Our Lady of Lourdes Primary Newsletter

Term 4 Week 9, 9th December, 2022

Key Dates

Tuesday 13th DecemberEnd of Year Mass 9:30am followed by Awards Ceremony
Wednesday 14th DecemberGraduation Mass 7pm follwed by Supper
Thursday 15th DecemberLast day for students

Friday 16th December

Staff Development Day
Thursday 13th January 2023Last day to register for zone swimming trials 2023
Friday 27th & Monday 30th January 2023MAI Testing
Tuesday 31st January 20231st Day for All Students
Thursday 2nd February 2023Zone Swimming Trials
Thursday 9th March 2023Hills Zone Swimming 

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR A

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

John in his prison had heard what Christ was doing and he sent his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or have we got to wait for someone else?’ Jesus answered, ‘Go back and tell John what you hear and see; the blind see again, and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised to life and the Good News is proclaimed to the poor; and happy is the man who does not lose faith in me.’

As the messengers were leaving, Jesus began to talk to the people about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the breeze? No? Then what did you go out to see? A man wearing fine clothes? Oh no, those who wear fine clothes are to be found in palaces. Then what did you go out for? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet: he is the one of whom scripture says: Look, I am going to send my messenger before you; he will prepare your way before you. I tell you solemnly, of all the children born of women, a greater than John the Baptist has never been seen; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is.’

Ref:Liturgyhelp.com

Living the Gospel – Prepare Ye!

The third Sunday of Advent was traditionally known as Gaudete Sunday. The word, gaudete, (pronounced gow-day-tay) is from Latin and means Rejoice! The name was given to this Sunday because the entrance antiphon for the day is: ‘Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near.’ When Advent was observed as a more penitential season, this third Sunday was a break from the sombre mood and was more celebratory. The rose-coloured candle in the Advent wreath and rose-coloured vestments convey a mood of joy and celebration.

CHILDREN'S DISCUSSION STARTERS

Who is the special person we are waiting for at Christmas?

Why is Jesus so special?

Who are the people in the world who need Jesus?

Why do we need Jesus?

Let us pray that Jesus will come into people’s hearts this Christmas.

© Creative Ministry Resources Pty Ltd

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

On Monday we celebrated Christmas as a whole school with our Christmas Concert. It was wonderful to be able to come together as a whole community. The spirit of Christmas was alive as the children performed for their families. The reason for the season - The Nativity was performed by students from K-6 at the conclusion of the grade performances. Thank you to all the students and teachers for the effort put into the Christmas performances. 

Thank you to the families who came and celebrated Monday evening with us.

CHRISTMAS HAMPERS

A huge thank you to the school community for your generosity in giving to the St Vincent’s de Paul’s Christmas Hamper drive. The children were excited as they walked through the gates, with their donations in hand, knowing that they were giving to others in need. To see the joy and excitement on their faces as the donations were collected demonstrates the love in giving. 

The Baulkham Hills Vinnies Chapter have asked me to pass on their gratitude and thanks for your generosity so they can continue to support local families in need this Christmas.

Last Day For Students

The last school day for students for 2022 is Thursday 15th December. 

Friday 16th, Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th December are Staff Development Days.

End of Year Mass

Our final School Mass for the year will be celebrated on Tuesday, 13th

December commencing at 9:30am. The 2023 school leaders will be

commissioned and the Principal, Citizenship and Maths Olympiad

awards will be distributed. All parents, relatives and friends are invited

to attend.

Principal/Citizenship Awards

At the end of each term we hold an assembly to present the Principal and Citizenship Awards. Each class teacher selects one student from their class to receive a Principal’s Certificate and one student to receive a Citizenship Certificate.

Award recipient parents have been notified via email by their class teacher.

Criteria for Principal’s Award

Students may have shown one or more of the following:

  • Achieved high standard results this term
  • Continually produced work of a high standard
  • Have shown outstanding effort in their school work
  • Participated most enthusiastically in all class activities
  • Made great improvement/progress in their school work

Criteria for Citizenship Award

Students may have shown one or more of the following:

  • Treated others with care and respect
  • Helped other students
  • Considered the feelings of others
  • Demonstrated the values taught in our school
  • Cared for the environment
  • Displayed skills taught in our Social Skills Program

Semester Two Student Reports

Student Semester Two reports are now available to view and download via the Compass Parent Portal.

For families leaving OLOL at the end of the year please ensure you download all reports from the Compass Parent Portal as they will no long be available to access after the 15th December. 

Should you have any issues downloading please contact the office. 

Download Semester Reports

Religious Education Coordinator

Next year we welcome Mrs Miray Khoury to our school. Mrs Khoury will be our new Religious Education Coordinator and Year 6 teacher. She brings years of experience to this role and we hope she enjoys her time at Our Lady of Lourdes.

2023 Staff

Executive Staff 2023 

Principal:     Mr Haskins  

Assistant Principal:     Mrs Neylan  

Religious Education Coordinator: Mrs Khoury

Coordinators:  Mrs Bryant, Mrs Conn and Miss Oxley

Sport Coordinator: Mrs Rawlings

Staff 2023

ClassTeacherClassTeacher
KGMiss Grava 3BMiss Bali  
KYMiss Younan  3FMr Fitzsimons 
1MMiss Mindham  4KMr Keegan
1RMrs Rawlings4WMiss Wakim
2OMiss Oxley 5MMiss Meagher
2SMiss Sant 5PMrs Pollard
6CMrs Conn
6KMrs Khoury

Library: Mrs Bryant  

Co-ordinator Release: Mrs Anisse

Literacy Support: Mrs Anisse, Mrs Harris 

Learning Support/ Reading Recovery: Mrs De Celis

Teacher’s Aides: Mrs Banks, Mrs Ryall, Mrs Donnelly, Miss Azzopardi, Miss Burge, Miss Akhurst.

PE: Mr Jack Fitzsimons  

Music/Creative Arts: Mrs Harris 

Secretaries: Mrs Attard, Mrs Aloisio, Mrs Brandes De Roos  

Graduation Mass

Please keep our Year 6 students and their families in your prayers this week. On Wednesday 14th December at 7pm the Class of 2022 will celebrate their Graduation Mass. A very special Eucharistic celebration in which they will gather and give thanks to God for their achievements over the past 7 years.

Medication

Please collect your childs medication from the office on your child's last day. Updated medication and action plans can be returned to office at the start of Term 1.

Rapid Antigen Test Kits

The school has some supply of Rapid Antigen Test Kits.

If you require a test kit please contact the office.

Sport News

Zone Swimming Trials 2023

THESE EVENTS ARE ONLY FOR STUDENTS 8 YEARS (as of 2023) AND OVER.

Location: Blacktown Aquatic Centre

 Children who are participating in any 50m, 100m and Medley events at the OLOL Zone Swimming Trials need to complete the following online form (link below). 

*This is Zone Swimming Trials, not a Swimming Carnival. There will be no 25m events. Students competing are classified as serious swimmers who are interested in competing at Zone. 

 - Please choose all the events that your child would like to compete in on the form as you cannot enter in a 50m event on the day.

- Please check all the details you have provided before submitting the form, especially your child’s date of birth. 

- After the online form closes, all races will be pre-set. Please make sure that your child is aware of all the races they have been entered in. 

***CLOSING DATE: 13th of January 2023- please note there will be no additions after this date***

Please see Link to register

2023 CEDP Primary Sport TEAM Registration

2023 PARRAMATTA TEAM SPORT TRIALS NOMINATIONS

It is that time of the year again with nominations now OPEN for the final sports for the 2023 Parramatta Representative team sports.

Sports of AFL, Football (Soccer), Hockey, Netball, Rugby League, Rugby Union, and Softball are OPEN and will close Tuesday 7th February 2023. These sports trials will be held in Term One & Two in 2023.

2023 CEDP Parramatta Diocesan Team Sport Trials are OPEN 
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P & F News

Thank You

The P&F give a big thank you to all the families who helped to make the Christmas barbecue a great success. A big thank you to the Joummaa family for their generous donation of the sausages. Thank you also to all the other families who generously donated items for the event and to the parents who volunteered their time on the night. 

We hope all our families have a safe and happy Christmas and look forward to seeing everyone next year!

Parish News

Children's Rosary Movement

Children’s Rosary participants gather together to pray the Rosary every Monday during the school term. Parents need to accompany children. 

Bring your Rosary beads and spend some time in prayer.

Where: OLOL Church

When: Monday (school term only)

Time: 3:30pm

Contact: anitamolina@hotmail.com

Community News

Bus Ways

Reminder to parents and carers to apply now for 2023 School Opal cards

Getting to school by bus in 2023

Will your child be catching the bus to school in 2023? Applications are now open for a School Opal cards.  As it’s a busy time of year, we highly recommend you make this application before the end of Term 4. It’s also good to check the bus timetable to make your child’s journey to school as easy as possible.Here is how it works.

School Opal cards

All students catching the bus in 2023 will need a School Opal card.Under the School Student Transport Scheme, eligible students can apply for free or subsided travel between home and school.For more information about the School Student Transport Scheme and how to apply for a School Opal Card, visit https://apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts/#/ from a desktop computer, and click 'apply for a school travel pass'. Applications for 2023 opened at the start of Term 4.

Bus timetables

Busways is the school bus operator that runs your schools’ bus services. To find your child’s school bus timetable visit the Busways website by using the following steps:1. Go to busways.com.au/nsw 2. Click on ‘school services’ in the navigation bar and then proceed to ‘school timetables’3. Enter the school’s name in the field that says ‘enter a school name’4. Select the school’s name and the timetable should open on your device.   If you are unable to find or search for the school’s name, use the drop-down menus on the same web page to find the school.5. Once the timetable is opened, you will be able to identify which school bus services are available in your area for your child to use.

Ambrose School Age Care- Staff Development Day

Dear Parents and Carers,

Friday 16th December 2022 has been confirmed by the school as a Staff Development Day. Ambrose School Age Care Our Lady of Lourdes Baulkham Hills therefore has tentative full-day care planned on this day. If you require full-day care please ensure you complete and return the form by the due date. Based on demand this will be reviewed and confirmed on Monday 12 th December 2022. 

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School Band Program

Enrolment in the school band is now open for children currently in Years 2-5!  Please use the QR code to register an Expression of Interest for your child. Please contact TSA at enrolments@teachingservices.com.au  or on 9651 7333 for more information on the school band.
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No Parking Zones

Our Lady of Lourdes Primary

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