Term 1, No. 1

11 February 2026

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School

​We are Respectful
We are Responsible
We are Safe
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.

Whole School
​Prayer

Monday 16th February (9:00 - 9:30)
Primary (Grade 5)
Parents and carers are welcome!

upComing Events

Term 1​
  • Family Welcome Evening & Feast Day Celebration (5:00pm - 7:00 pm) Wednesday 11th February
  • Assembly (Grade 6) - Friday 13th February
  • Ash Wednesday Liturgy (Prep - Grade 6) - 9:30am - 10:00am
  • Parent Teacher Conversations (3:30pm - 8:30pm) - Thursday 19th February
  • Junior Joey Induction Day - Tuesday 24th February
  • Grade 6 Camp - Wednesday 25th - Friday 27th February​

Mrs Emily sass reflection

principal                                     

As I write this reflection, our students have been back at school for just four days, yet already Our Lady of Lourdes Devonport feels alive with learning, laughter and a strong sense of community. It has been a genuine joy to be present in classrooms, on the playground and in our shared spaces, getting to know our students and staff and seeing the many small moments that make this such a special place.

Today’s newsletter is particularly meaningful as it is shared on our Feast Day of Our Lady of Lourdes. This morning, we gathered as a school community to celebrate Mass together, giving thanks for our school and reflecting on the values that unite us. Beginning the year together in prayer was a powerful reminder of our shared faith and the importance of coming together as one community.

Our Lady of Lourdes is a title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary, recalling her apparitions in 1858 in the grotto at Lourdes, France, to Saint Bernadette Soubirous, a fourteen-year-old peasant girl. Under this title, Mary is recognised as the Patron Saint of the Sick, and February 11 is also marked as the World Day of the Sick. This invites us to reflect on compassion, care and hope - especially for those who are unwell or vulnerable - and to consider how we live these values in our daily interactions with one another.

At the beginning of a new school year, and for me, at the beginning of my time as Principal, this Feast Day feels especially significant. It invites us to start with openness, trust and a shared commitment to walking together as a community of faith and learning. I am deeply grateful for the warm welcome I have already received and for the strong sense of partnership that exists between students, staff and families.

This evening, I am very much looking forward to meeting many of our families at the Family Welcome Evening and Feast Day Celebration. Building strong relationships with our families is a priority for me and I am excited to spend time getting to know you, hearing your stories and sharing in the spirit of OLOL. I hope this evening will be the first of many opportunities for connection throughout the year.

As we celebrate Our Lady of Lourdes today, may we continue to be a school community grounded in faith, guided by compassion and united in our care for one another. I look forward to the year ahead and to all that we will share together.

Together in faith,
Emily Sass

School news

Family Welcome Evening & Feast Day Celebration
Our Lady of Lourdes warmly invites families to come together for a relaxed evening of community, connection and celebration.

Parent Teacher Conversations
​Term one Parent Teacher Conversations will be held on Thursday 19 February (Term One, Week 3) from 3:30 - 8:30pm for all classes Kinder to Grade 6, except 4B. 
*4B (Mrs Alison Broomhall) parent teacher conferences will be held the following week on Thursday 26th February. 
Bookings are now open for all classes.
Families can select their preferred time slot via the Conference tab in the Compass Portal.
To guide our time together, we will be asking three questions:
1. What are your child's strengths?
2. What areas would you like to further develop?
3. For 2026 to be successful, what would you like your child to achieve?
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Canteen - New Menu
We will now have an 'Everyday Menu' with the addition of a 'Daily Special'.
The 'Everyday Menu' includes the usual favourites like chicken wedges, nuggets, salads, wraps, toasties, etc.
The 'Daily Special' includes Burgers, Rooster Boosters and more. You will need to select the 'Daily Special' tab on Qkr! to order. 
There will of course be the usual special days and weekly soup (in the colder months) available. 
Students can order lunch items from Tuesday to Friday via the Qkr app and they can purchase snacks over the counter at the canteen every day from Monday to Friday during the first lunch break from 11:00 to 11:30am. 
We are looking forward to another great year in the Canteen.

School Photo Days
Our school photo days will be held on Tuesday 3rd March and Wednesday 4th March. Further details will be shared shortly via Compass.

​Live Life to the Full
Catholic Education Tasmania will be introducing the Live Life to the Full program in 2026, which complements our Religious Education and Social Emotional Learning programs. This well resourced program supports students through age appropriate topics, including consent and wellbeing. Further information will be shared with families, along with resources to support learning at home.
*More specific information will come to parents specific to each year level in the near future.

Discernment Year
2026 is a discernment year in the cycle of school improvement and planning. This is a structured, year-long process designed to support schools in building cultural capacity, using evidence and reflective practice to strengthen culture and performance. Staff have recently voted in a School Improvement Team, who will work alongside staff and leadership throughout this process. You will notice an additional Student Free Day included in our 2026 Term Dates (Monday 18 May – Term Two, Week 3). This day will allow staff the opportunity to work collaboratively as part of this important process.

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St Brendan Shaw College NW Catholic Primary Schools Instrumental Music Program
Parents of Catholic primary school students in Grades 4 to 6 are invited to submit expressions of interest for the 2026 NW Catholic Primary Schools Instrumental Music Program.
This program offers music tuition and instrument hire for a variety of woodwind, brass and string instruments. There are also multiple performance opportunities throughout the year.
Research shows that playing music can make significant differences to children’s abilities related to learning, memory and social interactions.
​If your child is interested, we encourage you to submit an expression of interest so they can discover the joy of music and develop this lifelong skill.
For more information and to fill out the expression of interest form, visit: 
https://sbsc.me/CPSMP2026

​IMPORTANT REMINDERS

​Uniform Policy
We know the start of the year is busy and getting uniforms organised can be challenging - especially when children have grown over the summer break! We have noticed not all students have been attending school in the correct uniform. Areas of improvement are our socks and shoes for some.
Jewellery: Students are permitted to wear a minimal amount of jewellery. This may include:
  • one plain ring
  • plain bracelet
  • a watch that meets 'Wearable Technologies Policy' expectations
  • plain sleepers or studs as earrings
  • jewellery approved for cultural purposes (e.g. cross necklace)

​Breakfast Club
Commenced 9th February located in the McCarthy Centre.
Time: 8:00am - 8:40am.

Little Treasures
Little Treasures commences Friday 13th February 9:30am - 11:00 am in the Kinder Space.
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​Kindergarten 2027
We are now accepting enrolments for Kinder 2027. Enrolment forms are available on our school website or can be collected from the office.
Interviews for existing families will commence in Term 1, 2026.
If you require any assistance with the enrolment process, please contact the school office.

​Our School Day at a Glance
We will continue to observe our start-of-day routines and make any adjustments needed to best support students and staff - any changes will be communicated.

Religious educATION

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Beginning of Lent and Ash Wednesday
Lent is a special season in the Church year that lasts for 40 days and helps Catholics prepare our hearts for Easter, the celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection. During Lent, we are invited to slow down and reflect on our relationship with God, remembering Jesus’ time of prayer and sacrifice in the desert.
As Catholics, Lent is important because it calls us to grow closer to God through prayer, fasting, and acts of kindness and generosity. It is a time to think about our choices, to say sorry for our mistakes, and to try again to live as Jesus taught us — with love, compassion, and care for others.
Our students will begin this Lenten journey by celebrating Ash Wednesday together as a whole school community, reminding us of our need for God and our call to follow Jesus more closely. Over the coming weeks, children will explore Lenten intentions through their Religious Education units, learning practical and age-appropriate ways to pray, make good choices, and show care for others as they prepare for Easter.

Sports Update & Information

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

Upcoming Sport Registrations
  • ​Devonport Basketball Winter Basketball Roster
  • Devonport Autumn Netball Roster

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

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School
Attendance Policy

Rational
Attending every school day is essential to enable student to achieve the most from their education and to achieve quality outcomes in their lives.

OLOL School Calendar

Term Dates

2026

TERM 1
Friday 6th February - Thursday  16th April
(Easter Friday 3rd April - Tuesday 7th April)
(Student Free Day Friday 17th April)
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
Monday 19th October - Thursday 17th December
(Student Free Day Friday 23rd October)

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