Term 3 Week 9 Newsletter - 15.09.23
Principal News
Catholic Schools Week is a time to celebrate our shared faith, educational excellence and the importance of every student. Catholic Schools offer an educational foundation for living life to the full through the development of the student’s spiritual, intellectual, physical, moral and emotional growth.
We are well served by dedicated principals, teachers and support staff who are determined to provide a high-quality education and to accompany students on their faith and educational journeys.
Catholic Schools Week is a special time in the year when we celebrate and give thanks for Catholic Schools, especially our own school Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School. It is a time to give thanks for the wonderful learning and teaching that takes place each day in every classroom and celebrate together as a Parish School Community.
Catholics Schools Week also included our celebration of Book Week Parade and Grandparents Day. Well done to all our amazing students and families for your creativity, effort and support of everything we do here at OLHC.
Catholic Schools Week was a huge celebration and success at our school this week and I thank all of our OLHC community for your ongoing support and willingness to do whatever it takes for all of our children to know that they are loved, cared for and belong.
It takes a village to raise our children and being part of OLHC is to belong to something much bigger than ourselves. Together, we will continue to make a positive difference in our children's lives and our Lismore community.
Term 4 Acting Principal
As you are aware, I will be looking after St Ambrose Pottsville during Term 4, while their principal is on renewal leave. This is a wonderful learning and professional growth opportunity for me and also provides an opportunity for our Assistant Principals, Mrs Rose and Mrs Hague to experience the role of principal with the support of our amazing staff, students and parents here at OLHC.
I would like to announce that both Katie and Kristy will co-lead the school during Term 4. Kristy will take on the responsibility of Principal during week 1-5 and Katie during weeks 6-10. This will allow them both to continue to grow in their leadership and I know that they will have your continued support during the term as I have always had.
I know that you will join me in congratulating both ladies and be assured that the school is in good hands until my return in the beginning of 2024.
COMPASS-School App
At the beginning of Term 4, we will be introducing a new communication & school administration platform called - COMPASS School Manager. The Compass platform will become our school community communication tool from Week 1 Term 4. This will replace a number of our current systems and communication processes.
Compass is already being used by schools of dioceses and the Lismore Diocese and we are the final school to come onboard with the new platform. Staff have been attending training sessions in all aspects of Compass in preparation for the changeover.
About the Compass Platform
The Compass platform is a web-based system that is accessible on any modern web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome & Safari) or by using the Compass School Manager iOS or Android App. The Compass platform includes many different features, you will have the ability to:
- View school events
- Recieve and return school notes
- Recieve and return class notes
- Communicate with your child’s teachers
- Provide digital consent for events (No more paper permission slips)
- Pay for events, school fees and check your school fee balance
- Download and view your child’s academic reports
- Book parent-teacher parent/teacher interviews
- View the school calendar
- Inform the school if your child is ill or not attending for the day
- Update your family contact details (mobile phone & email)
SMARTPHONE ACCESS
- Download the Compass School Manager App (Google Playstore OR Apple Store)
- Use your unique username and log in attached to this letter
- Open the app on your device
- Search for “Our Lady Help of Christians, South Lismore” and then by scrolling through the list of schools choose our school.
- Use the unique username and log in details that will be sent home during the week.
DESKTOP ACCESS
If you wish to use the desktop version of the platform please note the following;
- Once you receive your unique username and log in, open a new tab on your prefered browser and navigate to https://lisslism-nsw.compass.education
- Use your unique username and password to log into the platform using log in details that will be sent home during the week.
For more information you can visit Compass for Parents or for any assistance contact the school or drop in for face to face help.
Pupil Free Days
Friday 22nd September
Monday 9th October
Our OSHC service is available to support any families needing childcare for our pupil free days. Please contact nikiesha.boyle@lism.catholic.edu.au for bookings.
School Fees
A reminder that school fees are now due. If you require a copy of your school fee statement or need assistance with a payment plan, please contact the school office and Jenette will be more than willing to assist any families in need.
Mission News
Stage 1 Mass
On Friday, Stage 1 and their teachers shared a special mass at our Parish Church with Father Peter. We heard that God’s love for each of us never fails. He loves us as his very own children. Father Peter shared with us his homework as a child at school; to tick boxes saying he had been kind, and loving, looked after others each day and challenged us to do the same. We had some keen children who wondered how many boxes they should have - Father recommends at least 4.
Thank you to the families who shared our mass, our Stage 1 staff who prepared and supported our students, our incredible readers and Father Peter for welcoming us so warmly to our Parish church. It was a very special morning.
Year 3 Religious Education
Year 3 has been learning about the Parable of the Talents. In this Parable Jesus tells us that God considers us very valuable and trusts us to do something for him using our gifts and abilities. We need to listen and watch when others compliment us or notice something good about what we’re doing. To us it might be something small but to God it's a special and very valuable gift that only we can give. If we keep using it God will continue to make it bigger and better.
This week, Year 3 completed a Scripture Detour and wondered what if things were different in the Parable. What if the Master was kind, would the third servant have hid his talents? What if they all hid their talents? Congratulations Year 3 on your wonderings and dedication to your learning!
Making Jesus Real Awards
KP
Elsie D - For the gentle kindness you bring to our classroom - Thankyou for bringing your light each day Elsie.
1L
Harvey J - For showing consideration towards others and being thoughtful in your actions. 1L is so blessed to have you in our class Harvey!
2L
Cleo F - for inviting and including others in games and activities. You are always kind and considerate.
2P
Spencer S - For being a kind and generous class member, who does everything with a smile on his face. Keep it up Spencer!
3L
Juliet W - For being a responsible and respectful member of our class - thank you for treating everyone with kindness and respect.
3P
Isla L - For showing kindness and thoughtfulness when helping others in the class.
4L
Billy M - For always looking to brighten others' day. Thank you for looking out for others.
4P
Ellie B - for being a kind and caring member of our classroom. You are a star!
5L
Harper J - For making Jesus real in the Year 5 community everyday with your positive attitude and kindness to everyone.
6P
Pippa T - For using your initiative to support those around you. Thank you for all you do. You are a valued member of 6P, Pippa!
Poetry and Public Speaking
Lismore Dance Eisteddfod 2023
Congratulations!
On Friday 1st September three dance troups from OLHC travelled to Casino to compete in the 2023 Lismore Musical Festival Society's Dance Eisteddfod. In total 51 very excitied students from Year 1 through to Year 6 took to the stage to sing and dance at the eisteddfod. All competitors on the day were amazing, and OLHC was lucky enough to come home with two 1st places and a 2nd place. Our Year 5 & 6 dance troupe were also awarded a $150 music voucher for the most outstanding performance of the day. The girls and boys all had a wonderful day at the Eisteddfod and they are to be commended on their performances, their hard work and preparation for the day, and the wonderful way they represented the school both on and off the stage.
Learning & Teaching
Kindergarten created a family beach scene.
Year 1 practised their catching and passing skills
Year 2 played a resilience game in Personal Development and Health.
3L Creating digital soundscapes
3P Publishing Information texts
4L-Publishing hybrid texts
4P Publishing hybrid texts
5L- planning for a Lip Sync battle
6P-planning for a Lip Sync battle
OLHC Achievement Awards
KP
Asta - For your focus during writing tasks, it is exciting to see you applying your sound knowledge to your writing Asta - keep it up!
Alexander N - For your dedication and hard work in all mathematical tasks, keep up the great work Alexander!
Milla D - For applying your mathematical knowledge to identify pairs in different situations - well done Milla!
1L
Hudson F: For displaying a positive and can-do attitude during writing lessons, and for using his writing checklist to write a great super sentence. Keep up the great work Hudson!
Alyssa J: For her effort and attention towards segmenting and blending new words. Keep up the great work Alyssa!
Zephyr L: For using his writing checklist to write a great super sentence. Keep up the great work Zephyr!
2L
Teilani B - fantastic growth in multiplication and division.
Reuben T - dramatic improvements in your enthusiasm
2P
Ariana P - For always having a happy and enthusiastic attitude towards all aspects of her learning. Keep up the fantastic effort Ariana!
Michael W - For showing significant growth in all areas of his school work. I have loved reading your descriptive sentences in writing. Keep on working hard Michael!
3L
Paige W - For showing remarkable improvement and dedication in her understanding and application of patterns and algebra.
Tyler N - For your remarkable growth in writing and great use of language features.
3P
Anika B- For your perseverance in completing an engaging and entertaining narrative.Well done!
Clancy-F - For creating a lengthy, engaging narrative that included a variety of figurative language and several paragraphs.
4L
Henry L - For always being eager to apply feedback to improve your writing. Keep it up Henry
Will D - For always being a keen and motivated learner. You are a role model Will.
4P
Isaac S - For the amazing improvement in your writing. Your use of descriptive language creates wonderful imagery for your audience.
Tilly P - For your consistent effort of applying strategies to calculate multiplication and division questions.
5L
Xavier B - for consistently applying focus in all learning areas, particularly during writing lessons with your sentence structure. Keep it up Xav!
Matilda J - For always approaching your learning with enthusiasm. Thank you for seeking and applying feedback to make improvements to your work. Keep it
6P
Tyler B - For becoming more fluent when reading and significantly improving your comprehension. You should be proud of your efforts, Tyler!
Hugh B - For your fabulous achievements in reading, particularly non-fiction texts. Keep up the amazing learning, Hugh!
Sports News
NRL Trophy Visit
On Tuesday the 19th of September, the NRL, together with Telstra, will be conducting school visits in the Lismore area. OLHC is one of the lucky schools that have been chosen to be a part of this wonderful experience. The focus of this year's “Trophy Tour” visit is our League Stars Inspire Program. There will be a presentation that will focus on the important topics of Inclusion and Diversity. Additionally, students will be encouraged to lead active lifestyles by providing information on how to become involved with a Junior Rugby League club.
Term Three - Events
- Thursday the 21st of September - Matty King Cup, Rugby League, Casino
Term Four - Events
- Thursday the 2nd of November - Richmond Zone Summer Sports Trials (2024 - 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
School News
Community News
