Term 4 Week 1 2025

A Message from the Principal

Dear parents and friends,

Welcome back to the final term of 2025! It’s hard to believe our Year 6 class only has eight and a half weeks remaining in their primary school journey. It feels like just yesterday these students were in Year 3 when I first arrived! I hope they take the time to savour these last weeks, filled with memories, friendships, and celebrations before they take their next big step into high school.

This term is shaping up to be a busy one with plenty of exciting events and opportunities for our students and families. Please keep an eye out for updates and announcements throughout the term. Some key dates to mark in your calendar include:

• Grandparents Day – Monday 27th October: Grandparents and families are invited to join us for a special prayer celebration followed by a picnic on the grass and classroom activities.
• Visual Art Show – Thursday 30th October (5:30–7:00pm): Come and see the incredible artworks our students have created under the guidance of Mrs Neuendorf.
• Day for Daniel – Friday 31st October: Our annual Walk for Daniel raises awareness for child safety within our local community.
• Spelling Bee – Monday 17th November: Always a highlight! Encourage students to get practising early.
• Prep Orientation – Thursdays 20th & 27th November: We welcome our 2026 Prep students for a taste of life at Our Lady’s.
• Awards Night – Wednesday 26th November: A wonderful evening to celebrate student growth, learning, and achievement in the MPC.
• Swimming Carnival – Friday 28th November: The rivalry between Thomson and Kennedy continues — may the best house win!
• Year 6 Graduation – Monday 1st December (Evening): A special celebration of our graduating students.
• Prep Nativity Morning – Tuesday 2nd December: A heartwarming way to celebrate the Christmas story.
• Christmas Carols Morning – Wednesday 3rd December: Our joyful end to the school year!

Of course, these are just a few of the many wonderful activities happening across the term.

At this time of year, I’m often asked about staffing and class placements for 2026. We plan to release staffing details after Week 6, once finalised with the Catholic Education Diocese of Rockhampton (CEDR). Please remember that staffing decisions consider many factors, and teachers don’t always remain on the same year level from one year to the next. These decisions are carefully discussed with Mr Tim Collins (AD: Western Region) before finalisation.

Mrs Hughes is currently away in the Philippines celebrating her birthday with family for the next three weeks. While she is away, Mr KD and I will be managing the children’s crossing on Eagle Street, with other staff stepping in when we are both away at different times this term. After spending some mornings on crossing duty, I encourage all families to please observe the 40km/h school zone speed limit for everyone’s safety. A big thank you to Mr Chapman, who has kindly taken on the cleaning components of Mrs Hughes’ role during her absence.

October is also World Mission Month (Socktober) — a time when Catholic schools across Australia support children in developing countries through fun and meaningful activities. Students are encouraged to wear colourful socks (Thursday October 30^th) and take part in games and challenges that raise funds and awareness for children in need. Thank you to Mr KD and Mr Kopacz for leading our school’s Socktober activities this year.

Next Monday and Tuesday, Mrs Thurecht and I will attend the Learning Support Cluster Meeting in Emerald. This event provides an opportunity to review our NCCD survey results, learning support data, and 2025 initiatives to guide our action planning for 2026. It’s an important two days to ensure our school continues to meet the needs of every learner. During this time, Mr KD will be Acting Principal.

Finally, I’m looking forward to joining Year 1 this Friday for their excursion to the Dinosaur Museum in Winton. Having driven the bus and helped with fossil hunting in past years, I can confidently say this trip is one students never forget — a definite highlight on the Year 1 calendar!

Wishing everyone a fantastic start to Term 4 filled with learning, laughter, and community spirit.

God bless,

Mr Peter Thurecht

Reflection - Sr Kym Harris OSB

Real Hope

Dame Patricia Routledge, the actor, recently died.  Nearing 95 years, she wrote a “Letter to her Life”.  As a young woman she was filled with worry, and as an actor was not confident in her career – she felt adrift.  In her fifties she was offered what she thought was a small television role – the extraordinary Hyacinth Bucket, pronounced Bouquet! (Ask your parents and grandparents who that is.)  In her sixties, she learnt Italian to sing opera in the original language, in her seventies she returned to acting Shakespear, in her eighties, she took up water colour, in her nineties she was baking her own rye bread.  In short, she grew from feeling inadequate to living a rich, full and happy life.  This story resonated with me.  As a child, I was socially inadequate – the weirdo kid at school that had no friends.  I felt boxed and unhappy.  I thought life would never change but it did. And I learnt to change with it. 

This is where God’s grace is at work.  Not some amazing zap from the sky that changes everything.  No, small changes that we can embrace and as they change us, little by little, our hearts grow lighter and fuller.  Hope is not wishful thinking.  It is embracing the small changes offered to us that help us to grow into the wonderful person God wants us to be.

Let’s end with a piece of advice from Routledge: “Show up. Gently. Fully. Authentically.  And life — if you let it — will always meet you halfway.”

Loving God, open my eyes to see where your grace and wisdom can lead me out of the difficult places of my heart.  Let me be open to the change that leads to greater life and deeper love. I ask this in Jesus’ name confident that you will hear me.

Sr Kym Harris osb

APRE News

Welcome to Week 1 of a very busy Term 4!

Mission Month & Socktober at Our Lady’s

October is Mission Month, and here at Our Lady’s we’re getting behind it in a big way through our involvement in Socktober. Socktober is a Catholic Mission initiative that helps students connect with the idea of mission in a hands-on and meaningful way. It’s all about learning, praying, and taking action to support children in need, especially those in places like Zambia where access to education, food, and basic resources is limited.

Throughout the month, students will be exploring what mission means through classroom activities and lessons. Each class will choose a Mission Pack to work through, which includes stories, reflections, and practical tasks that help students understand the challenges faced by children around the world and how we can help. These packs are a great way to bring Catholic Social Teaching to life in a way that’s age appropriate and engaging.

To support our fundraising efforts, Zooper Doopers will be sold every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon at the Sandpiper pick up area. All money raised will go towards Catholic Mission projects that make a real difference in communities that need it most.

In Week 4, we’ll be asking students to bring in recycled materials like old shirts, shorts, or clean plastic (no food rubbish please) to make their own soccer balls. I’ll be visiting each class to help with the construction of these sockballs, which are inspired by the creativity of children in developing countries who make toys from whatever they can find. If you’d like to see an example of a finished sockball, just let me know and I’ll bring one around.

Then on Thursday 30^th of October, we’ll celebrate Crazy Sock Day. Students can wear their wildest socks with their school uniform, and we’ll hold our Socktober Soccer Shootout. Year 6 students will use the soccer balls made by all grades to try and score goals against their class teachers. It’s going to be a fun, energetic day that brings together everything we’ve learned and worked on during Mission Month.

We’re really looking forward to seeing the creativity, compassion, and community spirit that comes out of this special time.

God Bless,

Mr 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.

School TV

SPECIAL REPORT: World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day is marked every year on 10 October as a reminder of the importance of mental health to our overall wellbeing. It is a day that encourages families, schools, workplaces and communities across the globe to start conversations, reduce stigma and highlight the support available for those who may be struggling.

Mental health challenges can affect anyone: children, teens, and adults alike. Recognising this helps us create more compassionate and supportive environments.

Parents and caregivers play a central role in shaping the mental health of their children. World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to pause and reflect on the pressures young people face in today's world and how we can best support them. Whether it's helping children find balance between school, technology, and rest; encouraging open conversations about feelings; or modelling healthy coping strategies ourselves - small steps at home can make a big difference.

By engaging with resources and discussions on this day, families can strengthen their understanding of mental health and contribute to a culture where seeking help is seen as a sign of strength, not weakness.

This Special Report highlights the importance of World Mental Health Day and offers practical suggestions for how your family can acknowledge and support it together.

Here is the link to your Special Report https://ollrok.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-world-mental-health-day-au

🌸 Grandparents Day Celebration 🌸

In Australia, Grandparents Day is celebrated on Sunday 26 October, recognising the incredible contribution grandparents make to our families, communities, and the wider world. 💕

To honour these special people in our lives, we invite all grandparents and families to join us for a Morning Prayer Gathering, followed by a morning tea and picnic on the grass.

Students will have the opportunity to share a book, create a small craft, or play a game with their grandparents and loved ones in a relaxed, joyful setting.

📍 Where: MPC and school grounds

🕓 Time: 8:40am – 9:40am

📅 Date: Monday 27 October

We look forward to celebrating the love, wisdom and warmth our grandparents bring to our lives every day.

Non State Schools - Transport Assistance Scheme

2026 Schedule of Fees

Thank you for your continued support of Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School and for engaging with our school in
understanding the changes to Non-Government school funding and the impact on School fees, as we transition to
full implementation in 2029.

Below are the 2026 Schedule of Fees, along with the “School Fees Explained” and “School Fee Accounts” flyers. As in 2025, fees are presented as a single All-Inclusive Education Fee covering curriculum offerings, plus a Building Levy to support modern learning spaces.

The schedule outlines annual, term, and weekly payment options, with discounts available for eligible families and support for those experiencing financial hardship.

The “School Fees Explained” flyer, provides context on changes to Government funding and the Federal Government’s affordability assessment.

The “School Fee Accounts” flyer serves as a reminder of each family’s commitment to fee payment as a condition of enrolment. For any concerns or questions, please contact the school finance office.

Once again, thank you sincerely for your support of Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School. Please do not hesitate to
contact me with any queries that you may have.

2025 Term 4 Swimming Lessons

Swimming Lessons – Commencing Tuesday 14th October until Tuesday 25th November (7 lessons)

Annual Swimming Carnival – Friday 28th November 

Swimming lessons will commence in Week 2 of Term 4 for all students. Lessons will be held for all year levels on Tuesday with the exception of years 5 & 6 who will have their lesson on Friday morning.

To assist with the tight timetable, Year 3 and 4 students are required to come to school with their sun safe swimmers under their sports uniform. All other classes will get dressed at school prior to their lesson. As Prep are the last swimming lesson for the day they will not get changed back into their uniform to go home in the afternoon. Years 5 & 6 are required to come to school on Friday with their sun safe swimmers under their sports uniform.

Our swimming instructor this year will be Mrs. Lisa Neuendorf and support staff. 

Things every student will need: (please ensure that all belongings are named)

•    Sun safe swimming togs
•    Towel
•    Swimming cap
•    Goggles
•    Slip on shoes

Tuckshop Menu

PLEASE NOTE: POPCORN IS CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

WEEK 6 - Tuckshop closed Friday 14th November

WEEK 8 - P&F Catering for the Swimming Carnival Friday 28th November

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

CSPQ - Our Lady's Catholic Primary School P&F

The Parent Pulse: Social Media & Our Children

A survey for parents of primary & secondary students

The Australian Government is delivering policies to delay children’s access to social media.

From 10 December 2025, age-restricted social media platforms will have to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under the age of 16 from creating or keeping an account.

Your voice matters. By completing this survey, you are helping Catholic School Parents Australia (CSPA) understand the real experiences, challenges, and hopes of families in our Catholic school communities. The insights gathered will directly shape our advocacy with Catholic Education authorities and Government, ensuring that the needs and perspectives of parents and carers are heard at the highest levels.

Your input will guide us in championing initiatives that strengthen learning, wellbeing, and partnership between home and school.

Click here to have your say: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L65CL58

Catholic School Parents Queensland (CSPQ) is hosting a free lunch time webinar with Karen Young for all Catholic school parents and carers in Queensland.

Discover powerful, practical strategies to help children and teens overcome anxiety, build courage, and thrive.

This is not just another anxiety talk — it’s a fresh, science-backed session that will transform the way you support young people.

Click the following link to register: REGISTER HERE

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/

Community Notices

The Smith Family - Strong Communities'

Outback Futures

Mental Health Week

Central West Hospital & Health Services

RESQ - Driving Lessons

Longreach Sporting Opportunities

We’re thrilled to welcome you to a brand-new season of junior cricket! Whether your child is picking up a bat for the first time or returning to build on their skills, we’re looking forward to a fun, active, and rewarding season together.

📅 Season Dates The season will run from sign on, on Saturday, 11 October to Saturday, 28 March, with a break over the Christmas school holidays.

🏏 Program Options We’re offering three exciting stages of cricket development to suit all skill levels:

• Junior Blasters – Fun games, skills, and drills for our youngest beginners.
• Master Blasters – More advanced skills and modified cricket games.
• Hard Ball Cricket – For experienced players, featuring age-adjusted pitch distances and full-format matches in a team setting.

🎯 Hard Ball Round Robin Competition This season, we’re launching a 4-team round robin Hard Ball competition, with matches played across the Showgrounds and Our Lady’s pitches. It’s a fantastic opportunity to build match experience and team spirit in a supportive, local setting.

🌟 Special Events & Opportunities

• Intertown Matches
• Saturday, 1 November – Longreach
• Saturday, 29 November – Barcaldine
• Representative Cricket – Central West Intercity Carnivals Trials will be held on Saturday, 31 January for players interested in representing Central West Cricket. We aim to field teams in the U11, U12, and U14 age groups, depending on numbers and availability. The Intercity Carnival will take place on 21–22 February across multiple locations, with venues tailored to each age group.
• Specialist Coaching Clinic A specialist cricket coaching clinic will be offered in January in Barcaldine for interested players. Dates and further details will be shared soon.

📝 Registration Details We’ll be in touch with team announcements and more information shortly. In the meantime, you can register using the links below:

• Blast Cricket Registration

Game based drills and skills for children aged 4 – 10 years Junior Blasters (1 hour) Master Blasters (1.5 hours) (Junior Blasters and Master Blasters will receive a Woolworths Cricket Pack)

• Hard Ball Cricket Registration 
• 20/20 cricket with a hard ball for children wanting to experience real cricket match play in a team setting. 7:30am start until finish of game (estimated finish time 11am)

If you’re unsure which program is right for your child, feel free to reach out or attend our sign-on day—we’re here to help!

We welcome volunteers! If you're interested in supporting our program—whether through coaching, team management, or helping behind the scenes—please reach out.

Parents are encouraged to stay and actively engage with their children during sessions. If you need to leave at any point, kindly inform your child’s coach to ensure Duty of Care requirements are met.