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Thursday marked a significant milestone in our school's history as we celebrated the grand Opening and Blessing of our new buildings. This project, completed as part of the 2022 Block Grant Authority (BGA) program, includes eight new General Learning Areas, two dedicated Prep classrooms, a modern tuckshop, and a new student amenities block. Together, these facilities create a vibrant, engaging, and contemporary learning environment that supports both teaching and wellbeing.
The occasion was graced by the presence of Bishop Tim, who presided over the opening liturgy. We were honored to have Bishop Tim Harris and Executive Director of Townsville Catholic Education, Jacqui Francis, officially inaugurate our new facilities. Their presence added a special significance to the event. As a part of the official proceedings we also acknowledged the Queensland State Government for their financial contributions of $4,664,000.00. We also acknowledged the Diocesan Development Fund and our own school contribution coming to a total of $1,632,701.63.
Among the distinguished guests were former principals Sr Nina Barra and Mrs Paula Martin. Their presence was a testament to the enduring legacy of excellence and dedication that continues to shape our school community. We were delighted to welcome them back and share in the joy of this momentous occasion.The afternoon was nothing short of wonderful, filled with joy, blessings, and a sense of unity that truly embodies the spirit of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School.
Please see some of the snapshots from the afternoon.
Staffing Update
At the end of this year, we will sadly farewell several valued members of our Our Lady of Lourdes school community.
Mrs Melanie Cohen has accepted a position as the Inclusive Practices Teacher at Gilroy Santa Maria College commencing in 2026. We take this opportunity to thank Melanie for her dedication and service to our school and wish her every success as she embarks on this exciting new chapter.
Mr Claude Cianciullo will be taking a period of leave in Semester 1 next year as he transitions into a slower-paced lifestyle of semi-retirement. We are very grateful to Claude for taking the leap to join our community this year, his presence and contribution have been greatly appreciated.
We also farewell Ms Shannan Ashwood and Ms Meghan Marbelli, whowill both be leaving Ingham at the end of the year to be closer to their families. Shannan will be relocating to Brisbane, and Meghan to Townsville. We sincerely thank them for their commitment and service to our students and school, and wish them all the best for the future.
In 2026 we will be welcoming back some of our staff who are currently on maternity leave, on a part time basis. We are looking forward to these amazing teachers returning to our school community. We are currently in the process of our staffing allocations and recruitment to fill our vacant positions for 2026 and will share with you updates as they arise. We hope to be able to share our 2026 staffing allocations with families prior to our Move Up morning on Friday of Week 8.
Many blessings for the week ahead,
Jo Desailly
Principal
Dear Families,
Grandparents’ Day
Grandparents Day is a day dedicated to acknowledging and celebrating the vital contributions grandparents make to the well-being and education of children in their families. Last Friday, Grandparents had the opportunity to visit classrooms and witness classroom life. Following this, the school community gathered in the Menegon Centre and was led by Year 1A students in a beautiful prayer liturgy dedicated to our special grandparents. Thank you to all of our wonderful grandparents and great-grandparents who travelled from near and far to be by their grandchildren’s side.
All Saints Day- Saturday 1 November
All Saints' Day is a solemn holy day of the Catholic Church celebrated annually on November 1. The day is dedicated to the saints of the Church, that is, all those who have attained heaven.
May all the Saints pray for us and for all those whose lives we touch.
All: Amen
May God, Who loves and holds us all, let the Spirit guide all our days in the ways of compassion and justice.
All: Amen
May we reflect the heart of God, sure in faith, strong in hope, built on love and become all that we are called to be.
All: Amen
And may our journey lead us into God’s gentle and almighty Presence, our God whom we will one day see face to face.
Amen.
All Souls Day - Sunday 2 November
Pray this Sunday for all those family and friends who have passed away before us.
Creator, their statues are not in churches but their pictures are in our homes and their stories alive in our community, and in us. We know of their goodness and their struggles. We now pray for them and remember them with love, celebrating in faith their journey to God, now within the great communion of saints.
Amen
Year 6 Rite of Passage
On the morning of Thursday, November 27, we will hold the Year 6 Rite of Passage. The event will commence with a Mass at 9:00 am, followed by the presentation of school awards and the official handover of student leadership to the incoming Year 5 leaders. Parents will receive a letter with further details and important information about the day.
Thanksgiving Mass – Thursday, November 27 at 9:00 am
At this time of year, charitable organisations invite the public to contribute to their Christmas appeals. At Our Lady of Lourdes, our last Mass for the school year is a Rite of Passage/Thanksgiving Mass, where we give thanks for all that has been and offer something to the poor.
Mass will be held at St. Patrick’s Church, and we would like each child to bring a gift. Children are asked to bring the items listed, and representatives from the St. Vincent de Paul Society will collect and distribute them to those in need.
| Prep | Bathroom supplies e.g. soap, baby wipes, shampoo, conditioner soap dispensers, toothpaste, cotton wool balls, liquid bath soap, bubble bath, hand sanitizer. |
| Grade 1 | Non-perishable food items e.g. tins of canned foot (corn, beans, tuna, peas, carrots, mushrooms, asparagus, tomatoes, pineapple, peaches, apples), dried fruit. |
| Grade 2 | Breakfast cerals, rice, spaghetti, spaghetti sauces, tin tomatoes, tea towels. |
| Grade 3 | Christmas paper plates, Christmas wrapping paper, cake packet mix, garbage bags, Christmas lollies, cakes and puddings. |
| Grade 4 | Savour biscuits e.g. BBQ shapes, chicken crimpy, ritz, sao. Christmas puddings, bottles of olives, cocktail onions, gherkins. Soups e.g. french onions, tomato, chicken noodle (tins or packets). |
| Grade 5 | Teabags - loose leaf team, flavoured teas. Coffee, milo, quick, coco, sugar, condensed milk, pancake mixes, coconut, long life milks. Flours plain, self raising. |
| Grade 6 | Cordial, jams vegemite, sink sponges, micro fibre cloths, spray & wipe, soap powder/liquid. |
Children may bring these items to their class teacher or the office any time before 21 November.
God Bless
Moris
We have really enjoyed welcoming our 2026 Prep students to our school during their recent visits. They have settled in beautifully and shown great enthusiasm for learning and exploring new environments. Over the past few weeks they have enjoyed some time in their classrooms, outdoor activities and getting to know our school and how we work. We look forward to seeing them again this Wednesday, when they will experience some specialist P.E. and Library lessons with Mrs I.
It has also be fantastic to see so many of our new and existing Prep Families attend our Get Set for Prep parent information sessions. It has been a wonderful opportunityto share important information about our school and the services we provide to help students and families be as best prepared to start school in 2026.
Golf Skills in P.E.
This term, students have been learning golf skills as part of their P.E. lessons. They have been practising their putting and chipping techniques and are developing great control and accuracy. This week, students will put their skills to the test by creating their own mini golf courses using a variety of obstacle course equipment.
2026 Instrumental Music
We are now seeking Expressions of Interest for the 2026 Instrumental Music program. In 2026 we are excited to announce there will be a choice of three delivery methods:Small Groups, Groups of 2 and limited individual 1:1 lessons. Parents can enrol students to participate in the Instrumental Program in 2026 by completing the Online Enrolment Form, which can be accessed via the link below. Please complete this form as soon as possible to avoid disappointment and your child missing out on the limited available spots. In the case of spaces being booked out, preference will be given to the senior students first and then moving down to the lower year levels. Students who do miss out on a spot can be put on a waitlist, and parents will be contacted in case of any withdrawals throughout the year.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our Instrumental Coordinator Vera Di Bella, via email: vdibella5@music.tsv.catholic.edu.au
Please complete the Online Enrolment Form (which will be sent to families on Monday 10th November) by Wednesday 19th November, 2025. Late applications may result in your child being placed on a waiting list if all spaces are previously filled. This allows timetables and groupings to be organised.
Exciting News
School Choir Program Launching in 2026!
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our School Choral Program beginning in 2026, open to all students in Years 3 to 6. This vibrant new initiative will offer students a joyful and enriching opportunity to explore vocal music and performance, while nurturing creativity, confidence, and collaboration.
Through weekly rehearsals and guided instruction, students will develop their musical talents, learn to sing in harmony, and experience the thrill of performing together. The choir will be expected to represent our school at functions, school masses, and other special events, sharing their voices with pride and purpose.
Whether your child is a seasoned singer or simply curious about music, we welcome all who wish to grow artistically and be part of something truly special. Consistency is key in a choir! Weekly attendance helps maintain harmony, ensures everyone stays in sync with the music, and builds a strong sense of community. Rehearsals are where voices start blending, refining dynamics, and preparing for performances.
If you're thinking about joining, it's a commitment, but a rewarding one.
RoboSumo Comp Update
There were moments of struggle and success, but all of these guys showed perseverance, patience, problem-solving and teamwork.
Crazy Croc, Sock & Hair Day Fun!
Grandparents Day 2025
Maraka Festival Parade 
We are so grateful for this recognition and for the incredible teamwork that made it all possible.
Mrs Poppi Visits Year 3
This week, Year 3 had a special visit from Mrs. Renee Poppi from the Hinchinbrook Council. Renee spoke to the students about the important work the council does to support our community’s health, safety, and opportunities for physical activity, which is what Year 3 has been learning about in Health this semester. She shared insights into her role and some exciting projects currently underway to help keep our community active and connected. A big thank you to Renee for taking the time to visit us at Lourdes — we truly appreciate your time and enthusiasm!
Visitors from the Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre
Year 6 were fortunate to have a visit from Quinta and Carolyn from the Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre for Health this semester. They spoke to the students about the important work the Centre does to support people in our community, explaining the different reasons why someone might need help, how support is offered, and how it can be accessed here in Ingham. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of the many ways people in our community care for and assist others. As part of their assessment, students then created an informative poster about the HCSC and the ways they support our community. A huge thank you to Quinta and Carolyn for visiting Lourdes and sharing your time and experiences with us!
O’Connor vs Ryan Interhouse Swimming Carnival
Last Friday, students from Years 1 to 6 competed in our annual O’Connor vs Ryan Interhouse Swimming Carnival at the Hinchinbrook Aquatic Centre. It was a fantastic day filled with great races, impressive times, and plenty of fun in the sun!
With the weather heating up, the pool was definitely the best place to be. Students showed wonderful team spirit, cheering each other on and giving their best effort in every event. Congratulations to O’Connor House, who were the overall winners on the day!
Some students will now be nominated to compete at the Interschool Swimming Carnival on Wednesday, 19 November. More information about this event will be sent home by the end of this week.
| Prep A | Oliver Craig, Paige Sellwood |
| Prep B | Ada Seri, Westin Long |
| 1A | Nike Bruniera, Kristine Hatfield |
| 1B | Flynn Devietti, India Romano |
| 2A | Ella Briggs, Patrick Pearce |
| 2B | Alexis Torrisi, Sophie Solari |
| 3A | Liam Seri, Connor Serra |
| 3B | Max Accornero, Ryder Poppi |
| 4A | Olivia Briggs, Sadie Long |
| 4B | Emily Fanti, William Steine |
| 5A | Jasmine Gianotti, Finn Gusmeroli |
| 5B | Ryan Williams, Hunter Dickson |
| 6A | Amber Bridges, Logan Schifilliti |
| 6B | Lilly Bahr, Liam Egan |
URStrong
Forgiveness in Friendship: Extending an Olive Branch
In our Friendology curriculum, URSTRONG Schools help students spot strengths in themselves & their friends in our fun, character-building activities!
According to VIA Institute of Character, we all possess 24 Character Strengths in different degrees. Everyone has a different mixture or combination of strengths; some representing our top strengths (often called Signature Strengths).
With our theme of FORGIVENESS this month, we’re getting students to reflect on the concept of “extending an olive branch” (like the little guys are demonstrating in the image). This ties in so well with conversations around reconciliation, along with the idea of peace offerings. So many Teachable Moments!
After a Friendship Fire®, moving from Talk-it-Out to Forgive & Forget on the Friend-o-Cycle can take time. Kids also share that it can “feel awkward” for a while. One easy strategy to speed things up is by “extending an olive branch”. A few examples include:
- “Hey, wanna play hide & seek?”
- “Have you heard that new song by Shawn Mendes? I think you’d love it!”
- “Want a cookie? I made them last night with my dad!”
- “Wow, cool colours on your painting! It’s so vibrant!”
Forgiveness is such a big, layered topic and there’s so much to unpack with students! Parents can reinforce these lessons at home with this activity: What is Forgiveness? We love the ways our URSTRONG Schools & URSTRONG Families are helping kids move forward after Friendship Fires® to get their friendships back in the Green-Zone on the Friend-o-Meter!
Written by: Dana Kerford
Founder of URSTRONG & Kids’ Friendship Expert
Ingham Region Catholic Parish Sacramental Program
In the second term of 2026, Ingham Region Catholic Parish will commence the program for Reconciliation, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion for Catholic children who will be in Year 3 or older in 2026.
If you would like your child to prepare for the Sacraments in 2026, you must attend one of the compulsory parent/guardian information sessions.
These sessions will be held on 20th November at 7:00 pm and again on 21st November at 9:00 am in the church, Abbott Street, Ingham.
Enrolment forms will be available at these sessions, and attendance is the only opportunity to enrol your child.
For more information, please phone the Parish office at 4776 2600 or email srmaite@inghamcatholic.com.com
Thank you so much!
Sister Maite Konmawi
Ingham Region Catholic Parish
18 Abbott Street, Ingham Q 4850
07 4776 2600 | inghamcatholic.com | Facebook