OLHC News Issue 39 Term 4 Week 11 - 15th 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,

What a joy it was to gather together last night for our end-of-year Mass and the Year 6 graduation! I was so pleased to see a full church, to hear the congregation joining in the responses and hymns, and to see and hear the heart-warming congratulations offered to Maeve, Sienna and Sarah. We are truly blessed to belong to such a lovely school community, and to belong to the Catholic community in Murtoa. Thank you to Fr Matt, the parishioners, staff and family members who contributed to the night, and thank you all for attending and making it so memorable.

At Christmas, we remember that God became one of us. The name Emmanuel means just that - "God with us." Jesus Christ became like us in all things but sin, and He showed us how to live. The thing I love the most about our Christian faith is that God does not abandon us. God asks us to live good lives, to love one another, and to do good works. But God does not ask us and then leave us alone. Quite the opposite! It is my prayer for all our community this summer, that we can grow in our faith, grow as a community, and return for 2024 with renewed energy and hope. Because of Christmas, we can do that together with our God, and with the Mother of God, Mary Help of Christians. Christmas Eve Mass in Murtoa is at 6pm and I am told it is a wonderful occasion and a beautiful way to welcome the Christmas season.

Thank you parents and friends for a great year, and for all your hard work on behalf of our students. Enjoy the holidays, rest, recuperate, and take time for recreation and leisure. Students- enjoy the break. Make sure to read books, but also take time for yourselves and enjoy not having to get up and ready for school each day. I look forward to seeing you all next year and to working with you every day.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Chris McCumstie

Christmas Message from Fr. Matt

St Paul VI Parish Wimmera-Mallee

10 Roberts Ave. Horsham, Ph: (03) 5382 1155

Email: wimmeramallee@ballarat.catholic.org.au

14 December 2023

Dear Our Lady Help of Christian’s School Community,

As Christmas is approaching, I’ve found myself reflecting on my first full year of priestly ministry – where I’ve been and what I’ve seen. I remember in 2018 visiting OLHC as a Seminarian with Fr Peter Hudson and since then, I’ve always had fond memories of the school community.

Not necessarily having had the same close involvement with the school community as yourself, it appears although the buildings remain the same – the people who make it are not. This year we’ve said goodbye to Cathy Grace who has gone to other pastures, and we’ve welcomed Chris McCumstie who has brought with him energy and new life in Therese and Joseph, not to say anything of his own professional and valuable qualities – especially his passion to provide the best holistic primary education possible in Murtoa.

The children too have not remained the same – there has been growth in learning and maturity, with change and loss of staff being both cause of disruption, but also opportunity for freshness and new life – I am excited to being walking with them into 2024!

Having visited OLHC around twice per month this year, I’ve very much enjoyed talking to the children about the faith – especially Mother Mary the Patron of their school, as well as the importance of relationships and forgiveness. I’ve really appreciated seeing the children grow and have more courage to answer questions and to engage maturely with the topics being discussed.

As we are now approaching the 3^rd week of Advent, we continue our own faith journey – spending more time walking with our families to Bethlehem. We journey with an openness and desire to welcome Jesus more deeply into our lives. Christmas is a great reminder of God’s love for each one of us, and His desire that we love Him and welcome Him into the home of our heart as we would a newborn baby.

Christmas is a time where we rediscover Jesus – the Son of God who chose to dwell among us in our vulnerability with his own, so that we may enjoy a relationship with Him of intimacy and not alienation, where we may instil an affection for our brother and our Savior.

This Christmas, I encourage you too to reflect on where you’ve personally been and what you’ve personally seen. I am confident that like me, you too will be given cause for feeling admiration, gratitude and encouragement.

Know that you are most welcome to celebrate the birth of Our Lord at St. Mary's Catholic Church Murtoa at 6pm on Christmas Eve.

Merry Christmas!

God bless,

Fr. Matt

matt.restall@ballarat.catholic.org.au

School Wide Positive Behaviour

The students continued to play well this week. We witnessed school-wide positive behaviour, with students enjoying games and craft and spending time really well together. They were happy and energetic and everyone followed the rules.

Positive behaviour was on display at Church also! The children showed reverence, with their best manners in church, fulfilling their various roles with maturity, and playing joyfully afterwards. In 2024 we will continue to work towards the education and formation of students in a Christian ethos. We are sure that with the cooperation of the school and the home, all our students will grow into wonderful young men and women.

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.

Stay tuned early in 2024 for some exciting news about student and family health and well-being. 

Reverse Advent Calendar

Thank you to everyone in the community for the generous response to the Reverse Advent Calendar initiative. OLHC will contribute a number of boxes, filled to the brim, in support of those who are in need this Christmas. This is a tangible way of showing our solidarity with those less fortunate than ourselves, and the school is very grateful to the students and families who contributed.

Reports

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we prepare end-of-year reports.

Semester 2 student reports will be released to parents on Wednesday 20/12. Any questions or concerns about the reports or how to access them can be raised with Chris at principal@olhcmurtoa.catholic.edu.au

Important Upcoming Dates:

December:

• 17th - 3rd Sunday of Advent - Mass at St. Mary's, Murtoa at 8.30am
• 18th - Last Day for Staff
• 24th - 4th Sunday of Advent
• 24th - Christmas Eve Mass at St. Mary's, Murtoa at 6.00pm

January:

• Monday 29th - Staff return
• Wednesday 31st - Students return

Graduation Year 6 2023 - Sarah, Maeve & Sienna

Mass Times & Parish Information

Sunday 17th December Mass at St. Mary's, Murtoa at 8.30am

Sunday 24th December Christmas Eve Mass at St. Mary's, Murtoa at 6.00pm.

Parish Bulletin

Calendar Dates

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