TERM 2, NO. 1
13 MAY 2026

Our Lady of Lourdes catholic school

​We are Respectful

Whole School
​Prayer

Monday 1st June
(9:00am - 9:30am)
Parents and carers are welcome!
We are Responsible
We are Safe

upComing Events

Term 2​​
  • School Fire Education Program - Monday 11th May - Friday 22nd May
  • Assembly (Grade 4) (2:00pm - 2:45pm) - Friday 15th May
  • Student Free Day - Monday 18th May
  • Grade 6 SBSC Taster Day - Tuesday 19th May
  • Walk to School Day - Friday 22nd May
  • OLOL Cross Country (Grade 3-6) - Thursday 28th May
  • Assembly (Grade 2) (2:00pm - 2:45pm) - Friday 29th May
  • NW Primary Cross Country (Stella Maris) - Friday 5th June
Welcome back after the term break. We hope you are feeling recharged and reset ready for the colder days ahead. It was lovely to celebrate our Mothers, Grandmothers and the significant women in our lives last week. Thank you to our families for helping make our space a welcoming community for all.

A reminder that we have an additional Student Free Day on Monday 18 May (Week 3) for our Discernment Planning as part of the Building Cultural Capacity Program with Catholic Education Tasmania.

I hope the break gave families time to rest, connect and enjoy simple moments together including time for children to be bored. In a world of constant stimulation it can feel like we need to keep children entertained however research highlights the value of boredom: The benefits of boredom.

Children look to adults for reassurance and through our words and actions we help them feel safe, hopeful and confident about the future. The Bible stories shared with students support this message encouraging them to be courageous to trust in God and to find light in difficult moments.

Unstructured time helps children develop creativity, curiosity and independence. They learn to think, imagine, problem solve and create their own play which are essential skills for healthy development. Last term we also shared information about recent government imposed social media restrictions intended to support children’s mental health and wellbeing.

Growing evidence suggests that early and frequent exposure to social media can contribute to anxiety behavioural challenges and unhealthy comparison during key developmental stages. Delaying access gives children more time to build confidence, resilience and a strong sense of self before navigating an online world. It is important to know when your children are online and what they are accessing. Please see this link for further reading.

Providing children with time to play space away from screens and supportive guidance in their use of technology is an important role we all share.

This week I will be attending the 2026 Tasmanian Josephite Colloquium on 14 - 15 May at Mary MacKillop Spirituality Centre, Hobart, exploring Josephite spirituality, the lives of St Mary MacKillop and Fr Julian Tenison Woods and the Josephite story in Tasmania. I look forward to reporting back on my experience in the next newsletter. 

Together in faith, 

Emily Sass.

School news

Walk to School Day
Students are invited to join us for the annual National Walk Safely to School Day.
When: Friday 22nd May 2026 at 8:20am
Where: Drop off at Harris Scarfe (Fenton Way)
Who: Invitation for all students Kinder - Grade 6.
Once all children have arrived we will leave Harris Scarfe as a 'walking bus' and make our way to school.

OLOL Cross Country (Grade 3-6) - Thursday 28 May
Detailed information about the upcoming OLOL Cross Country was sent out to parents and carers via Compass on Wednesday May 15th including the program times.

The Grade 3-6 School Cross Country Carnival will be held at the Don Rugby/Cricket Club. Students will be departing and returning to school via bus at various times throughout the day based on their scheduled race time.
*Kinder - Grade 2 will have their cross country later in the term.

Families are welcome to attend to watch their child within the parent viewing area. Please be reminded that only filming or photographs of your own child/ren is permitted. Car parking may be accessed across the road at the Don Market Car Park, due to limited availability at the club rooms.  
We thank you for your understanding.
​
Home Fire Safety Program
A fire fighter from the Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) is visiting our school this week to present a Home Fire Safety Program to our Prep to Grade 6 students.
  • Kindergarten students, whilst not receiving a structured lesson, can expect a visit from the firefighter who will leave some free fun activities for the students to complete.
  • The age appropriate program is designed to raise fire awareness in children and includes fun in class activities, videos, activity books, giveaways and a new kids website www.tfskids.com.au.
  • Parents and other family members are also encouraged to participate by reading the information and assisting your child with the after school activities.
  • The TFS aims to deliver appropriate fire safety education to every primary school child in Tasmania and is  part of the TFS’s ongoing commitment to create a fire safe Tasmania.​ ​
Key Fire Safety Messages include:
More information for parents, carers and teachers can be found on www.tfseducation.com.au. There is an exciting new website just for kids www.tfskids.com.au. Families can SUBSCRIBE to a free bi-monthly newsletter.
​
SBSC Taster Day (Grade 6) - Tuesday 19 May
Grade 6 Students from Our Lady of Lourdes have been invited to attend a Taster Day at St Brendan Shaw College to provide the opportunity to experience the school environment and gain a sense of what SBSC has to offer as students begin their transition to secondary education.
​
Canteen Special Day - Soup Day (Wednesday 27 May)
Chicken Noodle Soup - $6.50
Pumpkin Soup - $6.50
GF Pumpkin Soup - $7.50
All served with a bread roll
Orders are now open on Qkr and will close Monday 25th May at 9.30am.
*There will be no other lunch orders available on this day.

important reminders

Student Free Day - Monday 18 May (Week 3)
A reminder that we have an additional Student Free Day on Monday 18 May (Week 3) for our Discernment Planning as part of the Building Cultural Capacity Program with Catholic Education Tasmania.

​Little Treasures 
​A friendly reminder that our next Little Treasures will be held at Pioneers Park in East Devonport. Please feel free to bring along your scooter and/or bikes and helmets. 
When: Friday May 15th 9:30-11am
Where: Pioneers Park in East Devonport (17A/17 Thomas Street)
Who: Birth - 5 years. 

Our Lady of Lourdes School Library - Opening Hours
Did you know that our school library is open 5 days a week (Monday - Friday) before school and after school for students to borrow and return books? 
This allows students to visit the library outside of their regular timetabled class slot, providing an opportunity for extra reading and borrowing. 
Parents are also welcome to join their child before and after school to help choose and borrow books. Parents are also able to borrow on their child’s behalf on days their child cannot visit the library themselves.

Sports Update & Information

For further information regarding sporting events please visit the Website under the heading
​OLOL Sport

Upcoming Sport Registrations
  • ​Devonport Basketball Spring Basketball Roster (Registration Now Open)

student of the week

Week 1
Devonport City Council Event - Supercars Fanfare

Mersey Leven Catholic parish

Weekend Masses
Saturday Vigil
  • 5:00pm St Mary's, Penguin
  • 5:00pm Our Lady of Lourdes Devonport
Sunday
  • 8:00am St Joseph, Port Sorell
  • 9:00am Sacred Heart, Ulverstone
  • 9:30am Our Lady of Lourdes, Devonport
  • 11:30am Holy Cross, Sheffield
  • 5:00pm St Patrick, Latrobe

POLICY IN FOCUS

Recognise signs of a child and youth safe organisation

The Office of the Independent Regulator has provided a recording of their session for parents and carers.
This video is designed to support the important role parents and carers play in building child safe organisations.
Access to this recording is via the button below:

OLOL School Calendar

Term Dates

2026

Term 2
Monday 4th May - Friday 10th July
(Student Free Day Monday 18th May)
Term 3
Tuesday 28th July - Friday 2nd October
(Student Free Day Monday 27th July)
Term 4
Tuesday 20th October - Thursday 17th December
(Student Free Day Monday 19th October)

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Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School is located on the traditional lands of the Punnilerpanner people of the North Nation. We acknowledge and deeply respect the Palawa people, the Tasmanian Aboriginal Community, and all Elders past and present. We are committed to learning alongside our students and community in this place, and support the continued sharing of knowledge and culture