Term 3, Week 5

20 august 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 26th August
(9:00 am - 9:15 am)
Primary (4B)
Parents and carers are welcome!

upComing Events

Term 2​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
  • Children's Book Week Dress Up Day - Thursday 22nd August.
  • Father's Day Breakfast - Thursday 29th August.
  • Assembly (4M) - Friday 30th August.
  • Devonport Eisteddfod (Grades 3-6) - Monday 2nd September - Wednesday 4th September.
  • Cross Country (Kinder - Grade 2) - Tuesday 10th September.

Miss wootton's Reflection

Student support coordinator

Easing Separation Anxiety at Drop-Off 
We understand that some children may experience separation anxiety when being dropped off at school. This is a common and normal part of child development, but we want to offer some strategies to help make the transition smoother for both you and your child.
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  1. Establish a consistent routine: Children thrive on predictability. Create a morning routine and stick to it, including a special goodbye ritual.
  2. Keep goodbyes brief and positive: Prolonged goodbyes can increase anxiety. Stay calm and confident, give a quick hug and kiss, and reassure your child you'll be back soon.
  3. Communicate with teachers: Let us know if your child is struggling so we can provide extra support during the transition.
  4. Practice separation: If possible, arrange playdates or short separations before school starts to help your child adjust.
  5. Acknowledge feelings: It's okay to validate your child's emotions while still encouraging bravery.
  6. Focus on the positive: Talk about the fun activities and friends at school to build excitement.

Remember, our staff at Our Lady of Lourdes are experienced in helping children transition. Most children settle quickly once parents leave. If you have ongoing concerns, please don't hesitate to speak with your child's teacher, a member of the leadership team or one of our wonderful school counsellors.
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Together, we can make drop-off a positive experience for your child at Our Lady of Lourdes.

Wishing you a safe and happy week ahead! 

Meg Wootton 

Religious Education

What is special about teaching in a Catholic school?
From the staff at Our Lady of Lourdes

  • The people.
  • The unity in which it brings.
  • It is a safe and caring community that views every child as a gift.
  • There's typically a strong sense of community among students, staff and families. This community often revolves around shared faith and values, fostering a supportive and cohesive environment.
  • The supportive, caring community who appreciate education.
  • Teaching the whole person and encouraging them to be their best.
  • The sense of belonging to a family.
  • Wonderful facilities and support for all students.
  • A strong connection to community and supporting one another. I also like that at OLOL we are so heavily guided by Mary and the Sisters of St Joseph who are practical and accepting of all.
  • The unity in which it brings.
  • Shared focus on student learning and engagement.
  • I think the sense of community is special. Everyone genuinely wants to help one another and push each other forward.
  • The kindness shown to each other.

Picture
Blessed Carlo Acutis (1991-2006)
“Last Friday we went to SBSC to check out an exhibition on Blessed Carlo Acutis. There was a nice lady from Italy who thoroughly explained to us who Carlo was and what he did. Carlo inspired young people to attend Mass and receive the Eucharist. He believed that every act was for God so he combined his love for technology with his faith and created a website at the age of 11 about the Eucharistic Miracles performed around the world.  After explaining to us, she showed us the relic, a piece of his hair in a lovely gold cross, and a display of his website. My favourite part was when we wrote a prayer to Carlo that will be taken to his tomb and offered to God when he becomes a Saint next year.” (Charlotte, Grade 6)

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“Carlo was a tech guy. He believed the world could be a better place and believed deeply in God. He was kind and generous by giving poor and homeless people food, water and money. Carlo died of leukaemia at the age of 15. Next year, he will become an official Saint.” (Jaxon, Grade 6)

“Carlo was an inspiration to young people because he loved gaming but still went to mass every day and prayed the Rosary every day. We learnt that after Carlo was diagnosed with leukaemia, he was super calm about it and offered his suffering up to God.” (Nate, Grade 6) 

“It took Carlo 4 years to create his website! I found him inspiring because he helped lots of people in need even though he was so young!” (Molly, Grade 6)

“Carlo has inspired me to take more care of the earth because he was known to always take a bag to the beach with him and pick up rubbish as well as dive down under the water and collect rubbish.” (Bronte, Grade 6)

School news

Children's Book Week Dress Up Day - Thursday 22nd August

​Father's Day Breakfast - Thursday 29th August
Fathers, uncles, grandfathers, father figures and significant others, you are invited to our Father’s Day Breakfast!
When: Thursday 29th August, 
Where:  In the McCarthy Centre. 
Time: 7.30 - 8.30am
The Rotary Club of Devonport South-East will be providing us with a delicious breakfast to be enjoyed with your children in the McCarthy Centre to celebrate the amazing contribution fathers, grandfathers and other father figures have in the lives of our students. 
We are excited to also have Bombshell Coffee and What the Froth Coffee providing hot drinks, free for Dads, grandad’s and significant others.
Breakfast Orders are now open under ‘EVENTS’ on School24.net.au NOT on ‘Compass’.
Egg & Bacon Roll - $6.00                GF Egg & Bacon Roll - $8.00 
Sausage in Bread - $3.50                GF Sausage in Bread - $4.50
Orange or Apple Juice Box - $2.50            
Nippy’s Chocolate or Strawberry Milk - $3.50
When placing your order:
  • Please place 1 ORDER ONLY per family, for everyone attending. 
  • Please place the order under the ELDEST CHILD'S NAME.
  • Upon arriving at the breakfast, please approach the appropriate desk (Kinder-2 or Grade 3-6) and collect your order form. 
  • Then approach the servery with your form and collect your breakfast!!
Orders will close Monday 26th August at 9.30am.
Strictly no late orders will be accepted!
We look forward to seeing you bright and early for our celebration for Father’s Day! 

​Split Classes
Occasionally at Our Lady of Lourdes, when we cannot get relief for our classes we have to split classes. We do this only for the older grades. It entails the students being distributed 2-3 around the classes of the school. They complete work provided for the day and are checked-in on by teachers and leadership.
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End of Day Pick Up Time
Grade 1 - 6:     2:55pm
Kinder & Prep: 2:45pm (if parents are able to come) Staff will wait with children till 2:55pm.
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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.

Nut & Fish Aware School
OLOL is a Nut & Fish Aware School and encourage parents to refrain from using these products in school lunches.
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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.
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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.

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.

Technology News

STUDENT OF THE WEEK

Sports News & Rosters

Click here to access 'Sports News, Registrations and Rosters​​
Basketball
Soccer
​Netball​
​NW Futsal
​Local Futsal
Tennis
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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 3
Tuesday 23 July - Friday 27 September
TERM 4
Tuesday 15 October - Wednesday 18 December

2025 TERM DATES
TERM 1
Friday 7th February - Thursday 10th April
 TERM 2
Monday 28th April - Friday 4th July
TERM 3
Tuesday 22nd July - Friday 26th September
TERM 4
Tuesday 14th October - Thursday 18th December