OLHC News Issue 2 Term 1 Week 2 - 9th February 2024

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,

It's been another busy week settling into school for students and staff alike. When students become tired in these early weeks, it is a reminder that the holidays were long and leisurely (which is a good thing) and that we have to ease into our work.

I was lucky to teach the whole school a couple of days this week and I am so impressed with their behaviour and effort. During PE we practised being good sports, enjoying each other's company, and playing to win with the right attitude. In the classroom, the juniors developed sound routines around home-readers, while the seniors did some knowledge-rich reading about the ancient world. Reading is such an important part of what we do at Our Lady's and it is great to see the students getting off on the right foot.

We are approaching Ash Wednesday, the day the Church begins the season of Lent. In the final days before this season of preparation for Easter begins, I encourage families to spend some time thinking about what they could do in Lent. Traditionally, Christians have focused on three areas: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. This year we will certainly be praying during Lent and inviting the children to do the same. We will be launching the annual Project Compassion appeal, which raises money for worthy causes in Australia and abroad. The final focus, fasting, can involve 'giving something up' until Easter. This small sacrifice reminds us daily that we are not yet celebrating Easter, and makes that celebration, when it does arrive, all the better. I wonder what our children might consider forgoing for forty days? I hope it's not school work or helping parents at home!

Again, I'd like to extend a warm welcome to parents to come and visit us at school. A brief word at drop off, a conversation at pick up, or even a phone call if it is easier, all build strong communication and cooperation between the school and the home. We are here to support you in the education and formation of your children, and we are always happy to see you at our beautiful school. 

All the very best,

Chris McCumstie

principal@olhcmurtoa.catholic.edu.au

14th Feb - St Marys Church, Murtoa

All our families and friends are invited to join the Catholic community in Murtoa for Ash Wednesday Mass. This Wednesday 14th February, at St Marys Church Murtoa, Mons. Glynn will lead us in beginning our preparations for Easter. Ashes will be distributed, which remind us that we are called to follow the gospel and to turn away from sin. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the forty days before the celebration of Easter.

New Staff and Students

Cooking

School Wide Positive Behaviour

The students have continued their wonderful return to school life. Our school-wide focus has been the structures around daily routines, like entering and exiting classrooms, morning and afternoon procedures, and how students are to move around the school. We have also focused on team building, especially with a school-wide buddy systems. Older students are supporting younger students, and the whole school has been working together in activities, games, sport and learning.

Fundamental to the philosophy of SWPBS is that all students are capable of positive behaviour, and that it can be taught explicitly. We would add to that, that positive behaviour should be celebrated. The students have come back so well, that we have little else to do but celebrate their efforts, praise them, and encourage them to keep it up!

Family Interviews

On the afternoons of Tuesday 13/2 & Thursday 15/2, teachers will be conducting Family Interviews. The purpose of these interviews is to allow families to tell us about their child/ren. Parents are the primary educators of their children, and they know them best. Families may have particular information they wish to share with the classroom teacher, particular goals they would like their child to work towards, or questions and concerns they would like to share with staff. These interviews are an ideal time to bring all this to our teacher's attention.

Teachers will have an opportunity to share with parents how students have returned to school, goals that have been identified for student learning, or some initial academic results that indicate strengths or areas that need to become a focus.

A final reason we are conducting these interviews is to encourage strong communication between the school and the home. The better we communicate, the better the educational outcomes for the children.

Interview slots have been made available on SIMON/PAM today. Book a time to see your child's teacher. If you cannot make any of the available times, I would encourage you to contact your child's teacher and arrange an alternative interview time.

Lunch Heat Ups and Lunch Orders

Lunch Heat ups are available everyday .

Lunch Orders are available on Fridays from Murtoa College Canteen.

To order your child's lunch on Fridays, send their order, written out on an envelope with correct money enclosed. The order needs to be placed in the lunch order basket  as soon as students arrive at school.

2024 Canteen Menu was sent home last week..

Important Upcoming Dates:

February:

• Tuesday 13th- Family interviews 3:15-5pm
• Wednesday 14th - No School for Preps
• Wednesday 14th - Ash Wednesday Mass at 9.30am at St. Mary's Church
• Thursday 15th - Family interviews 3:15-5pm
• Wednesday 21st- No School for Preps
• Wednesday 28th - No School for Preps

March:

• Wednesday 6th - No School for Preps
• Monday 11th March - Labour Day Holiday
• Thursday 28th - Last Day Term 1 Early Finish 2.15pm
• Thursday 28th - Holy Thursday
• Friday 29th - Good Friday
• Sunday 31st - Easter Sunday

Mass Times & Parish Information

Sunday 11th February  Livestream Mass at St. Mary's, Murtoa at 9.00am

Parish Bulletin

Calendar Dates

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