OLHC News Issue 33 Term 4 Week 5 - 3rd November 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,

There were two significant feast days this week. On Wednesday we celebrated All Saints Day, and on Thursday we commemorated All Souls Day. All Saints Day is eclipsed in our society by Halloween, but it is actually intimately connected to Halloween. Halloween is otherwise known as All Hallows Eve, that is, the evening before All Saints (Hallows) Day. It is a day when we call to mind all the holy men and women throughout the ages who have served God. Some served in heroic ways and are well known to us, like Mary the Mother of God, or St Mary Mackillop. Some are well known and often invoked, but little is known of their actual lives, like St Christopher the patron saint of travelers. But there are countless others who in their daily lives lived out the Gospel and who are in Heaven now interceding for us. They are anonymous as far as the history books go, but are nonetheless worthy of imitation. The question we asked our students, and which we could all ask ourselves, is how closely are we living out the call of God in our own lives? What little things could we be doing in our day-to-day lives to get closer to God and Heaven?

All Souls Day is the day we remember our departed brothers and sisters and pray for their souls. It is a time we might especially remember and pray for our family members who have died and others who are close to us. All Souls Day is a reminder that the end of our earthly life is not the end full stop. Our faith and the Church remind us that we can still be connected to our loved ones and that we have great reason for hope. I'd like to share a beautiful prayer of the Church that is prayed on All Souls Day and, indeed, throughout the whole month of November. I find great consolation in it myself.

"Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen"

In other news, the children have been out gardening again, discovering the hidden gems in our school grounds, and working to keep them beautiful. I overheard a friendly argument between two of our senior students about who had done more to tidy up the gardens at our school. Long may such competitions and arguments last!

All the very best,

Chris McCumstie

School Wide Positive Behaviour

Our SWPBS focus in Term 4 is CLASSROOM behaviours.

We know that good learning occurs in calm, well-ordered classrooms. We also know that student engagement in learning content is essential and that that engagement may not happen unless it is requested/demanded. We cannot hope that students will learn by osmosis (although they do) nor that they will necessarily enter or inhabit classrooms in calm and orderly ways. So as a school we are teaching our students how we want them to work. We are ensuring that all students are engaged in their learning, thinking, reading, writing and listening. We want to maximise the learning of our students, especially in these foundational years of primary schooling.

Students are working hard at:

- entering and exiting in an orderly way
- moving about the room sensibly
- focusing on school work and aiming to achieve the best standard
- listening and looking at others when they speak
- following the instructions of teachers straight away
- helping others in need

We're pleased to report that there are lots of positives to celebrate. Students are doing a great job improving in these areas, and we are seeing the benefits both in the school culture and in the academic performance of the children. 

Building Update

Plans for the new school build in 2024 have been submitted to the Yarriambiack Shire Council. This is an important step in our project and brings us closer to the time when we will farewell the original school building and welcome brand-new facilities for Our Lady’s school community.

As part of this project, support staff at DOBCEL and I have conducted an audit of the current facilities and it has been identified that the art room is surplus to our needs. The plans for the new building include wet spaces and ample storage to accommodate art in the classrooms. It is not necessary to have a distinct space set aside for art, for a school of our size especially considering the limited use the room currently receives and the fact that art is only one small part of a large curriculum. Our school will maintain sufficient spaces dedicated to specialist learning in the existing Multipurpose Hall and Library buildings.

As you may know, OLHC is in a partnership with St Patrick’s Nhill, and both schools are part of the wider Catholic system, receiving support from DOBCEL. St Patrick’s has tripled in size over the past three years and continues to grow. To accommodate this growth, and to ensure that the children in Nhill receive the best that Catholic education can offer, the school requires more classrooms as it awaits funding for a larger building improvement project to accommodate its future needs. Together with DOBCEL, I have made the decision to sell the art room at OLHC and have arranged for its transport for use at St Patrick’s. This will occur towards the end of 2023 or early 2024.

I am motivated in this decision by a number of factors. Firstly, we belong to a system of education and receive significant support from that system. In a sense, we are more than just one school, and cooperating with the system to which we belong, and supporting other schools in that system is important. Secondly, I am conscious that it is our partner school in the Wimmera that has a need, and that we are able to meet that need. Thirdly, because the building is surplus to our needs but still requires ongoing maintenance, there is a strong argument to say that our financial gain from its sale better serves our school in its next phase. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Catholic charity asks this of us as a community. There is a school with children less than an hour away who are in need, and we are in a position to help them. St Mary Mackillop famously said, “Never see a need without doing something about it.” At the request DOBCEL and in negotiation with them, OLHC can respond with generosity to meet that need.

I have not made this decision lightly and am conscious there are some in our community who may be disappointed. We are fortunate to have such wonderful facilities and grounds at our school and owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the staff, principals, and community members who have worked tirelessly over the years to build Our Lady’s School. I trust that the new build and the changes that come with it will add great value to our school for decades to come.

Future plans for the space left by the art room's departure are forming. We are yet to place some new furniture we received as part of a government grant and are exploring options to create a dynamic outdoor learning space for art, science, and nature studies. Extending the paved section that is currently between the art room and the multipurpose room is also an option. Student outcomes are at the forefront of all decisions we make at Our Lady's. As such, I am dedicated to working with the whole community to ensure that the next phase in our history is brought about smoothly and with a mind to obtaining great results for all our students.

Chris McCumstie, Principal

Reverse Advent Calendar

To support those in need this Christmas, Our Lady's are participating in the Reverse Advent Calendar Initiative again. There are four boxes at school for donations and a helpful list of the types of items students can bring in. It would be great to see a generous response from our community and we can be sure that our efforts will make a big difference at Christmas in the lives of those in need.

Art with Mrs. Evans

Amazing artistic creations continue to be produced by the students with Mrs. Evans.See photos below. 

Cereal Boxes needed for Senior Class

The Senior Class require 7 cereal boxes for a project they are working on.

If you have any at home, please send them to school.

Transition - Forward to Foundation

In the lead-up to the State-wide Orientation Day on Tuesday 12^th December, Our Lady’s School invites the kinder children who are already enrolled or who intend to enroll for 2024 to attend transition days. The purpose of transition days is to let the children become familiar with school routines and expectations including- getting to and from school, playing and learning with other children, meeting staff, and becoming familiar with the school buildings and grounds.

Our school day begins at 9.00am. The morning session has a fruit break at 10.00am and concludes at 11.00am. Children then play before eating their morning tea together. The middle session begins at 11.30am and concludes at 1.00pm. Children then play and eat their lunch at 1:30pm. School finishes at 3:15pm.

Transition Dates

• Tuesday, 21^st November, 900am - 11.30am
• Tuesday, 28^th November, 900am - 11.30am
• Tuesday, 5^th December, 900am - 1.45pm
• Tuesday, 12^th December, 900am - 3.15pm (State-wide Orientation Day)

 What to Bring

• Fruit snack, morning tea, water bottle
• Sun Hat
• Lunch (on 5/12 and 12/12)

The School Uniform Coordinator will display samples of the school uniform on 28^th November from 9.00 - 9.50am and 10.45 - 11.45am, for parents to view. Forms will be available for those wishing to place orders.

We look forward to meeting you and welcoming your child to the OLHC school community. It is an exciting and important time for families, so we will do our best to ensure both parents and students make the transition smoothly. If you have any questions please ring our friendly staff in the General Office on (03) 5385 2526 or email principal@olhcmurtoa.catholic.edu.au.

2024 Year 7 - Transition Days

Year 6 students have been invited to attend the Year 7 (2024) transition program at Murtoa College. 

Day 1 Wednesday 8th November 2023 9.30am - 2.30pm. Murtoa College bus will collect Our Lady's students (from OLHC) at 9.20am and drop them off at 2.35pm

Day 2 Wednesday 22nd November 2023 9.30am - 2.30pm. Murtoa College bus will collect Our Lady's students (from OLHC) at 9.20am and drop them off at 2.35pm.

Statewide Transition Day Tuesday 12th December 2023 Full Day. Students use their normal mode of transport, getting off their normal bus at Murtoa College or walking to Murtoa College.

Students are to wear their Our Lady's uniform, take their school hat to wear in the yard and bring appropiate food and drink for Recess and Lunch - No canteen on Wednesday.  Students will be returned to Our Lady's School on Day 1 and 2, to travel home at their normal time.

Next week each student will receive an information pack , containing a permission slip from Murtoa College, to be completed by parents and handed to the bus driver when getting on the Murtoa College bus.

Our Lady's Permission Form  will be on Simon. 

Any questions please contact the General Office.

Important Upcoming Dates:

November:

• 6th - Pupil Free Day - No school for students - Staff PD
• 7th - Melbourne Cup - school closed - public holiday.  No school for staff or students.
• 8th - Year 7 (2024) transition day at Murtoa College for current Year 6 students 9.30am -2.30pm
  
• 21st - Kinder Transition Day 9.00am - 11.30am
• 22nd - Year 7 (2024) transition day at Murtoa College for current Year 6 students 9.30am -2.30pm
• 23rd - SAC Meeting 6.30pm
• 28th - Kinder Transition Day 9.00am - 11.30am
• 28th - Speech Therapist Ashleigh Freckleton speaking to parents 11am

December:

• 5th - Kinder Transition Day 9.00am - 1.45pm
• 6th - Fr. Matt visit
• 12th - Statewide Orientation  Day 9.00am - 3.15pm
• 14th - Graduation Mass TBC
• 15th - Last Day for students
• 18th - Last Day for Staff

Uniform Reminder

Just a friendly reminder that most students should be wearing summer uniforms.  Below are the current uniform guides:

SUMMER UNIFORM - GIRLS 
• Blue and White check dress; or Light blue polo shirt, with the school logo and navy shorts/skorts
• Optional Lightweight Cardigan or Lightweight Jumper, with embroidered school logo
• Provided Navy Sun hat with embroidered school logo.

SUMMER UNIFORM - BOYS

Grey shorts and a light blue polo shirt with the school logo
• Optional Lightweight Jumper, with embroidered school logo
• Provided Navy Sun hat with embroidered school logo.

General Uniform Information
Shoes - Brown, black, or navy sandals (summer) / black lace-up school shoes
or boots.
** SNEAKERS are sports requirements only and can be worn of Health/Physical Education days and when there are other sporting events.  ** NOTE: Sandals and shoes with high heels are definitely not recommended for school wear, as they are detrimental to children’s growth.
Socks - Boys: plain grey, dark blue, or black.  Girls: plain white or dark blue (or navy tights).

Hats are compulsory during the months of September to May.
Navy blue hats have been supplied for each student and are kept at school. Our Lady’s is a SunSmart school and as such has made a commitment to safeguarding the children’s skin and health. The Sunsmart rule states… “No hat, no play”.

Sacramental Program 2024

Sacramental Program 2024
Information Session

This year St Paul VI Parish has completed its first Sacramental Program involving over 50 children and their families. The Program has been engaging and enjoyable, as well as educational and inspiring. Parents and their children re-discovered the richness of our faith, responding with their lives to the words of Jesus “ask, and it will be given to you, seek, and you will find, knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Mt. 7:7)

Parents are the first teachers of the faith to their children. The fruit of parents playing an active part in helping their child prepare for the Sacraments this year has been evident, and therefore the Parish based Sacramental program will run according to this model in 2024 also.

For those families who have a child in year 4 and above who has not received the Sacrament Reconciliation or Holy Communion, or for children in year 6 and above who have not received the Sacra-ment of Confirmation – please feel welcome to attend one of the information sessions listed below.

Hopetoun: Thursday 16 Nov 3.30pm (in church)
Murtoa: Wednesday 22 Nov 4pm (in church)
Nhill: Friday 24 Nov 3.45pm (in church)
Horsham: Sunday 3 Dec 11.30am (in church)
Warracknabeal: Tuesday 5 Dec 3.30pm (in church)

Mass Times & Parish Information

Sunday 5th November Mass at Murtoa at 8.30am.

Calendar Dates

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