OLHC News Issue 20 Term 3 Week 2 - 21st July 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 and Friends of Our Lady's, 

On Wednesday we had the Gifting Mass at the Catholic Church in Murtoa. We walked the children down at 11:30, celebrated Mass with Fr Matt, and gifted all the donations to Mrs Pat Strachan and Mr. Leon Ryan from the St Vincent de Paul Society. Mrs. Strachan spoke well after Mass, telling the children about the founder of the Society, Frederic Ozanam, and letting them know where their donations would go. There is such a need in the community for charitable acts of giving, and I am proud of the students for their small but meaningful contribution.

As a Catholic school, we have a particular love for the poor. Jesus tells us that anyone who gives a cup of water to the needy, because they are His disciple, will most certainly not lose their reward. It is so wonderful to see our students give generously of their time, material goods, and prayers to help those in need. I am sure God has many rewards and blessing for our students and the way they participated in Mass.

Teaching and learning in the Catholic tradition is our core business. I love getting into the classrooms and seeing all the good work our teachers and students are doing. I was lucky enough to take the Senior Class on Tuesday and I was really impressed with their work. They are joyful and focused as they complete their work, be it reading, engaging in a class discussion, completing maths exercises, or taking an interest in different cultures during their inquiry sessions. Well done Mr. Collie and the Seniors for the good work you are doing! Keep it up.

As I mentioned last week, I am keen to grow my understanding of the community. I would love to meet as many of the parents and friends of OLHC as possible. If you have time, please come in and see me. 

All the very best, 

Chris McCumstie

Gifting Mass

The Gifting Mass took place on Wednesday 19th July, 12 noon, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Murtoa.

Fr Matt celebrated Mass, during which Hunter and Nihal brought forward the donations to the St Vincent de Paul Society and the Food Bank. 

All the children who had special roles in the Mass did a wonderful job. They read well, offered beautiful prayers, and moved around the church with reverence. Well done!

Commissioning Ceremony

At the conclusion of the Gifting Mass, our new Principal was commissioned by Mrs. Janet Claassen from the Ballarat Education Office. He received a blessing from Fr Matt, a candle featuring the name and logo of OLHC school, and a framed certificate of the Mission and Vision of the school. Mr. McCumstie made a commitment to serve the school, to promote the spiritual well-being of its members, and to cooperate in the work of Catholic Education, conscious of the integral partnership between the school, the home, and the Church.

Winter School Uniform

As you are all well aware, Winter is here!  Winter uniform should be worn, not Summer uniform.  Please ensure that your children come to school with a jumper, coat and if they need it scarf, beanie and gloves.  It’s very cold outside during recess and lunch break.  Please make sure all items of clothing are clearly labelled with your child’s name.

Student Media News

On Wednesday we had a Gifting Mass where we brought three baskets of food and yummy stuff like that. The food went to the St. Vincent de Paul and they will distribute it to the people in need  of food.

Near the end of the Gifting Mass Mr. McCumstie was presented with a certificate of our school Mission Statement. It is our vision that keeps us all on our learning path.

At the end of the Gifting Mass a St. Vincent de Paul lady came and gave a speech about the food we’re donating and was very thankful, the rest of the week was just a normal week at OLHC school. 

Charlotte and Hunter

Important Upcoming Dates:

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 23rd July 2023 Livestreamed Mass at 9.00am

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. 

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/