Term 1 Week 4 Newsletter 19/02/2021
Lord, we thank you for the unique gifts that our families bring to our school community and for the gifts of every child at OLHC.
We pray that you will fill each student with fresh enthusiasm and a heart that is excited to love, learn and grow.
Cover our students and their families with your love, give them confidence and grace and equip them with the ability to persevere even in times of struggle.
Help us to continue building strong partnerships with our families that will link our parish, our school and our staff to enable us to be a vibrant learning community.
May you help us to be united in our vision and strengthen us in our purpose. All are welcome and all belong.
Amen
EXCELLENCE IS THE GRADUAL RESULT OF ALWAYS STRIVING TO DO BETTER
Helping Others - Acts of Kindness
So many times in life we have the opportunity to help other people. This can be in small ways like giving someone a smile, speaking nicely to people, inviting and including people in our games or group, helping someone when they are hurt or even as simple as listening to someone when they need to tell you something.
Helping other people makes you feel good. God wants us to help others just like Jesus did. When we work together and help each other we are showing the face of Jesus and we can do amazing things. Take some time this week to think about all the little things people are doing to help each other and what you could do at school and at home to help others.
Year 6 Leaders
Our parish school is a vibrant faith community inspiring our learners to make positive decisions that will help shape a better tomorrow.
We are committed to empowering students to grow and develop in their leadership skills in authentic and life giving ways to enable all students to experience the Fullness of Life. Students will engage in various roles of leadership within the school and experience opportunities to have their voice heard and contribute to school improvement. Student Leaders are representative of the school in both the modelling of expectations for their peers and younger students as well as the proactive development of initiatives that represent the school community.
It is my pleasure to announce the following students in their elected roles for 2021.
School Leaders- Carmen Garcia and James Buckley
School Leaders represent the beliefs and values of Our Lady Help of Christians Parish Primary School. The role involves leadership in representing the school at formal events, community events, greeting visitors, mentoring junior students and fellow leaders as well as organising and supporting school events. School Leaders also have the opportunity to meet with the Principal to discuss school improvement, student led initiatives and provide voice for student feedback.
Leaders of Ministry- Riley Box and Jamilla Cahill
Leaders of Ministry will work with staff to lead the school community in keeping the teachings of Jesus and the Catholic Faith at the heart of everything we do. The role involves leading and promoting Making Jesus Real initiatives, engaging in the faith life of the school and parish and provide opportunities for students to model and act in ways that bring about the Good News.
Leaders of Social Justice – Askel Langdon and Jake Santin
Leaders of Social Justice know that social justice is more than raising money for the “poor”. They recognise the importance of equality and fairness in our school, in our own communities as well as in other countries. They will lead initiative through MacKillop Youth to build up our knowledge of the injustices that occur and help us to understand how we can do something about it at a school level.
Leaders of Sustainability- Milani Kerr and Brylee Wessling
Sustainability Leaders will promote sustainable practices within the school around our use of energy, recycling, waste and water and school gardens. They will help implement practises that will ensure that we are all 'Stewards of Creation' in how we care for the environment.
Leaders of Sports- Jye Lynch and Myka Mitchell
School Sports Leaders promote sporting events and look for opportunities to engage fellow students in healthy lifestyle choices at a school level. They encourage and motivate teams as well as assist our Sports Coordinator and school staff in sports related events. They will exercise sportsmanship and responsibility when leading whole school sporting events or representing the school in sporting teams.
Leadership Action Teams
All Year 6 students are seen as leaders within our parish school. Students who are not elected for formal positions above will be part of leadership action teams to lead and support a variety of areas within the school. This includes Library Team, Assembly Team, Media Team, Happy Helpers Team, Office Monitors, Flags, Lost Property Team, Sports Team, Making Jesus Real, Waste Warriors and Environment Team.
As a parish school community it is important to recognise that we are all leaders. We can be leaders in everything that we do in our daily lives - in our work, at school, when we are teaching others or when we are learning from others. Often in life we are faced with difficult decisions and challenges and it is our attitude that often determines the path we take and the choices that we make.
Facing challenges and learning from our mistakes takes courage and support from family, friends and our school community. As our Year 6 leaders continue on their journey of learning and leadership throughout the year, we wish them every success and pray that they will have the strength to face challenges, learn from their mistakes and strive to be the best that they can be.
It is our choices…that show who and what we truly are, far more than our abilities.
On behalf of our Parish school community, I would like to welcome Mrs Kate Maclean to our Before and After School Care team. Kate joins us with over 12 years experience leading early childhood centres and has a wealth of knowledge that will support our service, students and their families. I know that Kate will be a wonderful addition to our already high performing OSHC team.
Enrolments
We have opened our enrolment for next year as we are experiencing many enquiries and online enrolments already for our kindergarten classes for 2022.
Due to the demand from prospective families, I am encouraging any new families and current families with siblings entering kindergarten in 2022 to complete the online enrolment form ASAP. This can be found at www.lisslism.catholic.edu.auOur enrolment period for Kindergarten 2022 is now open.
I look forward to meeting with you soon.
Ash Wednesday Liturgy
We marked Ash Wednesday this week, with a whole school Liturgy on Wednesday afternoon. The boys and girls brought forward their Lenten promises that they had each written, and placed them in our sacred space.
We spoke about how receiving ashes reminds us that we are followers of Jesus and how our main job is to serve others just as he did. With God’s help, we know we can try to reach out to others with more love and kindness and we can be servants to God's people!
Year 4 - Lenten Sacred Space
Mrs Bradfield asked her students to set up their sacred space for Lent. The students have done a wonderful job of including elements that are relevant to their class and to the season of Lent.
- Purple cloth for waiting and preparation.
- An angel praying in front of the cross.
- A heart for a time of love and compassion.
- Gold flakes for a time of celebration.
- A candle for hope and guidance.
- Our Lenten promises.
- And our meditation mantra ‘Come Lord Jesus’
- Project Compassion donation box for almsgiving during Lent.
Caritas - Project Compassion Campaign
As well as the beginning of Lent, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Caritas Project Compassion campaign. Each year, we fundraise for Project Compassion and our students are asked to donate any spare change to make a difference in the lives of others. Each class has a Project Compassion box in their Sacred Spaces for collecting donations.
This year’s theme is Be More and our students watched a video that shows where the money we raise as a school (and more widely) will help transform the lives of people like Jamila.
Jamila is a twenty-two year old single mother, living in the world’s largest refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh. A Rohingya woman, she fled the armed conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine State to save herself, her elderly mother and eight month old baby daughter. Thanks to the generosity of Caritas Australia’s supporters and through our partnership with Caritas Bangladesh, Jamila had access to emergency food and shelter. Jamila now has a sense of community around her and feels less alone and more supported - and she is able to ‘Be More’ to her family.
Gotchya Prize Box winners
At our last assembly, Holly W and Ivy W were our Gotchya Prize Box winners!
Making Jesus Real Awards
KR
Grace H - For the gentle way she helps and encourages those around her. You make Jesus real in our classroom. Thank you Grace
KP
Cleo F - For her cheerful willingness to help others without being asked. You bring sunshine to our class Cleo.
1M
Ivy W - For being thoughtful, considerate and encouraging others.
1P
Nash B - For always being willing to help out around the classroom. Thank you, Nash.
Isla D - For going out of your way to make others feel welcome. Thank you, Isla.
2J
Ryder H - For being a polite, courteous and kind friend, both in the classroom and the playground.
2O
William D -For being a fantastic example to others by consistently being a W.E.S.T person. Thank you!
3
Holly W -For being a considerate and helpful member of our class.
Bailey N-For always going above and beyond to help classmates and teachers.
4
Ruby H- For seeing that her friend was upset and offering to listen to them and help them.
5
Ellanor W- For Actively welcoming and including others in our class. Thankyou for showing us the Spirit of Jesus.
6
Marnie C- For Kindly Supporting her new Kindergarten Buddy.
Kinder P
Kinder R
Year 1P
Year 1M
Year 2J
Year 2O
Year 3
In Maths this fortnight, Year 3 have been practicing placing numbers on number lines using equal spacing. They have also been learning about the area of shapes and angles.
Year 4
This fortnight, Year 4 have worked together to build their Bump It Up wall for writing. In groups they hunted through each text looking for evidence of their success criteria.
In Mathematics, they have been learning about angles and building their understanding of place value though playing match the number.
Year 5
This week, Year 5 have been learning how grammar, punctuation and vocabulary support their readers to read their writing. They used a stimulus picture to write quality sentences to engage their audience.
Year 6
Year 6 have been learning how authors use description to set the scene of their stories. In reading, they have been reading examples of how authors set the scene and used the 'sketch to stretch' strategy to see if they could draw what the author was describing.
The students then used their story map to support them to have a go at setting the scene using strong descriptive language so that their partner could draw what might be happening.
Learning & Teaching Awards
KP
Jethro P -For always being a great listener and positive role model in our class. Thank you Jethro
Charles D -For his willingness to try new things even when it’s hard. I love your positive attitude Charles.
KR
Darcy S -For a fantastic start to Kindergarten. Darcy you always bring a beautiful happy smile and are ready to learn.
Riley M -For his positive attitude to learning. Riley you never give up trying to improve and do your best. Well done.
Ramona K -For making a wonderful start to Kindergarten. Ramona, Thank you for your beautiful smile and readiness to learn.
1M
Kenzi W -For always trying her best and taking pride in the presentation of her work.
Alby S -For always displaying a growth mindset in all aspects of school life.
1P
Harriett J -For always being ready to learn and trying your best. What a fantastic start to the year.
Mae E -For her mature attitude to learning. Always ready to learn and do her best. Well done Mae.
2J
Tilly P -For displaying a positive outlook and attitude. Thank you for brightening my day!
Harlee C -For being a polite responsible member of 2J, who is a role model to others.
2O
Kaiden K -For a fantastic start to year 2! Your attitude towards learning is wonderful! Keep it up!
Bly B -For being actively involved and contributing awesome ideas in all class discussions. Keep it up!
3
Harper J -For a mature attitude towards learning and always listening thoughtfully to others.
Riley C -For his hard working attitude towards creative writing.
4
Winter R -For using Fantastic descriptive language in our writing task. Well done Winter.
Harlan G -For using the success criteria to provide feedback on his partners writing. Great effort Harlan.
5
Levi P -For always being a responsible learner and being the perfect role model regarding classroom expectations.
Jed H -For the mature and settled way he has started this year. Keep up the fabulous learning, Jed!
Isabella D -For her mature attitude towards her learning. You have had an amazing start to year 5. Well done, Isabella!
6
Charli G -For her focus and persistence in learning about integers.
Tyler Bl -For beginning year 6 with determination and enthusiasm in all areas of school.
James B -For the courage and self assurance shown when giving his leadership speech.
Sports Information
Zone Swimming
On Monday OLHC was represented by 25 students at the Richmond Zone Swimming Carnival in Lismore. All these students did our school proud with their efforts and sportsmanship throughout the day. Four students have now been selected to represent the Richmond Zone at the Lismore Diocesan Primary Swimming Carnival in Murwillumbah. Congratulations to: Georgie W, Noah H, Rahni P, Milani K. Georgie was also awarded the medallion for 11 Years Girls Age Champion.
Zone Winter Sports Trials
On Wednesday 24 February OLHC will be represented by 18 students at the Richmond Zone Winter Sports Trials. We wish these students the best of luck in the trials for their respective sports. If successful they will represent the Richmond Zone at the Diocesan Winter Sports Trials at Grafton in March.
Congratulations to Harvey P on his successful selection at Polding Trials for AFL. Harvey will now travel to Newcastle on the 23rd March to represent our Diocese at the next level. Well Done Harvey.
Trinity and Woodlawn Year 7 2022 Information
Due to COVID restrictions, planned Year 7 2022 open nights at Trinity and Woodlawn will not be going ahead as normal. Trinity will be conducting family tours as per the flyer below. Woodlawn are still finalising their details and we will share those as soon as we have them.
