OLHC News Issue 8 Term 1 Week 8- 21st 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,

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

I also draw your attention to Mrs Woods' article on cyber safety. At OLHC, we are low-tech, using devices sparingly, sensibly, and only where 'pen and paper' teaching may not meet the needs of a particular lesson in digital technologies. There is ample evidence (see here and here) that the use of technology in education does not lead to improved outcomes, and that more 'traditional' methods of instruction are better for students. Fundamentally, I believe in the role of the teacher to form human relationships with their students, to teach them in a human way, and to pass on to them the wealth of knowledge and experience that humanity passes on from generation to generation. As G.K. Chesterton put it, education is the soul of a culture in transmission, and this is best achieved by teachers, not computers.

The students in the senior room have been learning about Catholic Social Teaching over the past few weeks. We have focused on the principle of The Common Good, and have explored ways that they, even as children, can contribute to the betterment of our world. We have spoken about the scale of our contribution to the Common Good, and listed ways we could help our families, our local communities, and our world. The generosity of the students in their responses was amazing, and I was struck by the combination of both practical and spiritual solutions to our troubled world. It is no wonder that Jesus said "Let the children come to me", knowing full well that the world becoming a better place relies on them doing better than we have.

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!

Third Sunday of Lent - Project Compassion

Luke 13:1–9

Sometimes you hear Indigenous people refer to Jesus as a ‘person of Country’. What might this mean?

It is hard to imagine the Gospels without the connection of Jesus to the sea, the river, the desert, the fields and the mountain. His teaching often featured seeds and birds and sheep and corn. In today’s Gospel, we hear the parable of the fig tree. The impatient person wants to cut it down. A wiser person is prepared to work with nature by putting manure on the tree and looking after it. This is a story of growth. God is creative. God is patient with us. God gives us another chance. He journeys with us on our pilgrimage of hope.

This week, Project Compassion brings us the story of Lam, a young man from rural Vietnam. Lam’s disability made his upbringing difficult. Sometimes people look at those with disability a little like the fig tree. They judge them and dismiss them.

Through the I-SHINE program, supported by Caritas Australia’s partner in Vietnam, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Lam was able to pursue his dreams and become more independent. He enrolled in a six-month IT Technician training course in Da Nang that not only equipped him with professional skills but also rekindled his social connections and confidence. Lam’s dedication during the training paid off as he launched a freelance graphic design business from his home. Today, he is a successful graphic designer, serving clients locally and internationally and earning a stable income every month. He has a creative life.

In today’s reading, Moses is in the wilderness, a place of surprising possibilities. Like the Australian landscape, the wilderness in Scripture is subtle; it is a place of encounter with God. Moses thinks he is having a regular day in the family business, looking after his father-in-law’s sheep. But a voice comes from a bush that is blazing without being burnt up. The voice tells Moses to take off his shoes because ‘the place on which you stand is holy ground.’ This is the beginning of the freedom story of his people, the start of their journey out of captivity. May we Unite Against Poverty as we create a better world for all God’s people.

Last week, 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 anyone who lives with disability, especially people who are stigmatised in any way. May we do all we can to support their flourishing as truly equal participants in the human family. May our work this Lent with Project Compassion help to create greater justice.

Science and Technology Excursion

Year 6 students were invited to attend a Science and Technology (Engineering) Excursion at Alan Heard Pavilion at Longerenong Wimmera Field Days site. They travelled to the excursion on Our Lady's bus, joining with students from St. Patrick's Nhill and competed in a competition with other schools from around the Wimmera. Well done Nihal, Kirat, and Andre on your efforts and particiaption on the day. A big thank you to Mr Dalgleish and the staff at St Pat's for the invitation and teamwork.

Nihal: "I loved communicating with lights."

Andre: "I liked the challenge of building a miniature house that could withstand weights and 'wind' blowing against it."

Kirat: "The best thing was trying to catch fish by putting obstacles in the water."

Science Materials needed

Seniors are learning/studying  materials in Science. One of their activities is to build a tiny house in a shoe box., with an emphasis on recycling, sustainability and low cost. To assist with the activity, Mrs. Woods would appreciate donations of the following - 

• Shoe box or a small box, postage box, cereal box
  
• newspaper
• cottonwool
• wood/veneer offcuts
• cardboard
• contact (scraps any colours/patterns)

Any spare materials you have at home would be greatly appreciated. Please send them along to school next week.

Stations of the Cross

Next week we will be praying the Stations of the Cross with Mons Glynn. This traditional practice is about taking a journey with Jesus during Lent, calling to mind his painful way of the Cross, and anticipating his glorious resurrection. We are mindful, of course, of keeping this prayer age appropriate and ensuring that it is meaningful to our students in their context.

Wednesday 26th March 2.00 - 3.00pm

St. Mary's Catholic Church, Murtoa

Transport - Our Lady's Bus

Permission Form on Simon

All families and community members/parishioners are welcome to join us in this great tradition, preparing our hearts and minds to celebrate the mysteries of Easter.

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 8.45 am and parents are responsible for transport to and from the event. The sports will officially begin at approximately 9.00 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 8.45 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.  

10 year old boys and girls run 2 kilometres, and 11 and 12 year old boys and girls run a distance of 3 kilometres.

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

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

This week I had the pleasure of attending a live webinar at St Brigid’s College in Horsham on Digital Media Literacy & Online Safety (part 1).  The webinar was hosted by School TV, an invaluable resource for parents and carers in our community.

During the webinar, leading experts Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, child and adolescent psychologist and Susan McLean, cyber safety expert, were interviewed on a range of topics including the age restrictions proposed by the government for the use of social media.

Some of the key takeaways from this webinar included:

1. Students from Foundation onwards should learn about technology as it is part of the curriculum. There is valuable teaching that can occur in this space to prepare our students for the safe and responsible use of technology in the world.
2. Children need to know what is real and what is not, as the internet is not 'fact checked' and does not always present reality. Talking with trusted adults can help children navigate this difficulty.
3. Cyberbullying is the number one non-academic issue in schools (including primary schools)  across Australia. While there are laws (both Commonwealth and State) in place to address this, there is still as more robust response on the part of schools and parents to protect their children.
4. Online behaviour has real life consequences. Protecting our children, and talking with them often and early about their use of technology, is essential.

If you haven’t looked at School TV as yet, please take the opportunity to do so, and if this topic is of interest to you, keep an eye out for Part 2 of the series.  If you would like to chat out this in any further detail, please don’t hesitate to contact the school

Some useful resources to aid conversations with your kids are:

eSafety Commission: www.esafety.gov.au

Scamwatch: www.scamwatch.gov.au  

Alannah and Madeline Foundation: www.alannahandmadeline.org.au

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

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

• Wednesday 26th March - Stations of the Cross, St. Marys Church 2.00pm

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 (no school)
• Tuesday 22nd, Wednesday 23rd, Thursday 24th - Student Free Days  
  
• Friday 25th - ANZAC Day Public Holiday (no school)
• 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 23rd 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.