Term 4 Week 7 2024

A Message from the Principal

Dear parents and friends,

This week, our school had the privilege of hosting The Honorable David Littleproud MP and The Honorable Milton Dick, Speaker of the House. They addressed our Year 3-6 students, diving into topics about Federal Parliament and the role of government. It was a lively and informative session, made memorable when our students humorously passed a motion declaring that pineapple should not be allowed on pizza! The MPs responded to a multitude of questions from our curious students, including “Who is your biggest inspiration?” It was inspiring to hear Mr. Littleproud speak about following in his father's footsteps, as his father had a long career in state parliament. Hon. Milton Dick also charmed our students by sharing that pizza is his favorite food, and if he weren't the Speaker of the House, he would open a pizza shop! Our students greatly enjoyed their visit, and we are grateful for the chance to learn directly from these dedicated leaders.

This week, families should have received an email with information about their child’s teacher for 2025. To help ease the transition and give students a chance to meet their new teachers, we will hold our transition mornings on Tuesday, November 19th and 26th. These mornings provide an opportunity for students to step into their new classrooms, helping to relieve some of the anxieties that can arise with the start of a new school year.

We’re also thrilled by the enthusiastic response to our new sports house polos. Since the announcement went out earlier this week, we’ve received over 60 orders! For those still interested, you can place an order for a 2025 sports polo using this link: Order Form.

Next week, we’ll kick off our annual Spelling Bee, beginning with classroom rounds. Last year, we saw remarkable spelling skills and intense competition, and we look forward to another exciting event. Each classroom’s top three spellers will advance to the finals during our Week 9 Monday assembly, which parents and friends are invited to attend. We’ll announce the finalists in next week’s newsletter, so stay tuned!

Finally, we’re preparing to welcome our new Prep students for 2025, along with their families, next Tuesday. Mrs. Williams, Miss Bongioletti, and I will be sharing insights about Prep life at Our Lady’s, while Mrs. Thurecht leads our newest students in fun activities in the Prep room. Little Immy Thurecht, in particular, can’t wait to start school with her friends! Exciting times are ahead, and we look forward to all the growth and learning the new year will bring.

God bless,

Mr Peter Thurecht

Reflection - Sr Kym Harris OSB

We Remember in Love

Five years ago, in November, I lost my youngest brother to cancer.  Last year, his son died in a motor cycle accident.  The grief has been great.  They were both men who live life to the full.  They loved their family with a deep passion.  In hope of faith, I can imagine them living to the full in the love of God.  Whatever is heaven’s equivalent of surfing, dancing and cooking up a feast, they are there doing it together, while watching over their family here on earth.

Not all griefs are as straightforward.  There are people we have known, even loved, who were difficult – even sinful, towards us or others.   The hurt they have given can complicate our grief.  Giving them a free pass on their actions sticks in our craw.  And it isn’t necessarily how God’s mercy works.  In the hope of faith, we believe that God has a way of untying the knots of their sin, straightening their hearts and bringing them also to the fullness of life.  I must admit that with some, I find it hard to imagine their ‘best selves’ but I am sure that God has some amazing surprises in store for me when I see the transformation. 

In November, we Catholics remember and honour our dead – all of them.  The ones we loved easily and with joy, the ones who gave us pain.  Take some time this month to sit with your loved ones who have passed. Thank them for the good they have given you.  Maybe even mention the pain they have caused. Be open to them asking and offering forgiveness.  Be with them in the heart of God.

Loving God, I thank you for the many people I have known in my life, who have passed into your full embrace.  In the mystery of that embrace, may I know the loving care you give to all.  I ask this in Jesus’ name, confident that you will hear me.

Sr Kym Harris osb

APRE News

Welcome to Week 7 of Term 4!

Gospel Reflection:

Mark 12:38-44

The Widow’s Mite

In Mark 12:38-44, Jesus teaches a lesson on humility and generosity through the actions of a poor widow. Observing people in the temple, Jesus warns his followers about the religious leaders, the scribes, who seek attention, wealth, and admiration from others. He cautions against their prideful behaviour and highlights the importance of sincerity over outward displays. Jesus emphasizes that true faith is not about being noticed but about a genuine commitment to God.

In the second part of the passage, Jesus points out the offering of a poor widow who gives two small coins. While her offering is modest compared to the larger sums given by the wealthy, Jesus explains that her gift is far greater because she gave all she had to live on. This story illustrates that God values the heart and sacrifice behind giving, not the amount. The widow’s humble offering serves as an example of true generosity and faith, reminding us that even small acts of kindness can be significant when they come from a place of love and trust in God.

In our school community, the story of the widow’s offering in Mark 12:38-44 is a powerful reminder of the values of humility, generosity, and sincere faith. Jesus’ message encourages us not to seek praise or recognition for our actions but to act from a place of love and dedication. Like the widow, who gave all she had with a pure heart, we are called to give our time, talents, and resources with a spirit of service, even when our contributions seem small. In our school, this means supporting one another, serving those in need, and remembering that true generosity is measured not by what we give but by the love and sacrifice behind it.

Remembrance Day:

On Monday, Year 5 lead the school in a reverent prayer celebration focussed on the theme of Remembrance Day. One of the most memorable parts, was the poppy wreaths they created with the names of soldiers who had fallen during conflicts. Along with this, Year 5 & 6 attended the Remembrance Day Ceremony at Edkins Park with other school and community groups.

[Remembrance Day images]

John 15:13, which says, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends," resonates deeply on Remembrance Day in Australia. This verse speaks to the ultimate sacrifice made by countless men and women who served in the armed forces, giving their lives in the pursuit of peace and freedom for others. As we honour their courage and selflessness on November 11, we are reminded of Jesus' example of love and sacrifice, which underpins the values of loyalty, bravery, and care for others. Remembrance Day invites us to pause, reflect, and express gratitude for those who gave their lives in service, embodying a profound love for their country and what it means to be Australians.

Presentation Day:

Next Thursday (21/11) Our Lady’s will be celebrating the Feast Day of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the Temple. As our school was founded by the Presentation Sisters, this day is celebrated as our school Feast Day. This day is of great celebration for our school community and is a day of joy and fun. To start the day we will have a mass that Year 6 and Fr Bang will lead in the MPC. Following this, there will be a Feast Day cake to be shared for morning tea. Throughout the day students will be completing activities and crafts focussed upon Presentation Day. Along with this, students will bring their togs to school to go swimming in the pool during the day. All families and members of our school community are welcome to join us during the mass and the morning tea.

God Bless,

Mr KD

Student Protection

Student Protection is taken very seriously within our school and Diocese. Each year all staff undertake mandatory student protection training at the beginning of the year. This year our School Student Protection Officers are Mr Peter Thurecht, Mr Sahlie Komndi-Diggins, Mrs Belinda Thurecht and Ms Sarah Wall. If you have concerns, please do not hesitate to contact one of our officers.

2024 Annual Awards Night

Please join us after the Awards Ceremony for dinner. We will have on offer steak burgers for $10 and a free sausage sizzle for children.

To assist with catering for the night we ask you to kindly complete the following google form: https://forms.gle/NbNgo9FxR3zDf3PZ8 

Please place all orders by 3:00pm Monday 25th November.

125th Anniversary Celebrations

Past and present families and friends of Our Lady's Catholic Primary School, you are warmly invited to join us in celebrating our 125th Anniversary at our Community Ball.

Purchase your ticket here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1300810

Upcoming Events

Swimming Lessons & Carnival Information

There will be no swimming lessons in week 8 (Wednesday 20th & Friday 22nd November) due to LSHS holding their swimming carnival.

All students will participate in a diving program on Wednesday 27th November.

8:45 - 9:45 - Year 3/4

9:45 - 10:45 - Year 1

11:30 - 12:30 - Year 5/6

12:30 - 1:30 - Year 2

2:00 - 3:00 - Prep

Swimming carnival tuckshop can be ordered via Quickcliq or by completing the following google form: https://forms.gle/xatKPUNEBPszERnh6.

Please note: if you order via Quickcliq you do not need to complete the google form.

Please place all orders by 3:00pm Monday 25th November.

Parent Orbit App

We're excited to announce a new mobile app for Our Lady's Longreach, Parent Orbit, is now ready for you to download and use.

The Parent Orbit app, which is connected to Parent Lounge, will improve our communication with each other as it offers a quick and easy way to receive notifications, view academic reports, book Parent/Teacher interviews, add Student Absences, view and pay School Fees, accept or decline excursions via the Events and Activities, update student details, email class teachers and much more.

Once you are in the app enter your Username and Password.  Your Username is your Parent Code, and your password is the same password that you use to login to Parent Lounge.  If you cannot remember your Parent Lounge password, click here to access the "Forget Password?" feature and follow the prompts to reset your password. Please contact the school office on 4994 8375 if you require further assistance.

Please take the time to explore the app as it offers many useful features. A "How To" guide has been included below. The app is very intuitive and will help keep us connected to support the education of your children.

The key features of the Parent Orbit App:
• Instant Notifications: Stay up to date with the latest announcements and important
alerts on your smartphone (be sure to enable Notifications)
• Events and Payments: Easily approve excursion attendance or make fee payments
• Medical Details: Keep your student’s medical details up to date
• Attendance Tracking: Easily track attendance and notify the School of your student's
absence
• Event Calendar: Stay informed about school events, meetings, and important dates
• Parent Teacher Interviews: Schedule parent-teacher interviews and receive
reminders
• Academic Reports: View and download your student’s school reports

How to download the Parent Orbit App
To download the app, scan the following QR code or follow the directions below

For iOS (iPhone and iPad) Users:
• On the iPhone or iPad device you would like to install Parent Orbit
• Once the App Store page for the app appears, tap "Get" or "Download"
• You may be prompted to enter your Apple ID password or use Touch ID/Face ID to
confirm the download
• After the download is complete, tap "Open" to launch the app
• Please ensure you enable Notifications

For Android Users:
• On the Android device you would like to install the Parent Orbit app
• Once the Google Play Store page for the app appears, tap "Install"
• The app will request certain permissions; tap "Accept" to grant them
• After the installation is complete, tap "Open" to launch the app
• Please ensure you enable Notifications

Setting Up Your Account

Once you have successfully downloaded and installed the app, follow these steps to set up your account:

1. Open ‘Parent Orbit’
2. Type “oll” (in lower case) into the School Code box and click Submit
3. Select Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School, then ‘Continue’
4. Enter your Parent Code (same 6 digit number Username as Parent Lounge which can be found under ‘Account Number’ on your Fee Statement) and Password (the same Password for Parent Lounge), then select ‘Login’
5. Parent Orbit will request access to your student information from Parent Lounge, select ‘Allow’
6. Parent Orbit will request permission to send Notifications, select ‘Allow’
7. You can now navigate Parent Orbit
Please note: A red dot signifies either; a notification, something that needs action ie. Events and Payments or an absence to acknowledge
8. Information such as links or contact details for the school can be obtained via the side bar. This can be accessed by hitting the hamburger menu button located in the top left corner, or by swiping right.
9. For extra security when accessing the parent orbit app, Face ID or a PIN can be setup (dependant on phone settings). This can be done by first going to the settings page and then selecting Face ID or PIN to be enabled.

Our Lady's Catholic Primary School P&F

Our final P&F meeting for 2024 will be held on Wednesday 20th November at 5:30pm in Block C.

2024 National parent Survey

Catholic School Parents Australia (CSPA) would like to hear from you!
We are excited to launch our 2024 National Parent Survey which is now LIVE

To have your say, scan the QR code or click on the survey link: https://unesurveys.au1.qualtrics.com/.../SV_d5a7NXLpTKbNAtE

Australian Council on Smoking and Health

The Australian Council on Smoking and Health (ACOSH). ACOSH is a not-for-profit advocacy organisation dedicated to creating a smoke-free and vape-free Australia.

ACOSH is conducting an online survey to find out what parents think about student vaping in high schools. We would like to hear the views of adults who have a child attending high school in Australia.

All results will be kept anonymous and no individuals or schools will be identified. ACOSH will use the survey results to advocate for improving vaping education and support for students.

Click on the link below to complete the 5-minute survey

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/acosh_parent_vaping_survey

Isolated Children's Parents' Association Qld Longreach Branch

Family Support Program

Isolated Children's Parents' Association (ICPA) is committed to advocating for equitable education access, opportunities and support for all rural and remote students. Motivated by this commitment the ICPA Longreach Branch is initiating a program that enables our Longreach and district families to access up to $500 in financial assistance toward educational, sporting or cultural/arts support or activities for your children.

•    Educational support for your child may include, but is not limited to, speech therapy, occupational therapy, paediatrician appointment, or literacy and numeracy support.
•    Sporting activities relate specifically to those students selected to represent our region at North West Sports or a specialised coaching clinic.
•    Cultural/Arts activities may include music or drama workshops such as SHEP.

Eligibility criteria include:

•    Membership of the ICPA Longreach Branch. ($50 p/a https://icpa.com.au/qld/membership)
•    The child receiving the support lives in the Longreach 4730 / Ilfracombe 4727 postcode area.
•    The child is aged up to 17 years of age.
•    If the child is of school age, the child must be attending a Longreach or Ilfracombe school.
•    No more than one application per child to be submitted per calendar year.
•    Evidence that your child received the support or participated in the activity.

The ICPA Longreach Branch Family Support Program financial assistance is on a reimbursement basis. Upon receipt of a paid invoice/receipt and proof that your child received the educational support and/or participated in the sporting/cultural activity, up to $500 will be paid via bank transfer to your nominated account. 
ICPA Longreach Branch has allocated a capped budget for this program, so once allocated funds have been spent, the program may be modified with the aim of providing assistance to the maximum number of families in our Branch. The ICPA Longreach Branch committee reserves the right to assess applications on a case by case basis. The Committee's decision is final in all application assessments. Your input and feedback on this Family Support Program is welcome as we aspire to provide a useful service to our Branch members. 
If you are seeking educational support for your child and you're not sure where to start looking, these are providers in our Longreach area:

•    Virtual or face-to-face speech therapy, https://popfamily.au/about/
•    Little Legs - Occupational Therapy based in Central West, https://www.littlelegsot.com.au/
•    Outback Futures - multiple services, https://outbackfutures.org.au/

Please email icpa.longreach@gmail.com for more information on this program, or to submit an application form. 

LSHS Year 6 Highschool Parent Information Evening & Transition Days

Homework Policy

Homework Policy Update for 2025

Another important agenda the School Board has focused on this year is our Homework Policy, which will come into effect at the beginning of 2025. After thoughtful consideration, some significant changes have been made to better align with the developmental needs of our students.

For students in Prep to Year 2, homework will still remain optional. At this early stage of learning, we recognise that students often require an adult to assist with homework tasks. Understanding the busy schedules of families, we know this won’t always be possible, and as such, we encourage, at the very least, regular reading at home. Reading together as a family fosters a love for learning and is an excellent way to build essential literacy skills.

For students in Years 3 to 6, homework will be compulsory. As children move into the middle and upper years of primary school, we aim to instil greater independence and a sense of responsibility in their learning. The rigor of homework at these levels is designed to support the development of key skills that will benefit them throughout their educational journey.

We are excited to see how these changes will positively impact both our students and their learning experiences moving forward!

Mobile Phone & Wearable Technology Policy

Uniform Policy

Tuckshop

Key Dates

St Brigid’s Parish News

Please follow us on Facebook for up to date information on what’s happening in the St Brigid’s Parish. https://m.facebook.com/people/Central-West-QLD-Catholic-Church/100080215845014/

Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton

The Cathedral College Rockhampton

Community Notices

Positive Partnerships

Longreach Regional Council

QANTAS Museum

You are invited to the WOW – Women of the World Australia: "In Her Name" Touring Exhibition Opening in the gallery spaces of Longreach Museum of Art at Qantas Founders Museum.

Date: 15th November 2024

Location: Qantas Founders Outback Museum 1 Hudson Fysh Drive, Longreach Airport

Cost: Free Entry to the Exhibition Opening

Time: 6:00 - 7:30

Contact name: Carissa or Sarah

Contact phone number: 07 4658 3737

Contact email address: info@qfom.com.au

WOW – Women of the World Australia in partnership with Qantas Founders Museum, is proud to present "In Her Name," an inspiring exhibition celebrating the remarkable contributions of women and girls from across Queensland. Supported by the Queensland Government, this exhibition will be on display at Qantas Founders Museum in Longreach from November 15. A cash bar will be available at the event and RSVPs are to be sent to info@qfom.com.au by COB Wednesday 13 November 2024 For more information about the exhibition, or the opening event, please contact the museum.

WOW! What's Next Out West Conversation opportunity with Qantas Founders Musuem at Longreach Museum of Art (Qantas Founders Museum art gallery)

Date: 16th November 2024

Location: Qantas Founders Outback Museum 1 Hudson Fysh Drive, Longreach Airport

Cost:Free

Time: 09:30 - 10:30

Contact name: Carissa or Sarah

Contact phone number: 07 4658 3737

Contact email address: info@qfom.com.au

WOW – Women of the World Australia in partnership with Qantas Founders Museum, is proud to present "In Her Name," an inspiring exhibition celebrating the remarkable contributions of women and girls from across Queensland. Supported by the Queensland Government, this exhibition will be on display at Qantas Founders Museum in Longreach from November 15. Come along on Saturday 16 November 2024 at 9:30am for the WOW! What's Next Out West Conversation opportunity as well as exhibition walk through with the WOW! team and QFOM Senior Curator, Sarah Johnson.

Western Queensland Junior Rugby

Longreach Stingrays

Central West Hospital & Health Services