OLHC News Issue 37 Term 4 Week 9 - 1st December 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,

Advent is almost upon us, beginning this Sunday. It is the season of the Church where we prepare for the coming of Jesus at Christmas. In today's world, it is so easy to become distracted by the commercialization of Christmas and to forget the real reason for the season. Below is a video you may like to watch with your children. It summarises Advent in two minutes and is a poignant reminder as we begin this season that, if we prepare in the right way, Christmas will be extra special.

Thank you to the parent body for the strong communication you've had with me over the past week. I am so grateful to belong to a community of parents who have the best interests of their children at heart, and who advocate for those children so well.

All the very best,

Chris McCumstie

School Wide Positive Behaviour

We've seen good manners and joyful students this week. The two go hand in hand, because when manners are used, children are more likely to receive what they are asking for, or to calmly receive the news that they will not get it. Two examples that made us proud this week:

- senior students showing respect in the way they asked for some play equipment, and then using the equipment so well that they got to continue to use it for the rest of the week

- two junior students calmly and with respect asking for a break from learning, and then after the break, returning to their classroom quietly and with manners

Our students are great and we are lucky to work with them. When they get things right it shows the importance of teaching positive behaviours, which is the underlying philosophy of SWPBS

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.

Kris Kringle

It has been a tradition at Our lady's School that we have a Christmas Kris Kringle with the children.

If each child could bring a gift suitable for a boy or girl with a value of no more than $5.00, it will be placed under their classroom Christmas tree.

Gifts may be brought to school any time now and put in the classroom.

Library News from Mrs. Dalgleish

Mrs. Dalgleish is busy doing a stock take of all books and resources in the Library. Therefore, there will be no more borrowing of books for the year.

All books need to be returned as soon as possible, please.

A list of overdue books will be sent home next week.

Please assist your child to locate the books and return to school asap. Thank you.

Junior Room

The Juniors have been very engaged in their Maths in many ways this week, from cooking using procedural text to copying icy-pole stick patterns and making their own patterns with beads for octopus legs, without even realising the fun they were having  was Maths.

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, 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)

Parents can be put in contact with the School Uniform Coordinator via the office (number below.)

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

Important Upcoming Dates:

December:

• 3rd - First Sunday of Advent 
• 5th - Kinder Transition Day 9.00am - 1.45pm
• 7th - Fr. Matt visit
• 10th -2nd Sunday of Advent
• 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
• 17th - 3rd Sunday of Advent
• 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 were sent home Monday.

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.

Horsham: Sunday 3 Dec 11.30am (in church)
Warracknabeal: Tuesday 5 Dec 3.30pm (in church)

Mass Times & Parish Information

Sunday 3rd December Mass at St. Mary's, Murtoa at 8.30am.

St. Mary’s Church Community Association Inc.
Notice of Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of St. Mary’s Church Community Association will be held immediately following 8.30am Mass on Sunday 3rd December 2023

The business of the Annual General Meeting is to:
 Receive and Confirm the minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting
 To Receive and Adopt the Presidents Report
 To Receive and Adopt the Financial Report
 To elect the Officers and Committee of the Association
 To conduct any General Business for which 7 days’ notice has been given

David Grigg
Secretar

Calendar Dates

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