Term 4 Week 1 2024

A Message from the Principal

Dear parents and friends,

Welcome back to another exciting and busy term of learning and events! It’s hard to believe how quickly the year has flown by, but there’s still so much to look forward to as we head into Term 4.

Throughout the year, our school board has been working on something special—new logos for our two sporting houses, Thomson and Kennedy. Correspondence went out this week regarding Sporting House polos for 2025, and we’d love to hear your feedback! The designs feature our current school colours, with the subtle inclusion of blue for Thomson and yellow for Kennedy. Your input will help guide the final selection, so keep an eye out for more details and share your thoughts.

As you know, our 125th School Anniversary is fast approaching, and plans are well underway. On Saturday, 1st March, we’ll kick off with a special re-enactment of the arrival of the Presentation Sisters, followed by a morning tea and memorabilia display at the school. Later that evening, we’ll celebrate with an Anniversary Ball featuring live music, a special auction, and formal proceedings. We’re thrilled to announce that local band, Factory Fleece, has been approached to perform. Their music is sure to bring back fond memories for many generations. Tickets will go on sale in the next fortnight, so be sure to secure yours early!

Additionally, we would love families to sponsor our 125th Anniversary Commemorative Magazine. This is a great opportunity to be a part of the history of this milestone event.

In response to the rising cost of living, we’ve had to adjust the prices of certain tuckshop items. From this term onwards, chips, ice blocks, poppers, muffins, and milk drinks will all increase by 50c. We appreciate your understanding and continued support.

A reminder that swimming lessons begin for all year levels next week. Most classes will have their lessons on Wednesday, with our Year 1 class swimming on Friday. Please ensure your child packs all the necessary equipment, and it’s always a good idea to label clothing, as items can easily get mixed up.

We’re looking forward to another fantastic term filled with learning, activities, and community spirit!

God bless,

Mr Peter Thurecht

APRE News

Welcome to Term 4! I hope you have had a enjoyable and relaxing holidays and are ready for a action packed Term 4!

Gospel Reflection:

Anyone who is not against us is for us. If your hand should cause you to sin, cut it off.

In Mark 9:38-48, the apostle John tells Jesus that they saw someone casting out demons in His name and tried to stop him because he was not part of their group. Jesus responds by saying, "Do not stop him," as anyone doing good in His name is part of their mission. He explains that whoever is not against them is for them and that even small acts of kindness, like offering a cup of water in His name, will be rewarded.

Jesus goes on to teach about the seriousness of sin, warning that anything that leads a person to sin should be removed, even if it’s something as important as a hand, foot, or eye. He uses strong imagery to emphasize the importance of avoiding sin, saying it is better to enter the Kingdom of God with one eye, hand, or foot than to be cast into hell with both. This passage highlights Jesus' call to holiness, personal sacrifice, and the importance of keeping faith pure from sin.

Jesus teaches the importance of welcoming others and avoiding actions that may lead others astray. He reminds us that anyone doing good, even if they are not part of our immediate group, is still contributing to God’s work. This is a powerful lesson for our school community, where we are called to support each other and celebrate the good deeds we see around us, regardless of who performs them. By encouraging kindness and cooperation, we create a more inclusive and compassionate environment.

Jesus also warns against actions that cause harm or lead others into sin, urging us to be mindful of how we treat one another. In our school, this means making sure that our words and actions reflect care and respect, helping to build a community where everyone feels safe and valued. By doing so, we honour the message of Christ and create a positive, supportive atmosphere where students can grow both academically and spiritually.

Socktober 2024:

Socktober 2024 focuses on supporting vulnerable children in Mongolia, a country where many communities, especially in rural areas, face significant challenges in accessing basic needs like education, healthcare, and nutritious food. Through Catholic Mission’s initiative, students in Australia are encouraged to learn about the lives of children in Mongolia and the struggles they face daily. By participating in Socktober, students can raise funds to support projects that provide essential services, such as building educational facilities, offering medical care, and ensuring children have the resources they need to thrive.

This year’s campaign aligns with Catholic Social Teaching by promoting solidarity, compassion, and care for the most disadvantaged. Socktober offers students the opportunity to take part in fun and meaningful activities, like the Socktober Shootout, while also reflecting on global issues and the importance of helping others. Through prayer, education, and fundraising, school communities can make a real impact, empowering children in Mongolia and giving them the chance for a brighter future. By walking in solidarity with those in need, Socktober 2024 invites students to live out their faith in practical and compassionate ways.

Our Lady’s will be taking action by the following:

• Completing mission packs in class focussed upon building awareness around Catholic Social Teaching and Socktober
• Fundraising by selling Zooper Doopers after school on Tuesday & Thursdays in Week 2-5
• Crazy Sock Day/Free Dress on Thursday 24/10 – gold coin donation
• Inflatable Soccer Field set up for Week 4 – Teacher vs Year 6 Soccer game

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. The Sacramental program will be commencing in week 2.

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.

Swimming Lessons Commencing Week 2

James Anderson - Nurturing a Love of Challenge

As parents, we've all heard about the importance of nurturing a love of learning. But I think there's something even more important. Nurturing a love of challenge! Challenge drives learning, but it also drives growth. It's leaning into the challenge, loving the learning because of the challenge it provides that will best serve our children in a future where change is the only constant, and uncertainty is the only certainty

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.

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.

2024 National parent Survey

Catholic School Parents Australia (CSPA) would like to hear from you!
We are excited to launch our 2024 National Parent Survey which is now LIVE

To have your say, scan the QR code or click on the survey link: https://unesurveys.au1.qualtrics.com/.../SV_d5a7NXLpTKbNAtE

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. 

LSHS Year 6 Highschool Parent Information Evening & Transition Days

Homework Policy

Homework Policy Update for 2025

Another important agenda the School Board has focused on this year is our Homework Policy, which will come into effect at the beginning of 2025. After thoughtful consideration, some significant changes have been made to better align with the developmental needs of our students.

For students in Prep to Year 2, homework will still remain optional. At this early stage of learning, we recognise that students often require an adult to assist with homework tasks. Understanding the busy schedules of families, we know this won’t always be possible, and as such, we encourage, at the very least, regular reading at home. Reading together as a family fosters a love for learning and is an excellent way to build essential literacy skills.

For students in Years 3 to 6, homework will be compulsory. As children move into the middle and upper years of primary school, we aim to instil greater independence and a sense of responsibility in their learning. The rigor of homework at these levels is designed to support the development of key skills that will benefit them throughout their educational journey.

We are excited to see how these changes will positively impact both our students and their learning experiences moving forward!

Mobile Phone & Wearable Technology Policy

Uniform Policy

Tuckshop

There will be no Tuckshop on Friday 18th October due to Mrs Cutting attending year 6 camp

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

The Cathedral College Rockhampton

Community Notices

St Joseph's Online Conference - St Vincent de Paul Group

Do you want to make a difference in our community? You’re invited to join the St Joseph’s Online Conference (St Vincent de Paul Group). We are taking expressions of interest from anyone throughout the Diocese. Meetings are monthly, online via Microsoft Teams.

Training will be provided. Email membership.rocky@svdpqld.org.au if interested.”

The Feeding of the 5000 Project

Outback Futures Community Conversation

Thomson River Festival 11th to 13th October

Western Queensland Junior Rugby

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

Positive Partnerships

Central West Hospital & Health Services