Principals Report
Welcome back to Term 3! It has already been a busy and exciting start to the term here at Our Lady of Lourdes.
Last week, we kicked things off with our Athletics Carnival. It was a fantastic two days filled with energy, sportsmanship, and team spirit. A big thank you to Gilroy Santa Maria College for generously allowing us to use their oval for our sprint event - what a beautiful day it was! Also a big thank you to our staff for ensuring the two days have run smoothly. A special mention to Mrs Melissa Inunciaga for all the hard work she has done behind the scenes. Information regarding the selection for Barnes Cup in Week 3 will come out to families in the next week.
This week, we have been proud to celebrate NAIDOC Week, beginning with a whole school liturgy on Monday that reflected on the 2025 theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision, and Legacy. On Tuesday morning, we hosted our NAIDOC Learning Breakfast, where students, staff, and families gathered to share stories and take part in a range of activities designed to deepen our understanding and appreciation of First Nations cultures. It was wonderful to see so many families join us for this special occasion.
Evie and Arcadia joined Sarah Dunn, Kim McCosker and I at the Hinchinbrook NAIDOC celebrations at the Shire Hall. It was lovely to witness the flag raising ceremony and join together with community groups to celebrate First Nations Culture. A big thank you to Sarah Dunn for organising all of our NAIDOC week events this week, it was a wonderful way to celebrate with our school and the wider Hinchinbrook community.
Next week promises to be just as vibrant, as we mark Catholic Education Week, a time to celebrate the rich tradition and mission of Catholic education in our community. We’re also looking forward to Under 8’s Day and our Prep Expo, which are sure to bring joy, fun, and excitement to our youngest learners.
Spirit of Catholic Education Award Nomination
Congratulations to Mrs Kym Giliberto on her nomination for the Spirit of Catholic Education Award which will be presented to her on Monday evening next week at the diocesan celebration. Please see below the details of her very worthy nomination.
Kym Giliberto embodies the Spirit of Catholic Education through her unwavering commitment to serving others with compassion, humility, and joy. As the school chaplain at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, Kym plays a vital role in nurturing the spiritual, emotional, and social well-being of our students, staff, and the wider community.
With tireless dedication, Kym leads the Mini Vinnies group, empowering students to live out the Gospel values through action. Whether organising outreach activities, promoting awareness of social justice issues, or encouraging prayerful reflection, Kym walks alongside our students, helping them grow into compassionate and active members of our faith community.
Kym also raises funds for the missions in a simple yet effective way—by making and selling frozen cups. What may seem like a small initiative has a significant impact in terms of the funds raised and the sense of shared purpose and stewardship it fosters among students.
Within the school, she checks in with children daily, providing a listening ear, words of encouragement, and quiet acts of kindness that often go unseen but are deeply felt. All of this is accomplished in partnership with the children of our school. Kym is deeply committed to involving students in every aspect of her ministry, modelling a faith that is active, inclusive, and grounded in service.
Kym Giliberto is a kind-hearted, thoughtful, and hardworking member of our staff who enriches our school community daily. Through her example, she builds our school's Catholic identity and inspires others to live with faith, hope, and love.
She is a faithful witness to the Spirit of Catholic Education, and we are proud to nominate her for this well-deserved recognition.
Many blessings,
Jo Desailly
Principal