Term 2 Week 1 2025

A Message from the Principal

Dear parents and friends,

It was saddening to hear of the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday. Pope Francis was a remarkable leader of the Catholic Church, known for his deep humility, unwavering compassion for the poor and marginalised, and his tireless advocacy for peace and justice. His ability to speak plainly to both the young and old made him an exceptional Pope for the people—a shepherd who led with both wisdom and heart.

This marks a significant moment in our Church's history, as we now await the announcement of a new Pope. We pray for sound discernment and the guidance of the Holy Spirit as the Cardinals prepare to gather in the Papal Conclave. Some of you may have seen the newly released film Conclave, which explores aspects of this sacred process. Today, as a school and parish, we joined together in a special Mass to celebrate the life and legacy of Pope Francis.

This Friday is ANZAC Day, a solemn occasion where we pause to remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our great nation. As a school, we will participate in the town’s ANZAC Day commemorations by marching together and attending the community service at Edkins Park.

• Students are to wear full formal uniform and meet outside the RSL Club at 8:30am, with all clubs and organisations walking off at 8:45am.
• Families and younger siblings are warmly invited to march with us.
• Our school ANZAC Service will take place in the MPC on Monday at 8:40am, and all parents and friends are invited to attend.

With the recent change in weather, it is timely to revisit our Winter Uniform expectations.

• Jumpers and jackets must be Our Lady’s branded.
• Tracksuit pants should be plain navy.

Our new winter uniform orders are expected to arrive early next week. Once orders have arrived, any student not in correct uniform will be loaned a school jumper for the day. Please also note that while we are proud of students representing the North-West region, regional sports uniforms are not part of our school uniform and should not be worn in place of it.

Finally, we extend a warm welcome to Miss Georgina Paschke, who joins our teaching team for the remainder of the year. Miss Paschke will be taking over the Prep class when Mrs Libby Williams begins maternity leave. She brings with her a passion for early years education, and we are excited to have her as part of our school community.

God bless,

Mr Peter Thurecht
Principal

School Fees Explained

Dear Parents and Carers,

Please find attached a “School Fees Explained” flyer, developed to inform our Catholic Education families of the Federal Government SRS Funding model (Gonski model) and the impact on School Fees for Catholic Schools. The flyer outlines the direct nexus between the Federal Government means-tested Capacity to Contribute of each School community, and School Fees.

125 Year Anniversary Merchandise

Merchandise from the 125-year anniversary including tea towels, stubby coolers, packs of magnets and anniversary magazines are available for purchase from the front office.

Magazine $30

Tea Towel $15

Pack of 3 Magnets $10

Stubby Cooler $10

Reflection - Sr Kym Harris OSB

Where to find your Resurrection life?

Last weekend we celebrated the Resurrection of Jesus – but just what is it that we are celebrating? In a real sense it is easier to ‘appreciate’ Jesus’ suffering and death, after all, we know suffering, we have experienced the passing of loved ones.  Even the Gospel writers who experienced the risen Jesus seem baffled, speaking of someone elusive – even while they staked the rest of their lives on preaching the reality of the amazing life Jesus offered (and still offers).  All our Church life hangs on the reality of this Resurrection.  How are we to appreciate what it means and make it a reality in our lives?

In one of the Easter stories, two of the disciples tell the Risen Jesus, whom they have not recognised, how all their hopes had been in him and that these hopes were dashed when he was tortured and killed.  Then Jesus unravels their story and gives them a new understanding of himself…and of themselves.  Their hopes and dreams were true and valid – they were just looking for their fulfilment in the wrong places, in the wrong way.  We too have hopes and dreams, sometimes ones so amazing that we fear even to tell them to ourselves.  At heart, these dreams are about being loved and loving.   Their truest fulfilment comes when we allow the Risen Jesus to speak to our hearts about these dreams and how we are to bring them to fulfilment in our lives.  Then, like those two disciples, our hearts will burn within us and we will know a new light guiding us.

Loving Jesus, come walk with me.  Listen to my hopes and dreams and untangle the ways in which they become twisted within me.  With your love and wisdom, may they blossom into new ways of living and loving.  I ask this in your name, confident that you will hear me.

Sr Kym Harris osb

APRE News

Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School – Term 2 Newsletter 

Welcome to Term 2 
Welcome back to Term 2 at Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School! We hope all our families enjoyed a restful and refreshing holiday break, filled with time together and moments of joy. As we begin this new term, we look forward to another season of learning, growth and faith-filled experiences for our students. 

Celebrating Easter – A Season of Hope and Joy 
As we return to school in the season of Easter, we are reminded of the central truth of our Catholic faith: that Jesus Christ is risen! Easter is not just a single day but a fifty-day season of joy and celebration, beginning on Easter Sunday and continuing until Pentecost. For us as Catholics, Easter represents new life, hope and the triumph of light over darkness. It is a time to remember that through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are offered the gift of eternal life and the opportunity to be renewed in love and mercy. 

We are now in the Easter season—a time to reflect on the joy of the Resurrection and how that joy should transform our daily lives. It is a period to grow deeper in faith, to embrace new beginnings, and to share the message of hope with others. The Easter season will continue throughout this term and will conclude with the celebration of Pentecost, when we remember the coming of the Holy Spirit to the disciples—empowering them to go out and spread the Good News. 

Being “Easter People” means that we live our lives with the hope and joy that the Resurrection brings. It calls us to be people of compassion, forgiveness and generosity—reflecting the love of Christ in our actions every day. As we journey through this sacred season, we are invited to ask: How can I bring hope to others? How can I be a witness to the Risen Christ in my family, classroom and community? 

In Loving Memory of Pope Francis 
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Pope Francis, who returned to God on Easter Monday. The timing of his death—on the day following the most joyful celebration of our faith—seems to reflect the very heart of who he was: a man whose life was deeply united to Christ, even to the end. His passing during the Easter season reminds us of the hope of Resurrection and eternal life that he so faithfully proclaimed throughout his ministry. 

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis became the first Jesuit pope, the first pope from the Americas, and the first to take the name Francis, inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi. Throughout his papacy, he was known for his humility, his deep concern for the poor and the environment, and his efforts to build a more inclusive and merciful Church. 

During his time as Pope, he introduced powerful messages about care for creation through his encyclical Laudato Si’, promoted interfaith dialogue, and worked tirelessly for peace and justice around the world. His papacy reminded us all of the importance of love, kindness and servant leadership. Pope Francis truly embodied the message of the Gospel in word and deed. 

One of his most beloved quotes captures the essence of his life and leadership: 
“Rivers do not drink their own water; trees do not eat their own fruit. The sun does not shine on itself, and flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves. Living for others is a rule of nature. We are all born to help each other.” 

As a school community, we are called to follow Pope Francis’ example by choosing to live with simplicity, to show compassion for the vulnerable, to care for our Earth, and to always act with humility and love. Let us be inspired to make our school, our families and our world a place of peace, welcome and kindness—just as Pope Francis encouraged us to do through his life and words. 

We hold Pope Francis in our prayers and give thanks for his faithful service to the Church and the world. May he rest in peace and rise in glory, and may his legacy continue to inspire all of us to live lives rooted in faith, hope and love. 

God Bless, 
Sahlie Komndi-Diggins 
Assistant Principal: Religious Education 

Under 8's Day

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Under 8s Day at Our Lady's Catholic Primary School Longreach. This is a special event designed to celebrate and engage young learners in fun and interactive activities, with this year's theme being 'Unleashing Scientific Thinking Through Play.' 

Event Details:

• Date: 29^th of May (Week 6)
• Time: 9:00 - 11:00am
• Location: School Oval 
• Target Group: Children under 8 years old

The day will feature a range of exciting activities aimed at fostering teamwork, creativity, and fun through science and play, culminating in a sausage sizzle and popper for all. Barcoo Coffee will also be available for any parents, friends, or teachers who would like to enjoy a coffee.

Student Protection

Student Protection is taken very seriously within our school and Diocese. Each year all staff undertake mandatory student protection training at the beginning of the year. This year our School Student Protection Officers are Mr Peter Thurecht, Mr Sahlie Komndi-Diggins, Mrs Belinda Thurecht and Ms Sarah Wall. If you have concerns, please do not hesitate to contact one of our officers.

Parent Orbit App

Some key features of the Parent Orbit App:

• Instant Notifications: Stay up to date with the latest announcements and important alerts on your smartphone (be sure to enable Notifications)
• Events and Payments: Easily approve excursion attendance or make fee payments
• Medical Details: Keep your student’s medical details up to date
• Attendance Tracking: Easily track attendance and notify the School of your student's absence
• Event Calendar: Stay informed about school events, meetings, and important dates
• Parent Teacher Interviews: Schedule parent-teacher interviews and receive reminders
• Academic Reports: View and download your student’s school reports
• School Fees: View your school fees and make a payment

Parent Actions for reporting Student Attendance

Parents may choose from a variety of communication methods to notify the school of absences (phone, letter, email, visit) however the Orbit App or Parent Lounge are the preferred modes. In the Orbit App, parents are presented with five options, these are listed below followed by explanation:

• Illness and medical appointments
• Appointment, event or services
• Holiday
• School avoidance or refusal
• Family Reasons
  
• Other explained reason (If Other is selected, a mandatory comment box appears for parents to explain the absence)

Our Lady's Catholic Primary School P&F

Catholic School Parents Queensland

Election 2025: Greens leave Catholic schools isolated and excluded from their policy commitments

The National Catholic Education Commission and Catholic School Parents Australia has asked the major parties for responses on a series of questions about Catholic Education priorities.

You can find their responses here https://ncec.catholic.edu.au/2025-federal-election/federal-election-scorecard/

The scorecard has been developed for families and staff to easily identify the education policies and commitments of the Australian Labor Party, the Liberal National Coalition, the Australian Greens, and key independent candidates on five key areas: funding certainty, support for faith-based schools, sector-neutrality, addressing disadvantage, and early childhood education.

While the major parties largely support our priorities, the Greens received a clear ❌ from us because they leave Catholic schools isolated and excluded from their policy commitments.

Their focus is on public schools alone, and their proposed policies to further top-up public school funding will adversely affect Catholic schools in real terms.

The Greens’ announcement of free lunches for public school kids costing $11.6 billion over the next three years, is the latest example of their ongoing failure to recognise the character of the Australian school education system. 

They’ve failed to acknowledge Catholic school families in their cost-of-living proposals — assuming only public school families are doing it tough, which is untrue and unfair.

The Greens have also consistently advocated and voted against Catholic schools having the ability to preference and employ staff who support the Catholic ethos, despite strong and growing public support for faith-based schools.

All Catholic School Parents, Carers, Principals & School Staff
in the Diocese of Rockhampton are welcome to attend
our Parent Engagement Mini Conference.

This is a free event to support our children’s learning and wellbeing.

When: Saturday 24 May | 9.00am - 3.00pm
Venue: Kevin Castles Conference Centre Rockhampton
152 West St, Allenstown

KEY SPEAKERS

Mr Michael McCusker
Diocesan Director Catholic Education, Diocese of Rockhampton

Dr Kaylene Henderson
Session 1: 'Tackling Anxiety and Building Resilience in Children,
and among our Broader Community'
Session 2: 1 hour Q&A

Jacqueline King
Counselling Services Coordinator
Catholic Education, Diocese of Rockhampton

Morning Tea and Lunch will be provided.

Join us for the whole day or come along to as many sessions as you can.
Information for parents/carers of all ages - Prep to Yr 12

Click on the link for more details and to register:
https://www.eventcreate.com/e/cspq-miniconf2025-rok

*Parents from outside Rockhampton can apply to have travel costs reimbursed.

**A short CSPQ-Diocese of Rockhampton Parent Body AGM will also be held on this day,
as well as nominations called for the CSPQ Board delegate.

Uniform Policy

Homework Policy

Homework Policy Update for 2025

Another important agenda the School Board focused on in 2024 is our Homework Policy, which has come into effect at the beginning of 2025. After thoughtful consideration, some significant changes have been made to better align with the developmental needs of our students.

For students in Prep to Year 2, homework will still remain optional. At this early stage of learning, we recognise that students often require an adult to assist with homework tasks. Understanding the busy schedules of families, we know this won’t always be possible, and as such, we encourage, at the very least, regular reading at home. Reading together as a family fosters a love for learning and is an excellent way to build essential literacy skills.

For students in Years 3 to 6, homework will be compulsory. As children move into the middle and upper years of primary school, we aim to instil greater independence and a sense of responsibility in their learning. The rigor of homework at these levels is designed to support the development of key skills that will benefit them throughout their educational journey.

We are excited to see how these changes will positively impact both our students and their learning experiences moving forward!

Mobile Phone & Wearable Technology Policy

Isolated Children's Parents' Association Qld Longreach Branch

Family Support Program

Isolated Children's Parents' Association (ICPA) is committed to advocating for equitable education access, opportunities and support for all rural and remote students. Motivated by this commitment the ICPA Longreach Branch is initiating a program that enables our Longreach and district families to access up to $500 in financial assistance toward educational, sporting or cultural/arts support or activities for your children.

•    Educational support for your child may include, but is not limited to, speech therapy, occupational therapy, paediatrician appointment, or literacy and numeracy support.
•    Sporting activities relate specifically to those students selected to represent our region at North West Sports or a specialised coaching clinic.
•    Cultural/Arts activities may include music or drama workshops such as SHEP.

Eligibility criteria include:

•    Membership of the ICPA Longreach Branch. ($50 p/a https://icpa.com.au/qld/membership)
•    The child receiving the support lives in the Longreach 4730 / Ilfracombe 4727 postcode area.
•    The child is aged up to 17 years of age.
•    If the child is of school age, the child must be attending a Longreach or Ilfracombe school.
•    No more than one application per child to be submitted per calendar year.
•    Evidence that your child received the support or participated in the activity.

The ICPA Longreach Branch Family Support Program financial assistance is on a reimbursement basis. Upon receipt of a paid invoice/receipt and proof that your child received the educational support and/or participated in the sporting/cultural activity, up to $500 will be paid via bank transfer to your nominated account. 
ICPA Longreach Branch has allocated a capped budget for this program, so once allocated funds have been spent, the program may be modified with the aim of providing assistance to the maximum number of families in our Branch. The ICPA Longreach Branch committee reserves the right to assess applications on a case by case basis. The Committee's decision is final in all application assessments. Your input and feedback on this Family Support Program is welcome as we aspire to provide a useful service to our Branch members. 
If you are seeking educational support for your child and you're not sure where to start looking, these are providers in our Longreach area:

•    Virtual or face-to-face speech therapy, https://popfamily.au/about/
•    Little Legs - Occupational Therapy based in Central West, https://www.littlelegsot.com.au/
•    Outback Futures - multiple services, https://outbackfutures.org.au/

Please email icpa.longreach@gmail.com for more information on this program, or to submit an application form. 

Tuckshop

Key Dates

St Brigid’s Parish News

Please follow us on Facebook for up to date information on what’s happening in the St Brigid’s Parish. https://m.facebook.com/people/Central-West-QLD-Catholic-Church/100080215845014/

Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton

Community Notices

Qantas Founders Museum to launch Carbon_Dating art exhibition - OPENING 9:30AM, Saturday 15 March 2025

Qantas Founders Museum proudly announces a prominent exhibition Carbon_Dating showcasing native grasses and our relationship to the environment.  The Carbon_Dating project is a series of networked, experimental artworks situated throughout Queensland, that seek to shift attitudes towards the diverse Australian native grasses that grow in those regions. In this time of environmental stress, the project calls upon adventurous humans and vivacious grasses to collaborate – to breathe life into radically new kinds of relationships with each other.

The exhibition will open on Saturday 15 March at 930am at Qantas Founders Museum, Longreach QLD.

By drawing upon Indigenous cultural and scientific understandings and knowledges of grass and grasslands, and by incorporating sculpture, site-specific growing, networked technologies and artist-led provocations, we will develop a series of connected creative experiments and grass plantings spread across rural, regional and urban (Australia) - that together form the work Carbon Dating.

Carbon_Dating began in 2022 as a series of artwork-based experiments, and a ‘campaign’, that aimed to shift our relationships with Poaceae – those flowering members of the vegetal wild known as grasses. By focusing upon an often-overlooked group of native plants, Carbon_Dating reminds us that restoring the health of our environment will require us to look beyond the 'charismatic species' that so often steal our attention. Drawing on Indigenous cultural, scientific and artistic understandings, the Carbon_Dating Project asks: how we might see grass and grasslands in a new, equitable and ecological way?

Exhibiting artist Keith Armstrong said: “Despite grasses being one of the most critical plants for the survival of life on earth, our understanding and appreciation of them (beyond their use as animal fodder or lawn-making) remains limited… By sponsoring the planting of small Indigenous grassland areas and gardens, we seek to foster living sites for our art experiments; as we build a campaign built on partnership, respect and care.”

Carbon_Dating presents and share knowledge and stories and incorporate a variety of contemporary art forms responding to Queensland Indigenous grasses. The artists present a broad range of mediums including sculpture, weaving, textiles, photography, new media, film and performance-related artworks.

Featuring Artists: Keith Armstrong, Liz Capelin, Daniele Constance, Hilary Coulter, donna davis, Merinda Davis, Mia Hacker, Andrea Higgins, Luke Lickford, Jason Murphy, Kilagi Nielsen, Sasha Parlett, Melissa Stannard, Delissa Walker and Pipier Weller.

OPENING EVENT AND ARTIST FORUM - SATURDAY 15 MARCH 930AM

• The official unveiling of Carbon_Dating will take place at the newly branded Longreach Museum of Art (LMOA), at the Qantas Founders Museum, Longreach.
• An artist forum and floor talk will take place on Saturday 15 March from 930am featuring artists Keith Armstrong, Donna Davis, Koa artist and co-curator Jo-Anne Driessens, grazier and environmental advocate Jody Brown and the Lake Ayre Basin Rangers.

Entry is free, RSVP’s are essential info@qfom.com.au or call 07 4658 3737.

Max Flaherty - Junior Development Tennis Coach

Longreach Stingrays

Central West Hospital & Health Services