Term 3, Week 3

8 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 14 August
Early Childhood (Prep B)
Parents and carers are welcome!

upComing Events

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

MRs seagar's Reflection

Principal 


We teach more by example that by word.  
Mary Mackillop 1867

Welcome to Week 3

At OLOL we are very proud of our founding Order: The Josephite Sisters, who were founded by Julian Tenison Woods and Mary MacKillop. As we celebrate Catholic education Week this week it is timely to recognise our founders.  Catholic Education has been in Australia for over 200 years and in Tasmania for over 170 years, now teaching 16,000 students.
 
From humble beginnings in a single classroom house in 1891, 132 years ago, the school grew to be double stream and provide education for over 400 students.  The Josephite Charism is the school’s common thread for Our Lady of Lourdes. This charism is evident through the signs and symbols we have in our school, the way we greet and speak to each other and the dedication we have to sharing Jesus’ message through our words and actions. The spirit of faith, courage and dedication of those early Sisters of St. Joseph and the generosity, encouragement and support of the pioneering families continues today as we remain faithful to our motto: “Omnia Pro Deo”, All for God.                
 
In January 1891, three great hearted women, Sisters M. Francis McCarthy, M. Baptist Osborne and M. Gonzaga Johnson took up residence in the sandstone cottage which still stands in Steele Street.  One room at the cottage became a school room until a new school and convent were built in 1893, at a cost of 500 pounds.
 
The Foundation Stone, for the building we now use was laid 1983, with 100 students with 4 nuns before the building was completed. This building was the main school until the 1930s when the current admin building was constructed.
 
Buildings aside, it is the spirit, tenacity, courage and faith of the Sisters of St Joseph that we admire most of all and the legacy they left us: to be people of justice, compassion and ecumenism, courageous, forgiving and with a deep faith in God. Mary Mackillop (1842 – 1909) had a tough life as a young girl with an unhappy homelife; one of 8 children and eldest and had many daily family and household duties to undertake. It was Mary Mackillop under the direction of Julian Tenison Woods, who at 18 years of age, began the first Catholic school at Penola, South Australia, in 1866 in a stable!  By the end of 1869, more than 70 members of the Sisters of St Joseph were educating children at 21 schools in Adelaide.
 
Father Woods was a remarkable man. As well as being a fervent priest and a deeply spiritual man who composed religious songs and poetry, he was a well-respected geologist, botanist, explorer, and environmentalist. He wrote many scientific books and articles documenting the history, exploration, and geological formation of Australia. The system of education he devised with Mary MacKillop lead to him being appointed the first Director of Catholic Education in South Australia. Father Julian Tenison Woods’ influence is evidenced through spirituality, passion for mission and ongoing awareness of, and commitment to, the environment.
 
With great thanks we acknowledge our Founders this week and their unwavering legacy of support for the best education for all children, especially the marginalised.
 
As a school we recited this litany yesterday: 
God, through the intercession of Mary Mackillop, we pray that the fire of your compassion will ignite our hearts:
 
For an open and attentive heart to all; Mary Mackillop
Pray for Us
For humility and courage; Mary Mackillop
Pray for Us
For truth and justice in the face of challenges and opposition; Mary Mackillop
Pray for Us
For trust and faithfulness to God’s word; Mary Mackillop
Pray for Us
For a deeper understanding of God’s will in our lives; Mary Mackillop
Pray for Us

​God Bless

Carol
Flowering Gum Tree Update
Thank you all, for your patience when we have strong winds and we need to isolate the Flowering Gum Tree at the entrance to our school on Steele Street.
 
We are having testing completed to evaluate the structural integrity of the tree and what its future might be.  Catholic Education Tasmania will then liaise with me as to the best outcome for the community and the tree.
 
The community will be fully informed on our choices going ahead and the future of the Flowering Gum.
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.

School news

Digital Citizenship Guidelines
Our Lady of Lourdes is asking for parent support. If your child contacts you through their iPhone watch asking to go home, can you please ring the office so that the class teacher is fully informed of what is happening.
In our school Digital Citizenship Guidelines it states:  I will only use Digital Technology when I have permission.

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
Come dressed as a story book character.
Picture
Uniform Shop
New stocks of rugby tops now available.
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