Term 2 Week 4 2025

A Message from the Principal

Dear parents and friends,

This week at Our Lady’s, we have been acknowledging National Road Safety Week in our classrooms. We are fortunate to live in a small community where many students can walk, ride or scooter to school thanks to the short distances between home and school. However, it’s still essential that our students understand and follow important road safety practices—such as wearing a helmet, using pedestrian crossings correctly, and always looking both ways before crossing the road. While our traffic levels are minimal compared to metropolitan areas, it’s worth remembering that a highway runs directly through the centre of town. To support our messaging, we welcome Senior Constable Jarrod White from Longreach Police to speak at Friday morning’s assembly about how students can stay safe on our roads.

We would like to congratulate Cooper, Tom and Leyton on their fantastic performances at the Cross Country Trials in Barcaldine earlier this week. The boys ran incredibly well while representing the Central West team, with Leyton gaining selection into the North West team—a wonderful achievement! If any parents have photos from sporting or cultural events, we would love you to send them through so we can celebrate and share these successes with our wider school community.

I’d also like to give a big shout out to our amazing staff and parent volunteers who were here bright and early on Monday morning, cooking up a storm for our Mother’s Day Breakfast. From all reports, the food was delicious and the atmosphere even better, thanks to the many families who joined us. A special thank you to our Prep students who led a beautiful liturgy and shared special gifts with their mums—your heartfelt reflections on what makes your mum special, from healthy food to pool visits and unconditional love, were touching and sincere.

Preparations are also well underway for this year’s Longreach Show float! If your child would like to ride on the float, please complete the Google Form: https://forms.gle/Zso5UXQWzpWcgNM17. We will be assembling outside the ring near the rodeo arena, just like last year. Students are encouraged to wear clothing in our school colours—red, navy, or white—to proudly represent Our Lady’s in the parade.

Next week, I will be attending the CEDR Wellbeing Conference in Rockhampton, a two-day seminar focused on student wellbeing. I’m particularly looking forward to hearing from Michelle Cole and Dr Veronica Graham, who will explore how neuroscience and resilience research is being applied in schools. Their session will share insights from the Thriving Kids and Brain Health in Schools initiatives, which are helping build collective capability in supporting student wellbeing across Queensland.

In my absence, Belinda Thurecht and Sahlie Komndi Diggins will be taking on the Acting Principal role on their designated office days. I know the school will be in good hands.

God bless,

Mr Peter Thurecht

Tell Them From Me Surveys

As part of our ongoing school improvement cycle, we are inviting all families to complete the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Partners in Learning parent survey. Your feedback plays a vital role in shaping the direction of our school and helping us provide the best possible learning environment for our students.

The last time we ran this survey in 2022, your insights directly influenced meaningful changes across our school. One significant outcome was the introduction of our instrumental music program, now offered to students in Years 4–6 through The Cathedral College Rockhampton.

We would greatly appreciate your participation again this year. As valued partners in our school community, your views will help guide our priorities for student learning, wellbeing, and family engagement.

The survey is:
 ✅ Anonymous
 ✅ Takes around 20 minutes to complete
 ✅ Available on both computers and mobile devices

To complete the survey, please visit: http://tellthemfromme.com/olcpsl85

Thank you in advance for taking the time to share your feedback. Your voice matters and helps us grow stronger together as a school community.

Reflection - Sr Kym Harris OSB

Would you buy salvation from this person?

I am old enough to remember a question placed with a picture of Richard Nixon that went: would you buy a used car from this man?  It underlined the questions about his honesty.  I have tweaked the question over the years and sometimes ask myself when I see a Church figure, would I buy salvation from this person?  When Pope Leo stepped out onto the balcony, his calm peace and gentle smile reassured me.  He knows what challenges the Church and the world faces.  Why the Cardinals had been discussing them for days. But Pope Leo did not step out as though he had the world on his shoulders.  He stepped out as a person who puts his faith in God, a God who had shown the depths of love in the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, a person who knows what salvation is about.

That question, we can ask about ourselves.  When people look at our lives as Christians, do they think, “I’d buy salvation from them,” or do we look like we are burdened with our problems.  Everyone has troubles and challenges, and at times, they can seem almost insurmountable. But the essential core of our faith is to believe that God is with us, working in and through every situation.  We have been given grace and hope in Jesus Christ.  It is there waiting for us to accept it.  And one thing we can be sure of, we will be surprised by God’s answer to our problems.  Just as we were by the choice of this person as Pope.

Loving Father, your offer of salvation is with me in each moment, every situation.  Under the guidance of your Spirit, may I accept the life, love and wisdom that Jesus is offering to me.  I ask this in his name, confident that you will hear me.

Sr Kym Harris osb

APRE News

Welcome to Week 4 of Term 2!
 
Exciting News from the Vatican: A New Pope Has Been Elected
 
We are thrilled to share a historic moment with the Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School community — the joyful news that a new Pope has been elected! Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, has been chosen to lead the Catholic Church into a new era. This significant event marks a new chapter in the life of the Church and provides a beautiful opportunity to teach and celebrate the meaning of papal leadership in our faith. It is a time of hope, unity, and reflection as we witness the continuity of the mission of Christ through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The election of a Pope, known as the Papal Conclave, is a sacred and deeply spiritual process. It takes place in the Sistine Chapel, where cardinals from around the world gather in prayer and discernment, seeking the will of God in choosing the next leader of the global Church. After days of deliberation, a two-thirds majority must be reached for a Pope to be chosen. Once the decision is made, white smoke rises from the chapel’s chimney — a centuries-old tradition that joyfully signals to the world that Habemus Papam (Latin for “We have a Pope!”) has been declared. It is a moment filled with solemnity, mystery, and immense hope.

The newly elected Pope brings with him a lifetime of service, humility, and dedication. Born in Chicago, USA, and of Haitian descent through his maternal grandparents, Pope Leo XIV has spent many years working as a missionary and bishop in Peru, ministering to the poor and advocating for justice. His diverse background, and commitment to pastoral care, reflect the universal nature of the Catholic Church. Known for his quiet strength, deep prayer life, and welcoming spirit, Pope Leo is already touching the hearts of Catholics around the world.

This election brings fresh energy and direction to the global Church. Pope Leo XIV steps into a world facing many challenges — from climate change and global conflict to inequality and the need for renewed spiritual leadership. His call for peace, dialogue, and care for the most vulnerable resonates with the Gospel message. Let us unite in joy and solidarity with Catholics around the world in welcoming our new Holy Father and praying that the Holy Spirit continues to guide him in wisdom and love.
 
Hearing the Shepherd’s Voice – A Reflection on John 10:27–30
 
This week’s Gospel reading, John 10:27–30, reminds us of the beautiful and reassuring image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. In this short but powerful passage, Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.” He speaks of the deep relationship He has with each of us — a relationship built on trust, love, and everlasting care. Jesus assures us that no one can ever take us out of His hand, for we belong to Him and to the Father. It is a comforting reminder that we are never alone, especially when we take time to listen to His voice in our hearts.

In the busyness of everyday life, it can be easy to miss the gentle voice of Jesus calling us to follow Him. But just like sheep who know the voice of their shepherd, we are invited to listen closely through prayer, quiet reflection, Scripture, and acts of love. When we follow Jesus, we grow in trust, courage, and peace — knowing that we are held and guided by a love that is constant and unshakable. This Gospel calls us to deepen our connection with Jesus, to recognise His voice among the noise, and to respond with open hearts.

As a school community, this passage reminds us to create space each day to listen — to God and to one another. Whether it’s through prayer in the classroom, moments of stillness, or kind and caring conversations, we can help our students grow in their ability to hear Jesus’ voice and trust in His love. Let us continue to encourage one another to walk in faith, knowing that our Shepherd is always near.

Reflection Question for Families:
When and where do we feel closest to Jesus — and how can we make time this week to listen for His voice?
 
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.

Tuckshop Menu

The tuckshop will be closed on the following dates:

• 23rd May - Longreach Show Holiday
• 30th May - ASHOF Campdraft
• 13th June - Athletics Carnival

Under 8's Day

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Under 8s Day at Our Lady's Catholic Primary School Longreach. This is a special event designed to celebrate and engage young learners in fun and interactive activities, with this year's theme being 'Unleashing Scientific Thinking Through Play.' 

Event Details:

• Date: 29^th of May (Week 6)
• Time: 9:00 - 11:00am
• Location: School Oval 
• Target Group: Children under 8 years old

The day will feature a range of exciting activities aimed at fostering teamwork, creativity, and fun through science and play, culminating in a sausage sizzle and popper for all. Barcoo Coffee will also be available for any parents, friends, or teachers who would like to enjoy a coffee.

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

Qantas Founders Museum Carbon_Dating art exhibition

Royal Theatre Winton

Outback Acrobatics and Cheerleading

Max Flaherty - Junior Development Tennis Coach

Longreach Stingrays

Queenslanders with Disability Network Ltd (QDN)

The session is focused on improving foundational supports for children aged 0–9 – especially those with disability or developmental delay – and how we can better support families in the early years. It’s part of a broader state-wide reform, and it’s really important that remote voices are included.

Central West Hospital & Health Services