OLHC News Issue 38 Term 4 Week 10 - 8th 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,

The children have been busy this week, preparing for the coming of Christ at Christmas. It is such an exciting time of the year, with tinsel and trees and lights up all over the shops and streets, no matter where you may live. At Our Lady's, there has been a good balance between the secular elements of Christmas that are such fun (gingerbread biscuits, Christmas craft, colouring, and getting gifts ready) and the sacred reason for the season (nativity scenes around the school, advent wreathes and Christmas trees). 

Another event we are all looking forward to is the final Mass for the year, when we will thank God for all the blessings we have received, and pray for those in our community who are moving on. I was struck by a particular hymn the children have been practising for the Mass. The words, taken from scripture, read:

"A New Commandment, I give to you: That you love one another, as I have loved you. By this, all shall know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another."

This is a stark reminder that the coming of Jesus changed everything. In the old law, God asked for obedience to the rules, some of which were very particular. In the New Testament, Jesus tells us that there is a new rule to follow: love one another. He tells us that this new rule is the marker by which others will know if we are following Him.

As our students prepare for Christmas, and as our families prepare for a well-deserved break, I wonder if we will find time to meditate on this commandment. When we are making time for family and friends at Christmas, are we remembering to love them as Jesus loved us?

I look forward to seeing all the community gathering together on Thursday night for our end of year Mass. 6 pm at St. Marys in Murtoa.

All the very best,

Chris McCumstie

School Wide Positive Behaviour

The students went through a phase this week playing a game called pop-up tag. It is a game where everyone can be included and lots of fun can be had. We witnessed school-wide positive behaviour, with students enjoying the game and playing really well together. They were happy and energetic and everyone followed the rules.

There have also been changes to the boundaries that children can play within. With a long tradition of playing in all sorts of different areas, it was a difficult thing for students to have to change their behaviour. Having said that, the students did an amazing job sticking to the rules and asking permission when they had to retrieve a ball or something from outside the boundaries. 

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.

Early Buses Monday 11th December 2023

On Monday, 11th December, buses will be running at 12.45pm. This change of bus time is due to Murtoa College Presentation Night.

Reverse Advent Calendar

To support those in need this Christmas, Our Lady's is 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  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 was sent home last week.

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

Thank you.

Christmas Cooking

Under Mrs. Evans expert culinary guidance, all students have enjoyed making, from scratch, gingerbread. The Juniors rolled out their mixture and cut many shapes ready to bake.

The Seniors made gingerbread houses, progressing through the steps of making the dough in the thermomix, exercising their mathematical skills to measure and cut the dough to the required size, baking,  then assembling the houses. Some of the students elected to work as a group and designed a gingerbread mansion!

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, 12^th December, 900am - 3.15pm (State-wide Orientation Day)

 What to Bring

• Fruit snack, morning tea, water bottle
• Sun Hat
• Lunch on 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:

• 10th -2nd Sunday of Advent
• 11th - Buses running at 12.45pm
• 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. Students to dress in neat casual clothes, no school uniform required.

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 

All welcome

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 contact your local school or Parish Office.

Mass Times & Parish Information

Sunday 10th December Livestream at St. Mary's, Murtoa at 9.00am.

Calendar Dates

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