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Dearest Our Lady of Lourdes Families,
Firstly, thank you to all the families who joined us last Saturday evening for our very first Our Lady of Lourdes Family Mass. It was a beautiful opportunity to gather as a school community, celebrate together in liturgy, and enjoy a time of fellowship afterwards.
A special thank you to Fr John for presiding and sharing this special evening with us.
We hope to make this a regular event each term and look forward to welcoming even more families next time.
As we approach the middle of the term, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support and involvement in the life of our school. At Our Lady of Lourdes, we are blessed with a strong and connected community that works together to ensure our students grow and flourish, both academically and personally.
This week, I’d like to highlight the importance of positive parent engagement and the significant impact it has on student success.
We believe that education is most effective when it is a partnership between school and home. When parents are actively involved in their child’s learning journey, it builds a strong foundation that supports achievement, wellbeing, and growth. Research shows that students with engaged families tend to have stronger academic outcomes, better attendance, and more positive relationships at school.
Here are a few simple but powerful ways you can continue supporting your child’s learning:
- Stay Connected: Keep up-to-date with classroom activities and school events. Ask your child about their day, review their homework, and celebrate their progress.
- Partner with Teachers: Please feel comfortable reaching out to your child’s teacher with any questions or concerns. Open, respectful communication helps us work together to support each student.
- Encourage Curiosity: Share a love of learning at home by reading together, asking questions, and exploring new ideas and experiences as a family.
At Our Lady of Lourdes, we are committed to helping every child reach their full potential. This happens through our shared commitment, school staff, parents, and carers all working together. Here are some of the ways we’re continuing to support your child’s growth and development:
- Personalised Learning: Our teachers use data and observations to meet students where they are and support their progress at their own pace.
- Extracurricular Involvement: We encourage students to participate in activities beyond the classroom - whether that’s in sports, the arts, or other co-curricular opportunities. These experiences help build confidence, friendships, and new skills.
- Wellbeing and Support: We understand the importance of social-emotional learning in helping students thrive. Our dedicated teachers and support staff are here to walk alongside students through challenges, celebrate their successes, and foster resilience and kindness.
Thank you once again for all you do to support your child and our school community. It truly makes a difference.
Blessings for the week ahead,
Jo Desailly
Principal
Dear Families,
It’s been a lively and memorable few weeks in our school community. From the enriching activities of Catholic Education Week to the joy and wonder of Under 8's Day, there’s been no shortage of celebration and learning. Most recently, our students showcased their skills and teamwork at the Barnes Cup, representing our school with pride. A huge thank you to all staff, students, and families for your ongoing support and enthusiasm.
APRE Conference – Professional Development and Faith Reflection
Earlier this week, our Assistant Principal Religious Education (APRE) joined Father Damian at the APRE Conference, a valuable gathering for APREs from across the diocese. The conference offered enriching opportunities for professional development and connection, allowing leaders to share insights, support one another, and grow in their shared mission.
This year’s focus, “The Treasure of the Mass,” invited attendees to explore each part of the Mass in greater depth, enhancing our understanding. It was a thought-provoking experience that will continue to guide our faith leadership within the school.
Faith & Sacramental Life
As we journey through Term 3, our hearts turn to a very special occasion in the spiritual lives of our students. Our Year 3 children are preparing to receive their First Holy Communion, a sacred step in their faith journey. We ask that you keep these students in your prayers as they reflect, learn, and grow closer to God.
The celebration of First Holy Communion will take place at St Patrick's Church, Ingham, on Sunday, September 14th. We look forward to gathering as a community to support and celebrate this beautiful milestone.
Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop
Our school came together in a special way to celebrate the feast day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia's first saint and a guiding light in our Catholic tradition. Students across all year levels participated in whole-school Christian meditation within their classrooms, taking quiet moments to reflect and connect spiritually.
Mary MacKillop’s early Sisters described her as a woman of great heart, one whose life and mission flowed from a deep relationship with God. Through her love, compassion, and attentive listening to God’s call, she became a living reflection of God’s presence in the world. Her legacy continues to inspire us to act with kindness, courage, and faith in our daily lives.
Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
On August 15, we commemorate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a treasured celebration within the Catholic Church. This solemn day reflects the belief that Mary was taken into heaven, body and soul, following her earthly life—a profound affirmation of the dignity of the human body and the promise of eternal life.
The Assumption invites us to reflect on the sacredness of our own humanity and the spiritual journey that leads us closer to God. As a school community, we honour Mary’s unwavering faith and devotion, and we are reminded of the hope and grace that this feast day represents.
Year of Jubilee Art Competition
Year of Jubilee Art Competition – Diocesan Winner Announced
We’re thrilled to announce that Amber Bridges from Our Lady of Lourdes has been named the winner of the Year of Jubilee Art Competition, held across our diocese. Open to students from Prep through to Year 12, the competition invited schools to submit just one entry, making this achievement especially meaningful.
Inspired by the theme "Pilgrims of Hope," Amber created a stunning sketch that reimagined Michelangelo’s iconic depiction of Adam and God reaching toward one another. Her artwork beautifully symbolises Adam as the first pilgrim on a journey of hope, blending faith, creativity, and insight in a powerful expression.
Congratulations, Amber, on your inspiring work and well-deserved recognition!
God Bless
Moris Gori
Amplify Dance Brings Energy and Joy to Our School
This term, our students have been absolutely loving their Amplify Dance lessons! The program has brought a fresh wave of energy and excitement into our classrooms, with dynamic routines set to current, popular music that students know and enjoy. Each session isn’t just about movement; it’s about building confidence, rhythm, coordination, and teamwork.
The engaging choreography has sparked a buzz across the school, with students eager to jump in, learn new moves, and express themselves through dance. Whether students are grooving to pop, stepping to country, or moving to funky rhythms, the upbeat music keeps dance sessions exciting and eagerly awaited.
To celebrate this growing love for dance, Friday mornings before school have become our very own Dance Party! Students have been proudly sharing their moves with Mrs Sheahan and Mrs Desailly, and are thoroughly enjoying this feel-good start to the last day of the week, joined by friends and staff alike.
The Amplify Dance program is doing more than teaching steps; it’s amplifying student engagement, creativity, and joy. We’re excited to see how their skills and confidence continue to grow throughout the term.
We’re also hoping to showcase our class dances on the 11th of September. If all goes to plan, the event will be held in the Menegon Centre. Stay tuned as more details will be shared in the coming weeks!
What is the Early Years Screening for Prep and Year 1 students?
The Early Years Screening is a collaborative process involving teachers, parents, and students. This valuable initiative enhances teacher capability and deepens understanding of our young learners. It supports student learning by identifying individual strengths and areas for growth and strengthens parent engagement by providing up-to-date data on student progress.
The screening process follows a comprehensive cycle that includes pre-screening, evidence-based feedback for parents, teachers, and students, targeted pedagogy, alignment with the Australian Curriculum, parent involvement, post-screening, and ongoing, data-informed feedback. It provides critical insights into students’ development in numeracy, oral language, and literacy.
Our Prep and Year 1 teachers have now commenced the post-screening phase, gathering current data to identify student growth in key learning areas. This information plays a vital role in guiding targeted planning and instruction for the remainder of the year, ensuring every child continues to progress with confidence.
Once the data is released back to schools, it will be shared with families during our next parent meetings, offering a clear picture of how each student is tracking in their early learning journey.
If you have any questions, please talk with our Prep, Year 1 teachers or myself.
Sarah Sheahan
Townsville Catholic Education Early Years Testing Plan
Catholic Education Week Mass
Spirit of Catholic Education Award Nominee - Mrs Kym Giliberto
Under 8's and Prep Open Day
Under 8s Day & Prep Expo 
Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures
Ensuring the safety of our students, staff, and families during drop off and pick-up times is our top priority. To help maintain a smooth and secure process, we kindly ask for your cooperation in following these important guidelines:
- Please use designated drop off and pick-up areas only
- Please do not exit your vehicles in the 'Quick Pick Up' area (which is temporarily out the front of the school) both before and after school.
- Pull forward to keep traffic flowing.
- Please wait your turn, do not pull in front of other cars.
- Do not block crossings or double park.
- Please refrain from being on your phone whilst waiting for your turn in the pick up line.
Pedestrian Safety:
- Always use designated crossings and follow the directions of staff and safety volunteers.
- Do not walk in between cars in the 'Quick Pick Up' area
- Hold your child’s hand when crossing the street.
Patience & Courtesy:
- Follow all speed limits and traffic signs.
- Be mindful of our staff and fellow parents—safety comes first!
Your cooperation helps keep our school community safe and ensures a smooth transition for all families. Thank you for your attention to these guidelines and helping us create a safe environment for our students.
Save the Date - Our lady of Lourdes Christmas Fair
100 Days of Prep!
On Monday the 4th August our Preppies celebrated 100 Grand Days of Prep.
Year 4 Italian
Barnes Cup District Athletics Carnival
This week, students from Our Lady of Lourdes competed in the annual Barnes Cup, a district-wide athletics carnival bringing together schools for a day of sporting challenge and celebration. Our students rose to the occasion with determination and pride, delivering standout performances across track and field events. Their collective effort earned us the Barnes Shield for highest overall points. We also placed second for the Barnes Cup. A big thank you to our staff for their behind-the-scenes organisation, supervision, and event-day support. And to our families, your encouragement and help made all the difference. Well done to everyone involved!
| Prep A | Irisa Squires , Hudson Fichera |
| Prep B | Aria Bligh, Robbie Pollock |
| 1A | Dale Venturato, Chad Ferrero |
| 1B | Lucia Fichera, Matthew Skinner |
| 2A | Rei Howarth, Olivia Egan |
| 2B | Imogen Cohen, Chloe Chiesa |
| 3A | Kyran McKay, Evie Gibson, Lane Pizzi |
| 3B | Gauransh Madnawat, Nicola Succio |
| 4A | Abigail Argent, Lara Skinner-Reynolds |
| 4B | Illah Pearmain, Charles Rackley |
| 5A | Ellie Allen, Quinn Demorest, Maxx Kernke, Jethro Accendre |
| 5B | Diaz Roveda, Addalyn Board, Tilda Pollock, |
| 6A | Alexis Catasti, Jewel Crisp, Adele Guazzo, Cianne Lyons |
| 6B | Dexter Spina, Asha Goldfinch, Kloe Shephard, Kyla Guandalini |
URStrong
How to Support Kids with Friendship Issues Online
- “What do I do when my friend is constantly spamming me?”
- “What if I keep getting added to a group chat on WhatsApp, but I don’t want to be?”
- “Whenever I play video games online with my friend, they just leave the game if I do something they don’t agree with & then ignore me.”
- “My friends keep doing #rates, so I tried it and now my self-esteem is crushed.”
- “What do I do when my friend won’t let me go to sleep? They want me to stay online with them all night and get mad at me if I get off because I’m tired.”
- And, one of the most disturbing questions I’ve heard recently: “Someone in my social network anonymously sent me mean, horrible messages online. They told me nobody likes me and I should kill myself. I don’t know who it was, but now I’m questioning all my friendships. What do I do?”
Over the past few years, I have seen significant changes in friendships for kids. While the online world was part of kids’ friendships prior to the pandemic, lockdowns and school closures meant that ‘online’ was the only way to engage with friends. They were thrown into this digital way of interacting and connecting with little-to-no guidance. Remote learning meant remote friendships.
Guiding kids to foster healthy friendships through video games, social media platforms, their zoom classes… This is a whole new territory in the field of friendship and social psychology. Helping children navigate friendships online is complicated. It’s like aiming at a moving target with a blindfold on – there are so many unknowns and things are changing so quickly.
As a friendship researcher and curriculum writer, developing language & strategies to support kids’ friendships at school has been my focus. Our curriculum, Friendology 101, is packed full of common scenarios that kids experience in friendships at school. When it comes to friendships online, we are constantly uncovering new challenges kids are facing. It feels like every day we learn about a new feature (did you know kids can send anonymous messages in some social media platforms?), new lingo (“rates” = did you know kids ask their friends to rate their appearance out of 10 when they post pics?), and never-been-heard-before Friendship Fires® that spark online. In a recent Q&A with one of our URSTRONG Schools in Australia, I received 300 questions from students – many of which were related to friendship issues online.
In our Friendology curriculum, we provide students in Years 5 to 8 with tips for keeping their friendships healthy online. We discuss the power of emojis, what to do when a Friendship Fire® sparks online, how to kindly decline when a friend keeps asking you to play online, and so on. As we continue to learn from the kids and the emerging research, these modules within our curriculum are under constant refinement and improvement. We are committed to being on-the-pulse of what friendships look like both in-person and online for our youth.
With all of this in mind, what can parents & teachers do to support kids who experience friendship issues online?
Here are a few things we have learned along the way:
- Be the student. Kids are the gate-keepers to this new world. They’re the ones who are teaching us what’s going on, how other kids are engaging online, what new features & platforms exist, and what’s happening. Ask questions so that you can learn and better understand their online world. To keep the lines of communication open, follow Walt Whitman’s advice: “Be curious, not judgmental.” (You can also learn a lot from Common Sense Media)
- Understand the science of consequences. Kids often do not report friendship issues online because they’re worried parents or teachers will take their device away or make them delete the app/game/platform. We need to remember that a child who has sought help & support has done the right thing. When you take their device away or ban them from TikTok or SnapChat or Among Us, you have given them a negative consequence – which feels like a punishment. This means they are less likely to open up to you again because you’ve taken something they love away.
- Involve them in the plan. Our job, as grown-ups, is to protect children. There are no doubt times when the issue that’s been presented requires adult intervention. If this means you need to report the incident to the school or contact the local police, ensure that your child is aware of the action that you’re taking. They will, inevitably, feel very nervous and worry that this will make matters worse. Talk it through with them. When you involve your child, you can address their concerns and maintain that sense of trust & support. When you do it behind their back or against their wishes, it scares them and you erode their trust.
- Be their safe place to land. It’s scary for a child to see or hear things that are not meant for a young person’s eyes and ears. And, it’s heartbreaking when their friends are rude or unkind. Whether it’s issues with friends online or inappropriate videos or language, be that safe place they can go to when they feel scared or unsettled. Support and comfort them & help them focus on what they can control. Help shift their attention to positive, healthy friendships and things that bring them joy.
- Be aware of your own negativity bias. Our brains are wired to look for what’s wrong. As described by Dr Martin Seligman, this is a protective instinct that goes back to the caveman days – we seek threats to protect our family. As parents, that protective instinct is strong and this means you sometimes overreact. Try to stay calm and consider the many ways the message could be misinterpreted. When it comes to the online world, non-verbal communication (representing 93% of how we understand each other) is non-existent – and misinterpretations happen all the time.
- Remember, these are children. Sometimes parents forget that the person on the end of the device is a child – someone who is still learning and makes mistakes. As I heard described recently by a Child Psychologist, children are pro-social, truth-tellers. They are still learning how to be kind & honest at the same time. A child texting, “Stop calling me!” is a child who hasn’t yet learned how to kindly decline. Give them the benefit of the doubt and show the same kindness and compassion you’d hope other parents show your child when they forget their manners.
And, finally, use our ‘language of friendship’ when talking to your child. We are all about kids’ language for kids’ problems and it’s helpful to have easy-to-use lingo and visuals for supporting kids in friendships. All of the tools taught in our curriculum can be used to help children whether their friendship issue happened in-person or online. Having tools like the Friend-o-Meter, the Friend-o-Cycle, Quick Comebacks, give parents & teachers a framework for these sometimes-tricky conversations. This language also helps diffuse & de-escalate the situation and put it into context. Ask your child questions like:
- “Where is your friendship on the Friend-o-Meter?”
- “Was that a Friendship Fire or Mean-on-Purpose?”
- “Did you type your Quick Comeback?”
- “What’s your next step on the Friend-o-Cycle?”
We want to empower children in their friendships so they know how to handle the inevitable conflicts that will arise…whether they’re in person, online, or in some high-tech immersive virtual world with avatars. Wherever they are, we want to empower them with skills and support them from the sidelines.
Written by Dana Kerford
Founder & Friendship Expert
Learn our Language of Friendship
Are you new to our ‘language of friendship’ and want to learn more? Sign-up for a FREE URSTRONG Family membership to get access to hundreds of resources including a video series aptly called: The Language of Friendship.
Through a series of 10 videos, you and your child will learn our easy-to-use friendship strategy that is in URSTRONG Schools around the world. Join now for free!
On Tuesday evening, representatives from Our Lady of Lourdes, St Peter’s, Gilroy Santa Maria College, and St Teresa’s Abergowrie College came together with members of our school communities and Traditional Owners for the Hinchinbrook First Nations Education Advisory Meeting. The evening was facilitated by Kim McCosker, our TCE First Nations Education Advisor, and provided a valuable opportunity to connect, share the great work happening in our schools, and begin important conversations about future directions in supporting First Nations education across our region. We look forward to meeting again next term.
Youth Mass – All Are Welcome!
Join us for a special Youth Mass on Saturday, 16th August 2025 at 6.00pm at St Patrick’s Church, Ingham.
This is a beautiful opportunity for young people, families, and the wider community to come together in faith, celebration, and connection.
Whether you're a regular at Mass or it's your first time in a while—everyone is welcome. Come and be inspired by the voices and spirit of our youth. Let’s fill the church with joy and community!
Ingham Region Catholic Parish Newsletter.