Term 1 Week 6 Newsletter - 08.03.24
Principal News
Why Sports
I share this each year with our school community because I think this speaks volumes about what we are trying to teach our children here at OLHC.
In a world where we see many give up, make excuses for poor behaviour, blame others, struggle to work as a team member or find it difficult to take feedback or criticism, sports can teach us many things.
One of my friends asked "Why do you pay so much money for your kids to do all their sports?"
Well I have a confession to make; I don't pay for my kids to do sports. Personally, I couldn't care
less about what sport they do. So, if I am not paying for sports what am I paying for?
I pay for those moments when my kids become so tired they want to quit but don't.
I pay for those days when my kids come home from school and are "too tired" to go to their
training but they go anyway.
I pay for my kids to learn to be disciplined, focused and dedicated.
I pay for my kids to learn to take care of their body and equipment.
I pay for my kids to learn to work with others and to be good team mates, gracious in defeat and
humble in success.
I pay for my kids to learn to deal with disappointment, when they don't get that placing or title
they'd hoped for, but still they go back week after week giving it their best shot.
I pay for my kids to learn to make and accomplish goals.
I pay for my kids to respect, not only themselves, but other athletes, officials and coaches.
I pay for my kids to learn that it takes hours and hours, years and years of hard work and practice
to create a champion and that success does not happen overnight.
I pay for my kids to be proud of small achievements, and to work towards long term goals.
I pay for the opportunity my kids have and will have to make life-long friendships, create lifelong
memories, to be as proud of their achievements as I am.
I pay so that my kids can be out on the field or in the gym instead of in front of a screen...
I could go on but, to be short, I don't pay for sports; I pay for the opportunities that sports
provide my kids with to develop attributes that will serve them well throughout their lives and
give them the opportunity to bless the lives of others.
From what I have seen so far I think it is a great investment!"
Author~Unknown
Lent
As we continue our journey through the season of Lent, we reflect on the ways we have celebrated it in the past and how we are called today, to use it as a time to make changes in our lives. The tradition of observing Lent in some way recaptures the period in Jesus’ life when he spent 40 days alone in the desert contemplating the task that lay ahead of Him. Christians today are invited to use the 40 days of Lent to reflect on their lives and adjust them in order to become more generous, forgiving, compassionate and prayerful people.
During Lent, we are given the opportunity to look carefully at our lives and identify attitudes and situations that perhaps do not reflect the Gospel values that we believe.
In our school, much of how Lent is celebrated is focused on helping us to understand what this season of the Church’s year is all about, and how we can use it to help us become better people as we grow closer to God.
Professional Learning Day-Dan White
Last Friday the 1st of March, our staff at OLHC joined with the staff of St Brigid's Kyogle to work with Dr Dan White from Sydney. Dan is very well known throughout the educational environment for his work as the former Director of Schools for the Archdiocese of Sydney and the Archdiocese of Hobart. He is the author of 8 books that focus on pedagogy within the RE Classroom.
Utilising the metaphor of the ‘seven steps’ or courtyards of the ‘Second Jewish Temple’, Dan's presentation immersed all those involved on a journey of reflection as to the true purpose of a Catholic school that acknowledges all students, staff and families, and how they are at different points along the journey of faith and life.
It was a great day of wondering, learning, collaboration and reflection.
School Improvement Priorities 2024
Mission Goal We will provide intentional, ongoing and reflective opportunities for encounter and growth in faith. | 2024 Annual Improvement Student Outcomes Targets for Domain
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Pastoral Care Improve our whole school approach to Pastoral Care | 2024 Annual Improvement Student Outcomes Targets for Domain
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Learning and Teaching We will implement the K-6 English and Mathematics units of work. Through analysis of relevant data, monitor the impact of teacher practice and interventions on student literacy and numeracy outcomes. | 2024 Annual Improvement Student Outcomes Targets for Domain
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Mission News
Incitare 2024
Incitare was another wonderful and successful opportunity for Student Discipleship here at OLHC. Last Tuesday, we sent 8 students with Mrs Innes to Tullera Hall where the students learned all about the Holy Spirit coming into our lives and being invited to spread the good news to all we encounter.
They were supported by students from Woodlawn (including a couple of familiar faces!) and our new Regional Ministry Assistants, Oliver and Eliza, who we are looking forward to welcoming to our school in the near future to support our work in service and ministry.
Thank you Mrs Innes for supporting our leaders. And to our Year 6 students who attended Incitare - you are amazing! Thank you for you engagement and the leadership you have brought back to our school.
'One Kind Word Can Change Someone's Entire Day'- Year 1
On Valentine's Day, Year 1 sent some beautiful cards to the residents of Mary's Grange. Unfortunately, we were unable to hand deliver them to the residents, but Evie and Tallis were able to come for a walk and drop them into the office to bring some love and cheer to the residents. The residents were to receive them at their Valentines Day Dinner!
Imagine our surprise when a big box of cards arrived, with a little treat included, from our new friends a week later!
Year 1 THANK YOU for showing kindness and service to our community. You are the Face of Jesus and whilst you expected nothing in return, what was returned, was pure joy! Thank you to the residents of Mary's Grange who filled our hearts with love and care.
Project Compassion
Samoa may be a country surrounded by water, but access to clean drinking water is scarce in some areas, with many families facing extreme hardship as a result.
Leaia lives with her five children, husband, brother and sister-in-law on the island of Upolu in Samoa. Not having access to a reliable source of clean water caused Leaia a lot of worry.
Their home is not connected to a piped water system, so they had to rely solely on rainwater collected in old fridges. When their water ran out, Leaia had to walk with her young children to collect water in buckets and containers from a neighbour down the street.
With the support of Caritas Australia's local partner, Caritas Samoa, a water tank was installed at Leaia's home. She and her family now have a steady supply of clean drinking water at home. Next year, they will also have a toilet built, with the support of Caritas Samoa, which will further improve their health and living conditions.
“We are very thankful and grateful for the water tank. It has helped us so much and made our daily life easier,” Leaia said. Watch Leaia’s Story
Together, we can help vulnerable communities face their challenges today and build a better tomorrow for all future generations.
You can donate through Project Compassion donation boxes at school in your child's class and through our class fundraising opportunities coming up - details to come!
Making Jesus Real Awards
KP
Chloe Mc - For helping and working with classmates and encouraging others to succeed. Keep letting your light shine through.
1L
Sophia W - For being aware of the needs of your classroom and peers and doing something about it.
2P
Paddy P - Your patience and kindness when explaining your understanding to others in year 2 is a great example in making Jesus Real.
3L
Ollie D - For being considerate of others feelings and going out of your way to include others. Keep it up Ollie!
4L
Hudson H - For being a kind and caring friend. Thank you for always looking out for others Hudson.
4P
Brody B - For the the calm and quiet spirit you bring to our classroom. We enjoy having you as a part of our class.
5L
Kaiden K - For embodying the compassion and kindness of Jesus through your supportive actions and words when your friend needed you. Well done!
5P
Tilly P - For being a happy, kind and gentle friend to all and for working co-operatively with your learning partner. Keep shining your light, Tilly!
6P
Zoe B - For having the courage to be a leader and example for others at Incitare. Well done Zoe!
Charlotte W - For the gentle way you support those around you - thank you. Keep shing your light, Charlie!
Tyler E - For having the courage to be a leader and example of others at Incitare. Thank you Tyler!
Learning & Teaching
Buddy Reading
Did you know that CSYMA students from Trinity Catholic College visit OLHC on Thursdays to listen to our Infants students while they practise their reading?
Reading aloud every day is so important for our developing readers; it helps our students to become confident and fluent readers. Our K-2 students love having the high school students visit them for reading. They think that it's great to be able to show-off their developing reading skills to others. A big thank you to the Trinity students and Mr Puglisi for helping us learn.
Our amazing Kindergaten class is always working hard and having fun
Our very clever Year 1 class had fun using technology to find and make the area of different shapes
Team work makes the dream work in Year 2, especially when trying to measure lengths with formal units
Year 3 Picasso Art
Year 4 have been exploring measurement in Mathematics
Year 5 published their narratives based on the novel they have been studying
Year 6 are publishing their Storm Boy sequels
OLHC Achievement Awards
KP
Emma P - For your persistance when creating your own story. Your ideas and illustrations were fantastic. Keep it up Emma.
Clara N - For your fantastic oral presentation in class. You were confident and your presentation was creative and fun. Well done Clara.
Willow W - For your persistence in identifying syllables and rhyming words. You are always trying your best. Well done Willow.
1L
Archie B - For your commitment to home reading. Archie yhou are a reading superstar!
Evie F - For your growing confidence in making valuable contributions to class discussions and learning tasks.
Regan Q - For applying feedback top challenge yourself as a learner, well done Regan
2P
Vera H - For always displaying a positive attitude towards learning and contributing to class discussions.
Theo T - For developing a positive attitude when completing writing tasks in a group, as well as independently.
3L
Jethro P - For being a motivated and independent student with a great love of learning. Thank you for setting such an amazing example Jethro.
Michael W - For the pewrsistence you showed when completing your maths activities. You are a super star Michael!
4L
Heidi W - For composing a detailed letter informing the reader of the importance of Lent. Great work on applying your knowledge Heidi.
Harvey C - For using inferencing and predicting skills when reading to make deeper connections within text. Great work Harvey!
4P
Bradley B - For your application of inverse operations in mathematics and sharing your thinking with the class. Keep up the great work, Bradley!
Lila T - For the insight contributions you have been making to our classroomm around our novel. It is wonderful to hear your voice Lila!
5L
Ryan B - For your dedication to mastering addition and subtraction techniques and continuously learning new strategies, serving as an inspiration to fellow students.
Sierra S - For your persistance in understanding strategies to solve addition and subtraction problems. Well done!
5P
Ryder H - For his thoughful contributions to class discussions and his outstanding efforts in art activities. Well done, Ryder!
Aleena C - For her focus and interest to achieve her best in all areas of learning. Keep up the great work, Aleena!
6P
Laini L - The the enthusiasm you demonstrate towards your learning, particularly during Science lessons. Keep up the amazing learning, Laini!
Rhys Mc - For the determination you have shown to write an engaging narrative. Keep up your amazing work, Rhys!
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
Winter Sports Trials
Congratulations to the following students who have progressed through to the Lismore Diocesan Winter Sports Trials for their representative sport. As a school, we wish them all the best.
Rugby League (Boys U11) | Robbie Grace, Xavier Boyd |
Rugby Union (Boys U11) | Robbie Grace |
Soccer (Boys) | Jack De Guisti |
Soccer (Girls) | Harper Jasmin, Sophie Maher, Bailey Newton |
Representative Sport
Students are provided with the opportunity to participate in a representative sport that commences at a school level and progresses through to a national level. The representative pathway below applies for Swimming, Athletics, Cross Country (8-13-year-olds), Winter Sports Trials (Years 5 & 6 - AFL, Football, Hockey, Netball, Rugby League, Rugby Union) and Summer Sports Trials (Years 4 & 5 - Basketball, Cricket, Softball, Tennis and Touch Football).
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
Leaders of Sport
Congratulations to Harper and Cooper who were elected the Sports Captains for 2024.
Both Harper and Cooper are excited to continue with the Student Sporting Profiles, with the hope that other students may be inspired to give different sports a go.
This fortnight, they interviewed Isla and Sebby.
School News
New Homework Policy
As a result of the new English and Mathematics Syllabus and the latest research on homework, we have updated our Homework Policy. The information below summarises our Homework Expectations.
OLHC Homework expectations:
At OLHC it is expected that homework will consist of daily reading and spelling practice. Occasionally, teachers may provide other activities such as practising mathematics facts. Homework should foster a sense of self discipline and responsibility and enable students to practise skills learnt in class.
Years K-2
- Word or sentence reading fluency practise (Kinder)
- Reading of decodable texts on the Multilit Digital Library
- Practising reading tricky words
- Students in K-2 will have an Initialit Reading log for homework. Reading logs are signed by parents and returned weekly.
Years 3-4
- 10-15 mins of daily reading
- Practising spelling words as provided by the teacher on SeeSaw.
- From time to time, tasks related to subject areas that students can choose from to practise skills learnt in class eg maths games, writing tasks, research activities
- Complete their reading log by colouring in a star each time they read and return the log at the end of the term.
Years 5-6
- 15 mins of reading
- Practising spelling words as provided by the teacher.
- From time to time, tasks related to subject areas that students can choose from to practise skills learnt in class eg maths games, writing tasks, research activities
- Complete their reading log by colouring in a star each time they read and return the log at the end of the term.
Community News
