Term 4 Week 4 2025

A Message from the Principal

Dear parents and friends,

Mr Komndi-Diggins and I attended the Diocesan Strategic Planning Meeting in Emerald last week. This was the first time the Diocese conducted the planning meeting in this way—with consultants for all four domains on site, working shoulder to shoulder with schools to analyse their data sets. It proved to be a very productive day, with Mr KD and I able to identify key priorities, goals, and targets for 2026. These are currently in draft form and will be released at the beginning of next year.

I encourage all families and friends to attend our Art Showcase in C-Block this Thursday evening from 5:30–7:00 pm. Mrs Neuendorf and her band of helpers have been busily setting up the display in our art room. The evening will not be catered—it’s simply a wonderful opportunity for families to wander through, admire, and celebrate the incredible talent our students possess. This format also allows families to return home afterwards and discuss their favourite pieces together around the dinner table. Should the evening quieten down by 6:30 pm, we will close the doors early and send a text notification to families, so arriving early is strongly encouraged!

On Thursday morning, our school community celebrated All Saints Day with Mass at St Brigid’s Church. All Saints Day is a time when we honour all the saints—known and unknown—who have lived lives of holiness and reflected God’s love through their words and actions. It reminds us of our shared call to holiness and to live with compassion and faith in our daily lives.

This Friday, we will mark Day for Daniel by completing our March for Daniel down Eagle Street. This important annual event raises awareness for child safety and protection, demonstrating our school’s strong commitment to ensuring all children in our community are supported and safe. Parents and friends are warmly invited to join us as we march following our Friday assembly.

Finally, this Friday is also World Teachers’ Day. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the incredible team we have here at Our Lady’s. Each and every one of them consistently goes above and beyond for their students, contributing to the wonderful culture that makes our school so special.

God bless,

Mr Peter Thurecht

Reflection - Sr Kym Harris OSB

Teaching

Everyone reading this is, at some time, a teacher.  It can be teaching the toddler how to clean the back teeth or guiding the L-Plater through the roundabout.  All of us know the challenge, and frustration of trying to pass on a piece of knowledge to someone who doesn’t know it.  We may even get frustrated at their ‘stupidity’.  But is that where the challenge/fault lies?  In teaching successfully, we take something we already know and ‘translate’ it into words, images and thoughts our ‘student’ might understand.  It is the teacher who learns how to be creative, understanding, patient as they step outside themselves to take on the mind of the student. 

This is what happened when God became human in the person of Jesus.  God became one of us so that we might feel comfortable with God and be able to really hear the message of God’s deep abiding love for us.  God did not just give rules from on high. God came close and showed in Jesus that God understands what it is to be human.  Jesus showed and taught us how to love so that we might love like God and readily seek his guidance.

This week we celebrate World Teachers Day.  Imagine the challenges you face teaching and adapting to one child.  Now multiply it by however many children are in your child’s class. Your child’s teacher is constantly adapting to the diversity of personalities and attempting to teach each one, all while maintaining a learning environment for all.  It is a challenge – yet many teachers get a deep sense of joy and fulfillment in the midst of the personal challenges.  This is what a vocation is about, it is a calling. A calling to be a little bit like God every time they step into a classroom, not because they have power but rather because they get to serve in love.   

Loving Father, let me appreciate the outstanding work so many of our teachers do.  Give me the wisdom and insight to support by child/ren’s teachers so that together we may do the best by our child/ren.  I ask this in Jesus’ name, confident that you will hear me.

Sr Kym Harris osb

APRE News

Hi! Welcome to Week 4 of Term 4!

Socktober and Mission Month Update

Socktober continues to be a wonderful part of our school’s Term Four journey. Our Zooper Dooper sales have now exceeded 20 packets, with one more day of sales to go on Thursday 30 October. The hot weather in Longreach has certainly helped, and it has been great to see students enjoying a cool treat while supporting a great cause.

In classrooms, students have been working through their Mission Packs, which are helping them connect with the purpose of Socktober and Mission Month. Year 1 created their own Mission Service Stars and each student chose one act of service they will commit to. Year 3 explored how many children around the world do not live in peace. They reflected on the importance of peace and shared what they are grateful for. Year 6 focused on how simple acts of kindness can have a deep impact. They created kindness chains filled with ideas for big and small ways to show care for others.

This week, students also had the chance to use the inflatable soccer goals during play time. It was a joy to see Fr Bang join in and kick the ball around with the students. Classes came together to make their recycled soccer balls using materials brought from home. This hands-on activity helped students understand what children in other parts of the world experience and gave them a chance to appreciate all they have.

On Thursday afternoon, each student will get to see their recycled soccer ball in action during the annual Socktober Soccer Shootout, where Year 6 students will take on their class teachers. It promises to be a fun and meaningful way to wrap up the month.

All Saints and All Souls Day

This weekend, the Church celebrates two important feast days — All Saints Day on November 1 and All Souls Day on November 2. These days invite us to reflect on the lives of those who have gone before us in faith and to remember the hope we have in eternal life.

All Saints Day honours all the saints — those officially recognised by the Church and those whose holiness may be known only to God. It is a celebration of people who lived with courage, compassion and faith, and who now share in the joy of heaven. Recognising the saints reminds us that holiness is not reserved for a few but is something we are all called to in our own lives. Their stories encourage us to live with purpose, to care for others, and to stay close to God in both joyful and challenging times.

All Souls Day follows and is a time to pray for all who have died, especially those still on their journey to eternal life. It is a gentle reminder of the importance of prayer, remembrance and the promise of resurrection. Taking time to remember loved ones and those who have passed away helps us stay connected to the wider Church community — one that stretches beyond time and place.

Together, these feast days help us reflect on the gift of life, the hope of heaven, and the call to live with faith and love each day.

God Bless,

Mr Komndi- Diggins

Inclusive Curriculum News

Building Awareness Through Interoception

This term, our entire school community has been on a journey to explore interoception—the ability to notice and understand the internal signals our bodies send us, such as feeling hungry, thirsty, tired, or excited. Developing this awareness is an important life skill because it helps students recognise how their bodies feel and respond in ways that support both wellbeing and learning.

To make this learning engaging for everyone, classes across the school have been incorporating Brain Bops—short, active breaks designed to help us tune in to our bodies and reset our minds. These activities give students the chance to pause, notice their breathing, heart rate, and energy levels, and then return to learning feeling calm and focused.

By practising interoception together, our students are building self-awareness and learning strategies to manage their emotions and behaviour. These are valuable skills that support not only learning but also positive relationships and overall wellbeing.

Here are some simple ways to build interoception skills together:

• Name the Feeling: When your child says they’re tired, hungry, or excited, help them connect the feeling to a body signal. For example: “Your tummy is rumbling—that’s your body telling you it’s hungry.”
• Check-In Moments: Pause during the day and ask, “How does your body feel right now?” Encourage them to notice their heartbeat, breathing, or muscle tension.
• Movement Breaks: Try short activities like stretching, star jumps, or a quick walk. Afterwards, ask, “What changed in your body?”
• Calm-Down Tools: Practise slow breathing or gentle stretches together when things feel overwhelming. Talk about how these strategies help the body feel safe and calm.

These small conversations and activities help children strengthen the connection between their body signals and emotions—an important step in self-regulation.

Thanks Belinda Thurecht

Inclusive Curriculum Teacher

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.

Scholastic Book Club

If you're ordering Christmas presents, please let Di or Sarah know so we can organise collection from the office.

What is Book Club?

Book Club provides families with an affordable and convenient way to access the best in children's literature to encourage leisure reading. Book Club brings the magic of reading to families by

• curating the catalogue in age-appropriate sections with a huge variety of excellent quality, affordable books.
• providing regular access to books for the home via your school to build good reading habits.
• contributing learning and literacy resources back to schools.

Supporting your school with Book Club 

15% of every purchase on Book Club goes back to your school in Scholastic Rewards to buy valuable educational resources that benefit your child.

• Place your Book Club order
• Your school earns Scholastic Rewards
• Your school redeems Scholastic Rewards for additional school or classroom resources!

Orders are due to school or online by Friday 31st October.

School TV

In this edition of SchoolTV - Happiness & Gratitude

Happiness is a term that captures a huge variety of positive emotions such as humour, serenity, optimism, joy, pride, inspiration, love and hope. Happiness means different things, to different people and is essential to your understanding of emotional literacy. Throughout history, philosophers, religious writers and poets have pondered on the meaning of happiness and how it might be achieved. In the last few decades, scientists and psychologists have researched this further by studying a field of science called positive psychology.

The result of this research suggests there is a strong correlation between gratitude and greater happiness. Practising gratitude helps you shift your focus to positive memories or experiences, noticing the good in your life. Over time, this will re-wire your brain to create new neural pathways, increase your state of happiness and overall wellbeing.

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents and care-givers will learn how to achieve happiness and the benefits of practising gratitude.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the school counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to the Happiness & Gratitude edition of SchoolTV
https://ollrok.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/happiness-gratitude

Art Showcase Evening

Join us on Thursday, October 30th from 5:30–7:00pm in C Block for our Term 4 Art Show! Come and wander through the creative displays featuring the incredible artwork of our students from Prep to Year 6, guided by the talented Mrs Neuendorf.

Bring along family and friends to celebrate the imagination, colour, and creativity that fill our classrooms. 🌈👩‍🎨👨‍🎨

We can’t wait to see you there!

Crazy Socks Day & Day For Daniel

Annual Awards Evening

Dear Parents and Carers,

Please complete the following Google Form to assist our P&F Team with catering for Awards Night. All children will receive a free sausage on bread, and $10 steak burgers will be available for purchase.

It’s a wonderful community evening, and we look forward to seeing you there!

Click here to complete the form.

Non State Schools - Transport Assistance Scheme

2025 Term 4 Swimming Lessons

Swimming Lessons – Commencing Tuesday 14th October until Tuesday 25th November (7 lessons)

Annual Swimming Carnival – Friday 28th November 

Swimming lessons will commence in Week 2 of Term 4 for all students. Lessons will be held for all year levels on Tuesday with the exception of years 5 & 6 who will have their lesson on Friday morning.

To assist with the tight timetable, Year 3 and 4 students are required to come to school with their sun safe swimmers under their sports uniform. All other classes will get dressed at school prior to their lesson. As Prep are the last swimming lesson for the day they will not get changed back into their uniform to go home in the afternoon. Years 5 & 6 are required to come to school on Friday with their sun safe swimmers under their sports uniform.

Our swimming instructor this year will be Mrs. Lisa Neuendorf and support staff. 

Things every student will need: (please ensure that all belongings are named)

•    Sun safe swimming togs
•    Towel
•    Swimming cap
•    Goggles
•    Slip on shoes

Tuckshop Menu

PLEASE NOTE: POPCORN IS CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

WEEK 6 - Tuckshop closed Friday 14th November

WEEK 8 - P&F Catering for the Swimming Carnival Friday 28th November

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

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

Mental Health Week

Central West Hospital & Health Services

RESQ - Driving Lessons

Longreach Sporting Opportunities