Term 1, Week 8

26 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 8th April
(9:00 am - 9:15 am)
Whole School
Parents and carers are welcome!

upComing Events

Term 1​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
  • Dress Purple for Lent - Wednesday 27th March
  • Grade 4 Excursion (PCYC Burnie) - Thursday 28th March
  • Easter Break - Friday (Good Friday) 29th March - Tuesday (Easter Tuesday) 2nd April (students return to school Wednesday 3rd April)​
  • Dress in Orange for Harmony - Tuesday 9th April
  • Last Day of Term 1 - Thursday 11th April
  • Student Free Day - Friday 12th April
  • First Day Term 2 - Monday 29th April

Mrs seagar's Reflection

principal

Welcome everyone to Week 8.

Holy week
We all know that Holy Week is an important time for Catholics throughout the world, but do we truly understand its deeper meaning? Behind all those Easter eggs, Easter bunnies and everything else in between that commercialises this sacred time, we reflect on what Holy Week means to us and seek new ways to encounter God.

Holy Week, is the final week of Lent, starting on Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter. Holy Week is a time in which we gather to remember and participate in the Passion of Jesus Christ. The Passion was the final period of Christ’s life in Jerusalem, which spans from when He arrived in Jerusalem, to when He was crucified. Four special ceremonies commemorate the events of Christ’s Passion, starting with his entrance into Jerusalem, when palm branches were placed in His path, through to His arrest on Holy Thursday and Crucifixion on Good Friday, to Holy Saturday, the day that Christ’s body lay in the tomb.

At Our Lady of Lourdes this week we are participating in these events to mark Holy Week:
Monday:        Palm Sunday Whole School Prayer.
Tuesday:    Caritas Class Egg Hunt and Water Relay (timetable to be confirmed) and ‘Wear Purple Day’ for Lent (promoted by SRC).
Wednesday:  K-2 and 3-6: Prayer Services of the Last Supper & Caritas Coin Design with donations to Caritas.
Thursday:      Stations of the Cross Prayer Walk.
An intentional Holy Week can serve as a spiritual pilgrimage that deepens our faith.

The Easter story teaches us humility and love. It probes our desire to think of ourselves as compassionate and generous people.

The life and teaching, and the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ put together, are a lesson on the efficacy of humility, service, self-sacrifice, and true love. As Catholics, we live in hope, not fear and with God’s mercy and love, can overcome anything life throws at us.

God bless and may everyone have a holy Easter this year, united in prayer, hope and love.

​Carol



​​
​A Prayer for Easter Sunday
God, may we feel the warm embrace of your love on this sacred day.
May the glory of Jesus’ resurrection remind us that with You, nothing is impossible or without hope.
We pray in Your name.
Amen
Farewell to Father Steven
Father Steven is moving, in April, to be an Assistant Priest to the Archbishop in Hobart.  On behalf of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School I wish Father Steven all the best in his future priesthood and thank him immensely for his services to our school over the last 5 years.
​May God continue to bless Father Steven in his ministry.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
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.



​A New Cross from an Old Tree
During Lent crosses in Catholic Churches are covered to remind us of  the emotionally charged redemptive purpose of the suffering (purple), crucifixion and death (black), and resurrection (white) of Jesus, which these liturgical seasons commemorate. While it may appear counterintuitive to veil statues and images during the final weeks of Lent, the Catholic Church recommends this practice to heighten our senses and build within us a longing for Easter Sunday.

Below is our New School Cross ( unveiled at the moment) which was made from the Flowering Gum that was removed from the school last year.  This Cross is a reminder of our Lord Jesus Christ who stands with all who saw and interacted with our school over the previous 71 years and who is with us all today. A selection of gumnuts from this tree are being placed in resin to accompany the cross as well as a plagued telling its story.

School news

Harmony Week
​OLOL will be doing 3 major events for Harmony Week:
on Tuesday the 9th of April - Orange Dress Day - students dress in orange (optional) 
Wednesday the 10th - Buddy Class activity - buddy activity of colouring a huge world map on top cement, with some background about each continent.
On Thursday the 11th - Assembly led by volunteer students & Mrs Evans, sharing translation quotes, and a general message of belonging. Parents are invited to attend.  

​Emergency Practice
Within the next two weeks we will hold an unannounced emergency practice with staff & students, to test our response to a potential scenario that staff identify a threat warranting the school go into lockdown (opposite to evacuation).
Like for fire evacuation drills, we recognised the worth to test this process.
We have plans in place to make this practice as least disruptive as possible.
If you have queries you are welcome to contact Natalie Johnson, WHS Officer, 64241744

SBSC Primary School Music Program
St Brendan-Shaw College has been working closely with principals of our Catholic feeder schools to deliver a Primary School Music Program, commencing Week 1 of Term 2.
​If you are interested in this opportunity for your child, (even if you've already completed the expression of interest form last year), please complete this enrolment form (link below) by Friday 5th April, to assist with finalising our planning of the program.
Link to Enrolment Form for Primary School Music Program

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.


​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.
​
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.
​

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