Our Lady of Lourdes Primary Newsletter

Term 4 Week 10, 16th December 2022

Key Dates

 Friday 27th & Monday 30th January 2023MAI Testing 
Tuesday 31st January 2023

First Day for All Students

8.55am     Year 1 to 6

9.30am     Kindergarten

Thursday 2nd February 2023Zone Swimming Trials
Thursday 9th March 2023Hills Zone Swimming

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT YEAR A

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’ Now all this took place to fulfil the words spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son

and they will call him Emmanuel,

a name which means ‘God-is-with-us’. When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do: he took his wife to his home.

Ref:Liturgyhelp.com

Living the Gospel – Advent

Emmanuel; God-is-with-us – that’s what we celebrate through Christmas and that’s what we’ve been preparing for during Advent. We celebrate God-with-us in a particular time and place through our celebration of the birth of Jesus. But we remember it every year because we also use the Christmas celebration to remind ourselves that God continues to be with us. That is what is so remarkable about the Christmas season: that God-is-with-us now, not just in a stable in Palestine so many years ago, but now! Advent is the time to remind ourselves of this incredible truth and prepare ourselves to acknowledge it once again.

© Creative Ministry Resources Pty Ltd

End of Year Mass

On Tuesday we celebrated the end of the year with a beautiful Eucharistic celebration, “With grateful hearts we give thanks”. 

Our special gathering marked the end of our school year. It was an opportunity for us to thank God for the many blessings and achievements we have received this year.  For the friendships made, the knowledge gained and the nourishment of our faith.

During Mass we not only gave thanks to God for the many blessings we have received during the year we also remembered and prayed for those who will be leaving our school community – students, staff and families who have made our school a special place.

Thank you to everyone who participated in Mass to mark the end of our school year.

Induction of 2023 School Leaders

Graduation Mass for the Class of 2022

As we come to the end of the school year, we welcome students, parents and staff to our celebration for our Year 6 students.

As Christians we are called to bring God’s hope to others, to show them a generous hand and a kind heart, to help them believe in a future filled with promise and potential.

Today we remember the people who have brought us here, our parents, family members and our teachers all of whom have helped us to be hope-filled, faithful people.

They have always shown us support, guidance and encouragement along the way and helped us to believe in ourselves, strengthening our faith in God.

Message from Miss Boidin

I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the families and students of Our Lady of Lourdes. It has been a privilege to be part of the educational journey of the children of OLOL. Thank you for your support during my time here. 

Year 6 Graduation

Congratulations to our Year 6 students who graduated on Wednesday evening. Thank you to Fr Wim for celebrating this Mass with us. 

Thank you to all the Year 5 parents for your donations of food for the Year 6 Graduation Supper. Special thanks to Mrs Essey for coordinating the supper and all the Year 5 parents who assisted in contributing to such a wonderful evening. Your support is very much appreciated.

Thank You

As we come to the end of the year, I would like to thank everyone in our school community for making 2022 such a successful and rewarding year. Thank you to Fr Wim for his support and cooperation. I thank the staff for their hard work and dedication.

Thank you to the P&F, volunteers and all parents at Our Lady of Lourdes for your support of the school.

Congratulations to all the students for their hard work and effort throughout the year. To the Year 6 students who are moving on to high school, we thank you for being such an important part of Our Lady of Lourdes during the past 7 years. I wish you all the best for high school. May all students, families and staff have a peaceful, happy and safe Christmas.

Father Kelly Award

Congratulations to Riya Franklin from 6B and Aaron Chevaliar 6M who received the Father Kelly Award at the Year 6  Graduation Mass last Wednesday night. 

The Hills Shire Council School Citizenship Awards

The Hills Shire Council School Citizenship Awards are held annually to recognise young people who have shown a great level of commitment in their school and the Hills Shire local community.

The Hills Shire Council, School Citizenship Award is presented to the Student who meets the following selection criteria:

  • Being a willing participant in activities and is reliable when given extra responsibilities
  • Considers the needs of others and shows respect
  • Cares for the school and the community environment
  • Enthusiastic in reaching their personal potential and goals

Congratulations to Eamon King who received The Hills Shire Council School Citizenship Award.

Principal/Citizenship Awards Term 4, 2022

At the end of each term we 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. 

The criteria for selection is listed below: 

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

• Put a tremendous effort into 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 

Congratulations to the students who received an award at our end of term assembly.
PrincipalCitizenship
KGHarriet Matterson Sebastian Lechowksi
KOAdrianna Borje Camille Moriarty
1MDrew O’Connell Isabella Alberto
1RGeorgia HughesIsla Chan
2HEtienne KrieschJacob Ede
2YSienna GoldbergLachlan O’Dea
3BChanel TranIsaac Au-Yeung
3SAmelie SmithRonan Christie
4FMatthew Zackey Corran Bennett
4WChase BennettGianna Locke
5CCooper ThackerSophia Deiri
5PKodhai RajSophia Hadfield
6BSophie PatelRaymond Hallal
6MSarah Kenna Nathan Joeng

Premiers Reading Challenge Gold Award

Congratulations to Yena Cho who received a gold certificate for the fourth successful year in the NSW Premiers reading challenge. 

Social Justice Awards

The Blessed Frederic Ozanam Award for Commitment to Social Justice.

The award is named after the founder of the St Vincent de Paul Society, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, who not only gave much of his time to serve the less fortunate, but was also very active in striving for social justice through advocacy and education.

The criteria for the Blessed Frederic Ozanam Award for Commitment to Social Justice include:

  • Strong sense of social justice for all people

  • Demonstrated commitment to community service

  • Commitment to the ethos and values of the St Vincent de Paul Society

  • Sets a positive example for other students

  • Lives the Gospel message of serving those in need

    Congratulations to the following students who received this award:

    Chantelle Soto                        Madison Mooney                 Nicholas Manolas

    Maths Olympiad

    Maths Olympiad is a high level Problem Solving Competition for years 5 & 6 students.  This competition requires extra homework and commitment from all those who take part.

    The 5 tests throughout the competition and scores are added together to form an overall result and team score.

    A Maths Olympiad cloth badge is presented to students who have achieved in top 25% scores in competitions for all schools.

    Congratulations to the following students who have achieved in the top 25% Maths Olympiad scores in our school:

    Aaron Chevalier                              Braith Sharbean

    Alina Onis                                        Nathan Wybrow          Charlie Bollom

    Congratulations to the following students who have achieved in the top 10% Maths Olympiad scores in our school:

    Davynn Kim                                   Nathan Jeong

    Sarah Kenna                                  Riya Franklin

    Encouragement Award

    This award is presented to a student who has worked well and displayed promise and enthusiasm towards problem solving. Congratulations to Sarah Kenna who received the Maths Olympiad Encouragement Award for 2022 

    Maths Olympiad Trophy

    The Maths Olympiad trophy is present to  the student with the highest school score for 2022. Congratulations to Davynn Kim who received this award. 

    Outstanding success in the School Sport pathway in 2022

    Leaving Staff

    We farewell the following staff:

    Miss Boidin has been our Year 6 teacher and our Religious Education Coordinator for the past three years. We thank her for her dedication and contribution to our school in her time at Our Lady of Lourdes.

    We wish Miss Boidin well in her new role as Assistant Principal at Dundas.

    Miss Glass . Taught on Year 6 throughout the second half of the year. We thank her for her commitment during her time at our school and we wish Miss Glass well in her future teaching career.

    Mrs Lee has been working with our students with literacy over the last two years. We thank her for her hard work and dedication and we wish her all the best for the future.

    Mrs Pearson has been at Our Lady of Lourdes for over 20 years. In that time she has taught Music. We thank her for her hard work and dedication in her time at our school and we wish her all the best for the next exciting chapter of her life.

    I also would like to thank Mrs Taig from the office and Mr Knight who will also be leaving us this year.  We thank them for their wonderful contribution to our school and wish them all the very best for the future.

    Mrs Daines who will be on leave for the first part of 2023. We hope she enjoys her time away from school.

    Mrs McAllister will be on leave for 2023.

    Welcome

    In 2023 we will welcome teachers, Mrs Khoury, Mr Keegan  and Mrs Brandes De Roos as office adminstration. We hope they all enjoy their time at Our Lady of Lourdes

    Commencement Date Term 1, 2023

    The role of assessment in teaching and learning mathematics is vital.

    Next year, we will continue testing on each of our students via a Mathematics Assessment Interview (MAI). Early in term 1, the teachers  will be required to undertake testing and commence analysing the material to determine the growth points/ profile of the children’s mathematical knowledge.

    Therefore, the first 2 days of Term 1, 2023 have been allocated as Staff Development Days. An email giving instructions on how to book online for the MAI will be  sent home late next week.  

    This means that school commences on Tuesday 31st January For ALL STUDENTS (K-6) 

    Booking information for MAI's will be emailed on Monday 19th December.

    Classes have now been finalised and we ask that parents do not request any changes.

    Class Supplies 2023

    Our orders have been placed for general materials for classroom use for 2023. Much of the cost of these items is covered by the School Resource Fee.

    Below are items that we require you to purchase for your child’s own use at school. A number of these items would make ideal Christmas gifts. It is most important that each item has your child’s name on it so he/she can identify and care for his/her property. Parents are asked to replenish stationery items throughout the year as the need arises.

    Please bring items to the MAI interview (if booked), otherwise on the first day. 


    Download

    School Fees- Activity Fee

    Parents please be advised that due to transport and venue suppliers increasing their charges this has been reflected in an increase in 2023 Grade activity fees.

    2023 School Fees Letter to Parents and Carers

    Please see the attached 2023 School Fees letter from

    Greg Whitby 

    Executive DirectorCatholic Education, Diocese of Parramatta
    Download

    Sports 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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    Parish News

    Children's Rosary Movement

    Children's Rosary gather together to pray the Rosary every Monday during the school term. Bring your Rosary beads and spend some time in prayer. 

    Where : OLOL Parish

    When: Mondays (school term only) 

    Time: 3.30pm 

    Contact : anitamolina@hotmail.com

    Community News

    Our Lady of Lourdes Primary