Term 3, No. 5

23 september 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 20th October (9:00 - 9:30)

Parents and carers are welcome!

upComing Events

Term 3​​
  • AFL Special Lunch Order Day - Wednesday 24th September
  • Students vs Staff Footy Match - Thursday 25th September
  • Assembly (Grade 6) - Friday 26th September
  • Footy Colours Day - Friday 26th September
  • Term 3 Ends - Friday 26 September 
  • Student Free Day - Monday 13th October
  • Term 4 Begins - Tuesday 14th October
  • OLOL Athletics Carnival (Prep - Grade 6) - Friday 17th October
  • This is Us Exhibition - Grade 4 (6 - 7pm) - Friday 17th October
  • OLOL Book Fair - Tuesday 21st (Grade 3-6) & Wednesday 22nd (Kinder - Grade 2) October

mr mcculloch's reflection                  

acting principal                                       

The Value of Sharing Meals Together
​At Our Lady of Lourdes, we believe that education extends far beyond the classroom. One of the simplest yet most powerful ways to build community and strengthen relationships is through sharing a meal. Whether it’s sitting down as a family at home, joining friends in the playground or gathering as a school community, meals provide much more than nourishment.

When we eat together, we create opportunities for conversation, connection, and belonging. Sharing food encourages children to slow down, listen to one another and engage in meaningful dialogue. These moments help develop social skills, empathy and gratitude for both the food on the table and the people around it.

Just last week, our staff gathered for a Cancer Council Morning Tea. Together we raised funds to support cancer research, while also taking time to acknowledge one of our former colleagues. It was a beautiful reminder that food can bring people together in ways that both celebrate community and honour those who are special to us.

Research shows that children who regularly share meals with others often feel more supported and connected which in turn has a positive impact on their wellbeing and learning. In a busy world, taking time to pause and eat together reminds us of the importance of community and strengthens the bonds that make our school such a welcoming place.

We encourage all families to find moments in the week to share meals together - whether that’s a simple breakfast, a weeknight dinner or a special celebration. These shared times not only nourish the body but also feed the heart and spirit.

As we approach the end of term, we wish all our families a safe, restful and joy-filled break. May it be a time of renewal and togetherness.

Kind regards,

Ben
Parent Invitation for Class Requests for 2026
Class allocation for 2026, involves a variety of factors including balancing the academic, social and emotional needs of all of our students. Our staff are in the best position to objectively do this. They spend 800 hours with your child over the school year. We also wish to work with you as parents if you have valid concerns for class allocation in 2026. 

Please contact the school between Tuesday 23rd September and Friday 31st October in writing outlining your request and the appropriate reasons for the request to:  [email protected] 

Not all parent requests can or will be granted. This decision will be the Principal’s, based on conversations between leadership staff and class teachers following the parent request.

Our Lady of Lourdes Class Formation Policy provides a clear framework for the process of placing children into classes and ensure Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School:
  • Provides each child with the opportunity to be part of a class of children where they will have the best opportunity to learn.
  • Provides evenly balanced classes in which the social, emotional, academic, spiritual and physical needs of each child are taken into account.
  • Ensures that optimum use is made of prior knowledge that teachers, parents and other key stakeholders have of each child before class placement.
Please note that as part of the class formation process teachers gather information on student friendships which inform the construction of classes. 

We do state that this process does take us considerable time and discernment, therefore any parent requests received after 31st October will not be considered. Furthermore, 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. 

School news

Devonport Eisteddfod Report
Scholastic Book Fair

​Midford Uniform Shop relocation

​StoryBox Hub

​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.
​
Rainbows Program
              Medication at School

Religious educATION

Gospel Reading
Luke 16:1-13
Jesus tells a parable about a dishonest steward who is commended for his prudence; one cannot serve both God and money.

Family Connection
Talk with your children about some things that they have done to show that they can be trusted. Talk a bit about what it means to be responsible. Responsibility often means that we put aside something of passing value for something of greater value.

​Read together the short form of today's Gospel, Luke 16:10-13. Talk about the importance of responsible use of money and our material possessions. As a family, commit to one action that you will take this week to show that your family serves God and not money.

Loyola Press. (2025). Sunday Connection. Loyola Press. Retrieved from https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/sunday-connection/

Student of the Week

Week 7
Week 8

Sports Update & Information

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

🏉 Devonport Touch Football – Grades 2–6Wednesdays  22nd Sept – 10th Dec
Open to all students in Grades 2 to 6
👉 Register online: https://touchfootball.com.au/

🏊🚴‍♂️🏃 Triathlon Update
Entries are now closed.
Thank you to everyone who registered

🏉 Girls AFL
Commencing 14th November
Girls in Grades 4 to 6 are invited to join the upcoming AFL program!
👉 To express interest, please complete the OLOL Google Form no later 9am Wednesday 15th October

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

2025
TERM 3
Tuesday 22nd July - Friday 26th September
TERM 4
Tuesday 14th October - Thursday 18th December
​