Term 1 Week 6 2025 Newsletter

From the Principal

This week, we gathered as a community in preparation for the start of the Lenten season. We were fortunate to have our amazing Parents and Friends come into the school and cook pancakes for our community on Shrove Tuesday, and we gathered in the church for Ash Wednesday mass. It was lovely to see our students be respectful in church and engage with Fr Jacek.

Increasing numbers / playtime

We have now passed the halfway mark of Term 1, and the school is still welcoming new families as they join our community. It is important that we, as a school, are reflective and proactive, ensuring we provide the best for the students in our care.

We recently implemented a new yard duty structure. We increased the number of staff on duty but, more importantly, we have reallocated and increased the areas of supervision during playtime. It is also important that students continue to be encouraged to seek the assistance of an adult when non preferred behaviour occurs.

It is imperative that students reflect on their own behaviour, rather than just focusing on what someone else has done. Like all schools, there are times when students can be unkind. They might say something to get a reaction from a peer, and when they get that reaction, they then go and see a teacher. On these occasions, these students sometimes fail to share how they have contributed to the reaction they received.

One of my favourite parables is:

“Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye,
when you cannot see the log in your own eye?”.

Simply put, why criticise someone for their flaws or wrongdoing when you ignore your own much larger flaws or wrongdoings. I am not saying that students get what they deserve but our focus is ensuring that students develop lifelong learning skills, including reflecting on how they themselves are behaving; these skills support our students in making better choices.

We will continue to work with all students in regards to the development of their five social emotional competencies:

Being self-aware,
Being socially aware,
Making good decisions, as well as
Relationship skills, and
Self management.

We teach all students about these five competencies using a variety of approaches.

Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Thank you to the families who were able to attend the recent AGM. The purpose of the AGM is to summarise and reflect on the 2024 school year, as well as establishing the 2025 School Board. I was pleased to see so many families attend and want to be a part of the School Board.

The purpose of the School Board is that of an advisory group to the principal. The Board is the voice of parents regarding the strategic direction of the school. The School Board is not a forum for members to address their own personal agendas or concerns.

Families are always welcome to catch up and discuss with me their personal concerns, or even provide positive feedback, by making an appointment.

Parent Teacher interviews

In Week 10, parents and caregivers have the opportunity during Parent Teacher Interviews to discuss their child's progress with the class teacher. Ideally, it would be great if every family made a booking to see their child's class teacher during this time. In the event you are unable to attend, please make an alternative time to meet with them.

The booking form should go live next week, Week 7.

I hope you have a great long weekend.

Lee Abela
Principal

From the Assistant Principal Religious Identity & Mission

A time for reflection and renewal

This week, our school community marked the beginning of the sacred season of Lent with two significant events: Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday.

Shrove Tuesday: A day of celebration and preparation

This week we celebrated Shrove Tuesday, a joyful occasion of preparation before the solemnity of Ash Wednesday. Traditionally, Shrove Tuesday was a time to use up rich foods like eggs, butter, and milk before beginning the fasting of Lent. In keeping with this tradition, our Parents and Friends hosted a pancake day event, where our school community came together to enjoy pancakes and share in the community spirit. This fun and festive gathering symbolised the sweetness of God's forgiveness as we prepare our hearts for the season of Lent. Thank you to all the volunteers who supported this event; it is greatly appreciated.

Ash Wednesday: A call to repentance and renewal

We then solemnly observed Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. On this sacred day, we gathered as a school community to receive the ashes on our foreheads; a sign of our commitment to turning away from sin and drawing closer to God. During the Ash Wednesday mass, hosted by 5/6SH and Fr Jacek, we heard the words, "Repent and believe in the Gospel", a call to repentance and faith that set the tone for our Lenten journey.

This invitation encouraged all of us to reflect on our lives, embrace humility, and begin this season of renewal with prayer and penance. The day was marked with deep reflection, as students and staff received the ashes and participated in the service, acknowledging the beginning of this sacred season.

A time of reflection and spiritual growth

As we move into the season of Lent, the Catholic community focuses on the three pillars of Lent:

prayer,
fasting, and
almsgiving.

Prayer:
Our students will engage in daily prayers and reflections, deepening their relationship with God throughout this season of grace.

Fasting:
We encourage each student and staff member to reflect on personal sacrifices and ways to grow in self discipline during Lent.

Almsgiving:
Through acts of charity and service, we will continue to support those in need, embracing the Lenten call to share with others.

The celebration of Shrove Tuesday and the observance of Ash Wednesday have set the tone for a season of meaningful reflection, spiritual growth, and renewal. We invite all members of our school community to join us in this journey of faith, prayer, and service.

May this Lenten season bring us closer to Christ, guiding us toward a deeper understanding of his love and sacrifice.

In Christ’s peace.

Marissa Redden
Assistant Principal
Religious Identity & Mission

From the Assistant Principal Learning, Engagement & Teaching

OLQP joins the Mayoral Make-a-Book Literacy Challenge!

We are thrilled to announce Our Lady Queen of Peace School's participation in the Mayoral Make-a-Book Literacy Challenge, an exciting initiative run through the City of Charles Sturt Council. This challenge invites young authors and illustrators to unleash their creativity by planning, writing, and producing their very own books!

To support our students on this journey, Our Lady Queen of Peace School has launched the Make a Book Club, held every Monday at lunchtime in the OSHC room. These sessions provide students with the opportunity to collaborate with staff and peers, guiding them through each stage of the book making process, from brainstorming ideas and planning layouts to writing, illustrating, and assembling their final products for submission.

We encourage parents to chat with their child about this opportunity - if their child is interested, they are welcome to come along and join in! This initiative not only nurtures a love for storytelling but also builds confidence, literacy skills, and a sense of accomplishment as students bring their stories to life. We cannot wait to see the incredible books they create!

Celebrating Harmony Week at OLQP!

Harmony Week is a time to celebrate Australia’s rich multiculturalism and the successful integration of diverse cultures within our community. The message of Harmony Week is "Everyone Belongs", promoting inclusiveness, respect, and a sense of belonging for all.

We are excited to celebrate Harmony Week (17-21 March 2025) with a variety of activities. This is a wonderful opportunity for our school community to come together, appreciate different cultures, and celebrate the diversity that makes Australia such a great place to live.

We have planned an exciting lineup of activities throughout the week:

Monday 17 March – Shared cultural lunch and Cultural Dress Day
Students will enjoy a shared cultural lunch, where they can experience flavours from around the world and celebrate the different backgrounds within our community.
Tuesday 18 March – Whole school craft activity
Students will participate in a creative tree craft activity that highlights cultural diversity, unity, as well as the values of Harmony Week and the school.
Wednesday 19 March – P & F special cultural lunch ($7 pre order required)
Our Parents & Friends Committee is organising a special cultural lunch that families can pre order for $7.
A delicious way to explore different cuisines!
Click on the flyer to access more information.
Thursday 20 March – House team rotations
Students will rotate through a variety of cultural activities and games within their house teams, promoting teamwork, understanding, and respect for different traditions.
Friday 21 March – African drumming workshop
To wrap up the week, students will experience the energy of an African drumming workshop that will be both interactive and memorable.

Harmony Week is a wonderful chance to celebrate what makes us unique while embracing the values that unite us. We look forward to a week filled with learning, sharing, and appreciation of the many cultures that make up our school family.