Term 3, Week 8

12 September 2023

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 18 September
 Primary (3B)
Parents and carers are welcome!

upComing Events

Term 3​​​​​​​
  • Assembly - Friday 15th September
  • Swimming Program (Grades 2-4) - Monday 18th September - Friday 22nd September
  • Last day of Term 3 - Friday 29th September

MR farr's Reflection

deputy Principal 


If one of my followers sins against you, go and point out what was wrong. But do it in private, just between the two of you.
Matthew 18: 15-20
Welcome to Week 8.

There are only 13 days of Term 3 remaining, but who’s counting?

Yesterday during School Prayer, our students from 2B led us through a prayer service centred around the Gospel of Matthew where Jesus shares with His disciples what to do if someone disobeys God.

We broke this Gospel passage open and explored it in our context of being Prep, Grade 1 and Grade 2 students.  Effectively, we discussed how this Gospel passage teaches us to name up the poor choices of others to them, but in a way that respects their dignity: “If one of my followers sins against you, go and point out what was wrong. But do it in private, just between the two of you.”  We also discussed that if we are going to name up the poor behaviour of others, we must be welcoming, and accepting, of having it named up to us as well.

Our reflection centred around how can we support and encourage others to make good choices.  Naming things up to others is important, as long as we do it with the goal of helping that person to make better choices, otherwise we are simply doing it for the sake of it or to deliberately upset, hurt or embarrass them!  For our students we thought this might look like naming up to a friend that they should say sorry for the way they spoke to another person.  Encouraging others to make good choices by telling them ‘good job’ and ‘well done’ for their positive choices.  This all sounds really straightforward, however it is extremely challenging, especially for young people.

Now, I know I probably refer to basketball too much in these reflections, but . . .

On Sunday I was coaching a basketball team in a semi-final, striving to beat a team that had defeated us during the regular season.  One of the biggest foci that I had as a coach was to be positive - praise players (12 and 13 year olds) for things that they did well on the court and not focus on things they didn’t do so well.  Did I achieve this for the entire game?  No, of course not!  Did I achieve it more often than not, yes, I think so.  In this case the athletes on the team need what they aren’t doing well named up to them.  Not to simply make them feel poorly, but to help them to see what behaviours or actions they need to change in order to improve.  Again, if it is done in a dignified way and for the purpose of supporting and encouraging that person to get better, of course we should do it.

How amazing would it be if our students were able to do this?  Name up poor behaviour and then support and encourage their peers to make better choices.  So many of our students live out our school values of being respectful, responsible and safe consistently and are genuinely kind to each other.  Some of our students do struggle to make ‘good decisions’ consistently due to impulsive behaviours or becoming frustrated etc.  In these situations we need all our students to be courageous enough, and feel empowered to, name up poor behaviour in a way that is respectful, and then be responsible to help that person make a better choice, maybe by simply suggesting a different behaviour etc.

Effectively, Jesus tells His disciples that they need to help each other to make good choices.  It isn’t just up to each person to look out for themselves, but it’s the responsibility of everyone in the community to support and encourage each other.

Enjoy your week.

Stu
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Andrew Chinn Concert
On Wednesday 27 September, Australian religious songwriter and singer, Andrew Chinn, will be visiting our school to share his songs with our children. Andrew’s songs, such as “These Hands”, “Rainbow”, “An African Blessing” and “Rise Up!” are used in classrooms and liturgies around Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada.

Classes will work with Andrew throughout the day to learn a variety of songs.  The day will culminate in a concert in our School Gym, at 2:00pm.  We warmly welcome you to come along and join in and look forward to seeing you there!
Picture
Andrew Chinn will be performing at our school on Wednesday 27 Septermber at 2:00pm.
About Andrew Chinn:
  • ​Was a teacher for 20 years in Catholic schools in Sydney, taught all grades from kindergarten to Year 6 (was a kindergarten/prep teacher for two years)
  • Song writing since 1993
  • Has released 12 albums, 6 picture books, and 5 DVDs and has an online resource for teachers: www.butterflyhouse.online
  • His music is used in schools across Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada and he has visited more than 1000 different schools around those countries.
  • His best-known songs are These Hands, Together As One, Rainbow, In the Beginning, Shine Among Them, An African Blessing, God Made Them All, and Rise Up!
  • Lives in Wollongong with his wife, Bernadette and a couple of Shetland Sheepdogs called Mollee and Elbee, who love going to the beach.
  • He has four daughters and TEN grandchildren!
  • He is a proud Sydney Swans supporter.
  • Andrew’s music is available on iTunes, Spotify and Apple Music.

School news

​Class Formation 2024
Class allocation for 2024 involves a variety of factors including balancing the academic, social and emotional needs of all of our students.  Our staff are in the best position to objectively do this.  

Our Class Formation Policy states that we:
  • Provide each child with the opportunity to be part of a class of children where they will have the best opportunity to learn.
  • Provide evenly balanced classes in which the social, emotional, academic, spiritual and physical needs of each child are taken into account.
  • Ensure that optimum use is made of prior knowledge that teachers, parents and other key stakeholders have of each child before class placement. 
To support our staff to create balanced classes where the needs of each of our children are met, this year we will be utilising a program called ‘Class Solver’.  This is a program that several other Catholic Schools have used in the past and have recommended it to us.  The program allows our staff to input information regarding each student ie their friends, academic needs etc and any valid requests from parents.  The program will then sort classes according to the data it has been given.  We as a staff are then able to review the classes suggested and make adjustments as required.  We envisage ‘Class Solver’ will support us to continue to create balanced classes that meet the needs of all our students, parents and staff in a more streamlined and efficient manner, whilst allowing teacher understanding of student’s needs to remain at the forefront of our process.

We appreciate working with you, the first educators of your child, and you are welcome to meet and share any valid concerns with Mrs Seagar as part of this process.  These concerns are not friendship requests, but born of a genuine need that would affect the future learning of your child.

This process does take us considerable time and discernment, therefore any parent requests received after 27th October will not be considered.  As such, if any parents have valid concerns for class allocation in 2024, please contact the school Office for a conversation with Carol between Monday 18th September and Friday 27th October: [email protected]

​If parents know that they will not be continuing enrolment of their child/children at OLOL in 2024, please let the school Office know as soon as possible. The realities around budgets in schools rely heavily on maintaining the right numbers of students. Knowing whether any students will be moving schools helps our school immensely with maintaining staffing, allocating resources and balancing classes.
Swimming & Water Awareness (Grades 2, 3 & 4)
Students in Grades 2, 3 and 4 will take part in their Swimming and Water Awareness program at the Splash Devonport Aquatic and Leisure Centre on the following dates:
Monday 18th September
Tuesday 19th September
Wednesday 20th September
Thursday 21st September
Friday 22nd September

*It is important to note:
  • swim caps are compulsory for all students and are available at the Office for $4.00
  • students may wear their PE uniform to and from school for the duration of the Swimming Program.

Canteen
AFL Special Day - Thursday 28th September
  • Hotdog - $4.00 (GF Available)
  • Jumbo Sausage Roll - $5.00 (GF available)
  • Large Meat Pie - $5.00 (GF available)
*Sauce will be supplied at no extra cost

Orders are now open on school24.net.au and will close, Monday 25th September at 9.30am. Late orders will not be accepted.
*Please order this special from 'EVENTS' on school24.net.au NOT Compass.

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 then 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.  Although the weather is beginning to change (slowly!) and it is lovely in the after school sun, our 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.

Digital Citizenship Guidelines
Our Lady of Lourdes is asking for parent support. If your child contacts you through their iPhone watch asking to go home, can you please ring the office so that the class teacher is fully informed of what is happening.
In our school Digital Citizenship Guidelines it states:  I will only use Digital Technology when I have permission.
​
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 Free Days 2023
Student Free Days for 2023 are:
Term 4: Monday 16 October
​
​OLOL Breakfast Club - Term 3
Venue: OLOL Gym 
Monday - Friday
8:00am - 8:40 am
All Welcome

Change of Clothes
Due to the wet weather, there seems to be more students coming to the office needing uniform items due to falling over in the muddy/wet conditions. Can all students please pack a spare change of clothes. 

​​Uniform Shop
Updated Hours
Monday August 28th - Wednesday September 27th
Monday October 16th - Wednesday October 25th
​Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday
Afternoons Only
1:30pm - 3:30pm
​
OLOL Student Free Day - Malangenna School Holiday Program
Malangenna will be open on OLOL student free day, Monday 16th October at the OLOL service.
Families Tasmania - Online Workshops
Families Tasmania are thrilled to be offering some great online workshops. For more information and to book, access the link below.

Technology NEWS

Student of the week

Sports News & Rosters

Click here to access 'Sports News, Registrations and Rosters​​
  • Devon Netball Spring Roster
  • Devonport Primary Spring Basketball Registration
  • Triathlon
  • OLOL Sports Policy

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

Community News

Click here access 'Community news'​​​​​
  • City of Devonport Brass Band
  • Mersey Rowing Club - Learn to Row Program
  • Come & Try Scouting
  • Girls Primary School Football - 15 Sept - 6 Oct
  • School Holiday Tennis
  • Tennis - Come & Try Day
  • Hockey
  • Studio 81 Dance Company
  • Slip Stream Circus

Policy in Focus

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School
Class Formation Policy


Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, Devonport is committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for its students, staff and volunteers. This commitment includes the social, emotional, spiritual and academic growth of each child.
A clearly defined, collaborative and transparent process for the creation of classes at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, Devonport will assist in maintaining a positive environment for all stakeholders, particularly students, and create a school community that is effective in its core purpose of providing education for its students.
The purpose of this policy is to provide a clear framework for the process of placing children into classes and ensure Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School:

  • Provides each child with the opportunity to be part of a class of children where they will have the best opportunity to learn.
  • Provides evenly balanced classes in which the social, emotional, academic, spiritual and physical needs of each child are taken into account.
  • Ensures that optimum use is made of prior knowledge that teachers, parents and other key stakeholders have of each child before class placement. 

OLOL School Calendar

2023 Term Dates

​
2023 TERM DATES
TERM 3
Tuesday 25 July - Friday 29 September
TERM 4
Tuesday 17 October - Thursday 14 December

2024 TERM DATES
TERM 1
Wednesday 7 February - Thursday 11 April
Easter Break
Friday 29 March - 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