Term 2 Week 5 Newsletter 26.05.23
Principal News
National Reconciliation Week
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. "For the work of generations past and the fate of generations future, Reconciliation Australia's theme for 2023, "Be a voice for generations" urges us all to act today for a more reconciled country."
A Prayer for Reconciliation
God of all creation, as we journey together in this Great Southern Land, we pray for healing, forgiveness and unity, creating a path of good will, with justice and compassion.
Jesus, through the power of your love, you have given us the courage, wisdom and strength to share our gifts and talents in humility.
In peace and understanding we reconcile with each other.
Creator Spirit, we come together in prayer and thanksgiving for the many blessings we have received.
Allow your Spirit to wash over us and give us strength to walk together as one.
Fullness of Life
Perhaps the greatest driver of Catholic Identity in our school is the shared sense of dedication
needed to follow in the Mission of Jesus Christ.
Both in the Gospel and at the end of every Mass, we are reminded to ‘go’ - go and do something in the service of God and others. Jesus does not just talk about saying the right thing or practicing religion. He wants us to share in His mission by inviting us into action.
In John’s Gospel, Jesus constantly tells us who He is and who we can aspire to be. Several times
in this Gospel we see Jesus declare ‘I am’ - always using a metaphor for the reader’s sake
regarding things that nurture life; bread, the vine, light etc.
In our work in schools, we endeavour to imitate Jesus as shepherds. In being ‘good shepherds’ we seek to lead and enable students to have full and authentic lives. We do this by leading them in an encounter with Christ who is the gateway to the Father (John 10:7).
When we invoke John’s Gospel regarding “enabling students to achieve a ‘fullness of life’”(John
10:10) we take the pastoral aspect of our teaching duties seriously. Like the Good Shepherd we
know each student by name, we search out the lost student, we nurture the hurting student, and
we encourage the ‘flock’ of students in our class toward living water, both in their life and in
their learning.
Above all, through the foundation of Jesus, we lead them to the God of love, goodness, truth and
beauty.
Lismore CSO Soul
How was your day at school?
When you ask your child about their day (school, friends, etc.) how often do you get:
"I don't remember"
"Fine"
"Okay"?
We want to have meaningful conversations with our children. We want them to be excited about
telling us things.
So how do we get them talking?
Of course, developing a deep, trust-based connection with your child is key here but even then,
sometimes our kids don't want to bother telling us about their day.
In this case, use this very simple tip.
Instead of asking them lots of questions ("How was school?", "What did you do there?","Who
was there?","What happened?", or the total conversation killer "WHY" questions like, "WHY did
he do that?"), say:
"I wonder..."
"I wonder what was the most interesting thing you learnt today."
"I wonder what you did at lunchtime with your friends..."
"I wonder if your teacher had a good day today..."
When you use 'I wonder' instead of asking them lots of questions, you're showing your genuine
interest and you aren't demanding their answers.
Try using "I wonder" next time you want your child to tell you about their day and see how it
goes.
Student Illness
Recently, our school community has experienced an increase in the number of positive COVID cases. This is a timely reminder to continue to closely monitor your family’s health and if any family member presents with Covid symptoms, please perform a Rapid Antigen Test. If you or your child tests positive, it is recommended the child/children remain at home until they are feeling better.
It is common during the change of seasons that incidents of other conditions such as cold and flu are more prevalent. Please do not send your child to school if they are unwell. If a child is unwell at school, it is necessary for us to send them home. Thank you for your support in ensuring that we minimise the spread of illness within our school community.
Mission News
OLHC Sacramental Program 2023
Receiving the sacraments is a special time in our journey of faith, and it is the means by which baptised children can complete their journey into full membership of the Catholic Church. They are community events, which remind us of the role of the community in our faith life.
We look forward to sharing our 2023 Sacramental Program with our students and their families. Preparation for the sacraments will occur at school as part of classroom learning, and families are asked to support candidates by attending our parish mass in the weeks leading up to the sacraments. In our parish, students receive their sacraments as detailed below:
- Confirmation: When your child is in Year 3.
- Reconciliation: When your child is in Year 4, and has received the sacrament of Confirmation.
- First Eucharist: When your child is in Year 4, and has received the sacraments of Confirmation and Reconciliation.
If you have any questions regarding the 2023 Sacramental Program please contact Mrs Hague via the school office or email kristy.hague@lism.catholic.edu.au. Notes will be distributed in the coming weeks.
The 2023 dates for our Sacraments are confirmed below.
Reconciliation 3rd August 2023 (Term 3, Week 3)
First Holy Communion 10th August 2023 (Term 3, Week 4)
Confirmation 16th August 2023 (Term 3, Week 5)
Our Lady, Help of Christians Feast Day
Each year on the 24th May we celebrate the patron saint of our school, Our Lady, Help of Christians. Patron saints are special friends of God and so we pray to them, asking them to intercede on our behalf for God to hear our prayers.
During our liturgy celebrating Mary, we asked for her special help and guidance, so that we may remember and appreciate what a wonderful school community we are a part of every day, and that we be grateful people who genuinely value the great gifts this school gives us.
The children (and staff!) thoroughly enjoyed our tradition of eating delicious, fluffy cake ("with the best icing") from the wonderful Southside Hot Bread to celebrate our feast day.
We are very grateful to the Parishioners of South Lismore over 105 years ago, who chose Mary, Help of Christians, to be the patron saint of our Parish.
Pentecost: the event of Pentecost changed the world and gave rise to today’s Church.
The Church celebrates the Feast of Pentecost fifty days after Easter Sunday. Pentecost Sunday ends the season of Easter. This year, the Feast of Pentecost will be celebrated on Sunday, May 28.
Before he returned to his Father in Heaven, the risen Jesus visited his disciples and promised to send the Holy Spirit to help them. We read in Scripture that one morning, when the disciples were gathered together with Mary, the mother of Jesus, and some other women, they suddenly heard a noise like a strong wind. Then they saw what looked to be flames of fire over each of them. “And they were all filled with the holy Spirit.” (Acts of the Apostles, 2:4)
The Holy Spirit filled the disciples with courage and faith, empowering them to share the Good News with others. They began to tell others about Jesus, and that he died for us and rose to new life. On this day, the gift of the Spirit allowed the disciples to communicate even with those who spoke different languages.
On Pentecost, the Apostle Peter spoke to a gathered crowd. He asked the people to be baptised and receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit. The Apostles continued to baptise many people. They laid their hands on them so that they might receive the Holy Spirit, giving them strength and courage.
The Holy Spirit came to the disciples on Pentecost. God the Father and Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to help and guide the Church. The Holy Spirit is still with us today.
Faith in Action
An exciting opportunity for our students to serve our community has arisen with a partnership with Mary’s Grange (St Joseph’s Aged Care). Groups of our students will visit the residents, sing songs and do art and craft with them over the final three weeks of term. We hope to continue this partnership in Term 3 and we look forward to sharing images and stories from the students' time with the residents.
Claire in KP someone gotchya being the face of Jesus by being nice to someone.
Alyssa in 1L, you were the face of Jesus when you checked on someone
Willow in Year 2 was the face of jesus when she was kind & helpful
Klaire in Year 3, you were the face of Jesus when you helped a friend find a missing fidget
Oscar in Year 4, someone gotchya being the face of Jesus when you were playing handball and you let someone go in
Ava in Year 5, you show the face of Jesus when you make people smile
Ryan in Year 6, was the face of Jesus when he was showing enthusiasm and kindness.
Making Jesus Real Awards
KP
Cooper O: For encouraging and supporting others learning - keep shining bright Cooper!
1L
Ethan R: For always showing a kind and generous heart towards others. Thank you Ethan, you are a valued class member in 1L.
2L
Jethro P: always being a caring and compassionate student. You make Jesus real every day.
2P
Maddie F: For being a kind and responsible class member, who always tries her best. You're a star Maddie!
3L
Nash B: For being a supportive and inclusive friend. 3L is so blessed to have you in our class Nash! Keep shining bright!
3P
Alistair P: Alistair, you are a light! You are a kind and thoughtful friend, and our class is so lucky to have you.
4L
Charlotte. F: For giving up your time to support a worthy cause.
Oliver B: For giving up your time to support a worthy cause.
Noah S: For giving up your time to support a worthy cause.
Ethan R:For giving up your time to support a worthy cause.
4P
Tilly P: For being a supportive and inclusive friend. Thank you for letting your light shine bright Tilly!
Ryder H: for demonstrating kindness and empathy by raising money for a charity.
5L
Luna N: For being brave and honest and standing up for your peers. An admirable thing to du Luna, well done!
6P
Faith V - for the genuine gratitude and appreciation you show each day in the classroom - thank you for showing us the spirit of Jesus!
Learning & Teaching
Kinder- making ten in different ways to help us count
Year 1- number busting using addition
Year 2 - using the number line to model addition and subtraction
3L- learning about number patterns and counting off the decade
3P-learning about number patterns and counting off the decade
4L- Learning about division and how we can use multiplication facts to solve problems
4P- learning our multiplication facts
5L- learning about symmetry and number patterns
6P- playing race to 100 to become more fluent with addition and subtraction
OLHC Achievement Awards
KP
Jamelle A: For applying your phonics knowledge in literacy tasks and achieving great things. Keep it up Jamelle !
Regan Q: For applying your phonics knowledge in literacy tasks and achieving great things. Well done Regan.
Maizie H: For developing confidence in yourself as a learner and committing 100% to every task you face. You are a super star Maizie!
1L
Hudson F: For displaying a positive and can-do attitude during reading. Deep up the great work Hudson!
Alyssa J: For her improved engagement during classroom discussions. Keep sharing your great thinking Alyssa!
Cody S: For his mathematical thinking and explanation when solving equivalent number problems. Keep up the great work Cody!
2L
Reuben T: consistently applying himself in mathematics and explaining your thinking to others to help their learning.
Teilani B: for being a motivated and independent learner in InitiaLit. You are always ready to learn and you give 100% effort.
2P
Hudson R: - For the persistence you showed when solving addition problems using your number bonds. Keep working hard Hudson!
Nahri J: - For having an enthusiastic attitude towards all aspects of her class work. Keep up the amazing effort Nahri!
3L
Evie F: For an amazing persuasive introduction that grabs your reader’s attentions and for clearly stating your opinion that influences the reader’s point of view. Well done!
Lila T: For a fantastic and convincing persuasive text that influences the reader to want to save the Daintree Rainforest. Well done for using powerful persuasive devices!
Taetum P: Well done for setting, achieving and maintaining your personal and academic goals. Keep up the hard work! I am so proud of your efforts.
3P
Lily B: Your consistent effort across all areas of learning. You are organised, a careful listener and a hard worker. I appreciate and see you!
Alby S: For putting in 100% effort to all that you do. Your focus and hard working attitude deserves to be celebrated! You are a superstar!
4L
Noah. M: For working hard and maintaining focus during learning activities
Sierra S: For displaying great perseverance with challenging tasks
4P
Abby P: For being an organised and self motivated learner. Thank you for being a great role model in our class Abby!
Shelby D: For showing great resilience when resolving problems and taking on challenges. You always try your best Shelby!
5L
Tyler E: For excellent use of accountable talk during class discussions. You actively listen to others and respectfully respond. Amazing work Tyler!
Milla C: For positively responding to feedback and applying new learning to your writing to make improvements. Fabulous effort Milla!
6P
Ryan F - for making thoughtful decisions in order to be more focused on your learning. You are a star learner - keep it up, Ryan!
Tully S - for the perseverance you demonstrate when completing challenging learning tasks - well done, Tully!
Sports News
Diocesan Cross Country
On Tuesday the 23rd of May we had 5 students participate in the Diocesan Cross Country in Grafton. The day ran extremely smoothly and although the race track was a tough course the children proudly finished their races. Congratulations to the following students who represented our school. I was so extremely proud of them on the day.
8-9 years Boys - 2km - Hamish Johnson - 13th place
8-9 years Boys - 2km - Nash Brock - 22nd place
10 years Girls - 2km - Harper Jasmin - 2nd place
10 years Girls - 2km - Bailey Newton - 14th place
11 years Girls - 3km - Laini Lynch - 11th place
Congratulations to Harper who will attend the Polding Cross Country next month. We wish you the best of luck.
Athletics Carnival
Our annual school athletics carnival with take place on Friday the 9th of June at Riverview Park. The students will travel by bus to Riverview Park. If your child has not returned their permission slip and nomination form, please ensure they do so by Friday the 2nd of June.
Also, I just wanted to reiterate that students that are turning 8 years and above this year are able to compete in the competitive events. Students that are 7 years and younger will participate in a range of fun activities throughout the day.
1500m Race
Due to time limitations, we will hold the 1500m on Tuesday the 6th of June. Students who have been nominated for this event will receive a note this week. Please ensure this is returned by Friday the 2nd of June. Any parents that would be happy to walk with the students and teachers, to and from Neilson Park, please indicate this on the note.
High Jump and Discus
If your child trains and competes competitively in either High Jump or Discus, please note that these two events will only be held at the Diocesan level. A nomination form will need to be completed and this must be signed off by their coach. Please send me an email or have your child see me if they require a nomination form.
Term Two - Events
- Tuesday the 6th of June - 1500m Race at Neilson Park
- Friday the 9th of June - Our Lady Help of Christians Athletic Carnival at Riverview Park
Term Three - Events
- Thursday the 27th of July - Zone Athletics Carnival at Riverview Park
- Wednesday the 9th of August - DIO Athletics Carnival - Locate to be confirmed
- Friday the 18th of August - Richmond Zone Gala Day
Term Four - Events
- Thursday the 2nd of November - Richmond Zone Summer Sports Trials (Year 5 and 6 ONLY)
- Friday the 24th of November - DIO Summer Sports Trials
- Our Lady Help of Christians Swimming Carnival - Date to be confirmed
This week, Hugh and Tully interviewed Milla and Hamish about their favourite sport.
School News
Community News
