OLHC News Issue 35 Term 4 Week 7 - 17th 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,

The Remembrance Day ceremony on Monday was moving. Seeing the flag at half mast, hearing the Ode and the Last Post and pausing for a minute of silence are always poignant moments for me. Well done to those students who participated with respect, and to those seniors who assisted us in a mature and responsible way. 

Mid-November and the shops are filling up with Christmas decorations. At school in the junior room, Miss Bedford is unwrapping a book a day with her class, and sharing beautiful Christmas stories from all over the world. It is a great way to engage students in reading quality literature and shows them the universality of the Christmas message. I spent a few sessions with the juniors this week and was so impressed with the comments they made about the books they read and the story from the bible I shared with them.   

Good news from the senior students was the way they led whole school sport on Thursday morning. They invented a game based on a number of different sports, explained it to the juniors, sensibly chose and led teams, and had a whole lot of fun doing it. We teachers all stood back and admired the good work of our older students and the qualities they showed. 

Reflecting on the sacrifice of the ANZACS, listening to stories from the bible, and observing admirable qualities in all the students at school this week reminded me of the WWJD wristbands and t-shirts that used to be common. WWJD stands for 'What would Jesus do?' and it is an acronym used by Christians to ask themselves how they ought to behave in situations. There is a certain cringe element to it, but I think it is ultimately one of the best questions we can ask ourselves, and one of the surest ways to follow Jesus' example in our own lives. Sometimes our students get it wrong and do not treat others well. Sometimes we all do that. But when there are lots of glimpses, even on difficult days, of students who try their best and treat others with respect, I am reminded that it is the simple things done consistently that build a good character. So this week I am going to be asking myself, and encouraging the students to do the same, WWJD.  Before we act, before we speak, before we make a decision- WWJD?

All the very best,

Chris McCumstie

Staffing Update 2024

We are fast coming to the end of the school year and have begun looking ahead to 2024 with excitement. As you will be aware, we advertised two positions in our school newsletter for classroom teachers at Our Lady's. I am pleased to announce that in 2024 Ms Tanya Mock will be the Junior Classroom teacher and Mr Jordon Collie will continue as the Senior Room teacher. I am confident that these teachers will provide an excellent education to our students. I will take on a teaching load in 2024 as well, mainly in the Junior Room, but also providing some specialist lessons for the whole school.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Miss Jessica Bedford for all her hard work at our school. Jess has successfully found a teaching position closer to home we wish her well. She will no doubt be a great asset to her new school as she has been to ours. "Miss B" will be missed and I am sure the children will fondly remember her as their classroom teacher and as an excellent PE and Digitech specialist.

We also farewell Mrs Melissa Evans and thank her for her part in our students' learning this year. Mrs Evans has a great talent for art and has helped the students produce beautiful (and award-winning!) pieces for the Murtoa Show and for display around our school. We hope to see Mrs Evans around and about our school and community in the future. 

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. 

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.

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.

Parents & Friends News

Spring Raffle

Parents and Friends are calling for donations from families for a Spring Raffle.  Suggested donations are - liquid fertiliser, a watering hose, hat,  bucket. 

Donations need to be delivered to the General Office at school by Thursday 23rd November. 

Tickets will be sold at the Jung Market on Saturday, 25th November 2023. 

4 families are required to sell raffle tickets at the Jung Market at the following times -  8.30-10.30 for set up and 10.30-12.30 for pack up.

If you are available to help please contact Chloe on 0428 186 405. 

Parents & Friends Meeting

Next Parents and Friends (P&F) meeting will be held on Monday, 20th November at Our Lady's School in the Multi-Purpose Room at 6:30pm. 

All welcome.

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 (11am- Speech Therapist to speak to parents in library)
• 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 - was postponed. We will be advised of the new date.

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.

An information pack (sent home last week), 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:

• 20th - P & F Meeting at 6.30pm in the Multi Purpose Room
• 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 6.00pm at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Murtoa - confirmed
• 15th - Last Day for students
• 18th - Last Day for Staff

Graduation Mass

Graduation Mass will be held on Thursday, 14^th December at St Mary's Catholic Church, Murtoa at 6.00pm.  Presentations will follow the Mass.

After presentations all families and friends are invited to a shared supper at the church. If families could bring a plate of supper it would be appreciated. Tea and coffee will be provided.

All students, families and friends are invited to attend 

Invitations will be sent home next week.

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 19th November Mass at St. Mary's, Murtoa at 8.30am. 

Sr. Jacinta Rice will be at Mass, promoting the Brigidine Centnary book, for sale for $35 each. Payment in cash only. The book is an historical tribute to Catholicism from the past and moving forward.

Calendar Dates

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