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Dearest Our Lady of Lourdes Families,
We have had a wonderful start to Term 4. Last Wednesday it was delightful to welcome back so many smiling faces and see how much our students have grown even in our two short week break. What a wonderful few weeks it has been at Our Lady of Lourdes! There has been a great sense of excitement and energy around the school as our students have taken part in a number of special events and learning opportunities.
Our Year 5 students recently enjoyed their much-anticipated leadership camp held at Echo Creek, where they challenged themselves, built new friendships, and developed confidence through a range of outdoor activities. It was wonderful to see their enthusiasm and teamwork shine throughout their time away. A big thank you to our Year 5 Teachers, Mrs Sheahan, Mrs Kym Giliberto, Regan Kernke, Ryan Sheahan, Vanessa Torrisi, Cassandra Venturato for giving of your time and your assistance in making the Year 5 Camp a memorable experience.
This week also marked the beginning of our Prep 2026 Transition sessions. It was a joy to welcome our newest learners and their families into our classrooms for the first time. These sessions help our incoming Preps begin to feel comfortable and connected, and we look forward to continuing this journey with them over the coming weeks.
Our Year 6 students have also been busy showcasing their talents and knowledge through the Quest for Knowledge competition and the Frank Fraser Memorial Lecturette District Finals. A big congratulations to Cianne Lyons who was awarded the 2026 winner of the Frank Fraser Memorial Lecturette competition, with her speech titled “The Power of Positive Thinking”. We are incredibly proud of the way they represented Our Lady of Lourdes with confidence, skill, and sportsmanship.
Finally, we celebrated our first round of assembly awards for the term, recognising students who consistently demonstrate our school values and strive for excellence in their learning. Congratulations to all of our award recipients, your hard work and positive attitude do not go unnoticed.
We have many other exciting things coming up in the next few weeks including the Maraka Festival Float and Mardi Gras. If you are able to assist with the setting up of our float next Saturday morning, we would love your help. We will meet in the hall at 8am and will hopefully have everything ready by 12pm. Any little bit of time you can give would be greatly appreciated.
It is through these shared experiences that we continue to see our students grow as learners, leaders, and members of our OLL community. Thank you to our dedicated staff and supportive families who make these opportunities possible.
Have a wonderful week ahead,
Jo Desailly,
Principal
Dear Families,
Welcome to our fourth and final term of the year! This term, our Year 5 students will be preparing and delivering their leadership speeches, while we also look forward to welcoming our 2025 Preps during the Transition Days.
World Mission Month
October is a special time in the Church’s calendar as we celebrate World Mission Month, recognising the incredible global work of the Church and the commitment of missionaries, both religious and lay, who dedicate their lives to supporting children and communities in need across the world.
This celebration culminates on World Mission Sunday, which this year falls on Sunday, 19 October. It’s a day when the entire Church comes together to pray for and contribute to the vital work being done in mission areas.
At our school, we’ve made it a tradition to raise funds each year through various mission activities to support those in need. This year, we are having a Crazy Crocs, Socks and Hair Day on Thursday, 23 October. Children are to bring a gold coin donation. The contributions we collect will go directly toward helping those less fortunate, in keeping with the spirit of World Mission Month.
The Month of the Rosary
In the Catholic tradition, October holds a special significance as the month dedicated to the Holy Rosary, one of the most cherished devotions in the faith. At the heart of this devotion is a focus on Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the pivotal events in the life of Christ. The highlight of the month is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, celebrated on October 7, reminding us of Mary's intercession and her role in guiding us closer to God.
Praying the Rosary is a meaningful way to celebrate this month, offering a moment of peace and reflection that allows us to meditate on the significant events in Christ’s life. It’s through this devotion that many deepen their relationship with God, finding comfort and strength in each prayerful mystery. This October, we are invited to embrace this beautiful tradition, reflecting on its importance in our faith journey.
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 soon 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.
Each year, families from Lourdes School have generously supported this appeal, and once again, we ask for your cooperation.
Prep: Tinned/packet soup, pudding, cake mix, nuts
Grade 1: Tinned meats, including spaghetti, baked beans etc.
Grade 2: Breakfast cereals, grains (e.g. rice, spaghetti etc.)
Grade 3: Biscuits (sweet or savoury), fruit cakes.
Grade 4: Lollies, processed cheese, Christmas pudding
Grade 5: Tinned vegetables (corn, peas, carrots, three bean mix, beetroot).
Grade 6: Bottles (spaghetti sauce, cordial, jams, vegemite).
| 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 Gori
PAT Adaptive Testing This Week
This week, students in Years 2 to 6 are completing their Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT) in Reading and Mathematics. These adaptive online assessments provide valuable information that helps teachers track student growth and achievement over time.
PAT Maths Adaptive
The PAT Maths assessment measures students’ understanding across:
- Number and Algebra
- Measurement and Geometry
- Statistics and Probability
It focuses on the mathematical proficiencies of fluency, understanding, problem solving, and reasoning. Each student begins the test at an appropriate level for their ability, and the questions adapt in difficulty as they respond. The test takes approximately 40 minutes to complete.
PAT Reading Adaptive
The PAT Reading assessment focuses on reading comprehension, measuring how well students can:
- Retrieve information
- Interpret explicit and implied meaning
- Reflect on and evaluate texts
Students respond to a variety of multiple-choice and complex multiple-choice questions over 45 minutes, with passages drawn from a range of text types.
How the Data Is Used
Once testing is complete, teachers use the PAT data to identify individual student strengths and areas for improvement. This information helps inform teaching practices by:
- Highlighting specific skills or concepts that may need to be consolidated or revisited.
- Guiding teachers in planning targeted lessons and providing additional support or extension where needed.
- Identifying trends across the class or year level which can reveal areas of the curriculum that may need further focus.
- Supporting ongoing monitoring of student growth throughout the year.
Both PAT Reading and PAT Maths are aligned to the Australian Curriculum and supported by hundreds of resources available in the PAT Teaching Resources Centre.
We encourage students to approach their PAT tests with confidence, take their time, and do their very best. These assessments help us celebrate each student’s progress and ensure every learner is supported to reach their full potential.
Dear Families,
As we near the end of term it is important to remember to take care of our physical, but equally as important our mental health.
World Mental Health Day is marked every year on 10th 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 its 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://olltsv.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-world-mental-health-day-au
Kate Stringini
Guidance Counsellor
Year 3 Author's Workshop & Design Technology
What an incredible experience our Year 5 students had on camp at Echo Creek! The excitement began with a stop at the Cardwell Historic Museum for morning tea. Students explored the history of Cardwell, learning about the old court system, communication methods, and what kitchens looked like in the olden days. There was plenty of laughter (and a few shocked faces!) when they discovered the old-fashioned dunny outhouses! A huge thank you to the lovely volunteers at the Cardwell Information Centre for their warm hospitality and for allowing us to share morning tea and explore the museum.
After our visit, we jumped back on the bus and made our way to Echo Creek. As we drove in, the rain began to fall, and the adults started to worry about a very wet camp! Luckily, as we arrived and unpacked, the rain eased, and students settled into their quarters and tents for the next two days of adventure.
The fun kicked off quickly, with students divided into three groups to begin their activities. On day one, they completed two exciting challenges. The first was raft building, where students used their newly learned rope-tying skills and design thinking to create a raft capable of transporting them across the dam and back. This activity was as entertaining as it was challenging, with students showing leadership, teamwork, and resilience throughout.
Next came the abseiling and rock wall! During our evening reflection, this was the most talked-about activity of the day. Many students overcame their fears of heights, supported by the amazing and encouraging Echo Creek staff.
The final activity of camp was the Challenge Course—and it certainly lived up to its name! Students climbed, jumped, carried, crawled, and slid their way through the muddy obstacle course, showing impressive teamwork and determination as they worked together to conquer each challenge.
Our first night ended beautifully with a special liturgy, where we reflected on our experiences and looked ahead to an exciting year to come. The evening continued with trivia, music, night-time volleyball, and lots of laughter—a perfect way to unwind after a big day.
The next morning began with a fitness session led by Mr Sheahan, followed by the most delicious pancakes cooked by the talented in-house chefs. Echo Creek Camp was a true adventure filled with laughter, learning, teamwork, and unforgettable memories. Our Year 5 students returned home a little muddier, a little braver, and a whole lot prouder of what they achieved together!
We would like to sincerely thank our families for their support in making this experience possible for our students. A heartfelt thank you also goes to our amazing teachers, Mrs Sheahan, Mrs Venturato, Ms Kimberley, and Mrs Dunn for all their hard work in preparing for camp and for giving up their time to be with our students. To Mrs Giliberto, our wonderful Chaplain, thank you for your constant guidance and encouragement and for also giving up your personal time to be with us. And of course, a huge thank you to our parent helpers—Mr Sheahan, Mr Kernke, Mrs Torrisi, and Mrs Venturato for your incredible support and encouragement throughout the camp.
A special mention to our Year 5 students who are to be congratulated on their amazing behaviour, manners and engagement with all camp activities. You kids were AMAZING!
Our Year 5 Campers said:
Chloe Celotto:
I loved everything, especially the challenge course and volleyball. Thank you, Mrs Sheahan and teachers! We had a good time.
Georgia Myles:
My favourite thing at camp was rock climbing and having fun with my friends.
Matisse Scovazzi:
The best part of camp was abseiling and rock climbing for sure! I went up the rock wall about 15 times!
Parker Sheahan:
The most memorable part of camp was when the raft broke in the raft building because we were all laughing, stuck in the mud at the bottom of the dam and it was chaos.
Kadence Torrisi:
The most memorable part of camp was watching my friends climb the rock wall, and they were three rocks away from the top, and they just flopped down.
Mitch Roati:
My favourite memory at camp was going on the challenge course and getting sprayed with the hose by Mrs Sheahan and crawling under the ropes.
Nico Li:
I loved everything, from the start of the day to the end.
Jasmine Gianotti:
I loved the rock wall, the raft building and the challenge course. I had an amazing time!
Lotti Duffy:
My favourite part of our camp was getting all muddy on the challenge course with my friends.
Jethro Accendere:
Frank Fraser Lecturette Finals
Congratulations to Cianne who was awarded the 2026 Frank Fraser Lecturette competition winner, with her speech “The Power of Positive Thinking”.
Athletics
2025 Northern Regional School Sport - Track & Field
Tilly Poppi has been selected to represent at the QLD School Sport Track & Field State Championships.
She will be competing in the Tetrathlon Combined Event - 100m Sprint, Long Jump, Shot Put and 800m.
She competed with 21 girls from across the state placing 6th in the state.
| Prep A | Gabriella Barbi, Irisa Squires |
| Prep B | Brielle Ranaweena, Rory Sheahan |
| 1A | Olivia Truffa, William Orton |
| 1B | Ariana Lahtinen, Elle Vardanega |
| 2A | Clay Long, Cristiano Rapista |
| 2B | Blake Dametto, Harry Lannen |
| 3A | Hudson Cash, Keaton Bradshaw |
| 3B | Alyssa Fichera, Flynn Scovazzi |
| 4A | Elizabeth Briggs, Ty McLaughlin, Chase Bartolini |
| 4B | Taran Singh, Will Lahtinen |
| 5A | Hugo Guandalini, Chloe Celotto |
| 5B | Lucas Briggs, Cooper Cocking |
| 6A | Phoebe Hansen-Polzin, Cianne Lyons |
| 6B | Nevaeh Tascas, Jaidon Monro |
Podcast Interview: Friendship Fires with Dana Kerford
Growing up, were you taught friendship skills?
Educators and parents today have become more aware of how important it is to teach children friendship skills. With the onslaught of social media and technology, friendships have considerably evolved; but in other ways, they remain the same as when you were young: we all want to get along and belong.
In this heartfelt conversation, Meg speaks with friendship expert and founder of URSTRONG, Dana Kerford. With a global reach of over 1 million, URSTRONG teaches schools and educators how to empower kids with friendship and relationship skills that will benefit them for their entire lives. In this conversation, you’ll learn what is friendship and why learning friendship and relationship skills is essential at a young age. You’ll also walk away with actionable tips you can bring to the classroom to promote wellbeing for all.
In this conversation we discuss:
- The importance of friendship skills
- Why being friends with everyone is bad advice
- How to put a Friendship Fire out
- And so much more…
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW
For more media interviews, pop on over to our PRESS page. We have been featured on TV shows, radio programs, podcasts, newspapers, magazines, and blogs across the world!
