OLHC News Issue 23 Term 3 Week 5 - 11th August 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, 

We are halfway through the term and it is an understatement to say that time has flown! 

Earlier in the week we celebrated the Feast Day of Australia's first and only saint, St. Mary of the Cross, better known as Mary Mackillop. This is a significant day for all Australians, as it recognises the important contribution of an incredible woman to all of Australian society. Mary and her companions had a heart for young people, and worked tirelessly to provide education and support across many areas in Australia. They built and administered schools for many years, and the Josephite order (founded by St. Mary) continues to do excellent work. 

As a Catholic school, the example of St Mary of the Cross and her companions holds special significance. We know that Mary was motivated by her faith in Jesus to do the good work she did. Her prayers and deep love for God gave her the strength to found a religious order, establish and maintain many schools, and overcome adversity even from within the Church. We can take heart from St Mary's example, knowing that with God, all things are possible.

Thank you to those who have completed the Insight SRC surveys. These provide the school with valuable information about how our parents perceive the experience they have at OLHC. The surveys are open until August 11th, so if you have not had an opportunity to complete them, I encourage you to do so. Participation is voluntary and anonymous.

Planning for 2024 is well underway. We are making progress with the new build and it is on track to begin early in the new year. Enrollments for the new year have begun to come in. If any families at our school know of prospective enrolments to OLHC, please encourage them to give me a call or to come in and see what we have to offer. Whilst we are a Catholic school, we are open to all, and it is our mission to provide the very best for the families and children of Murtoa and the surrounding regions.

Finally, Book Week is fast arriving, beginning on Monday, 21st August. Children are already more excited about reading because of the Book Fair, and Book Week is just another way to promote one of the most important things we do at school. I encourage you to have a conversation with your child about what book they might like to share and celebrate during that week, and what character they might like to dress up as also!

All the very best, 

Chris McCumstie

Student Media News

This week the Seniors and the Juniors are using the Spheros and programming them. We are currently trying to program the Spheros to go around a chair, get to the end of a maze made of chairs that have been turned upside down, and go through a book holder that isn’t holding any books (It is very narrow).

We do not have any school on Friday so all the students will be getting a 3 day weekend.

Charlotte 

Cinderella Performance

Students and Staff will be travelling to Horsham Town Hall  on Friday 18th August to see 'Cinderella'. 

• Travel will be by bus
• Students to bring their lunch and drink bottle
• Cost $10 per student
• Permission Forms on Simon

See below - Horsham Town Hall website information

Horsham College proudly presents Rodgers & Hammerstein’s ‘Cinderella’

The Tony Award-winning musical from the creators of South Pacific and The Sound of Music!

Douglas Carter Beane’s adaptation of this well-loved classic invites us to build a better, kinder world together. When she meets a dragon-slaying young prince who is just assuming control of his government, Ella helps spark transformation and empower the disenfranchised in their kingdom. With the help of her fairy godmother, a pumpkin and a little magic and humor, Ella, Prince Topher and their generous friends will inspire and delight the whole family.

Important Upcoming Dates:

August:

• 11th - Pupil Free Day - Staff PD.  NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
• 16th - Fr. Matt visiting
• 18th - Performance "Cinderella" 11.00am - 3.00pm Horsham Town Hall
• 21st - 25th  Book Week - Theme - 'Read, Grow, Inspire' - Activities TBA
• 25th  - Whole School AFL Clinic 10am
• 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
• 23rd - 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 13th August 2023  Livestream from Horsham at 9.00am.

Sacramental Program 2023

St Paul VI Parish

The sacramental program continues at St Paul VI Parish. Fr Matt Restall is working with a number of children from Murtoa and the surrounding regions, preparing them for their First Holy Communion, which is fast approaching.

Calendar Dates

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