Term 1, Week 10

9 april 2024

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School

​We are Respectful
We are Responsible
We are Safe
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School is located on the traditional lands of the Punnilerpanner people of the North Nation. We acknowledge and deeply respect the Palawa people, the Tasmanian Aboriginal Community, and all Elders past and present. We are committed to learning alongside our students and community in this place, and support the continued sharing of knowledge and culture.

What's On?

Whole School
​Prayer

Monday 29th April
(9:00 am - 9:15 am)
Whole School
Parents and carers are welcome!

upComing Events

Term 1​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
  • Last Day of Term 1 - Thursday 11th April
  • Harmony Day Assembly - Thursday 11th April (2:00pm)
  • Student Free Day - Friday 12th April
  • First Day Term 2 - Monday 29th April

Mrs seagar's Reflection

principal
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Today, we need to live in diversity, in dialogue, to experience multiculturalism, not as a threat but an opportunity.
Pope Francis July 30, 2016. (World Youth Day, Krakow, Vigil; paraphrased)
Welcome everyone to Week 10.

From a parent at Our Lady of Lourdes:
In the spirit of Harmony Week, it is lovely that students learn that the love of God, Jesus and Mary is so unconditional, that our diversities disappear and we become one under their love. And as we are one in His love, we are brother and sisters in faith, one love, one God. And that love is the one that should inspire us teach by our actions, loving one to each other as Jesus asked us to do, just like also Mary Mackillop reminded us to do.
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Picture
When we think about celebrating culture, we often think of people from different countries with traditional dress or food from historic times, but culture is much deeper and more complex than that.  Culture includes our shared values and experiences which in turn underpin our choices and actions, influencing how we think and behave.  Culture is expressed in our language, which holds within it much more than just words. Language is a vital part of who we are as people, we think and dream in our language, we use it to describe every experience that we have and to connect in every relationship. 

I once read a National Geographic article about endangered languages which said on an island in the Atlantic a community used hundreds of words to describe turtles, because turtles are fundamental to their society and everything they do.  It also told of a language in the Arctic with over 100 words to describe snow, because snow is so intrinsically a part of their existence that they need so many words to describe the nuances of its changes.  These cultures are deeply connected to their place in the world and their languages reflect this kinship.
https://medium.com/@beautehealthy/what-is-culture-types-of-culture-elements-of-culture-characteristics-of-culture-7b4d65caddc7

When we lose the ability to use language to describe and interact, we lose a chance to experience deeply.  In catholic education we feel that experiencing deeply is an essential part of connecting to God. So, by seeing and hearing our languages being lived and experienced, we gain a chance to experience deeply and feel connected - to belong.
 
At Our Lady of Lourdes, we have an increasing number of community members with diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.  In total, a quarter of our student population come from backgrounds of diverse cultures.  We hope that by working on a year-long focus of “Making Language Visible” we can show how much we value the diversity of our community and help our families feel a strong sense of belonging.  We want to connect with mulit-lingual greetings and see diverse languages around the school reflecting the values of OLOL.  One example of this is by translating our Mary Mackillop and Julian Tennison Woods quotes, which will be shared at our Harmony Week Assembly on Thursday the 11th, another example is the palawa kani greeting being used at the beginning of every assembly.  

Our delayed Harmony Week activities provide us with an opportunity to celebrate our diverse cultures. We feel blessed to share in such a rich community and hope to continue to embrace language and culture throughout 2024. 
Sussan Evan, EALD Coordinator ( English as an Additional Language Coordinator)

​Farewell
Our Lady of Lourdes Parish is now farewelling Father Jaison and Father Steven.  On your behalf I would like to thank Father Jaison for his leadership in the Parish over the last 3 years.

We wish Father Jaison all the best as he moves internationally to be closer to a sick family member.  Father Steven is moving to the Cathedral Parish in Hobart and I thank him for his strong connections with our students over the last 3 years.

We will be welcoming Father Sunil De Silva as the new Parish Priest and Father Chathura as the Parish Assistant Priest.
Dear Father Jaison and Father Steven
Thank you for the sacrifices you make to bring us the Holy Sacrifice. Thank you for homilies that make us proud to be Catholic. Thank you for the reminder that  the Mass is about the Eucharist. Thank you for consecrating the Eucharist so reverently that it centres us in Christ. Thank you for your quiet work with our Parish community, much of which goes unseen. Thank you for your work with our students and the refining of the Sacramental Program. Thank you for enabling our students to attend 12:00 Weekday Masses.
Thank you.
God’s blessings on you both.
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School
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School Weekend Soccer
This weekend we are fielding 160 students in soccer. This is a credit to Our Lady of Lourdes. Many thanks to the staff who with considerable time, effort and dedication have been able to facilitate this for our school. Thank you to our school families who continue to support our students in representing Our Lady of Lourdes.
Wishing all families a restful holiday break.

God bless

​Carol
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Thank You, loving God, for times of refreshment and opportunities to have a holiday,
​so that we may be renewed in body, soul and spirit.
We thank you for the gift of enjoying different and new experiences. 
May our time away be one that is filled with fun and the joy of friendship. 
May our hearts be filled with happiness and peace and may we laugh often. 
We praise you for this special gift, 
Amen.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Project Compassion
During Lent our students and in fact all Catholic Schools and communities contribute funds to Project Compassion. Project Compassion raises much-needed funds to help alleviate poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity in the most vulnerable and marginalised communities in the world. 

Project Compassion Is the lifeblood of Caritas Australia. The first national appeal for overseas aid was held in 1965 and the theme of Project Compassion is For All Future Generations. This year, the focus is on the resilient people from the Philippines, Samoa and Malawi. 

At Caritas Australia:
  • 87% of funds are spent on local and international programs, including vital education and advocacy programs in Australia.
  • 3% of funds are spent on essential administration costs, including our talented people.
  • 10% of funds are spent on fundraising activities so we can maintain and expand the scope of our programs which reach over 3 million people each year.
https://www.caritas.org.au/resources/project-compassion/

Our student’s donations this year will provide:
  • $65: a goat for a family in rural Malawi.
  • $200:  support to households in need of house repairs and toilet constructions in the Philippines.
  • $500: provide skills training to 15 people for income generating activities as well as start up business support in the Philippines.
  • $2000: support households with 5,000L water tanks with stand-alone harvesting systems in Samoa.


School news

Harmony Week
​OLOL will have 3 major events for Harmony Week:
on Tuesday the 9th of April - Orange Dress Day - students dress in orange (optional) 
Wednesday the 10th - Buddy Class activity - buddy activity of colouring a huge world map on top cement, with some background about each continent.
On Thursday the 11th - Assembly led by volunteer students & Mrs Evans, sharing translation quotes, and a general message of belonging. Parents are invited to attend.  

​BOARD NOMINATIONS
OLOL would like to increase the current size of the School Board.  If you are interested please contact Carol Seagar for a nomination form.                                   
7.3 Role of the School Board
Within the parameters of canon and civil law, the policies and practices of the Archdiocese of Hobart, the Commission and the TCEO, the School Board has the following responsibilities in support of the leadership of the School Principal.               
  1. To promote the Catholic identity and evangelising mission of the school;
  2. to develop the school vision, mission and strategic plan;
  3. to develop school-level policies as appropriate
  4.  to support the development of the school budget and the monitoring of the
    financial sustainability of the school;
  5.  to ensure that the approved processes of review and monitoring of educational outcomes are implemented; and to assist in collaboration, consultation and building of partnerships with local parish/parishes, the parents and the broader community.
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Mother's Day Invitation - Thursday 9th May

​Emergency Practice
This week we will hold an unannounced emergency practice with staff & students, to test our response to a potential scenario that staff identify a threat warranting the school go into lockdown (opposite to evacuation).
Like for fire evacuation drills, we recognised the worth to test this process.
We have plans in place to make this practice as least disruptive as possible.
If you have queries you are welcome to contact Natalie Johnson, WHS Officer, 64241744

Student Pick up on Stewart Street
Any students who are picked up at the Stewart Street side of the school MUST NOT cross Stewart Street to be picked up.
Students must stay on the school side of the street and parents pick up from this side only.
It is not safe for our students to cross Stewart Street during school hours and especially at the end and beginning of the day.
There is no crossing on Stewart Street, and the Council will not provide one, so parents please drive up on the school side of Stewart Street to pick up your child. Alternatively, use the Pick-Up Zone on Steele Street.
We thank you in anticipation of your cooperation with Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School.

Car Parks at OLOL
We have inquired with the Devonport City Council whether we can have more disabled carparks at Our Lady of Lourdes,  We put forward a case with the number of grandparents and parents with a disability, but have been informed that we have the correct ratio for the area and community we serve.  In light of this, can we ensure that only the correct use of disabled parks is adhered to and maybe staggering pick up times between 2:55 and 3:15 will assist with this congestion.

Personal Sport Equipment
​Our Lady of Lourdes provides lots of balls and sports' equipment for students to play with at lunchtimes.  We ask that students do not bring in their own sports equipment.
Only toys needed for classroom regulation may be brought to school.

Drop Off and Pick Up
In order to avoid congestion at the end of the day, please be reminded, that students are not to wait for collection at the main office.  
We would appreciate families accessing our school by the 2 main external entry/exit points, rather than the main office doors.
  • Main gates from Steele Street Carpark
  • Side gate near Parish Hall 
We thank you and your children for your cooperation.

Pick Up Zone
A reminder to families to drive around the block if Steele Street entrance to the school is full with parked cars from 2:50pm. Staff are on duty to 3:20 enabling pick at any time within 30 mins after school.

Morning Entry to Classes
A reminder to families, when entering the classrooms of a morning Prep - Grade 2 are to use the front blue sliding door and Grades 3 - 6 use the back oval doors.


​OLOL Complaint Procedure 
Fish Free School Zone & Nut Awareness
Can all parents be vigilant about enforcing our fish free school zone and nut awareness.
​
These foods can contain fish:​
  • Fried rice, spring rolls and paella with fish specifically.
  • ​Dishes that are often prepared with fish-based sauces, like oyster sauce.
  • Sushi.
  • Salad dressings.
  • Sauces, like steak and Worcestershire.
  • Seafood soups and broths.
  • Spreads like taramasalata​​ ​​

Breakfast Club
Breakfast club is held in the school canteen each school day from 8am until 8:40am.  
The first meal of the day is a chance to get the energy we need to learn, play and stay healthy. While most Australian children eat breakfast, skipping breakfast is still common.  Children who eat breakfast have better school attendance, better academic performance and improved wellbeing. Eating breakfast is associated with better dietary and physical activity behaviours.
Everyone is welcome to Breakfast Club.
​
Picking up Children Early
Our Lady of Lourdes reminds parents to provide advance notice if you are picking up your child early. An email to [email protected] is the best communication method. Phone call is also an option. It allows for advance preparation if the office staff are given significant advance notice as organising students to leave class or specialist lessons can take some time.
​Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Playing in the Playground After School
It is our school expectation, that if parents choose to allow their children to play in our playground after school. It is their responsibility to supervise and support them to be Respectful, Responsible and Safe through direct behaviour support of their own child and modelling of appropriate adult behaviour.  Effectively, you are responsible for your child after you have collected them at the end of the day. Our school gates will continue to be locked at 3:30pm each day.  We do ask that you please ensure you have left our school grounds by then.
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Head Knocks at School
If your child presents to First Aid with a head knock, we will assess and treat with ice. If they appear fine your child will go back to class where they will be monitored by Staff. The office will send you an SMS so you are aware and able to check in with your child when they get home. If we are at all worried about your child we will phone you so they can be collected.

School Gates
​The school Steele Street gates are now locked from 3:30 pm each day.
If requiring any assistance after this time, please come to the Stewart Street school entrance and knock for assistance.

Student of the week

Sports News & Rosters

Click here to access 'Sports News, Registrations and Rosters​​
Basketball
Soccer
​Netball​
​NW Futsal
​Local Futsal

Mersey Leven Catholic parish

Weekend Masses
Saturday Vigil
  • 5:00pm St Mary's, Penguin
  • 5:00pm Our Lady of Lourdes Devonport
Sunday
  • 8:00am St Joseph, Port Sorell
  • 9:00am Sacred Heart, Ulverstone
  • 9:30am Our Lady of Lourdes, Devonport
  • 11:30am Holy Cross, Sheffield
  • 5:00pm St Patrick, Latrobe




Policy in Focus

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School
sports Policy

RATIONAL
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School is committed to the development of the whole person. This includes providing opportunities for students to be involved in and develop healthy lifestyle habits. Students are encouraged to participate in Team Sports for a variety of educational, personal and formative reasons.
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OLOL School Calendar

2024 Term Dates


2024 TERM DATES
TERM 1
Wednesday 7 February - Thursday 11 April
Easter Break
Friday 29 March - Tuesday 2 April
Students Return - Wednesday 3 April
TERM 2
Monday 29 April - Friday 5 July 
TERM 3
Tuesday 23 July - Friday 27 September
TERM 4
Tuesday 15 October - Wednesday 18 December