OLHC News Issue 32 Term 4 Week 4 - 31st October 2025
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
Dear Parents and Friends of Our Lady's,
A few weeks ago I wrote about St John Henry Newman. Pope Leo, this week, has released a letter on Catholic Education and elevated Newman's profile in this important are of the Church's life.
Pope Leo has written a special letter encouraging Catholic schools to begin a new season of learning, one that brings together knowledge and meaning, faith and life.
Marking 60 years since the Church’s declaration on Catholic education, the Pope named St John Henry Newman as a patron of the Church’s educational mission alongside St Thomas Aquinas, and announced that St Newman will soon be declared a Doctor of the Church for his great contribution to Christian learning.
The Pope praised Catholic schools and universities for their resilience and creativity in a changing world, even in the age of technology and artificial intelligence. Guided by Christ, he said, they “build bridges, not walls.”
He asked all Catholic educators to focus on three priorities:
Interior life – helping young people find silence, depth, and time to speak with God.
Wise use of technology – putting people before algorithms and using digital tools for good.
Peace – teaching nonviolence, reconciliation, and the building of bridges between people.
Catholic education, the Pope reminds us, continues to shine with hope — forming hearts and minds for a better world.
I am pleased that Our Lady's is in line with this encouragement, having for many years now used technology wisely, invited students and families to develop interior dispositions that make prayer possible, and promoted peace and harmony in our relationships through SWPBS and other practices. I hope that all schools, the world over, listen to the Pope and implement his wise and encouraging priorities.
All the very best,
Chris McCumstie
principal@olhcmurtoa.catholic.edu.au
World Teachers' Day
A very big thank you to all the teachers at Our Lady's on this World Teachers' Day. All of our staff, from classroom teachers to LSOs, casual relief teachers to volunteers, and visiting teachers (art, Auslan, and other specialists) play such an important part in the lives of our students. Learning happens throughout our school day, not just in the classrooms, and the good witness of our staff is an encouragement to our whole community, most especially our students.
Lots of cards were given to our teachers today, and the students were forthcoming with their gratitude and praise. This is wonderful to see that our staff are acknowledged, and that our children have such admirable qualities.
Mr McCumstie
CEP Performance
This week the students went to a Circus performance (called Asking for Trouble- Risk!) at the Horsham Town Hall. The show was set in a playground where all the pieces of play equipment were breaking, and how taking risks was all a part of a child's development. As always, we are grateful to the Country Education Partnership for making these opportunities available to our school and students.
Some comments the children wrote:
I liked when the girl got up, on top of the swing! - Irene
The Risk was a great show. My favourite parts were when the swing broke and when they both needed the emergency kit. - Nihal
My favourite part of the show was when the boy started running around with a cone on his head. - Kirat
My favourite part of the show was when Christie fell off the swing and Luke pulled the monkey bars onto the slide. - Joey
I thought it was funny when the monkey bars fell down. - Ivaana
Friday Fun - 'Rock Your Royal, Crowns and Tiaras' Day
To finish the year joyfully, we have instituted Fun Fridays! This week the students enjoyed the 'Rock Your Royal, Crowns and Tiaras' theme. Characters spotted were knights, kings and princesses with many sparkling crowns, tiaras and fine robes! Students and staff enjoyed a delicious High Tea. There is a growing list of fun ideas for how we may spend all the remaining Fridays, so stay tuned!
Gold Rush - Prospecting
This term, the students have been learning about Australia's rich history of the gold rush era. They have been learning where gold was first discovered (in Bathurst NSW), and how the gold rush spread to the areas of Ballarat and Bendigo. In their hands-on learning, Mrs Woods and Mrs Dalgleish went on a treasure hunt in the school grounds armed with a metal detector, scoop, probe and pick where the students learned how to identify where metal objects might be. They discovered some coins, paperclips, old nails, an old fishing hook and even a small piece of a mirror! The students were quite excited to find other metal objects, which they discovered may have actually been the metal pipe for the nearby tap. The students have loved exploring this topic and being able to participate in such fun and rich learning opportunities.
Catholic Mission Week 2025
From 3rd to 7th November, our school community at Our Lady Help of Christians, Murtoa will celebrate Catholic Mission Week 2025. This year’s theme, Missionaries of Hope, calls us to bring light, compassion, and justice into the lives of others, especially those facing hardship and uncertainty.
We are invited to live out our faith through action — by showing kindness, standing with the vulnerable, and sharing Christ’s hope in practical ways. Throughout the week, students, staff, and families will engage in prayer, learning, and fundraising to support vital mission projects around the world.
Together, let us be people of hope, courage, and love.
Parents are invited to join in our Staff, students & parents T-Ball Game on Wednesday 5th November at 2.00pm
Parent Support Initiative: School TV
The SchoolTV initiative at Our Lady Help of Christians School aims to help parents 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.
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
Important Upcoming Dates:
November 2025
- Saturday 1st November - All Saints Day - Mass at Ss. Michael & John, Horsham at 9.30am
- Sunday 2nd November - All Souls Day - Mass at St. Mary's, Murtoa at 8.30am
- Monday 3rd - 7th November Mission Week
- Monday 3rd November - Crazy Hair and Socks and Free Dress
- Tuesday 4th November - Melbourne Cup Day - Normal School Day Decorate Hats
- Wednesday 5th November - T-ball Game Staff, students and parents
- Thursday 6th November - Icecream in a Cup
- Friday 7th November - Fluro and Hot Dogs
- Wednesday 12th November - Pupil Free Day - Staff PD
- Wednesday 19th November to Friday 21st November - Year 3 & 4 Camp Ballarat
December 2025
- Tuesday 2nd December - Year 6 Experience Day at St. Brigid's College
- Monday 8th to Wednesday 10th December - Year 6 Camp - Lady Northcote Discovery Camp
- Wednesday 17th- Graduation Mass St Mary's Church at 5.00pm
- Thursday 18th December - Students' Last Day of Term 4
- Friday 19th December - Staff Last Day of Term 4
Mass Times & Parish Information
Sunday 2nd November 2025, Mass at 8.30am at St. Mary's Catholic Church - All Souls Day
Parish Bulletin
Community News
See the attached flyers for initiatives that may interest from groups in and around Murtoa.
