Term 1 Week 5 2025

A Message from the Principal

Dear parents and friends,

This weekend marks a momentous occasion in the history of Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School as we come together to celebrate 125 years of faith, education, and community. Our school has been a cornerstone of Longreach since its foundation in 1900, when the Presentation Sisters first arrived with a mission to provide Catholic education to the children of the region. Their legacy of dedication, compassion, and academic excellence continues to shape our school today.

As you’d already be aware, to commemorate this incredible milestone, a weekend full of celebrations has been planned. See the final timetable below:

Weekend Events

📌 Friday, 28th February – 125th Anniversary Mass & Open Grounds
Visitors are welcome to walk around the school grounds and see our modern facilities from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM. This is a wonderful opportunity to see how Our Lady’s has evolved over the years. Please note: Classrooms will not be open to the public until Saturday morning.

Later that evening, we begin our celebrations with a special Mass at 6:00 PM in St Brigid’s Catholic Church. This is an opportunity to give thanks for the many blessings our school has received over the past 125 years and to acknowledge the contributions of those who have shaped our journey. Students attending the mass are reminded to wear their full formal uniform.

📌 Saturday, 1st March – Re-enactment & Memorabilia Morning
Our Saturday celebrations will begin at 8:30 AM at the Silver Bullet Train Depot with a re-enactment of the Presentation Sisters’ arrival in Longreach. This will be a special moment to reflect on the legacy of our founding Sisters and the journey that led to the establishment of Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School.

Following this, we will move to the MPC for the official opening of our Memorabilia Morning. From 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, visitors can explore historical displays, listen to student music performances, and share memories over a lovely morning tea provided by the P&F. Students attending are reminded to wear their full formal uniform.

📌 Saturday Night – 125th Anniversary Ball
The highlight of the weekend will be our Anniversary Ball at 6:00 PM. This elegant evening will feature live music, an alternate drop meal, a bar, auctions, and speeches. It promises to be a fantastic night of celebration and reconnection.

To mark this special occasion, we have a range of commemorative 125th Anniversary merchandise available for purchase, including:

• Tea Towels
• Magnets
• 125th Anniversary Magazine
• Stubby Coolers (all Ball attendees receive one each on their table)

Merchandise will be available Saturday morning at the Memorabilia Morning and again at the Ball on Saturday night.

A huge thank you to Di Carter, Susan Cutting, and Raelene Smith, whose tireless efforts have brought together a stunning Anniversary Magazine filled with memories and history from the last 25 years. Their dedication has resulted in a beautiful keepsake that I know will be treasured by many.

This weekend will be a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our school’s rich history, reconnect with old friends, and celebrate the vibrant future of Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School. We look forward to seeing many families and past students throughout the celebrations.

God bless,

Mr Peter Thurecht

125 Year Anniversary Celebrations

Classroom Teacher (Prep)

⭐ 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐎𝐏𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐈𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐖! ⭐

We are seeking applicants for the position of  𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 (𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩) to join Our Lady's Catholic Primary School, Longreach.

👉𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐋𝐘 𝐓𝐎𝐃𝐀𝐘 - https://applynow.net.au/jobs/CER1272

Reflection - Sr Kym Harris OSB

Whatever you do, keep holding hands

One of the most poignant effects of mobile phones is what happens when people get caught in disasters.  Facing their death, they ring their loved ones to tell them how much they love them.  Like most of us, they probably went through life taking the next day for granted and in that mindset would have had all the usual discussions and disagreements with the ones they love.  Now with only a few moments left they want to convey all the preciousness of their love.  No-one ever rings to have the last word in an argument.

This experience raises the question: how are we to go through life, expressing our love, yet still having all the problems that normal relationships entail.   I heard of a practice of Marriage Encounter. At one stage in that programme, the couple were to sit holding hands and then they could say whatever they wanted or needed to say to each other – so long as they kept holding hands. The holding of hands expressed a love deeper than any pain or hurt that may have been expressed. In our life together, we need small rituals like this to convey to each other that our love transcends any ‘problems’ that arise between us.  So if we never get the chance to make that final call, our love still would have been expressed.

We need that too in our relationship with God.  At times we do not like what God is doing in our lives, and we need to be frank about how we feel, so long as we keep holding hands with God.  No matter what we say or do, we can be assured God will never drop our hands. 

Loving God you want us to love like you.. Send us your Spirit to strengthen our love so that whatever difficulties we face we may continue ‘to hold hands’ with each other in love. We ask this in Jesus’ name, confident that you will hear us.

Sr Kym Harris osb

APRE News

Welcome to a very busy week 5!

125^th Anniversary Celebrations:

History:

The time has arrived for Our Lady’s to celebrate it’s 125^th anniversary! In 1900, the town of Longreach was just 13 years old, and while a Catholic church had been established, the community recognised the need for faith-based education. In response, Bishop Joseph Higgins of the Rockhampton Diocese invited the Presentation Sisters from Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, to establish a convent and school. After much prayer and reflection, five dedicated sisters answered the call, leaving behind their homes and embarking on a challenging 3,200-kilometre journey by steamboat and train.

Arriving in Longreach on a sweltering 46-degree day, the sisters were warmly welcomed by the townspeople. Within days, they settled into their new home and, on 19 February 1900, opened the doors to the new Catholic school. On the first day, 89 students enrolled, a number that quickly grew. The sisters provided a high-quality education, teaching academic subjects alongside music, drama, and the arts, shaping the foundation of Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School. Their commitment, faith, and dedication continue to inspire generations of students today.

Events:

Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School is proud to celebrate its 125th anniversary with a series of special events honouring its rich history and community spirit. The celebrations will begin on Friday evening with a Mass at 6:00 pm at St Brigid’s Church, led by Bishop Michael McCarthy. All staff, students, families, and community members are warmly invited to attend this special service of thanksgiving and reflection.

On Saturday, the festivities continue with a Presentation Sisters Re-enactment at the Silver Bullet train station at 8:30 am, led by our Year 6 students. Guests are encouraged to arrive by 8:15 am to be seated before the performance begins. Following this, the Memorabilia Walk and High Tea at the MPC at 9:00 am will showcase student performances, class tours, and a display of our school’s remarkable history. The celebrations will conclude with a grand 125th Anniversary Ball at the Civic Centre at 6:00 pm—a wonderful opportunity for past and present members of our school community to come together and commemorate this milestone.

Class Displays:

Each class has been getting into the celebration by exploring the foundation of our school. Classes have been creating beautiful displays for all to see!

God Bless,

Mr Komndi-Diggins

The Cathedral College, Rockhampton

The Cathedral College, Rockhampton will be visiting on Wednesday 12 March at 2.00pm.

We very much look forward to meeting with you to share information about the opportunities that are offered at our College and about the dynamic and vibrant Boarding community we have.

If you are interested in attending this session, please RSVP to our TCC Enrolments Officer, Mrs Meg Halberstater on 4999 1311 or enrolments@tccr.com.au.

Applications for Year 7 2026 close on Thursday 3 April 2025. To apply please visit www.tccr.com.au/enrolment

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

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

Qantas Founders Museum to launch Carbon_Dating art exhibition - OPENING 9:30AM, Saturday 15 March 2025

Qantas Founders Museum proudly announces a prominent exhibition Carbon_Dating showcasing native grasses and our relationship to the environment.  The Carbon_Dating project is a series of networked, experimental artworks situated throughout Queensland, that seek to shift attitudes towards the diverse Australian native grasses that grow in those regions. In this time of environmental stress, the project calls upon adventurous humans and vivacious grasses to collaborate – to breathe life into radically new kinds of relationships with each other.

The exhibition will open on Saturday 15 March at 930am at Qantas Founders Museum, Longreach QLD.

By drawing upon Indigenous cultural and scientific understandings and knowledges of grass and grasslands, and by incorporating sculpture, site-specific growing, networked technologies and artist-led provocations, we will develop a series of connected creative experiments and grass plantings spread across rural, regional and urban (Australia) - that together form the work Carbon Dating.

Carbon_Dating began in 2022 as a series of artwork-based experiments, and a ‘campaign’, that aimed to shift our relationships with Poaceae – those flowering members of the vegetal wild known as grasses. By focusing upon an often-overlooked group of native plants, Carbon_Dating reminds us that restoring the health of our environment will require us to look beyond the 'charismatic species' that so often steal our attention. Drawing on Indigenous cultural, scientific and artistic understandings, the Carbon_Dating Project asks: how we might see grass and grasslands in a new, equitable and ecological way?

Exhibiting artist Keith Armstrong said: “Despite grasses being one of the most critical plants for the survival of life on earth, our understanding and appreciation of them (beyond their use as animal fodder or lawn-making) remains limited… By sponsoring the planting of small Indigenous grassland areas and gardens, we seek to foster living sites for our art experiments; as we build a campaign built on partnership, respect and care.”

Carbon_Dating presents and share knowledge and stories and incorporate a variety of contemporary art forms responding to Queensland Indigenous grasses. The artists present a broad range of mediums including sculpture, weaving, textiles, photography, new media, film and performance-related artworks.

Featuring Artists: Keith Armstrong, Liz Capelin, Daniele Constance, Hilary Coulter, donna davis, Merinda Davis, Mia Hacker, Andrea Higgins, Luke Lickford, Jason Murphy, Kilagi Nielsen, Sasha Parlett, Melissa Stannard, Delissa Walker and Pipier Weller.

OPENING EVENT AND ARTIST FORUM - SATURDAY 15 MARCH 930AM

• The official unveiling of Carbon_Dating will take place at the newly branded Longreach Museum of Art (LMOA), at the Qantas Founders Museum, Longreach.
• An artist forum and floor talk will take place on Saturday 15 March from 930am featuring artists Keith Armstrong, Donna Davis, Koa artist and co-curator Jo-Anne Driessens, grazier and environmental advocate Jody Brown and the Lake Ayre Basin Rangers.

Entry is free, RSVP’s are essential info@qfom.com.au or call 07 4658 3737.

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