OLHC News Issue 1 Term 1 Week 2 - 3rd February 2023

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,

Welcome back, everyone!  It’s been great to be at school interacting with everyone after the summer break.  Our students have certainly grown physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  They continue to keep us grounded.  It’s rewarding to see the growth in all our students over the holidays and we are so happy to be back.

We welcome to our school four new foundation students— Addy, Harrison, Harriett and Zahlee.

We also welcome two new teachers to our school—Mr. Jordan Collie who is teaching the Senior class and Ms. Jessica Bedford who is currently teaching Digital Technologies and Health and Physical Education.  Jessica will be teaching classes every Wednesday and Thursday.  

Kind regards

Mrs. Cathy Grace                                                                                

New students and Staff

Our school staff looks forward to working with our families and interacting with Murtoa Community agencies in 2023 in making our school Vision and Mission come alive and be evident in all we do.  We look forward to sharing our learning journey with the Murtoa and surrounding districts.  Please remember our door is always open and we invite you to come into our school to see the amazing learning that happens with and from each other.

Kind regards

Cathy Grace

Principal

Important Upcoming Dates:

 February:

• 21st - Beginning of Year Mass at St Mary's Church, Murtoa - 9.30 am
• 21st - Shrove Tuesday - Pancake day
• 22nd  - Ash Wednesday - Liturgy at school Time to be confirmed. 
• 22nd - Foundation Rest day

March:

• 6th - Pupil Free Day - no school for students.  Staff PD 
• 8th - Foundation Rest Day
• 13th - School Closed - Labour Day Public Holiday
• 15th - Fr Matt visiting & NAPLAN begins for Years 3 and 5
• 16th - NAPLAN continues for Years 3 and 5
• 17th - NAPLAN continues for Years 3 and 5

April:

• 6th - End of term 1 - school finishes at 2.15 pm.
• 24th - Pupil Free Day - no school for students.  Staff PD
• 25th - ANZAC day - school closed - no school for staff or students
• 26th - First day of Term 2 for students

June:

• 12th - King's birthday - school closed - no school for staff or students.
• 23rd - End of Term 2 - school finishes at 2.15pm

July:

• 10th - Term 3 begins

September:

• 15th - End of term 3 - school finishes at 2.15pm

October:

• 2nd - Term 4 begins

November:

• 6th - Pupil Free Day - No school for students - Staff PD
• 7th - Melbourne Cup - school closed - public holiday.  No school for staff or students.

December:

• 15th - Last day for students.

Parent Access Module (PAM) Update

Over the holidays, the Parent Access Module (PAM) had a major upgrade.  All new parent accounts have been set up.  Parents would have received an email to verify your account and set your password.  Please check your email and complete the steps within the email.  

Please direct any questions/issues about PAM to Joan in the General Office - 53852526

Most of our correspondence will be via PAM or the SIMON everywhere APP.   Please check SIMON as there is a permission request for swimming sessions for students in Years 2 - 6.

Swimming - Water Safety & Awareness Program

Each year Our Lady's School provides a Water Awareness and Safety Swimming Program at the Murtoa Pool. This year we plan to have 4 sessions during Term 1, for Years 1 - 6 students and further sessions during Term 4. The sessions are below (dependent on the daily temperature – we only go swimming if it’s 25 degrees or over)

Swimming Awareness Sessions for Term 1 2023

Wednesday 15th February - 1.00pm to 2.00pm

Wednesday 22nd February - 1.00pm to 2.00pm

Wednesday 1st March - 1.00pm to 2.00pm

Wednesday 8th March - 1.00pm to 2.00pm

Swimming Organisation

• Children must bring their bathers to school in a bag (NOT to be worn under school uniform).
• All students need to bring bathers, towel and a rashie / T-Shirt

(no rashie / no T-Shirt means no swim).

• All students will change at school before going to the pool.
• Sunscreen will be applied at school
• Students will walk to the pool and if it’s too hot, students will be bused to and from the pool 
• Students need to be collected from the pool. Bus students will be returned to school to catch the bus home.
• If a student does not bring their swimming gear, they will remain at school to complete learning tasks.
• Costs: $2 per student per swim (if no pool membership)
• Permission Form on SIMON

Lunch Heat Ups and Lunch Orders

Lunch Heat ups are available during Term 2 and 3.

Lunch Orders are available on Fridays from Murtoa College Canteen, commencing next Friday, 10th February.

To order your child's lunch on Fridays, sent their order, written out on an envelope with correct money enclosed. The order needs to be placed in the lunch order basket  as soon as students arrive at school.

2023 Canteen Menu is included in today's Newsletter. (See below)

Mass Times & Parish Information

Mass: St Mary's Church, Murtoa
Sunday 5th February Mass at 8.30am

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.

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.