Our Lady of Lourdes Primary Newsletter

Term 4 Week 8, 26th November 2021

Key Dates


Tuesday 7th December Year 6 Graduation Mass
Tuesday 14th DecemberLast Day of Term
Wednesday 15th December Staff Development Day
Friday 28th & Monday 31st January, 2022MAI Testing
Tuesday 1st February  First day for all students

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR C

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the clamour of the ocean and its waves; men dying of fear as they await what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.

‘Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will be sprung on you suddenly, like a trap. For it will come down on every living man on the face of the earth. Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand with confidence before the Son of Man.’

Ref:Liturgyhelp.com

Have you thought? – Waiting, waiting, waiting …

Who is a fan of waiting? Anticipation is pretty good; getting prepared and getting ready are OK, too. But when it comes down to being all dressed up and ready to go, waiting is difficult. If Advent is a time of pointless waiting for Christmas then we’ve somehow missed the message. Rather than just waiting, Advent is a time of preparation and anticipation. But it’s not just about anticipating Christmas. That’s part of it, sure. However, Advent is about reminding ourselves that we have a job to do: preparing for the reign of God – in our lives and in our world.

© Creative Ministry Resources Pty Ltd

PARISH SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM

Congratulations to the members of our school community who made their First Holy Communion last weekend and to those making it this weekend. We continue to pray for these young members of the Church. May their spiritual journey continue to grow and blossom as they participate more fully during Eucharistic celebrations.

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hamper Appeal

Last call! If you would like to help and have yet to send in an item, please bring it in on Monday. Thank you to those who have already sent in items to support this appeal.

Grade ItemItem
KindergartenCarton of CustardSoft Drink
Year 1Long Life MilkTinned Fruit
Year 2CoffeeBag of Lollies
Year 3PastaPasta Sauce
Year 4MiloRice
Year 5Christmas PuddingTinned Tomatoes
Year 6 TeaChristmas Cake
StaffTinned Ham
Last day - Monday 29th November

Merit Awards

Sport Captains for 2022

This week we finalised our voting for school Sport Captains for 2022. Congratulations to the students who were elected.

RED                                                           GREEN

Dante Wesser                                           Luis Mantoufeh

Ruby Enosi Tuipulotu                                Ruby Smith

BLUE                                                        GOLD

Noah Puletua                                            Raymond Hallal

Sarah Kenna                                             Alina Onis


All 2022 School Leaders will be presented with their badges during a special Liturgy on Monday 13th December at 9:15am. Parents of the new leaders are invited to attend. Please note all parents will need to show proof of double vaccination, check in via the QR code and wear a mask.

Semester Two Student Reports - Tuesday 7th December 2021

In response to changes to the learning and teaching environment during COVID-19, schools have needed to adjust their assessmentand reporting processes. While this report will look different, it will still provide you with valuable information about your child’s learning, while complying with government requirements. 

With much of Semester Two being remote learning, schools have been given some flexibility around the way they report student learning and achievements. After consultation with other Catholic Primary schools in the Hills area, a number of schools have decided to take a common approach to allow for a report that acknowledges the work students completed during remote learning as well as the learning that has occurred since returning to school. 

This 2021 second semester report recognises and reflects each student’s learning in three key areas: English, Mathematics and Religious Education. The 2022 first semester report will return to documenting progress in all key learning areas. This year the Semester Two Student Report will show learning statements that outline the learning students were presented with which formed the basis of the activities they completed. There will be no E-A grading of student learning, instead the report will focus on  student engagement and the learning they have demonstrated.

3 DAYS TO GO for Uniform Delivery this year

Last delivery to the school is Friday 10th December 2021. All orders must be placed by 4pm Wednesday 8th December.

First delivery back to the school is Tuesday 1st February 2022

A friendly reminder that all orders are to be placed on the QKR app by MasterCard. Please download the app, search your school and follow the prompts.

Please place your orders prior to the dates above to ensure you have a uniform to start the 2022 schoolyear.

PLEASE NOTE: OZ FASHIONS GRANVILLE DOES NOT SELL YOUR SCHOOL UNIFORM IN STORE.

Any concerns please email elle@ozfashions.com.au

Water Bottles

A reminder that all children bring their own labelled water bottle to school each day. 

Computers and Readers

If you borrowed any computers or readers during the lockdown period, could you please now return them to the school?

Many thanks for your cooperation.

Air Purifiers

This week we received our supply of air purifiers from CEDP. These purifiers are for each classroom and library.

Masks

A reminder to parents who come on site to collect children at the end of the day are asked to wear a mask to protect all our children. Once you collect your child please leave immediately. 

Covid Symptoms

Advice from NSW Health is that parents and carers should not send children to school if they are unwell, even if they have the mildest flu-like symptoms.  

Parents are required to have students tested if they are unwell for even the mildest of sysmptom, 

Schools will make arrangements for students who are unwell or have flu-like symptoms to be sent home.

If students are absent or have been sent home due to flu-like symptoms, they should not return until they have a negative COVID-19 test and are symptom-free.

Schools must sight the negative COVID-19 test result prior to allowing students  to return to school i.e. NSW Health or COVID-19 Testing Centre correspondence (SMS or email or hard copy) and/or a medical certificate must be provided to the school via email and a record of this kept by the school. 

email : ololbhills@parra.catholic.edu.au

2022 Parramatta Diocese Team Sport Trials

Parramatta Diocesan Primary students enrolled in Year 5 and 6 in 2022 are invited to participate in the Parramatta Diocesan Team Sport Trials during Term One & Two in 2022. Students in Year 4 in 2022 MAY nominate for the sports of Basketball, Hockey, Softball, Tennis & Touch Football only. 

It is important to note that these trials are generally for those students that MUST demonstrate an ABOVE AVERAGE ability, HIGH LEVEL OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT or in particular sports demonstrate REPRESENTATIVE playing experience in their nominated sport. In most sports, students should have experience playing regular competition outside of school.

Please complete the expressions of interest

  • SUMMER SPORTS NOMINATIONS for the sports of Basketball & Tennis close Monday 1st February 2022.

These trials are planned for 4th February 2022.

  • SUMMER SPORTS APPROVALS for the sports of Basketball & Tennis close Monday 1st February 2022.

  • ALL OTHER SPORTS NOMINATIONS close Monday 7th February 2022.

All other sports trials will also be held in Term One & Two in 2022.

  • ALL OTHER SPORTS APPROVALS close Thursday 10th February 2022.

Download

Attention Year 6 Students: 2021 NSW All Schools Championships - Primary Expression of Interest

DATES: Thursday 9th December to Sunday 12th December

VENUE: Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre (SOPAC)

2021 NSW ALL SCHOOLS CHAMPIONSHIPS - PRIMARY EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

The registration portal is exclusive to primary school students in year 6 who will be 12 years of age as of 31st December. 

Athletics NSW is providing this for students who have missed opportunities during their final school year, while their age still aligns with the competition rules.

Parent information before completing the form:

  • Register as a member to complete this entry. For those not already members of Athletics NSW or do not wish to purchase an annual membership, there is a free all schools non-member type which can be accessed HERE (if you were an ANSW member for the 2020/21 season select renew). If you wish to purchase an annual membership, please continue to our membership page.
  • This entry is application only, ANSW will confirm availability in the competition after entries have closed. All entries are subject to field sizes and compatibility with the event timetable. Therefore, applications may be rejected or may not gain entry to all nominated events.
  • Registering an application implies full intent to compete. If selected, ANSW will issue an invoice for entry fee payment which must be settled before competition start.
  • If there is room within an event to add Year 6 athletes, the selections will be made based on performances nominated within the portal.
  • All athletes will follow all competition rules; general, and those specific to the 12-year-old age group. Competition rules can be found HERE

Mathematics in the Home

Library - The Importance of Reading

Summer Reading Challenge

P & F

2022 P & F

The OLOL P&F would like to thank all our families for their support this year. It was unfortunate that we were very limited with what we were able to do this year, but hope to have a more exciting year in 2022. Attached is the nomination form for anyone wishing to join the P&F next year. If you are interested please hand in your forms by Friday the 3rd December 2021. 
Download

Parish News

Youth in the Parish of Baulkham Hills

We continue to keep Y12 students in our prayers as they undertake their HSC exams:

 A Student’s HSC Prayer

Lord, you have loved me into life and I thank you. In this exam period, give me a calm heart and quiet confidence in the knowledge that you hold me in the palm of your hand. Bless me with keen understanding and a retentive memory. Give me the ability to grasp things correctly, and express myself clearly. Help me to look beyond this time of exams and see clearly whatever you are calling me to be in life. Show me my gifts and talents and help me to have the courage to use them to love others, to give you glory and to leave this world a better place. Amen.

YOUTH GROUPS

We have wrapped up with our youth groups for the year, but look forward to coming back in person next year! Please keep us in your prayers as we plan for sessions in the coming year!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the youth office via email or mobile (youth@parishofbaulkhamhills.org.au | 0407 773 174). 

iWITNESS CONFERENCE

From the 10th-12th of December, the 2021 iWitness Conference will be taking place at the Tops Conference Centre. The Conference is for young adults (18+), and provides a fantastic opportunity to engage with and grow in your faith, to meet heaps of young adults from all around Australia, and to break out of your regular rhythm! If this sounds like it could be for you, check out the registration link (which also has contact information to get in touch with event organisers! Tickets are $230 for the weekend (which includes food and accommodation!), with special deals available (for more info., check the link or contact the organisers)!

Booking & Contact: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=823275&

Children's Rosary

Community News

Keeping Families and Children Well

Keeping families and children well –COVID-19 BulletinIssue 55: Thursday 25 November 2021

Please click here to find the latest COVID-19 bulletin from the Centre for Population Health.

Skoolbag App- Have you downloaded the app?

Skoolbag is the school’s primary avenue for immediate communication with parents.

Skoolbag is a communication app which all parents are strongly advised to install on their smartphones, ipads etc.