Newsletter 20/3/2025
- From the Principal:
- Sacrament Preparation:
- Grade 3-6 Athletics Carnival:
- Grade 1/2 On Country Oura Oura Excursion:
- Kinder Wonder Walk:
- Circle of Life Program:
- Children's University:
- News from the OLOM Green Thumb Team:
- Lego Brixhibition Competition:
- Holy Week Mass Times:
- Important Dates Term 1:
- St Brendan-Shaw College Open Night:
- St Patrick's College Enrolment Evening:
- Term Dates 2025:
From the Principal:
Dear Parents and Carers,
Have you ever noticed the four shamrocks on our school crest?
Despite a bit of a search I have not been able to uncover who put the crest together, when it was designed nor why the specific elements were chosen. I can tell you, however, that quite a number of strong Irish Catholics lived in the districts of Deloraine and Westbury at the time of our early settlement and when the school was founded. Whether convict or free settlers these Irish Catholics also played an integral part in the building of our beautiful blue stone churches here in Deloraine and Westbury. Many of these family names are still common in our area today.
The shamrock is closely linked to St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It is said that St. Patrick used the shamrock to explain the idea of the Holy Trinity—God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit. He showed the people of Ireland that even though the Trinity has three parts, it is still one, just like the shamrock has three leaves but is still one plant.
Over time, the shamrock became a symbol of St. Patrick and Ireland. Today, it is worn on St. Patrick’s Day to celebrate Irish culture and heritage. So, every time you see a shamrock, remember the special connection it has to St. Patrick and his teachings!
Kind regards,
Mary Bennett
Sacrament Preparation:
2025 Sacrament Preparation
The Meander Valley Catholic Parish welcomes families who wish to present their children for the reception of the Sacraments this year. An information session will be held for parents/guardians of children aged 8 years and above to learn more about the sacraments in general. It will be of interest to those who may be considering presenting their children for Penance (Reconciliation), Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist. Parents of unbaptised children are also most welcome to attend this meeting if they are considering Baptism for them.
Further information on the dates and the process involved in sacrament preparation will be shared at the Parent/Guardian Information Session.
To register your interest, please contact Dianne Murray at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School on 6362 2323 or Fr Ben Brooks on 0448 527 140.
Grade 3-6 Athletics Carnival:
On Friday 14th March, students from Year 3 to Year 6 competed in their 3–6 Athletics Carnival at St Leonard's Athletic Track in Launceston. It was an awesome day full of friendly competition between students. All students gave their absolute best in every event. It was an especially exciting day for the Year 3 students, as it was their first 3–6 Athletics Carnival.
The day finished with a Teacher vs. Student Race, where the teachers had an extra 50m penalty. Despite the challenge, the teachers managed to make a comeback and secure the win.
Winning House: Walsh – Congratulations to all Walsh competitors!
Grade Champions:
- Year 3 Girls: Cora Francis
- Year 3 Boys: William Fornari
- Year 4 Girls: Amelia Vidler
- Year 4 Boys: George Van Rooye
- Year 5 Boys: Zaide Millwood
- Year 6 Boys: James Badcock
It was an amazing day with outstanding track and field results from all students — well done!
Selected students will represent Our Lady of Mercy at the Interschool Carnival on Friday 28th March. Best of luck to all competitors!
Miss Montanna Eastley
Athletics Carnival Action
Grade 1/2 On Country Oura Oura Excursion:
Oura Oura is a Tasmanian Aboriginal name for the Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo. While not a traditional nature reserve, Oura Oura holds significant importance due to its connections with conservation efforts in Australia. It continues to be of immense value to the Tasmanian Aboriginal community, who have cared for the land for tens of thousands of years.
On Monday, March 3rd, under the guidance of local elder Uncle Hank, the Grade 1/2 class participated in an 'On Country' experience. We were welcomed onto the land of the Traditional Owners and had the opportunity to learn about Aboriginal custodianship. We also gained insights into the customs, hunting practices, and traditions of their ancestors, and the importance of all of us working together to care for the land.
Kinder Wonder Walk:
On Tuesday 19th March, Kinder students went on a Wonder Walk to the Deloraine Library and Train Park.
The students enjoyed the walk from the school to the library, pointing out the places they had visited before with their families (such as Woolworths and the Post Office) and chatting happily with each other.
At the Library, the students listened to the book 'I Love You More Than Ice Cream' before having a short tour of the space and watching how books are checked out. We borrowed five books to take back to school, which we are looking forward to reading in class.
We stopped for a play at the train park where the merry-go-round and the train (of course!) were very popular.
We finished our outing by walking back along the river. Along the way, we spotted ducks, 'turbo chooks' and 'Wally the Wombat.'
Enjoy some photos from our beautiful sunny day!
Circle of Life Program:
Next week all our students will participate in the 'Circle Of Life' program. ‘Circle of Life’ provides a Catholic approach to Relationships and Sexuality Education for the Health and Physical Education learning area of the Australian Curriculum. Using group presentations, personal stories, digital resources, creative activities, and small group discussions, ‘Circle of Life’ engages young people in responding to the challenges of growing up and making healthy decisions for themselves and others.
Supported by the classroom teachers, the program will be taught by Mrs Monique Hall. Monique has over twenty years of teaching experience in Catholic schools in the Early Years, Primary, Secondary and in adult education. Monique worked extensively for Catholic Care in Tasmania in the area of family life, relationships and sexuality education. Monique is a passionate and creative teacher, a wife and mother of four children, experiencing first-hand the joys and challenges of parenting.
Further information, specific to your child's age group, will be sent home this week as paper copies.
Our family is a circle of love and strength. With every birth and every union, the circle grows. Every joy shared adds more love, every crisis faced together makes the circle stronger.
Kind regards,
Simon Wood
Children's University:
Our Lady of Mercy is excited to take part in the Children's University (CU) program once again! CU encourages students from Grade 2 to Grade 6 to keep learning outside of school, helping them discover a love for learning and find fun educational opportunities beyond the classroom.
The program aims to:
- Spark curiosity and a love of learning.
- Boost educational achievement.
- Reward kids for taking charge of their own learning.
- Connect kids with learning experiences outside the classroom.
- Strengthen relationships between families, schools, and the university.
- Build confidence, decision-making skills, and independence.
If you would like to enroll you child in this program, enrolment forms and additional information is available at the office or from Mr Wood. Please note, there is a cost of $15 the cost of a learning journal passport, payable by cash or EFTPOS at the school office.
Kind regards,
Simon Wood
News from the OLOM Green Thumb Team:
Lego Brixhibition Competition:
Students are invited to compete in an individual Lego competition. Each creation should be completed and ready for display at Our Lady of Mercy between Monday 24th March and Friday 28th March. The overall winner of our school will be invited to showcase their winning Lego creations at Brixhibition Launceston to compete against other schools’ overall winners.
Each Lego display to be no larger than 52cm wide, 52cm high, 52cm deep or no larger than four 32x32 Lego base plates.
Each design must be original, not made with a Lego kit or instructions.
Some adult help is allowed however the design should mainly only be the child’s design.
We look forward with great excitement, to seeing what you create.
Holy Week Mass Times:
Father Ben and members of the Meander Valley Catholic Parish warmly invite all students and their families to:
Saturday Vigil Mass, 12th April
5 pm Mass @ Holy Redeemer, Deloraine Children are invited to be part of the procession and are encouraged to bring palm fronds or green leaves to wave during the procession.
Palm Sunday Mass, 13th April
9 am Palm Sunday Mass @ Holy Trinity, Westbury Children are invited to be part of the procession and are encouraged to bring palm fronds or green leaves to wave during the procession.
Holy Thursday, 17th April
Mass of the Lord’s Supper Holy Trinity, Westbury, 7:30 pm
Good Friday, 18th April
Stations of the Cross Holy Redeemer, Deloraine, 10 am
The Passion of the Lord
Holy Trinity, Westbury, 3 pm
Easter Saturday, 19th April
The Easter Vigil Holy Trinity, Westbury, 7:30 pm
Easter Sunday, 20th April
Sunday Mass of the Resurrection Holy Redeemer, Deloraine, 9 am
All are welcome!
Important Dates Term 1:
St Brendan-Shaw College Open Night:
St Patrick's College Enrolment Evening:
Term Dates 2025:
