Term 1 Week 4 2025

A Message from the Principal

Dear Parents and Friends,

Today, we gathered as a school community for our Commissioning Liturgy, where we officially announced our student leaders for 2025. Congratulations to our School Captains, Mackenzie Whell and Archie Neuendorf. We are confident they will uphold our school’s charisms and be outstanding role models for their peers while serving as proud ambassadors of our school.

A special congratulations also to our Sports Captains for 2025:

• Kennedy House – Alani Matthews & Tania Karger
• Thomson House – Quincey Osborn & Kaio Watson

With our first house event, the Pancake Flip Off, fast approaching, we are sure they will display great sportsmanship and encourage their teams throughout the year.

We also extend our gratitude to our School Board and P&F members for accepting their roles for 2025 and for joining us at the Commissioning Liturgy. Your ongoing support and dedication to our school community are greatly appreciated.

Our 125th Anniversary Celebrations are nearly here! Correspondence has been sent home outlining student involvement in the Friday evening Mass and Saturday morning Memorabilia Morning. All students are required to wear their formal uniform to these events. We encourage as many students as possible to attend these significant celebrations, as they provide a wonderful opportunity to honour our school’s rich history.

A reminder that tomorrow (Friday, 21st February) is the final chance to purchase tickets for our 125th Anniversary Ball. Tickets can be secured by contacting the school office or using the Trybooking link on our Facebook page. Don’t miss out on this exciting evening of celebration!

Our Year 3 and Year 5 families have received information regarding NAPLAN 2025. To help students prepare, they will complete a practice test next Monday, which is designed to familiarise them with the testing environment and the tools in the NAPLAN Lockdown Browser. Please note that practice tests do not provide results; they are solely for exposure and preparation.

If you have any questions regarding NAPLAN, please don’t hesitate to contact our school office. Additionally, if you wish to withdraw or apply for an exemption for your child from NAPLAN, please reach out to Mrs Thurecht (LST Teacher) as soon as possible.

Exciting news! Rockhampton Stage and Audio has been on-site this week upgrading our MPC’s audio-visual (AV) system. Those who have attended recent assemblies or celebrations will be aware of the ongoing issues with our previous system. We are thrilled to announce that the upgrades will be fully operational by Monday, and we look forward to seeing (and hearing!) the improvements firsthand.

Thank you for your continued support – exciting times ahead!

God bless

Mr Peter Thurecht

125 Year Anniversary Celebrations

125th Celebrations - Student Attendance

Our 125th Anniversary Celebrations are fast approaching, and we would love to see as many students and families as possible join us for this special occasion.

Anniversary Mass – Friday, 28th February at 6:00 PM

Our celebrations will begin with a special 125th Anniversary Mass on Friday evening at 6:00 PM. Bishop Michael will be leading the Mass, and we are honoured to welcome 10 Presentation Sisters, representing the order that founded our school 125 years ago.

Students are to wear their full formal uniform for this event. Your attendance will help us make this a memorable occasion for our school and broader community.

Re-Enactment & Memorabilia Morning – Saturday, 1st March

On Saturday morning, our Year 6 students will be re-enacting the arrival of the Presentation Sisters on the train. Year 6 students need to arrive at school by 8:00 AM in their formal uniform for this special event at the Silver Train Depot.

Mrs. Neuendorf has been preparing music with students across the school, and we would love to see all students participating in the celebrations. Students can attend either at the Silver Train Depot by 8:30am for the re-enactment or at the MPC by 9:00 AM in full formal uniform. All students will be performing three songs together on the stage.

We encourage as many students as possible to attend both events on Friday evening and Saturday morning, as we have guests traveling from far and wide to celebrate with us and witness these special performances.

If your child/ren will be attending, please complete the Google Form: https://forms.gle/gpxYnf6kDQVSseGYA

Thank you for your support in making our 125th Anniversary Celebrations a success!

125th Anniversary at our Community Ball

Past and present families and friends of Our Lady's Catholic Primary School, you are warmly invited to join us in celebrating our 125th Anniversary at our Community Ball. Ticket sales close Friday 21st February.

Purchase your ticket here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1300810

Reflection - Sr Kym Harris OSB

How do you assess?

We are not numbering or counting but ripening like a tree. Rainer Maria Rilke

We live in a society that is almost obsessed with measuring things by numbers.  Too easily this can spill into our lives in the wrong way. We weigh ourselves, track our fitness constantly, use our pay check to measure our ‘worth’ at work.  These things have a place but what we really need to do is to ask ourselves how the things we do affect our heart and ripen our soul.  Do you see beauty on your walk and rejoice?  Do you take pleasure in a job well done? Does a fitness session make you love breathing, breathing with your whole body?

Our child/ren learn how to assess themselves by seeing how we assess life.  So, we need to ask ourselves what we treasure and what do we praise while they are around. 

There is an old Catholic practice of Examination of Conscience.  Last thing at night, during night prayers, a person would go over their day and notice what they had done wrong and ask forgiveness.   This practice had its uses but I suggest a tweak.  At night take time to recall your day and remember when your heart ripened.  When did you see beauty, show kindness, have patience, enjoy another’s presence, delight?  As you recall these things, know that God delights in you.

Loving God, open the eyes of my heart and mind that I may realise what makes me grow into the richness of love and life.  I ask this in Jesus’ name, confident that you will hear me.

Sr Kym Harris osb

APRE News

Welcome to Week 4 of Term 1!

Year 6 Leadership Speeches:

On Monday, our Year 6 students demonstrated courage and commitment as they presented their leadership speeches to the school community. As the senior students of our Catholic primary school, they are called to model servant leadership, following the example of Jesus, who led with humility, compassion, and service to others. Each student spoke with passion about their desire to contribute positively to our school, showing their understanding that true leadership is not about power, but about serving and uplifting those around them. We are incredibly proud of their efforts and look forward to seeing them grow as leaders who embody our school’s values of faith, respect, and kindness.

Leadership Retreat:

Our Year 6 students recently participated in a special Leadership Retreat, guided by Miss April Roth, to deepen their understanding of servant leadership. Throughout the day, they engaged in team-building activities, reflected on the qualities of great leaders, and explored the example set by inspiring religious figures such as Jesus, Pope Francis, Nano Nagle, and Mary MacKillop. Students identified the type of leader they aspire to be, recognising that true leadership is about serving others with humility and compassion. A highlight of the day was writing letters to their future selves, setting personal, academic, and leadership goals for the year. These letters will be opened at the end of the year, serving as a reminder of their growth and commitment to leading with faith and kindness.

Commissioning Liturgy:

On Thursday morning, Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School gathered for a special Commissioning Liturgy, led by Fr Bang and the Year 6 class. This significant celebration marked the official beginning of the Year 6 students’ leadership journey, as they were called to serve their school community with faith, kindness, and responsibility. Through prayers, readings, and reflections, the students embraced their role as leaders, inspired by the example of Jesus and the values of servant leadership.

During the liturgy, each Year 6 student was presented with their leadership badge for 2025, recognising their commitment to leading with integrity and care. A special congratulations to our newly appointed School Captains, Archie Neuendorf and Mackenzie Whell; Kennedy House Captains, Alani Matthews and Tania Karger; Thomson House Captains, Kaio Watson and Quincey Osbourne; and SRC Captains, Brackston Widderick, Zoe Hancock, and Payton Littlewood.

We also acknowledge and congratulate our newly appointed Year 3-5 Student Representative Council (SRC) members: Year 3 – Harriet Hoolihan and Knox Dickson; Year 4 – Greta Neuendorf and Addison Neuendorf; and Year 5 – Thomas Seeney and Clayton Hammond. These students will play an important role in representing their peers and helping to shape our school community.

Another special moment in the liturgy was the official welcome of our Prep class of 2025. Each new Prep student was warmly embraced into our school community and presented with a gift of a children's Bible and a new library bag. This gesture symbolises the beginning of their learning journey at Our Lady’s, surrounded by faith, friendship, and support. We look forward to walking alongside them as they grow in faith and learning.

We congratulate all our Year 6 students and newly elected leaders on this important milestone. Their commitment to serving our school community with kindness, integrity, and faith is truly inspiring. As they take on their leadership roles, we encourage them to embrace the responsibilities ahead with confidence and compassion. May they lead by example, support their peers, and make a positive impact throughout the year. We wish them every success in their journey and encourage them to embody the Our Lady’s School motto, "Light Tomorrow with Today," as they shine as leaders of our school.

Foundation Day:

On Wednesday, 19 February, we celebrated Our Lady’s Foundation Day—the anniversary of our school’s opening 125 years ago.

In 1900, five devoted Presentation Sisters arrived in Longreach after a challenging 3,200-kilometre journey by steamboat and train. Answering Bishop Joseph Higgins’ call, they brought faith and education to the remote town. Just days later, they opened the school with 89 students, a number that quickly grew to 150.

The sisters provided a rich curriculum, blending academic excellence with music, arts, and Gospel values. Their dedication laid the foundation for the vibrant learning community we cherish today. As we celebrate this milestone, we honour their legacy, which continues to inspire generations at Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School.

Next week, we will mark this momentous anniversary with a major celebration. Events will include a special Mass led by Bishop Michael, a re-enactment by our Year 6 students, memorabilia displays, performances, and a grand ball at the Civic Centre on Saturday evening. We look forward to coming together as a community to honour our school’s rich history and bright future!

God Bless,

Mr Sahlie Komndi-Diggins

Student Protection

Student Protection is taken very seriously within our school and Diocese. Each year all staff undertake mandatory student protection training at the beginning of the year. This year our School Student Protection Officers are Mr Peter Thurecht, Mr Sahlie Komndi-Diggins, Mrs Belinda Thurecht and Ms Sarah Wall. If you have concerns, please do not hesitate to contact one of our officers.

Parent Orbit App

Some key features of the Parent Orbit App:

• Instant Notifications: Stay up to date with the latest announcements and important alerts on your smartphone (be sure to enable Notifications)
• Events and Payments: Easily approve excursion attendance or make fee payments
• Medical Details: Keep your student’s medical details up to date
• Attendance Tracking: Easily track attendance and notify the School of your student's absence
• Event Calendar: Stay informed about school events, meetings, and important dates
• Parent Teacher Interviews: Schedule parent-teacher interviews and receive reminders
• Academic Reports: View and download your student’s school reports
• School Fees: View your school fees and make a payment

Parent Actions for reporting Student Attendance

Parents may choose from a variety of communication methods to notify the school of absences (phone, letter, email, visit) however the Orbit App or Parent Lounge are the preferred modes. In the Orbit App, parents are presented with five options, these are listed below followed by explanation:

• Illness and medical appointments
• Appointment, event or services
• Holiday
• School avoidance or refusal
• Family Reasons
  
• Other explained reason (If Other is selected, a mandatory comment box appears for parents to explain the absence)

Our Lady's Catholic Primary School P&F

March Meeting

When: Wednesday 19th March

Time: 5:30pm

Where: Our Lady's Catholic Primary School C block

125 Years Celebration High Tea

Call for Volunteers & Donations, the Parents & Friends Association (P&F) has been invited to support the school's 125-year anniversary celebrations on Saturday, 1st March, by hosting a high tea during the festivities.

To ensure the success of this event, we are seeking:

• Volunteers to assist with serving food on the day.
• Donations of homemade baked goods or finger foods to be served.
• Monetary contributions for the purchase of food supplies, for those who prefer to support in this way.

Your generosity and support will help make this milestone celebration truly special for our school community. Please click the following link to sign up: https://signup.zone/TLaeCjBSPe4xpgAQd 

For further information or to express your interest in volunteering or donating, please contact Lisa Neuendorf at the school office or via email at lisa_neuendorf@rok.catholic.edu.au 

Uniform Policy

Homework Policy

Homework Policy Update for 2025

Another important agenda the School Board focused on in 2024 is our Homework Policy, which has come into effect at the beginning of 2025. After thoughtful consideration, some significant changes have been made to better align with the developmental needs of our students.

For students in Prep to Year 2, homework will still remain optional. At this early stage of learning, we recognise that students often require an adult to assist with homework tasks. Understanding the busy schedules of families, we know this won’t always be possible, and as such, we encourage, at the very least, regular reading at home. Reading together as a family fosters a love for learning and is an excellent way to build essential literacy skills.

For students in Years 3 to 6, homework will be compulsory. As children move into the middle and upper years of primary school, we aim to instil greater independence and a sense of responsibility in their learning. The rigor of homework at these levels is designed to support the development of key skills that will benefit them throughout their educational journey.

We are excited to see how these changes will positively impact both our students and their learning experiences moving forward!

Mobile Phone & Wearable Technology Policy

Isolated Children's Parents' Association Qld Longreach Branch

Family Support Program

Isolated Children's Parents' Association (ICPA) is committed to advocating for equitable education access, opportunities and support for all rural and remote students. Motivated by this commitment the ICPA Longreach Branch is initiating a program that enables our Longreach and district families to access up to $500 in financial assistance toward educational, sporting or cultural/arts support or activities for your children.

•    Educational support for your child may include, but is not limited to, speech therapy, occupational therapy, paediatrician appointment, or literacy and numeracy support.
•    Sporting activities relate specifically to those students selected to represent our region at North West Sports or a specialised coaching clinic.
•    Cultural/Arts activities may include music or drama workshops such as SHEP.

Eligibility criteria include:

•    Membership of the ICPA Longreach Branch. ($50 p/a https://icpa.com.au/qld/membership)
•    The child receiving the support lives in the Longreach 4730 / Ilfracombe 4727 postcode area.
•    The child is aged up to 17 years of age.
•    If the child is of school age, the child must be attending a Longreach or Ilfracombe school.
•    No more than one application per child to be submitted per calendar year.
•    Evidence that your child received the support or participated in the activity.

The ICPA Longreach Branch Family Support Program financial assistance is on a reimbursement basis. Upon receipt of a paid invoice/receipt and proof that your child received the educational support and/or participated in the sporting/cultural activity, up to $500 will be paid via bank transfer to your nominated account. 
ICPA Longreach Branch has allocated a capped budget for this program, so once allocated funds have been spent, the program may be modified with the aim of providing assistance to the maximum number of families in our Branch. The ICPA Longreach Branch committee reserves the right to assess applications on a case by case basis. The Committee's decision is final in all application assessments. Your input and feedback on this Family Support Program is welcome as we aspire to provide a useful service to our Branch members. 
If you are seeking educational support for your child and you're not sure where to start looking, these are providers in our Longreach area:

•    Virtual or face-to-face speech therapy, https://popfamily.au/about/
•    Little Legs - Occupational Therapy based in Central West, https://www.littlelegsot.com.au/
•    Outback Futures - multiple services, https://outbackfutures.org.au/

Please email icpa.longreach@gmail.com for more information on this program, or to submit an application form. 

Tuckshop

Please note there will be no tuckshop available on Friday 28th February due to 125 year celebrations.

Key Dates

St Brigid’s Parish News

Please follow us on Facebook for up to date information on what’s happening in the St Brigid’s Parish. https://m.facebook.com/people/Central-West-QLD-Catholic-Church/100080215845014/

Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton

Department of Transport and Main Roads

Do you have kids at School and looking to earn some extra money?

Are you semi-retired looking for a little extra cash?

Over 18yrs of age and perhaps @ home studying online and can spare some time, whilst earning some pocket money.

Shifts vary between Approx 1 hour in the morning and ½ hour in afternoon

Would you like to earn money and Help our State School? 🙋

Transport and Main Roads is looking for casual school crossing supervisors at our Primary School to help get our kids safely to and from school!

✅ Generous casual pay-rate starting at $37 per hour

✅ Morning and afternoon shifts

✅ Long-service leave entitlements

✅ The Queensland Government superannuation scheme.

If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, Contact below

To be deemed suitable for the role, some criteria apply, which include requirements to:

👉 pass a basic health assessment

👉 hold a current blue card or Able to apply

Both requirements we pay for, plus paid training will be given.

For more information or to apply, 07 4983 8747 or 0438 838 740

Community Notices

Longreach Regional Council Community Expo

Max Flaherty - Junior Development Tennis Coach

Longreach Stingrays

Central West Hospital & Health Services

Meet Nurse Navigator Simone Thomason!

Caring for Longreach, Ilfracombe and surrounding properties, Central Hub Nurse Navigator Simone Thomason has been supporting patients in the region for over seven years.

Simone’s favourite part of the role is joining patients on their health care journeys.

“Firstly, it’s about building trust and rapport with patients, carers, and their families,” Simone said.

“Secondly, we work through their complex challenges step-by-step, be it short or long term.

“Lastly, I love seeing the physical and psychological benefits of having a positive and supported health journey.”

With expert clinical knowledge and a good understanding of the health system, Central West Hospital and Health Service Nurse Navigators focus on your entire care journey and all your health needs, not just on a specific disease or condition.

They can help you understand your medical conditions, talk to you about how you’re feeling, and discuss treatment options and plans of care.

If you’re in Longreach, Ilfracombe and surrounds, you can reach Simone by:

• Calling 07 4652 5500 or 0427 025 161
• Emailing cw-nursenavigator-central@health.qld.gov.au
• Visiting https://www.centralwest.health.qld.gov.au/patients-and-visitors/nurse-navigators