OLHC News Issue 37 Term 4 Week 10 - 9 December 2022

WELCOME TO COUNTRY...

Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School acknowledges that God has been walking with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, making God's presence known through a continuous living culture over many thousands of years. We pray in thanksgiving for these ancient peoples who have enriched and sustained our continent over all that time. In particular, we praise God for the people who nurtured the lands where our schools are built and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families who continue to support Catholic schools.

As partners in Catholic Education and open to God’s presence, we pursue the fullness of life for all.  Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School is committed to the safety and well-being of all students.

We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Victoria and pay respect to the ongoing living cultures of First Peoples. This newsletter comes to you from the lands of the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia, and Jupagalk Nations.

Principal Report

Dear Parents, carers, families, and parishioners,

Commonwealth Grant

Earlier this year, in February, I submitted an application to the Australian Governments Capital Grants Program (CGP) for a Capital Works project for our school.  On the 25^th of November, Jana Stewart, Labor Senator for Victoria, informed me that I was successful with the Submission to the Commonwealth Government and that we will receive $2 million to complete our Capital Project. 

The Australian Governments Capital Grants program provides schools with funding to improve school capital infrastructure for students and schools. 

Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School project consists of the demolition of our existing main learning building and the construction of a new general learning and administration building and other associated spaces.  The project will also include other site works of new outdoor learning space and associated landscaping.  Our other three buildings will remain onsite. 

This project has many positive outcomes for the school these being:

• Our school will have a new main building, providing more effective learning environments
• Responding to new demographic and enrolment trends
• Supporting quality teaching
• Supporting parental and community engagement
• Supporting safety for the school community
• Supporting the curriculum
• Supporting the educational opportunities for Indigenous students
• Supporting educational opportunities for students with a disability

Early next year, our architect will refine the working drawings and project specifications in preparation for the tender process.  This tender process will take some time and once this is completed, a final offer of Grant will be issued with approval to enter into a construction contract.  We are hoping that the work will commence in Semester two next year.

We are very excited to receive this news and very thankful and appreciative to be receiving this Commonwealth Funding through the Australian Governments Capital Grants Program (CGP).  Not only will there be a new Child care centre for Murtoa and the Dunmunkle area but also a new Catholic school as well.  Upon completion of the project, we will have an official opening ceremony and acknowledgment of Commonwealth funding with appropriate plaques to mark this important event in the history of our school and the Murtoa community.

A very exciting year ahead for OLHC Murtoa, so please watch this space!

Parents and Friends

I would like to formally thank our Parents and Friends group for the enthusiasm and ongoing commitment made this year in reconnecting our families and enjoying some social events.  There are three committee members leaving our school.  

Thank you to Carling Henderson for her outstanding effort in her role as secretary of the committee.  Your dedication to making the Halloween Bingo night was amazing.  Everyone had a great time.  Thank you Carling for being inclusive and invitational in your approach to organizing things for the benefit of our students and school/community families.

Thank you to Michelle Baker for taking on the role of treasurer.  Your expertise in this field supported what needed to be organized.  Thank you for keeping the financial side of things in check and getting a system set up for easy ongoing use.

Thank you to Tania Richards for being the Uniform coordinator.  Your organizational skills and ability to plan ahead to have our uniforms ordered and sorted was effective.  Thank you for the outstanding effort and time you put into sorting, organizing and labelling the uniforms into the new cupboard and your work in dealing with the uniform price increases.

For 2023, we welcome Nav Saron into the treasurer's role, Michael Allan into the Secretary's role, and Chloe Stephenson into the Uniform co-ordinators role.  Katelyn Tepper remains as the P&F President.  Thank you to these people for taking on these positions for 2023.

Statewide Transition Day

The final transition day is next Tuesday, 13^th December, 9.00 a.m. - 3.15 p.m. (State-wide Orientation day for all students).  Our 2023 foundation students will be here for the whole day.

Kinder children need to bring a hat, snack for Recess, fruit (for fruit break), and lunch (if they are eating lunch at school).

If you have any questions about the transition days, please ring the General Office on 5385 2526.

We look forward to meeting you and your child/children as we begin your child’s primary school education. This is the beginning of a wonderful partnership to enhance your child’s learning.

Important Upcoming Dates:

• Monday 12th December - whole school excursion to Horsham to May Park, followed by the stage production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.  We will conclude the excursion with a stop-off at Mcdonald's Restaurant for lunch.  (students will be provided with a happy meal) - This is a FREE excursion.
• Wednesday 14th December - Graduation Mass at St Mary's Church, Murtoa at 6 pm
• Thursday 15th December - Swimming Session at Murtoa Pool.  (1.30 pm - back at school by 3 pm)
• Friday 16th December - Last day of school for students - normal 3.15 pm dismissal.  Swimming Session at Murtoa Pool.  (1.30 pm - back at school by 3 pm)

Kind regards

Mrs. Cathy Grace                                                                                

Senior Camp

On Wednesday 7^th December our Grade 5/6 students, with Murtoa College senior primary students, left Murtoa and travelled by bus to the Log Cabin Camp in Creswick.  Prior to arriving at Creswick, they spent about 6 hours participating in several activities at Sovereign Hill.  The rest of the first day was spent at the campsite at Creswick completing camp adventures including a flying fox, canoeing, and games room fun.

Thursday was a day trip to Melbourne where everyone experienced Bounce, Go Climb at Coburg, and then Melbourne Skydeck before returning to camp at Creswick.

Today, the final day of camp, everyone visited Ballarat Wildlife Park before departing Ballarat and returning to Murtoa College. 

Everyone has had an eventful and enjoyable time on camp and no doubt returning home extremely tired from the adventurous and busyness of camp activities.

Thank you to Mrs. Bush for taking extremely good care of our students and being there for them every step of the way. 

A few photos of our Senior Camp

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 14

Next

Library Books to be returned

Mrs. Curran is busy doing a stock take of all books and resources in the Library. Therefore, there will be no more borrowing of books for the year.

All books need to be returned as soon as possible, please.

A list of overdue books has been sent home.

Please assist your child to locate the books and return to school asap.

Lunch Orders

Lunch Orders from Murtoa College will not be available for the last week of Term.

That means today is the last day for students to place lunch orders.

Many thanks to Jenny and Fi who have provided an amazing service  to our students during 2022!

Break Up Day - Horsham Excursion

• Whole school excursion to Horsham
• Monday, 12th December 2022
• Leave School at 9.00am
• Return to School at 3.00pm
• Transport by Boschen's Bus
• Visit May Park, Horsham
• Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Musical Performance at Horsham Lutheran Church Hall
• Lunch at Mcdonald's Restaurant, (students will be provided with a happy meal). Please advise if your child does not eat McDonalds.
• No Cost - this is a FREE excursion
• Permission Forms are on SIMON, please check and give your consent by Friday, 9th December 2022

Kris Kringle

It has been a tradition that we have a Christmas Kris Kringle with the children. If each child could bring a gift for their KK to the value of no more than $10.00, it will be placed under their classroom Christmas tree.

Each child have been notified the name of a child to be their KK. Throughout the time they are encouraged to show kind acts to them until the last day of school when they will give a present to their KK.

Gifts may be brought to school any time now and put in the classroom.

School Fees

According to our records, there are still some outstanding school fees.  There is only 1 week of school left for students and we need all outstanding fees to be finalised before the end of the year please. 

Thank you to those families who have settled their account in full, and also those who have set up regular direct debit payments for school fees.  This has definitely made it easier for everyone.

If any family needs to speak with me regarding school fees, please give me a call.  

REVERSE ADVENT BOXES

Our Lady Help of Christians school is taking part in the local Community Reverse Advent Box Project. This is a new Community initiative coordinated by the Horsham Sports and Community Club, aiming to assist local Murtoa families in need for Christmas and beyond. The project calls for donations of non-perishable groceries.

Each classroom has a box to fill. We ask that each child bring an item or items to donate for the box that will be in their classroom.

This is a great opportunity to clean out the pantry and bathroom cupboard before Christmas and help Murtoa families in need.  All boxes from our school will be supporting Murtoa families only.

Mass Times & Parish Information

Mass: St Mary's Church, Murtoa
Sunday 11th December LLA at 9.00am

Calendar Dates

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

Murtoa Pool Membership

Murtoa Pool Memberships 2022-23

*Family $130 Single $70

Single Day pass $5 Family Day Pass $20 Family week Pass $50

Payment can be made at the Pool, online, or at Chezzies Hand Made on Tuesdays & Fridays (10am-2pm). Payment Plans by arrangement.

*If you have your season family ticket paid in full by Christmas Eve you will go into the draw to win 4 tickets for the Geelong Adventure Park

www.adventurepark.com.au

Pool Membership – the perfect Christmas gift for yourself and your loved ones!

Free Green Waste Extended Until The End Of Year.

Yarriambiack Shire Council’s free green waste period has been extended until the end of the year. Following a wet spring, council transfer stations will now be accepting all household green waste at no charge until Saturday 31 December 2022. Council encourages residents to use this is an opportunity to continue property maintenance and tidy-up as part of the preparations in the lead up to the fire season.

To view the Transfer Station operating hours Transfer Stations - Yarriambiack Shire Council 

Christmas Rubbish Colletion

As Christmas falls on a Sunday this year, there will be NO CHANGE to the normal collection schedule.  Everything will happen on the day that it normally does.
 
Excess recycling, such as cardboard, plastic bottles and glass can be delivered to all transfer stations at no cost during opening hours. Transfer Station Opening Hours can be found on Council's website. 

Plastic pollution harms our health, wildlife, and the environment

From 1 February 2023, problematic single-use plastics will be banned from sale or supply in Victoria.

The ban applies to single-use plastic drinking straws, cutlery, plates, drink stirrers and cotton bud sticks made from conventional, degradable, and compostable plastics. The ban also applies to food service items and drink containers made from expanded polystyrene. People who need single-use plastic drinking straws due to a disability or for a medical need can still purchase and use these items.

The Victorian Government has engaged the National Retail Association to assist businesses and organisations understand and preparing for the upcoming ban. The NRA will visit 3000 businesses across Victoria, develop resources, hold information sessions, and provide a toll-free hotline and mailbox. Click here to find out more.

School Holiday Program - Summer 2023

With the Summer school holidays just around the corner, the Horsham Regional Art Gallery is once again running a wonderful Summer Holiday Program. Please find attached a program of what is coming up for families/students over the Summer break.

I'd like to thank Vicki Thomas (SPARK Arts Education Officer) and her team for the support this year – we look forward to working with the Horsham Art Gallery in 2023 and providing more fantastic opportunities for our students in 2023.