Term 4 Week 4 2024

A Message from the Principal

Dear parents and friends,

On Thursday, our school will come together to raise funds for children around the world who are less fortunate than ourselves through Socktober, as part of Catholic Mission Month. We encourage all students to wear their crazy socks and come in free dress. To participate, students are asked to bring a gold coin donation. This is a wonderful opportunity to live out our mission of supporting those in need.

On Friday, we will acknowledge Day for Daniel, an important day in our school calendar focused on raising awareness about child safety. Students are invited to wear red as we take part in our annual Walk for Daniel down Eagle Street. This walk is a powerful statement to our local community that child safety is a priority at Our Lady's.

In addition to these events, our students in Year 1-6 have just completed their Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT) in Maths and Reading. It has been very encouraging to see growth across all year levels in both areas. Our staff have been committed to ongoing professional development and reviewing their teaching practices in these subjects over the past two years. The improvements in student outcomes are a testament to both their dedication and the hard work of our students.

This Friday, we also celebrate World Teachers' Day. It’s a day to recognise the incredible contributions of our teachers and teacher assistants. The staff at Our Lady’s often go above and beyond to support our children, and I am constantly amazed by their commitment. Our P&F has planned a special surprise for staff on Friday morning, and I encourage families to also take a moment to thank their child’s teachers for the outstanding role they play in shaping the lives of our students.

God bless

Mr Peter Thurecht

Reflection - Sr Kym Harris OSB

Grace after Grief

It is twenty-one years since Daniel Morecombe went missing.  The anguish his parents, Bruce and Denise, and family suffered not knowing his fate, and then knowing it was beyond terrible.  Through their agony they were supported by many people, known and unknown to them.  Then in their pain, they decided to give back to the community and began their campaign for child safety that has had a profound effect across our country.  Daniel is not forgotten.  He is a force for good in our society.

All of us, at some time, suffer trauma – it most often comes in the tragic death of someone we love, someone taken from us too soon.  Often our response at first, and for some time, is not as generous as the Morecombe's, but eventually, for growth to return, we need to come to terms with our grief and find a way to love positively.  We ask where God is in it all – rightly so.

God is there, in the midst, the painful messy situation.  We tend to forget that at the centre of our religion, there is a man dying in mess, muddle and pain, crying out, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’  And in his pain, he still trusted in God and handed over his spirit as he died.  Then he rose, having conquered sin and death and lives forever.  He knows what we are going through – and he lives in us, in the midst of our pain.  This is the light and strength we need.  Few, very few of us can respond like the Morecombe's but all of us can learn from our pain to be more compassionate, more kind to others. When we do that, we too conquer sin and death – we do it through love.

Loving God, you know the times of deep grief that have scared my life.  Let me accept the gracious love and strength that Jesus offers so that I too can be a channel of gracious healing.  I ask this in his name, knowing that you will hear me.

Sr Kym Harris osb

APRE News

Hi! Welcome to Week 4 of Term 4! 

It’s been a busy start to the term for both me and the entire school. Last week, I had the pleasure of taking the Year 6 class on their camp to Brisbane. It was a fantastic opportunity to see the students outside their usual classroom setting and explore beyond Longreach. Throughout the week, we visited SeaWorld, Outback Spectacular, Parliament House, the Queensland Museum, and Australia Zoo! The class had an amazing time, and I believe they’ve created lifelong memories. 

One of my personal highlights was watching the students learn in a new way as they explored things they had never seen before. I’d like to extend a big thank you to Mr. Thurecht and Mrs. Cutting for their help in making the camp a success. A special shoutout to the Year 5 & 6 students from Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Springsure, as well as Mrs. Cutting and Miss Monro, for joining us on camp and making it even more memorable!

Gospel Summary: 

Mark 10:35-45 

“The Request of James and John” 

In Mark 10:35-45, James and John, two of Jesus’ disciples, ask him for a special favour. They request to sit at his right and left hand in glory, seeking positions of honour and power. Jesus explains that they do not understand the implications of their request and asks if they are prepared to face the same suffering he is about to endure. Although they confidently say they can, Jesus tells them that such positions are not his to grant, as they are reserved for those chosen by God. 

Jesus then gathers all the disciples and teaches them an important lesson about leadership and greatness. He tells them that unlike worldly rulers who use power to dominate, those who wish to be great in God’s kingdom must be servants to others. Jesus sets the ultimate example by saying that even he, the Son of Man, came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. This passage highlights the Christian call to humility and service as the true path to greatness. 

In a school community, the lesson from Mark 10:35-45 teaches us that true leadership comes from serving others, not seeking personal power or recognition. Just as Jesus instructed his disciples, students and staff are reminded that success is not about being in the spotlight or holding the highest position, but about helping and supporting one another. Whether it’s assisting a classmate who’s struggling, volunteering in the school, or simply being kind and considerate, acts of service build a stronger, more compassionate community. 

This passage also encourages us to reflect on how we treat others in our school environment. By prioritizing kindness, humility, and selflessness, we create a culture where everyone feels valued and included. When students, teachers, and staff work together with a mindset of service, they not only grow individually but also contribute to a more united and supportive school atmosphere, following the example of Jesus, who led by serving others. 

Socktober Update: 

Our Lady’s has been actively raising awareness and funds for Catholic Mission. Over the past two weeks, Mr. Kopacz and the SRCs have been selling Zooper Doopers on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, with all proceeds going directly to Catholic Mission at the end of the month. Each class has also been exploring specially designed mission packs to help students deepen their understanding of Catholic Mission and reflect on the privileged lives they live today. 

This week, inflatable soccer goals were set up for students to enjoy throughout the day, giving them plenty of practice for the soccer showdown on Thursday afternoon. On the same day, students were encouraged to wear free dress and crazy socks for a gold coin donation. It was heart-warming to see so many staff and students enthusiastically participate in raising awareness and funds for Catholic Mission! 

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.

2024 Annual Awards Night

125th Anniversary Celebrations

Past and present families and friends of Our Lady's Catholic Primary School, you are warmly invited to join us in celebrating our 125th Anniversary at our Community Ball.

Purchase your ticket here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1300810

Scholastic Book Club

The final book club of the year will be going out this week all orders are due back on the 25^th of October.

Swimming Lessons Commencing Week 2

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 rescheduled P&F meeting will be held on Wednesday 30th October at 5:30pm in C Block. Zoom details will be emailed next week. We look forward to seeing you there.

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

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

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