Term 3, Week 2

1 august 2023

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 7 August
Junior Joeys
Parents and carers are welcome!

upComing Events

Term 3​
  • Assembly - Friday 4th August
  • Catholic Education Week - Monday 7th - Friday 11th August
  • Catholic Education Mass (Grade 6) - Marist, Tuesday 8th August
  • Science Week - Monday 14th - Friday 18th August
  • Children's Book Week Dress up Day - Thursday 24th August

MR farr's Reflection

deputy Principal 

The magic ratio is 5 to 1. What does this mean? This means that for every one negative feeling or interaction between partners, there must be five positive feelings or interactions.
​John Gottman

Welcome to Week 2 of Term 3!

I’ve been privileged enough to be involved in several parent conversations over the last few weeks.  Reading that sentence back it perhaps sounds a little sarcastic, but I truly see it as a privilege to be able to listen and support the parents in our community as they share with us their concerns, their fears, even their anger, regarding issues that are happening to their children.  The specific issues change, the context around them changes, the intensity of the concerns change, but essentially, these conversations are based on the same single principle - “I love my child.”  That is why it is a privilege.  We, as teachers are in a position to witness loving parents raise their concerns, their fears, their worries, their burdens, in regards to the most precious thing in their lives.

But when do we witness loving parents raise their celebrations, their joys, their ecstatic moments, their blessings in regards to the most precious thing in their lives?

As a parent I speak to my children’s teachers when there is something ‘wrong’, when I want to query why an incident was handled the way it was or what else does my child have to ‘do’ to continue in their learning?  When I reflect on it, I could probably count on one hand how many times I went out of my way as a parent to speak to my child’s teachers about how impressed I was in the way they dealt with a situation, or how pleased I was that they supported them to learn whatever concept or strategy was being focussed upon.

It’s human nature to look at the negatives first, it’s human nature to dwell on the challenges and not look for solutions, and it can be hard to change that mindset.  But I wonder if that mindset impacts the way we approach raising our children?

I used this analogy with a colleague recently:  Imagine you are holding a bucket in each hand.  You begin to fill one of them with all of the positive, wonderful and successful moments in your day.  The things that you are proud of, the things you have achieved.  This bucket slowly gets heavier, and heavier and heavier until it is hard to hold up.  In the other bucket you place the things that are challenging.  Those that cause you stress, frustration and anger.  Your failures and shortcomings, your worries.  Unfortunately for many of us, as soon as the first item lands in this bucket it becomes too hard to hold up and immediately we drop the other bucket to use two hands to hold it up.  The balance doesn’t make sense.  We can fill up one bucket with so much good, but it only takes one negative for us to forget the positives and become weighed down by what we aren’t achieving.

This is the mindset we need to challenge.  Let’s do more celebrating of our children’s successes, let’s do more communicating to them what we are proud of and let’s teach them strategies to realise that the one thing sitting in the ‘challenges’ bucket does not outweigh the positives.  One negative incident, one mistake, does not outweigh all of the good.

I encourage you to continue to come in and speak with us - your child’s teachers or our leadership team - to continue to raise your concerns, worries, fears etc for your child.  But I also encourage you to come in and speak with us to celebrate your child’s successes, their achievements, and those joyous moments that happen so regularly, but are often easily overlooked.

Enjoy your week,

​Stu
Adult Behaviour Policy 2022, Catholic Education Tasmania

Catholic Education Tasmania now has an Adult Behaviour Policy.

The aims of this policy are twofold:
1. To set out clear standards for the behaviour of adults when in a CET workplace.
2. To support CET workers to establish and maintain strong and healthy relationships with other members of the CET community. 

In alignment with this policy Our Lady of Lourdes are requesting:
• Parent emails to staff to be scheduled between work hours: 8:00 – 5:00pm. 
• Emails will be responded to in a timely manner, which may not be the day of sending.
• Respect the time before school as general greeting and settling time for students. Please make an appointment with the teacher if you wish for a longer chat.
• Please refrain from using any personal social media to communicate to staff on school matters.
RE NEWS
Teaching the Sacraments in Grade 5 and 6 Religious Education
As part of teaching in any subject teachers plan with rigour to ensure the highest level of learning is provided. Religious Education is no different and below is an example of some of  the planning in teaching a unit on the Sacraments.
 
Students will understand that:
God is present in people and the world around us.               
Sacraments are sacred actions of the Church that celebrate God’s presence.
In the words, actions and symbols of the Sacraments, Jesus continues His actions of welcoming, healing and service.
 
Guiding Question:
How does celebration of the Sacraments celebrate God’s Spirit in our lives?  
How and why do we use ritual actions and symbols in Sacraments?  
How does the Sacrament of Confirmation empower Christians to participate in the work of Jesus? 
 
Learning Intentions:
We are learning to recognise Sacraments as ritual celebrations of God’s Spirit in our lives.
We are learning how and why ritual actions and symbols are used in the Rite of Confirmation.
We are learning how the Sacrament of Confirmation empowers people to participate in the work of Jesus.
 
Success Criteria:
I can give examples of God’s Spirit throughout our lives.
I can give examples of signs and actions of God’s Spirit in the Sacraments.
I can identify people who actively demonstrate God’s Holy Spirit.
I can recognise ritual celebrations of the Sacraments.
I can identify Sacraments as sacred actions of the Church.
 
 
Then skills, knowledge and understandings are expanded in teacher planning to narrow down the specific learning in this unit.
 
Some examples of student work:

School news

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 Free Days 2023
Student Free Days for 2023 are:
Term 4: Monday 16 October
​
School Uniform 2024 (Kinder - Grade 2)
A reminder that commencing 2024 - Kinder, Prep, Grade 1 and 2 students will wear as their school uniform the full OLOL PE Uniform. This decision was the result of a survey taken of parents and carers in Term 4 last year.
​
Science Week Dress up Day - Wednesday 16th August
To celebrate National Science Week this year, we are offering an optional dress up day on Wednesday the 16th of August. Science Week provides an opportunity to participate and be inspired by Science.
OLOL Breakfast Club - Term 3
Venue: OLOL Gym 
Monday - Friday
8:00am - 8:40 am
All Welcome

Change of Clothes
Due to the wet weather, there seems to be more students coming to the office needing uniform items due to falling over in the muddy/wet conditions. Can all students please pack a spare change of clothes. 

Book Week Dress up Day & Parade - Thursday 24th August
Picture
Uniform Shop
Specials
Art smocks:  $10.00
Grey tights (2pk):  $10.00
Soccer socks:  $2.00
White socks (2pk) - sizes 13,2,3 & 8:  $2.00
SBSC Production: Thursday 17 - Saturday 19 August (Tickets on sale Thursday 1st June)
Rehearsals are well underway for the College production of Pippin. Students have been working hard on dancing and singing, and things look positive. We have some talented students in the lead roles and supporting players with great vocal talent. The choreography as well is led by some very well-tuned dance students. The sets are being created by a fantastic artistic team and constructed by Bevan Scramm and his crew.

Pippin tells the story of a young man, fresh from his studies at University, determined to live a fulfilling life and do the extraordinary. As he moves through his life, he realises that the promise of an exciting life isn't all it is cracked up to be. With some fabulous choreography and singing, Pippin will be a show you will never forget.
Tickets are on sale now through the Paranaple Arts Centre.
Adults - $30 
Concession - $22
Student - $20

Teaching Schools Institute

Are you planning on studying for a career in education?  Imagine having the opportunity to work side-by-side with an experienced teacher while you study!

At the St Thomas Aquinas Teaching Schools Institute, we believe in shaping the future of Tasmania's teachers by providing dedicated training and support to students pursuing Bachelor of Education or Master of Teaching degrees in Primary or Secondary education.  Through the Teaching Schools Institute, you can gain practical knowledge by working in the classroom from the beginning of your studies.  Intake for 2024 is now open!

Successful applicants receive:
  • An annual $2500 support payment.
  • One or two days paid classroom cadet placement.
  • The use of a MacBook to assist your studies.
  • The offer of ongoing employment as a teacher at the successful completion of the course.
  • Weekly Intensive Days to support your development.

Cadet Teacher Positions are limited, and entrance into the program is by competitive application.  Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to kickstart your teaching journey.  Click the button below to find out more and complete an expression of interest for 2024!

Student of the week

Sports News & Rosters

Click here to access 'Sports News, Registrations and Rosters​​
  • Devon Netball 
  • Soccer - Season Commences 1st April 2023 
  • Devonport Primary Basketball Roster​
  • Devonport Basketball Tournament - Rosters/Rules
  • OLOL Sports Policy

Mersey Leven Catholic parish

Weekend Masses
Saturday Vigil
  • 6:00pm St Mary's, Penguin
  • 6:00pm 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

Community News

Click here access 'Community news'​​​​
  • Libraries Tasmania Book Week Bookmark Competition
  • City of Devonport Brass Band
  • Come & Try Scouting
  • Mersey Rowing Club - Learn to Row Program
  • Tennis - Come & Try Day
  • Hockey
  • Studio 81 Dance Company
  • NAB - AFL Auskick - skills development program
  • Slip Stream Circus

Policy in Focus

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School
Strategic Plan 2023 - 2025

As part of our ongoing school improvement process Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School develops a 3 year Strategic Plan.  This plan is aligned to both the Archbishop's Charter and the Strategic Plan of Catholic Education Tasmania.  Our goals have been developed through a process of discernment and consultation amongst staff and our school board as a representative of our parent and community and are reflective of the feedback provided through our Validation process in 2022.

Our Strategic Plan is attainable in that it has 3 accessible, broad goals which we as a community have discerned to be of most important to our school, yet it is aspirational and identifies how we as a school aim to support all members of our community to be the best version of themselves.  As you can see below our Strategic Plan has 3 goals, which are unpacked further to identify the strategies and structures that we will live out over the next 3 years.

Throughout the course of this Strategic Plan we will be gathering data through a variety of means to determine how successful we, as a school community, have been in achieving the goals identified and to provide future direction as we continually strive to make Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School the best it can be for all members of our community.

Tasmania Catholic Education Commission Outdoor Play and Learning Policy

OLOL School Calendar

2023 Term Dates

​
2023 TERM DATES
TERM 3
Tuesday 25 July - Friday 29 September
TERM 4
Tuesday 17 October - Thursday 14 December

2024 TERM DATES
TERM 1
Wednesday 7 February - Thursday 11 April
Easter Break
Friday 29 March - 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