Term 3 Week 10 2023

A Message from the Principal

Dear parents and friends,

With only 21 sleeps until our school fete next term, excitement is filling the air. Our P&F committee has been busily finalising stalls, sideshow alley games, bar requirements, canteen items and the list goes on. I am particularly looking forward to the dunk tank where students and parents will be able to try and sink Mr KD, Mr Kopacz and myself in a large tank of water. Fun Time Amusements will have 5 rides at our fete and ride bands are available for purchase through our school office. I look forward to seeing all families at this event early next term (Week 1 – Friday, 5pm-10pm).

Our whole school will travel to Winton this Wednesday to participate in the Winton Bush Poetry Festival. All year levels have been practicing very hard in their classrooms this term as part of their learning in English. I was particularly impressed by some of our individual competitors who presented their poems on stage at Monday’s assembly. It takes a lot of courage to stand up and present in front of a large crowd. Good luck to all our students who will compete on stage at Winton on Wednesday. A special thanks to all the parents who have volunteered to transport students across to the event. Without your assistance this event would not have been possible.

Our first annual spelling bee will be held next term. This gives students an opportunity to showcase their word study skills as well as develop a love for words. A note was sent home to all families last week. The note detailed the types of words students would be exposed to in the different age divisions. Students will participate in a classroom spelling bee and the winners will compete in our finals in the MPC. So, if students are looking for an activity to do these holidays, why not challenge them with some spelling.

I hope all our families have a safe and relaxing break over the school holidays. We look forward to seeing everyone back on Tuesday 3^rd October 2023.

God Bless,

Mr Peter Thurecht

Reflection – Sr Kym Harris OSB

Unleashing the Cross

Recently, I was reflecting on the meaning of the cross in our lives.  One of the things that struck me was how the earliest image of Jesus on the Cross did not appear till about 400 years after his death by crucifixion!  There had been early images of the Good Shepherd and of Jesus Christ, Lord of Creation, but the first image of the crucifixion took centuries to appear.  This image is carved on the doors of Santa Sabina in Rome…and it is a little odd.  There is no Cross just three figures outstretched as though being crucified.  The early Christians certainly believed in the saving death of Jesus but the means by which he died was so disturbing they struggled to look on it in images.  They knew what crucifixion meant – a disgraceful, ignominious death that no-one wanted to encounter.  This gives us, who see crosses everywhere, something useful to think about as this week the Church celebrates the Exultation of the Cross.

Crucifixion was barbarous.  If it happened today, we would be beyond horrified…and rightly so.  Yet that shameful, painful death was the way God chose to bring grace and salvation into our world.  As St Paul says, for the Jews it was a stumbling block, for the Gentiles an absurdity. What about us?

I know that when I encounter the cross in my life – I do not like it, and neither do you.  The cross can come as the painful, difficult, boring or just tedious things that we feel diminish us.  Our normal response is to reject such and seek a way to avoid them, to turn to experiences which confirm us or give us pleasure.   As Christians rather, we have been given the grace to look at them differently.  With the life that Jesus unleashed through his Death and Resurrection, we have been given the ability to transform negative places into something positive.  This does not mean that we have to ‘accept’ everything – on the contrary, we can ask ourselves, what would God want to do through me in this situation. With a different attitude, we can face the difficult, uncomfortable situations of our life, knowing that God’s grace can transform them in ways we cannot imagine.

Loving Father, give me the transforming grace of your Holy Spirit that I might enter lovingly and creatively into the hard and difficult places in my life, the place where I encounter my cross.  I ask this in Jesus’ name confident that you will hear me.

APRE News

I have come home from the Winton Poetry Competition on such an amazing high! I am exceptionally proud of each and every one of our students who performed in both the group and individual sections today. 

It takes an immense amount of courage to take the stage and perform and every one of our students who entered represented our school exceptionally well! 

Thank you very much to our teachers and teacher aides who made our attendance possible. Our teachers have worked very hard this term to prepare our students well, and it showed! Our staff went above and beyond their working hours in order to attend and support our students. Thank you! 

Thank you also to the many parents who assisted us by transporting students to and from Winton. The donation of your time and your support of our students is very much appreciated. We would not be able to participate without this assistance. 

The Winton Poetry Competition is in its 28th year. Our Lady’s has a long tradition of supporting this wonderful tradition. In the West, we celebrate and value sporting excellence well, but we perhaps do not recognise or promote the cultural achievements of our students to the same degree. I love the Winton Poetry Competition for this very reason and I hope that we are able to continue celebrating the cultural excellence of our students for many years to come. 

I have included a summary of our results below. Well done Our Lady’s. 

Group Sections:

Individual Performances:

God bless and have a wonderful holiday.

Ange

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 and Mrs Angela Arthur. If you have concerns, please do not hesitate to contact one of our officers.

Catholic School Parents Queensland – P&F

Our Lady's Catholic Primary School Fete

On Friday 6th October we are holding our school fete, to help make this a successful night we need your help!

Please click on the sign-up zone link below if you are able to assist in any way. We are asking for 1 hour of your time to assist with running of side show games or a stall, helping in the canteen or behind the bar. This is a great opportunity for some of our older students to also jump in and lend a helping hand.

We are also asking for volunteers to bake for our baked goods stall, help with canteen prep and assist with setting up on Friday 5th October.

https://signup.zone/PtTfuvgB6T8rxH5qS

Click here to buy your ride bands online

Ride bands and raffle tickets available Saturday 23rd & 30th of September outside of the Longreach Ray White Office.

Uniform Orders

To assist with stock control, uniforms will be pre-ordered using the form below. There will be limited stock available through the year. Orders will be ready for collection before the End of Term 4. Our next order period will be Late Term 1 2024, to prepare for winter.

• Money must be sent with orders. Orders cannot be filled until payment is received.
• Payment can be made at the office by cash or eftpos. Please contact the office for direct debit details.
• Please indicate the number of items required in each size.
• Uniforms are located at the school office and are available to try on for sizing Monday - Friday.

If you would like more information please phone 07 4994 8375 or email: oll@rok.catholic.edu.au

PLEASE RETURN THE COMPLETED FORM TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE – ORDERS CLOSE FRIDAY 15^TH SEPTEMBER

Deadly Arthur

Last week we welcomed Deadly Arthur back to our school. Students from Year 5 & 6 worked with Deadly Arthur to create an amazing learning obstacle course, ABCs and counting snakes, as well as a yarning circle and hopscotch outside the lower years learning area. Deadly Arthur then added a yarning circle outside the upper years classroom that will be a great asset to outdoor learning. The students have been making good use of their new outdoor spaces this week and enjoying the new challenges.

To celebrate National Indigenous Literacy Day, Deadly Arthur shared stories from his childhood and growing up in Cherbourg. The students from Prep, Year 1 & 2 had some great questions and also heard how Deadly Arthur made toys from tins when he was a young fella. The students then learnt the moves of some different Australian animals and did some deadly dancing with Deadly Arthur. 

Friday we were treated to an art demonstration on assembly, with Tania Karger being the lucky recipient of the finished masterpiece Deadly Arthur created.

Take some time to check out the obstacle course outside the office when you are next at school. Why not try following the emu tracks, dig for honey ants or jump across the didgeridoos!

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 12

Next

Swimming Schedule for Term 4 2023

Swimming Lessons – Commencing Tuesday 10th October until Tuesday 21st November (7 lessons)

Annual Swimming Carnival – Friday 24th November

Swimming instructors this year will be Mr. Peter Thurecht, Mrs. Lisa Neuendorf & Mrs. Angela Arthur as well as support staff.

Swimming lessons will commence in Week 2 of Term 4 for all students. To assist with the tight timetable, Years 5, 6 and Prep students are required to come to school with their sun safe swimmers under their sports uniform. All other classes will get dressed at school prior to their lesson. As Year 3 & 4 are the last swimming lesson for the day they will not get changed back into their uniform to go home in the afternoon.

Things every student will need;

• Sun safe swimming togs
• Swimming cap
• Towel
• Goggles
• Slip on shoes

Please ensure that all students belongings are named so that items can be easily returned if they are misplaced.

Prep - Miss Bongioletti

Hello and welcome to week 10!

We have had a fantastic term in Prep, and I am so proud of the progress every child has made.

Over the last two weeks we have loved finding our tricky words in the newspaper!

Last week we also celebrated Our Lady, Mary’s, Birthday. We loved creating cards for Mary and singing happy birthday to her.

We were very excited to travel to Winton on Wednesday to perform our poem, 10 Fat Wombats. To top off the experience we came away with the win in the Prep - Year 2 category! I am so proud of the preps and their dedication to the performance.

Have a lovely and safe holiday. See you all next term!

Miss Eliza Bongioletti

Year 1 - Miss Walker

In the blink of an eye another term in year 1 done!

This term we have enjoyed learning health and technology with Year 2. In health we have been learning about how we BOUNCE BACK from different situations. This week we even got to display some of our awesome acting skills.

In technology we have been planning and building our very own recyclable worlds using different joining techniques. Thank you Year 2, for another great term!

Last week our classroom chairs went on STRIKE! We did some amazing writing to persuade the chairs to come back.

Have another relaxing and safe holiday.

Till Next Time –

Miss Walker

Health

Technology

Writing

Year 2 - Miss Braden

Welcome to the final hurrah of Term 3!

We were very lucky to have a visit from Qld Ballet who led us through an exciting and fun  workshop!

Students have been working with Year 1 this term to create their own fantasy world. They needed to utilise joining techniques that they had learned throughout the term to join materials together.

Wishing everybody a very happy, healthy and safe holiday!

Miss Libby Braden

Qld Ballet

Technology

Year 3 - Mr Komndi-Diggins

Term 3 has been a busy term for the class! The students have worked very hard as they have wrapped up their subjects. Here are some of the summative tasks the students completed and other things happening this fortnight. Please see images at the bottom.

Writing:

The students have been learning about poems and poetic devices to improve their poetry. To finalise what they have learnt, they had to draft, edit and complete a good copy of an acrostic poem that incorporated poetic devices.

Science:

Throughout this term, the class has been exploring living and non-living organisms and the different ways these organisms can be grouped. For their summative assessment, the students had to arrange things according to different possible groupings.

Mathematics:

Over the course of the term, the students have been exploring many different mathematical concepts. This has ranged from multiplication, area, time and many other concepts. Recently, the students have been exploring volume and they have been using MAB blocks to help them in their understanding.

Technology:

For technology this term, Year 3 and 4 were combined while they explored farming life, farm animal lifecycles and the processes farm animals go through. To finish off our unit, the students had an opportunity to visit Moonridge, a property owned by Bill and Georgia Seeney. This excursion gave the students hands on experience and professional insight into farm animals and farm life. The students had a great experience that has they related things they learnt in class to the real world. Year 3 & 4 would like to say a big thank you to Bill and Georgia Seeney for giving them access and giving up their time.

Hoping you have a great holidays!

God bless,

Mr KD

Please enjoy our photos of all our learning and fun

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 16

Next

Year 4 - Miss Godfrey

Woohoo! We have made it to the end of term.

Last week we were fortunate enough to be welcomed to the Seeney’s family property for our Design and Technology excursion with Year 3. It was a fantastic time and we are very grateful to the Seeney’s.

This week we attended the Winton Poetry Festival, where Year 4 took out third place for our group poem. The students have worked so hard to achieve this amazing result and I am so proud of them!

This term has been so much fun, so we have decided to share our highlights. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful and relaxing holidays andI look forward to seeing everyone again for our final term in Year 4!

From,

Year 4 and Miss Godfrey

Excursion Photos

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 15

Next

Year 5 - Miss Canning

Welcome back to another fortnight in Year 5. It has been a busy fortnight, and everyone is ready for the holidays!

We had the pleasure of having Deadly Arthur at our school to paint wonderful and colourful designs. We were lucky enough to help paint some of his awesome designs.

We joined in with the rest of Australia and watched “Australia’s biggest child safety lesson”. The lesson was about giving and asking people for consent to touch them. It was a great lesson, and all students became well informed about what consent was and how to give consent and how to clearly say no!

After almost 10 weeks of practicing, we finally performed our poem at Winton Poetry festival. We absolutely smashed it! We came 2^nd!

I hope you all have a safe and wonderful holiday!

Miss Canning.

Year 5's fun and learning

Year 6 - Mr Kopacz

Welcome to Year 6,

Hard work has been the focus in Year 6. Students have been very consistent across their assessment and strong effort has been maintained across a variety of learning areas.

Last Tuesday we combined with the Year 5’s and participated in the “Australia’s BIGGEST Child Safety Lesson” from the Daniel Morcombe Foundation as part of Child Safety Week.

Last Wednesday Year 6 once again participated in another High School transition afternoon. This time, focusing on Woodwork and Visual Arts, ½ of the students practiced their hammering and made some wooden holders to take home, whilst the other ½ of students practiced some graffiti artwork on the pavement.

We also had a school visit from the Queensland Ballet, staff and students loved practicing their stances and stretches, all students were given an opportunity to create their own routine and had lots of fun doing so!

As part of our science assessment, students began their mould investigation, applying their knowledge of a fair test (changing one thing, measuring one thing, and keeping something the same). Some of our bread was passed around and pressed down, some was sprayed with disinfectant, and other had water sprayed on it, the results are already promising. Many students are so far correct in their hypothesizes as we have already begun our observation phases.

Year 6 also had a visit from Father Kingsley, who introduced himself to Year 6 and spoke about his journey of faith and how he came to be in Longreach.

Students have also been exploring the various ways in which data is collected and presented, and looking at how data can be misinterpreted and made to confuse others.

Father Kingsley

Australia’s BIGGEST Child Safety Lesson

Highschool Transition Visit

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 9

Next

Ballet

Data Collection and Science

Year 6 High School Transition

During term 3 on Wednesday of weeks 5, 7 and 9 and again in term 4 on Wednesday of weeks 2 and 6 Mr. Kopacz along with all year 6 students will attend transition afternoons to be held from 1:30pm to 3:00pm at the High School.

The full transition day to be held on Monday 20^th November parents/caregivers will be required to drop their child off at the High School and collect them. Mr. Kopacz will meet students at the High School on this day.

NOTES:

• Students will not be attending week 4 of term 4 as this is when Year 6 are on school camp.
• Full formal school uniform including hat are required to be worn.
• Students will take their school bags.

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.

Community Notices

Central West Health Deadly Choices

Alpha Learn To Swim - Longreach Pool

September Holidays @ Longreach Pool

The inflatable playground will be up and running these holidays, as well as our FIGHT FOR CANCER Footy Colours Day Event this Saturday!

Inflatable Playground

Saturday 16th September - 2 pm to 3:30 pm

Saturday 23rd September - 3 pm to 4:30 pm

Wednesday 27th September - 3 pm to 4:30 pm

Saturday 30th September - 2 pm to 3:30 pm

$7.50 per child - Single Day Pass

$25.00 per child - 4 Day Multi Pass

Inflatable wrist band can be purchased at the Longreach Aquatic Centre Kiosk or pre-purchased online:

https://app.iclasspro.com/portal/alphalearntoswim/products/category/passes/subcategory/inflatables

Footy Colours Day

Saturday 16th September

Free Entry all day *Gold Coin Donation to Fight for Cancer*

Best Dressed Footy Colours Child & Adult

* Inflatable price does not include pool admission. Pool admission will be required for all non-pass holders

* Strict age and swim ability rules will be applied

September Holiday Swim Block

Booking Portal Now Open for Holiday Block Swimming

Multi-Lesson Discount - the more you swim the more you save!

Flexibility - Just select the days and the session you want to swim!

Alpha - Week 2 Only

Jericho - Week 2 Only

Longreach - Week 1 and Week 2

Blackall - Week 2 Only

*Squad extension available @ $27.50 per week

To book please use the link: https://app.iclasspro.com/portal/alphalearntoswim/camps/8

Winter Intensive Clinic

Our final winter intensive clinic is on again - 23rd and 24th September (the second day is on ALTS!). All children will receive a FREE arm band to the inflatables Saturday afternoon. Perfect opportunity to get back into the swim of things before summer training and lessons start. Goal setting sessions will be available for all squad swimmers throughout the clinic. We strongly encourage all children from all locations to attend the clinic.

To Book please use the link: https://app.iclasspro.com/portal/alphalearntoswim/camps/7

Mental Health Week 2023

Longreach Regional Council

Longreach School Of Dance

Department of Transport and Main Roads

Would you like to earn money AND help your local community as a school crossing supervisor? 🙋

We’re looking for school crossing supervisors in your area to help get our kids safely to and from school!
✅ Generous casual pay-rate starting at $33.27 per hour

✅ Morning and afternoon shifts
✅ Long-service leave entitlements
✅ The Queensland Government superannuation scheme.

If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, call 0438838740 to speak with your local Road Safety Officer.

To be deemed suitable for the role, some criteria does apply, which include requirements to:
👉 pass a health assessment

👉 hold a current blue card
👉 disclose any serious disciplinary action taken against you in public sector employment.

For more information or to apply, visit tmr.qld.gov.au/SafeSchoolTravel.

Central West Health - Child Health Clinic

A Womxn’s Self-Care and Self-Renewal Retreat in Longreach

https://www.habitsforwellbeing.com/womxns-self-care-and-self-renewal-retreat-longreach/