OLHC News Issue 3 Term 1 Week 3 - 16th February 2024

Our Lady Help of Christians is a Child Safe School, and is committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This newsletter comes from the lands of the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia, and Japagulk peoples.

Principal Report

Dear Parents and Friends of Our Lady's,

This week marked the beginning of Lent. We joined the parish community at St. Marys on Ash Wednesday for Mass. Monsignor Glynn Murphy, our parish priest, spoke with the congregation about what Lent means, and explained the symbolic ashes that are placed on our foreheads. Mons said that Lent is about trying to 'turn away from sin', those actions and behaviours that do not show our best selves, and 'turn to the Gospel', those actions that Jesus would want us to show. The students participated in Mass well, with our leaders reading, sharing prayers, and bringing forward the gifts with maturity.

Our thoughts and prayers were with those communities affected by the fires this week. We were especially concerned for our own school families who were affected and are relieved and grateful that we are all back together relatively unscathed. As the situation develops, we will continue to pray and think of those areas affected, and all the good people assisting those communities in need. 

There's been a spotlight on Learning Support in our school this week. Our LSOs and teachers have conducted tests and spent time with our students, getting to know them better, and getting to understand their academic, social and emotional needs. As Catholic educators, we believe in developing the whole person, and try to avoid the trap of compartmentalizing the needs of our students. We are privileged to work with little human beings, who are complex and unique, and when we intervene academically, we do so with a picture of the child as a whole person, not just a student at school. I'm excited to see our learning programs rejuvenated and look forward to seeing excellent teaching, learning, and support grow and flourish at our school. 

Finally, it was good to see many families making appointments to see our teachers at the Family Interviews. Any parents who did not make time for an interview, or were unable to attend because of school being cancelled on Tuesday, please reach out to Ms Mock or Mr. Collie and arrange a suitable time. These interviews are invaluable to our school, as they allow us to better know and support our families and the goals they have for their children this year.

All the very best,

Chris McCumstie

principal@olhcmurtoa.catholic.edu.au

Ash Wednesday Photos

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!

CEP Performance - Circus Challenge Show

The first Cep Performance for 2024 - The Circus Challenge Show - will be held at Warracknabeal Education Precinct on Thursday, 29th February, 2024.

10:20am-11:20am – Circus Show – All Schools

11:20am-12:10pm – Circus Workshop - Murtoa, Minyip, Rupanyup & OLHC students

• Cost $10 per student
• Travel by bus
• Permission Form will be on Simon next week

Important Upcoming Dates:

February:

• Wednesday 21st- No School for Preps
• Monday 26th - Student Free Day. Staff PD in Horsham
• Wednesday 28th - No School for Preps
• Thursday 29th - CEP  Performance 'The Circus Challenge Show' in Warracknabeal. Permission Form to come.

March:

• Wednesday 6th - No School for Preps, last Wednesday off
• 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 18th February   

Mass at St. Mary's, Murtoa at 8.30am.

Parish Bulletin

Calendar Dates

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