Term 1, Week 6 |
8 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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Mr Farr's Reflection
Deputy Principal
"Agile . . . is an attitude, not a technique with boundaries. An attitude has no boundaries, so we wouldn't ask 'Can I use agile here?', but rather 'How would I act in the agile way here?' or 'How agile can we be, here?' "
Alistair Cockburn
Alistair Cockburn
Welcome everyone to Week 6.
Throughout this term we have been running Zoom sessions each Monday, Wednesday and Friday for those students that are away from school. These sessions are not about completing work or going through a 'lesson', but more an opportunity for those students that are at home to see some of their peers, friends and staff members.
It has become very clear during our Zoom sessions that, no matter who the student is or which grade they may be in, they are all very keen to get back to school! 'I miss seeing my friends.' is the biggest statement from each of our Zoom participants. Those that have been positive for Covid-19, or witnessed a family member who has been positive for Covid-19 have made the observation that the first 1 or 2 days of Covid is the worst and it gets better from there. For those that have been in isolation but haven't been sick the observation is the opposite - the first 1 or 2 days in isolation are the best and it gets worse from there!
This was mirrored in my own experience. The first day and a half for my son was terrible and then it got better as our 7 days went on. In terms of being in isolation, the rest of us were 'over it' by day 3! It's not that we don't enjoy being together as a family, but our kids missed seeing their friends and my wife and I genuinely missed being at work!
As such, I certainly feel the plight of everyone that is either isolating at home currently or are at home having tested positive to Covid - 19. It is not fun! And there are only so many round the house jobs that can be done and only so much TV that can be watched! I imagine many of you reading this are nodding your heads in agreement right now, however there will be those that had a different experience, one where being at home was a blessing as it allowed you to catch up on house work, or spend time together as a family that may not have happened for a long time. As with all things, there are always multiple ways to see / experience a situation.
So many of our children love school. They love their friends, their teachers, the joy of learning and the routine and engagement that goes along with coming to school. Even now during this rather curious time, our school continues to feel positive, happy and full of life. This is a testament to our children who continue to simply go about each day 'normally'. It is also a testament to our staff, particularly our educators, who continue to strive for high levels of learning no matter the number of children in front of them, and to create classrooms that are welcoming, engaging and exciting places to be.
As a member of our school community it's easy to become frustrated with the current reality that is unfolding. The requirement to isolate, the number of cases that continue to occur across our school, our children being sent home with symptoms etc. But it is what it is. Our school is being incredibly agile in its ability to be proactive when noticing data trends and highly responsive to situations that occur. This ability to remain agile in our processes has allowed us to adjust what needs to be adjusted, for instance our separate play areas for P-2 and 3-6, responding to cleaning and staffing needs creatively, yet maintain consistency in our essential practices such as teaching, learning and behavioural expectations.
The ability of our school community to be agile in our practices, but also in our mindsets, is what will allow us to continue to move through this current experience and maintain what it is that makes our school a wonderful place to be, that our children want to be part of.
Throughout this term we have been running Zoom sessions each Monday, Wednesday and Friday for those students that are away from school. These sessions are not about completing work or going through a 'lesson', but more an opportunity for those students that are at home to see some of their peers, friends and staff members.
It has become very clear during our Zoom sessions that, no matter who the student is or which grade they may be in, they are all very keen to get back to school! 'I miss seeing my friends.' is the biggest statement from each of our Zoom participants. Those that have been positive for Covid-19, or witnessed a family member who has been positive for Covid-19 have made the observation that the first 1 or 2 days of Covid is the worst and it gets better from there. For those that have been in isolation but haven't been sick the observation is the opposite - the first 1 or 2 days in isolation are the best and it gets worse from there!
This was mirrored in my own experience. The first day and a half for my son was terrible and then it got better as our 7 days went on. In terms of being in isolation, the rest of us were 'over it' by day 3! It's not that we don't enjoy being together as a family, but our kids missed seeing their friends and my wife and I genuinely missed being at work!
As such, I certainly feel the plight of everyone that is either isolating at home currently or are at home having tested positive to Covid - 19. It is not fun! And there are only so many round the house jobs that can be done and only so much TV that can be watched! I imagine many of you reading this are nodding your heads in agreement right now, however there will be those that had a different experience, one where being at home was a blessing as it allowed you to catch up on house work, or spend time together as a family that may not have happened for a long time. As with all things, there are always multiple ways to see / experience a situation.
So many of our children love school. They love their friends, their teachers, the joy of learning and the routine and engagement that goes along with coming to school. Even now during this rather curious time, our school continues to feel positive, happy and full of life. This is a testament to our children who continue to simply go about each day 'normally'. It is also a testament to our staff, particularly our educators, who continue to strive for high levels of learning no matter the number of children in front of them, and to create classrooms that are welcoming, engaging and exciting places to be.
As a member of our school community it's easy to become frustrated with the current reality that is unfolding. The requirement to isolate, the number of cases that continue to occur across our school, our children being sent home with symptoms etc. But it is what it is. Our school is being incredibly agile in its ability to be proactive when noticing data trends and highly responsive to situations that occur. This ability to remain agile in our processes has allowed us to adjust what needs to be adjusted, for instance our separate play areas for P-2 and 3-6, responding to cleaning and staffing needs creatively, yet maintain consistency in our essential practices such as teaching, learning and behavioural expectations.
The ability of our school community to be agile in our practices, but also in our mindsets, is what will allow us to continue to move through this current experience and maintain what it is that makes our school a wonderful place to be, that our children want to be part of.
Kind regards,
Stu
Stu
Prayer Vigil for Ukraine
The tragedy in Ukraine is very confronting. We feel the pain, the terror, the uncertainty, of the Ukrainian men, women and children.
And so in faith we pray, trusting that God will be close to His people and bring peace to our world.
You are invited to join us for an hour of prayer on Thursday 10th March, 7:00–8:00 pm at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Stewart St.
Enquiries to John Lee-Archer 0419 523 867
The tragedy in Ukraine is very confronting. We feel the pain, the terror, the uncertainty, of the Ukrainian men, women and children.
And so in faith we pray, trusting that God will be close to His people and bring peace to our world.
You are invited to join us for an hour of prayer on Thursday 10th March, 7:00–8:00 pm at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Stewart St.
Enquiries to John Lee-Archer 0419 523 867
COVID-19 Update
This week we have had 85 positive COVID-19 test results in the school.
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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Season of Lent
We are now in the season of Lent which is one of the most important seasons in the Church’s liturgical year. The colour for lent is purple which is a symbol of repentance as well as the royalty of Christ as King of all Kings. At school we are focusing on ‘Changing Our Hearts’ to get closer to God by looking at the way we act and how we treat others. Last week during the Ash Wednesday Liturgy the children were encouraged to think of things they could do to change their hearts, open them to God and be better people. The following questions were reflected upon in our prayer liturgy. Reflection
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A Lenten Prayer to Share
We ask you to change our hearts, As we journey through these forty days of Lent. Help us see Jesus in everyone we meet, And to serve him by loving others, Especially the poor, the sick and the lonely Amen Project Compassion
Part of Lent is Almsgiving or Giving to the poor. As a school we are collecting money for Project Compassion during Lent. Each class has a money box to add any change that you may have free to help those who are not as fortunate as we are. First Week of Lent (Week beginning Monday 7th March) We begin our annual Lenten Project Compassion journey by learning about Anatercia, a 12-year-old girl living in a small village in southern Mozambique. She began to take on more and more adult responsibilities as her mother has chronic health issues. She did most of the household chores and had to travel up to five hours every day to collect clean water. Water scarcity also meant that harvests were poor and there was never enough to eat. With your support, Caritas Australia’s local partner, Caritas Regional Chokwe, was able to help Anatercia’s family to irrigate their farm to improve their food security. They also improved water access for households in the village, delivered sustainable farming training, and provided Anatercia with essential school supplies. Anatercia’s health, education and quality of life have improved, along with the outlook of her whole community for all future generations. Watch a short film about Anatercia’s story here. Please support Project Compassion: lent.caritas.org.au Dates to Remember
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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.
EARLY YEARS COORDINATOR
Our Early Years Coordinator role is essential to strengthening the pedagogies of our early years staff and, in turn, support each of our students to achieve high levels of learning.
Mrs Nicole Cornell is a highly experienced and skilled educator who has taught across many grades, but has clear expertise within the early years. Her time spent teaching Grade 2, Prep, Kindergarten and Little Treasures in recent years have left a legacy that is still visible today. Nicole’s natural leadership and depth of knowledge regarding Early Years education make her an ideal person to fulfil this role to a high level.
Mrs Cornell’s role as Early Years Coordinator will involve, but is not limited to:
Currently Mrs Cornell has, among other things, been working hard to coordinate our redesigned Home Reading program for students in Prep - Grade 2 so that it aligns with our Initial Lit, classroom teaching. Information regarding this initiative will be communicated shortly.
Mrs Nicole Cornell is a highly experienced and skilled educator who has taught across many grades, but has clear expertise within the early years. Her time spent teaching Grade 2, Prep, Kindergarten and Little Treasures in recent years have left a legacy that is still visible today. Nicole’s natural leadership and depth of knowledge regarding Early Years education make her an ideal person to fulfil this role to a high level.
Mrs Cornell’s role as Early Years Coordinator will involve, but is not limited to:
- Supporting our SETUP Little Treasures, Kindergarten & Prep staff to embed best practice pedagogy through
- Modelling
- Mentoring
- Observing & Providing Feedback
- Curating resources and synthesising research
- Working with the Deputy Principal to analyse AEDC, PAT Early Years and other data to inform our Early Years direction and foci
- Utilising the National Quality Framework to guide continued improvement in the SETUP & Kindergarten environments
- Working directly with children from Kindergarten and Prep individually and in groups, to support their learning
Currently Mrs Cornell has, among other things, been working hard to coordinate our redesigned Home Reading program for students in Prep - Grade 2 so that it aligns with our Initial Lit, classroom teaching. Information regarding this initiative will be communicated shortly.
Seesaw & Online Feedback at OLOL
As communicated in previous Newsletters, this year we are utilising Seesaw 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.
We have trialled providing feedback to each student across our school using this same Single Point Rubric. Over the last week and throughout this week, you will receive a notification of a post to your child’s Seesaw Journal that is a Single Point Rubric outlining where your child is at in relation to learning the identified Success Criteria. Classes have gone about providing this in different ways, some have posted an image of a child’s book with teacher’s feedback on written on it, others have posted a digital copy directly to Seesaw. The key is that your child has received feedback regarding where they are at in their learning and where to next. Seesaw allows us to keep you, the parent, informed of this feedback quickly and easily.
The processes we have in place currently may change as the year unfolds due to reflection and refinement of our own practices, however our aims will remain the same:
We have trialled providing feedback to each student across our school using this same Single Point Rubric. Over the last week and throughout this week, you will receive a notification of a post to your child’s Seesaw Journal that is a Single Point Rubric outlining where your child is at in relation to learning the identified Success Criteria. Classes have gone about providing this in different ways, some have posted an image of a child’s book with teacher’s feedback on written on it, others have posted a digital copy directly to Seesaw. The key is that your child has received feedback regarding where they are at in their learning and where to next. Seesaw allows us to keep you, the parent, informed of this feedback quickly and easily.
The processes we have in place currently may change as the year unfolds due to reflection and refinement of our own practices, however our aims will remain the same:
- Consistently provide students with feedback on their learning
- Where they are at and where to next
- Utilise the feedback provided to students as a tool to enable high levels of learning for all
- Communicate this feedback to parents to strengthen our home school partnerships
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
Breakfast Club
There will be NO Breakfast Club for Term 1.
Canteen
Due to unforeseen circumstances the canteen will be CLOSED until Wednesday 16th March. Apologies for any inconvenience.
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.
Swimming Carnival
The decision has been made to postpone our Grade 3-6 Swimming Carnival to Term 4 (date to be confirmed)
Kinder Enrolments
A reminder to families, new and existing, to fill out Kinder enrolments for next year (2023).
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
Due to unforeseen circumstances the canteen will be CLOSED until Wednesday 16th March. Apologies for any inconvenience.
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.
Swimming Carnival
The decision has been made to postpone our Grade 3-6 Swimming Carnival to Term 4 (date to be confirmed)
Kinder Enrolments
A reminder to families, new and existing, to fill out Kinder enrolments for next year (2023).
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
