OLHC News Issue 5 Term 1 Week 6 - 3rd March 2023

Statement of Commitment to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples...

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,

Thank you to everyone for your kind and supportive responses to the letter all families received on Monday.  This letter outlined my approved Long Service Leave for Terms 3 and 4 and my resignation at the end of the 2023 School Year.  I'm sure the next chapter of my professional career as a Counsellor, once I complete my studies, (which need to be completed this year), will be different and challenging for me.  I'm so fortunate to have the opportunity to work with an amazing community in pursuing the fullness of life for all.  I look forward to the next 4 months sustaining the culture we have all developed in our school and ensuring a smooth transition for everyone.  Part of this transition, which works began this week, is the next steps in the Capital Project to ensure this project remains on schedule.  I met with Megan Ioannou and Ash Wiseman DOBCEL (Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Ltd)  Capital Project Officers.  In the next four months, there will be a lot of work behind the scenes with the Tender process and final architectural works.   Most of the work from now on will be guided by Catholic Education Ballarat Advisers.  This is great support for the ongoing work of the Capital Project.  We will endeavour to keep you up to date with information as it comes to hand.

Recruitment Process

Next Thursday, Mrs. Janet Claassen (CEB Education Consultant) and DOBCEL Video Producers will be visiting our school to interview some senior students, staff, and a few parents as part of the recruitment process for a new Principal for our school for Semester two 2023 and beyond.  I will be making contact with a few parents to come into school next Thursday (2.15 pm) to work with Janet and the team.  Your voice is very important in speaking about our great school, the positive learning environment we provide, and the benefits of living and working in the Murtoa Community.  This will not be onerous and I truly value the input of all stakeholders in the recruitment process.  Thank you all in advance!  

REMINDER THAT MONDAY 6TH MARCH IS A PUPIL-FREE DAY - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS.  Staff have a professional learning day in Nhill focusing on SWPBS (School Wide Positive Behaviour Support).

Year 6 Tops 

This year we have introduced Year 6 Polo tops for our Year 6 students.  They have been ordered so now we just need to wait for them to arrive and be printed.  Our school logo will be on the front and on the back will feature - 2023, Year 6, Student's first names, and underneath this a Mother Teresa quote:  "It's not about how much you do, but how much love you put into what you do that counts."

These tops have been ordered through Hip Pocket in Horsham and I'm just waiting for the final exact costings which have been estimated between $40 to $50 each.  Thank you to our Year 6 families for responding to the order and I will let you know when payment is due and tops can be collected.

Kind regards

Mrs. Cathy Grace                                                                                

Important Upcoming Dates:

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
• 27th - 29th:  Year  4 Camp to Cave Hill Creek, Beaufort.

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.

Swimming - Water Safety & Awareness Program

The purpose of the swimming sessions is for Water Safety and Water Familiarisation. During each session, the students will participate in activities based on Water Safety & Confidence, Endurance, and Stroke.  Please remember that we do not specifically teach the students to swim. We aim to give the children skills and knowledge as to how to keep themselves safe in and around water. This year we plan to have 4 sessions during Term 1, 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)

Remaining Swimming Awareness Sessions for Term 1 2023

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  will be returned to school after each swimming session.
• 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 - thank you to all families who have given consent for their child to participate in the swimming program.

Media Team News...

This week the Juniors were learning about how to be digital citizens online. When we interviewed Teddy he said, “ The week has been good and exciting!”. We also asked Ruby how her week has been. “ It’s been kinda good, my favorite thing about digi-tech is that we got to use the I-Pads to experience virtual reality”.

Whereas the Senior class is learning about the different types of realities such as Virtual Reality(VR), Augmented Reality(AG), Mixed Reality(MR), and normal reality. The seniors got to explore some of the newly downloaded education apps on the I-Pads. There was one with virtual animals, there was one with  virtual videos and  the last one was maps of the world. You get to explore different places by moving the screen.

Sadly we had to cancel this week's swimming plans due to an unfortunate drop in the temperature. The students were all deeply saddened to hear the news because they really wanted to go swimming, but hopefully next week will go much better.

Charlotte and Hunter

'Auslan with Buffy' report by Kaden

'Auslan with Buffy' report by Sienna

Your ear is an important part of your body, it helps you to hear and you would need it to be in good health.

You do not poke anything into your ear, nor if it’s sharp or not, you still don’t put anything in the human ear. Otherwise you will become deaf.

There are other ways to become deaf, there are illnesses that can damage your hearing. There is German Measles (say you’re pregnant and you catch German Measles, your baby will be born deaf, but there are vaccinations, so the chances of catching German Measles will be very low.) Otosclerosis (middle ear disease,) Meningitis and many more. You can be deaf by taking commonly used medicines that may cause hearing loss, the following medication is; Aspirin, (when large doses) (8 to 12 pills a day) are taken and certain antibiotics. Also heredity, our biological parents can pass down to you or your siblings.

Head damage can cause hearing loss, especially at the ear.

Library News from Mrs. Curran

A big thank you  is extended to Charlotte for her donation of books to the Library.

The latest Scholastic Bookclub Newsletter, Issue 2 has been distributed to students and orders are due back on 15th March.

Congratulations to this week's award winners - Sienna, Harriett Jed and Andre. We are very proud of your efforts and acheivments.

Mass Times & Parish Information

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

Sacramental Program 2023

St Paul VI Parish

St Paul VI Parish is pleased to announce that over the course of 2023, children will be able to again choose to progress in being part of the Sacramental life of the Catholic Church. The Parish will offer a new program of preparation to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Holy Communion and Confirmation. Parents are the first teachers of the faith to their children and are therefore encouraged to play an active part in helping their child prepare for the Sacraments.

To give parents, teachers, catechists and children time to discuss, absorb, and appreciate the fundamental truths and gifts of each Sacrament offered to us from God, the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion will be encountered in the Year 4 (and above) age group. Then, in the Years 6 & 7 age groups (primary & secondary) the Sacrament ‘confirming’ our place in faith (Confirmation) will be offered. This time line allows better opportunity for families to make the faith journey across these important Sacraments.

Registration forms for the Sacramental Programs are available at the Parish Office, as well as the front office of all Catholic schools within the Parish. Forms will also be available at each Information Session. Please return your completed form to your local school, the Parish office, or Parish Clergy by 3rd April 2023.

Families are invited to attend an Information Session in one of the following locations, where further details will be provided, and any questions can be answered.

Calendar Dates

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

Bread Bags and Bread Tags Collection

Collect bread bags and earn sports equipment for your school!

We have registered our school for bread bag collection to help with recycling and to earn sports equipment from RHS Sports.

Help us collect bread bags which we can exchange for points to redeem for new sports equipment!

Bring you used, crumb free bread bags into school, and we will get busy collecting!

Further details are available on - https://wonder.com.au/wonder-recycling-rewards

Bread Tag Collection

Along with the bread bags we have decided to collect bread tags.

We will collect only plastic bread tags, not cardboard tags or N95 mask clips.

"Aussie Bread Tags for Wheelchairs collect plastic bread tags nationally in Australia. The tags are recycled locally, raising funds to buy wheelchairs for disadvantaged people, mainly in South Africa"

Read their story on the following link - 

https://ozbreadtagsforwheelchairs.org.au/