OLHC News Issue 6 Term 1 Week 7 - 10th 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,

Principal Recruitment Process

Yesterday, Ms. Janet Claassen (Education Consultant from Catholic Education Ballarat) facilitated Principal recruitment consultation processes with students, staff, and parents. I as the current Principal was not needed to participate in any session.

Thank you to all who were involved.  Janet said it was such a  pleasure to come and work with an incredible community who voiced such passion and commitment to the school and the future direction.  On behalf of DOCBEL, Janet asked Joan to email all families an invitation to complete a very short survey that will give every family a voice in this process.  Please read your email and complete the survey as DOBCEL would like to receive your thoughts about our school community and the future Principal.  The survey is open until the close of business on Monday 13th March.  Thank you all in advance!

NAPLAN

Next week Years 3 & 5 students will be busy completing their NAPLAN tests. Tests are all online for Year 5 students. Year 3 students will complete a pencil and paper test for writing but all other tests will be online for them. Wednesday will kick off with writing, followed by reading on Friday. Language Conventions (spelling, grammar & punctuation) will be on Monday 20th March with Numeracy on Tuesday 21st. Any students who are absent will undertake catch-up tests on their return to school. Tests will usually commence at 9.15 am so please ensure your child is at school in time to be ready for their test and that they have a good breakfast before coming to school to help their concentration. 

Free Parent Session - The Resilience Project (TRP)

Martin and the TRP Team are so looking forward to presenting a free online Parent & Carer presentation (with other schools) on Thursday 23rd March from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm (90 minutes) AEDT.
Through emotionally engaging stories and practical strategies, this session will help parents and carers understand the benefits of letting go of shame, perfection, ego, and control. It will combine powerful research with candid storytelling, along with a few laughs to help support what is arguably the toughest job in the world... being a parent or carer!

Why a Parent & Carer presentation?
When building positive mental health in schools, we know the best impact happens when we work together.
The ‘Authentic Connection’ presentation helps do just that by sharing those same evidence-based strategies being taught in the classroom, so they can be also practiced at home and beyond. Attendees will also be reminded of the importance of their own well-being - we bring the best versions of ourselves to our family and community when we make time to look after ourselves.
Parents and Carers will need to register for the webinar using the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMkfuipqD8qE9W3e5ySVSZgpLSwgmocjYTi
Upon registration, registrants will receive a link to attend the webinar, along with a reminder the day prior.  Please note that this presentation will be recorded for those who are unable to attend or would like a recap.

Kind regards

Mrs. Cathy Grace                                                                                

Important Upcoming Dates:

March:

• 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.

Media Team News...

This week at OLHC, Eimer, Eliza and Irene all got birthday awards. Ruby, Teddy, Kaden and Orlando got an award for being on task. 

We heard that the school sports got postponed to term two because term one was so busy. 

On a sad note Mrs. Grace is leaving to do a course to be a counselor, so this week we have filmed an advertisement for a new principle. Whoever the new principle is, they have to fulfill a big role.

At Assembly this week we talked about the SWPBS (School Wide Positive Behaviour Support.) The staff introduced a behaviour pie chart on SIMON and as of now we have got a bit of improving to do. 

It is NAPLAN week, next week for the Year threes and fives. We look forward to outstanding results.

We look forward to meeting Buffy online for AUSLAN next week on Thursday.

Charlotte

Mass Times & Parish Information

Mass: St Mary's Church, Murtoa
Sunday 12th March Livestreaming 9.00am.

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/

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝗯𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻

Yarriambiack Shire Council and ROSS Planning will be hosting a Community Consultation Session for the Rabl Park Masterplan next Wednesday 15th March from 6 pm-7 pm at Rabl Park and you’re invited to attend.

Come along and have your say on the development of the area including the toddler playground, skate park, pump track, and landscaping.

If you would like your voice to be heard and are unable to attend, you can still have your say by submitting a response to the survey - please click on the link below.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Rabl_Park_Master_Plan