Term 4 Week 10 Newsletter 10/12/21
Principal News
Advent
We are now Advent and the theme is Peace. The peace Jesus spoke of in the scriptures isn’t that of the absence of war, conflict or struggles but in the knowledge that He is always in control even when we feel the world around us is in disarray. This is a powerful reminder during this time of Advent put beautifully in the words of Pope Francis,
"Although the life of a person is in a land full of thorns and weeds, there is always a space in which the good seed can grow. You have to trust God.”
"Let us pray for peace: peace in the world and in each of our hearts."
"God's love calls us to move beyond fear. We ask God for the courage to put on faith, hope and love as we go out into the world and become the word in body as well as spirit."
-Pope Francis
Our OLHC Parish School community prays for all families that they find peace, hope, joy and love this Christmas and we look forward to continuing our journey with you next year.
A Year to Remember
'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,that whoever believes in him shall
not perish but have eternal life' (John 3:16)
As we turn towards Christmas we remember that God gave us Jesus because God's love is
unconditional. That Jesus was born in the humblest of circumstances, in an animal shelter,
should not be lost on us. God gave Jesus to us this way to make it clear that no place and no
person was beneath His dignity. The first Christmas story is one of humility, a story without
royal robes, and a story without a proper bed. Jesus' presence brings joy to the world. Christmas
is about finding God in unexpected places – in the faces of the homeless and refugees, the lonely
and the persecuted.
2021 has been a year to remember for many different reasons. I would like to thank Fr Peter for all his guidance and support during 2021. He is a huge support to our parish school and he leads the school in being an authentic centre of Christ in action. He wants the best for every child in our school and has supported me in ensuring that this is the case at OLHC.
To our parents and guardians, thank you for all you do to support our school to be such an amazing place. There is no doubt that we can’t do the job of education without the fantastic support and
involvement we get from our parent community. I am sure that 2022 will allow us to return to some normality as we welcome parents and grandparents back into our school.
To all our children, I would like to acknowledge the accomplishment of getting through another
challenging year of your schooling – the year 2021. I could list all of the challenges that you have
faced and things that you have missed out on due to COVID -19, but I am more concerned with
the positive actions that I have witnessed from you, the leadership that each and every one of you
demonstrated, the commitment to support your classmates and other students in our school and
most importantly, the fact that you never let this year beat you. Together, we have achieved great things this year.
The staff at our parish school are among the best you will find anywhere and their determination
and commitment to make sure our students are loved, cared for and belong is evident in all that
they do. I would like to thank them for making it a joy to be a part of the team here at OLHC.
At the end of the year we will farewell Mrs Sally Innes and Mr James Bleakley. Sally will be spedning 12 months teaching at St Carthages and James will be pursuing other career options. I would also like to thank two of our wonderful learning support aides as their contracts end, Mrs Rose Smith and Mrs Penny Collins for their dedication and support they have given our children and school this year in their roles. I would like to personally thank each of them for everything that they have done for our school during their time with us and I wish them both every success in the future.
I would like to thank our staff, students, parents, grandparents, Fr Peter, Parish staff and all our
wonderful volunteers for making 2021 such a great year. I look forward to seeing you at the
Christmas celebrations in our parish over the break. Have a safe and eventful Christmas break
and I look forward to seeing you all in 2022 for another year of loving, growing and learning.
Year 6 Graduating Class 2021
A Wish for Our Children
If there could be only one thing for us to teach you, we would teach you to love. To respect others,
so that you may be able to respect yourself. To learn the value of giving, so if there is ever a time
in your life that someone really needs you, you will give.
To act in a manner that you would wish to be treated, to be proud of yourself. To laugh and smile as much as you can, in order to bring joy to others. To have faith in others and be understanding.
To stand tall in the world and learn to depend on yourself. To only take what you need and give to
others. To learn that happiness comes from the inside and being around those that you love.
To enjoy the beauty that surrounds you and to and peace and friendship in this life. To you, our
children, we hope we will teach you all of these things, for they are love.
Congratulations Year 6
May you enjoy all the challenges and success that life will throw at you. May your journey be filled with love and happiness and may you continue to achieve your dreams.
I wish each and every one of you God’s Blessing and to our parents, I thank you for everything
you have done for your son or daughter graduating this year. I thank you for the support you have
given the school, the sacrifices you have made and most of all, I thank you for the great gift of
entrusting us to be part of your child’s education.
Now go and shine your light. When you leave OLHC, let your light shine for all the world to see!
School Start Dates 2022
28th January 2022- Staff Administation Day-(OSHC is not available on this day)
31st January 2022- Staff Professional Learning Day- (OSHC is available on this day)
Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd February- MAI assessment for Years 1-6 (OSHC is available on these days)
Tuesday 1st-Friday 4th February- Kindergarten Best Start interviews
Children in Years 1-6 will begin school on Thursday, 3rd February.
Kindergarten students will begin school on Monday, 7th February.
Shave for a Cure
Congratulations to Isaac for his generosity and willingness to see a need and do something about it. Last week we helped Isaac celebrate raising $1085 dollars for the Leukeimia Foundation as we looked on to witness his beautiful locks being shaved.
Well done Isaac, we are all extremely proud of your for supporting this wonderful cause.
Mission News
Advent
Our Church's liturgical year begins with Advent which always contains four Sundays. A common devotional for this season of preparation is the Advent Wreath that includes four candles. A new candle is lit on each of the four Sundays of Advent. Christmas decorations which appear in the church during Advent are in preparation for the coming of the Christ child.
The church year actually begins with the First Sunday of Advent. The stole and chasuble of the priest is violet or a shade of purple. Advent is seen as a time for preparation, anticipation and hope. “Prepare ye, the way of the Lord.” Surprisingly, on the third Sunday of Advent, the church celebrates the half way mark and so suggests pink or rose as the colour of the day. Like children, we get excited when we are half way there and pink symbolizes that joy with a colour that holds onto the purple but promises the white of Christmas! (Fran Bourke - BCE)
Blessing of our New Learning Spaces
We welcomed Father Peter, on our final day of school for 2021, to bless our wonderful new learning spaces. The building that we celebrated and blessed is just bricks and mortar but our Christ-centred parish school community is far richer, deeper and more important than the buildings. As a community of faith, we asked God’s blessing on our new learning space, which will serve our school as a place of faith, learning and community. We prayed that this space would enliven our school and that all students who pass through the doors, will live lives based on gospel values; reach their full potential, and find meaning and value in their lives. Thank you Father Peter and our Year 5 readers for this special blessing.
Mackillop Youth
Our Social Justice/Service group, MacKillop Youth have had a very busy year, despite COVID’s best efforts to stop us! Late Term 2, our group wrote letters and drew pictures for the residents of St Joseph’s Nursing Home, Lismore. The aim was to reach out to the residents at a time when they were allowed minimal visitors. This week, we received a very special reply!
Also, CASPA sent a wonderful email last week, reminding us exactly why we did what we did.
From Samantha Mearns, Relationships and Communications Leader:
Hi Kristy,
Today was another day that we could help kids coming in to care because of the beautiful generosity of my favourite school (maybe a little biased but I don’t mind!).
The CASPA team have been completely blown away; the impact your students, teachers and school community have made is extraordinary.
The lovely team at CASPA also made some certificates for the MacKillop Youth students and our school community and were able to present them at our last school assembly. The students were very humbled to receive them, as were we.
We look forward to adding to our dedicated group of leaders and some wonderful opportunities to be the face of Jesus and serve our parish school and wider community in 2022.
MacKillop Youth
Year 1 - Prayer
Year One has spent time this year learning special prayers of our Church. Prayer develops our students' relationships with God, their inner selves and their relationship with their environment. In Kindergarten, students learn how to correctly make the Sign of the Cross and learn Grace before and after meals; in Year 1 our students know these special prayers and learn the Hail Mary. Over the last couple of weeks I have been invited into Year 1 to hear them pray our School Prayer and the Hail Mary. The boys and girls loved sharing their prayer time with me and I hope they bring home these special prayers to share with you, their families.
Thank you so much Year 1, you made me smile, BIG!
Parish Visit
Stage 1 was very excited to attend our Parish church for a special Liturgy of the Word with Father Peter, on the Friday of Week 8. Father Peter warmly welcomed us to the church as we celebrated the beginning of Advent. He spoke about how we prepare ourselves for the coming of Jesus at Christmas, through the Season of Advent. Our readers did a wonderful job of proclaiming God’s Word and all the girls and boys enjoyed their visit to our church. Thank you, Father Peter.
Making Jesus Real Awards
KP
Charles D - For being such a kind friend who seeks ways to help others. Thank you Charles.
KR
Willow H - For the gentle way she encourages and supports her class mates. You are a wonderful role model in our school. Thank you Willow.
1M
Rhett P - For always being a thoughtful, considerate and encouraging class member. Keep shining your light, Rhett!
1P
Athea B - For always offering your help to others around you, always with your beautiful smile.
2J
Oliver B - For showing persistence andgiving it his best shot at the swimming carnival! Fantastic Oli!
Ellie B - For settling into OLHC so beautifully, we are lucky to have you in 2J.
Colin W - For going out of his way to help out around the classroom. Great effort Colin!
2O
Brody C - For always being there to help and include others in our class. What an amazing year you've had!
Archie S - For striving to offer a helping hand to all in Year 2. What a way to make others smile :) Keep it up!
3V
Luna N - For always being a caring friend who is considerate of others feelings.
4B
5I
Maverick J - for being generous with his time to help clean out the classroom. Thank you, Maverick!
6B
Georgia G -For the kindness and support shown towards her Kindergarten buddy.
Learning & Teaching
2021 ICAS Award Recipients
Congratualations to our students who nominated to undertake the ICAS assessments this year. They were presented with their certificates on Friday last week. Congratulations to Wyatt (Mathematics), Charlotte (English) and Maia (Writing) who all received Distinctions.
OLHC Achievement Awards
KP
Sophia B - For improved efforts to omplete tasks on time and do her best. Keep it up Sophia.
Cleo F - For consistent effort to improve in all areas. You have a great learning attitude Cleo. Keep it up.
Ned M - For outstanding effortand commitment to learning this year. Keep up the super work Ned.
KR
Nahri J - For her positive commitment to learning and willingness to attempt all challenges. Keep up the great work Nahri.
Finnan M-T - For his enthusiasm and dedication towards his learning. Thank you for always giving everything a go.
Jack C - For being a responsible learner and making good choices to support his achievement. Well done Jack.
Athena B - For being enthusiastic during lessons and showing a readiness to learn. Well done Athena.
1M
Clancy L-P - For displaying a happy and enthusiastic attitude towards all areas of his school work. Congratulations, Clancy!
Laisa V - For the wonderful growth, she has made with persuasive writing this term. Well done, Laisa!
Juliet W - For the persistence, you showed when completing your persuasive letter to Santa. Congratulations, Juliet!
1P
Taze P - For your dedication towards your writing tasks, you have composed some wonderful letters to Santa this week!
Noah C - You enthusiasm towards all learning tasks and the beautiful smile you bring into the classroom each day. Thank you Noah.
Blake P - For all your hard work towards improving your handwriting, the effort you have put in shows in all your work. Well done!
2J
Ryder H - For bringing his positive energy and enthusiasm to our classroom. You're a motivation to us all!
Harlee C - For being patient and taking her time to create some amazing Christmas craft. You are a super star, Harlee!
2O
Grace C - For your wonderful growth mindset towards all learning tasks this year! I have been so impressed!
Myla H - For your fantastic attitude towards learning tasks all year. You make sure to give everything your best effort! Well done!
3V
Holly W - For her growth in all areas of learning and striving to do her best on all tasks. Well done, Holly!
Violet M - For putting in 100% effort into all tasks and completeing them to a high standard. Well done!
4B
Ryan F - For fantastic growth in spelling, punctuation and grammar this term. Well done Ryan!
Rhani P - For exceptional growth in spelling this term. Well done Rahni.
Ruby H - For your dedication and enthusiasm towards creative writing. You have a flair for writing Ruby!
Paige J - For a positive and cheerful attitude towards learning this term.
5I
Isabella DG - For finishing Year 5 successfully and being ready for Year 6. Well done, Isabella!
6B
Askel L -For his persistence and hard work in Mathematics learning.
Harlow R -For her successful learning habits and positive attitude all term.
Milani K - For her consistent dedication to her writing and vocabulary.
End of Year Fun
Go Up Day 2021
Sports News
2021 Swimming Carnival
On Friday 3rd December, we held our annual Swimming Carnival. The students were in high spirits and a great day was had by all. A big thank you to Mrs Hague for her organisation and to the parents who were able to help with time keeping and starting.
Congratulations to our winning house, Brady!
2021 Age Champions
11 Years - Jed H and Georgie W
10 Years- Hugh B and Rahni P
9 Years- Flynn W and Laini L
8 Years- Robbie G and Bailey N
Special award for our 7 year old 50m swimmers- Alby S and Milani H
School News
OSHC Bookings for Pupil Free Days 2022.
If you are needing to book your child/ren into OSHC for the Pupil Free Days on the 31st January, 1st February and the 2nd February. Please contact Kate either on 0491 147 831 or via email liss-oshc@lism.catholic.edu.au to make a booking as soon as possible.
Library Donations
Thank you to the followiing Students for your kind donations to our school Library.
We are very happy to have received your donations Thanks to Tyler B - Yr 6, Telani B -Kindy, Ramona K - Kindy & Tyler N -Year 1.
If you have have any books you would like to donate to the Library feel free to bring them in to the school's office or to Miss Aleisha in the Library.
2022 school travel applications are now open
Below is some useful information to assist with student travel enquiries.
Applications for student travel in 2022 opened on Tuesday 12 October 2021.
Students who need a School Opal card or travel pass for 2022 can apply now. A new application will need to be submitted if they are applying for a school travel pass for the first time, or if they are requesting an additional travel entitlement as a result of a new shared parental responsibility situation (e.g. joint custody).
Students who change address, school, campus location, or who have repeated a year or received an expiry notification from Transport for NSW for their school travel entitlement should renew or update their details before the end of term 4. This will ensure that schools can endorse applications and current entitlements are updated and remain valid. School Opal card holders will have the changes applied to their existing card.
If a student’s distance eligibility has changed based on their grade the system will automatically update their entitlement if they meet the new criteria. If they do not meet the new eligibility criteria, they will receive an expiry notification via email.
Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition that is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply.
Term Bus Pass holders will receive a notification to re-apply.
Students in the Opal network applying for an Opal card (including a Term Bus Pass) for the first time will receive their Student Opal card at their nominated postal address. Cards will be mailed out from January 2022.
Students living in rural and regional (R&R) areas should receive their travel pass at the start of the new school year from their nominated transport operator. It may come via the school or be sent directly to them at home. Note: some R&R operators do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.
School Student Transport Scheme site change (SSTS)
On 1 October 2021 the School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) information and application portal was moved to transportnsw.info.
Access to the School Portal will also be via transportnsw.info. To navigate to the School Portal from the home page click Tickets and Opal, then School students, then scroll down to Information for school staff and select School portal.
Community News
