Term 1, Week 7

19 March 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 25th March
(9:00 am - 9:15 am)
Primary - 4B 
Parents and carers are welcome!

upComing Events

Term 1​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
  • Naplan Testing (Grades 3 & 5) - Wednesday 13th March - Monday 25th March
  • Grade 1 Swimming Program - Monday 18th March - Thursday 21st March
  • Prep Swimming Program - Tuesday 19th March - Thursday 21st March
  • Assembly (1M) - Friday 22 March
  • Grade 4 Excursion (PCYC Burnie) - Thursday 28th March
  • Palm Sunday Mass -                  OLOL Parish 9.30am
  • Easter Break - Friday (Good Friday) 29th March - Tuesday (Easter Tuesday) 2nd April (students return to school Wednesday 3rd April)​

Miss wootton's Reflection

student support coordinator

Welcome everyone to Week 7.

Welcome to Week 7! 
Whilst writing this reflection, I am struggling to believe we are nearing the Easter break and the end of Term 1, it has flown by! 

Easter, holidays and celebrations are all things I look forward too. I spend my free time socialising with friends, swimming at the beach and spending precious time with family (especially my niece and nephews). Whilst these times of celebration often come with excitement, they too come with reflection. Over the 40 days of the Lenten period I have chosen to focus on ‘balance.'

“Lent is a time of inner reflection, self-sacrifice, denial, and repentance. If something has a grip on you, more than likely, it’s become unhealthy. It may or may not be an idol. Lent season is an opportunity to grow closer to God, to remember Jesus’ life and death and the sacrifices he made." 

I am fairly confident I could speak for us all when I say that there are times in our lives where we feel elements are not in ‘balance’. During Lent, I have committed to focusing on ‘big worries’ and less on ‘little worries’, firmer outside work hour boundaries and to be more present, to inturn feel more ‘balanced.'
​
Whilst all of these things have not been fully achieved...I have enjoyed the time of inner reflection. Some tips I have found useful in finding a better ‘balance’ in all areas of my life:
  • Find/lean on a support system
  • It is ok to say no
  • Schedule time for rest or ‘chill time’
  • Focus on today
  • Exercise and drink plenty of water 
  • Spend time with loved ones 

Wishing you all a safe and happy week ahead! 

Kind regards, 
Meg

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness"
Gen. 1:26
Picture
“We must let no obstacles deter us from proceeding with courage in the path marked out for us. It may sometimes be dark and full of many windings, but a beautiful, bright light shines at the end of the path, and a few more windings will bring us to it.”

Mary MacKillop, 10 March 1907
As we celebrate the feast of St Joseph (19 March) – Patron of the Universal Church and of  the Sisters of Saint Joseph (who began our school), let us call on the wisdom and humility of St Joseph to guide the process and lead us  in our lives.

Joseph was a deep listener with a contemplative heart.  In the life of Joseph, we see  his listening: Joseph first takes note of the reality of Mary’s pregnancy – perhaps somewhat disturbing. He ponders what this could mean for their relationship. He listens to the voice of the angel in his dreams – take Mary as your wife. He responds with a compassionate action. This cycle continues in the recorded stories in the gospel. In obedience to the law, he needs to go to Bethlehem for the census. Here he finds that there is no room in the inn. He ponders what this means and finds safety in the stable. He sees the shepherds approaching – what will this encounter mean? 

Four times Joseph is called to listen to the invitation of the Spirit in his dreams. Each response is risky, yet Joseph steps out in faith having heard God’s call in his moments of contemplation. May Joseph teach us to bring a contemplative mindset to all our responses and actions.

Inspired by the contemplative heart of Joseph, may we be people who take time amid the hustle and bustle of life to listen deeply to our good God, to the needs and voices of our neighbour and world, and to respond as Joseph did with a generous heart. It means at times, taking a significant risk and stepping out into an unknown reality, trusting God who walked with Joseph in each situation. 

​In a time when our Church and our world is living in uncertain times, we take courage from Mary MacKillop who reminds us, like Joseph’s noble and generous heart, we must be burning with zeal in the service of God: Happy Feast of St Joseph.
​


Sourced from
www.sosj.org.au/st-joseph-feast-day-2024/
The Emblem of the Sisters of St Joseph  reminds them  of the importance of Jesus, Mary, Joseph and John the Baptist in their lives. The Cross is a symbol of the religious name Mary MacKillop called herself - 'Mary of the Cross,‛ when she became a Sister of St Joseph. The A and M (drawn over the top of each other), stand for Ave Maria


                                                                                                                                                                                                            
Palm Sunday Mass
Families are invited to our Parish Mass this Sunday OLOL Parish at 9:30am to celebrate Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem.  Children will be invited to participate in the Palm Sunday Mass by being part of the entrance procession, waving palms in celebration. 
We look forward to seeing you there!​

Project Compassion
During Lent our students and in fact all Catholic Schools and communities contribute funds to Project Compassion. Project Compassion raises much-needed funds to help alleviate poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity in the most vulnerable and marginalised communities in the world. 

Project Compassion Is the lifeblood of Caritas Australia. The first national appeal for overseas aid was held in 1965 and the theme of Project Compassion is For All Future Generations. This year, the focus is on the resilient people from the Philippines, Samoa and Malawi. 

At Caritas Australia:
  • 87% of funds are spent on local and international programs, including vital education and advocacy programs in Australia.
  • 3% of funds are spent on essential administration costs, including our talented people.
  • 10% of funds are spent on fundraising activities so we can maintain and expand the scope of our programs which reach over 3 million people each year.
https://www.caritas.org.au/resources/project-compassion/

Our student’s donations this year will provide:
  • $65: a goat for a family in rural Malawi.
  • $200:  support to households in need of house repairs and toilet constructions in the Philippines.
  • $500: provide skills training to 15 people for income generating activities as well as start up business support in the Philippines.
  • $2000: support households with 5,000L water tanks with stand-alone harvesting systems in Samoa.



​Sacramental Program

School news

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.

Learn to Swim Program (Prep - Grade 1)
  • Prep Learn to Swim program will commence March 19th - 21st.
  • Grade 1 Learn to Swim program will commence March 18th - 21st​.
More information has been sent via Compass.

SRC: To show our support for the Tasmanian Jack Jumpers
The SRC invite students to dress in their Jack Jumpers supporters gear or in green and gold clothing, this Friday 22nd March.


​OLOL Complaint Procedure 
Fish Free School Zone & Nut Awareness
Can all parents be vigilant about enforcing our fish free school zone and nut awareness.
​
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.

Kinder 2025
We are now taking enrolments for Kinder 2025. Please complete enrolment forms which can be found on our website or collected from our office.
​
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.
​
Head Knocks at School
If your child presents to First Aid with a head knock, we will assess and treat with ice. If they appear fine your child will go back to class where they will be monitored by Staff. The office will send you an SMS so you are aware and able to check in with your child when they get home. If we are at all worried about your child we will phone you so they can be collected.

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 of the week

Sports News & Rosters

Click here to access 'Sports News, Registrations and Rosters​​
Basketball
Soccer
​Netball​
​NW Futsal
​Local Futsal

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 1
Wednesday 7 February - Thursday 11 April
Easter Break
Friday 29 March - Tuesday 2 April
Students Return - 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