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Dearest Our Lady of Lourdes Families & Community,
It’s hard to believe we have already reached the end of Term 3! What a wonderful and busy term it has been here at Our Lady of Lourdes. Our students have had so many exciting opportunities to learn, grow and shine- from Athletics Carnivals, the Romanello Shield and Touch Carnival, to Under 8’s Day, Cricket Blast, First Holy Communion, Confirmation and of course, our spectacular Dance Showcase.
None of these events would be possible without the dedication of our staff, the enthusiasm of our students, and the ongoing support of our families. Thank you all for everything you have contributed to making this term such a success.
Looking ahead, Term 4 is shaping up to be just as exciting with Maraka, our Christmas Fair, Prep Transition sessions, the Swimming Carnival and many more memorable moments to come.
Please see below important dates for Term 4.
I wish you all a safe, happy and restful holiday break. I look forward to welcoming everyone back for our final term of 2025.
Many Blessings,
Jo Desailly
Dear Families,
First Holy Communion
Congratulations to the students who received the Sacrament of Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist for the first time. The mass was a beautiful celebration for the children and their families. We want to thank Bishop Tim, Fr John, Fr Jomi, and Sr Maite for their support and guidance in making our sacramental celebrations meaningful. Additionally, we appreciate the commitment of staff members, parishioners, students, and their families in preparing the children for their first Holy Communion.
‘May you always know the peace of Jesus, the light of his love, and the joy of his life within you.’
Grandparents’ Day - Friday 24 October
Grandparents Day provides an opportunity for Queenslanders to say ‘thank you’ to grandparents for their care, support, and for sharing their knowledge, experience, and traditions with younger generations. A child’s interactions with their grandparent are often their first experience with an older person. Strong relationships between grandparents and young people help develop positive attitudes towards ageing and older individuals. The bond between grandparents and grandchildren is special. The love, care, wisdom, and teachings shared across generations can last a lifetime. Grandparents can also be your best teachers. Their stories and life experiences offer valuable lessons for us all to learn from and cherish.
On Friday, 24 October, we will celebrate Grandparents’ Day with a learning breakfast starting at 8:15 am, a liturgy in the hall, and morning tea for the grandparents.
World Mission Month - Missionaries of Hope Among All Peoples
The theme, inspired by Pope Francis' message for World Mission Sunday 2025, "Missionaries of Hope Among All Peoples," highlights hope and unity, emphasising how we can collectively turn our faith into action. October marks World Mission Month 2025, a special time to celebrate and support the global Church’s mission work. This month reminds us of the vital role we all play in spreading hope, love, and faith to communities around the world. Through prayer, outreach, and generosity, we can help bring light to those in need. Your generous support today transforms lives. By supporting the Catholic Mission, you help provide essential aid, including food, water, education, and emergency relief, through Church-run programs. You can donate here. Together, we can bring hope and opportunity to those who need it most. Let’s come together this October to embrace the spirit of mission and make a difference beyond borders!
Blessings for a safe, restful and peaceful holiday and that all of our families enjoy some family time.
God Bless.
Mr Moris Gori
A Wonderful Term of Learning
This term has been a wonderful journey of growth and discovery across all year levels. It has been pleasing to see students’ fluency strengthen and to celebrate the impressive pieces of writing they have created, showcasing the skills and knowledge they have developed. This term our novel studies were also a highlight, with students engaging deeply and returning to their chosen texts again and again, reflecting their growing love of literature.
We were also delighted to welcome back Mrs Quabba, who has returned to teaching Italian. It has been so lovely to have her rejoin our team, and our students are thoroughly enjoying exploring all things Italy through language and culture.
Beyond the classroom, students engaged in rich, hands-on learning experiences through a number of educational excursions. Our Prep and Year 3 students visited the Botanical Gardens, where mathematics was brought to life in a natural setting. Year 1 travelled to Forrest Beach to explore the concept of rules in the real world. Year 4 had the privilege of visiting Mungalla Station to engage in an authentic First Nations cultural experience. We are incredibly fortunate in Ingham to have so many wonderful local places where our students can connect their learning to the community around them.
The term concluded on a high note with our Dance Showcase, where students proudly shared their dance skills and celebrated the learning journey they had undertaken. This event was certainly a highlight of the term and a wonderful reflection of the hard work and creativity of our students.
I would like to sincerely thank our dedicated teachers for their commitment to creating engaging and meaningful learning experiences for every child. We are fortunate to have such a supportive and passionate staff who continually strive to bring out the best in every learner. As we close the term, I wish our school community a safe, restful, and happy holiday break.
2025 Dance Showcase and Disco
What a wonderful night we had at our Family Dance Showcase! It was fantastic to see so many families come together to enjoy the evening. Our family BBQ was a hit, and the night was topped off with an incredible showcase of vibrant dances performed by our students.
2025 Year 6 Frank Fraser Lecturettes
Congratualtions to our three finalist Asha, Cianne and Ruby who will compete at Ingham State School for the district finals on the 16th of October.
Lourdes Teams Shine at the Touch Carnival!
The recent Touch Carnival was a day full of excitement, and Lourdes teams made a big impact, with four teams making it to the finals!
Lourdes All-Stars: Champs of the Day!
The All-Stars pulled off an awesome 2-1 win in their final, showing great teamwork and skill. Their strong finish earned them the title, capping off a fantastic performance.
Lourdes Aces: Extra Time Excitement
The Aces had a nail-biting final that ended in a draw after regular time. Extra time could not separate the teams, but because Lourdes were the first to score, they secured a well-earned victory. It was a thrilling match from start to finish!
Lourdes Broncos: Extra Time Victory
The Broncos also found themselves in extra time, and after a tense battle, they emerged victorious!
Lourdes Dolphins: A Brave Effort
The Dolphins gave it their all in their final but came up just short. They played with heart and determination.
A Day to Remember
Overall, the day was a great showcase of talent, teamwork, and fun. Every team gave it their best, and whether they came out on top or not, they made us proud. Congratulations to all the teams for a fantastic carnival. Thank you to all the staff and parents for your help!
| Prep A | Ruby Mellor, Ryder Lazzaroni |
| Prep B | Beau Dametto, Ethan Thomson |
| 1A | Mason Christensen, William Orton |
| 1B | Miller Hansen, Maya Menegon |
| 2A | Adah Olivero, Halle Vardanega |
| 2B | Zoe Marmarello, Wiliam Neitz |
| 3A | Asher Winship, Elise Truffa |
| 3B | Finn Fontana, Arlo Mastrippilto |
| 4A | Isla Vardanega, Paysen Seri |
| 4B | Isla Neitz, Khiem Pham |
| 5A | Ella Muller, Mitch Roati |
| 5B | Shaun Venturato, Briella McLaughlin |
| 6A | Bridgette Vecchio, Coen Guerra |
| 6B | Tayte Crisafulli, Jamii-Lee Richmond |
MARAKA PROCESSION FLOAT
It's almost Maraka time again, can you believe it!! Our Lady of Lourdes will once again participate in the Maraka Procession for 2025. Mrs Leanne Demorest, along with our FACE committee, have kindly offered to coordinate this event again this year. The annual Maraka procession will take place on Saturday October 25th.
This year the theme is ‘MUSIC THRU THE AGES’. We will decorate the float with all things music, celebrating ‘Lourdes dancing through the decades.’ We will be travelling through the decades of music starting with 50s Rock n Roll, then moving to 60s-70s disco, 80s-90s pop/hip hop to 00s-now our famous music stars. This year we have decided to give each Year level and era of music to dress up in.
Prep - 50s
Year 1 - 70s
Year 2 - 90s
Year 3 - 00s
Year 4 - 80s
Year 5 - 60s
Year 6 - Free choice - choose from any decade
Children can also come dressed as a famous music icon of that era. I have attached a list of costume ideas for your music era.
All children who wish to participate must convene at 4.30 pm on Gedge Street. The procession will begin at 5 pm and do two laps of town. All children from Prep to Year 6 are welcome to participate.
We usually have many children to fit on the float, so we ask Year 6’s, and possibly some Year 5’s, to walk alongside the float. Lolly bags will be available for the Year 5’s and 6’s to hand out to spectators; however, there are no throwing lollies from the moving truck. Please ensure your child is wearing sunscreen and brings a water bottle along, as it can be very hot sitting on the float.
If anyone can spare some time on Saturday morning to help set up the float, and to dismantle the float straight after the procession, it would be greatly appreciated. I hope to see you all for our annual Maraka celebration and look forward to seeing all your wonderful costumes.
Our Lady of Lourdes 50/50 Cash Raffle
Friendship Groups, Cliques, & Fitting-In
“What if there’s someone in my group that isn’t very nice to me?”
“Can I be in more than one group?”
“What if my group of friends don’t get along with another group?”
“I don’t feel like I fit in with my group and I want to switch groups!”
This pack-like mentality is very common with kids who are striving to find their way in this world, but it’s not always the healthiest approach. Friend groups and cliques can be exclusive and alienating. Stereotypes emerge, peer pressure is at its worst, and kids start to mold to fit the group’s reputation and rules.
Being part of a group, however, can feel good. Kids truly fear social isolation and sometimes make poor choices in their friendships so as to not be seen to be alone. Over the years, countless kids have told us they would rather have a bad friend than no friend at all. Being with a group can feel safe.
In our Friendology 101 curriculum, we talk to students about the difference between healthy and unhealthy friendship groups using the Friend-o-Meter. Some friendship groups feel good and some do not and we discuss the qualities of a healthy friendship group.
To support children to try and break down these invisible walls that exist in their friendships, here are 3 important conversations to have with them:
- Discuss the difference between “fitting in” versus “belonging”, which Dr Brené Brown explores in her research on vulnerability and shame. Our goal is to help children feel that vital sense of belonging. We can feel we belong, even when we’re alone. We can feel we belong, even if we don’t get invited to every birthday party. We can feel we belong, even if our friend is hanging out with another friend. How are you fostering that sense of belonging in your students or your child? We need to reinforce Friendship Fact #3: Trust & respect are the two most important qualities in a friendship and help build that capacity for self-compassion and self-worth in every child.
- Encourage your students or child to think about each friendship individually. Group dynamics are tricky and the reality is that ‘group mentality’ reinforces unhealthy thinking patterns like stereotyping and discrimination. We need to teach children to look at people as individuals; they are more than the sum of their parts. Reinforce Friendship Fact #2: Every friendship is different and encourage your students or child to focus on what works in each one of their individual friendships.
- Glennon Doyle Melton, author of Love Warrior and Untamed, posted a story on Instagram encouraging people to switch to horseshoes instead of circles when they’re standing with a group. A circle is closed off and doesn’t leave room for people to join, while a horseshoe is welcoming. We talk to kids a lot about the messages they’re sending with their body language. What message is the group sending when it stands in a circle? A horseshoe says, “We’ve got room for more!”
If our children are going to form groups, which they will, let’s give them the tools they need to understand they are individuals (and so are their friends) who always belong…even when they’re alone.
Written by Dana Kerford
Friendship Expert and Founder of URSTRONG
Saver Plus is a free, matched savings and financial education program that helps families on lower incomes build their money skills through budgeting workshops and receive up to $500 for education-related expenses.
Participants can put that money towards items such as laptops, books, uniforms, camps & excursions.
Program Highlights:
- Save just $50 a month for 10 months and receive $500 matched savings
- Complete up to 10 hours of online workshops (support provided)
- Flexible start dates – join anytime
- Must hold a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card
- Income from Carer Payment, Child Support, and cash in hand is considered income.
Beyond financial support, Saver Plus fosters dignity, confidence, and long-term well-being.
I've attached promotional materials for your use. If you’d like printed flyers or have any questions, feel free to reach out – I’d be happy to help.
Saver Plus is a funded program by Dept Social Services.
Warm Regards,
Peta Bergan
Community Liaison, Saver Plus | The Smith Family
Darkinjung Country
Mobile: 0466 474 584
“I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Land on which I live”.
The Rotary Club of Hinchinbrook is hosting a Colouring-In Competition as part of the Maraka 2025 Festival celebrations. This exciting competition is open to all children, with a different design available for each age group.
There is no limit to the number of entries, so children are encouraged to enter as many times as they like! Completed entries can be submitted at either Ingham Underages or Donnie Harris Law.
Entries will close on Friday, 11th October 2025, with winners announced at the Mardi Gras on Saturday, 25th October 2025.
We look forward to seeing the creativity of our young artists on display during this year Maraka celebrations!
