Term 1 Week 4 Newsletter - 23.02.24
Principal News
Serving from our Hearts through our Hands
Last week, we celebrated a beautiful liturgy led by our wonderful Year 6 Leaders to celebrate Ash Wednesday. As we received the cross of ashes on our forehead, it reminded us that we are all part of God's family and He loves us very much. It also reminded us that our main job is to serve others just as He did. With God’s help we can try to reach out to others with more love and kindness especially in our own families, our school and in our world.
Parent Forum Conversations
Families and schools working together to promote children’s learning, development & wellbeing across home and school is fundamental to our children and emphasises the value of partnership for children’s learning and school success. Parents’ role as first and primary educators of their children, and their lasting influence on their children’s attitudes and achievements, is recognised and actively promoted at OLHC. Similarly, we encourage all parents to value and support their children’s learning in and out of school and support school goals, directions and Catholic identity and mission.
Part of this partnership is our Parent Forum Conversations. There are many different ways to be involved and connected at OLHC. Attending our conversation evenings, allows families to be part of our improvement journey, have a voice in decisions that impact our children and strengthens relationships. Our school is a family and together we are working to achieve great things for our children.
Parent/Teacher Communication
Effective communication between school and home is so important to assist our children to flourish, help us meet their needs and continue to build strong relationships. We look forward to continuing our strong links between families and school this year.
Your child’s teacher is an integral part of your child's school life and there may be times during the year, aside from our scheduled Parent Information evening and Learning Conferences, when you need to contact your child’s teacher. This can be done through the school office, via email or Compass. I encourage all families to keep their class teacher informed of any significant events, changes to routines or family changes that may impact your child. We certainly do not want to know all the details, however, it is important for us to be able to understand why we may see a change in behaviour or emotions and how we can best support and nurture our children when they are at school.
As you can appreciate, teachers are very busy during the school day and don't always get to messages. Any ‘urgent’ day to day messages for your child regarding travel arrangements, medications, lunches etc... can be made through the office and messages will be passed on to students and teachers through our class messages system.
Learning Conferences
We will be holding Parent/Teacher/Student Learning Conferences in Week 10 of this term. The focus of these conferences is for the students to showcase their classwork, discuss their learning, discuss progress towards goals they are working on, to discuss future learning and/or any concerns or issues. These conferences are a very important part of strengthening our parent partnership and your attendance reinforces to our children that you value their learning. Parents will be able to book a timeslot via Compass over the coming weeks.
Pupil Free Day-Friday 1st March
A reminder to all families that next Friday the 1st of March is a Pupil Free Day for our school community. All of our staff will be joining with the staff of St Brigid's Kyogle, to work with the recently retired Executive Director of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Sydney, Dr Dan White OAM. Dan has served on many Educational Authorities and in 2022 was the recipient of an Order of Australia medal for his services to education. This is the second time that our staff has engaged with Dan and we are very much looking forward to continuing this work to support the learning of our students and staff.
OSHC will be available to support all students and families needing this service for our pupil free day. Please ensure that you have booked by Monday 26th February to assist us with staffing requirements for the day.
Mission News
Year 1 Ash Wednesday Artwork
These amazing artworks by our learners in Year 1 are not only beautiful but very meaningful.
Year 1 discussed the way bushfires promote new life and growth and how the ashes provide nutrients for seeds and plants to grow again. They then learned how this relates to Ash Wednesday - the ashes we recieve on Ash Wednesday remind us of a fresh start and opportunity to grow as good followers of Jesus.
Congratulations Year 1 and thank you for sharing your beautiful artworks and their meaning with our community!
Ash Wednesday Liturgy
As mentioned by Mr Piccoli in his Principal News, we held a liturgy for Ash Wednesday led by our wonderful Year 6 Leaders including our 2024 Leaders of Ministry, Laini L and Matilda J. We are so proud of all of these leaders who reverently led the liturgy, who put their hand up to lead in the area of Ministry this year and who will continue to do so for the rest of 2024.
Ash Wednesday is one of the most popular and important holy days in our liturgical calendar. Ash Wednesday opens Lent, a season of fasting and prayer.
When the ashes were placed on our forehead we heard the words "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel". The ashes symbolize the dust from which God made us.
Thank you to our families that were able to join us for this important Liturgy.
Project Compassion
This year, Project Compassion brings you the stories of three resilient women from three different corners of the world. They are facing vastly different challenges, but are all united by one dream: to create a better tomorrow for all future generations.
Meet Ronita from the Philippines. Ronita lives with her husband and two children in a barangay (local district) in Quezon City, which is situated in Metro Manila in the Philippines. She went back to school to finish her education so that she could earn income to support her children.
Meet Leaia from Samoa. Not having access to a reliable source of clean water was very difficult for Leaia and her family. But, with the support of Caritas Australia, a water tank was installed at their home, improving their health and living conditions.
Meet Memory from Malawi. Memory, the eldest daughter from a rural Malawian family, trained to become a carpenter and is now a trailblazer for future generations of women in her village.
Throughout Project Compassion, you will get to know the stories of Ronita, Leaia and Memory. Journey with them as they forge a path to a brighter future for all generations.
Please donate to Project Compassion.
Making Jesus Real Awards
KP
Bryce D - For being a kind and caring friend to your classmates. Keep letting your light shineBryce!
1L
Asta B A - For your cheerful and positive attitude towards school - Keep shining bright Asta!
2P
Alaura P - For her reverent participatioin during meditation. You are setting a great example in Making Jesus Real.
3L
4L
Alistair P - For being a kind and caring classmate who is always looking to help others. Thank you Alistair.
4P
5L
Rhiannon F - Your thoughful gestures has not only bought smiles to your peers' and teachers' faces it also reflected the compassionate spirit of Jesus in our school community.
Shelby D - For embodying the commpassionate face of Jesus by ensuring someones' well-being. Your selfless actions truly demonstrate the acts of kindness and empathy. Well done!
5P
6P
Ava O'S - For your beautiful smile and positive attitude that you bring to our classroom everyday. Thank you for showing us the spirit of Jesus, Ava
Learning & Teaching
Kindergarten practised their speaking and listening skills with their Year 6 Buddies. The Buddies then helped Kinder cook pancakes for Shrove Tuesday.
Year 1, as part of their Science unit: Changes in the Sky and on Land, created rain clouds in jars.
Year 2 enjoyed playing 'Race to 100' with a learning focus on place value and the ten-ness of ten.
Year 3 Mathematics Doubles Memory games
Year 4 Picasso Art
Year 5 English-Reading and Writing
Year 6 Mathematics
OLHC Achievement Awards
KP
Casper K - For 'having a go' and not giving up. We are very proud of your positive attitude. You're a Superstar Casper!
Pamela D - For an amazing effort in writing. I love your positive attitude to learning. Keep it up Pamela!
Morgan F - For being a fantastic Mathematician. You are always trying your best and contributing amazing ideas. Keep it up Morgan!
1L
Lucas T - Becoming a responsible learner with improved focus. Great Job Lucas!
Luka O - For developing a mature attitude towards learning to produce good results - fantastic work Luca!
Marlow T - For settling in well and being a positive contributor to the class. Keep shining bright Marlow!
2P
Leo C - For displaying a positive attitude when completing set tasks. Keep up the great work!
Archer D - For his effort and dedication when presenting his written work and creating wonderful sentences during our writing lessons.
3L
Hudson R - For the persistence you showed when counting by decimals. Keep pushing yourself Huddy, you are amazing!
Curtis S - For demonstrating curiosity and showing creativity when designing and completing scientific experiments. I am loving your enthusiasm Curtis!
Jacob P - For consistantly showing persistence during Literacy time. Your hard work and great listening is paying off! Well done Jacob!
4L
Braith F - For being a committed learner and always looking for ways to extend himself. Great job Braith.
Lily B - For creating an engaging text from another characters point of view. Well done on a great piece of writing Lily.
4P
Felicity F - For being confident, organised and always eager to begin work. An amazing start Flic, well done!
Clancy Floyd L P - For being positive, happy and motivated to take on new tasks and challenges.
Mia B - For being an attentive listener, who is focused and able to work independently. A great start to Year 4 Mia!
5L
Scarlett J - For consistently sparking meaningful discussions and enhancing classroom learning! Thank you Scarlett!
5P
Charlotte F - Congratulations on mastering the use of decimals during mathematics. Keep up the awesome work!
Brody C - For his effective use of figurative language. Well done, Brody!
Mason B - For his outstanding effort and focus during spelling tasks. Keep up the great work Mason!
6P
Henry J - For your focused attitude and commitment to completing learning tasks. What an amazing way to start Year 6, Henry!
Marlee S - For the wonderful way you approach all learning tasks with enthusiasm and perseverance. Keep up the fabulous work!
Sports News
At OLHC, we love celebrating the sporting achievements of all our students. If your child has a special achievement that you would love for us to share with the school community, please send any photos and a short paragraph outlining their achievement to Mrs McCarthy - haylee.mccarthy@lism.catholic.edu.au
Richmond Zone Swimming Carnival
On Tuesday the 13th of February, 23 students attended the Richmond Zone Swimming Carnival at Alstonville Aquatic Centre. The children proudly represented our school. It was wonderful to see them all try their best and cheer each other on.
Year 2: Grace Butler, Harvey Johnston
Year 3: Willow Hall, Nahri Jensen, Darcy Stephens and Reuben Tsourlinis
Year 4: Felicity Fredericks, Harriet Johnston, Rhett Prosser, Braith Fing and Alby Sedelaar
Year 5: Milani Hague, Charlotte Forbes, Noah Middleton, Ryan Butler and Ethan Ramsey
Year 6: Lexi Goulding, Bailey Newton, Matilda Johnston, Robbie Grace, Flynn Wiblen and Henry Jenkins
2024 - Events
Please note that these dates may change due to weather or circumstances that we can not control.
Term One
- Friday the 5th of April - OLHC Cross Country, Riverview Park
Term Two
- Tuesday the 7th of May - Richmond Zone Cross Country, Lismore
- Tuesday the 21st of May - DIO Cross Country, Grafton
- Friday the 14th of June - OLHC Athletics Carnival, Riverview Park
Term Three
- Thursday the 1st of August - Richmond Zone Athletics Carnival, Lismore
- Friday the 16th of August - DIO Athletics Carnival, Lismore/Coffs
- Friday the 30th of August - Richmond Zone Gala Day
Term Four
- Monday the 4th of November - Richmond Zone Tennis Summer Sports Trials (Years 4 and 5 ONLY)
- Wednesday the 6th of November - Richmond Zone Cricket Summer Sports Trials (Years 4 and 5 ONLY)
- Thursday the 7th of November - Richmond Zone Touch Football Summer Sports Trials (Years 4 and 5 ONLY)
- Tuesday the 26th of November - DIO Tennis Summer Sports Trials, Lismore (Years 4 and 5 ONLY)
- Friday the 29th of November - DIO Cricket, Softball, Touch Football and Basketball Summer Sports Trials, Lismore (Years 4 and 5 ONLY)
- TBC - OLHC Swimming Carnival
NAB AFL Auskick is back at our club! Registrations are open and we can't wait to see you at Lismore JAFC Auskick!
Starting Wednesday 6th March at Mortimer Oval, Lismore for 8 weeks! Only $90 and you get an amazing benefits pack.
Click here to register and become a Swannies Auskicker! Registration Link - https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/ca6824
School News
NSW Health has advised of very high rates of cryptosporidiosis, a diarrhoeal disease, in the community.
Please distribute the following information to students and parents, via your school newsletter or social media.
To prevent cryptosporidiosis transmission among swimmers at upcoming school swimming carnivals, NSW Health recommends all schools implement the following precautions:
- Communicate with parents and carers on the risk of cryptosporidiosis, consider sharing the social media post from NSW Health on your school Facebook page (see Facebook).
- Advise students to refrain from swimming if they are experiencing, or have experienced in two weeks prior to the carnival, gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhoea.
- Emphasise the importance of regular handwashing with soap and water.
- Remind students to avoid swallowing pool water.
Cryptosporidium is present in the faeces of infected people. Outbreaks have been linked to water sources contaminated by infectious people, including swimming pools.
Schools should liaise with their local public health unit (1300 066 055) if they require any guidance and support.
For more information on cryptosporidiosis, see the attached media release or visit: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/cryptosporidiosis.aspx
Community News
