Term 1 Week 10 Newsletter - 11.04.25
Principal News
Dear Families,
We appreciate your collaboration between home and school throughout this term and thank you for your active participation, including your attendance at our school events throughout the term, particularly your collaboration with classroom teachers for our Parent Meetings. Your partnership plays a vital role in our students' success.
I also wish to thank you all for welcoming me to this wonderful community. It is a pleasure to greet everyone each morning and be welcomed with such wonderful smiles.
At this time of Easter, we reflect on the importance of kindness, sharing, and new beginnings. We hope you all have a wonderful holiday.
Parent Community Group Meeting
Last week, we held our first Parent Community Group Meeting for 2025. It was wonderful to have the number of families who attended. Below is a summary of the agenda and some of the progress being made in the listed areas.
- School Community Group Guidelines were shared. Points highlighted are that this group is different to the traditional P&F model in that has no elected executive, no accounts and is not registered as a not for profit group. Most importantly it aims to:
- build a connected Catholic community
- support the academic, faith and wellbeing outcomes for each child.
- support parents as the first educators of their child.
- all are welcome.
- 2026 School Improvement Goals were shared.
Enlivened Catholic Identity
-Dan White Professional Learning Day - strengthening staff knowledge in Catholic Pedagogies.
-Strengthening storytelling in our classrooms eg Kinder with the last supper.
Thriving Learners
-Positive relationships - Student Wellbeing Officer in classrooms where a need for support has been identified.
-Professional Learning with new Creative Arts and Science Syllabus.
-Professional Learning in enhancing staff skills in using data to inform practice and monitor progress.
Engaged Communities
-Review our communication practices to strengthen family school partnerships.
-Investigate Professional Learning opportunities (webinars) for families to support strengthening family school partnerships.
- School Uniform Supplier Feedback
We acknowledge the challenges for families of accessing our current supplier. As the year progresses we will be looking at various possibilities for uniform supply. This is not about changing the uniform but looking at how we can improve access to the supply for families. An example of prices for one supplier option were shared, these identified some increases in prices.
Some points that were tables including looking at local suppliers and the possibility of looking at a longer jacket like SMP.
- School Expectations and Behaviour Policy
We are currently reviewing our policy and have gained feedback from staff and students. A Google Form was sent via COMPASS today requesting feedback from families. Once we have looked at this feedback we will start to develop a draft for further review.
- School Update - Mr Aaron Beach (Regional Assistant Director - Richmond)
Feedback was provided to those present based on the questions that staff had presented to Aaron and Kym Griffiths (Manager Property Services) at the end of last year. Rather than try to summarise the conversation here, the link below will take you to a summary document.
Other points raised included the playground congestion and seating for eating times. We have gathered feedback from our students on things that we can do and are now working through these ideas. We are currently developing a plan based on this feedback to reduce the number of balls on the playground and to create zones that include ball-free zones. We are also looking at remarking handball courts and playing spaces. Our senior classes will also be heading down to Rovers to utilize the fields as part of their PD/H/PE. Our picnic table seating arrived yesterday and is now on the playground.
2026 Enrolments
Our 2026 Kinder enrollment applications are almost due. Please take note of the timeline provided. We encourage anyone looking to enrol in Kinder for 2026 to complete the online enrolment as soon as possible.
Outdoor Seating
We have received some new tables and benches that have been placed in our eating area and some in a shaded part of the playground for students to use. The students have been very excited to have these added to our eating area.
Healthy Lunchboxes
Healthy lunchboxes can fuel your child's
mind and body for a great day at school.
Friendships
School is a big step!
Help your child thrive by fostering friendships.
Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school and themselves. Help your child to learn that going to school on time, every day is important.
Reinforcing the idea that attending school regularly is crucial for a positive school experience. Foster a love for learning by encouraging your child's natural curiosity.
Help your child to see school as a place to explore new ideas, discover interests, and develop a lifelong passion for learning. Foster positive social connections at school by encouraging friendships. Knowing that they have friends to look forward to can motivate children to attend school regularly.
Mission News
Passion Play
We were so blessed this week to have shared the Passion Play in preparation for Holy Week. Presented by our Year 6 students, the Passion Play is a dramatic performance that tells the story of Jesus Christ's last days on Earth.
Holy Week in the Catholic faith is the most sacred week leading up to Easter. It starts with Palm Sunday, remembering Jesus' joyful entry into Jerusalem. Holy Thursday recalls the Last Supper where Jesus gave us the Eucharist and the priesthood. Good Friday is a solemn day remembering Jesus' crucifixion and death. Holy Saturday is a time of waiting. Finally, Easter Sunday is the joyful celebration of Jesus rising from the dead, showing his victory over sin and death, and bringing new life to all believers!
It was so lovely to welcome Sr Dee, who is our Assistant Campus Minister, and all the parents and grandparents who came to support our students; thank you for your time and support.
Thank you to Miss Aleisha, Mrs Innes, Mrs Rodda and Mr Denny for your effort and care in preparing such a beautiful performance.
Holy Week
After the Passion Play, our Year 6 buddies partnered with our Kindergarten students to create special Holy Week storytelling boxes. Together, they explored the key moments of Holy Week and crafted meaningful symbols to help retell the story of Jesus’ journey. With guidance and care, the older students supported their buddies in creating a resource they can take home and share with their families, helping to bring the Easter story to life through creativity, conversation, and connection.
Welcome to the Family!
We joyfully welcome Leo R (1L) into our Catholic family through the Sacrament of Baptism.
May God bless you and your family with love, faith, and grace as you begin this beautiful journey of faith. Let us keep Leo in our prayers as he grows in God’s love.
“For all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” – Galatians 3:27
Making Jesus Real Awards
KP
Huxley D - For showing kindness and inclusivity on the playground, making sure everyone feels welcome and valued. Keep shining!
Olivia H - For showing great interest in the story of Holy Week and it's meaning. Your curiosity and reflection are truly inspiring!
1L
Maggie Q - For always showing concern and empathy for those around you. Thank you for the gentle ways you shine your light to be the face of Jesus to others Maggie.
2P
Regan Q - For showing patience, kindness, and compassion towards your peers. Just like Jesus, you have been a shining example of helping others in your own quiet way.
3L
Maddie C - For showing Jesus' love through kindness, generosity, and a caring heart, always making others feel valued and included. Keep shining, Maddi!
4P
Robbie S-A - For his compassionate nature towards supporting others to learn in the classroom.
5L
Anika B - For being a sensitive classmate who respectfully listens to others and uses her initiative to see when others need a helping hand.
5P
Lily B - You truly make Jesus real through your caring heart and willingness to help others with their work. You are a shining example of compassion and support!
6L
Ethan R - For always showing kindness, compassion, and care to everyone around you, you exemplify the true spirit of friendship and faith.
6P
Ryan B - Thank you for never seeing a need without doing something about it. Keep shining your light, Ryan!
Learning & Teaching News
Year 4- Dioramas
In English, Year 4 have been learning about informative and multi-modal texts using the mentor texts 'Deadly Science – The Solar System: Book 5 and Meanwhile Back on Earth". As a fun way to end the term, the students have created dioramas to do with the solar system as part of their multi-modal texts.
We invite our students to enter the 'Let's Hang it' Competition run by the UNE and New England Regional Art Gallery. If your child would like to enter, please read the requirements on the below flyer and contact Mrs Rose via email: katie.rose@lism.catholic.edu.au.
Submissions are due between 28th April- 16th May.
OLHC Achievement Awards
KP
August C - For designing a fantastic shelter in science and explaining why the chosen materials were perfect for it's purpose. Great job!
Oliver P - For designing a fantastic shelter in science, selecting the best materials for their purpose. Keep up the great work!
Tyson Q - For consistently demonstrating excellent classroom learning behaviors. Your positive attitude inspires those around you. Keep up the great work Tyson!
1L
Vinnie B - For consistent focus and attention in all learning areas. You set a great example for our class Vinnie, Keep it up.
Ayla K - For consistently applying new learning to her writing to compose interesting and detailed texts for her reader. Keep up the great work Ayla.
Leo R - For consistent effort and application to learning, resulting in increased confidence and success. It's great to see your growth as a learner Leo, Keep it up.
Thea B - For becoming a more confident participant in class discussions. We love hearing your ideas Thea, Keep it up.
2P
Thea B - Thea you consistently give your best effort in all tasks. Your determination, hard work, and positive attitude is inspiring to others!
Jordy B - For always making responsible learning choices. Your ability to approach challenges with a positive attitude shows your a great role model for your peers!
Luka O'D - For demonstrating outstanding spelling skills and dedication to mastering new spelling words. Keep up the amazing work Luka!
Charlotte W - Charlotte, you have a wonderful ability to share ideas and add valuable insights during our discussions. Your enthusiasm inspires others, well done Charlotte!
3L
Lachlan C - For striving for excellence, showing curiosity, determination, and a love for learning in Year Three. Keep up the Great work!
Lainee-May S - For your effort, perseverance, and growth in academics, always doing your best and embracing challenges. We're proud of you!
4P
Jack C - For his eagerness to learn about the solar system and making our lessons shine.
Madeleine F - For her outstanding research skills and transfer of information to her multimodal text about Mars. Keep up the great work Maddie!
5L
Isla L - For consistently showing enthusiasm towards all tasks and presenting her work to a high standard.
Kaitlyn E - For always having a positive attitude to her learning and putting in a super effort on all set tasks.
5P
Felicity F - For tackling challenges in Mathematics with a positive attitude, your hard work is showing in your improvement everyday. Well done Flic!
Campbell H - For your dedication and perseverance in writing and applying feedback to achieve your best. Keep up the fantastic work Campbell!
6L
Rhiannon F - Your unwavering dedication and commitment to being a hardworking learner this year have been truly inspiring - keep up the fantastic effort!
Kaden S - For your exceptional dedication to learning and remarkable maturity this year, you've truly set a high standard for excellence - keep shining!
Harper S - Your exceptional talent for creating captivating and thoughtful writing has truly stood out this year - Keep up the amazing work!
6P
Mason B - For always trying hard to complete learning activities, especially when they are challenging. You are a start Mason!
Archie S - For always asking questions in order to better understand learning tasks. Keep up your amazing learning, Archie!
Sports News
At OLHC, we love celebrating the sporting achievements of all our students. If your child has a special achievement that you would love for us to share with the school community, please send any photos and a short paragraph outlining their achievement to Mr Denny - zachary.denny@lism.catholic.edu.au
Last week, Grace travelled to Homebush to compete in the Polding Swimming Championships at Sydney Olympic Park. She competed in the 50-metre freestyle and 50-metre butterfly, placing first in the 50-metre freestyle. This outstanding result earned her a place at the PSSA State-level carnival.
Grace then travelled back to Homebush this week to compete in the 50-metre freestyle. Each class streamed the very exciting race to their classroom screens and watched as Grace completed her swim in 57.45 seconds, earning a 3rd-place bronze medal!
We are extremely proud of Grace’s achievements and can’t wait to see how far she goes.
On Friday, Ellie was among ten students who travelled to Grafton to compete in the Diocesan Soccer Trials. The girls showed great determination in strong competition against the other Lismore Diocese teams. Ellie demonstrated excellent leadership and resilience in her role as goalkeeper, representing both the Richmond Zone and Our Lady Help of Christians with pride. Great work, Ellie!
On Thursday, Nash travelled to Grafton to compete in the Diocesan Rugby League Trials. He demonstrated great competitive spirit and resilience in strong competition against the other zones in our diocese. We congratulate Nash on being an excellent representative for both our school and our zone.
Recently, Mason has been attending numerous trials in various parts of New South Wales. As a result, he has been successful in being chosen to compete in the Damian Martin Challenge. The challenge will involve a training session and skills competition with expert coaches. This is an amazing achievement, as only the top players in the state are selected to participate. We are very proud of Mason's continued dedication to improvement and the genuine sportsmanship he displays. We’re excited to see how he progresses. Congratulations, Mason!
Term 2 Sports Events Dates:
Richmond Zone Cross Country: 29th of April (Hepburn Park)
OLHC Athletics Carnival: 27th June (Riverview Park)
Diocesan Cross Country: 20th of May (McCauley College- South Grafton)
Term 3 Sports Events Dates:
Richmond Zone Athletics: 31st July (St. John’s College Woodlawn)
Diocesan Athletics Carnival: 26th August (Coffs Harbour)
Community News
