Our Lady Help of Christians School Murtoa eNewsletter

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.

Statement of Commitment

Principal Report

Dear Parents, carers, families, and parishioners,

Next week is the last week of Term 1. It's so hard to believe that we have already had 10 weeks of learning with only one to go.

School finishes next Thursday, 6th April - Holy Thursday at 2.15 pm. Students return to school on Wednesday 26th April.

Monday 24th April is a pupil-free day - staff have professional learning in Ballarat on this day.

Tuesday 25th April is ANZAC Day. Our school leaders will represent our school at the Murtoa ANZAC day ceremony. We will be in contact with families once we have the ceremony details confirmed.

Cave Hill Creek Camp

On Monday 27^th March, our Year 4 students set off for their 3-day camp adventure to Cave Hill Creek in Raglan (just outside of Beaufort). We were joined by students from Rupanyup Primary School, Minyip Primary school, and Murtoa College Primary campus. A total of 42 students altogether with 2 teachers from OLHC Murtoa, 1 teacher from Rupanyup and Minyip primary schools, and 3 teachers from Murtoa College.

Tim, the manager of the camp told us about the origins of the name Cave Hill Creek. He said the creek that flows through their lake is known as the ‘Cave Hill Creek’. The Cave Hill Creek cascades over Raglan Falls and down off the northern slopes of Cave Hill in the surrounding Mount Cole State Forest. It is at Raglan Falls, over the granite cliffs that visitors to Cave Hill Creek can try abseiling. Similar is the logic behind the origins of the name Cave Hill. That is, the southern slopes of Cave Hill feature a large cavern created when the lower half of a large rock face collapsed leaving a large overhang. The local Beeripmo Balug aborigines refer to the cave as Bukkertillible. It can be seen clearly to the north when driving along the Western Highway M8 between Beaufort and Buangor. Cave Hill Creek’s logo also finds its origin in the local forest. It features a flowering Grevillea montis-cole (commonly known as Grevillea Mount Cole or The Glut Grevillea). The grevillea is endemic to the eastern slopes from the Glut picnic ground to Cave Hill Creek. It is a small shrub identifiable by its red flower from October to March. Grevillea montis-cole is listed as rare in Victoria.

The school camp program focused on developing the student’s love for the outdoors through challenging and fun activities – from canoeing, mountain biking, and ropes courses, to archery, hut building, bushwalks, orienteering (map reading), bush cooking and so much more! On the final night of camp, we all went on a night walk on a track that looped around the camp. We all had our torches and went exploring for nocturnal animals however I think we were too noisy and scared the animals away. We were proud of ourselves as we didn’t get lost and we lost no one. We all had a friend that we looked after and we made sure that we were with our friends the whole time from start to finish. The adults made sure that they were spaced out amongst us. There was an adult leading the way and there was an adult at the back of the line. We all felt very safe and it was a fun night activity that made us all sleep well.

The School camp was an important place for students to develop life skills, relationships (both with their peers and teachers), independence, and resilience. The award-winning school camp program catered towards cultural and indigenous awareness, environmental consciousness, and sustainability. The school camp program outcomes were mapped to the Victorian curriculum to help students meet their curriculum standards.

For many of our students, Cave Hill Creek was their first experience being away from their families. This made the Residential Camp the perfect entry point for a student’s first time on a school camp. All the outdoor activities were facilitated by camp staff and school teachers.

All meals and equipment were provided and we stayed in the Glamping Village, which for many of us was our first experience of Glamping, so we only had to pack our personal items and lunch for day 1. The Glamping village consisted of 4 Glamping tents – each with carpet, power, lighting, heating, and bunk beds with Creswick Woollen Mill blankets and majestic mountain views. There were 2 deluxe Glamping tents that had ensuites for teachers. Within the village, we had our own dedicated indoor/outdoor dining and recreation space with a wood fire and a Campfire circle (which we used for bush cooking).

Kind regards

Mrs. Cathy Grace

Cave Hill Creek Camp

Free Parent Session - The Resilience Project (TRP)

Last night, Thursday 23rd March from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm (90 minutes) AEDT, Martin and the TRP Team presented a free online Parent & Carer presentation (with other schools). Martin and the team were delighted that many parents linked in for the session.
Through emotionally engaging stories and practical strategies, this session helped parents and carers understand the benefits of letting go of shame, perfection, ego, and control. It combined 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.

Here is the link to the recording for distribution to those who couldn't make the live session, or would like to watch the presentation again. Please note that this link will expire on the 8th of April 2023.

Important Upcoming Dates:

April

4th - Mr. Joe McCracken (MP) visiting our school to talk about Civics and Citizenship.
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. School leaders invited to attend the Murtoa ANZAC day dawn service.
26th - First day of Term 2 for students

May

10th - Suessical the Musical Performance - Horsham Town Hall.
11th - School Photos (order envelopes will be sent home in the near future)

June:

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

July:

10th - Term 3 begins

September:

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

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.

CEP Performance - Fizzics Education

Our first CEP Performance for 2023 is a science performance called Fizzics Education and it will be held on Monday, 3rd April 2023. Details below -

Date - Monday 3rd April 2023
Time - 11.00 am to 12.00 pm
Venue - Warracknabeal Town Hall
Transport - travel by bus to and from Warracknabeal
Cost - $10 per student (No cost for CSEF receipients)
Permission note will be on Simon, please read and give your consent for your child to attend

Awards

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

Media Team News...

This week the Year 4s went to Cave Hill Creek Camp and stayed there for 3 days and 2 nights. Nihal, Kirat and André all attended with other kids from Murtoa College, Minyip Primary school and Rupanyup Primary school.

André said, “It was really fun and I couldn’t decide which activity was the best because they all were.”

On Tuesday a very special guest speaker visited Our Lady's! Mr. Carlos Boussac spoke to the Year 5 & 6 students about the process required for Australian Citizenship.

Power Point presentations were completed, illustrating the process of obtaining Australian Citzenship. Thank you letters were sent to Mr. Boussac.

The seniors made some origami Easter Baskets on Wednesday and although it was challenging, they pulled through it and finished their assigned task. The finished product looked excellent and was worth it.

Next week on Thursday will a 'Yes Day' for all students. 'Yes Day' is a reward day that is earnt from students working together. Students earn Dojo points for making good choices, and these points are redeemed at the end of each term. Thursday's 'Yes Day' will be filled with activities, such as an Easter Liturgy, Easter activities, games and cooking.

by Hunter and Charlotte

Lent, Holy Week and Easter

“Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” (John 19:19).

Easter is the holiest day of the year for Christians. It celebrates their belief in the Resurrection, or the rising from the dead, of Jesus Christ.

It celebrates ‘New Life’. Jesus died to save us, so that we may experience hope and new life from the mistakes or bad choices that we may have made. In many churches Easter follows a season of prayer and fasting called Lent. This is observed in memory of the 40 days Jesus is said to have fasted, or gone without food, in the desert.

The week before Easter Sunday is known as Holy Week. During this week, Christians remember the events they believe took place at the time of Jesus’ death.

Palm Sunday recalls the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem shortly before his death.

Holy Thursday marks the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples, or followers.

Good Friday remembers the crucifixion, when Jesus was killed by being nailed to a cross.

Christians believe that Jesus was resurrected on the third day after his death. Easter is therefore a celebration of new life.

My New Gallery

During Lent our school focused on:

The theme of Project Compassion 2023 is ‘For All Future Generations’ and reminds us that the good we do today extends to impact the lives of generations to come.

By donating to Project Compassion, Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, can work with local communities around the world to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.

Each family had received a Project Compassion box for you to donate, just a little, to give to so many people who need your help, ‘For All Future Generations’. Please hand these into the General Office by next Thursday.

During Holy Week our students are going to lead two very special Liturgies:

On Monday, 3rd April, the Years F-3 students will lead a Palm Sunday Liturgy at, approximately, 9:15am.

On Thursday, 6th April, the Years 4-6 students will lead a Holy Thursday/Good Friday Liturgy, also at 9:15am.

All families are welcome!

I wish you all a Holy and Blessed Easter and happy and safe holidays.

Ms Anne Newton

Mass Times & Parish Information

Mass: St Mary's Church, Murtoa
Sunday 2nd April Mass 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.

Preparation sessions begin mid April for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

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.

Information Sessions have been held at Nhill, Murtoa, Warracknabeal, Horsham and Hopetoun.

Palm Sunday

Open letter to Parishioners PC Chair Easter 2023

Calendar Dates

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

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/

Bright Sparks May 2023