OLHC News Issue 2 Term 1 Week 3- 10th 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,

This week, the senior class has been learning about Civics & Citizenship, especially about the Australian Government and Leadership.  Today the seniors spent time seriously thinking about who to nominate for our 2023 leadership positions.  Some students have accepted a nomination for school captain or media leader.  These nominated students will write their persuasive speeches over the weekend and present them on Monday.  Voting will take place after the speeches and results will be collated after school.

A school Mass to celebrate the beginning of the school year will be held on Tuesday 21st February at 9.30 am at St Mary's Catholic Church in Murtoa. Fr Matt Restall (Parish Priest) will be celebrating Mass with us. This is an excellent opportunity to welcome our new students and families to our school community.  We are aiming to announce our 2023 school leaders at the end of the Mass after Fr Matt has blessed the badges. Extended family members and parishioners are welcome to join us for this special celebration.  We look forward to seeing everyone there! 

Update to COVID-19 Term 1, 2023

• Please visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Victoria website (https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/) for all up-to-date information about the response to COVID-19.

  • All staff, students and visitors to schools should undertake regular hand hygiene, particularly on arrival to school, before and after eating, after blowing their nose, coughing, sneezing or using the toilet.
  • Hand sanitiser will continue to be available for staff, students and visitors.
  • The most important action school communities can take to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 is to ensure that any unwell staff, parents/carers and students do not attend school sites, even with the mildest of symptoms, and get tested.
  • It is recommended that rapid antigen tests (RATs) are used by students and staff if they:
  • • have symptoms of COVID-19 infection, no matter how mild
    • are a household or close contact of someone who has COVID-19
    • are a social contact of someone who has COVID-19.
  • The Department of Health recommends that all Victorians report their positive RAT result via the online form or by calling 1800 675 398.
  • Principals are no longer required to inform their school community of a positive case associated with the school.

Additional Information

RATs are available from Horsham Rural City Council offices. Individuals can obtain two free packs (10 tests) for themselves and two free packs (10 tests) for each household member. People with disability and their carers can get up to four free packs (20 tests) in line with existing RAT distribution for people with disability.

Australian Parents Council Newsletter

The latest edition of the APC eNewsletter has been released.

This month’s articles talk about:-

• Healthy LunchBox week
• 10 Reasons to join your P&F
• Safer Internet Day
• Youth Advisory Groups
• Schools Upgrade Fund
• Clean Up Australia Day

Visit this link to view the newsletter https://austparents.schoolzineplus.com/news?nid=34

Kind regards

Mrs. Cathy Grace                                                                                

Taking photos

A reminder to parents to please ensure, when at school events, to take photos of your child/ren only.
Please do NOT post photos of other children at school events on your personal social media pages.
We thank you for your cooperation in respectfully using social media and doing your bit to keep everyone in our school community safe. 

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.

Catastrophic Fire Rating Days

In September 2022, Australia introduced a new fire danger forecasting system, the Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS). A nationally consistent system will more accurately predict fire danger and produce clear, simple messages for communities. Victoria has been using a 6‐tier system for fire danger ratings, from ‘Low’ or ‘Moderate’ to ‘Code Red’. The AFDRS will replace the Victorian system this year and uses 4 tiers of fire danger, from ‘Moderate’ to ‘Catastrophic’
In response to the updated state Victorian Fire Risk register, Our Lady Help of Christian's Primary School is now rated CAT4. This means that our school must close on days forecast as ‘Catastrophic’, by the Bureau of Meteorology within our designated fire district. The decision to close will be confirmed by the Emergency Management Commissioner no later than 1.00 pm the day prior to the closure. Once we have received confirmation of the closure we will contact you directly viaSMS before the end of the school day to confirm this. 

Safer Internet Day - from the eSafety Commissioner

Safer Internet Day is a global event that brings together communities,
families, schools, and organizations from more than 200 countries to
help create safer online spaces. This worldwide initiative is celebrating
20 years in 2023, making it a great time to reflect as well as look forward. Technology has evolved dramatically in the past two decades
and the benefits have been huge. These developments have also exposed us to many risks with real-world impacts, making online safety awareness even more important. That's why we are calling on Australians to Connect, Reflect, and Protect.

Connect safely and with purpose – by keeping apps and devices secure and using social media in
positive ways.
Reflect before we act – by taking a moment to consider how what we do and say online may affect
others.
Protect ourselves and others by taking action – by telling family, friends, or colleagues about eSafety and how we can help.
By doing these simple things, we can work towards making every day a Safer Internet Day.

More information can be found via https://www.esafety.gov.au/newsroom/whats-on/safer-internet-day-2023

Child Safe Standards: Child Safety & Wellbeing Commitments

All students enrolled at Our Lady Help of Christians (OLHC) have the right to feel safe and be safe. The safety and wellbeing of children in the school’s care will always be OLHC's first priority and the
school will not tolerate child abuse. The school will create a child-safe and child-friendly environment where children are free to enjoy life to the full without any concern for their safety. Particular attention is paid to the most vulnerable children and young people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, those from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, children with a disability, children who are unable to live at home, international students, and LGBTQIA+ students. The full policy can be accessed via our school’s website:  https://www.olhcmurtoa.catholic.edu.au/child-safe

The school’s Child Safety Officer is the Principal, Mrs. Cathy Grace.
All parents and volunteers that are onsite when students are onsite, or attend school events, are required to hold a Working with Children Check (WWCC) and sign the school’s Child Safety Code of Conduct. If we do not have a current copy of your WWCC, please present your card to the office for photocopying. We will endeavour to get all families to sign the code of conduct in the very near future.
We are committed to continuous improvement in our approach to child safety and well-being and welcome feedback from families and members of our school community on ways we can further strengthen our child safety policies, procedures, and practices. If you have any suggestions, comments, or questions, please contact Cathy Grace either by phone or email principal@olhcmurtoa.catholic.edu.au

Library Message from Mrs. Curran

Mrs. Curran has been  creating a new exciting look in the Library. She can't wait to welcome the students to their first library session this Thursday, 9th February. Library for 2023 will be held every Thursday afternoon for all students with Mrs. Newton and Mr. Collie.

Foundation students please bring along a library bag, to cary your borowed books to and from school.

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. Medical details will need to be updated as well. 

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

Whole School Learning - Sharing & Giving

The children, from Foundation to Year 6, listened to the story ‘The Rainbow Fish’ by Marcus Pfister. The Rainbow Fish is a picture book classic that tells the story of fish with glittering scales, who is too proud for the other fish, but ends up giving away his prized scales and becomes friends. It is about sharing and being kind to others. It may be hard to share and give but it is amazing how good you feel when you give to others and to see the delight in their faces.

The children worked, beautifully, as a whole school and produced some beautiful rainbow and other fish from the story. The fish have each been given one shimmering scale and they are all friends and happy.

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 12th February Livestreaming 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.

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.