Term 3 Week 7 2024

A Message from the Principal

Dear parents and friends,

This week, we received exciting updates on our MPC carpark rebuild from the Catholic Education Office's capital works team and Longreach Council. Council is set to begin work on the carpark this October, with the project expected to take approximately six weeks to complete. During this construction phase, the carpark will be out of action. To ensure a smooth drop-off and pick-up process, an alternate pick-up point will be established on Kite Street via the oval gate. More detailed information will be provided closer to the start date.

Book Week is in full swing here at Our Lady’s! It has been wonderful to see the school buzzing with creativity, from the beautiful artworks and book reviews to students enjoying the short-listed stories. The highlight of the week will undoubtedly be our Book Week Parade and morning of activities this Friday, featuring our local kindergartens. Staff have been working hard on their costumes, and I’m sure it’s going to be a parade to remember!

We’re thrilled to announce that our 125th school anniversary will be celebrated on the weekend of March 1st, 2025. Huge plans are underway, including a Ball on the Saturday night and various exciting events throughout the weekend. We hope to see many of our current and past families and staff at the festivities. Don't forget to keep those memorabilia items coming in to Mrs. Carter.

Next Thursday, we invite you to join us for our Father’s Day prayer celebration in the MPC. Before the service, our Parents and Friends Committee will host a shared breakfast to honour all the important father figures in our lives. Taffy’s Coffee Van will also be on-site. We encourage our entire school community to come together for this special morning.

Lastly, a reminder that next Friday, August 30th, will be a Pupil Free Day. Our staff will be engaged in professional development focused on data analysis and religious education. We understand that a Pupil Free Day can present challenges, and we thank you for your continued support.

God bless,

Mr Peter Thurecht

Reflection – Sr Kym Harris OSB

Reading yourself, reading others – reading God in our lives

This week is National Book Week, a time when we encourage our children to read.  I would like to suggest a different kind of reading this week.  Christians are known as people of ‘The Book’, that is the Bible, which is really a collection of a number of different books that show how God worked in human lives.  We are also known as people of ‘The Word’, that is Jesus Christ.  St Augustine, one of the greatest writers in the Church, loved playing with words and ideas.  One of his best was to say that when God expressed his love, spoke his Word, Jesus, he was thinking of each one of us as a syllable in that Word.  Amazing!  This means that each of us has something special and unique to reveal about the love of God and about the person of Jesus. 

 This specialness is integral to how we are made, who we are.  We are not used to reading ourselves and need to work at this.  One way is to think of five words that you think describe who you are. (If you think of negative characteristics, name the positive side of it as well.) Then try and think of five words that describe your family or loved ones.  Make this the basis of a great family or group sharing.  This is owning of our best selves and how God’s presence is revealed in our lives.

This week is also Seniors Week and offers us a great opportunity to ask our grandparents, aunts uncles, the older people in our lives, how God has written in their ‘Book of Life’.   There is so much wisdom to be read there!

Loving God, when you brought me into existence you revealed a unique aspect of yourself.  May I read the mystery of myself and rejoice in your love.  I ask this in Jesus’ name confident that you will hear me.

Sr Kym Harris osb

APRE News

Gospel Reflection:

In John 6:51-58, Jesus describes Himself as the "living bread" that came down from heaven. He explains that whoever eats this bread will live forever, and the bread He offers is His flesh, given for the life of the world. Jesus emphasizes the necessity of eating His flesh and drinking His blood to have eternal life, stating that those who do so will remain in Him, and He in them. This passage highlights the deep spiritual significance of communion, symbolizing the intimate relationship between believers and Christ.

In school communities, John 6:51-58 can be seen as a metaphor for the importance of fostering deep, nourishing connections among students, teachers, and staff. Just as Jesus speaks of offering His flesh as the "living bread" for eternal life, in a school setting, this can symbolize the commitment to nurturing the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. By creating an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and connected, the school community can thrive. Just as the passage emphasizes the necessity of communion with Christ for spiritual sustenance, strong relationships and a sense of belonging are essential for personal and collective growth, ensuring that every member of the community is nourished and empowered to reach their full potential.

Book Week 2024:

Book Week Australia 2024 is a celebration of literature and the power of stories, which play a crucial role in education and personal growth. For Catholics, the Bible is the ultimate book, containing the Word of God and serving as a guide for faith, morality, and life. Just as Book Week encourages a love for reading and the exploration of different worlds and ideas through books, the Bible is central to Catholic life, offering timeless wisdom, teachings, and inspiration.

During Book Week, as students and teachers engage with various stories, it has also been an opportunity to reflect on the Bible’s significance. For Catholics, the Bible is not just a collection of stories but a living document that informs their beliefs, practices, and values. It serves as the foundation for understanding God’s love, the teachings of Jesus, and the path to living a life of faith. The integration of the Bible into Book Week discussions has helped highlight the importance of sacred texts in shaping identities, communities, and cultures, while also fostering a deeper appreciation for the role of spiritual and religious literature in our lives.

God Bless,

Mr. KD

St Brigid's Sacramental Program

St Brigid's Sacramental Program is offering to prepare children to make their First Reconciliation. Children must be 7 years or older.

Please contact Angela Arthur to enrol or for more information angela_arthur@rok.catholic.edu.au

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.

Celebrating Queensland's School Crossing Supervisors for 40 years of service

This year, Queensland’s School Crossing Supervisor Scheme celebrates 40 years of keeping kids safe as they travel to and from school.

We'd like to say a big thank you to our wonderful School Crossing Supervisor Ms Hughes, for everything you do for our students and school community! You do a great job keeping our students and other pedestrians safe as they cross the road in peak drop-off and pick-up times.

Why not say a big thank you the next time you see them on duty! You can also show your appreciation for School Crossing Supervisors by slowing down, following directions and being courteous while travelling in our school zone.

Did you know?

• The School Crossing Supervisor Scheme is operated by the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
• There are more than 2000 school crossing supervisors who operate over 1300 crossings at more than 700 Queensland schools.
• There has not been a single fatality on a supervised crossing since the scheme started in 1984.

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.

2025 Uniform Orders

2025 uniform order forms have been sent home with students this week. To assist with stock control, uniforms will be pre-ordered using the form below. There will be limited stock available through the year. Parents will be notified when uniforms have arrived and are ready for collection. Our next order period will be Late Term 1 2025, to prepare for winter.

PLEASE RETURN YOUR COMPLETED FORM TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE – ORDERS CLOSE WEDNESDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER

Our Lady's Catholic Primary School P&F

The next P&F meeting will be held on Wednesday 9th October at 5:30pm in C block. Zoom details will be emailed next week for those who cannot attend in person.

VET - A Parent Webinar

If you are a parent of a Queensland high school student, you won’t want to miss this free parent webinar, brought to you by the peak parent bodies in Queensland.

Vocational Education and Training (VET) subjects are more popular than ever in Years 11 and 12. We bring together experts in curriculum, VET and industry to help unpack the opportunities and advantages of combining academic studies with job-ready VET subjects, to set young people up for success in the workplace. A parent with a child studying VET will also share her family’s experience.

DATE: Wednesday 28 August

TIME: 7.00pm – 8.00pm GMT +10

MODE: Online

COST: Free

Click here to register

This webinar is brought to you by the Queensland Joint Parent Committee.

Australian Council on Smoking and Health

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

Isolated Children's Parents' Association Qld Longreach Branch

Family Support Program

Isolated Children's Parents' Association (ICPA) is committed to advocating for equitable education access, opportunities and support for all rural and remote students. Motivated by this commitment the ICPA Longreach Branch is initiating a program that enables our Longreach and district families to access up to $500 in financial assistance toward educational, sporting or cultural/arts support or activities for your children.

•    Educational support for your child may include, but is not limited to, speech therapy, occupational therapy, paediatrician appointment, or literacy and numeracy support.
•    Sporting activities relate specifically to those students selected to represent our region at North West Sports or a specialised coaching clinic.
•    Cultural/Arts activities may include music or drama workshops such as SHEP.

Eligibility criteria include:

•    Membership of the ICPA Longreach Branch. ($50 p/a https://icpa.com.au/qld/membership)
•    The child receiving the support lives in the Longreach 4730 / Ilfracombe 4727 postcode area.
•    The child is aged up to 17 years of age.
•    If the child is of school age, the child must be attending a Longreach or Ilfracombe school.
•    No more than one application per child to be submitted per calendar year.
•    Evidence that your child received the support or participated in the activity.

The ICPA Longreach Branch Family Support Program financial assistance is on a reimbursement basis. Upon receipt of a paid invoice/receipt and proof that your child received the educational support and/or participated in the sporting/cultural activity, up to $500 will be paid via bank transfer to your nominated account. 
ICPA Longreach Branch has allocated a capped budget for this program, so once allocated funds have been spent, the program may be modified with the aim of providing assistance to the maximum number of families in our Branch. The ICPA Longreach Branch committee reserves the right to assess applications on a case by case basis. The Committee's decision is final in all application assessments. Your input and feedback on this Family Support Program is welcome as we aspire to provide a useful service to our Branch members. 
If you are seeking educational support for your child and you're not sure where to start looking, these are providers in our Longreach area:

•    Virtual or face-to-face speech therapy, https://popfamily.au/about/
•    Little Legs - Occupational Therapy based in Central West, https://www.littlelegsot.com.au/
•    Outback Futures - multiple services, https://outbackfutures.org.au/

Please email icpa.longreach@gmail.com for more information on this program, or to submit an application form. 

Book Week Parade - Friday 23rd August

Fathers Day Celebrations- 29th August

Movie Night - 12th September

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

We have an exciting program from September – November 2024 and February 2025 for all girls and women 14 and above. The program consists of exercise, nutritional information and beauty session with a variety of local instructors and businesses.

The program takes places every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon starting 10/09/2024 at 5:30pm and all we need is your commitment! It is completely FREE and for all levels, beginners through to experienced athletes. Grab your girlfriend and sign up! Active Women and Girls – Longreach Regional Council

Longreach Stingrays

Storyfest Out West - 4th to 6th September

2025 Storyfest Writing Competitions Now Open!

The Somerset National Poetry Prize

The Somerset National Poetry Prize encourages young writers in their literary endeavours and is open to all Australian high school students. It is a wonderful opportunity for serious student writers, encouraging them in their literary growth. And there are also some fantastic prizes on offer! 

Here's what the competition entails:

• Write a poem of no more than 50 lines
• ​The Somerset National Poetry Prize is open to ALL current secondary students who are Australian citizens or permanent residents attending school in Australia. Students receiving home schooling are eligible to enter. Entrants must be under 19 years of age as of the competition closing date
• The winner in each category will receive $300 plus flights to the Gold Coast to attend the Somerset Storyfest in April 2025
• Closing date Friday 6 December 2024

Click here to submit your entry!

Storyfest National Novella Competition

The Storyfest National Novella Writing Competition is open to all Australian high school students. It is a wonderful opportunity for serious student writers, encouraging them in their literary growth - and there are also some fantastic prizes on offer! 

Here's what the competition entails:

• Write a novella of between 8,000 and 20,000 words
• Have it judged by an expert panel
• Winners from each State will be flown to the Gold Coast to enjoy Storyfest in April 2025 and will also receive a cash prize
• Closing date Friday 6 December 2024

Click here to submit your entry!

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. 

Central West Hospital & Health Services