Mr. Charlie Williams on their upcoming nuptials. Miss Braden will be taking leave for this special event, and communication has already been sent home to her Year 2 class. As a school community, we wish them a lifetime of happiness and joy in their new journey together.

Our Lady’s Book Fair begins next week, offering an exciting opportunity for students to purchase books and dive into a world of imagination. This event not only fosters a love of reading but also benefits our school, as we receive a percentage of the sales. These funds enable Mrs. Carter to acquire new resources for our library, enriching our students' learning experiences. As a community, let's come together to support the Book Fair and encourage our young readers.

Week 1 (5th-9th August):

From Monday to Wednesday, children will have the chance to view the books on display and fill out their Wish Lists, which will be sent home. On Thursday and Friday, purchasing begins, with the fair open from 8am to 9:30am and 3pm to 4pm. If it’s quiet, Mrs. Carter may close early.

Week 2 (12th-16th August):

Throughout the week, the Book Fair will be open from 8am to 9am and 3pm to 4pm each day. Again, if it’s quiet, Mrs. Carter may close early.

We were thrilled to welcome former Australian Olympic swimmer Emily Seabohm to our school this week, where she spoke to our Year 3 to 6 students. Emily shared her inspiring journey, discussing her remarkable achievements and the dedication, never-give-up attitude, and resilience required to become an Olympian. Her key messages resonated deeply with the students, who were also given the incredible opportunity to hold her Olympic medals. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that left a lasting impression on everyone. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Emily and her team for taking the time to visit Our Lady's. This Friday, we will show our support for our Australian Olympic Team by wearing Green and Gold!!

God bless,

Mr Peter Thurecht

Reflection – Sr Kym Harris OSB

Grandparent’s love

One of my grandmothers was about the most boring person I’ve known, but gee, she was wonderful as a grandmother.  Very set in her ways, too.  My brother, who stayed with my grandparents one night a week, tells how she would do his hair (he was 14) with Brylcreem before sending him off to school.  This was the 70’s!  I don’t know how he got it out before getting to school.  But he tells the story with such fondness.  Nanny Harris had that effect on us.  Love, acceptance just flowed out of this simple, ordinary woman.  Having experienced that, I regard a grandparent’s love as one of the greatest gifts you can give a child.  And if you can’t get that love from a grandparent for your child, try to find some other adult to give that simple uncomplicated, generous love. You will be doing them, and yourselves, a great service. 

My Dad, after becoming a grandparent, used to say that God was not a father, but a grandfather.  God offers that type of love and acceptance.  We can sometimes find that a bit boring, or find God’s ways quirky and perhaps even out of tune with where we think our lives are, but that doesn’t stop us from basking in God’s love.  Nothing we grandchildren did stopped Nanny’s love.  Nothing we do can stop God’s love.  All we have to do is to stop and allow it to be in our lives. 

Loving Father, you gave Jesus human grandparents, Sts. Joachim and Ann, so that we might realise how wonderful such love is.  Let your Spirit guide me so that I may find ways to have such love in my child/ren’s lives.

Sr Kym Harris osb 

APRE News

Welcome Back to Week 4 of Term 3!

Gospel Reflection: John 6:1-15

In this passage, we learn about the miracle of Jesus feeding the five thousand. As Jesus crosses the Sea of Galilee, a large crowd follows Him, drawn by the miracles He performs for the sick. Seeing the multitude, Jesus tests His disciple Philip by asking where they could buy bread for the people to eat. Philip notes that it would take more than half a year's wages to buy enough bread for everyone. Another disciple, Andrew, points out a boy with five barley loaves and two small fish but doubts it will be enough. Jesus instructs the crowd to sit down, gives thanks, and distributes the loaves and fish. Miraculously, everyone eats their fill, and the disciples gather twelve baskets of leftovers. The crowd, witnessing this sign, believes Jesus is the Prophet who is to come into the world. Perceiving that the people intend to make Him king by force, Jesus withdraws to a mountain alone.

This story is one of my personal favourites because it delivers a clear and simple message: give what you have to Jesus. Like the small boy who offered everything he had, we should also give and share what we can to help those in need. In a school setting, this story teaches students about resourcefulness and faith, demonstrating that even small contributions can have a significant impact. The miracle of the loaves and fishes shows the power of working together and trusting in a positive outcome, essential for building a strong, supportive school community. It reassures students that by coming together and contributing, even in small ways, they can achieve great things and support each other through difficult times.

Catholic Education Week Wrap-Up

Catholic Education Week was a brilliant success this year. Our Lady's truly embodied the theme of "Communities of Faith, Hope & Love." This was evident in the whole school Mass, community gift-giving, and all the activities held throughout the week. We celebrated what makes Catholic schools unique and distinctive in their mission to live as Jesus did.

Mass

This Sunday at 9 AM, there will be a Lay-led Mass. All are invited to join in the celebration. Next Sunday, August 11th, Our Lady's staff and students will be ministering at Mass. We hope to see many staff, students, and members of our school community there!

God Bless,
Mr. KD

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, Mr Sahlie Komndi-Diggins, Mrs Belinda Thurecht and Ms Sarah Wall. If you have concerns, please do not hesitate to contact one of our officers.

Parent Orbit App

We're excited to announce a new mobile app for Our Lady's Longreach, Parent Orbit, is now ready for you to download and use.

The Parent Orbit app, which is connected to Parent Lounge, will improve our communication with each other as it offers a quick and easy way to receive notifications, view academic reports, book Parent/Teacher interviews, add Student Absences, view and pay School Fees, accept or decline excursions via the Events and Activities, update student details, email class teachers and much more.

Once you are in the app enter your Username and Password.  Your Username is your Parent Code, and your password is the same password that you use to login to Parent Lounge.  If you cannot remember your Parent Lounge password, click here to access the "Forget Password?" feature and follow the prompts to reset your password. Please contact the school office on 4994 8375 if you require further assistance.

Please take the time to explore the app as it offers many useful features. A "How To" guide has been included below. The app is very intuitive and will help keep us connected to support the education of your children.

The key features of the Parent Orbit App:
• Instant Notifications: Stay up to date with the latest announcements and important
alerts on your smartphone (be sure to enable Notifications)
• Events and Payments: Easily approve excursion attendance or make fee payments
• Medical Details: Keep your student’s medical details up to date
• Attendance Tracking: Easily track attendance and notify the School of your student's
absence
• Event Calendar: Stay informed about school events, meetings, and important dates
• Parent Teacher Interviews: Schedule parent-teacher interviews and receive
reminders
• Academic Reports: View and download your student’s school reports

How to download the Parent Orbit App
To download the app, scan the following QR code or follow the directions below

For iOS (iPhone and iPad) Users:
• On the iPhone or iPad device you would like to install Parent Orbit
• Once the App Store page for the app appears, tap "Get" or "Download"
• You may be prompted to enter your Apple ID password or use Touch ID/Face ID to
confirm the download
• After the download is complete, tap "Open" to launch the app
• Please ensure you enable Notifications

For Android Users:
• On the Android device you would like to install the Parent Orbit app
• Once the Google Play Store page for the app appears, tap "Install"
• The app will request certain permissions; tap "Accept" to grant them
• After the installation is complete, tap "Open" to launch the app
• Please ensure you enable Notifications

Setting Up Your Account

Once you have successfully downloaded and installed the app, follow these steps to set up your account:

1. Open ‘Parent Orbit’
2. Type “oll” (in lower case) into the School Code box and click Submit
3. Select Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School, then ‘Continue’
4. Enter your Parent Code (same 6 digit number Username as Parent Lounge which can be found under ‘Account Number’ on your Fee Statement) and Password (the same Password for Parent Lounge), then select ‘Login’
5. Parent Orbit will request access to your student information from Parent Lounge, select ‘Allow’
6. Parent Orbit will request permission to send Notifications, select ‘Allow’
7. You can now navigate Parent Orbit
Please note: A red dot signifies either; a notification, something that needs action ie. Events and Payments or an absence to acknowledge
8. Information such as links or contact details for the school can be obtained via the side bar. This can be accessed by hitting the hamburger menu button located in the top left corner, or by swiping right.
9. For extra security when accessing the parent orbit app, Face ID or a PIN can be setup (dependant on phone settings). This can be done by first going to the settings page and then selecting Face ID or PIN to be enabled.

James Anderson - Mistakes aren't what they used to be...

Most of our children have a dysfunctional relationship with mistakes. On the one hand, they are being told that mistakes help them learn, that they are even things to be celebrated. On the other hand, they are bad, and represent failure. The truth is that mistakes aren't good or bad. In fact, to talk about mistakes as just one thing doesn't even make much sense. In this video I explain why we need a new view of mistakes, as useful or not, and to talk about 6 different types of mistakes.

Changes to Arts and P.E for Term 3 and 4

Due to Mrs. Neuendorf teaching Year 6 on Mondays and Tuesdays next term, Arts and P.E. classes will now be scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings. The Term 3 timetable is as follows:

Wednesday – P.E for Prep, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, and Year 5/6;

Thursday – Arts for Prep, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, and Year 5/6;

Friday morning - P.E. and Arts for Year 1.

Please ensure your child wears their P.E Uniform on Wednesday and Friday next semester.

School Photo Day - Wednesday 7th August

To ensure photo day runs smoothly we ask that all students are at school by 8:35am.

Reading over the uniform policy before school photo day is crucial to ensure that hair and uniform requirements are met. This policy includes detailed guidelines on acceptable hairstyles, and the proper wearing of uniforms, including any restrictions on accessories. Adhering to these guidelines helps present a neat and cohesive appearance for the photographs, reflecting the school's standards and values. By following the uniform policy, students contribute to a polished and professional group image, making school photo day a success.

On photo day, every student will be photographed regardless of whether you are purchasing or not.

Personalised order envelope from the photographers have been sent home.  Please take care to read and follow all the instructions carefully.  This will ensure your order is processed smoothly and efficiently and will help you to avoid any late fees. 

You will have the option to order online or with cash in your student’s envelope.  Please take care to follow the instructions carefully.

Sibling Order Envelopes will be sent home with the eldest child.  Please note: Sibling photos are only for siblings who all attend the school. Additional order envelopes for blended or separated families will be available from the school office. Be sure to write “Mum’s order” or “Dad’s order” on top of your envelope.

If your child has been photographed in a special group (ie sports team or leadership team), order envelopes will be available in the weeks following photo day.  Please watch this newsletter for information when they will be available.

As school staff are unable to help with photography enquiries or payments, please direct your questions and comments directly to MSP Photography by phoning 4921 3355.

Thank you for your co-operation and we look forward to a great photo day.

Keep smiling!!!

Accelerated Reader

Our Lady's Catholic Primary School P&F

The next P&F meeting will be held on Wednesday 21st August at 5:30pm in C block. Zoom details will be emailed next week for those who cannot attend in person.

Winton Poetry Festival - 11th September

Winton Poetry Festival 2024: Prep to Year 6 Performances

We are excited to announce that our students from Prep to Year 6 will be performing at the Winton Poetry Festival this year! This wonderful event will take place in Winton on Wednesday, 11th September 2024, and will feature both group and individual poetry competitions.

Group Performances

Each year level will perform a group poem, coordinated by their teachers. Most of the practice for these performances will happen at school, but students may need to do some memorisation at home as part of their homework. Teachers will provide the necessary materials and instructions for home practice to ensure that everyone is well-prepared and confident on the day.

Individual Performances

For those interested in the individual poetry competition, participation is at the discretion of parents. Students wishing to compete individually must perform a short poem with rhyme and rhythm, written by an Australian author and reflecting our Australian way of life. Poems should be suitable for public performance at the festival.

Parents and students need to inform the teachers of their intention to participate in the individual competition by Friday, 2nd August, so teachers can assist with preparation. While there will be some practice time allocated at school, it is expected that students will also practice at home to ensure they are ready for the event.

Information about the festival has been sent home with students this week. Please make sure to return the transport notes by Friday, 9th August.

Green & Gold Day - Friday 2nd August

Book Fair - 5th to 16th August

Book Week Parade - Friday 23rd August

LSHS Year 6 Highschool Parent Information Evening & Transition Days

Mobile Phone & Wearable Technology Policy

Uniform Policy

Tuckshop

There will be no Tuckshop on Friday 19th July (Term 3 Week 2).

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

Longreach School of Dance

Longreach Regional Council

Storyfest Out West - 4th to 6th September

Griffith University

Outback Futures - Bouncing forward in tough times

The Outback Futures team values the connection we have with you and your community, and we'd like to share a special free email series with you.

Our 9 week Resilient Kids and Youth series shares practical tips and tools to help kids and teens grow their resilience.

We know resilience is one of those words that has been used so much, its value and meaning is often diluted.
But before you dismiss this, let's take a quick look at why building resilience is so important for our children.

Bouncing forward - It can be helpful to think of resilience as bouncing forward in tough times.
This means having a good set of support, skills, and tools that help us - no matter what age we are - tackle life’s challenges and move forward through tough times rather than get stuck or even move backwards.

Key signposts - So, what does resilience look like in our kids and teens?
The Outback Futures team has developed three key signposts, based on the latest research, which can help our children navigate their way through life: 

1. I HAVE people who love me and help me 
2. I AM a person who knows myself well and is considerate of others
3. I CAN solve problems and proactively navigate my emotions

9 weekly emails - Sign up and each week you'll receive an email with:

• A 4-5 minute video, presented by Dr Justin Coulson, one of Australia's most trusted parenting experts. He shares easy to understand and relatable ideas you and your family can put into action straight away.
• A 4 page workbook of ideas and activities you can work through with your kids and teens at your own pace.
• Some extra resources from the Outback Futures team and our friends at Parent TV. 

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.

Catholic School Parents Queensland

The Australian Council on Smoking and Health (ACOSH). ACOSH is a not-for-profit advocacy organisation dedicated to creating a smoke-free and vape-free Australia.

ACOSH is conducting an online survey to find out what parents think about student vaping in high schools. We would like to hear the views of adults who have a child attending high school in Australia.

All results will be kept anonymous and no individuals or schools will be identified. ACOSH will use the survey results to advocate for improving vaping education and support for students.

Click on the link below to complete the 5-minute survey

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/acosh_parent_vaping_survey

Central West Hospital & Health Services