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,

I continue to draw your attention to the article and link below that highlights the lifelong benefits of Catholic Education.

We continue our journey in Lent, a time of growth with God, turning away from harmful things, and a new embracing of the message Jesus shares with us. Thank you to Miss Kirby for her leadership in Religious Education at our school. An article on Project Compassion from Miss Kirby appears in our newsletter this week.

Painting is now complete, and concrete was poured this week on the building site. We are growing ever closer to being able to move 'back' to the main school building, and we cannot wait to invite our friends and families to see the great facilities we offer at Our Lady's.

As always, please come and see me if you would like a conversation about the future of OLHC, your individual child, or the education we deliver at school each day.

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

We can't wait to show people through and use our new space!

Junior News

Students have been working extremely hard during Numeracy lessons. They’ve recently learned how to compare directly and indirectly and order objects and events using length, mass, capacity and duration and explain the reasons for the order of the objects. This week, students

learned to partition one-and two-digit numbers in different ways using hands on and technological materials.

Second Sunday of Lent - Project Compassion

Luke 9:28–36

Today’s Gospel brings us a wonderful moment in the education of Jesus’s friends.

Jesus was always trying to teach them about the mystery of life, and we can take heart from the fact that they were often slow learners. Peter, James and John see Jesus transfigured on the top of a mountain. But the vision doesn’t last long. Peter, always practical, wants to build tents so they can stay in the moment. But no, the journey to Calvary lies ahead where they will see Jesus disfigured. Eventually, they will put it together that transfiguration and disfigurement are two sides of the same coin.

This week, Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion shares another story of education.

We visit a primary school in Samoa with 400 students and 11 teachers. Until 2023, the school had no reliable access to fresh water. At times, teachers had to fetch water from neighbouring families, and this took considerable time out of the day and limited classes. It also meant that each class had a single bucket of drinking water for everyone to share. Thanks to your generosity, this has now changed.

Education can continue uninterrupted. You might even say, that thanks to those who support Project Compassion, disfigured lives have been transfigured.

Samoa may seem a long way away but let us think for a moment of some of the words Jesus said on the night before he died. He prayed ‘may they all be one.’ We see the high price of division and conflict in so many places. People face each other with such hostility. As we Unite Against Poverty, we are slowly creating the solution. Our actions are teaching the world to see possibilities more than problems. Just as his friends saw Jesus in a brilliant new light, so too must we see the whole human family with its true dignity.

On Monday, students were invited to take home a Project Compassion box. There is no expectation that families must participate in Project Compassion but the option of making a monetary donation is available to you. There are two ways to contribute donations to the box. First, parents and families can place any donations they are able to into the box. Second, if students earn pocket money through chores, they have the option to donate some of that money as well.

Students are asked to bring back their Project Compassion boxes at any time during the last week of the term. Miss Kirby will collect the boxes and take them to the Easter Mass.

Prayer of Intercession

We pray for all those whose access to food and water is insecure. May the whole human family respond generously in creating lasting justice in the distribution of life’s necessities. May we respond to opportunities such as those presented by Project Compassion this Lent to Unite Against Poverty. May we all be one.

Swimming - Water Safety & Awareness

The Water Safety & Awareness Program is now complete. Students enjoyed 3 weeks under the guidance of Sharna Hogan our AusSwim teacher. Their confidence, knowledge and swimming improved, with students learning a combination of strokes and survival skills. We will definitely bring the program back in Term 4 when the pool reopens.

We thank the many Murtoa Pool committee members and volunteers who care for and manage this fantastic venue. Thanks again to Sharna for her great teaching!

DSSA Athletics

The Dunmunkle Cluster School Athletics will be held on Friday 4th April at Minyip Recreation Reserve. Students have been practising often to become familiar with all the events.

Students need to arrive at the oval by 9 am and parents are responsible for transport to and from the event. The sports will officially begin at approximately 9.30 am. (TBC). Minyip Primary School is the host school and will be running the Canteen.

Parents are responsible for taking their children to the Sports at Minyip.
All students need to be at Minyip Recreation Reserve (located at Foundry Street, Minyip) by 9.00 am.
On arrival please report to Mr. McCumstie, Miss Kirby and Mrs. Woods
Students need to wear their school uniform including shorts for competing
Warm clothes including a coat would be advisable
Programs will be sent home prior to the Sports Day
At the end of the day, parents need to notify teachers that they are taking their children home

The Athletics program will be sent home prior to the Sports Day. The Sports format will be similar to last year - Sprints & Hurdles first, followed by field events, 800 metres for 10, 11 & 12-year-olds, and relays after the lunch break. Presentations and closing ceremony will conclude the day. The day should be completed by approximately 2 pm or soon after.

Students need to wear their school sports uniform. All students need to have a cut lunch and a drink bottle with water. During the running of events, students are not to be going to the Canteen. Students may visit the Canteen accompanied by their parent/carer during the lunch break. Parents are welcome to purchase items from the canteen and take them to their child at an event.

Further information is outlined in the Athletics Program - so please take the time to read this when your child brings it home. Please remember to bring your program to the sports as there will not be copies available on the day.

Dunmunkle Cross Country

The Dunmunkle Cross Country will be held at Rabl Park, Murtoa on Friday 2nd May at 1.30pm. Students turning 10, 11 and 12 by 31^st December 2025, will be eligible to run. Our Lady's is the host school for the event and schools within the areas of Murtoa, Rupanyup, Marnoo, and Minyip participate.

Medals will be presented to students who come in first place for each age group. Students who qualify for the next level - Black Ranges Cross Country to be held at Lord Nelson Park St Arnaud on Wednesday 14th May - will be notified after the Dunmunkle Cross Country.

Mental Health and Wellbeing News

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. Romans 12:6

Next week, March 17th to 23rd is Neurodiversity week. It is a week where we can reflect and celebrate our differences. Each and every one of us sees the world differently, and when we can take a moment to think about the world through a different lens, we open opportunities to learn and grow together.

Neurodiversity encompasses everything from ADHD, Autism, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Developmental Language Disorder, and Tourettes to name a few. Neurodiversity in its simplest form means the different ways in which our brains work – there is no right or wrong way for this.

Neurodiversity isn’t something to be feared but nurtured and understood to ensure that an individual has an opportunity to reach their full potential. Many famous and successful people in the world are, or were,
neurodiverse including scientist Sir Isaac Newton and Einstein, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, naturalist and botanist Charles Darwin, painter and sculptor Michaelangelo, and actor Anthony Hopkins.

The Bible passage this week, “In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well,” resonates in the neurodiverse space to give us the courage to accept that we are different and that this difference is a gift from God.

If you would like to explore neurodiversity further, check out these links:

https://www.neurodiversityweek.com/resource-hub
https://childmind.org/article/what-is-neurodiversity/
https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/a-z-health-reference/neurodiversity-
neurodivergence-guide-for-families
https://emergingminds.com.au/?s=neurodiversity

Kelly Woods- Senior Room Teacher and MHIPS Leader

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

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:

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 Student Free Day
Monday 28th - First Day Term 2

May 2025

Thursday 1st May - MSO - Brilliant Brass Horsham Town Hall 10am
Friday 2nd May - Dunmunkle Cross Country 1.30pm
Wednesday 14th - Student Free Day (School closed- all staff PD in Horsham)
Wednesday 14th May - Black Ranges Cross Country Lord Nelson Park, St. Arnaud
Friday 16th May - CEP Excursion TBC
Monday 26th - Student Free Day (Staff PD in Nhill)

June 2025

Tuesday 17th June - Imagine (Live Show) Horsham Town Hall 11.00am

July 2025

Friday 4th July - Last Day of Term 2
Monday 21st July - First Day of Term 3

September 2025

Thursday 18th September - Last Day of Term 3
Friday 19th September - Pupil Free Day - Staff PD

October 2025

Monday 6th October - First Day of Term 4

December 2025

Thursday 18th December - Last Day of Term 4

Mass Times & Parish Information

Sunday 16th March 2025, Mass at 8.30am 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

Mass Schedule Oct 2024