Dearest Our Lady of Lourdes Families, 

We have had a truly exciting week at Our Lady of Lourdes celebrating Book Week 2025! The children enjoyed a visit from the Hinchinbrook Library, a special presentation from Amy Aquilini, and an engaging Zoom session with author Matt Cosgrove. One of the highlights was our vibrant Book Week Parade and Reading Picnic, which brought so much joy to our school community.

A very big thank you to Mrs Tricia Mendiolea for her hard work in organising such a wonderful week of activities to inspire a love of reading in our students.

Attendance Reminder

We have noticed an increase in student absences on Mondays and Fridays, as well as some extended absences. Regular attendance is so important for student learning and wellbeing, and we appreciate your support in ensuring your child is at school whenever possible.

If your child will be absent for an extended period (more than 7 days), please notify both your child’s classroom teacher and myself so that we can best support their learning during this time.

Save the Date – OLL Christmas Fair!

We are very excited to invite you to our Christmas Fair on Friday 14th November 2025 from 5:00pm – 9:00pm. It will be a wonderful evening for the whole family, filled with Christmas spirit and community fun.

Highlights include:

• A special Christmas Concert by our Prep – Year 2 students
  
  
• Delicious food stalls
  
  
• Christmas markets with handcrafted gifts made by our community
  
  
• A Cent Sale and raffles
  
  

50/50 Raffle Tickets went home with students this week. More books are available from the office if you would like extras. Remember – the more tickets sold, the bigger the prize pool becomes!

We can’t wait to celebrate with you all and make this a fantastic community event.

2026 Class Placement 

As we begin planning for the 2026 academic year, we are mindful of the importance of thoughtful class placement to ensure the best possible learning environment for all students.

The process of forming class groups is a detailed and careful one. Our aim is to create balanced classes that consider a range of factors, including gender, learning styles, support needs, academic levels, and social-emotional capacities.

If you believe there are specific educational reasons that we should take into consideration when placing your child, we welcome you to share this information with us by emailing jdesailly1@olltsv.catholic.edu.au by Friday, September 19, 2025.  

While we are unable to accommodate requests for particular teachers, we will do our best to ensure your child’s needs are thoughtfully considered as part of the process.

Thank you for your understanding and for supporting our efforts to create balanced and positive learning environments for all students.

May God bless your and your family,

Jo Desailly

Principal

Dear Families,

In the Catholic Church, August is traditionally dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and because her heart always leads us to her Son, August is devoted to Mary’s Immaculate Heart.

In August, we celebrate the Feast Day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15 (a solemn feast marking her being taken body and soul into heaven) and the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 22 (acknowledging her as Queen of Heaven and Earth).

These feasts make August a suitable time to reflect on her Immaculate Heart, which rejoices in God’s glory. It is a special way of drawing us closer to her maternal love and her deep union with the Heart of Jesus. This devotion highlights Mary’s interior life, her joys, sorrows, virtues, and above all, her pure and loving heart, perfectly aligned with the will of God.

Let August be a time to let Mary’s heart shape yours, gentle, humble, and courageous.

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.

Social Justice Sunday - 31 August 2025

In Australia today, many people are facing very tough times. Sadly, more than 273,000 people needed help from homelessness services last year, and many of them are also struggling with their health. Sometimes, there are not enough services to give everyone the care and support they need.

This year’s Social Justice Statement reminds us to follow the example of Jesus, who always noticed, listened to, and cared for people who were left out or in need. Just as Jesus healed the blind man Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46–52), we too are called to open our eyes and hearts, and to respond with kindness and compassion to those who are struggling.

This Jubilee Year 2025, Pope Francis reminded us that we are all “Pilgrims of Hope.” Let us be a community that brings healing, dignity, and hope. Let us walk with those who are homeless and mentally unwell, not just as service providers, but as neighbours and friends.

A Prayer for Pilgrims of Hope 

O God, Source of all Life, you created earth as our home and us in your image, out of love. Set our hearts astir with that same love, that we might build a culture of encounter and systems that justly serve those living in homelessness and mental ill-health.

Jesus our Brother, you noticed those living on the edge, listened, healed and served them, out of love. Move us from our embarrassment or discomfort by those who show us your suffering face. Instead, may we be taught by them, offer our loving friendship and share your good news together. 

Holy Spirit, Source of all Hope, you inspire our relationships with transforming power, out of love. Deepen our vision and enlarge our hearts so that the fear and isolation of homelessness and mental ill-health may be countered by love’s warmth and certainty, that we might walk together as pilgrims of hope. 

Amen.

Season of Creation

Season of Creation is a beautiful, ecumenical celebration observed from September 1 to October 4, culminating on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. It’s a time when Christians around the world unite in prayer, reflection, and action to care for our common home and renew our relationship with all of creation.

2025 Theme: Peace with Creation

Inspired by Isaiah 32:14–18, this year’s theme calls us to restore justice and harmony between humanity and the Earth. The symbol is the Garden of Peace, featuring a dove with an olive branch—echoing the biblical image of hope and renewal after the flood.

Why It Matters

• It echoes Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ call to ecological conversion and care for our planet.
• It invites communities to repent, reconcile, and renew their commitment to environmental justice.

It’s a chance to celebrate creation through liturgy, art, education, and advocacy.

God Bless.

Mr Moris Gori

APPL Weekly Newsletter

Science Week Fun!

Science Week took flight literally at Our Lady of Lourdes, as students from all grades embraced the wonders of experimentation and engineering during two lively lunchtime activities: the Paper Plane Challenge and Making Mixtures.

Paper Plane Challenge: Engineering in Action: The playground transformed into a runway as students tested their aeronautical designs in a thrilling competition to see whose paper plane could fly the farthest, stay airborne the longest, or perform the most loops. Budding engineers experimented with wing shapes, folds, and launch techniques, cheering each other on with infectious enthusiasm. Whether it was a sleek dart or a wide-winged glider, every plane told a story of curiosity and creativity.

Making Mixtures: Messy, Magical Science Inside the science lab, students donned their imaginary lab coats for a hands-on exploration of mixtures. From fizzy reactions to gooey concoctions, the activity invited students to combine everyday ingredients and observe surprising results. Laughter and wide-eyed wonder filled the room as students stirred, poured, and predicted outcomes—learning about solubility, texture, and chemical reactions in the most engaging way possible.

A Week of Wonder: These structured lunchtime activities were a hit across all year levels, offering a joyful blend of play and learning. Teachers praised the events for sparking scientific thinking and collaboration, while students left with sticky fingers, folded masterpieces, and a renewed excitement for discovery.

Science Week may be over, but the spirit of exploration is still flying high as our teachers begin to familiarise themselves this year with Version 9 Australian Curriculum Science, which will be embedded into our Our Lady of Lourdes Curriculum in 2026.

Why Reading Aloud Matters: Building Literacy and Connection Through Story Time

At Our Lady of Lourdes, we know that a love of reading begins long before children can read on their own. Sharing stories, songs, and conversations with your child is one of the most powerful ways to support their early literacy development and it’s also a wonderful way to bond. 

Words, Sounds, and Wonder When you read aloud, your child learns how language works. They hear new words, explore rhythm and rhyme, and begin to understand how stories are structured. Sitting close and listening to your voice especially when you use expression, funny voices, or dramatic pauses helps them connect meaning with sound. They’ll also learn how to hold a book, turn pages gently, and follow the flow of a story.

Make Story Time Fun Reading doesn’t have to be serious! In fact, the sillier the better. Try changing the storyline, using goofy voices, or acting out parts of the book. This keeps your child engaged and shows them that reading is joyful. You can encourage participation by asking your child to choose the book, suggest ideas for the plot, or even decide how a character should sound.

Learning Through Stories Books are a safe way for children to explore emotions, understand real-life situations, and distinguish between reality and imagination. Stories about going to the dentist, starting school, or visiting the hospital can help children prepare for new experiences. Talking about what happens in the story and how characters feel builds empathy and emotional awareness.

Change the Scenery Reading in different locations can make story time feel fresh and exciting. Try reading outside, at the beach, or even in a cosy corner of the shopping centre. Books that reflect your child’s world familiar places, events, or people can spark meaningful conversations and deepen their understanding.

Before, During, and After Reading

• Before: Let your child choose the book. Sit side by side and talk about the cover and title.
• During: Read slowly, use humour, and point out details in the pictures. Ask questions and encourage your child to join in.
• After: Invite your child to revisit favourite pages, ask what they liked most, or imagine how they’d change the story.

It is important that each day, your child has the opportunity to read or be read to at home. This daily fluency practice reinforces the key learning that they are doing in the classroom and helps to build confidence, vocabulary, and a love of reading. Even just 10–15 minutes a day can make a big difference. 

Barnes Cup

Well done to our school for winning the Barnes Shield this year! Lourdes placed second in the Barnes Cup on the day, which is a great effort. Special thanks to all of the teachers, school staff, parents and friends who helped in any way. It was a great day! 

Children selected from the Barnes Cup will be invited to participate in the NQ Athletics Trials on 2 September at the Sports Precinct in Townsville. There are qualifying times, distances, heights, etc, for every event, so getting a place at the Barnes Cup does not mean your child will move forward to the next level of competition. Notes have been distributed to the 9 - 11-year-olds. The 12-year-olds will receive a note early next week.

Term 3 Physical Education: Touch Football

Touch Football Takes Centre Stage in PE This Term

This term at Our Lady of Lourdes, Physical Education lessons have been buzzing with energy as students sprint, pass, and dodge their way through a dynamic touch football unit. With the added thrill of playing on our brand-new oval, students from all year levels have embraced the challenge of learning new skills and strategies in this fast-paced, inclusive sport.

Each lesson has focused on building core competencies such as accurate passing, effective communication, spatial awareness, and defensive positioning. Students have practiced lateral passing drills, quick footwork sequences, and how to score a try to sharpen their game sense. Small-sided games and modified match scenarios have allowed students to apply these skills in real-time, encouraging teamwork, strategic thinking, and fair play.

Participation has been outstanding, with students showing enthusiasm and resilience as they develop confidence in both individual and team-based play. The emphasis on collaboration and movement has made touch football a favourite across the grades.

Adding to the excitement, selected students from Years 4 to 6 have been invited to represent Our Lady of Lourdes at the upcoming Macknade School Touch Competition, scheduled for Thursday 18th of September,  Week 9. This event will be a fantastic opportunity for our students to showcase their skills, teamwork, and positive sporting attitudes in a friendly and competitive environment.

Permission forms and further details will be sent home shortly. We’re incredibly proud of our students and look forward to cheering them on as they take to the field and represent our school with pride.