OLHC News Issue 6 Term 1 Week 6 - 7th March 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,

Last week I wrote about my strong belief in Catholic Education and the offering we make at Our Lady's. I was pleased to see, then, a report released that bears out the great work that Catholic schools do in Australian society. I draw your attention to the article and link below.

This week marks the beginning of Lent, a time of growth with God, turning away from harmful things, and a new embracing of the message Jesus shares with us. Pope Francis, thankfully over the worst of his illness, writes about the basic Gospel message. "Jesus Christ loves you, came to save you, and lives by our side now as we respond to that love." Lent is an amazing time to reflect on our lives, to respond to Jesus' call to love our neighbour, and to prepare ourselves for the great mysteries of the Easter season.

As always, I encourage our community to come by the school, see how close we are to opening our new school building, have conversations about the personalised, evidence-based learning we offer, and find out more about OLHC's future.

All the very best, 

Chris McCumstie

principal@olhcmurtoa.catholic.edu.au

DOBCEL (Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited) governs Our Lady's and is the system to which our school belongs. After a long period of consultation with principals, school leaders, educationalists, and international experts, DOBCEL has released their 2035 strategy "Pursuing Fullness of Life for All." You can read more about the strategy here or can come in and see me to have a conversation if you'd like more information about the direction of our system.

Lifelong benefits of attending a Catholic School

New research based on data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, reveals that individuals who attended Catholic schools are likely to experience lifelong benefits in employment, general health, and overall life satisfaction.

The study highlights that Catholic schooling offers both personal and community advantages. On average, Catholic school alumni are more likely to be employed and earn higher wages compared to those who attended government schools, with wage differences ranging from 4% to 11%. Additionally, former Catholic school students are more inclined to work in public-serving industries and sectors, and they are more likely to donate to charity. The research also shows that Catholic school attendance positively influences personal health and life satisfaction scores.

Conducted by the Centre for International Research on Education Systems (CIRES) at Victoria University and commissioned by VCEA, the research adjusts for various individual and family characteristics to specifically isolate the impact of Catholic school attendance.

The research shows that an education focused on developing the whole person leads to well-rounded individuals who are prepared to succeed, thrive, and navigate life with confidence, regardless of the path they choose.

As part of the great endeavour of Catholic Education, we can take great pride in the substantial and positive impact this movement has on the lives of students and families as they journey through the educational system.

A copy of the full report is available on the DOBCEL website, and you can also watch a video featuring lead researcher for the report, Mr. Andrew Wade.

New Build Update and Photos

Work continues on the new building. It's great to partner with Swanbuild and to see them on site each day taking us closer and closer to our opening date. It's great to see a brand new offering for contemporary education in Murtoa for locals and families in the region. We can't wait to show people through and use our new space!

Junior News

Students have thoroughly enjoyed learning Auslan this term, acquiring a variety of signs. They’ve explored different greeting styles used by signers, learned how to sign numbers in various places to indicate group sizes, and demonstrated an understanding that "what" is typically signed at the end of a sentence with furrowed eyebrows.

Shrove Tuesday & Ash Wednesday

We marked the end of ordinary time and the beginning of Lent with our annual celebration of Shove Tuesday (often called Pancake Tuesday) and Mass on Ash Wednesday. During the next 40 days, Catholics enter more deeply into the mysteries of the faith, preparing for the memorial of Jesus' life, suffering, death, and resurrection at Easter. It is a time when we focus on prayer, fasting (giving something up) and giving to those in need. Students will soon bring home a Project Compassion Box, into which families may wish to put spare change. At the end of the Term, we will collect these and forward the funds to Caritas, a Catholic agency doing good work across our communities (local, national, and international).

Well done to our students for their joyful participation in Shrove Tuesday, and reverent assistance at the Mass.

Ash Wednesday

Lent is a time in the Christian Church calendar that is a preparation time for Easter. During Lent we remember the forty days which Jesus spent fasting and praying in the desert. We are called to turn away from our selfishness and to grow closer to God’s love. We try to share the world’s resources and think of others before ourselves. The Project Compassion theme for Lent this year is 

Unite Against Poverty this Lent

Smimming - Water Safety & Awarness

Water Safety & Awareness Program will run for 3 weeks at the Murtoa Pool from 10am - 11.00am (dates below). Transport to and from the pool on Our Lady's bus.

• Tuesday 25th February
• Tuesday 4th March
• Tuesday 11th March 

• Students are to bring bathers, towel, rashie, goggles (optional) and a plastic bag for wet clothes.
• Sunscreen will be provided.
• Cost will be covered for each student. 
• Permission Form on Simon

Wimmera Mallee Field Days

It was great to attend an excursion at Wimmera Machinery Field Days on Wednesday. The children had a great time and it was interesting to learn about the industry in our region.

Photos below.

Mental Health and Wellbeing News

So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12

We are over half way through the term, and you may notice that some children are beginning to show tiredness, their behaviours may be changing, or they might not seem themselves.  It’s now a time to reflect on not only their wellbeing, but that of the family as we head into the season of Lent, and Easter.

Psychology Today defines wellbeing as “the experience of health, happiness and prosperity. It includes having good mental health, high life satisfaction, a sense of meaning or purpose, and the ability to manage stress. More generally, wellbeing is just feeling well.”

Focussing on our wellbeing during the Lenten season is important. Lent is a time of personal reflection and to prepare our hearts and minds for Easter. It is a time for personal reflection, and a deeper connection to God, but what challenges can this bring?

Do you find yourself anxious, restless or pressured? Do you feel grounded, curious, and open? However we feel, our faith in God can be at the centre of our lives, and our trust in God can assist us in looking after our own wellbeing.

Some ideas that may help us in attending to our wellbeing

1. Daily prayer or meditation
2. Writing a journal
   
3. Conversation with like minded friends
4. Taking time for recreation and relaxation
   

By following these tips, not just for the Lenten season, but every day, you can make a difference to your wellbeing, as well as that of your family. You may wish to share some of these tips with your children as they continue to march toward the end of term.

Kelly Woods- Senior Room Teacher and MHIPS Leader

Message from Mrs. Dalgleish

Library Days for 2025  

Juniors - Wednesday 10.00 - 10.30am

Seniors- Wednesday10.30 - 11.00am


All students are encouraged to borrow every week and to use library time for leisurely reading.

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:

March 2025

• Monday 10th March - Labour Day Public Holiday
• Tuesday 11th March - Swimming 10 - 11am
• Wednesday 19th - Face-to-face Auslan with Jane Hage

April 2025

• Friday 4th - DSSA Athletics at Minyip
• Friday 4th  - Last Day of Term 1
• Thursday 17th- Holy Thursday (See parish bulletin for service dates)
• Friday 18th - Good Friday (See parish bulletin for service dates)
• Saturday 19th - Easter Vigil (See parish bulletin for service dates)
• Sunday 20th - Easter Sunday (See parish bulletin for service dates)
• Monday 21st - Easter Monday Public Holiday
• Tuesday 22nd, Wednesday 23rd, Thursday 24th - Student Free Days  
  
• Friday 25th - ANZAC Day
• Monday 28th - First Day Term 2

May 2025

• Friday 2nd May - Dunmunkle Cross Country 1.30pm
• Wednesday 14th  - Student Free Day (School closed- all staff PD in Horsham)
• Monday 26th - Student Free Day (Staff PD in Nhill)

Mass Times & Parish Information

Sunday 9th March 2025, Livestream at 9.00am at St. Mary's Catholic Church. 

2025 Sacramental Program 
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.

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

Community News

See the attached flyers for initiatives that may interest from groups in and around Murtoa.