Term 2 Week 2 Newsletter - 06-05-22
Principal News
Happy Mother’s Day!
This weekend we celebrate and give thanks for all the women who gave us life. Mother’s Day is an opportunity for us to remember and honour our mothers for their kindness, selflessness and generosity. As we celebrate these women, we pray together as a faith community and acknowledge this gift that God has given to us.
We thank all of or mothers, grandmothers, mother figures and special women in our lives who were able to join us for our Wine and Cheese afternoon today. We pray that all our mums have a wonderful day on Sunday and find time to enjoy family and friends and even a little time for yourselves doing something that brings you joy.
Community
The theme for this year's Catholic Schools Week is ‘Community, Care, Compassion.’ This theme encourages us to work together to become a strong and faithful community, committed to living out the Gospel. Catholic Schools Week is also a time to celebrate our schools and to give thanks for the gifts, sacrifices and passion that we, as educators, have given to establish that community. We will be holding Catholic Schools Week later in the term with many exciting and fun events planned to take place.
Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Each of us was created by God to have a different role in His community, and to use our gifts to help each other grow in holiness. God asks us to be good stewards of our gifts, and to bring our gifts to the community in order to glorify Him. God doesn’t give us anything just for our own benefit, but to use in service of our community. There is a place for all of us in the body of Christ.
Fr. Mark-Mary speaks on community for Ascension Presents, describing three practices that we can exercise to build a loving, thriving community:
1) Commitment - God makes covenants, or long-term commitments to community. A committed community is where holiness grows and it is essential for us to become the people that God is calling us to be.
2) Communication - We need to do more than have good intentions. Communication is the key to resolving conflicts, to encourage each other, and to call each other higher. Listening is just as important as talking.
3) Courage - Confrontation and conflict can be very difficult. Sometimes we have to enter uncomfortable situations when it comes to building community, but when we speak from a place of love we can draw closer to each other and to God.
With these practices in mind and as we prepare for Catholic Schools Week, let’s become the men and women the world needs by building caring and compassionate communities through commitment, communication, and courage.
The Soul, 2022
Baby News
We are very excited to celebrate the wonderful news with our community, and congratulate Mrs Rodda and her family on the birth of their newest family member. Introducing Bowie Adam Rodda, born 3.25am on Tuesday morning. Bowie weighed 8lb 4. Both Amy and a Bowie are doing well and we can't wait for them to pay a visit in the near future when Bowie is a little older.
Congratulations on behalf of our school family.
NAPLAN
Students in Years 3 and 5 will complete NAPLAN (National Assessment Program-Literacy and Numeracy). The NAPLAN tests will be conducted from the 10th – 12th May (Week 3). Students will sit the following assessments;
- Tuesday 10th May- Language Conventions and Writing.
- Wednesday 11th May- Reading.
- Thursday 12th May- Numeracy.
Parents and Guardians will receive their child’s NAPLAN analysis during Term 3, 2022.
Key Messages:
- NAPLAN is used by governments, education authorities and schools to determine whether young Australians are meeting important educational goals in literacy and numeracy.
- As your child progresses through their school years, it is very important that checks are made along the way to see how well they are learning the skills of reading, writing and mathematics – essential skills that will set them firmly upon the path to success as adults.
- It is important to know that NAPLAN is not a pass or fail test. It simply looks at what level students are achieving in literacy and numeracy against the national standards and compared with their peers throughout Australia.
- NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are alreadylearning through the school curriculum. Children can prepare for NAPLAN through studying a broad rich curriculum.
- On its own, NAPLAN is not a test that can be studied for and students are not expected to do so.
- As a parent, you can help your child by treating NAPLAN test days just like any other school day.
New Classrooms
Earlier in the week, the foundations were poured for two new classrooms. The demountables will hopefully arrive on Wednesday (weather depending) and be operational in the coming weeks. This will allow us to provide individual class learning spaces for Years 2, 5 and 6.
Over the holidays we also separated the hall with a dividing wall for our Year 3 and 4 students. Year 3 and 5 also received their new Chromebooks in preparation for NAPLAN. New technology is in the process of being ordered for all other grade levels.
New furniture for every classroom in the school has been ordered and we anticipate delivery during the coming weeks. Every class will receive brand new desks, chairs and resource hubs.
Safe Bus Travel
Families have an important part to play in keeping children safe around roads.
- Never drop off or meet your child on the opposite side of the road to the bus stop or call them across the road. Always drop them off or meet them on the same side of the road as the bus stop.
- Remind your children to always wait until the bus has gone before choosing a safe place to cross the road.
For more information on safe bus travel please click on the link below.
School Fees Waivered for 2022
Although we have all worked incredibly hard to see our parish school find a new venue, set up learning spaces and return to learning and looking after each other, we know that many of our families have been significantly impacted and our community will continue to work through their recovery for some time.
The financial impact of the recent flood event has been extensive for many of our families. In consideration of the hardship caused to our school community by the recent floods, the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Board of Directors has approved the waiving of school fees for all students at our school for the year 2022.
We are aware that some families may have paid in full or in part their fees for this year and would like to offer you the option to receive a refund or carry funds forward as a credit for next year. I ask that you please email the school office at liss@lism.catholic.edu.au to indicate if you would like a full refund of your fees that you have already paid or if you would like to credit these fees towards 2023.
Families who have direct debit arrangements for school fees should approach their bank and request these payments be put on hold or discontinued for the remainder of this year.
I thank you again for your ongoing support of everything we do at OLHC. Our families and communities remain in our prayers and I pray that this announcement will provide some support and financial relief to all our families.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me at michael.piccoli@lism.catholic.edu.au should you have any questions or concerns.
ANZAC DAY
Thank you to students and families who supported the school at the local ANZAC Day march. It’s always special to come together as a school community to support those who have served our country.
They gave their tomorrow so that we can live our today!
Acts Of Love and Generosity
A massive thank you to Father Tom BRANCIK and the students at All Saints Catholic Primary School Tumbarumba for their generous donation of student desks and chairs. Father Tom worked to have a semi trailer donated for the 12 hour trip and then drove it himself to make the delivery today.What an incredible effort. Our school is incredibly grateful for the love and support we have received from other schools. A big thank you to Carlo, Dom and Ang Borra for helping transport the desks and chairs from the Carmelite Monastery to our school.
Packages of Love
A reminder to all families who were directly impacted by the floods: we have toiletry items stored at school. These include baby items, womens items and everything in between. Please reach out if you would like some supplies. There are also some new pillows and blankets.
Off site, we have good quality clothing items from 000 to Mens XXXL and everything in between. If you would like to have a look through these items please call Kim and we can arrange to have them transferred to school.
If you require anything in particular, please reach out as we have had many generous offers of help and many people are being flexible in how this support is delivered!
Mission News
Mother's Day Afternoon Tea
It was very special to welcome back all our mums and the other special women today, as we celebrate them for Mother's Day. Our hearts were full after a wonderful afternoon together.
Happy Mother's Day to all our mums!
In May, we honour Mary!
The month of May is one in which Catholics honour and remember Mary, the mother of Jesus, in a special way. It is also the time when we acknowledge and commemorate the importance of motherhood with the celebration of Mother’s Day.
The greatest lesson we can learn from the life of Mary, is to put our trust in God who was active in Mary’s life and in our lives. There would have been many times in Mary’s life when she would have felt like she was doing it all on her own and certainly would have desired an easier path. All of us share similar experiences. Our lives rarely follow the paths that we think or desire that they do.
In May, let us remember the person of Mary as someone who continues to show us that God is with all of us at all times in our lives and that although we too will experience fear and uncertainty, we should use her example and lovingly respond to the call and challenge of our day to day lives.
(Institute of Sisters of Mercy)
Learning & Teaching
Stage 2 The Underlibrary of Unofficial Histories
Today, we had an unusual visit. A lady called Zelda and a Detective from the Department of Education- Mysterious Events came to see Stage 2. Zelda’s brother has gone missing in time, the History books have disappeared from the library and history is not being told accurately.Stage 2 worked together to solve a variety of puzzles to find out where Albus was and restart history. Zelda found Albus and sent us a message from the past to let us know they had reunited.
Kindergarten - Having fun and working very hard to learning their sounds during Alphabet Bootcamp
Year 1 - Listening carefully to hear and write all of the sounds in their spelling words
Year 2 - Having fun and getting crafty for Mother's Day
Year 5 - Having fun and getting crafty for Mother's Day
Year 6 - Having fun and getting crafty for Mother's Day
Sports News
Our Lady Help of Christians Cross Country
On Tuesday the 26th of April, Our Lady Help of Christians Cross Country was held at Hepburn Park.
It was a wonderful day! We were so glad to see so many happy faces as we gathered in great numbers for the first time in such a long time. Well done to everyone that participated and gave their best and it was wonderful to witness such great sportsmanship throughout the event. Congratulations to MacKillop who were the House Championship winners for the Cross Country.
Age Champions
Age | Boys | Girls |
12/13 Years | Harvey Power | Georgie White |
11 Years | Harlan Gannon | Maggie Aylward |
10 Years | Ryan Fry | Laini Lynch |
9 Years | Mason Box | Aleena Coronakes and Harper Jasmin |
8 Years | Hamish Johnson | Evie Field |
Year 1 | Ned Meldrum | Cleo Fredericks |
Kindergarten | Cooper Quinn | Sylvia Bell |
Well done to the students that were placed in the top 5. These students will now represent our school at the Richmond Zone Cross Country.
My New Gallery
Thank you
A special thank you to:
- Craig and Tanya Bateman for offering their sound system for the day
- St Brigid’s, Kyogle and Holy Family, Skenners Head for lending their school marquees to us
- Dave Letter Bob Roasters for serving coffee to the adults
Richmond Zone Cross Country
Zone Cross Country has been postponed until Week 4. More information will be sent out at a later date
Rugby League
Congratulations to Maverick Johnston who represented our Diocese, OLHC, his family and himself in Rugby League last week. We are so proud of you Maverick.
Term 2 Dates
- Tuesday 26th April - Our Lady Help of Christians Cross Country
- Thursday 5th May - Richmond Zone Cross Country (Postponed: New date Week 4 - TBC)
- Tuesday 24th May - Lismore Diocesan Cross Country
- Monday 20th June - Our Lady Help of Christians Athletics Carnival
School News
Canteen
Our fisrt canteen will be available next Friday 13th of May. The lunch order of Pies and Sausage Rolls will be the only thing available due to space restrictions.
You can place your orders online using the FLexischools App. The order cut off is Wednseday 11th May at 1.00pm. If you have any queries please contact Kim in the schools office.
Book Club Issue 3
Book Club Issue 3 was sent home with your child/ren on Monday afternoon, Payment is via the Loop Online App, Cash will not be accepted.
The cut off for Online Orders is Thursday 12th May. Please contact Kim in the office if you should have any issues. Below is a step by step ordering process. All books purchased, give us much needed books for the Library. Thanks for your support.
Happy Reading!
Step-by-step Ordering:
- Select the Issue from which you'd like to order.
- Select a class from your Book Club Ordering Group.
- Add or Select a student (Remember: you only need to add students AS they place orders).
- Check student name and class is displayed below the Issue number in the aqua bar before entering the item number
(Note that all data is automatically saved - there is no need to press SUBMIT to keep the data). - Enter the book item number from the Book Club catalogue.
- Enter the student's payment method (will only appear if ordering by student).
- After each order, Add or Select the next student and class.
- If you need to leave mid-order, select Exit Order. When you're ready to resume, go to Open Orders to recommence.
- At the end of the entire order select Next.
- Reconciliations on your Order Review may be displayed by Title, Club, Class or Student.
- Select Next or Spend Vouchers / Rewards to apply these against your total due.
- Payment information will then be presented.
- Select Invoice or Credit Card.
Click here to download a handy guide on how to order using the Book Clubs platform.
* Note: Please be assured that your child/students will not receive marketing material or be contacted in any way
Community News
Woodlawn Open Night Wednesday 18th May
Woodlawn will be having two sessions: 5pm and 7pm to enable us to limit numbers to each session. Therefore, parents need to book into one of the sessions to attend Open Night via this link on our website: Open Night Bookings
