Our Lady Help of Christians School Murtoa eNewsletter

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,

At the end of 2025, Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School, Murtoa, will close its doors after more than 60 years of service to the local community. While this marks the end of an era, it is also a time to celebrate the school’s proud history and enduring legacy.

Established in 1963 through the vision and commitment of local Catholics, and staffed in its early years by the Brigidine Sisters, Our Lady’s quickly became a cornerstone of community and parish life. Generations of families have been educated in faith and learning at the school, with many second and third-generation students walking through its gates.

Over the decades, parents, parishioners, and staff worked tirelessly to support and grow the school, through fundraising, building projects, sporting and cultural achievements, and above all, a shared commitment to nurturing children in their faith and learning.

Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited (DOBCEL) remains deeply grateful for this contribution and proud of the high-quality Catholic education provided at Our Lady’s for more than six decades. As the school community prepares for this transition, DOBCEL is committed to ensuring that families are supported in their choice of Catholic schooling for 2026, and that staff are assisted with career pathways and opportunities across the Diocese.

Plans are underway to celebrate the school’s rich history and to recognise all those who have been part of its story. Above all, the legacy of Our Lady’s will live on in the generations of students who carry forward its values of faith, community, and care.

I have attached below the statement released by Tom Sexton, the executive director of DOBCEL, announcing the closure of the school.

All the very best,

Chris McCumstie

principal@olhcmurtoa.catholic.edu.au

OLHC_Murtoa_Closure_Statement_12.09.2025.pdf

Tours of the New Building

We warmly invite all friends of Our Lady's to come for a personalised tour of our new facilities. We are happy to nbe working and learning in these spaces and would love to show them off!

Football/Netball Colours/Casual Clothes Day

On the last day of Term 3 - Thursday, 18th September - all staff and students are invited to wear their favourite footy/netball team clothes. This is the last day of term for our students, so a special lunch will be provided consisting of pies with a fruit box.

Parent Support Initiative: School TV

OLHC 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.

A Free Webinar is promoted above, addressing cyber safety, an issue parents have to navigate in an increasingly digital world.

Black Ranges Athletics, North Park Stawell

We continue to congratulate our students who participated in the Black Ranges Athletics last Wednesday. Results:

Irene finished 4th in Discuss.

Kirat finished 1st in Triple jump and 4th in 100M Sprint.

André finished 3rd in Triple Jump.

André and Nihal finished 1st in the Relay.

Fantastic effort Irene, Kirat, Andre and Nihal.

Students who finished 1st or 2nd in individual events and 1st in relay progress to the next level (Greater Western Region Athletics). Greater Western Region Athletics are scheduled for Friday, 10th October 2025 at Llanberris Athletic Track, York Street, Ballarat. Well done everyone, and good luck Kirat, Andre and Nihal.

Murtoa Show 2025

139th Annual Murtoa Show will be held on the Big Weekend, on Friday, 3rd October 2025. (This day is the last Friday of the school holidays)

Students have been preparing entries during various lessons at school. The school will enter student's work into the show to represent OLHC.

Children are welcome to enter other sections as a Murtoa resident. If they have time during the school holidays, they might like to create an entry and follow the directions in the show schedule below to enter into the particular category. Detailed instructions, including entry information, are contained in the Murtoa Show Schedule below.

Murtoa Show Program 2025

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

CCYP_Child_Safe_Standards_Plain_Language.pdf