Term 2 Week 3 Newsletter 07/05/2021
- Principal News
- Proclaim Lismore Staff
- Mother's Day
- High Expectations
- ANZAC DAY
- Home Reading 10-20 minutes each day
- Semester One Learning
- A note from the School Counsellor
- Mission News
- Mothers' Day Liturgy and High Tea
- Lest We Forget
- Catholic Schools Week
- Learning & Teaching
- Sports News
- School News
- Community News
Principal News
Proclaim Lismore Staff
Proclaim Lismore Staff
On wednesday, our staff continued their faith journey in what it means to work, teach and lead in our Catholic Schools. Schools where everyone is welcome and personally called to Discipleship as we strive to live out the Gospel message.
We celebrate 200 years of Catholic Education in Australia and we acknowledge the hard work and dedication of many Priests, Bishops, Religious and lay people who built our school systems into what it is today.
We remember why we were called to Discipleship, why we were called to our vocation of teaching in a Catholic school.
Mother's Day
The celebration of Mother’s Day is always a highlight as we remember, honour and spoil the great mothers and mother figures in our lives. I hope you all enjoyed our afternoon here at school and have a wonderful day on Sunday. We hope that are you able to relax and possibly even enjoy a little ‘me time’.
Catholics around the world have a long-standing tradition of honouring the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, during the month of May. As believers, we also receive Mary as our mother. She is our advocate, our helper, our mediator and our intercessor. Let’s honour and look to Mary, the first and most perfect disciple, through this month and always.
High Expectations
As we finish Week 3 of Term 2, it is fitting to congratulate the students on their behaviour; responsibility, respect, effort and safety; and the positive attitude they are demonstrating towards their learning.
As a school, it is so rewarding to receive emails, letters or phone calls from people both inside and outside of our school community acknowledging how well behaved, polite and respectful our students are here at Our Lady Help of Christians Parish School. It is a credit to our students, their families, our staff and our school.
ANZAC DAY
On Sunday 25th April, our parish school proudly marched in the Lismore Anzac Day March in memory of the thousands of people who gave their lives in service to our country and who still serve our country today.
We were extremely proud to carry our schools wreath and banner as we stood tall in our school uniform. It was an honour to have the opportunity to show our respect and give thanks for the thousands of people who gave their life for our country. We feel honoured to be able to commemorate the people who fought and died for our freedom so that we can live in the country we do today.
As a parish school, we are continually heartened and encouraged by the greatness of character we see developing in our students and young people before us. Our children want a world without conflict, without war. Our children value their families, friends and faith and they have a genuine desire to open their hearts to others and to continue to build understanding and peace across our world.
This to us is the legacy of ANZAC for our generation – the desire and ability of our young people to make this world better place.
In the words of the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove, “I’ve also discovered that the spirit of ANZAC lives on in our young Australians today. My pride in them knows no bounds. They are magnificent…and I think we are very lucky in Australia for the quality of our people…”
Lest We Forget
Home Reading 10-20 minutes each day
One of the best things we can do to assist our children with reading is to engage them in talking about the book that they read. Talking stimulates language development and helps children to improve their comprehension.
As you get ready to share a book with your child, you might ask them to talk to you about the cover, the title, or a few pictures in the book. This “before reading” conversation will help your child to build the expectation that stories make sense. This is also a good time to help your child connect personal experiences to the reading. If there is a picture showing a picnic, for example, this would be a perfect opportunity to talk with your child about a picnic that you may have enjoyed together.
You can invite your child into conversation during the reading by stopping now and then to ask, “What do you think might happen next?”
As you know, children love to share their opinions. After reading, you might get your child started with questions such as:
- What did you like about this story?
- What did you notice in the story?
- How did this story make you feel?
- What part of the story was your favourite and why?
For the more advanced reader, you may like to ask questions such as:
- How is this story like an event in your life? Tell me a bit more about it?
- What message is the author trying to get across to us?
- Can you identify the most important ideas from the text you read?
- If you were the author, how would you have finished the story/chapter?
- What questions would you like to ask the author in an interview?
Just choose one or two questions and have a conversation with your child about their reading each night. Happy reading!
Semester One Learning
At Our Lady Help of Christians we are committed to creating a learning environment that allows all students the best opportunity to achieve in their learning. We are extremely proud of the emphasis that is placed on learning and the supportive structures we have in place to ensure we are able to maintain our focus on learning.
Over the coming weeks, teachers will be busy continuing learning and teaching and collating assessment information in preparation for Semester One Reports. All reports will be sent home towards the end of Term 2.
At OLHC, we respect the dignity of every child. Our aim is to nurture all learners, whilst providing parents and guardians with honest information about their child’s learning and achievements during Semester One. Stage 1, 2 and 3 reports use an A-E grading scale.
Your child’s teacher will make a professional on-balance judgement to determine which grade best matches the standards your child has achieved. This is based on all assessment information that has been collected during Semester One. This information is then used to allocate an A-E grade. There are no set numbers of grades allocated in a class or school. Each student receives the grade for which he or she has demonstrated achievement. The Common Grade Scale shown below is used to report student achievement in all NSW schools.
A | The student has an extensive knowledge and understanding of the content and can readily apply this knowledge. In addition, the student has achieved a very high level of competence in the processes and skills and can apply these skills to new situations. |
B | The student has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the content and a high level of competence in the processes and skills. In addition, the student is able to apply this knowledge and these skills to most situations. |
C | The student has a sound knowledge and understanding of the main areas of content and has achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills. |
D | The student has a basic knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved a limited level of competence in the processes and skills. |
E | The student has an elementary knowledge and understanding in few areas of the content and has achieved very limited competence in some of the processes and skills. |
A note from the School Counsellor
I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce myself, as the new School Counsellor at Our Lady Help of Christians Parish School. I will be at the school on Thursday and Fridays. The staff have been so lovely in welcoming me the past two weeks and I am keen to get to know the students over the next few weeks. I thought it would be a good opportunity to re-visit the referral process in case parents were not familiar with the process.
Referrals
In line with the Lismore Catholic Schools Office, all concerns about your child must go through your Child’s Teacher, or through the School Principal it is sensitive. Counselling is only able to be provided if it is effecting the child at school, and counselling is brief (5 to 6 sessions). If the issue requires more intervention, I will make recommendations and support you to seek further intervention externally. If the issue is not school related, but you are seeking advice on where to go, please let your Child’s Teacher know.
I have the abilities within my role to support Students, Parents and Teachers in multiple ways, that goes beyond counselling. I.e. Consultation with Teachers, professional development of staff, parent sessions, consulting with parents, supporting classroom management of behavioural needs, as well as implementing preventative and proactive whole school programs. The best support option will be decided upon through discussion with yourself as the parent, as well as with the Teacher.
From time to time, I will include some helpful information in the newsletter regarding an array of topics. This week I thought it would be helpful to address the topic of Family Separation. I look forward to getting to know you all!
Family Separation
Family separation is a stressful process to navigate. Families are often left feeling overwhelmed with new decisions, emotions and change. As parents, you will have many questions running through your minds on how best to support your child through this time. Family separation is common in today’s society. If it hasn’t happened within our family, it has happened to someone close to us. Because of this, I wanted to share some information that may be helpful for our families at OLHC, or for someone you are supporting through a separation.
Communication
It is important to communicate with your child about the separation, but keep it simple. You may want to pre-empt worries they may have, such as, “when will I get to see Mum/Dad”? Making a regular time to talk will allow your child to keep the lines of communication open. This may be through car rides, walks through the park, whilst reading a book, or after dinner.
Feelings
It is important to validate your child’s feelings and acknowledge that they too will be cycling through grief. They may be more easily triggered, so it is important to be patient. It is therefore important that you have healthy ways of coping to ensure you are able to do this successfully with your child. It is okay for your child to see you are feeling sad. An idea is to talk to them about what you do, to travel through that emotion i.e. relax, sit with it, talk to someone.
Routine
Children thrive off routine, as when they are regulated, it allows space for their brain to take on new challenges/risks such as moving homes, learning and adjusting to change. Keeping the small routines they had previously been doing in their life is important, such as reading a book before bed, dinner time routines etc. Where possible, avoid changing major things like schools (however this is not always possible). Discuss any new routines with your child such as after school care, or going to their grandparents. It is important to allow your child to have some say in the new decisions i.e. how they want their new room. The more predictable their routine, and the more perceived choice they have, the better they will feel.
Co-parenting plans
A co-parenting plan is a useful way to set out the details of your new arrangement. It is settling for a child to know how they can contact their other parent, and how often they will see their parent. I recommend a visual schedule of visits for younger children. Older children may want some say in when they see their other parent. The developmental needs of the child need to be also considered. Very young children will need to spend more time with their primary caregiver. Older children/adolescents schedules will need to factor in time with their peers, as well as both their parents.
It is very important early on to commit to this plan where possible. There are services that can support you in the development of these plans through mediation (see below), or could provide advice as to what you need to consider. Relationships Australia also has a good resource to assist you in developing this plan independently: https://www.relationships.org.au/relationship-advice/publications/parenting_plan
Although separation is difficult, it is noted that separation can be beneficial for children. Children’s wellbeing improves when removed from a situation that can be emotionally, verbally or physically volatile. Be assured that most children manage the separation experience with relatively mild and temporary adjustment reactions. Reactions are to be expected and do not necessarily need to be a cause for concern.
What if they don’t adjust?
If however you feel your child is not adjusting to the separation, and you are seeing signs of prolonged distress or disruption to their life, there are services who specialise in this area that can help.
Interrelate Northern NSW was established in 1983. Their team has a wealth of experience in delivering counselling, parent education and group programs, post-separation parenting, family mediation, self-esteem and communication, case management, mental-health support, Parents Not Partners program, Building Connections program, Aboriginal Building Connections program and relationship services. We work with individuals (both adults and children), families (together or separated, with acceptance of family diversity) and youth.
Interrelate Counselling
Family Counselling
Counselling offers opportunities for individuals, couples and families to explore and change aspects of their lives and relationships that are not working. It is for parents who need advice and support in their relationships with their children, or people who want to develop closeness and harmony in their relationships.
Link: https://www.interrelate.org.au/programs/counselling-for-families
Individual Counselling
Interrelate also provide counselling for Children.
Building Bridges - Separated Families
Face to face group therapy sessions for children 8 to 12 years of age.
Building Bridges aims to assist children to:
- work on building resilience
• understand their feelings about parental separation, including covering arguments and fights
• become aware of the changes in families following separation
• understand their right to be safe in their family
• recognise they are not alone
https://www.interrelate.org.au/programs/building-bridges
Building Connections
Online or Self-Paced Education course for parents, addressing:
- the effects of family separation and the impact of parental conflict on children
• the importance of looking after themselves post separation
• to improve their communication with the other parent
• how to be a more effective parent
• about support services available to help deal with the fall-out from family separation or divorce
Where is Interrelate?
5 Anzac Close
Lismore NSW 2480
1300 473 528
(Outreach Ballina, Casino Mullumbimby, South Tweed Heads)
Sources/Further information:
https://raisingchildren.net.au/grown-ups/family-diversity/co-parenting/co-parenting
Tamara Sheppard
School Counsellor
BPsySc(Hons), MPsych (Ed & Dev)
Mission News
Making Jesus Real Awards
KP
Zarli BP - For caring for our special prayer garden by picking up all the rubbish around it!
Ollie D - For being a W.E.S.T person who encourages others. Thank you for Making Jesus Real in our class Oliver.
KR
Willow H - For caring for our special prayer garden by picking up all the rubbish around it.
Curtis S - For his kind and caring words to a fellow classmate. Thank you for being a bucket filler.
1M
Taetum PSB - For being a kind and caring classmate. Thank you Taetum!
Harvey C - For always including others in his games. Well done Harvey!
1P
Campbell H- For going out of your way to make others feel welcome. Thank you, Campbell.
2J
Malachias C - For including others on the playground and being a great friend. You're a Super Star!
2O
Sierra S - For being a W.E.S.T person in our class. Thanks for always encouraging others, keep up the wonderful example!
3V
Maia G - For looking out for her fellow classmates and checking in with them to make sure they are OK! Nice going, Maia!
Sophie M - For always being a kind and caring friend to all her peers. You light up our classroom with your friendly nature.
4B
Anneliese F - For always brightening our day with a genuine, warm smile and her compassionate nature.
5I
Neddy H - For always having a positive attitude and supporting others in the classroom. Thank you Neddy!
Kallum H- For 'having a go' and being a leader for his peers. Thank you Kallum!
6B
Ruby S - For her random acts of kindness this week.
Mothers' Day Liturgy and High Tea
Today, our Year 4 class prepared and celebrated our Mother’s Day Liturgy for our school community and we welcomed over 100 mother and mother figures back into our school! It was a wonderful afternoon.
During the Liturgy we prayed not only for our own mothers but also Mary, the mother of Jesus and our church. In Catholic tradition, the month of May is dedicated to Mary. Chosen by God above all other women, Mary’s faith and obedience paved the way for the Incarnation. Her example teaches us faith, obedience, humility and most of all, how to love.
Thank you Year 4 and Mrs Bradfield for your leadership and preparation of that beautiful liturgy! A huge thank you also to our families who came to celebrate with us.
Lest We Forget
On Monday April 25th, our Year 5 class and Mrs Innes prepared a special commemoration liturgy for Anzac Day. Together, we prayed for all those who gave their lives so that we can enjoy the peace and freedom of today. We were asked to remember that peace in the world begins with each one of us building strong and trusting relationships based on Jesus’ message of love.
Year 5 were a wonderful example of reverence and leadership in preparing and sharing the liturgy with our Parish school community. Below is our Year 5 class and Mrs Innes after the liturgy.
Catholic Schools Week
Last week we celebrated Catholic Schools Week. Catholic Schools Week is a special time in the year when we celebrate and give thanks for Catholic Schools, especially our own Parish school! It is a time to celebrate our shared faith, educational excellence, and the importance of every student; a time to give thanks for the wonderful learning and teaching that takes place each day and celebrate together as a Parish School Community.
The children enjoyed our activities throughout the week including Dress as a Teacher Day where we had 57 mini–Mr Piccoli’s! We began the week with a special morning prayer and finished with a beautiful sign of God’s presence – a rainbow going straight over our wonderful school! It was a fantastic week of celebration and belonging!
See Facebook for some great pictures of our week!
Learning & Teaching
Kinder P
Kinder R
Year 1P
Year 1M
Year 2
Year 3
This week, Year 3 had a great time learning AFL ball passing skills. They were playing a modified game that almost looked a little bit like Rob the Nest but with a difference.
Year 4
This week in Drama, Year 4 were learning about miming and were challenged to pretend they were holding a ball of energy. They then played a game where they had to pass the ball of energy to another student to catch.
The chairs in 4B also went on strike this week and the students had to write a persuasive text to try and persuade them to come back to work.
Year 5
In writing this week, Mrs Innes challenged Year 5 to compose a text to persuade her which was better, the country or the city. The students were encouraged to think of creative ways to start each paragraph in order to catch their audiences attention. A lot of the students believed they had done some of their best writing and couldn't wait to share it on See Saw!
Year 6
Year 6 have been consolidating their problem solving skills by working together to solve probelms and share their solutions. Well done Year 6!
OLHC Achievement Awards
KP
Jack G - For his committed effort and participation in all learning activities, trying his best at all times. Keep it up Jack.
Robbie SA - For outstanding participation in class discussions. You are always ready to share your ideas. Thanks Robbie.
Jethro P - For being such a dedicated learner who always gives his best effort in all learning tasks. Well done Jethro.
KR
Jacob P - For his positive attitude to learning and always sriving to do his best on all tasks. Great work Jacob.
Ramona K - For being such a great learner role model and helping to support your peers. Your help makes a real difference in our class Mo, Thank you!
Grace H - For always being ready to learn and an active participant in all discussions and activities. Well done Grace.
1M
Evie F - For her outstanding contribution during classroom discussions. Well done, Evie!
Tyler N - For displaying a growth mindset during Mathematics. Well done, Tyler!
1P
Lily B - For always being ready to learn and try your best. You're a Super Student Lily.
Sebastian S - For working hard on all tasks this fortnight. Great work Sebby.
Blake P - For working hard to improve your writing. Great work Blake.
2J
Chaise K - For putting in a fantastic effort when revising his writing. Well done Chaise!
Milani H - For putting in a huge effort to achieve her writing goal. Keep up the great work Milani!
2O
Brayden M - For striving to approach a challenging maths problem with a growth mindset. Well done!
Aiden J - For consistently giving his best towards all tasks. What a fabulous attitude towards learning!
3V
Jack D - For working hard on improving his writing and contributing insightful answers in class discussions.
Xavier B - For improving his writing and making wonderful contributions to class discussions on writing!
4B
Harrison N - For using the success criteria to improve his writing. Well done Harrison!
Ryan F - For applying his knowledge of fractions to solve challenging problems using decimals and percentage.
Pippa T - For growth in reading comprehension and always having a positive attitude.
Sophie N - For always challenging herself to improve and applying herself in all areas.
5I
Georgie W - For always giving 100% effort in everything she does.
Harvey P- for the quiet determination he shows to complete all learning tasks.
6B
Layla W - For taking the time to practice her multiples and improve her Mathematics knowledge.
Harlow R - For working diligently to improve her volcabulary and the quality of her writing. Well done Harlow.
Jordan F - For his curiosity and focus in learning about natural and man - made disasters.
Jayden B - For beingf focussed and on task during English.
Jamilla C - For your sunny diposition and helpful ways to your fellow students and teachers.
James B - For constantly displaying respect and reverence during meditation.
Carmen G -For her endless curiosity in learning about plagues and natural disasters.
Sports News
School News
WE'RE TAKING IT IN OUR STRIDE ON FRIDAY, 14 MAY 2021
Walk Safely to School Day asks that we all consider our transport habits and try to incorporate more walking as part of a healthy, active way to get around. And although walking all the way to school isn't realistic for many of us, you can build a walk into your family's daily routine.
Regular exercise like walking with your child not only helps them (and you!) beat chronic problems like obesity, heart disease, behavioural and mental health issues and diabetes. It also gives you a great opportunity to teach your child safe ways to behave around roads and traffic. To help children develop vital road crossing skills children up to the age of 10 years should hold an adult's hand when crossing the road.
Remember, Active Kids are Healthy Kids so get planning your own Walk Safely to School Day journey for Friday 14 May 2021!
For more information, visit www.walk.com.au
A big thank you to the Isabella Fifield for donating a big stack of books to our library. If you have any books that are in great condition that you would like to donate, please send them in.
Community News
