OLHC News Issue 13 Term 2 Week 4 - 19th May 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,

Staffing update:

Last week, our school community received news of the appointment of Mr. Christopher McCumstie as the new Principal of Our Lady Help of Christians School in Murtoa. Christopher will begin this role from the commencement of Term 3, 2023.  Christopher comes to the Ballarat Diocese from St. Philomena Catholic School in Brisbane where he has worked since 2019. He was previously employed at St. Mary’s Primary School, Woodend in Queensland, and St. Clement of Rome Primary School, Bulleen in the Archdiocese of Melbourne. Christopher completed a Bachelor of Arts at Campion College in NSW and a Master of Education at Monash University. Having previously held the position of Head of Primary School at St. Philomena’s in 2020 and 2021, Christopher is an experienced education professional, who demonstrates leadership across classroom teaching, curriculum development, professional mentorship, and management operations. He has implemented contemporary pedagogical practices across literacy, numeracy, and other curriculum areas with a focus on improved and sustainable student outcomes for primary and early secondary students.  The panel believes his experience, leadership skills, and dedication to education will be a great asset to the OLHC school community.  Please join me in welcoming Christopher as the new Principal of Our Lady Help of Christians School.

Mrs. Anne Newton will be on Long Service Leave for terms 3 and 4.  In her absence, Miss Jessica Bedford will be teaching the Junior students.  As you are already aware, Jess will be already teaching the junior class for the last four weeks of this term whilst Mrs. Newton is Acting Principal.  During these four weeks, Mrs. Newton will be mentoring and co-teaching with Jess daily using existing learning programs so our students will continue to learn and grow.  What a great opportunity for Jess to transition in readiness for Terms 3 and 4. This will provide consistency and stability for the students.  Our Junior students just adore Miss Bedford and are looking forward to her being in the classroom full-time.

I am currently in the process of confirming a part-time teacher, to teach the 2 days of specialist classes that Jess currently teaches.  As soon as this position information is confirmed, I will let you know.  We wish Mrs. Newton a well-deserved break and we hope she enjoys her restful holiday.  Safe travels Mrs. Newton and we look forward to hearing about your time away.

Year 5/6 Camp - Camp Wilkin, Anglesea

Our Year 5/6 students, Mr. Collie, and Mrs. Maher have arrived at Camp Wilkin in Anglesea.  Our campers travelled very early on Wednesday morning from Murtoa and Rupanyup to Anglesea. 

Day 1: Our Grade 5/6 students braved the cool weather to participate in surfing carnival activities. It was great to hear and see photos of students mixing across the Dunmunkle schools.

Day 2: - Today was full of fun activities, students were divided into three groups, Initiatives (teamwork), canoeing, and mini golf were what each group did until afternoon tea. Groups then did one activity from tomorrow’s list, of rock climbing, bike riding, and archery, to make sure they can get back to school on time. The children are all having a ball, and tonight they were enjoying Toy Story 3 before a well-deserved sleep.

Day 3: - Before and after breakfast, students will need to pack their bags ready to load the bus.  Following this, groups will complete the activities they didn't do yesterday from rock climbing, bike riding, and archery before heading home.

Please check out on our school Facebook page for camp photos. 

https://www.facebook.com/olhcmurtoa

Everyone is having a great time and enjoying their camp activities.  We can't wait to hear their stories when they come back to school next week.

Catholic Education Week

Catholic Education Week commences next Sunday 21st May and encompasses the following school week.  As part of our celebrations, Our Lady's School will be combining with St Mary’s (Warracknabeal), St Patrick's (Nhill), St Mary's (Sea Lake), and St Joseph’s (Hopetoun) for a Liturgy in Hopetoun on Wednesday 24th May.

Following the Liturgy, students will have lunch supplied by St Joseph’s Primary School Parents & Friends committee.  They will then participate in activities related to this year’s Catholic Education Week theme "Let the words you speak always be full of Grace" (Col 4:6).

School Advisory Council Meeting

Last Wednesday evening, the School Advisory Council met.  Our main discussion was around the Capital Project.  On Tuesday, I met with Mark Grisby from Smith+Tracey Architects from Geelong.  

Mark is highly experienced across a diverse range of project sectors, with a strong background in strategies and outcomes in aged care, seniors living, education, commercial, and aviation. With exposure to local and international projects, he provides guidance for complicated and demanding projects in both the for-profit and charitable space. Mark’s strength is in developing and fostering relationships with the clients and communities have the pleasure of working with, in order to ensure they leave their lasting legacy.  Having the ability to communicate and liaise between numerous stakeholder groups, Mark works to resolve and align the client’s aspirations and the successful delivery of project outcomes.

Mark with Ash Wiseman (DOBCEL Capital Project Manager: Planning and Infrastructure) spent the morning at Our Lady's speaking with myself and understanding the requirements of the Capital Project.  Mark will be leading and working with Ash to oversee the continuation of the project.  Mark informed me that over the next 4 months, there will be a lot of work behind the scenes working with builders, engineers, Yarriambiack Shire personnel, surveyors, etc.  Over these next four months, we will be having lots of visits from different workers completing documentation for the project so when the moving action begins, things will just fall into place.  Mark will be compiling a planning document so that Chris McCumstie (new principal) will understand the time frame and sequence of events of the project.  So please rest assured that the new building is coming either at the end of this year or early next year.  Exciting times are ahead!  Thank you all for your patience.

CSPV Newsletter

The May edition of CSPV Parent Connect News is now available.

This issue includes opportunities for parents to contribute their perspective on various areas in education as well as several webinars of interest in wellbeing and careers conversations with children.

Student voice also features with a webinar and resources on parent engagement in learning created by a student research team.

https://ceob.schoolzineplus.com/_file/media/2045/cspv_connect_email_may_2023.pdf

Family Week, 15-21 May

Family Week is recognised from 15 - 21 May 2023.  Family Week is a perfect time to come together to celebrate the power of family relationships in all their diversities, and the importance they play in our lives and community.

CatholicCare Victoria's theme for Family Week this year is "Circle of Inclusion."

Links provided below -

• Resources from CatholicCare
• https://www.catholiccarevic.org.au/news/247/a-blessing-for-families
• National Families Week website 
• https://nfw.org.au/

A Blessing for Families.

Heavenly Father, please bless our families with Your everlasting love.
Give our families strength to overcome hardship and difficulties.
Give our families courage to admit our faults and forgive others.
Give our families joy to live life to the full and spread our joy to others.
May all families find comfort, support and guidance under Your loving care. 

Amen.

Child Safe Standards

All students enrolled at Our Lady's School have the right to feel safe and be safe. The safety and wellbeing of children in the school’s care will always be our first priority and the school will not tolerate child abuse. The school has created 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. Catherine 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 the Principal either by phone or email principal@olhcmurtoa.catholic.edu.au

Concert - Andrew Chinn

Mrs. Newton has been successful in obtaining Andrew Chin to come to our school to perform workshops with the students and then the students perform a concert after the workshops.  This year, we thought we would do something different and use this opportunity and Andrew's expertise.  Andrew will be in our school on the morning of Thursday 1st June to facilitate workshops with the students followed by a concert.  This will all take place in the Multipurpose Room at our school.  We look forward to seeing you all there.

Kind regards

Mrs. Cathy Grace                                                                                

Catholic Education Week Excursion to Hopetoun

"Let the words you speak always be full of Grace" (Col 4:6).

• Date: Wednesday, 24th May 2023
• Time: 9.00am to 3.00pm
• Venue: St. Joseph's School, 33 Lascelles Street, Hopetoun
• Transport: Mel Boschen's bus
• Cost: Nil
• Food: Lunch supplied, children to bring fruit, Recess snacks and drink bottle
• Permission note:  check Simon 

CEP Performance - "Hercules"

Term 2 CEP Performance will be next week.

• Date: Thursday, 25th May 2023
• Time: 9.00am to 1.00pm
• Transport: Wimmera Roadways bus
• Venue: Warracknabeal Town Hall, 39 Scott Street, Warracknabeal
• Cost: $9
  
• Permission note: check Simon
• To view details and images for Hercules, go to:
  http://www.alphashows.com.au/shows/hercules/

Important Upcoming Dates:

May

• 17th - Year 5/6 Camp Wilkin, Anglesea.
• 22nd - Beginning of Catholic Education Week
• 24th - Catholic Education Week excursion to Hopetoun.
• 25th - CEP Alpha Performance excursion to Warracknabeal
• 26th - Mrs. Grace's last day.

June:

• 1st - Andrew Chinn Student workshops (9 am)  followed by School Concert (approximately 9.40 am).
• 2nd - Dunmunkle Athletic Sports to be held at Marnoo.  
• 8th - Royal Flying Doctors Incursion at school.
• 12th - King's birthday - school closed - no school for staff or students.
• 19th/20th - Student Led Conferences 3.30 pm onwards
• 23rd - End of Term 2 - school finishes at 2.15 pm

July:

• 10th - Term 3 begins and Mr. Christopher McCumstie begins his Principalship at OLHC.

August:

• 11th - Pupil Free Day - Staff PD.  NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS.

September:

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

October:

• 2nd - Term 4 begins
• 6th - Murtoa Show:  School Closure Day - NO SCHOOL FOR STAFF OR STUDENTS

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.

Mass Times & Parish Information

Mass: St Mary's Church, Murtoa
Sunday 21st May  Mass 8.30am

Sacramental Program 2023

St Paul VI Parish

St Paul VI Parish children have begun their sacramental program sessions as part of the Sacramental life of the Catholic Church. The Parish is offering this 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 children prepare for the Sacraments.

This program will 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. Below is a photo of Fr. Matt with Hunter, Eimer, and Riley.

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/