Term 2, No. 2

20 may 2025

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.

What's On?

Whole School
​Prayer

Monday 25th May (9:00am - 9:30)
National Reconciliation Week
All Classes
Parents and carers are welcome!

upComing Events

Term 2​​
  • Assembly (Grade 3) - Friday 23rd May​
  • Grade 2 HIVE Excursion - Tuesday 3 June
  • MND Casual Clothes Fundraiser - Thursday 5 June
  • Student Free Day - Friday 6 June
  • Public Holiday - Monday 9 June
  • Early Childhood Cross Country - Wednesday 11 June
  • TAS All Schools Cross Country (Grade 3-6) - Symmons Plains - Tuesday 17 June

mrs gratton's Reflection

deputy principal

As we move through the school year, I’ve found myself reflecting on the small yet powerful moments that make up our students’ learning journeys. One of the most important and sometimes overlooked, parts of these journeys is the courage it takes to try something new, especially when success isn’t guaranteed.

At school, we talk a lot about the importance of building resilience, developing self-regulation and being willing to take positive risks. Whether it’s tackling a challenging maths problem, joining a game at lunchtime or performing in front of others, these are all moments where our children are growing not just academically but emotionally and socially too.

Research indicates a strong link between risk-taking and resilience in students, suggesting that engaging in calculated risks can foster crucial qualities like adaptability, problem-solving and persistence. Students who are comfortable taking risks often demonstrate greater resilience in the face of challenges and setbacks, as they learn from failures and develop strategies for coping with adversity.

Through MYTERN, students are reminded that while they may not be able to change their external circumstances, they do have the power to control how they respond. Emotional Resilience Training gives them the tools to handle challenges from within, so they don’t need to rely on others to regulate their emotions. It’s not about avoiding the bumps in the road; it’s about embracing them, being emotionally and socially intelligent and having the resilience to stay strong when things get rough.

Our recent school cross country was a perfect example of this. We saw so many students have a go, push through moments of discomfort and cross the finish line with a sense of pride. It wasn’t about being the fastest, it was about showing up, giving their best, and demonstrating the kind of determination that builds emotional awareness and resilience.

Thank you for partnering with us in raising learners who are equipped with emotional awareness and resilience.
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Kind regards,
Eve

RE NEWS

The Good Shepherd: Responding to God’s Call
Each week, our students gather for prayer at our Parish Church. Classes take turns leading our community in prayer, reflection and songs that help us focus our hearts and minds on becoming our best selves for the week ahead based on each Sunday’s Gospel passage.

Over the last two weeks, students have been learning about the Parable of the Good Shepherd. Parables are stories Jesus shared with his disciples to teach important moral lessons - how to live our lives to honour God and treat others with love and kindness.

In this Parable, Jesus presents the image of a shepherd caring for his flock, symbolising constant protection and love. He promises that, like a shepherd, He will always care for us, guide us through challenges and lead us to peaceful pastures if we follow Him and heed His loving call.

The Story of the Good Shepherd encourages students to strengthen their relationship with God by placing their faith in Him. Students prayerfully reflected on these questions:
  • Do I take time to listen to God?
  • Where do I hear God the best?
  • How can I respond to God’s call?

Here are some reflections from our Grade 4 students on how they respond to God’s call:
  • Thomas: “I hear God when I’m cuddling my mum. I can respond to God’s call by treating others nicely because that’s how I’d like to be treated.”
  • Elijah: “I hear God when I’m in my room because it’s a peaceful place. I can respond to God by using my words to be kind.”
  • Aroha: “I respond to God by trying to use my hands to help others.” 

We look forward to seeing how our students continue to grow in their faith and respond to God’s call in their lives as they journey through their schooling with us.

Mrs Mackie

School news


​Canteen - Burger Day (Wednesday 21 May)
Due to the large amount of orders received for our Burger Day on Wednesday, lunches will be split:
Kinder - Grade 2  will receive their lunch orders at 1st Lunch (approx 10.45am)
Grades 3 - 6  will receive their lunch orders at 2nd Lunch (approx 1.15pm)
Parents/Carers of Grades 3-6 students, please pack something extra for your child to eat at 1st lunch.
Thank you for your support on this very popular Special Day!

Vinnies School Essentials Program
Vinnies School Essentials Program runs for the whole school year and is available to anyone that is finding things tough.
We can help with Uniform, Sports shoes, bag, lunch boxes, drink bottles, sports rego, camps and other things that benefit a child's education.
  • Kinder to grade 6 up to $150.
  • Grade 7 to 12 up to $250.

​Kinder 2026 Enrolment Applications
Kindergarten Enrolment Applications for 2026 close on Friday 4th of July 2025.
Existing families with siblings born in 2021, please ensure that you have submitted an Enrolment Application to the office.
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​Before School Supervision
A reminder to families that students are NOT supervised by staff prior to 8:30am each morning. Students are not permitted to be in the school grounds before 8:30am or after 3:30pm, unless they are involved in a supervised activity.
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​Breakfast Club
Breakfast club is held in the school canteen each school day from 8am until 8:40am.  
The first meal of the day is a chance to get the energy we need to learn, play and stay healthy. While most Australian children eat breakfast, skipping breakfast is still common.  Children who eat breakfast have better school attendance, better academic performance and improved wellbeing. Eating breakfast is associated with better dietary and physical activity behaviours.
Everyone is welcome to Breakfast Club.

Picking up Children Early
Our Lady of Lourdes reminds parents to provide advance notice if you are picking up your child early. An email to [email protected] is the best communication method. Phone call is also an option. It allows for advance preparation if the office staff are given significant advance notice as organising students to leave class or specialist lessons can take some time. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Playing in the Playground After School
It is our school expectation that if parents choose to allow their children to play in our playground after school then it is their responsibility to supervise and support them to be Respectful, Responsible and Safe through direct behaviour support of their own child and modelling of appropriate adult behaviour.  Effectively, you are responsible for your child after you have collected them at the end of the day. Our school gates will continue to be locked at 3:30pm each day.  We do ask that you please ensure you have left our school grounds by then.

Head Knocks at School
If your child presents to First Aid with a head knock, we will assess and treat it with ice. If they appear fine your child will go back to class where they will be monitored by Staff. The office will send you an SMS so you are aware and able to check in with your child when they get home. If we are at all worried about your child we will phone you so they can be collected.

School Gates
The school Steele Street gates are now locked from 3:30 pm each day.
If requiring any assistance after this time, please come to the Stewart Street school entrance and knock for assistance.

Buses
Please contact Merseylink/Kinetic on 6427 7626 for further information on routes and times. If your child will be catching the bus, please contact the office with your child's name and the bus number and we will add them to our daily bus lists.

Drop Off and Pick Up
In order to avoid congestion at the end of the day, please be reminded that students are not to wait for collection at the main office.  
We would appreciate families accessing our school by the 2 main external entry/exit points, rather than the main office doors.
  • Main gates from Steele Street Carpark
  • Side gate near Parish Hall 
We thank you and your children for your cooperation.

Pick Up Zone
A reminder to families to drive around the block if Steele Street entrance to the school is full with parked cars from 2:50pm. Staff are on duty to 3:20pm enabling pick at any time within 30 mins after school.

Morning Entry to Classes
A reminder to families, when entering the classrooms of a morning Prep - Grade 2 are to use the front blue sliding door and Grades 3 - 6 use the back oval doors.

Little Treasures Program
Our Little Treasures Program runs on Fridays 9:30 - 11am in our Kinder classroom. Please bring a drink and fruit. All members of the community with children from Birth to 5 years old are welcome. 

Student of the Week

Week 3
Week 2

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.
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OLOL School Calendar

Term Dates

2025
 TERM 2
Monday 28th April - Friday 4th July
TERM 3
Tuesday 22nd July - Friday 26th September
TERM 4
Tuesday 14th October - Thursday 18th December
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