OLHC News Issue 19 Term 2 Week 11 - 28th June 2024
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Our Lady Help of Christians is a Child Safe School and is committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We acknowledge the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia, and Japagulk peoples as the traditional custodians of the land upon which our school was built.
Principal Report
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Dear Parents and Friends of Our Lady's,
The holidays are upon us, and not a moment too soon!
Well done to all the students for getting through a long term, and well done to their parents and teachers for all their efforts and contributions. Nothing happens without effort. It is the consistent hard work of parents in getting their children ready and to school on time, of teachers in preparing and delivering lessons each day, and of students applying themselves to their education and formation, that has brought about the strong growth we have seen this semester. When I consider where we were in January, I am so proud of our community. We have a calm, ordered school. We have improvements in academic results for all our students. We have an engaged and helpful group of families. No doubt we have much more work to do, and we must never be complacent, but as we depart for a well-earned rest, I want to express heartfelt thanks to all those who have brought this positive change and growth.
Please enjoy the break and take time for recuperation, rest, and recreation. The only learning I would ask to continue is daily reading, as this is a habit that we do not want to lose. Quiet times for reading may also assist parents in getting through two weeks of school holidays!
Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:28 "Come to me all you who are weary and I will give you rest." This beautiful invitation is pertinent to us all as we break for a fortnight. May we come to Jesus in prayer and reflection and take up His invitation to give us rest.
All the very best,
Chris McCumstie
principal@olhcmurtoa.catholic.edu.au
Reports
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Semester 1 Student Reports will be released to parents on Friday 28th June.
Student reports are available on PAM. You can access your child's report by following the pathway below:
1. Login to PAM Homepage
2. Student Profile
3. Profile Menu
4. Assessment Reports
5. End of Semester 1 Reports
If you experience any issues or have questions or concerns you can contact Chris via email at principal@olhcmurtoa.catholic.
NCCD
School Mass - Sunday 21st July 8.30am
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We are part of the Paul VI Parish, Wimmera Mallee and as such we want to partner with our local parishioners at St Mary's Church, Murtoa.
School Mass will be celebrated next term on Sunday, 21st July at 8.30am at St. Mary's Catholic Church.
Students will be reading scripture, bringing forth the gifts at the offertory, reading the prayers of the faithful, and singing hymns. We will prepare for these roles at school to ensure the celebration is reverent and joyful.
Morning tea to follow. All are welcome!
Outback Showcase
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We finished the term on such a high note, with the hard work of our teachers and students culminating with the fantastic outback showcase.
Thanks to all our families for their attendance. It was such a joyful occasion, seeing aunts, uncles, grandparents, mums and dads coming together to celebrate learning.
Thanks are extended to our teachers, Ms Mock, Mr Collie, Mrs Dalgliesh and the musical Mr Robarts, for their work to prepare for the day.
The biggest thank you is reserved for the children, who entertained and impressed us all with their artwork, song-singing, historical knowledge, and poetry recitals. Thank you children for all your efforts and for looking so spectacular in your costumes.
My New Gallery
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Yard Work
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The 60th anniversary was impetus to do some significant work on the grounds. We are glad to report that this has carried through to the last part of our term, with students and teachers continuing to improve our grounds. This last week we tidied up around the basketball court, replaced sand in the sandpit, and planted out some succulents and lambs ears in the Reconciliation Garden. Thanks to all the students for their hard work, and for loving our school.
Winter
Two items in relation to the onset of Winter.
Firstly, please ensure your child is dressed appropriately in the winter school uniform. Requests for new or second-hand uniforms can come through the General Office.
Boys: school polo, navy track pants or grey pants, school fleece jumper or vest.
Girls: school polo or navy skivy, navy pants or navy track pants, or pinafore with school polo underneath it, school fleece jumper, vest or cardigan and navy tights.
Appropriate footwear (black school shoes or runners) for both boys and girls. We also allow the use of gumboots in our wet and muddy grounds to ensure we are not tracking mud through school rooms.
Secondly, it is also cold and flu season, so please ensure you are monitoring your child for contagious symptoms. We have had a lot of children presenting at school when they should probably be kept at home. It is a courtesy to staff and students alike to keep sick children home.
Child Safety
Our Lady Help of Christians is a Child Safe School. We implement the 11 Child Safe Standards, and work to embed these in our school culture. Our newsletter is just one place among a number where we educate our community about Child Safety. Below is a concise and helpful guide to the Child Safe Standards. The Child Safety Officer at OLHC is Chris McCumstie, and he can be contacted for information at any time.
principal@olhcmurtoa.catholic.edu.au
Child Safe Standard 2:
OLHC prioritises Child Safety, and it is important at all levels of our organisation. It is clear to all who work or volunteer in our school that we take Child Safety seriously and have processes in place to find, avoid, and stop risks of child abuse and harm. OLHC works with DOBCEL to embed a culture of Child Safety at our school.
School TV
The SchoolTV initiative at Our Lady Help of Christians School aims to help parents to navigate the often complex issues they face in raising their children.
Expert advice, helpful tips, and other resources, are available to all our parents and caregivers. Explore the wide range of topics at SchoolTV by clicking on the link below.
Important Upcoming Dates:
July:
- Monday 15th July - Teacher PD at Halls Gap Pupil Free Day
- Tuesday 16th July - First day of Term 3
- Sunday 21st July - School Mass at St. Mary's Catholic Church 8.30am
Mass Times & Parish Information
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Sunday 30th June Ecumenical Service at St. Mary's Murtoa. Followed by lunch at the Lutheran Hall.
St Paul VI Parish Sacramental Preparation
~ First Holy Communion ~
Parents of those children who have celebrated their, First Reconciliation sacrament earlier this year will be notified by email in early June of an Information Session date, where resources for First Holy Communion preparation will be distributed. Initial guidance will be given at the Information Session along with the resources and two further meeting dates will follow, to complete the necessary requirements before the sacrament is received.
Celebration of First Holy Communion will occur in Sunday Masses on set dates across the parish, most
likely over August/September.
~ Confirmation ~
Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation will take place with a similar structure (home preparation
and consolidation discussions in different churches) on a slightly later date scale.
Confirmation will be celebrated with Bishop Paul attending/visiting the parish as part of our Diocese 150th Year jubilee. Currently that timing is set for November.
All parishioners are invited to keep these children and their families in our prayers over the coming
months. May the grace of God touch their hearts and souls with the privilege of sacramental life shared with our Risen Christ. May Christ, the Good Shepherd, lead their preparation.
Parish Bulletin
Calendar Dates
Please click on the link below to take you directly to our School Calendar.