OLHC News Issue 25 Term 3 Week 7 - 25th 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, 

It's Book Week, so all of the staff and students have been celebrating books and reading. We gathered in the library for the annual Book Week dress-up, and none of the students disappointed! Among other characters, we had unicorns, butterflies, footy players, superheroes, two Harry Potters, and an army man. It was lovely to see the students embracing the opportunity to dress up and celebrate literary things. What was even more pleasing, however, was the way students spoke about the books that had inspired them. Reading is one of the most important things we teach at school and I loved hearing about the stories that are filling our students with delight. Celebrating Book Week might also prompt us to read more with our children, or have them read to us. I strongly encourage you to try and find the time to read with your children every day/night as there are multiple benefits to this, not least the quality time spent. Thank you to all the parents and friends who assisted with costumes for the day, and thanks also to the staff who participated wholeheartedly!

Last Friday, the staff and students attended the Horsham College presentation of Cinderella. I am pleased to report that student behaviour was exemplary and that all those in the audience thoroughly enjoyed the play. The students from Horsham College displayed not only their dramatic prowess but also their technical and artistic talents, with amazing set designs, props and lighting. The opportunity to ask questions of the cast and support crew gave valuable insights to our students about the hard work that goes into a performance like this. There were positive messages that came from the play also, about overcoming adversity, maintaining cheerfulness despite challenges, and holding on to hope in troubling times. 

Invitations to the Fathers' Day Breakfast (Thursday 31st August, 8am) have gone out, and I would like to take this opportunity to extend a warm invitation myself. All fathers (or other significant family members and friends) are most welcome to attend the breakfast and to spend some time together as a community. There are so many positive role models in the lives of our students, and this is a small way that we would like to thank those men and to acknowledge the influence they have and the roles they fulfill. Come and share a cuppa and a meal if you are able!

All the very best, 

Chris McCumstie

Weekly School Tours

There’s so much happening at Our Lady Help of Christians school in Murtoa, and I’d love to show you around!

Every Thursday, between 2:00 – 4:30 I will be giving school tours. Prospective parents, interested locals, visitors to the region and old friends are all welcome to come and see the great work that happens at our school each day. No need to call ahead, just pop in on Thursday afternoons. I can answer any questions you may have about our school or about Catholic education in general.

Tours are still available outside these times, of course. You can make arrangements by calling the school office on 03 5385 2526.

Chris McCumstie

Principal OLHC Murtoa

School Wide Positive Behaviour

Education is not only about the intellectual or academic instruction we give to students. It is also about the cooperation between the home and the school in the formation of our students' character. Each week we would like to share with the parent body our school-wide behaviour focus, so that parents and caregivers know what we are working on at school and can make similar efforts in the home. We want to form well-rounded, polite, hard-working students who are filled with joy and who get the most out of their time at school. This requires positive reinforcement of good behaviours, and gentle correction or redirection when expected behaviours are not evident.

For the remainder of the term, our focus will be RESPECT.

Respect includes:

- using manners (pleases and thank yous)
- listening and looking at others when they speak
- giving others their own personal space
- following the instructions of teachers and parents straight away
- using appropriate language, including tone
- helping others in need

There will always be times when our students depart from these expectations, but so long as we are united in our efforts to build up the character of our students, we can hope to see progress and the formation of good habits.

Student Awards

Students continue to impress staff with their positive behaviour, hard work, and good example to others. Well done to the following students:  Luca, Hunter, Harrison, Therese, and Joseph.

Keep up the good work!

Black Ranges Athletics

Black Ranges Athletics details - 

• Thursday, 31st August 2023
• North Park, Stawell
• 10.00am to 2.00pm
• Students to wear Our Lady's School sports uniform
• Students competiting in Relays will be given a Dunmunkle singlet to wear during the relay 
• Transport - Parents to transport their children to the Athletics
• Permission Form - see Simon
• Information including event times have been sent home with students
•  Call in for Father's Day Breakfast at school on your way to Stawell.

Father's Day Breakfast

Father's Day Breakfast 

All fathers and significant adult male family members or special friends are invited to breakfast on Thursday, 31st August, at 8:00 am. 

Breakfast will be eggs/bacon muffins or muffins with jam or vegemite and tea/coffee/orange juice. 

We look forward to sharing this special meal with the significant male people in our lives.

Call in on your way to work or prior to heading to Stawell, for the Black Ranges Athletics .

School Nursing Program

School Nursing Program envelopes containing a questionnaire about your child's health and development, were sent home with Foundation students several weeks ago.

The questionnaire is distributed to all children enrolled in their first year of school.

If you wish for your child to participate in the Primary School Nursing Program, please complete the questionnaire and return to the General Office.

Book week

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Murtoa Show

137th Annual Murtoa Show will be held  on the Big Weekend,  on Friday, 6th October 2022. (This day is the first Friday of Term 4, and is a Pupil Free Day, which gives families time to attend Murtoa Show.)

Students have been preparing entries during various lessons at school.  The school will enter student's work into the show to represent OLHC.

Children are welcome to enter other sections as a Murtoa resident.  If they have time during the school holidays, they might like to create an entry and follow the directions in the show schedule below to enter into the particular category. Detailed instructions, including entry information, are contained in the flyer below.  Click on the 'Murtoa Show Schedule' link below for further information.

School Fee Accounts

School Fee accounts were sent home with students last week. Any questions, queries or difficulties, please come and see the Principal.

Photos from Around the School

We are so blessed to have such beautiful grounds at Our Lady's school and this week there were some busy children enjoying them. Teddy and Harrison played army men building a fort, Luca and Jed tackled the veggie patch, and Nihal was in fine form on the footy field. What a thumping kick! 

Important Upcoming Dates:

August:

• 31st - Father's Day/Special Friends Breakfast 8.00am
• 31st - Black Ranges Athletics

September:

• 1st - Buffy Auslan 9.00 - 10.00am
• 3rd - First Holy Communions in Murtoa Catholic Church 8.30am
• 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 27th August 2023  Mass Livestreamed from Horsham at St. Mary's,  Murtoa 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 will be celebrated on Sunday, 3rd September at St. Mary's Church, Murtoa at 8.30am. All welcome. 

Calendar Dates

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