OLHC News Issue 30 Term 4 Week 1 - 11th October 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,

Welcome back to Term 4!

The students have made a great start to the term, with high standards of behaviour and engagement in teaching and learning.

We have a busy term ahead, with two school camps, a CEP excursion, 11 weeks of learning, and the usual end-of-year celebrations, transitions, and graduation. I am looking forward to cooperating with our students and families as we finish the year well.

At this time of year, it is necessary also to have one foot in 2025, planning for operational matters at the school, the upcoming building project, and making choices for teaching programs and resources. I will share more about these in the newsletter each week. In the meantime, please feel free to reach out via email, phone, or in person, as my door is always open to the friends and families of Our Lady's.

All the very best, 

Chris McCumstie

principal@olhcmurtoa.catholic.edu.au

Resignation of Jordan Collie

It was with regret that I accepted the resignation of Mr. Jordan Collie this week, effective from the end of the 2024 academic year. Jordan shared with me that he is seeking other opportunities in education for family reasons.

Jordan has been with us since the beginning of 2023 and I am very grateful for his service. He has been an asset to our community, leading the school in Auslan, contributing to staff and curriculum development, and overseeing the learning of the senior class on a day-to-day basis. I am grateful that we will continue to benefit from Jordan's skill set for the remainder of the year.

Jordan's quiet and calm presence, skill as a teacher, and professional manner will be missed by staff and students alike.

We will acknowledge Jordan more formally at the end of the year, but I am sure everyone in our community will join me now in thanking Jordan for his time with us and in wishing him all the very best for the future.

Chris McCumstie

Murtoa Show

Thank you to all the families for their support of the annual Murtoa Show. It was great to see the turn out and to see so many students on stage. A big thank you to Mr. Robarts for leading the students in song- the children did a great job!

Well done to all the students for their art, craft, and other entries that were on display in the Show Pavillion. Our school community should be very proud of our students and their immense talent. Whether entries came first, second, third, or did not receive a place, is of no consequence. The reality is that all of the displays showcased the hard work, confidence, and talent of our students, and brought joy to the Show and the broader community.

New Build in 2025- Plans for Classrooms

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.

Friday 11th October - Greater Western Region Athletics Ballarat

Congratulations to the students - Eimer, Eddie and Kaden - who represented Our Lady's at the Regional Athletics today in Ballarat. It is no small achievement to go so far in particular events, and our whole community are proud of you. Results to follow next week!

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.

Year 3 & 4 Camp Adekate

Parents of Year 3 and 4 students have received information regarding the Year Three and Four camp at Adekate. The permission form is on Simon and Medical forms were sent home. Further details (itinerary) will follow closer to the date.  The dates will be Monday 21^st, Tuesday 22^nd, Wednesday 23^rd October 2024. Students and staff will be staying at Camp Adekate and will travel by Wimmera Roadways Bus to and from camp. The staff member attending camp is Chris McCumstie

All costs for camp have now been finalised with the total cost per student coming to $340.  Parents and Friends have agreed to donate $100 per child towards the cost of the camp.  The final camp cost is $ 240.00

Please note  when the forms enclosed in this package need to be returned to the General Office:

• Medical form – please return by Monday, 7^th October 2024 (including any food allergies)
• Permission form on Simon
• Payment – pay total or instalments to OLHC School fee account 
• Clothing List - emailed and hard copy sent home today
• Itinerary (to follow)

Day 1: (Brief Itinerary more details to follow)

Leaving from the front of Murtoa College at 7.30 am, on Monday, 21^st October 2024. Morning Tea at Beaufort followed by Lunch at Ballarat at 11am. All students and staff will need to bring a packed morning tea and lunch in a backpack, as well as a full water bottle, hat & sunscreen or raincoat and decent walking shoes. We will be dropped off for an afternoon at Sovereign Hill (12-4pm) prior to arrival at Adekate Camp.

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

This week, to start Term 4, the staff and students revisited the Child Safety Wall, where clear information is displayed about what to do if a child feels unsafe, and who our Child Safety Officer is (Chris McCumstie, the Principal.) Feedback from students was that the revision of this material was helpful, which is positive to hear. 

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:

October:

• Tuesday 15th October - OLHC visit to Murtoa Kinder
• Monday 21st to Wednesday 23rd October - Year 3/4 Camp 
• Tuesday 22nd October- Murtoa Kinder visit to OLHC
• Thursday 31st October - Year 7 2025 Murtoa College Transition Day 2

November:

• Tuesday 5th November - Melbourne Cup Day - School Day Yes
• Thursday 14th November- CEP Performance at Warracknabeal
• Thursday 21st November - Year 7 2025 Murtoa College Transition Day 3

December:

• Thursday 5th December -Year 7 2025 Murtoa College Transition Day 4
• Monday 9th to Wednesday 11th December - Year 5/6 Camp Melbourne 
• Tuesday 17th December - Graduation Mass St. Mary's Murtoa (To be confirmed)
• Wednesday 18th December- Last Day for Students
• Friday 20th December- Last Day for Staff

Mass Times & Parish Information

Sunday 13th October - Livestream at St. Mary's Catholic Church 9.00am

Parish Bulletin

Calendar Dates

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