Term 4 Week 5 2024

A Message from the Principal

Dear parents and friends,

This week, we honour two important feast days in the Catholic Church: All Saints Day on Friday, November 1, and All Souls Day on Saturday, November 2. On All Saints Day, we remember the remarkable men and women who have become saints, faithful servants who now rest close to God. Their lives inspire us to seek goodness and follow Christ’s example in our daily lives.

The next day, All Souls Day, is a time for more personal reflection. We pause to remember those dear to us who have passed away and pray for their peaceful rest. As Sister Kym reflected, “Families have many different ways in which they remember their loved ones who have died.” These memories bring comfort and keep our loved ones close in spirit, even as they rest in God’s care.

For me, All Souls Day is a chance to think back on cherished memories, like playing cricket and football with Dad in the front yard or climbing the old tree at my grandparents’ house. Those moments remind me of the joy and love they brought into my life. I often say a prayer for them, hoping they have found eternal rest and continue to watch over our family. I invite all families to find their own special ways to honour loved ones who have passed, whether by lighting a candle, offering a prayer, or recalling a favourite memory. Through these acts, we bring their spirit close and carry forward their legacy.

We were pleased to welcome Mr. Tim Collins, Assistant to the Director for the Western Region, to our school on Tuesday. Mr. Collins visited schools in the far west this week and joined us to discuss strategic goals for 2025 as well as our plans for year-level teachers in the coming year. Our 2025 classroom teachers will be announced over the coming weeks, as we continue to plan for another exciting year ahead.

We also wish to share that Mrs. Angela Arthur will be continuing her leave into 2025 for an additional 12 months to be with her youngest son, little Harry. Ange has shared how quickly Harry is growing, full of curiosity and energy. This extra time with him will be precious, allowing her to be fully present as he reaches new milestones and supporting her other boys as well. In her absence, Mr. Sahlie Komndi-Diggins will retain his position as Acting Assistant Principal: Religious Education for another year. Sahlie has been a valued leader, making wonderful contributions to the faith life of our school and providing essential administrative support.

God bless,

Mr Peter Thurecht

Reflection - Sr Kym Harris OSB

Remembering our Dead

Families have many different ways in which they remember their loved ones who have died.  Photos, stories – even planning a tree or rose in their honour.  You might like to ponder on what your family does.

Remember our loved ones is very important in our faith and our Church has two days especially dedicated to this – the Feast of All Saints, November 1^st and All Souls Day, November 2^nd.  On the first day, we remember all those good, holy and wonderful people who now share fully in the light and glory of God.  Amongst these are people I have known who were so good and loving that I believe they are now enjoying the full delight of God.  I also believe that they still care for me, holding me and all whom they loved in their hearts.  But what about the people who didn’t die ‘good and holy’ – the people with whom we have unsolved issues and who may have hurt us seriously?  Our Church holds that, in some mysterious way, God has another space of healing, where their failures and sins of this life are dealt with. What and how I don’t know but I do know that it gives me a way of dealing with the hurt and injury they have dealt upon me.  My injury is respected and I can move into forgiving them as God forgives by remembering them in prayer before God.  

As well as celebrating these two special days, many parishes have a Memorial Book where the names of our loved ones are recorded and they are prayed for at the celebration of the Eucharist through this month.  You might like to ring your Parish Office to have your own loved ones listed in this book and remembered in prayer.

Loving God, you know how those we known who have died still live in our hearts and lives.  We thank you for the love and goodness they gave to us.  We ask your healing and forgiveness for any hurt they may have done or that we have done to them.  May we all come together one day in the fullness of your love.  We ask this in Jesus’ name, confident that you will hear us.

Sr Kym Harris osb

APRE News

Welcome to Week 5 of Term 4!

Gospel Reflection:

Mark 10:46-52

“Jesus gives sight to Bartimaeus”

In Mark 10:46-52, we read about the healing of Bartimaeus, a blind beggar who was sitting by the roadside near Jericho. When he heard that Jesus was passing by, Bartimaeus began to call out, asking for mercy and healing. Despite the crowd's attempts to silence him, he persisted in shouting, demonstrating his faith and desperation. Jesus heard him and stopped, asking the blind man what he wanted. Bartimaeus replied that he wanted to see, showing his trust in Jesus’ power.

Moved by his faith, Jesus told Bartimaeus that his sight had been restored. Immediately, Bartimaeus received his sight and began to follow Jesus along the road, praising God for the miracle. This story teaches us about the importance of faith, persistence in seeking help, and the transformative power of Jesus. Just like Bartimaeus, we are encouraged to reach out to Jesus in our times of need, knowing that He listens and cares for us.

In our school community, the story of Bartimaeus reminds us of the power of faith and the importance of reaching out for help when we need it. Just as Bartimaeus was unafraid to call out to Jesus despite the crowd, we are encouraged to express our needs and support one another. Whether it's seeking help with our studies, sharing our feelings, or standing up for friends, we can learn from Bartimaeus to be courageous and persistent in asking for what we need. This spirit of openness helps create a caring and supportive environment in our school.

Additionally, Bartimaeus’s response after being healed serves as a wonderful example for all of us. Once he regained his sight, he chose to follow Jesus and share his joy. In our school, we can reflect this by celebrating each other's achievements and being grateful for the blessings we receive. Whether it's through acts of kindness, participation in school activities, or simply encouraging our classmates, we can all be a light in each other's lives. Let's take inspiration from this story to strengthen our community and help one another grow in faith and friendship.

All Saints & All Souls:

All Saints Day, celebrated on November 1st, is a special feast in the Catholic Church where we honour all the saints, known and unknown. This day reminds us of the incredible lives of those who have lived out their faith and virtues, serving as examples for us to follow. Saints come from all walks of life and represent the diversity of God’s creation. By celebrating All Saints Day, we are encouraged to look to these holy figures for inspiration in our own lives and strive to live with love, kindness, and faith.

All Souls Day, observed on November 2nd, is a day dedicated to remembering and praying for all the faithful departed. It’s a time for us to reflect on our loved ones who have passed away and to offer prayers for their souls, asking God to grant them eternal peace. This day teaches us the importance of community and love that extends even beyond death, reminding us that we are all connected in the body of Christ. Together, we can honour their memory by keeping them in our hearts and prayers, showing that our love and remembrance continue long after they have left this world.

Mass Times at St Brigid’s Church - Term 4:

• Sunday 9am 3/11 – Communion
• Thursday 9am 7/11 – School Mass
• Sunday 9am 9/11 – Our Lady’s Ministering Mass (FINAL for 2024)
• Thursday 9am 14/11 – School Mass
• Saturday 6pm 16/11 – Mass
• Saturday 6pm 23/11 – Mass

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

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

Western Queensland Junior Rugby

Longreach Stingrays

Central West Hospital & Health Services