OLHC News Issue 35 Term 4 Week 6 - 15th November 2024

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,

On Monday we commemorated Remembrance Day, calling to mind the great sacrifice of our armed forces across many wars. We joined Murtoa College for a moving and solemn ceremony and were grateful for the invitation. Our school captains, Eddie and Eimer, on behalf of the OLHC community, placed a wreath during the service.

On Thursday I participated in an online meeting with the Flare Team at DOBCEL, making plans to better implement structured literacy, the science of reading, and the science of teaching and learning at Our Lady's in 2025. This coincided with the advertisement for one full-time and one part-time teacher beginning in Term 1. Whilst we still have several weeks to go in 2024, it is exciting to think of the positive developments we are making to continually improve our school. Adverts can be found at teacherson.net and on our Facebook page.

We confirmed the date and time for our end of year Mass and Graduation. Monday December 16th @ 6.30pm at St Mary's Catholic Church Murtoa. We will gather for Mass, followed by the graduation and speeches, and will then celebrate with supper on the church grounds.

This newsletter is one of the main ways we communicate about upcoming events and developments at school. We printed off copies for all families last week and will do the same this week. If you find that you prefer this method of receiving our newsletter, please let us know and we can continue the practice for those interested. 

As always, please make arrangements to speak with me if you have any concerns about your individual child.

All the very best, 

Chris McCumstie

principal@olhcmurtoa.catholic.edu.au

Remembrance Day - 11/11 at 11am

 Flanders Fields

 In Flanders fields the poppies blow
 Between the crosses, row on row,
 That mark our place; and in the sky
 The larks, still bravely singing, fly
 Scarce heard amid the guns below.

 We are the Dead. Short days ago
 We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
 Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
 In Flanders fields.

 Take up our quarrel with the foe:
 To you from failing hands we throw
 The torch; be yours to hold it high.
 If ye break faith with us who die
 We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
 In Flanders fields.

By John McRae

Aurora Project - Structured Literacy

In our literacy classes at Our Lady's we implement structured literacy, which is informed by the wide body of work known as the Science of Reading. If you follow the news, you may have seen articles and stories from educational leaders promoting structured literacy across all schools. We are definitely on this journey ourselves, and each day in the classrooms we explicitly teach phonics, revise spelling rules and patterns, unpack vocabulary, check for comprehension and promote fluency in reading. We reflect on our practice and have great discussions about how we can improve our teaching to bring about the best educational outcomes for all our students.

It was fitting that I came across some artwork of auroras that Ms. Mock and Mr. Collie did with the students in the last few weeks (pictured below), because in 2025, we will take part in the Aurora Program. This program connects us with experts and leading academics from La Trobe University, to build our capacity as a staff and to explore in greater depth the science that underpins our literacy practices. I'm very much looking forward to this journey as a school, continuing the good work done in the past, and focusing as a whole community on the same thing- the learning and flourishing of our students.

Year 5/6 Camp- Melbourne

Information for the upcoming 5/6 Urban Camp was sent home last week with students and emailed through to parents. 

Dates: Monday 9^th December – Wednesday 11^th December 2024

Cost: $360. With the generous assistance offered by the OLHC P&F, that cost is reduced to $260.

Further information regarding the pick-up and drop-off loop will be forwarded once it is confirmed with the cluster schools. Any questions please contact the General Office or email the principal.

• Medical Form  to be completed and returned by 21/11
• Permission Form (on SIMON) to be completed by 21/11
  

New Build - updated photos!

We are at an exciting stage with our plans for a new school. Swanbuild, the company that the school have employed, have commenced work and at this stage we are looking forward to the whole project being completed by mid-2025.  

When the original and main school building is demolished, learning will take place in the Library and Multipurpose Room. Our Junior Class will move to the Library for their day-to-day learning, and Seniors will move to the Multipurpose Room. Because the build is modular and largely occurs offsite, we are hoping for our time in temporary learning spaces to be short and swift.

Junior Room - Fluro Day 6/12

Students in the junior room are invited to dress up in fluro/bright colours to celebrate the completion of learning in Science (solar systems, planets, light, shadows) and to acknowledge the bright minds that students brought to all their learning, including the reading of the class novel, Mr. Popper's Penguins. Activities will include: science, art, cooking (fruit kebabs) and watching the movie Mr. Popper's Penguins (rated G). Well done juniors, you are all so bright and wonderful!

Message from Mrs. Dalgleish

A reminder that Mrs. Dalgleish has asked for all library books to be returned so that stocktake can occur this term.

Please ask your children to look far and wide and return all books that they have borrowed this week.

Thank you to the students who have returned books.

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

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:

November:

• Thursday 21st November - Year 7 2025 Murtoa College Transition Day 3

December:

• Tuesday 3rd December - St. Brigid's College Year 7 2025 Transition Day
• Thursday 5th December -Year 7 2025 Murtoa College Transition Day 4
• Friday 6th December - Junior Room Fluro Day, Dress Up
• Monday 9th to Wednesday 11th December - Year 5/6 Camp Melbourne 
• Monday 16th December - Graduation Mass St. Mary's Murtoa at 6.30pm
• Wednesday 18th December- Last Day for Students
• Friday 20th December- Last Day for Staff

January 2025:

• Sunday 26th - Australia Day
• Monday 27th - Australia Day Public Holiday
• Tuesday 28th - Staff Day
• Wednesday 29th - Staff Day
• Thursday 30th - First Day Term 1

Mass Times & Parish Information

Sunday 17th November Mass at St. Mary's Catholic Church 8.30am.

2025 Sacramental Program - EARLY ENROLLMENT
Reconciliation – Holy Communion – Confirmation
Reconciliation & Holy Communion is available to children in Year 4 and above.
Confirmation is available for children in Year 6 and above who have
completed Reconciliation & Holy Communion.

Early Enrolments help us decide where sessions are held and how many are needed.
Early Enrolments close Friday 13th December at 4pm.

General Enrolment will follow and be open until February 15th, 2025

If you would like more information or to enrol your child, please visit the Parish Office
at 10 Roberts Ave or Email: wimmeramallee@ballarat.catholic.org.au

Parish Bulletin

Murtoa Kinder Event - 23/11

Community News

Pool Volunteers

Local families willing to volunteer on mowing or Kiosk roster at Murtoa Swimming Pool, please contact Sophie Delahunty on 0415 456 642

Community Carols

Uniting Church in McDonald Street, Murtoa
8th December, 7pm
If anyone needs assistance with transport please contact Pam on 5384 7380 or John on 5385 2470

Christian Emergency Food Centre Horsham

Neighbourhood House are accepting donations of non-perishable food or money in support of the Christian Emergency Food Centre, Christmas Appeal. Donations can be dropped off up to 12th December.

Calendar Dates

Please click on the link below to take you directly to our School Calendar.