Term 3 Week 8 2024

A Message from the Principal

Dear parents and friends,

This week, we came together as a school community to celebrate a day that holds a special place in all our hearts—Father’s Day. It was a time for us to acknowledge and honour all the wonderful dads, granddads, and father figures who play such an important role in our lives.

During our Father’s Day prayer celebration, we asked some of our staff to share what makes their dads special. I stopped to reflect on this question while watching the videos and even now, as an adult, the memories of playing cricket and rugby league with Dad in the yard of our Emu Street house remain vivid. Despite coming home after a long day at work, he always made time to be with us. This sentiment resonates with so many of us—the idea that despite the demands of daily life, our dads always found the time to be present, to play, and to create memories that stay with us forever.

As we reflect on these precious memories, we want to extend our heartfelt wishes to all the dads and father figures in our school community. May your Father’s Day be filled with joy, love, and the warmth of family. Thank you for all that you do and for the love and support you give so freely. Happy Father’s Day from everyone at Our Lady’s!

Next week, our students will have the exciting opportunity to attend StoryFest Out West at the Showgrounds. This event will immerse them in workshops with renowned authors Matt Stanton, R.A. Spratt, Andy Geppert, and Katrina Nannestad. Mrs. Carter is particularly eager to see Matt Stanton, the author of Funny Kid, whose books have sold over a million copies worldwide. It's fantastic that our students in the Far West can enjoy such enriching literary experiences right on our doorstep.

Last week, our Year 6 students continued their Transition to High School program in partnership with Longreach State High School, participating in hands-on HPE and Woodwork sessions. These experiences have been incredibly valuable, helping to ease the transition to high school by giving students a taste of the subjects and activities they will encounter next year. Next week, our Year 6 class will have their final visit for Term 3, and they are eagerly anticipating the continuation of this program in Term 4. The students have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and are excited for what’s to come.

Finally, A huge thank you to everyone for your incredible support of Book Fair and Book Week over the past fortnight! The sight of so many children dressed as their favourite characters on Friday was truly magical. Special credit goes to our wonderful staff, with Mrs. Sidebottom and Mrs. Cutting being unforgettable as the magical unicorn and Bluey. We were also delighted to have our Kindy students join in the fun. A heartfelt thank you to Mrs. Carter, who always transforms the library into a wonderland that spreads the joy of reading. Her brilliant displays and dedication to fostering a love of reading in our students are deeply appreciated.

God bless,

Mr Peter Thurecht

Reflection – Sr Kym Harris OSB

Fathers can cast a long shadow

In 1896, Edward Glowrey, father of a large and growing family, faced financial disaster and failing health.  One of his responses to these difficult circumstances was to encourage his daughters to pursue their education, so that they would be able to support themselves.  One became a teacher.  Another, Mary Glowrey, with his advice and encouragement, went on to become one of the first women medical graduates of Melbourne University.  She learnt her lessons well from this father.  For the rest of her life, when she faced a difficult or challenging situation, she did not back off but rather developed her own gifts and talents and worked to help others do the same.   Seeing the needs of the poor in Melbourne during WWI, she helped found the Catholic Women’s Social Guild.  Feeling a call to help the women and children of India, she did a Doctorate in Medicine to be better skilled in helping them.  After running a busy practice, she sailed to India, in 1920 and joined a religious congregation serving the poor.  After turning a small dispensary into a large hospital, she founded a nursing school, the Catholic Medical Association of India and when she died was planning a medical college to train doctors, which is now one of the premier medical schools of India.  Not bad for a girl from a little country town on the Mallee. 

All her life, she regarded her father as an instrumental force in her life.  His encouragement of her education was just the beginning.  Her taught her to face problems, clearly and creatively, and to work with others to bring them to completion.  He was also known for his kindness to all – another feature of Mary’s life.  He did not know what she was to become, but in the midst of his own challenges, he ensured that he took the time to clearly and gently teach his children the values that would form a rich and fulfilling life. 

Loving Father never let me underestimate the influence I can have on my child/ren.  Even when I am caught up in the many challenges of life, still my words and example reveal your love and wisdom. I ask this in Jesus’ name, confident that you will hear me. 

Sr Kym Harris osb 

APRE News

Hi! Welcome to Week 8 of Term 3!

Gospel Reflection:

John 6:60-69

Many disciples desert Jesus

In John 6:60-69, some of Jesus' disciples find His teachings difficult to accept and decide to leave Him. When Jesus asks the Twelve if they also want to go, Peter responds with a profound statement of faith, acknowledging that Jesus has the words of eternal life and is the Holy One of God. This passage reminds us of the importance of staying committed to our beliefs, even when faced with challenges or doubts. It's a message of perseverance and trust, encouraging us to stand firm in our values, especially within our school community.

John 6:60-69 highlights the importance of faith and commitment, even when teachings are difficult to accept. In a school community, this passage can be related to the challenges students and staff face in maintaining their values and principles. Just as some disciples struggled with Jesus' teachings and chose to leave, individuals in a school community might be tempted to abandon their beliefs when faced with difficulties. However, like Peter, who affirmed his trust in Jesus, school communities are encouraged to stay committed to their values, supporting one another through challenges and remaining united in their shared mission.

Father’s Day:

This Sunday is Father’s Day for 2024. A day dedicating to recognising the fathers, grandfathers and father figures in all our lives. Thursday morning the Our Lady’s P&F prepared and ran a delicious breakfast that was shared by all who attended. Year 2 had the amazing opportunity to lead the whole school in prayer. They did an amazing job and truly highlighted why fathers, grandfathers and father figures are so special to all of us.

One of the major parts of the Year 2 prayer celebration this year was the dramatization of the Parable of the Prodigal Son. This parable is a powerful story that beautifully relates to Father’s Day. In this parable, the father’s unconditional love, forgiveness, and patience reflect the ideal qualities of fatherhood. Despite the younger son’s mistakes and poor choices, the father welcomes him back with open arms, showing compassion and understanding. This story reminds us of the immense love that fathers have for their children, always ready to forgive and embrace them, no matter the circumstances. On Father’s Day, we celebrate this selfless and enduring love, honouring all fathers who, like the father in the parable, show unwavering support and care for their families.

Father's Day is a special occasion for all of us to honour and celebrate the role of fathers, both biological and spiritual, in our lives. It reminds us of the importance of fatherhood in guiding, protecting, and nurturing families in faith and love. Just as God the Father watches over and cares for us, earthly fathers are called to reflect His love by being present, supportive, and faithful to their families. In our school community, we celebrate and pray for all fathers, thanking them for their sacrifices and dedication, and asking God to bless them with strength and wisdom as they fulfill their vital roles.

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.

Book Fair 2024

We are thrilled to share that, thanks to your incredible support of the book fair, we were able to add $1,100 worth of new books to our library! Your enthusiasm and generosity have made a lasting impact on our students' learning and love for reading. We couldn't have done it without you—thank you for helping us continue to grow our collection and inspire young minds!

James Anderson - Giving Children Opportunities In Life

As parents, we want out children to have opportunities in life. But what does that actually mean? Opportunities are more than just circumstances - being in the right place at the right time with the resources you need. They also involve having the mindset and abilities that allows you to take advantage of those circumstances.

Accelerated Reader Leaderboard

Swimming Lessons Term 4

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.

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. 

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

Desert Channels Queensland - Junior Fishing Day

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

Professional Disability Development Supports & Services

Central West Hospital & Health Services