Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, Tarro is a systemic Catholic school within the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, with enrolments accepted from the geographical areas of Tarro, Woodberry, Beresfield and some areas of Thornton.
We are part of the Catholic Parish of Beresfield and deeply value our connections with the Parish community, especially the opportunities to gather together to celebrate Mass and other liturgical events. Pastoral Care for students, families and staff members underpins our culture as we give witness to our Catholic faith.
The school community is warm and welcoming, with a strong focus on supporting children with additional needs, as well as identifying and extending children who display giftedness in their learning. All staff members celebrate the unique qualities of each individual student and encourage them to fully participate in the life of their class and school, while striving to achieve individual goals. At OLOL we value each child, we ensure that they know they are loved by God and encourage them to pursue excellence in all fields of education in accordance with their gifts and capabilities.
Students participate in activities and competitions in many different areas of the curriculum including Environmental Sustainability, Debating, Choir, Sport and Coding, A culture of caring for others and the environment is cultivated through our work with Mini Vinnies and our Garden Project.
The school is equipped with classroom technology and we have recently purchased Bee-Bots and Edison Robots for STEM and coding activities. The school provides iPads, laptops and a Computer Lab to facilitate online learning activities.
We offer a range of sporting opportunities including: Swimming, Cross Country, Athletics, Rugby League, Touch Football, Netball and Soccer. Students also participate in a variety of specialist skill workshops supported by the Sport in Schools Australia program.
The staff of Our Lady of Lourdes is strongly committed to the development of respectful understanding of the history of Australia’s indigenous peoples. We proudly provide many opportunities for all students to increase cultural knowledge of, and pride in, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. The school celebrates NAIDOC Week, Reconciliation Week and Harmony Day and Aboriginal perspectives are embedded across all areas of the curriculum in accordance with our Aboriginal Education Policy.
We appreciate the very positive and supportive relationship which exists with our parent body. The Parents and Friends Association is particularly active, and all families contribute to fundraising which provides additional teaching and learning resources. Parents are valued as co-educators of their children and are always welcome to participate in many aspects of school life.
The school hosts three satellite classes for Hunter Aspect School. ASPECT staff members provide specialised support services for children with Autism.
An Out of School Hours childcare service is provided by Maitland Baptist OOSH in the Community Hall adjacent to our school (Northern Avenue).
At the conclusion of their primary school years, students of Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, Tarro continue their Catholic education at St Bede's Catholic College, Chisholm.
