Term 1, Week 5 |
1 March, 2022 |
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School
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We are Respectful
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We are Responsible
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We are Safe
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What's On?
Whole School Prayer Whole School Prayer will be in classes for the first 5 weeks. Once we return to the church it will be shared via Facebook |
Forms to be completedCompass Portal
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upComing EventsTerm 1
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Mrs Gratton's Reflection
Student Support Coordinator
‘Books are superheroes with superpowers to heal – that’s why we must always champion their ownership, ensure they reach those who need them the most, and help children discover their magic' https://literacytrust.org.uk
Welcome everyone to week 5,
While we often discuss the educative potential of picture books the healing/therapeutic power of picture books sometimes goes unmentioned. I recently read an article by Anouska Jones, publisher at EK Books, titled just that, ‘The Healing Power of Picture Books (2021)’. The focus being on books that not only entertain but that also equip readers with the tools needed to navigate modern life. Books that show young readers that they are not alone, open doors to sensitive conversations, provide comfort and build emotional resilience.
Supporting emotional literacy in children is vital and equips them with a necessary understanding of their inner world and the outer one. Stories can give us insight into other people’s worlds, show us characters demonstrating true courage and help us see survival in the most challenging of times.
Anouska’s article explains that reading a book is also an excellent regulation strategy. The rhythm of the words and details in the illustrations allow breathing to regulate and emotions to be soothed. Following an emotional upset, reading a book together is an excellent way for a parent or educator to reconnect with the child.
Our school library includes a range of books that deal with sensitive subjects and are written or illustrated by passionate book creators who have other professional lives as counsellors, psychologists, teachers and art therapists. These books are created to open doors of communication, spark conversation and facilitate healing. They provide a way for children to explore uncomfortable emotions or challenging experiences at a safe distance. This can help them normalise their feelings, see their reality reflected and know that they are not alone.
If there is a particular subject you would like to explore with your child/children through the lens of a book, we would love to guide you in the right direction.
While we often discuss the educative potential of picture books the healing/therapeutic power of picture books sometimes goes unmentioned. I recently read an article by Anouska Jones, publisher at EK Books, titled just that, ‘The Healing Power of Picture Books (2021)’. The focus being on books that not only entertain but that also equip readers with the tools needed to navigate modern life. Books that show young readers that they are not alone, open doors to sensitive conversations, provide comfort and build emotional resilience.
Supporting emotional literacy in children is vital and equips them with a necessary understanding of their inner world and the outer one. Stories can give us insight into other people’s worlds, show us characters demonstrating true courage and help us see survival in the most challenging of times.
Anouska’s article explains that reading a book is also an excellent regulation strategy. The rhythm of the words and details in the illustrations allow breathing to regulate and emotions to be soothed. Following an emotional upset, reading a book together is an excellent way for a parent or educator to reconnect with the child.
Our school library includes a range of books that deal with sensitive subjects and are written or illustrated by passionate book creators who have other professional lives as counsellors, psychologists, teachers and art therapists. These books are created to open doors of communication, spark conversation and facilitate healing. They provide a way for children to explore uncomfortable emotions or challenging experiences at a safe distance. This can help them normalise their feelings, see their reality reflected and know that they are not alone.
If there is a particular subject you would like to explore with your child/children through the lens of a book, we would love to guide you in the right direction.
Kind regards
Eve
Eve
COVID-19 Update
This week we have had 40 positive COVID-19 test results in the school. Classes in the affected grades have been notified.
You must notify the school if your child tests positive to COVID-19. Please to this as soon as possible. Messages can be left on the school's answering machine after hours - you don't need to wait for the office to open.
Please include the date of your child's positive test result in the message. This allows us to communicate to families and staff in a timely manner and arrange for the classrooms to have an extra COVID clean.
OLOL is following all the requirements for managing these cases as advised by the Department of Health and Catholic Education Tasmania.
Thank you for your support and co-operation.
You must notify the school if your child tests positive to COVID-19. Please to this as soon as possible. Messages can be left on the school's answering machine after hours - you don't need to wait for the office to open.
Please include the date of your child's positive test result in the message. This allows us to communicate to families and staff in a timely manner and arrange for the classrooms to have an extra COVID clean.
OLOL is following all the requirements for managing these cases as advised by the Department of Health and Catholic Education Tasmania.
Thank you for your support and co-operation.
RE NEWS
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Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday this year is being celebrated with two prayer liturgies, one for Infant classes in the gym and Primary classes in the Church with Fr Jaison. Children will be receiving the 'Sign of the Cross' in ash on their foreheads as a sign of penance or being sorry for all the things we have done wrong, it is also a sign of belief and faith in Jesus. During Lent we try to make a conscious effort to prepare ourselves for Easter. We can do this by increasing our prayer, helping others, fasting, giving up things we particularly like, and supporting Project Compassion. Lent urges us to identify and walk with Jesus as he travels towards Jerusalem and the place of his death and resurrection. In the spirit of renewal and conversion we observe Lent by reflecting on the central events of Jesus’ life and welcoming the opportunity to grow through changing our lives. |
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Project Compassion
This week the season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, which also marks the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Donations to Project Compassion allows Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. The theme of Project Compassion 2022 is ‘For All Future Generations’ and reminds us that the good that we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come. It invites us to make the world a better place by working together now and finding long-term solutions to global issues. We encourage you to put your compassion into action this Lent through your prayer, fasting and almsgiving by supporting Project Compassion. Each family will receive a Project Compassion box for their donations or you can donate online via the Caritas Australia website at: lent.caritas.org.au On Ash Wednesday Project Compassion Money Boxes will be given to classes to collect money for people who are less fortunate and are in desperate need of help. We encourage you to give if you can. The boxes will be collected just before Palm Sunday (8th April). |
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High Levels of LEarning For All
Enabling, Engaging & Enriching Learning
At Our Lady of Lourdes we have multiple layers the learning - in all contexts and areas - of our students is our priority. This learning might be social, behavioural, academic, emotional etc, but we strive to meet the needs of our students by supporting their growth from whatever point they are at.
As many of you would be aware, this year we have moved away from our Grade Teacher Model and have developed a multi-faceted model of support and intervention. Over the coming weeks we will take a more in depth look into each of the roles, and humans that fill them, within our new model.
As many of you would be aware, this year we have moved away from our Grade Teacher Model and have developed a multi-faceted model of support and intervention. Over the coming weeks we will take a more in depth look into each of the roles, and humans that fill them, within our new model.
LITERACY PRACTICE LEADER
As part of Catholic Education Tasmania's Literacy Strategy, our school has been provided with support to create the role of Literacy Practice Leader within our school. This is an initiative that is being rolled out in every Catholic school within Tasmania.
Our Literacy Practice Leader is Mrs Dayna Cutting. Mrs Cutting is a highly skilled, data literate and emotionally intelligent teacher who strives to ensure each child achieves high levels of learning. She exudes natural leadership qualities which make her an ideal person to undertake this role. In collaboration with our school Principal and Deputy Principal, our Literacy Practice Leader is responsible for supporting and leading our teachers and teacher aides in the development of high quality Literacy practices. This support and leadership may look like, but is not limited to:
Mrs Cutting will be attending numerous Professional Learning opportunities throughout the year to support her continued learning in the area of high quality literacy practice.
It has been wonderful to see Mrs Cutting's gentle patience when working with our Grade 1 and 2 students on Initial Lit screeners and her leadership when guiding and supporting staff in the roll out of our Initial Lit program.
Our Literacy Practice Leader is Mrs Dayna Cutting. Mrs Cutting is a highly skilled, data literate and emotionally intelligent teacher who strives to ensure each child achieves high levels of learning. She exudes natural leadership qualities which make her an ideal person to undertake this role. In collaboration with our school Principal and Deputy Principal, our Literacy Practice Leader is responsible for supporting and leading our teachers and teacher aides in the development of high quality Literacy practices. This support and leadership may look like, but is not limited to:
- Modelling effective literacy practice for staff
- Observing staff literacy teaching and providing feedback to support their continued development
- Coordinating programs such as Initial Lit and Mini Lit Sage
- Working with individual and groups of children to undertake specific Literacy intervention
- Providing Professional Learning to staff regarding effective, high quality, Literacy practices
Mrs Cutting will be attending numerous Professional Learning opportunities throughout the year to support her continued learning in the area of high quality literacy practice.
It has been wonderful to see Mrs Cutting's gentle patience when working with our Grade 1 and 2 students on Initial Lit screeners and her leadership when guiding and supporting staff in the roll out of our Initial Lit program.
Seesaw & Online Feedback at OLOL
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This year we are utilising Seesaw across our entire school as our Learning Management System. A Learning Management System allows us to provide online learning and assessment opportunities for all of our students to enable, engage and enrich the learning for all our students, and, concurrently, strengthen our partnership with you, the parent, by enabling you to access / view the learning that is happening within classrooms.
By now you will have received an invitation to join Seesaw Families by connecting to your child's Learning Journal via the QR code and sign up (see image to the right). If you have not received or completed this sign up, we strongly encourage you to do so ASAP. Once connected to your child's Seesaw account you will be able to receive notifications when they complete new learning and assessment opportunities within the system, receive notifications from your child's teacher regarding the learning that is upcoming / reflections on the week gone, and view feedback that your child's teacher may provide for your child on their work. |
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Another key way we are utilising Seesaw is to provide parents with the key foci for the current Maths Units focusing on Number, that are taking place in across each grade. This will take the form of a Single Point Rubric. A single point rubric is a way for teachers to highlight the Learning Intentions and Success Criteria for the unit and then provide students feedback on how well they are achieving that success criteria, how to improve in their learning and where to next in their learning. Students are also able to use Single Point Rubrics to self assess and determine their own levels of understanding. In this way we are striving to create clarity around what is being taught and how well it is being learnt for the student, the teacher and you, the parent.
Please be aware that Seesaw does not replace Compass. Any notifications regarding student absence, attendance, parent teacher conferences, student reports etc will continue to go through Compass. Weekly updates regarding what is taking place in the classroom will now be posted via Seesaw.
School news
Grade 3 - 6 Swimming Carnival
Our Grade 3 - 6 Swimming Carnival will be held at Splash Aquatic and Leisure Centre on Tuesday 8th March. The carnival will commence at 9:00am and finish at approximately 2:30pm. This year students will not be at the pool for the entire day, instead they will arrive in time for their events and return to school after their races.
In order to make this event as COVID safe as possible the following measures have been put in place:
Students will need to wear their sports uniform (including hat) and will need to bring/wear bathers, sunscreen and towel. Goggles and swim caps are optional but recommended. Students will need to bring a packed lunch and plenty of water to drink.
Students in Grade 5 & 6 swimming in the 50 meter events will need to wear their bathers to school ready for an 8.55am departure.
Please Click to Access Program
If you have any questions or queries please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Jordan.
Our Grade 3 - 6 Swimming Carnival will be held at Splash Aquatic and Leisure Centre on Tuesday 8th March. The carnival will commence at 9:00am and finish at approximately 2:30pm. This year students will not be at the pool for the entire day, instead they will arrive in time for their events and return to school after their races.
In order to make this event as COVID safe as possible the following measures have been put in place:
- Grades will travel to the pool and compete in the allotted time slot before returning to school.
- There will be no change room access for students to minimise contact with the general public.
- Students will change into their bathers and go to the toilet prior to leaving school.
- The school will have temporary changing facilities for students to use prior to returning to school.
- Portable toilets have been arranged for students to use whilst at Splash.
- Parents are welcome to attend and will need to sit on the eastern side of the pool away from the students.
- The pool canteen will be unavailable and there will be no BBQ this year.
Students will need to wear their sports uniform (including hat) and will need to bring/wear bathers, sunscreen and towel. Goggles and swim caps are optional but recommended. Students will need to bring a packed lunch and plenty of water to drink.
Students in Grade 5 & 6 swimming in the 50 meter events will need to wear their bathers to school ready for an 8.55am departure.
Please Click to Access Program
If you have any questions or queries please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Jordan.
Breakfast Club
There will be NO Breakfast Club for Term 1.
Canteen
The Canteen will be CLOSED next week, March 7th - 11th.
There will be NO over the counter sales for the first 5 weeks of term 1. Snacks can be ordered online (no ice creams).
Before placing your first order, please update your child/children's class.
Pick up Zone Announcement
Students who present late to the drop-off zone will not be called for by the Office Admin Staff over the school speaker. Parents will need to park and wait for their children.
No calling for students to be called – parents will have to park and wait.
Uniform Shop
Soccer socks now available $9.00 a pair.
Excess stock to clear 3pk White Socks $8.00.
New stock of backpacks have now arrived.
Please let Mrs Arrowsmith know if you didn't receive one you ordered.
*Wanted for resale soccer/footy boots.
Hours
Monday - Tuesday 8:00am - 10:00am
Wednesday 8:00am - 10:00am & 2:30pm - 3:30pm.
Thursday 8:00am - 10:00am
Passenger Conduct Code for School Bus Services
The Department of State Growth is pleased to announce that the Passenger Conduct Code for School Bus Services is publicly available at: www.transport.tas.gov.au/student/code
It is important that all school communities are aware that travel on school bus services will be subject to the Code from the commencement of 2022 school year.
Collection of Children
Can parents please make contact with the school if there are people, relatives or friends that are not permitted to collect children or if they come on site is a concern for families.
Student Medical Plans for 2022
Could parents of students who are on Medical Plans in 2022, please have current plans signed by a doctor - ready to hand into school on their child's return.
There will be NO Breakfast Club for Term 1.
Canteen
The Canteen will be CLOSED next week, March 7th - 11th.
There will be NO over the counter sales for the first 5 weeks of term 1. Snacks can be ordered online (no ice creams).
Before placing your first order, please update your child/children's class.
Pick up Zone Announcement
Students who present late to the drop-off zone will not be called for by the Office Admin Staff over the school speaker. Parents will need to park and wait for their children.
No calling for students to be called – parents will have to park and wait.
Uniform Shop
Soccer socks now available $9.00 a pair.
Excess stock to clear 3pk White Socks $8.00.
New stock of backpacks have now arrived.
Please let Mrs Arrowsmith know if you didn't receive one you ordered.
*Wanted for resale soccer/footy boots.
Hours
Monday - Tuesday 8:00am - 10:00am
Wednesday 8:00am - 10:00am & 2:30pm - 3:30pm.
Thursday 8:00am - 10:00am
Passenger Conduct Code for School Bus Services
The Department of State Growth is pleased to announce that the Passenger Conduct Code for School Bus Services is publicly available at: www.transport.tas.gov.au/student/code
It is important that all school communities are aware that travel on school bus services will be subject to the Code from the commencement of 2022 school year.
Collection of Children
Can parents please make contact with the school if there are people, relatives or friends that are not permitted to collect children or if they come on site is a concern for families.
Student Medical Plans for 2022
Could parents of students who are on Medical Plans in 2022, please have current plans signed by a doctor - ready to hand into school on their child's return.
Move Well Eat Well
Sports News & Rosters |
Community News |
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Student of the week
Policy in Focus
This week in our Policy in Focus section of the Newsletter we have attached our Child Safety Policy. This policy outlines the expectations, procedures and processes that we undertake to meet the CET child safety legislative obligations.
CATHOLIC EDUCATION COMMISSION TASMANIA CHILD SAFETY POLICY
OLOL School Calendar
2022 Term Dates
2022 TERM DATES
TERM 1
Thursday 3 February - Thursday 14 April
TERM 2
Monday 2 May - Friday 8 July
TERM 3
Monday 25 July - Friday 30 September
TERM 4
Monday 17 October - Thursday 15 December
2022 TERM DATES
TERM 1
Thursday 3 February - Thursday 14 April
TERM 2
Monday 2 May - Friday 8 July
TERM 3
Monday 25 July - Friday 30 September
TERM 4
Monday 17 October - Thursday 15 December
