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,

All the staff are so proud of the students for the way they attended both excursions this week. It was fitting that our school attended the Horsham College performance of Snow White, as the children have been reading and writing about Fairytales for a few weeks now. From all reports, it was a hit, and the students from Horsham College are to be congratulated for their efforts.

On Thursday we attended Mass at St Michael and John's Catholic Church in Horsham, for the feast of the Assumption. We are a school named after Our Lady, Mary, the Mother of God. The Feast of the Assumption celebrates her life, and the belief that she is now in Heaven with God forever. The students practiced the virtue of reverence in Mass, participating in prayers and hymns and quiet reflection time wonderfully. Afterwards, we looked around the church, and it was beautiful to hear the wonderings and questions of the students as they admired the statues, sacred artwork, and furnishings in the church.

We have our Book Week dress-up on Friday, and that is always a lot of fun. We have been reminding the children to get their costumes ready, and cannot wait to see who they come dressed as on Friday. The important thing about Book Week is that we are promoting good reading. I have asked the children to bring a copy of a book they love, so that we can enjoy dressing up, but also share good literature.

Thanks also to Mrs Dalgliesh for putting on a great Science Week session on Thursday. The children exploded volcanos, explored skeletons, and discovered the delights of static electricity. Head over to our FaceBook page to see some great pictures!

All the very best,

Chris McCumstie

principal@olhcmurtoa.catholic.edu.au

'Snow White' at Horsham Town Hall

Students and Staff attended 'Snow White' on Wednesday, 14th August 2024

Student comments:

"They made us sing Ghost Busters about seven times!" Teddy

"I got to meet the evil queen and asked her a question." Therese

"My favorite character was Herman." Joseph M

"I liked the poison apple." Andre

"It was the best performance we've been to." Nihal

"I loved Snow White in her beautiful dress!" Addison

Lilly gave the show a big thumbs up and a wide grin.

Book Fair

The Book Fair has ended for another year, much to the student's disappointment!

Many quiet moments were spent at the Book Fair, reading, dreamimg and enjoying what was on offer.

Thank you to all families for your generous support of the Book Fair. The many books sold gave us a healthy selection of books for the Library.

Book Week 'Dress Up Day'

Book Week this year runs from 17th - 23rd August.

On Friday, 23rd August, we will be having a 'Book Week Dress Up Day'

Students are invited to dress up as their favourite book character and bring along a copy of the book for the parade at 9.00am.

Parents are welcome to watch the parade in the Multi-Purpose Room at 9.00am.

Father's Day Breakfast

Black Ranges Athletics

Black Ranges Athletics will be held on Thursday, 5th September at Stawell.

Seven of our students have qualified to compete at the next level.

Kaden - 200m and discus
Eddie - Triple Jump
Andre - Relay
Nihal - Triple Jump and Relay
Charlotte - 100m, Triple Jump and Relay
Eimer - 200m, Triple Jump and Relay
Kirat - 100m, 200m, Relay

Parents will be responsible for transporting their child to and from the Black Ranges Athletics and supervising them on the day.

Information will be emailed and a Permission Form will be available for consent on Simon.

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

Child Safe Standard 3:

OLHC prioritises Child Safety, and informs children about the way they can be supported in staying safe. We regularly remind children about being safe, who they can speak to if they feel unsafe, and the importance of advocating for friends. We have a Child Safety Wall, with clear information about what to do if a child feels unsafe, and who our Child Safety Officer is (Chris McCumstie, the principal.)

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.

OLHC School TV

Important Upcoming Dates:

August:

17th - 23rd August - Book Week
Friday 23rd August - Book Week Dress Up day
Friday 30th August - Father's Day Breakfast 8.00am

September:

Thursday 5th September Black Ranges Athletics Stawell
Friday 20th September - Last Day of Term 3 Early finish at 2.15pm

October:

Friday 4th October - Murtoa Show Day
Monday 7th October - Term 4 starts
Monday 21st to Wednesday 23rd October - Year 3/4 Camp - Information to Come

December:

Monday 9th to Wednesday 11th December - Year 5/6 Camp Melbourne - Information to Come

Mass Times & Parish Information

Sunday 18th August -Mass at St. Mary's Catholic Church 8.30am

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.