Term 4 Week 6 2024

A Message from the Principal

Dear parents and friends,

This week, I had the privilege of attending the Longreach State High School Awards Night, and what a memorable occasion it was! The evening was filled with performances by talented dancers and the instrumental ensemble, along with captivating video highlights from the year. I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the former students of Our Lady’s who were recognised for their achievements in academics, sports, and cultural pursuits. It was especially rewarding to see some of them receive prestigious awards, a true testament to their hard work and dedication. Moments like these fill us with pride, knowing that Our Lady’s has been part of their journey toward great accomplishments.

On Thursday, I travelled to Emerald for the Western Principal's Cluster Meeting, where I had the opportunity to connect with colleagues and discuss the key agenda items for 2025. It’s always valuable to share insights and plan together for the future of Catholic Education in our region.

Looking ahead, next week marks the first-ever Our Lady’s Cricket Gala Day, set for Thursday. Our Year 5 and 6 students will have the chance to compete in a 10-over-a-side carnival against students from other schools. With 60 students expected to participate, it promises to be an exciting event! Given the current heatwave affecting the west, we will decide by Tuesday, 12th November, if the event will proceed as planned. Parents are warmly invited to join us and cheer on the teams, pending final confirmation of the day.

On Monday, we will gather at 8:40 am in the MPC to honour Remembrance Day, led by our Year 5 students. We are fortunate to welcome Karen Mitchell from the RSL Sub-Branch, who will share her insights with our students. As part of “Draw to Remember,” our students have also been busy creating murals around the school, and I’ve had the pleasure of admiring some beautiful Year 6 artwork near the Prayer Labyrinth. Later in the day, our school leaders will participate in the community ceremony at Edkins Park.

God bless,

Mr Peter Thurecht

Reflection - Sr Kym Harris OSB

Life-Giving Duty

There is something to be said for doing one’s duty. We tend to think that if we can chose to do what we want to do, we will be free and have a sense of fulfilment - that can happen.  Conversely, we tend to think that when we have to do something we don’t like, we will not only feel put upon but be diminished as persons – not necessarily.

In fact, if we accept what has to be done with grace and get on with it, it can be quite a liberating experience.  We are freed from the tyranny of our own likes and dislikes, freed from having to make all the decisions, freed from ourselves to get on with the task at hand.  This situation happens so frequently in family life: walking the floor at night with a sick child, doing the rounds of the doctors with an elderly parent, being patient when the orange juice is spilt – you can think of a dozen instances in each day.  It is in these situations that we experience one of the central teachings of our Christian faith: dying to self leads to life.

In the Gospels Jesus teaches that we have to die to ourselves to rise to the fullness of life.  In his own life he showed how it was done.  Now he has promised us his Spirit to strengthen and guide us.  When we feel challenged, we can pray for this Spirit to come and help us transform that difficult situation into a place of grace and love.

Loving God, we often feel overwhelmed by the challenges of life, as though they are killing our spirit.  Send us the Spirit of Jesus to guide us through the difficult and dark moments of our lives that we may bring the love of Jesus into our families and communities. We ask this in his name confident that you will hear us.

Sr Kym Harris osb

APRE News

Hi! Welcome to Week 6 of Term 4!

Gospel Reflection:

Mark 12:28-34

“The wise scribe asks Jesus which is the greatest commandment”

In Mark 12:28-34, a teacher of the law asks Jesus which commandment is the most important. Jesus responds by quoting two key commandments. First, he emphasizes the importance of loving God fully — with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. This means dedicating every part of yourself to a relationship with God. Then, he adds a second, equally important command: to "love your neighbour as yourself." These two commandments summarize the essence of faith, as they focus on both a deep love for God and compassionate care for others.

The teacher of the law agrees with Jesus, recognizing that these commandments are even more valuable than religious rituals or offerings. Jesus commends the teacher’s wisdom, telling him that he is "not far from the kingdom of God." This passage reminds us that true faith isn’t just about rules but is cantered on love — loving God deeply and extending that love to everyone around us. This message of love and compassion remains a foundation for Christians and is a guiding principle for living a meaningful life.

In a school community, Jesus’ teachings in Mark 12:28-34 can guide us in building a respectful and supportive environment. Loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength encourages us to bring our best selves to every part of our day, whether in learning, teaching, or helping others. This wholehearted dedication reflects a commitment to the values that make a positive school community possible: respect, honesty, and kindness.

Equally important is Jesus' call to "love your neighbour as yourself," which reminds us to treat classmates, teachers, and staff with care and understanding. It encourages us to listen, show empathy, and support one another, creating an inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels valued. Just as Jesus emphasized, these actions go beyond rules or guidelines; they are at the heart of building a thriving school community where everyone can learn, grow, and feel connected.

Socktober Conclusion:

As October has now come to a close, I’m excited to share the incredible fundraising efforts our school achieved this year for Catholic Mission and Socktober! Throughout the month, our school community came together, participating in classroom activities and lessons, fundraising through Zooper Dooper sales and Crazy Sock days, and, of course, playing lots of soccer! Not only did we raise awareness about the valuable work of Catholic Mission, but we also raised over $500! These funds will go directly to Socktober to support those in need. It’s inspiring to see the dedication of our small school in making a difference, and I can’t wait to do it all again next year!

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

• Sunday 9am 10/11 – 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

Please join us after the Awards Ceremony for dinner. We will have on offer steak burgers for $10 and a free sausage sizzle for children.

To assist with catering for the night we ask you to kindly complete the following google form: https://forms.gle/NbNgo9FxR3zDf3PZ8 

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 & Carnival Information

Swimming carnival tuckshop can be ordered via Quickcliq or by completing the following google form: https://forms.gle/xatKPUNEBPszERnh6.

Please note: if you order via Quickcliq you do not need to complete the google form.

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

Our final P&F meeting for 2024 will be held on Wednesday 20th November at 5:30pm in Block C.

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

Outback Disability Expo - Saturday 9th November

Positive Partnerships

Longreach Regional Council

QANTAS Museum

You are invited to the WOW – Women of the World Australia: "In Her Name" Touring Exhibition Opening in the gallery spaces of Longreach Museum of Art at Qantas Founders Museum.

Date: 15th November 2024

Location: Qantas Founders Outback Museum 1 Hudson Fysh Drive, Longreach Airport

Cost: Free Entry to the Exhibition Opening

Time: 6:00 - 7:30

Contact name: Carissa or Sarah

Contact phone number: 07 4658 3737

Contact email address: info@qfom.com.au

WOW – Women of the World Australia in partnership with Qantas Founders Museum, is proud to present "In Her Name," an inspiring exhibition celebrating the remarkable contributions of women and girls from across Queensland. Supported by the Queensland Government, this exhibition will be on display at Qantas Founders Museum in Longreach from November 15. A cash bar will be available at the event and RSVPs are to be sent to info@qfom.com.au by COB Wednesday 13 November 2024 For more information about the exhibition, or the opening event, please contact the museum.

WOW! What's Next Out West Conversation opportunity with Qantas Founders Musuem at Longreach Museum of Art (Qantas Founders Museum art gallery)

Date: 16th November 2024

Location: Qantas Founders Outback Museum 1 Hudson Fysh Drive, Longreach Airport

Cost:Free

Time: 09:30 - 10:30

Contact name: Carissa or Sarah

Contact phone number: 07 4658 3737

Contact email address: info@qfom.com.au

WOW – Women of the World Australia in partnership with Qantas Founders Museum, is proud to present "In Her Name," an inspiring exhibition celebrating the remarkable contributions of women and girls from across Queensland. Supported by the Queensland Government, this exhibition will be on display at Qantas Founders Museum in Longreach from November 15. Come along on Saturday 16 November 2024 at 9:30am for the WOW! What's Next Out West Conversation opportunity as well as exhibition walk through with the WOW! team and QFOM Senior Curator, Sarah Johnson.

Western Queensland Junior Rugby

Longreach Stingrays

Central West Hospital & Health Services