Term 4 Week 4 Newsletter 29/10/2021
Principal News
On Monday 1st November, we will celebrate the feast of All Saints Day. A time where we express our thankfulness to God for the many faithful people who show us how to live as Jesus wants us to. It marks the beginning of a month where we remember all of the people we have loved who have died and give thanks for the special place they have in our hearts. We also pray that they are with God and at peace.
After Jesus died, his friends were sad and confused. When they met him on the road to Emmaus, they didn’t recognise him, but they did what he had always taught them to do. They walked and talked with him and then welcomed him in to their home. When they recognised him, they were very excited and wanted to tell everyone.
When people we love die, we miss them very much. Hopefully we keep doing the wonderful things they taught us to do. Maybe they taught us to cook, or to tie our shoes, or to swim, or play piano. Maybe we enjoyed playing games with them, or singing songs together, or going on adventures. Whatever it is, we keep doing the things that we learned and enjoyed, or know are important.
We also realise that they will always be in our hearts. We carry our memories and have a sense of them being with us, or watching over us, a bit like the disciples walking along the road beside Jesus. When the disciples realised that Jesus really had risen from the dead they were very excited, and we trust God’s promise that those we love who have died will also be raised to life with God.
During the month of November, take time to thank God for the people close to us who have died, and to ask God to continue to take care of them.
Covid Updates
As the NSW Government Roadmap for easing restrictions progresses, we anticipate that from time to time, our school communities may be impacted by close contacts or positive cases.
When a localised transmission of infection is detected, it is envisaged that the school will be required to close for a short period while cleaning occurs and we wait for advice from NSW Health on who is required to isolate and for how long. This advice will be sought by the Catholic Schools Office (CSO) and passed on to the Principal as soon as it is available with appropriate communications.
Scenario 1: A student or a small number of students are identified as close contacts by NSW Health and must self isolate at home for up to 14 days. • The student/s must follow the NSW Health self-isolation and testing requirements and cannot return to school until released by NSW Health. • The student/s will be provided with work to complete at home. • Vaccination status and COVID test results will determine the length of isolation required.
Scenario 2: A primary student at the school is diagnosed with COVID-19. What happens to the student and with the rest of the cohort/school? • The student who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 must self isolate and follow the NSW Health COVID-19 testing requirements. The student cannot return to school until they have been released from self-isolation by NSW Health. • The close contacts of the COVID-19 positive student (i.e. Teacher, general staff and students) must follow the NSW Health close contact self- isolation and testing requirements. The close contacts cannot return to school until released by NSW Health. • The whole school is closed for between 2 to 14 days as a result, the COVID-19 Education Continuity Plan will be enacted. Blended Learning commences on the next day with the class teacher and students, teaching and learning from home.
It is important to understand that the school only follows advice given to us by NSW Health and information and communication is directed by the Catholic Schools Office to the school. We don't act on hearsay or conversations told to us by other sources, nor should our parent community.
It is necessary that the school is allowed to continue to operate for the learning and teaching of our students, while keeping in mind the safety concerns we may have for our children regarding 'living with Covid' in our community.
We ask that you keep the school updated on any advice you have been given by NSW Health and in that order we can keep the rest of our school community safe and well. If you have any concerns please contact me for further clarification.
School Uniform
Thank you to our students and families who consistently support our uniform expectations here at OLHC. The correct wearing of our school uniform demonstrates a sense of pride in our school and in ourselves and identifies us as being part of our school family. I have noticed that several students may need reminders in the morning as they get ready for school regarding correct uniform items. Please support our children to make good decisions regarding the uniform dress code including wearing the correct coloured socks and shoes. The support of our families is critical in continuing the high standards we strive for here at OLHC.
Year 6 Graduation
As the end of Term 4 draws closer, it is an exciting time for our Year 6 students and their families. Our Year 6 Graduation Assembly and Dinner is an important celebration for our students and we are working very hard to ensure that we can work within the guidelines and restrictions to make this happen.
Whilst we are still unsure of exactly how this will look and what we are able to do, I would like to give all Year 6 parents and guardians as much notice as possible that we have received information that all parents and guardians attending these events MUST be double vaccinated and show proof before entry to the school.
More information will be communicated to Year 6 parents and families regarding the Graduation as we work through the guidelines and restrictions. It is also important to understand that these restrictions are subject to change and we must respond and act accordingly to keep our students, staff and families safe. We will certainly do our best to make it happen!
Mission News
Socktober Classroom Pyjama Party
Today we participated in a Pyjama Party/Crazy Sock day for Catholic Mission to end Mission Month (October), and raise money for The Good Shepherd Sisters Kindergarten Centre in Bangkok, Thailand.
Our crazy socks, PJ’s and fundraising made for a very fun day at school. We raised a total of $291.55! Thank you all for your support, our community is so generous - what a great donation.
Kindergarten Labyrinth Prayer
Last Friday afternoon, I was treated to an amazing prayer experience with our youngest students when they thanked God for His creation using the walking Labyrinth. A labyrinth is a walking meditation or prayer where there is a path in and a path out.
Kindergarten wrote special prayers, thanking God for His creation and prayed them whilst walking towards the centre of the labyrinth. When they reached the centre, they placed their prayers in a special vessel and took out a little gift to remind them of their prayer experience. It really was a fantastic afternoon and the wonderful way in which Kinder engaged in the prayer was very special!
Thank you Mrs Parker, Mrs Rodda and our wonderful boys and girls in Kinder! I am so proud of you.
Year 5 - Answering the Call
Year 5 have answered the call put out to them by musician Andrew Chinn, to film an action clip for his and Drew Lane’s song My Name is Joseph. Andrew challenged Year 5 to film the clip to share the Good News with students and teachers from all over Australia and New Zealand.
Andrew tells me he has finished the clip and is putting the music to it on Monday!
We will share the finished product with our whole school community when it is shared with us, but I couldn't let the opportunity pass to say a HUGE thank you to our Year 5 class, Mrs Innes and Miss O'Conner for their dedication to the project. I am so proud of all of you!
Welcome to the family, Juliet!
Last weekend, Juliet was welcomed into our Catholic family when she celebrated her Baptism with her family and friends. A big congratulations to you, Juliet.
We pray God surrounds you with goodness and leads you in His Light each day.
Making Jesus Real Awards
KP
Nash H - For being such a willing and efficient helper around the classroom. Thank you Nash.
KR
Nahri J - For always being a friendly and helpful classmate. Keep shining your light, Nahri!
1M
Evie F - For looking out for others both in the classroom and playground.
Issabella F - For sharing playgroung equipment.
1P
Anika B - For being a beautiful friend by lifting the spirit of others in need. You are a wonderful friend Anika.
2J
Chaise K - For filling up my bucket by greeting me every morning with a huge smile and a happy 'hello'.
2O
3V
Marlee S - For being friendly towards all her classmates. You are very kind and caring, Marlee! This is much appreciated in 3V.
Marni V - For her positive attitude and 'have-a-go' work ethic. Your light is shining bright in year 3.
4B
5I
Elle F - For always supporting and encouraging those around her. You're such a positive influence in our class, Elle - thank you!
Harvey P - For being a great example for your peers in everything you do. You show us the spirit of Jesus every day, Harvey - thank you!
6B
Jye L - For consistently being a role model for all year levels when it comes to fair play, inclusive and good sportsmanship, and a great sense of fun.
Learning & Teaching
OLHC Achievement Awards
KP
Spencer S - For his commitment and enthusiastic attitude to reading tasks resulting in improvement in confidence and fluency.
Nikki Q - For outstanding effort and improvement in her reading and writing. You're on Fire Nikki!
Oliver D - For outstanding effort and improvement in writing. I love the way you are trying so hard to use your sounds Oliver.
KR
Finnan MT - For his positive attitude to learning. Finnan you never give up trying to improve and do your best. Well done.
Athena B - For her positive attitude towards learning and willingness to take on challenging tasks. Great work Athena.
Willow H - For dedicated effort in reading to successfully apply her sounds and strategies. You are a super reader Willow!
1M
Tyler N - For using addition strategies to learn friends of 20.
1P
Sebby S - For taking the initiative to extend your mathematics learning. I am very proud of you Sebby, it is great to see your enthusiasm.
Campbell H - For your enthusiasm towards learning and your great contributions to class discussions - Thank you Campbell.
Nash B - For working hard during your maths tasks and making a commitment to finishing your writing tasks. Well done Nash.
2J
Malachias C - For using the secrets to help him spell tricky words in his writing. Keep it up Malachias!
Colin W - For using the split strategy to solve 2 - digit addition. You're a star and I am so proud of you!
2O
Mason B - For an amazing effort in solving addition problems using the Split Strategy.
Aleena C - For listening to and following instructions with precision.
3V
Lexi G - For being extra focused on every task, taking risks and completing her work to a high standard.
Charlie W - For being a fabulous 'handy helper' this week and going above and beyond to help.
Cooper J - For working extra hard on all tasks and persisting with problem solving in maths.
Lacey N - For verbally explaining her ideas during writing. You put in an amazing effort, Lacey!
Maia G -For always being a conscientious worker, who takes pride in her presentation of her work. Well done!
Tyler E - For putting in a 100% effort when writing his imaginative text. You should be proud of yourself, Tyler!
4B
Harlan G - For creativity in poetry writing, and critically analysing other poems.
Claire G - For outstanding achievement in grammar and punctuation tasks, and in her writing.
Matthew N - For applying himself to challenging tasks involving fractions and decimals.
Reid S - For fantastic creativity in writing and using imageryto enhance the textl. Well done, Reid.
Annabel T - For fantastic use of adverbs and adjectives to enhance your writing.
5I
Matilda P - For being able to identify how to be a successful learner in English and Maths. Well done Matilda!
Thomas S - For demonstrating amazing learning during English. Keep up your great work Tom!
Noah H - For working hard to make better choices in class. Keep it up Noah!
Jemima W - For reflecting on her learning and identifying how to be successful in English. Well done Jemima!
6B
Charli G - For her insightful and mature contributions to class discussions and debates.
Jamilla C - For improving her reading comprehension skills by keeping dedicated and positive in her learning.
Carmen G - For her curiosity and mental resilience in all learning areas, in particular when learning about the history of the Roman Empire and Christian history!
Samantha S - For her dedication to working her way out the learning pit in Mathematics this term.
Kinder P
Kinder R
Year 1P
Year 1M
Year 2J
Year 2O
Year 3- Using Virtual Reality Goggles to help us write
Year 4 Coding and Virtual Reality fun
Stage 2 have been experiencing places all around the globe through the use of Virtual Reality headsets. We have visited The Great Barrier Reef and The Amazon Rainforest as part of our writing. We have explored the Northern Lights for an art activity. We have visited the Great Wall of China and other locations in China for Geography to compare and contrast to our own landscape here in Australia.
"The VR headsets were so much fun! We have learnt that we can use them for so many different types of learning. It's also been great to learn about places around the world that we can't visit right now." Anneliese
"The VR headsets have been amazing! I've felt like I'm floating when I'm in the air; I've felt like I was scuba diving under the sea, I even felt frightened when I encountered a swarm of bees! They're almost as good as the real thing!" Maggie
Year 5 Creating Artworks using different mediums and creating a new Bump It Up wall.
Year 6- War Memorial Virtual Tour and nature art.
Celebrating 200 Years in Catholic Education
We had 4 students chosen to enter their artworks into the 200 Years of Catholic Education Virtual Gallery. Above are images of their work. You can scan the QR code to access a recording explaining the what their artwork represents.
Congratulations to Ryder (Year 2), Amarli (Year 5) and Carmen and Lilliana in Year 6.
Sports News
School News
Canteen Term 4
Week 5 Canteen is Subway and Week 6 is Pizza from Mr Mozzarella. You can order online using our Flexischools online ordering system.
Thank you to our parent Volunteers for helping us in the Canteen. Unfortunately due to our current COVID situation we are only able to allow parent volunteers in the school grounds who are double vaccinated. If you are rostered on to help in Canteen and are not double vaccinated could you please contact Kim in the office to let her know to make other arrangements. Thank you for your support in this matter.
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
