Our Lady Help of Christians School Murtoa eNewsletter

Our Lady Help of Christians is a Child Safe School and is committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We acknowledge the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia, and Japagulk peoples as the custodians of the land on which our school was built.

Principal Report

Dear Parents and Friends of Our Lady's,

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Diocese of Ballarat, to which our school belongs as a part of DOBCEL and as part of the parish of Paul VI.

The scripture verse for this anniversary comes from Romans 12:12

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

It strikes me that this is an appropriate message for Lent, and for our life together as a school community. In Lent, we are joyfully awaiting with hope the resurrection of Jesus and all the happiness of Easter. We patiently participate in this waiting time, and faithfully commit to more prayers, during the 40 days of this season, remembering that Lent is not an end in itself, but points us in the direction of the mystery of Christ's death and rising.

For school life in general, there is a lesson that comes from this scripture too. Together with our students, the teachers at OLHC are joyful and hopeful about growth and development in learning; we are patient in difficult circumstances when lessons do not come easily; we are faithful in asking God to assist us in our work of Catholic education.

Our school was gifted a candle to commemorate this anniversary, and it is on display in our reception area. Three words are prominent on the candle: remember, revitalise and hope. This year we remember both the strengths and the weaknesses of the history of Ballarat Diocese, we invest in our work to revitalise our community, and we hope for a better future.

I'd like to thank all of our families and friends for choosing OLHC for the education of their children. We belong to something bigger than ourselves when we belong to Catholic education, and our contribution each day as teachers, parents, and students creates what our community will be in the future.

All the very best,

Chris McCumstie

principal@olhcmurtoa.catholic.edu.au

Project Compassion - 2nd Week of Lent Reflection by Michael McGirr Genesis 22:1–2, 9–13, 15–18 I Romans 8:31–34 I Mark 9:2–10

When Jesus took his closest friends to the top of a high mountain, they experienced something quite extraordinary. The transfiguration gave them a glimpse of what it meant for Jesus to be the son of God. It is hardly surprising that Peter said, ‘it is wonderful for us to be here.’ The Gospel also tells us that Jesus’ friends were frightened, and this is also easy to understand. They were overwhelmed.
Nevertheless, it’s not long before Jesus reminds them that he is destined to die. His friends must come down from the mountain and walk with Jesus through all the ordinary and arduous days and weeks
that lie ahead.
We can all say ‘it is wonderful for us to be here’ no matter where that happens to be. Life is full
of wonder. That doesn’t mean it is always easy. We live in the arms of a very deep mystery. God’s
love enfolds us.
Throughout Lent, we are called to support Project Compassion, an initiative of Caritas Australia.
This year, Project Compassion celebrates 60 years of partnership with some of the most marginal
communities in the world. With your help, we have walked alongside literally millions of people in
dozens of countries.
This week we encounter the story of Ronita who lives in Quezon City, part of metro Manila in the
Philippines. Becoming a mother at a young age meant that her schooling was cut short. Her husband,
Lean, leaves for work at 3am and returns at 9pm, earning less than $US10 per day in a demanding job
in waste disposal. On such a small income, Ronita and Lean, along with two young children, are able
to rent a room of about 10 square metres.
With your help through Project Compassion, Caritas Australia has been able to support the Faithful
Companions of Jesus (FCJ) to run the Alternative Learning System program. This program has meant
that Ronita has been able to continue her education. The FCJ sisters provide a safe space for many
young people such as Ronita to finish school and find better jobs. Ronita has had the opportunity
to change her life.
Caritas Australia believes that the world can be transfigured to become more like the kingdom of
God of which Jesus spoke. We can encounter people whom others choose to ignore. When we do so, we
discover that here too are children of God. We are asked to listen to them.

Prayer

We pray for gratitude for the wonder of faith in God and the beauty of life.

May our vision be broad and deep as we embrace people in great need through our support of Project Compassion, organised by Caritas Australia.
Amen

School Wide Positive Behaviour

We spoke this week at assembly about whole school behaviour. The children have been doing a really job attending to the lessons asked of them by staff- to play well together, to tidy up after themselves, to move and act in certain ways.

Our focus in the classroom for the rest of the term is centered around two rules:

Key Speaker- this rule means that whoever is supposed to be speaking, has the full attention of the audience. Teachers can teach without interruption. Students can ask and answer question or share their learning, without being interrupted. Instructions can be given and followed with greater ease.

Space Bubble- this rule is about respecting the personal space of others, by not sitting too near or on our friends, by keeping our hands and feet to ourselves, and by moving about with care to avoid knocking into people.

In all things, we want to follow the golden rule: "Treat others the way you wish to be treated."

Well done to our students for their continued efforts, especially our seniors, who are leading by example!

CEP Circus Performance

On Thursday, the students participated in the CEP circus. They enjoyed a fantastic show from Rinn and Mr Circus, then spent the best part of an hour practicing juggling, stick maneuvers, hoola hoops and spinning plates. Behaviour was exemplary which was wonderful to see!

As a whole school, this term we have been researching the world of “Oceans”. To help support our project, could each student please have provided “basic black”. It doesn’t matter if they’re jeans, leggings, short or long sleeve top, but please have plain (no prints/ images) and label with their name on both items.

Kind reminder: basic black labelled, brought in a bag to school needed for Monday onwards.

Items need to be left at school until footage for film project is completed.

Thankyou

If there are any issues with this, please email Tanya Mock.

Important Upcoming Dates:

March:

Wednesday 6th - No School for Preps, last Wednesday off
Monday 11th March - Labour Day Holiday
Wednesday 13th - Friday 15th NAPLAN Year 3 & 5
Thursday 14th March - Opening School Mass at 10.30am St. Mary's Church, Murtoa
Thursday 28th - Last Day Term 1 Early Finish 2.15pm
Thursday 28th - Holy Thursday
Friday 29th - Good Friday
Sunday 31st - Easter Sunday

April:

Monday 15th April - Term 2 starts
Friday 19th April - Dunmunkle Cross Country Rabl Park - Year 4/5/6
Thursday 25th April - ANZAC Day

May:

Friday 10th May - DSSA Athletics at Rupanyup Oval

June:

Monday 10th June - Holiday - No school for students
Friday 21st June - School Closure Day - Teacher PD Horsham
Friday 28th June - Last Day Term 2 Early finish 2.15pm

Labour Day Holiday Monday 11th March

Labour Day commemorates the achievements of the Australian labour movement.

The celebration of Labour Day has its origins in the eight-hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest.

Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund

Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund Information