Term 4, No. 4

2 december 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 8th December (9:00 - 9:30)
All Classes (Junior Joeys)
Parents and carers are welcome!

upComing Events

Term 4​​​​
  • OLOL Orientation Day - Wednesday 3rd December
  • 2026 Kinder Final Orientation Session - Friday 5th December
  • Assembly (Grade 4) - Friday 5th December
  • Surf Program (Grade 5) - Monday 8th December
  • Surf Program (Grade 6) - Tuesday 9th December
  • Grade 3/4 End of Year Excursion - Tuesday 9th December
  • Prep Nativity (Whole School) - 2:00pm - 2:30pm Tuesday 9th December
  • Prep Nativity (Families) - 3:00pm - 3:30pm Tuesday 9th December
  • Christmas Dress Up Day - Wednesday 10th December
  • Grade 1 & 2 Dance Incursion - Wednesday 10th December
  • Kinder Cinema Excursion - Wednesday 10th December
  • Grade 2 Cinema Excursion - Thursday 11th December
  • Last Day of Canteen - Friday 12 December
  • Last Day of Breakfast Club - Friday 12 December
  • Prep Launceston Zoo Excursion - Friday 12 December

Mr Mcculloch's reflection

acting principal                                     

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

As we approach the end of the school year, our preparations for 2026 are well underway. One of the key milestones in this transition is Orientation Day, which offers students an opportunity to look ahead with confidence and excitement. It helps lay the groundwork for a smooth start to the new year.

Tomorrow, 3rd December, we will hold our annual Orientation Day. This is an important and enjoyable experience for students as they spend time in their 2026 class groups and meet their new teacher/s. For many children, the day can bring a mix of anticipation, curiosity and sometimes a few nerves. These feelings are completely natural and often reflect the potential for growth, resilience and the development of new or renewed relationships as they prepare for the year ahead.

As we move into this stage of planning, it is also a timely moment to remind families of the process behind forming class groups for 2026. Class allocation is a thoughtful and carefully managed process that considers a wide range of factors, including the academic, social, emotional, spiritual and physical needs of all students. Our staff, who spend more than 800 hours with your child each year, are well placed to make professional and objective decisions regarding class placements. Once classes have been formed and announced, it is no longer possible to make changes without significantly impacting other students, compelling needs or parental requests.

On Friday, we will hold our final Kindergarten Orientation session and welcome families into our gymnasium to share key information about life at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School. In particular, we look forward to welcoming the new families who will be joining our community in 2026 - and we know that you will make them feel supported, included and very much at home.

Kind regards

Ben McCulloch

Social Media Age Restrictions
A reminder to our school community that from 10th December young people under 16 will not be allowed to create or hold accounts on certain social media platforms.

The eSafety Commissioner advises that parents and carers can help their under 16s by talking openly about the age restrictions, finding out how they currently use social media and how that may be impacted by the new law.

There are no penalties for under 16s who access an age-restricted social media platform, or for their parents or carers. Penalties will apply to age-restricted platforms that fail to take reasonable steps to prevent under 16s from having accounts on their platforms.

Information and resources to support parents and carers, and young people to prepare for the change are available at the eSafety Social media age restrictions hub.
Visit eSafety.gov.au. 

School news

Nativity Play - Sewing Volunteers Needed!
The Mersey Leven Parish and the Catholic Schools need help to make costumes for the up coming Nativity play on Christmas Eve at the Our Lady of Lourdes Church. The costumes will be for the children from Catholic Schools and the Parish who will be acting in the play. Costumes we have are beginning to wear out and there is not enough. We would greatly appreciate your help to sew simple gown like costumes.
If you are able to assist us please email Catherine Dunn [email protected] or phone 0400 766 311 or let the school office know.

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​OLOL Orientation Day
Our Lady of Lourdes students will participate in our internal Orientation Day on Wednesday 3rd December.
This special day provides an opportunity for students to meet their 2026 teacher and classmates in a relaxed and welcoming environment. 
Students will spend time in their new classroom from 9:15am to 1:15pm, beginning to build relationships that will support a smooth and confident transition into the new school year.
Please note: This date does not coincide with St Brendan-Shaw College’s Orientation Day for students commencing Year 7 in 2026. 
Our Grade 6 students will be located in an alternate space and will act as helpers throughout the day, supporting younger students with adjustment and change as they settle into their new environment.
At the conclusion of the day, parents will be notified via Compass regarding their child’s class placement for 2026.
We look forward to partnering with you and your child to foster continued growth and learning throughout 2026 and beyond.

Christmas Dress-Up Day - Wednesday 10th December
Our SRC have invited students and staff to come dressed in their best Christmas attire - think sparkles, Santa hats, jingle bells, reindeer ears, elf outfits or anything that spreads a bit of Christmas cheer.
Whether you go full North Pole or keep it simple with a touch of tinsel, we can’t wait to see our school filled with colour, joy and plenty of festive fun.
Canteen Final Day for Term 4 - Friday 12th December
As we approach the final day of canteen, please be aware that some menu items may become out of stock. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Breakfast Club Last Day - Friday 12th December

​Families Leaving Our Lady of Lourdes 2026
Please inform the School Office if your family will be leaving OLOL at the end of this year or in 2026 (excluding 2025 Grade 6), as we currently have families on our waitlist.
Email: [email protected]
*Under the enrolment form, signed by parents - 10 weeks notice is required
Thank you all of our families for your ongoing support.

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.

​2026 Schedule of Fees
Massed String Orchestra Performance
On the evening of Saturday 15th November Madeleine Kirkwood (5B)  & Hannah Oakley (5B) formed part of a 'massed string orchestra' who played to the general public at a ticketed event at the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Launceston. This is the second time the girls have participated in the massed orchestra (the first time was in June, again at the Hotel Grand Chancellor in a ticketed event). 
The girls travel to Launceston 1-2 times per month in the evenings to rehearse with the string group that range from beginner level to chamber orchestra level (expert level). 

Religious educATION

Sports Update & Information

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

Return of Basketball Tops
A reminder that all basketball tops are to be returned washed to Mrs Marshall in the Library by Friday 5th December.
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🏉 Devonport Touch Football – Grades 2–6 
Wednesdays  22nd Sept – 10th December
Open to all students in Grades 2 to 6
👉 Register online: https://touchfootball.com.au/

Student of the week

Week 5
​Week 6

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 4
Tuesday 14th October - Wednesday 17th December
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