Term 3, Week 9

17 september 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 22nd September
(9:00 am - 9:15 am)
All Grades (6M)
Parents and carers are welcome!

upComing Events

Term 3​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
  • Junior Joeys Fashion Parade - Tuesday 17th September.
  • Prep Wonder Walk (Community Gardens) - Wednesday 18th September.
  • Footy Colours Day -
  • Kinder: Thursday 26th September.
  • Prep-Grade 6: Friday 27th September
  • Assembly (2M sharing) - Friday 27th September.
  • TERM 3 ENDS - Friday 27th September.

Miss Wootton's Reflection

support coordinator


"Love one another as I have loved you."
John 13:34
​
Dear Parents/Carers, 

Thursday 12th of September was R U OK Day, on this day we're reminded of the
importance of connection and support in our lives. This national day of action
encourages all Australians to meaningfully connect with the people around them and
start a conversation with anyone who may be struggling with life.

What is R U OK? Day?
R U OK Day is an initiative that aims to inspire and empower everyone to
meaningfully connect with people around them and support anyone struggling with
life. The mission is to create a world where we're all connected.

Why It Matters
In our busy lives, it's easy to overlook the signs that someone might be struggling. By
taking the time to ask "Are you OK?" and really listening to the answer, we can make
a significant difference in someone's life.

How to Participate
1. Ask R U OK?: Start a conversation with family, friends, or colleagues.
2. Listen without judgement: Give them your full attention.
3. Encourage action: Suggest professional help if needed.
4. Check in: Follow up to see how they're doing.

Let's come together as a school community to support one another and spread the
message that it's OK to not be OK, and it's absolutely OK to ask for help.

Remember, a conversation could change a life.

For more information, visit ruok.org.au

Kind regards,
Meg Wootton

Updated CET Policies
The Catholic Education Commission Tasmania (CECT) recently approved updated versions of the Student ICT Policy and Work Health and Safety Policy at its meeting held on 20 August 2021, please click on the links below to access the new policies. As a result of approving the updated policies the CECT Terms and Definitions document has also been updated.

Religious Education

At OLOL we often remind the students that we are the feet, hands and voice of Jesus and it is a challenge to behave with care, compassion and ensure the dignity of all in our interactions.

Jesus challenged the people of his time and today Jesus' message can continue to challenge us and to be a challenge to us - to rise to another level of behaviour consistently with compassion, dignity, understanding and love at our core.

Jesus favoured the poor, the marginalised, the ones ‘who didn’t fit in’ and in this we are asked: 
  • Where in everyday life do I see or hear the spirit of God?
  • Could God be speaking to us through the ageing parent, the annoying co-worker, the interfering neighbour or the trying child? 
  • What is God telling us and how should we respond - with love and understanding or with disdain, impatience and intolerance. 
 It is not easy to follow Jesus and this is the courage it takes to be a christian.

Parish Youth Group
For further information please contact Father Chatty 0401240164

School news

Upcoming Building Works
Our Lady of Lourdes will be renovating and creating new offices in the Admin area and at the back of the library. These offices will create space for counsellors, allied health professionals, finance and leadership; as well as reconfiguring the Main Office for better workflow and access to the First Aid Room.
These building works are planned to begin at the end of this term and all of Term 4.
The impact for parents and students for Term 4 will be:
  • No access to the current Office Area - the temporary School Office will be in the Library, straight through the blue doors; from the last week of school until the end of Term 4 and the Summer Holidays.
  • The Library will be closed to students from the end of Week 8 to the beginning of Week 4 Term 4.
  • You will see visual fencing and barriers around the school being erected this term.
Please respect these and be guided by directions from staff if you are unsure.

Parent Invitation for Class Requests for 2025
Class allocation for 2025, 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. They spend 800 hours with your child over the school year.  We also wish to work with you as parents if you have valid concerns for class allocation in 2025.
 
Please contact the school office for an interview with Carol between Monday 16th  September and Friday 26th October: [email protected]

Not all parent requests can or will be granted. This decision will be the Principal’s, based on conversations between the Principal and class teachers following the parent request.

Our Lady of Lourdes Class Formation Policy provides 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.

We do state that this process does take us considerable time and discernment, therefore any parent requests received after 28th October will not be considered.

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.
​
AFL Day Special Lunch
Due to the large amount of orders received for our AFL Day on Thursday, we will be splitting the lunches:
Kinder - Grade 2:  will receive their lunch orders at 1st Lunch (approx 10.45am)
Grades 3 - 6:  will receive their lunch orders at 2nd Lunch (approx 1.15pm)
Parents/Carers of Grades 3-6 students, please pack something extra for your child to eat at 1st lunch.
Thank you for your support on this very popular Special Day!

​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.
​
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.

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
Netball​
Triathlon
Touch Football

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 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