Term 3 Week 10 Newsletter - 26.09.24
Principal News
Term 4 Important School Dates
- Monday 14th October- Pupil Free Day-OSHC bookings are available from 7am-6pm
- Tuesday 15th October- First day back for K-6
- Monday 28th-Wednesday 30th October- Year 5 Camp Goodenough
- Monday 11th-Friday 16th November- Year 6 Brisbane Camp
- Friday 6th December- Swimming Carnival
- Friday 13th December-OLHC Christmas Tableau (start time to be advised)
- Tuesday 17th December- 9:30am Year 6 Graduation Mass, 6pm Graduation Dinner
- Wednesday 18th December- Last Day of Term 4
End of Term 3
What an amazing time we've had at our school during the term and in particular, the last few weeks. Our much anticipated Art and Learning Showcase and our loved Grandparent's Day were both a huge success, and it was wonderful to see our students welcoming their families into their classrooms, sharing their learning, dancing their hearts out and making sure that their grandparents knew that they are loved and very special. A big thank you to everyone who helped make these events so successful, from our dedicated staff to our amazing students.
As Term 3 comes to a end, we reflect upon and celebrate all the wonderful achievements, opportunities and experiences that happen in our school. Everything we do is for our students and this term has been filled with many memorable moments. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our amazing staff, supportive parents, and, of course, our incredible students for making this term such a success.
I am extremely proud of our staff and the dedication and love they show to our children. We are continually challenging ourselves to be better and to do whatever it takes for our children to know that they are loved ,that they belong and for them to experience success. We don’t always get everything right but we will always keep focusing on ways to improve and be the best we can for our children.
I wish you all a happy and safe holiday and I look forward to next term which promises to be exciting and rich in new and challenging learning, growing in friendship and loving like Jesus has shown us.
Announcement
I know that the announcement last week was met with mixed emotions and I certainly understand this. It was certainly not a decision that I made lightly and took a considerable amount of discernment. We have all been through an incredible journey during the past 7 years and I am incredibly proud of everything that we have achieved together for our children and our parish school community and I know that this work will continue.
Although we are yet to hear the outcome of a future school site for OLHC, I am reminded of the strength, courage and determination of our community to achieve what we did after the 2022 Floods. It is not the buildings that define Our Lady Help of Christians. It never was and it never will be. It is the people, and although I will not be leading the community next year, I am confident that we have built an incredible team and everything that we stand for, will continue.
It is also the right time for me to have the courage to step aside and let the school continue to thrive and move forward under the direction of a new principal. Our school has made enormous gains in faith, learning, wellbeing and cultural change since 2018 and I will never forget the support of staff, students and families during my time as principal at OLHC.
Further information will come regarding the appointment of a principal to commence in 2025 and this will be communicated to all families in the near future.
Mission News
Grandparents Day at OLHC
How lucky we are to be surrounded by the most incredible grandparents and special people! Last Friday we celebrated Grandparents Day and we could not have had a more perfect morning. Thank you to all who shared this special morning with us!
A special thanks to the students of 5L who planned and designed the whole liturgy and slide show and who led our liturgy so reverently. Thank you to Mrs Lindsay for guiding the students to make a beautiful liturgy and for 5P who supported their peers.
Welcome to the Family!
Congratulations and welcome to the Catholic family Felix and Casper Kinny, who were Baptised recently at St Carthage's Cathedral with Fr. Bing.
May you always remember your Baptism day, and may God's joy, love and peace fill you through all your tomorrows!
Year 6 Expo Stalls - Continuing Jesus' Mission
This term, Year 6 have been learning about being Missionary Disciples. They have learned that we are called to continue the Gospel message of Jesus, entrusted to us at Pentecost and through the Great Commissioning. To end the term the students have been working on a project called: ‘How can we continue Jesus’ Mission within our school?
This week the students presented their projects in Expo Stalls to Year 5 to engage and inspire them to continue Jesus’ Mission at OLHC.
Thank you to Year 5 for being excellent learners and engaging with the stalls. Well done to Year 6 - your stalls were engaging and inspiring and we are so proud of all the work you put into planning them. Congratulations!
This year our school is participating in Socktober for Mission Month. This program – run by Catholic Mission – invites students to connect with young people experiences challenges in the developing world through education and the world game of soccer.
In 2024, our collective fundraising efforts will support children who have been abandoned, who are homeless, or fleeing violence, in Mongolia. In the capital, Ulaanbaatar, the harsh, snowy winters can get as low as -40*C, adding an extra challenge for those who have no safe shelter. Thankfully, the Don Bosco Caring Center provides children in need with a warm and safe home, nutritious meals, and access to education.
Through Socktober, we can contribute towards this critical mission program and make a positive impact for these children in Mongolia and more in need around the world.
Whatever our children raise can support the basic needs of vulnerable children in Mongolia and around the world, such as food, clean water, healthcare, and education. You might choose from one of the following targets:
- $30 can help provide warm winter clothing and school uniforms for children.
- $50 can help provide every child with pencils, books and other stationery for them to use at school.
- $100 can help purchase food such as milk, vegetables and meat to make nutritious meals for the children.
- $200 can contribute towards a school bus to safely transport students to and from school.
Socktober engages children's head, heart and hands in mission, and we hope you and your family will join us this year to make a positive impact for children in need in Mongolia and around the world.
Thank you for your support and for helping our children kick goals for good!
Making Jesus Real Awards
KP
Morgan F - For always being kind and considerate to those around you. You are always looking out for others and making sure they are OK.
1L
Elsie D - For lending a hand to those in need around you, thank you for your kindness Elsie.
Dustin J - For supporting and encouraging others during learning tasks, keep shining bright Dustin!
2P
Elle W - For being a kind and thoughtful member of our classroom. You are a star!
3L
Cleo F - Your embodiment of Christ-like values such as kindness, compassion, and integrity shines bright in our classroom. Keep shining your light!
4L
Taze P - For your quiet and gentle nature. You bring kindness to our class, and we appreciate you!
Anika B - For your thoughtfulness and smiling nature. You have a sweet way with people and we are grateful for your kindness in class.
4P
Rhett P - For consistently being a person who demonstrates the value of Jesus in and out of the classroom. Amazing, Rhett!
5L
Grace C - For embodying the spirit of Jesus in her thoughts and actions, and for consistently radiating a positive attitude that inspires everyone around her.
5P
Aleena C - Your kindness and willingness to help others truly shine. Your positive spirit makes a difference in the lives of those around you.
6P
Cohen D - For sharing your talent for photography with others. Thank you for showing the spirit of Jesus, Cohan!
Learning & Teaching
Kindergarten have been learning all about halves.
Year 1 have been learning about halves, quarters and eighths.
Year 2 experimenting with figurative language in their writing.
Year 6 taught Year 3 how to make Origami Paper Cranes
Year 4 Geography Research
Year 5 number line games in Maths
Stage 2 excursion to Summerland Farm
OLHC Achievement Awards
KP
Maggie Q - For your hard work and fantastic improvement in Maths. You are a superstar Maggie.
Chloe Mc - For your incredible sounding out when reading. You read beautifully with fluency and expression.
Travis B - For your dedication and perseverance to improve your writing. Keep up the positive attitude Travis!
1L
Tallis J - For giving thoughtful and insightful contributions during Religious Education, Thank you Tallis.
Willow M - For making many connections across different KLA's to deepen your understanding. Well done Willow!
Alexander N - For applying expression and reading with fluency, you have come so far Alexander!
2P
Raife Mc - For your positive engagement and understanding of arrays and multiplicative concepts during Maths. Keep up the great work!
Alaura P - For displaying a positive and can-do attitude during writing lessons and for producing some creative compound and complex sentences. Keep up the amazing work!
3L
Jethro P - Your commitment to improving your skills and expressing your ideas commendable. It's inspiring to see how you've embraced feedback and pushed yourself.
Ezra K - You consistently strive to do your best in all learning tasks. Keep up the fantastic work, you are making a difference!
4L
Alistair P - For persevering towards fluent and effective use of a variety of efficient strategies for addition and subtraction.
Heidi W - For directly applying mathematical strategies we learned earlier, to assist in different contexts during geography.
4P
Mia B - For the excellent effort you put into Quin's dairy entry. Your use of descriptive language and attention to detail resulted in an engaging piece of writing.
Lila T - For your insightful contributions to our classroom discussions around our novel "The Callers" and your use of rich descriptive language.
5L
Quintin F - For your increased confidence and willingness to take risks in Mathematics. Well done on your growth and determination.
Kaiden K - For your consistent effort in English and Mathematics. Well done Kaiden!
5P
Ryder H - Your consistent dedication in all your learning tasks is commendable! Your dedication, enthusiasm, and hard work set a fantastic example for your peers.
Billy M - Your willingness to dive into math challenges and give it your best shot. Keep embracing those challenges, you're doing a amazing job!
Henry L - Your creativity and attention to detail in your writing makes it engaging and memorable. Keep up the fantastic work Henry!
6P
Jack De - For your continued efforts to stay focused on your learning and working especially hard during Mathematics. You should be very proud of yourself, Jack!
Lexi G - For your engagement with English learning tasks and your amazing writing skills. You are sensational, Lexi!
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
Summer Sports Trials (Year 5 and 6 - 2025)
Next term, students in Year 4 and 5 may trial for multiple summer sports if they show a high level of skill. This is not a pathway for participation but for students that are of representative standard.
Students may trial for Basketball or Tennis. These sports are run on the same day at Polding, Dio and Zone level. All other sports are run on separate days.
Tennis Monday 4th November 12:00 - 3:00pm | Basketball Monday 4th November 4:00-5:30 pm. | Cricket Wednesday 6th November 4:00-5:30 pm | Touch Football Thursday 7th November 4:00-5:30 pm | Softball Date TBC Time TBC |
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)
- Friday the 6th of December - OLHC Swimming Carnival
OLHC Dance Performances
Congratulations to all of the amazing dance students who have given up many of their lunch times each week for the past two terms to have fun and learn the 2024 dances. In Week 9 the OLHC Dancers performed beautifully at both the Art and Learning Showcase Night and Grandparents Day. The children have worked so hard and had so much fun together over the past two terms and they are to be congratulated on their dancing and their team work.
School News
OLHC Zone Poetry Representatives
Congratulations to our students who represented our school at the Zone Poetry and Public Speaking competition at St Carthage's on Friday last week.
Stage 3- Laini and Matilda
Stage 2-Robbie and Jack
Stage 1- Claire
Community News
