Oakland Avenue, Baulkham Hills South

Telephone:9639 4172 Facsimile 9639 0819 www.ololbhills.parra.catholic.edu.au

Term 1 Week 5 28th February, 2014

Catholic Schools Week Catholic Schools Week will be celebrated across NSW and the ACT from the 9th to 15th March. The theme for 2014 is ‘more than a great education’. This year, 615 primary and secondary schools wi l l participate in the celebrations. It is an ideal opportunity for schools to showcase to their local community the opportunities available to students, raise awareness, and celebrate the distinctiveness of Catholic schools. Catholic Schools Week is about strengthening relationships between all those involved in our schools – students, staff, families, priests, parishioners, and members of the wider community – by showcasing what happens in our classrooms every day. Our school is planning a number of activities to highlight the excellent teaching and learning that takes place, as well as many other exciting opportunities that OLOL provides for its students. All families, relatives and friends are invited to join us throughout the week to celebrate Catholic Schools Week 2014. This is an ideal opportunity to support our school community and learn more about the great things that take place in Catholic schools every day. Catholic Schools Week Celebrations at Our Lady of Lourdes Sunday, 9th March at 9.30am Mass with our parish community. Tuesday, 11th March You are invited to visit between 12pm and 1pm

Numeracy in Year 1 Literacy in Year 2 Human Society and its Environment/ Science and

Technology in Year 3 Literacy in Year 4 Numeracy in Year 5 Our Buddy Programme with Year 6 and

Kindergarten Our well-resourced library

1pm - picnic lunch with the students, teachers, and parents.

Our school has a supportive community of teachers, parents, carers, P&F, clergy, parishioners and support staff who work together to focus on giving students the best education possible, encouraging success, promoting discipline, supporting creativity and instilling compassion. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your support of our school and I look forward to seeing you during Catholic Schools Week which is proudly sponsored by the Australian Catholic Superannuation and Retirement Fund. Faith in Our Future Last weekend the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta launched a long-term pastoral plan called ‘Faith in Our Future’. Parishioners viewed a video message from Bishop Anthony outlining the two basic goals for us in the next five years: to grow in faith and to share our faith. To grow and share our faith will focus on five areas of greatest need and potential: our families, youth, ethnicity, vocations, and evangelisation. Ash Wednesday Next Wednesday we commence the season of Lent. It is a penitential season with three traditional Lenten practices: prayer, fasting and almsgiving as outline in the Gospel. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are also days of fasting and abstinence for those aged between of 18 and 60 years of age. Lord God, As we begin the holy discipline of Lent, may our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving make us more aware of your Spirit, dwelling in the secret of our hearts. Through Christ our Lord. Amen Parents, relatives and friends are invited to our Ash Wednesday Mass and Liturgy. 9.30am Mass - Years 3 to 6 12.00pm Liturgy – Kindergarten to Year 2 Please note the Mass is commencing at 9.30am not 9.15am as indicated on the term planner.

OLOL SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

The Sacrament of Confirmation Prior to 2012 the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist had been a combined celebration with the candidates (year 3 students) receiving these sacraments at the same time. In 2012 this was changed to the Year 3 students receiving First Eucharist only and Confirmation planned for students in Year 6, as directed by the Bishop. Therefore, the Sacrament of Confirmation will commence with the Year 6 students in 2015. This is particularly relevant to our current year 5 students who will be receiving this sacrament next year. Welcome BBQ It was great to see so many of our families attend our welcome BBQ. I am sure everyone had a good time. A special thank you to all our parents who organised this event. You all did a wonderful job and your support is very much appreciated.

Money to School for Activities All money for school activities should be sent to the classroom teacher as it is recorded before being sent to the office. Please ensure each envelope has your child’s name and class clearly marked. Uniform Shop The uniform shop will be open on Monday, 3rd March, Tuesday, 11th March from 8.45am till 9.15am and Wednesday, 19th March from 2.45pm till 3.30pm. P&F BBQ Wrap Up A great night was had by all at last Friday's OLOL New Families Welcome BBQ. We were blessed with great weather whilst the children played and adults mingled. A special thank you to Carina Morales and her Social Committee members, Christine Coorey, Bronwyn Steele and Anna Chevalier for their assistance on the evening. The night was a huge success and we are looking forward to many more fun events throughout the course of the year! Meagan Compton - OLOL Parent Group

This term, Kindergarten has been learning about how God loves them. The unit ‘God Loves Me’ allows the students to explore and express their unique identity. Kindergarten has been learning about God’s infinite love for them and that they are created in the image of God. They have been sharing the meaning of their name and stories about their families. The unit also focuses on families and how we give thanks for the people in their lives who love and encourage them. Kinder-garten has also been exploring scripture (Matthew 4:18-22) and discussing sto-ries about Jesus and people who believed in him.

UNSW International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) Years 3, 4, 5 & 6 Parents will receive a note outlining the various University of NSW Competitions your child may enter. The competitions are: Maths $8.00 English $8.00 Science $8.00 Computer $8.00 Writing $17.00 Spelling $11.00 These competitions are optional and parents may nominate some or all of the competitions for their children to enter. Please ensure each child has his/her own entry form. DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY as you will be billed on your Term 2 school fee account. All children, whether they are taking part in these competitions or not, are to return the form to the school by Monday, 17th March. ARL Parramatta Eels Visit On Monday, 24th February, players from the Parramatta Eels Rugby League Team, representatives from the Australian Rugby League, as well as members of the 'String' Anti Bullying Movement spoke to all students at Our Lady of Lourdes in relation to building and fostering positive relationships with one another. They also spoke at length to the children about the benefits of being involved in sports and other activities that promote healthy living. Parramatta Eels players, Joseph Paulo and Api Pewhairangi shared their insights on what it is like to be a highly accomplished sportsperson. They reflected on their journey whilst commenting on the dedication and commitment required in reaching an elite level of sport. The children were also provided with the opportunity to ask the players questions on their preparation, training routine as well as what they like most about being a professional athlete.

For Sale Flute for sale. If you are interested please call Joann Rego at jmr_ss@bigpond.com

Zone Swimming Carnival Congratulations to all the students who represented OLOL at the Hills Zone Swimming Carnival last Tuesday, 25th February at Windsor Pool. The children participated in all events with great spirit and pride! Thank you to Mrs Little and Mrs Neylan for supervising the team during the carnival. Our appreciation also goes out to all the parents who assisted with timekeeping in the hot sun at the Zone Swimming Carnival. A special congratulations to Jasmine Howard (6P) who broke 5 Hills Zone Records! What a wonderful achievement!! Well done to the following students who will represent OLOL today at the Diocesan Swimming Carnival: Nicholas Connellan Jasmine Howard Hamish Ingersoll Vanessa Turini Joshua Compton Cailley Culnane Sam Pickard Jade Napper Braydon Wickman Finn Watkins Ashleigh Hueston-Richardson

We wish these students the best of luck in their events. Early Years Assessment “Early Years Assessment” for Kinder and Year 1 students was introduced by the Catholic Education Office. Over the next few weeks, the teachers in Kinder and Year 1 will individually assess the children’s progress in Literacy. Assessment for Kindergarten includes: Letter Identification and Concepts about Print. Assessment for Year 1 includes: Reading Fluency and Comprehension (Running Records) Word Reading Test Writing Vocabulary Hearing and Recording Sounds in Words This data is then recorded and sent to the Catholic Education Office.

School Tours Dates for new families wishing to enrol in Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School 2014 are as follows:

Thursday, March 6th, 2014 at 10.00am Thursday, March 20th, 2014 at 10.00am Thursday, April 3rd, 2014 at 7.00pm Thursday, May 1st, 2014 at 10.00am

Please email the school ololbhills@parra.catholic.edu.au to inform us if you wish to attend any one of these sessions.

School Uniform Our school uniform gives students a sense of belonging and instils pride in our school. The uniform should be worn neatly and correctly. Students should come to school with shirts tucked into their trousers and their ties, which are part of the winter uniform, tied neatly. Hair should be neat and simple, its natural colour and without being multilayered . Joggers, for sports days should be mostly white, not bright colours. Please refer to our school uniform policy on our school website. Thank you for your cooperation. 2014 Fun Run Fundraiser – 14th March, 2014 In conjunction with the School Cross Country we are having a Fun Run as one of our fundraiser events for 2014. It will be held on Friday, 14th March, 2014. Sponsorship forms were sent home this week. Please assist your child/ren in finding sponsors for this event. The completed sponsorship form and all monies collected should be returned to School no later than Monday, 10th March 2014. This is a Kinder to Year 6 (inclusive) event. Prizes will be awarded to the student/s raising the highest amount of monies in several categories. If you can help on the day, please contact Carina Morales on 0414 412 422. There will be NO canteen on this day due to the Fun Run. Final Registrations - Baulkham Hills Brumbies JRLFC The Baulkham Hills Brumbies Junior Rugby League Club includes students from St Michaels, Our Lady of Lourdes and St Bernadette’s from Under 6's to Under 11's. The Brumbies play in the Parramatta Catholic Schools Convents Association and games are played on Sundays. Registrations for the 2014 are closing soon. Please contact the Brumbies Registrar Simone Urqhuart on 0412 996 479 or theurquharts@hotmail.com for registration details. Registration fees for the 2014 season are $120 for one child and $180 for a family. This is great value for money and includes a playing jersey, shorts, socks and training gear. For more information go towww.brumbies.sportingpulse.net

Mount St Benedict College OPEN DAY

Sunday, 9th March 10.00am - 2.00pm Prospective Parent Information Evening

for Year 7, 2016 Monday, 10th March 7.00pm

Please note: Families with a daughter in Year 5 should apply now for Year 7, 2016

Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend Relationship enrichment for married couples. 21st-23rd March at Mt Carmel Retreat Centre, Varroville, NSW Bookings: 02 4283 3435 or wsharpe@bigpond.net.au www.wwme.org.au www.facebook.com/WWMEasternUnit WESLEY MONSTER BOOK SALE Where: Wesley Uniting Church 32 Showground Road, Castle Hill. Date: Saturday March 22nd 2014 Time: 8:30am to 12:30pm Sale items will include books, magazines, records, CDs and DVDs. We will also be providing tea, coffee and cake during the morning. Enjoy the friendly atmosphere, and pick up a bargain (or two) knowing you are helping those families who need help within the Hills District, through the Hills Family Centre.

SCHOOL EVENTS

March Tues 4th

Shrove Tuesday 9.15am Mass Year 3 Reconciliation 6P Pet Program K-2

Wed 5th Ash Wednesday 9.30am Mass Years 3-6 12.00pm Liturgy K-2

Sun 9th 9.30am Catholic Schools Week Mass K-6 First Sunday of Lent

Mon 10th Catholic Schools Week

Tues 11th Reconciliation 6M AFL Gala Day

Wed 12th Year 6 Physiotherapist Visit

Fri 14th School Cross Country / Fun Run

Sun 16th Second Sunday of Lent

Respect and Integrity - showing good manners and communication skills

Friendly voice Personal space Stand tall