Term 3 Week 1 2025

A Message from the Principal

Dear parents and friends,

This week, I have the pleasure of attending the Challenge Cup in Yeppoon – a much-loved annual event that brings together Year 5 and 6 students from across our Diocese to compete in netball and rugby league. Our students are proudly representing the Western Wave – a combined team with students from Barcaldine, Blackall, and Springsure Catholic schools. For families with younger students, I encourage you to consider this wonderful opportunity in the years ahead if your child has an interest in these sports. It’s a great chance to build friendships, teamwork, and school spirit across the region.

A huge congratulations to our 125th Anniversary Commemorative Team, who were recently nominated for a Spirit of Catholic Education Award. This is a well-deserved recognition for the hours of dedication poured into creating a celebration that brought our community together and highlighted the heart of Catholic education in Longreach. Thank you to everyone involved – you’ve truly left a legacy.

Just before the holidays, we were thrilled to enter the Miniritchi Art Showcase, and even more excited to be announced as the People’s Choice Winners! Our collaborative artwork The Rainbow Serpent captivated hearts with its bold colours and beautiful storytelling. This piece is a testament to the creativity, teamwork, and cultural pride of our students. A massive congratulations to all involved, and a special thanks to Mrs Hannah Batt, who coordinated the project – not everyone may know she holds a Fine Arts Degree! A big thank you as well to Esmae and Addilyn, who represented our school on the night and accepted the honour. We are also proud to share that we received $500 in prize money, generously sponsored by Emma Read – Artist Social Collective.

NAPLAN results for Year 3 and Year 5 students were sent home via hard copy this week. If you have not yet received your child’s results, please contact the school office to arrange a copy.

This week, we warmly welcome five new students to our school community: Billy and Archie Trigg, and Abby, Bobby, and Xander Marsh. We are so excited to have you and your families join us here at Our Lady’s. We hope your time with us is full of joy, growth, and friendships.

Finally, a reminder that school fees will be issued next week. Please check your emails after receiving the text notification. We understand that every family’s circumstances are different. If you would like to arrange a payment plan, please don’t hesitate to contact Ms Wall in the office on (07) 4994 8375. Alternatively, I am always available for a confidential conversation to offer further support where needed.

God bless,

Mr Peter Thurecht

Reflection - Sr Kym Harris OSB

Precious in your sight

I recently changed my addiction: from one computer word game to another. Oh yes, I know you’ll say it’s not a real addiction; it isn’t drugs or gambling or porn. It hasn’t consumed my life, yet. You might say to me that, while it wasted time, it provided relaxation…except that it hasn’t. It has provided ‘distraction’…and that is what addiction is really about: being distracted from ourselves.

Our lives are precious, so precious we find ways to tone down the mystery that we are. We can distract ourselves by abusing something that is good: drugs, sex, money, midday TV, computer games. (If used the right way these would enhance our sense of preciousness.) Or we can try to justify our worth by excessive work or by putting impossible standards on ourselves, and then bash ourselves up when we don’t attain them.

Or we can stop, take a deep breath and accept that we are precious in the eyes of God. We can stop the frenetic life, stop the distractions, live under the gaze of God’s love and allow the mystery to work its magic grace within us. A few moments each day, perhaps at the beginning and at the end can help recalibrate our hearts and lives to what they deeply yearn. We are made in love for love.

Loving God, let me accept how precious I am in your sight. Let me enjoy the wonder of my being, accept the mystery of who I am and then learn to live and grow in love. I ask this in Jesus’ name confident that you will hear me.

Sr Kym Harris osb

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.

MPC Loop Carpark – A Few Reminders

As we near six months of using our MPC Loop Carpark, we’d like to thank families for their support and remind everyone of a few key expectations to ensure things continue running smoothly:

• If your child is not yet at the loop, please continue around and park in the squash court area instead of waiting in the pick-up bay.
• If your child is in the car, you are welcome to pull out—even if the car in front has not yet moved.
• For safety reasons, please stay inside your vehicle while in the pick-up zone.
• If there are free spaces at Gates 1, 2, or 3, please move forward rather than waiting at Gate 4.

We appreciate your help in keeping this area safe and efficient for all families.

School Photo Day

Bookfair 4th to 15th August

Tuckshop Menu

Tuckshop will be closed on Friday 15th August.

Revised School Policies

Stay up to date with revised school policies by visiting our school website. https://ollrok.catholic.edu.au/forms-policies

Homework Policy

Uniform Policy

Mobile Phone and Wearable Tech Statement

Key Dates

Our Lady's Catholic Primary School P&F -

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/

Community Notices

Longreach School of Dance

Qantas Founders Museum Carbon_Dating art exhibition

Outback Acrobatics and Cheerleading

Max Flaherty - Junior Development Tennis Coach

Longreach Stingrays

Raising Healthy Minds app

The Raising Healthy Minds app is a free, personalised, pocket resource to help parents and carers raise confident, resilient children. Co-designed with parents and experts and funded by the Australian Government, Raising Healthy Minds aims to support children’s social and emotional wellbeing with evidence-based information.  

You’ll find information on topics like dealing with worries and making friends, as well as ideas for day-to-day life, like creating family routines, looking after yourself as a parent, and building strong relationships.  

The app offers a mix of quick-read articles, videos and animations aimed at parents and carers of children aged 0-12 years. You can tailor information to the age of your child and opt-in to receive helpful tips.  

Raising Healthy Minds provides simple-to-use information at your fingertips with clear actions you can start today.  

Download from Google Play or the App Store or go to raisingchildren.net.au/rhm to learn more and raise a healthy mind 🧠 😊  

Central West Hospital & Health Services