Term 3 Week 5 2025

A Message from the Principal

Dear parents and friends,

On Friday, we will celebrate the Feast of the Assumption, one of the Holy Days of Obligation within the Catholic Church. All students will attend Mass at St Brigid’s Catholic Church to mark this important occasion. As a school named in honour of Our Lady, this feast holds special significance in our religious life.

On Monday morning, our assembly focused on the National Week of Action Against Bullying. Students took part in an interactive animation led by a student named Bree, who explained the difference between bullying and simply being mean or nasty. It was heartening to hear our Prep and Year 1 students confidently share their five “safe people” they can talk to if they ever feel unsafe. This message has been reinforced across classrooms during the week through health lessons, and I encourage families to continue the conversation at home. Being unkind or hurtful is never okay, and parents can explore the SchoolTV Bullying segment for resources to use with their children.

Science Week also began in spectacular fashion, with our Year 3–6 students participating in Questacon’s live-streamed Flight workshop. There was plenty of excitement as students tested their creative paper plane designs in the MPC, with some colourful and inventive results. On Friday, all students will take part in Science Week rotations from 11:30am–1:30pm in mixed-age groups, with activities rumoured to include balloon rockets and other hands-on experiments.

Looking ahead, our Book Week Parade will take place next Friday, a chance to celebrate the wonderful world of stories. Our local kindergartens have been invited to join in, and to allow time for their arrival, our assembly will begin at 9:00am. Don’t forget to get your costumes ready, from Prep to Year 6, so you can show off the wonderful books you love to read.

As part of our strategic plan to improve spelling instruction, staff have been exploring high-impact teaching strategies through professional development with Christine Topfer on Effective Spelling. A walkthrough of classrooms this week revealed vibrant, word-conscious environments from Prep to Year 6, with word webs, word noticing charts, and anchor charts highlighting vocabulary such as graphemes and phonemes. It is inspiring to see visible learning displayed so proudly, and I have shared some photos of students’ fantastic work on our Facebook page so the wider community can share in the pride we feel for our clever and creative learners.

God bless

Mr Peter Thurecht

Principal

Reflection - Sr Kym Harris OSB

Feast of the Assumption

We want to honour our parents.  You saw (and hopefully still see) that desire in the eyes of your young children, as they looked to you with such trust, offering the flower, the shell or the picture they drew.  As we grow older, conflicts can arise with our own parents but the deep-seated urge is still there, which is why such conflict is so painful.

Jesus honoured his parents – both God his Father and Mary his human mother.  Even beyond death he honoured her.  This Friday is the Feast of the Assumption in which we recall and celebrate that Mary’s body, after death, was taken to heaven to be with Jesus in his risen and glorious state.  Our heads find it hard to get around the meaning of this Feast but our hearts understand:  Jesus wants to continue to honour his mother, who had shown him such honour here on earth.  This glory that he gives to her is a sign to us of the ultimate glory he wishes to give us.  We are made for glory, we are made to give and receive honour.

Aside from Jesus and Mary, there is no perfect parent-child relationship but the desire for a deep, rich and trusting relationship with our parents remains with us.  Let us pray to Jesus and Mary, that through the maze of life, we may find, in the coming days, ways honour and love our parents. And, if we are parents, may we love our children in a way that draws out their honour.

Loving Father, as we celebrate the honour Jesus gave to Mary his mother, show us how we can celebrate and honour each other within our families.  We ask this in his name, confident that you will hear us.

Sr Kym Harris osb

APRE News

Welcome to Week 5 of Term 3!

This Friday, Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School will join the universal Church in celebrating the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As a school named after Our Lady—a title that refers directly to Mary, the Mother of God—this Feast holds deep spiritual significance for our community. It is a time to honour the woman who is not only the mother of Jesus but also the Mother of the Church, and whose life of perfect discipleship continues to inspire our mission and values. The Assumption is also one of only two Holy Days of Obligation in Australia that do not fall on a Sunday, underscoring its importance in the liturgical life of the Catholic faithful.

What Is the Feast of the Assumption?
The Assumption of Mary is a dogma of the Catholic Church, solemnly defined by Pope Pius XII in 1950, which teaches that Mary was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory at the end of her earthly life. This belief is rooted in Sacred Tradition and reflects the Church’s understanding of Mary’s unique role in salvation history. Her Assumption is a sign of hope for all the faithful, pointing to the resurrection of the body and the eternal life promised to us through Christ. For Catholics, it is a celebration of Mary’s purity, holiness, and intimate union with God. For non-Catholics, it offers a moment to reflect on the dignity of human life and the beauty of living a life of faith, love, and service.

Learning and Creating in the Classroom
In preparation for this sacred day, students across all year levels have been engaging in rich and meaningful activities that deepen their understanding of Mary’s role in the Catholic faith. These have included creative craft projects, reflective discussions, and prayerful exploration. Classes have focused on the Hail Mary, unpacking its theological meaning and its place in Catholic devotion. Through these experiences, students have been invited to contemplate Mary’s virtues—her humility, obedience, and unwavering trust in God—and how they can follow her example in their own lives.

Feast Day Mass at St Brigid’s Church – All Are Welcome
To honour this Holy Day, Prep to Year 4 students will attend a Feast Day Mass at St Brigid’s Church at 9am on Friday morning. We warmly invite all members of our school and parish community to join us in this Eucharistic celebration. It will be a beautiful opportunity to come together in prayer and thanksgiving, united in our love for Mary and our desire to grow closer to Christ through her intercession.

May Our Lady, assumed into heaven, continue to guide and protect our school, our families, and our hearts.

God Bless,

Mr Komndi-Diggins

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.

School TV

Bullying

Bullying is an ongoing or repeated misuse of power in relationships, with the intention to cause deliberate psychological harm. Bullying behaviours can be verbal, physical or social. It can happen in person or online, via various digital platforms and devices and it can be obvious or hidden. Bullying in any form or for any reason can have immediate, medium and long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders.

Despite the efforts made to reduce bullying behaviours, the research tells us that one in four students still report being bullied every few weeks. However, not all negative behaviour should be considered bullying. The key difference is that bullying does not stop on its own. It’s important young people learn how to identify behaviours that are rude, behaviours that are mean, and behaviours that are related to bullying. 

Often the reasons for bullying can be complex. Some young people do it to get approval from others, some do it to regain control, whilst others may do it because it makes them feel safe. Supporting young people as they work through their emotions will help them unpack the motivation and reason behind the behaviour. 

In this edition of SchoolTV, caregivers can better understand why some young people engage in bullying behaviours and what to do to support a child experiencing it.

https://ollrok.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/bullying

Book Week Parade Friday 22nd August

Father's Day Celebrations

Tuckshop Menu

Tuckshop will be closed on Friday 15th August.

Revised School Policies

Stay up to date with revised school policies by visiting our school website. https://ollrok.catholic.edu.au/forms-policies

Homework Policy

Uniform Policy

Mobile Phone and Wearable Tech Statement

CSPQ - Our Lady's Catholic Primary School P&F

How are Australian parents doing right now?

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If you are a parent or carer to a child aged 0-18, you are invited to participate and share your experience of what it is like to be a parent in 2025.

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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/

Community Notices

Longreach Regional Council

Bushkids

Longreach School of Dance

Qantas Founders Museum Carbon_Dating art exhibition

Longreach Sporting Opportunities

Raising Healthy Minds app

The Raising Healthy Minds app is a free, personalised, pocket resource to help parents and carers raise confident, resilient children. Co-designed with parents and experts and funded by the Australian Government, Raising Healthy Minds aims to support children’s social and emotional wellbeing with evidence-based information.  

You’ll find information on topics like dealing with worries and making friends, as well as ideas for day-to-day life, like creating family routines, looking after yourself as a parent, and building strong relationships.  

The app offers a mix of quick-read articles, videos and animations aimed at parents and carers of children aged 0-12 years. You can tailor information to the age of your child and opt-in to receive helpful tips.  

Raising Healthy Minds provides simple-to-use information at your fingertips with clear actions you can start today.  

Download from Google Play or the App Store or go to raisingchildren.net.au/rhm to learn more and raise a healthy mind 🧠 😊  

Central West Hospital & Health Services