Term1 Week 10 Newsletter 31/03/2021
Principal News
First Eucharist
Congratulations to all of our students and their families who recently celebrated their First Eucharist. The sacrament of the Eucharist, the sacred meal whereby we break bread and share the one cup, is the paramount sign of our unity with and in Christ. It has been described as the source and summit of the Church's life. When we receive the Eucharist we believe that we receive Jesus in an extraordinarily intimate way. In doing so, we remember the way he died for us and rose again to lead us into eternal life. The Eucharist not only commemorates past events, it draws us into the mystery of Christ in the here and now and ultimately towards our eternal life with God.
A big thank you to Mrs Lisa Bradfield, Mrs Innes and Mrs Hague for their work in preparing our children and Father Peter for bringing us all closer to God through this beautiful Sacrament.
What a Term
Term 1 has been such an amazing, productive and positive term in so many ways. We are continuing to make great gains in many areas as we continue to strive to provide the best Catholic learning environment for our students.
There have been many fantastic experiences during the term and it would be hard to name them all but I think the most rewarding experience of all comes from just being part of a vital learning community. To be part of Our Lady Help of Christians Parish School is to be part of something much bigger and we know that our students are learning to make significant contributions to the community.
I would personally like to thank the amazing staff at OLHC that I have the privilege of working with everyday. They go above and beyond for each and every child at our school and I am extremely grateful for their commitment, willingness to do whatever it takes and the love that they show our children each and every day.
I wish you all a happy, safe and Holy Easter break and we look forward to seeing you again for the start of Term 2.
“Accept the risen Jesus into your life. Even if you have been far away, take a small step towards him: He awaits you with open arms.”
"Dear Brothers and Sisters, a Happy and Holy Easter!
The Church throughout the world echoes the angel's message to the women: "Do not be afraid! I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised… Come, see the place where he lay" (Mt 28:5-6).
This is the culmination of the Gospel, it is the Good News par excellence: Jesus, who was crucified, is risen! This event is the basis of our faith and our hope. If Christ were not raised, Christianity would lose its very meaning; the whole mission of the Church would lose its impulse, for this is the point from which it first set out and continues to set out ever anew. The message which Christians bring to the world is this: Jesus, Love incarnate, died on the cross for our sins, but God the Father raised him and made him the Lord of life and death. In Jesus, love has triumphed over hatred, mercy over sinfulness, goodness over evil, truth over falsehood, life over death." (Pope Francis)
During Holy Week all of our students have journeyed with our Year 6 Leaders through the events of Jesus' last days. This journey has immersed the children in the solemn nature of these events as they learn of the importance of this week in revealing Jesus divine nature to us.
ANZAC DAY 2021
Anzac Day, Sunday the 25th of April 2021.
Students are once again asked to represent our parish school on this very special occasion as we were called to remember and acknowledge the bravery and sacrifice of our ANZAC heroes.
Due to the ongoing Covid guidelines and restrictions, our parish school community is encouraged to light up the dawn and meet at 6am at the end of our driveway, on our balcony, or in our living room to remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Whilst we may have been apart, we are still together in spirit.
They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
Parent Forum
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I would like to personally invite you to attend our Parent Forum meeting on Tuesday 20th April. The meeting will be held in the school and will commence at 6pm in our meeting room. The Parent Forum is one way of supporting school initiatives, being part of school decisions and developing a stronger sense of community. I thank you in advance for everything you do to support your child’s education and I look forward to seeing you on the 20th April if you can make it. Please find the agenda below.
- Learning Walk- Tour of several classrooms focusing on Bump It Up Walls, Learning Intentions and Success Criteria. What are we trying to achieve?
- Success in our MAI (Mathematics Data)
- Enrolments and Kindergarten 2022
- Building progress and tour
- Christmas Carnival 2021
- School Improvement Plan
- Parent Learning and Engagement
Teacher Awards
Mr Bleakley | For understanding how we learn, helping us and also putting up with us. He does wear really silly socks though. His mum needs to buy him some new ones. |
Mrs Innes | For helping us when we need it most and making learning fun for us. Overall, she is a great teacher. I really like her glasses. |
Mrs Bradfield | For always being really nice, helping us with our learning and any problems we have. She is very funny and always wears nice clothes. |
Mrs Vasta | For loving us and always caring for us. She always tries her best. She is a very good teacher for helping us with our learning. |
Mrs Owen | For making our learning really fun and hard. She makes my brain hurt from all the hard tests we have to do. |
Mrs McCarthy | For treating us really nice and she loves us. She always helps us with our learning and only gets cranky sometimes but not very much. |
Miss Payne | For having beautiful brown hair and she makes our learning rotations really fun. Miss Payne isn’t very old. |
Miss Jansen | For always helping us learn. She is very nice and kind. She always smiles and she is very tall. |
Mrs Rodda | For letting us have fruit break and helping us with our learning. She learns us a lot. |
Mrs Parker | For helping us learn our ABC’s and patterns. She is a bit funny because she says funny things in class. |
Mrs Denny | For always helping us with our learning and being kind. She teaches everyone how to read she always tells me she likes my haircut. |
Mrs Riley | For doing really good egg rolls. She can scrunch up into a little ball at gymnastics. She is really nice and really tall. |
Mrs Jeffery | For helping us learn how to do gymnastics. She is very flexible but i don’t think she knows how to do cartwheels. I could teach her though. |
Mrs Cahill | For always being positive. She is always in a good mood and she is nice to talk to. Sometimes she wears a Rooster jersey. It would be better if she wore a Manly jersey. |
Mrs Rose | For working with our teacher to help them teach us better. Sometimes she wears the same dress as Mrs Hague. |
Mrs Hague | For being beautiful and kind and always helping me with my learning. She always shows us how to be like Jesus. |
Mrs Williamson | For always looking after us and making us laugh when we are hurt. She always makes funny jokes that make us feel better. |
Mrs Newton | For always being a happy and smiling face and welcoming us into the office. |
Miss Sarah | For teaching us how to dance, helping us in our classroom and never getting cranky, well almost never. |
Mrs Papworth | For always listening to us and making us feel like she cares about us. She always turns things into a positive. |
Mrs Fry | For being a really nice teacher and always helping us. She always smiles too. I think she like McDonalds and KFC. |
Mrs Smith | For always being nice and helping me do my work so I can go to Mr Piccoli’s office and get a sticker. |
Miss Aleisha | For helping us be successful with our learning and finding new ways to help us understand. |
Mrs Anemaat | For helping us with our Maths at our level. She explains things to us and she always wears colourful dresses. |
Mr Parker | For always making jokes about us helping him clean the school. He is always smilimg and laughing. |
Mission News
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Year 6 Passion Play
On Holy Thursday, Year 6 proudly shared with our school community The Passion Play which is a dramatic presentation depicting the Passion of Jesus Christ: his trial, suffering and death. Year 6 brought goosebumps to the audience as they portrayed Jesus' last movements. The students were supported by Mr Bleakley and Miss Aleisha, but a huge thank you must go to Miss Aleisha who prepared the students, costumes and the directed the play.
Well done Year 6, we couldn't be anymore proud of you.
Making Jesus Real Awards
KP
Ned M - For the kindness he shows his peers when he sees they need help. Thankyou for being the face of Jesus in our class.
Reuben T - For his focus and stillness during meditation. Well done Reuben, Keep it up.
KR
Athena B - For being a kind, caring and thoughtful friend to her class mates. Thank you Athena.
1M
Braith F - For taking the time to help a classmate who was unsure of a task. Thanks Braith.
Piper N-M - For always showing kindness and love towards others. Keep shining your light Piper!
1P
Taze P - For going out of your way to help out around the classroom. Thank you, Taze.
Alistair P - For being a wonderful friend to a classmate in need. Thank you, Alistair.
Bradley B - For Making Jesus Real by being a W.E.S.T person. Thank you, Bradley.
2J
Hamish J - For being the face of Jesus to a friend in need. Thank you, Hamish!
Isaac S - For being a kind friend and always including others. You're a Star Isaac!
2O
Ethan R - For consistently being a wonderful leader in showing how we can show kindness to all, just like Jesus taught us.
Myla H - For always being a considerate and encouraging friend. Thanks for Making Jesus Real in 2O.
3V
Lacey N - For her hard work collecting so many breadtags for wheelchairs and for her empathy to others in the playground.
4B
Levi W - For seeing a classmate in need and checking in on them. Thankyou for being the face of Jesus.
5I
Jemima W - For the beautiful smile you bring to our classroom! Thank you for brightening our days, Jemima!
Jack C - For the quiet and gentle way he shows support for his classmates. Thank you Jack!
6B
Brylee W - For consistently modelling the kind words and actions expected at OLHC.
Learning & Teaching
Kinder P
Kinder R
Year 1P
Year 1M
Year 2O
Year 2J
Year 3
Last week Year 3 made bead strings with Mrs Rose to use as a resource for mathematics. Bead strings are a type of number line that help students build their conceptual understandings of numbers. The students are looking forwards to using them in the coming weeks.
Year 3 have also been reading Rowan of Rin as their class novel. They have engaged in some wonderings about the text as they are reading.
Year 4
In Mathematics this week, Year 4 have been learning about fractions. They created a fractions wall looking at equivalent fractions.
During Creative Arts, year 4 have been creating thier own versions of "Starry, Starry night' by Vincent Van Gough using an image of our school as the foreground. They look fantastic!
Year 5
Year 5 have been fcousing on building their fluency with multiplication and division facts. This week, they created an Easter themed puzzle where they had to solve multiplcation and division questions to identify which colour they had to use.
In Creative Arts, Year 5 have appropriated the Mona Lisa to create a modern version in a variety of landscapes.
Year 6
Last week in Mathematics, Year 6 were learning how to use the decimal notation system to measure in mass. They were converting between grams and kilograms using their knowledge of mulciplctaion and division. The students were tasked with creating a video on SeeSaw to explain to their peers how to convert between grams and kilograms.
Achievement Awards
KP
Nash H - For improved focus and independence as a learner. Keep it up Nash.
Frankie D - For focussed attention to create meaningful texts for her reader. I love to read your writing frankie, keep it up.
Sophia B - For consistent effort to improve her writing and use the sounds she knows. Keep it up Sophia.
KR
Oliver B - For his focussed attention to learning to become a more independent learner. Keep up the good work Ollie!
Michael W - For showing enthusiasm and a readiness to learn. Michael you always bring a happy smile to our school. Thank you!
Jack C - For his growth in confidence and 'can do' attitude to learning. Keep up the great work Jack.
1M
Poppy W - For always displaying high expectations in both her learning and presentation of her work. Keep up the great work!
Hudson H -For showing a growth mindset during writing tasks. Well done Hudson!
1P
Mia B - For working hard on all tasks. You're a Super Student Mia.
Brody B - For always being ready to learn and try your best. You're a Super Student Brody.
2J
Harper S - For being a motivated and independent learner with a great love of learning.
Hamish J - For making huge improvements in writing this term. Keep up the fantastic work Hamish.
Wyatt E - For your wonderful attitude towards writing. Keep creating those impressive sentences!
2O
Patrick C - For your amazing design and build in science. What a greta solution for helping the Koalas!
Sonny K - For your fabulous attitude towrads all learning tasks. Your focus and commitment is very impressive, Keep it up!
3V
Charlotte W - For her hard work when planning, writing and editing creative narratives.
Zoe B - For her hard work when planning, writing and editing creative narratives.
Robert G - For his hard work when planning, writing and editing narratives.
4B
Archie W - For working hard at being a responsible learner which has lead to growth in learning.
Faith V - For fantastic growth in multiplication and division this term. Well done faith!
Tully S - For fantastic ideas to create a new tool to help others in our Science unit. Well done Tully!
5I
Amber B - For her amazing growth mindset and positive attitude towards all learning activities. Keep up the fabulous learning Amber!
Benjamin B - For listening to feedback and using it to improve his achievements. Well done Ben!
Flynn S - For having a positive attitude about school and attempting many learning tasks this term. Keep up the great learning Flynn!
6B
Zarli L - Fot the self assurance shown when acting in class and in the Passion Play.
Sammi S - For continuing to develop as a mature and independent learner.
Myka M - For her dedication in her Mathematics learning.
Jye L - For his enthusiasm in acting for the Passion Play.
Sports News
School Cross Country Carnival
The school Cross Country Carnival will be held on Wednesday 21st April at Riverview Park, South Lismore. Due to ongoing COVID-19 guideline changes, Parents/Guardians will be notified on the fisrt day back whether they will be able to attend the Carnival.
School News
Lunch time play in the Sensory Area
Australian Early Childhood Development Census
What is the AEDC?
The Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) is a nationwide data collection of early childhood development at the time children commence their first year of full-time school. The AEDC highlights what is working well and what needs to be improved or developed to support children and their families by providing evidence to support health, education and community policy and planning.
The AEDC is held every three years, with the 2018 AEDC data collection being the fourth collection.
The census involves teachers of children in their first year of full-time school completing a research tool, the Australian version of the Early Development Instrument. The Instrument consist of about 100 questions and collects data relating to five key areas of early childhood development referred to as ‘domains’, these include:
- Physical health and well being
- Social competence
- Emotional maturity
- Language and cognitive skills (school-based)
- Communication skills and general knowledge
Data is collected for individual children and reported for groups of children at a community, state/territory and national level.
Why is the AEDC important?
The AEDC provides a national measure to monitor Australian children's development.
It provides information for schools, communities and government to pinpoint the services, resources and support needed for children and families to help shape the future and wellbeing of Australian children.
The community that children grow up in, the education or care before school, school and other health services they interact with play a key role in supporting optimal development. When schools, communities and governments invest resources during these early years, it brings life-long benefits to children and the whole community.
With four sets of AEDC national data collected in 2009, 2012, 2015 and 2018, we now have an indication of the national progress towards improving the development of Australian children. With each successive wave of data collected, the AEDC will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the state and progress of early childhood development in Australia.
https://www.aedc.gov.au/parents/why-participate-in-the-aedc
Information will be sent home to all Kindergarten Parents at the beginning of Term 2 outlining more information.
Be Sustainable With Your Scraps
On 12/3/21 we interviewed our two leaders of sustainability Milani and Brylee, and they both agreed that we should have a compost bin, so we can be sustainable and less wasteful. Once the worms play their part we’ll put the worm juice in the garden.
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays they will go around to each classroom and ask for their fruit scraps to help the fruit and veggies we have planted grow.
And we hope that many students are willing to volunteer and help the year six class, at lunch to plant, and add mulch to the garden.
By The Media Team
Community News
