OLHC News Issue 21 Term 3 Week 3 - 28th 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,
It is always nice to have visitors at Our Lady's school, as it provides an opportunity to share the good work we are doing, and to show off the facilities and beautiful grounds we enjoy.
On Tuesday, we had a visit from a member of the DOBCEL board. The board governs Catholic schools in the Ballarat Diocese, including OLHC, and they make the time to visit schools on a regular basis.
Monsignor Murphy, our parish priest, is on the board of DOBCEL and he was our visitor on Tuesday. Sienna and Charlotte, as leaders in our school, gave Monsignor Murphy a tour. They shared about the rich tradition of Catholic education in Murtoa, told our guest about the history of the school, and were even able to point to relatives of current students in photos dating back to the 1960s. We are lucky to have our history on display and to have students who know that history and proudly share it. Well done Sienna and Charlotte!
Another visitor came on Friday. Buffy Harrison teaches AUSLAN to our students every week. Usually she does so via a video link, interacting with our students and teachers from a screen. But this week we were very pleased to welcome Buffy in person. It was fascinating to hear Buffy's story and to learn about the different technology that can be used to help those with hearing impairments and deafness. It was equally fascinating, and very impressive, to see how well Buffy teaches our students. They revised the alphabet in AUSLAN, counted to 20, and exchanged various common phrases and greetings using sign language. We are so fortunate to have Buffy teaching all the staff, LSOs and students each week, and were especially blessed this time to have that lesson in person.
Personally, I have met and had some great conversations with many people from the school and wider Murtoa community this week. It is so valuable to hear what our families and friends think of the school, how they find life in Murtoa, and what their hopes and aspirations are for the future. As always, I am keen to grow my knowledge and understanding in this space, so please feel free to come in and see me.
All the very best,
Chris McCumstie
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
This week on Wednesday Maeve and Eimer returned from their big holiday. We heard many interesting stories about Darwin's fastest man. Besides old men running around, they told us it was a really fun experience.
On Friday Buffy came to our school and taught us Auslan with the whole school. We played some auslan games and learnt about cochlear implants and stuff like that.
On Monday we started working on Germany posters. An interesting fact about Germany is there are actually more than 20,000 castles in Germany!
On Wednesday and Thursday in Digitech we were learning about Zip it, Block it and Flag it. Zip it means don’t give anyone your personal information, Block it means unsubscribe or just go away from the person/people, Flag it means report it or tell a trusted adult.
Charlotte and Hunter
Important Upcoming Dates:
July:
- 28th - Buffy Auslan 9.00 - 10am
August:
- 1st - Book Fair begins
- 2nd - Fr. Matt visiting
- 9th - SAC Meeting 6.30pm
- 11th - Pupil Free Day - Staff PD. NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
- 16th - Fr. Matt visiting
- 18th - Performance "Cinderella" 11.00am Horsham Town Hall
- 21st - Book Week - Theme - 'Read, Grow, Inspire' - Activities TBA
- 31st - Black Ranges Athletics
September:
- 1st - Buffy Auslan 9.00 - 10.00am
- 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
- 24th - CEP Performance - 'Music in My Suitcase'
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
Sunday 30th July 2023 at 10.00am
Interchurch Ecumenical Service
Our Lady's School, Multi-Purpose Room
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/