Our Lady of Lourdes Primary Newsletter

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

Some people arrived and told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with that of their sacrifices. At this he said to them, ‘Do you suppose these Galileans who suffered like that were greater sinners than any other Galileans? They were not, I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen on whom the tower at Siloam fell and killed them? Do you suppose that they were more guilty than all the other people living in Jerusalem? They were not, I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did.’

He told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it but found none. He said to the man who looked after the vineyard, “Look here, for three years now I have been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and finding none. Cut it down: why should it be taking up the ground?” “Sir,” the man replied “leave it one more year and give me time to dig round it and manure it: it may bear fruit next year; if not, then you can cut it down.”’

Ref:Liturgyhelp.com

Today’s gospel taps into the vexing question: ‘Why do bad things happen to good people?’ The question implies that God is punishing good people. Surprisingly, this attitude continues and one only has to watch news coverage of a tragedy to hear someone ask, ‘How could God let this happen?’ The very question suggests a belief in a God who interferes in our lives and manipulates events. Jesus suggests that tragic events are not punishment from God, but the accidental, deliberate or natural event does provide a reminder to turn our lives around and live lives that matter.

© Creative Ministry Resources Pty Ltd

Next week is Harmony Week,  a time to celebrate Australian multiculturalism, and the successful integration of migrants into our community. 

The message of Harmony Week is everyone belongs. It is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians.

Children are encouraged to wear a splash of orange on Monday 21st March to highlight the day. Orange has been the colour associated with Harmony Day since the first event was held in 1999.

St. Joseph,

watch over me

and care for me

just as you cared for

the child Jesus;

and by your help,

may I come to know

your Son,

and so grow

in strength

and wisdom

and the favour of God.

Amen.

Thank you to everyone for donating to our Fundraiser today. The school community raised $841.60. All money raised will be sent to the Vinnies NSW Flood Appeal. 

Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School is now taking Kindergarten enrolments for 2023.

Please submit enrolment forms as soon as possible, as spaces are limited.

Please download the enrolment form,  return the completed enrolment forms to the school office with all the required documentation including originals.

At Our Lady of Lourdes, we value our strong relationship with families and welcome opportunities to communicate with parents and carers. We also recognise that email is a fast and convenient way to contact your child’s teacher or other school staff.

We wish to remind you that staff read their emails at various times throughout the school day, they are generally not expected to respond to emails outside of normal working hours. In the case of emergency please contact the school office on ololbhills@parra.catholic.edu.au  or phone 88413700 . Our caring team will return your call or respond to your email as soon as possible. 

If you wish to contact a staff member, please continue to send your emails  to your child’s teacher or the relevant staff member.  

Thank you so much for your assistance and understanding.

If you have any questions about the above please contact the school.

Each year students from Years 3-6 have the opportunity to complete the UNSW International ICAS Assessments.

The subjects available are:

• Digital Technologies
• ScienceWriting
• Spelling Bee
• English
• Mathematics

These assessments will be completed at school but are optional. Further information will follow in the coming weeks.

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment of literacy and numeracy skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in the annual NAPLAN tests in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.

Our school will be participating in NAPLAN Online between 10 and 20 May 2022.

In preparation for NAPLAN Online, our school will also be participating in practice tests between 21st March and 1 April. The practice test is a trial-run and key preparation activity for NAPLAN Online in May. It is not an assessment of student ability and the tests will not be marked. Excessive preparation for NAPLAN Online is not recommended. Students can use the public demonstration site (https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site) to familiarise themselves with the types of questions and tools available in the NAPLAN Online tests. If you have any questions about NAPLAN Online, please contact your child’s teacher.

Respect feeling good about yourself and others

• Valuing others
• being Friendly
• being a good friend 
• encourage others 

The OLOL Cross Country new scheduled date will be Friday the 25th of March, at Yattenden Oval. Children who are turning 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 years old this year are invited to participate. 

8/9 (one age group) and 10 year olds will run 2km.

11 and 12 year olds will run 3km. 

This is not a whole school event, a competitive running event, in which students participating are hoping to represent OLOL at a Dicocesan level. The children who do not want to take part in the Cross Country Carnival will remain at school with their classroom teacher. The children who would like to compete will be taken down to the oval to complete their event and will then return back to school.

Parents who wish to come must sit around the perimeter of the Cross Country course, away from the children and ensure they are social distancing at all times. Events will commence with the 8/9 years olds at approximately 9.30am. 

Additionally, our Fun Run will be held later in the year. 

Dear OLOL Families,

• St Anthony Primary School, Girraween
• Our Lady of Rosary Primary School, Kellyville
• St Michaels Primary School, Baulkham Hills 

Ambrose Team

Whether you or someone in your household has COVID-19, download the free COVID-19 Health support guide linking you to the best available, credible NSW Health advice on managing COVID-19 at home. www.tinyurl.com/COVIDsupportguide

Sometimes it's difficult to self-isolate depending on your home situation and living arrangements. We hear you. Download this free guide for practical and simple advice to help your household manage COVID-19 at home. www.tinyurl.com/householdtipsheet

Please click here to find the latest COVID-19 bulletin.In this edition:

• Calendar events for schools and early education services
• Understanding and responding to trauma following a natural disaster
• NEW health support guide to help manage COVID-19 at home
• COVID-19 updates