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Ash Wednesday
All students from Kindergarten - Year Six had the opportunity to attend Mass yesterday to mark the commencement of the liturgical season of Lent.
Ash Wednesday is a special day for us, the people of God, it signifies the beginning of the Church’s season which we call Lent. During the next forty days we will be journeying together, preparing our hearts and our lives for the new hope that we are promised at Easter.
Lent is a time for reflecting on the way we live our lives. Lent is a time for examining our hearts and being willing to make changes by being better people. Lent is a time to practise compassion - to look for ways we can lessen the suffering of others. It is a time for saying ‘sorry’ and seeking forgiveness. And it is a time for turning back to our God who gives us the great gift of His love and sharing this love with others through generosity and acts of service.
At Mass, Fr Sarkis reminded us of the importance of prayer, fasting and almsgiving (giving to others) as part of our Lenten journey. Lent is a time where we are called to spend time in prayer, giving alms to those less fortunate and fasting in order to prepare for the resurrection of Jesus. We are each called to renew our commitment to pray, almsgiving and fasting as a practical way of preparing for Easter.
On Tuesday, I had the privilege of attending the Caritas Launch of Project Compassion for the 2024 Lenten season at John Therry Catholic College with our School Captains Zali and Adwin.
The theme of the 2024 campaign is ‘For all future generations.’ During the launch stories were shared of how Caritas supports the work of individuals and groups who are striving to make lasting change within their communities around the world. We look forward to responding to those in need in our wider community during this Lenten season, through giving to Project Compassion.
We are encouraged to consider “Lent for us can be either a millstone around our necks or a milestone to remember”. “It can be something that we feel is weighing us down. Perhaps the idea of fasting or prayer sounds too hard: too much, I’m too busy. But if we turn our attention to God, even just a little more, this Lent can become a milestone on our pilgrimage to eternal life with God who loves us more than we could ever imagine”.
We are encouraged to prepare for the Resurrection of Jesus and share in the joy of Easter through our Lenten preparation. Through our focus on prayer, almsgiving and fasting we are able to let go of those things in our lives that may be weighing us down and turn our focus to God.
May this Lenten season be a time of spiritual growth and renewal for each of us, so that we may grow in our awareness of the needs of others and in closer union with our God who is with us throughout all the seasons of our lives.
Wishing each of you the companionship of Christ in the Lenten journey ahead.
P&F Annual General Meeting (AGM) -
The next meeting on 18th March, will be the AGM. At this meeting, all positions on the P&F executive will be declared open and nominations called for. I encourage you to come along to this meeting (and all P&F meetings) so that you can be involved with and support your child’s education at OLHC.
Nomination forms will be shared via COMPASS and will be available from the school office.
Please note - Nominations for executive roles need to be present at the AGM.
I would like to take the opportunity to thank the members of the outgoing executive for their efforts in helping to build community spirit and provide support to families in 2023.
PRESIDENT – Louise McHugh
VICE PRESIDENT – Natasha Gomes (Braxton Year 3)
SECRETARY – Shaun Hudson (Brooklyn Year 1)
TREASURER – Ebonie Martin (Adelaide Year 3)
Jane Webb
Welcome back to 2024! I hope you all had a relaxing holiday and enjoyed the quality time you spent as a family. Already we have hit the term running with lots of great learning and wonderful opportunities and celebrations. We began the year with all of the students in Years 3-6 having the opportunity to come together to participate in our OLHC Swimming Carnival. Our Year 6 captains and leaders had their first opportunity to lead the school and their colour houses and what a wonderful job they did. The weather was certainly on our side and it was great to see the students have a go and try their best. Congratulations to the winning house on the day, Rose. The house points awarded on the day will go towards the house point total for the term.
It was lovely to welcome our 2024 Kindergarten students to our school last week on Wednesday. Starting school for the first time is such a huge step but we look forward to taking this step with the students and their families. Thank you to Mrs Nowak for all that she is doing to make this transition to big school so smooth. These students have certainly impressed us with the way they have settled into school.
Enjoy some photos of Kinder first day and Assembly.
First weeks at school
The students have been working very hard in their classrooms and on the playground to show that they are able to follow the school rules and have been awarded house points for doing so. These points, along with the points awarded for the Swimming Carnival, are totalled each week to see which house is coming first. The first house point update was announced this week at flag raising.
Before and After School Procedures
To begin the year the teachers have explicitly taught the expectations for behaviour in the classroom and in all areas of the playground. These are retaught throughout the year to remind students of what is expected and how we follow the school rules in everything we do here at OLHC. We have particularly focused on the rules and expectations for Afternoon Dismissal and we appreciate your support in ensuring that your child uses one of the dismissal points each afternoon (Pick Up, John Therry, Bus, After School Care or Classroom Pick up). Please remember that if you plan to come into the school to pick up your child you must enter the school via the St Anne gate and not through the school car park gate.
Parents are asked not to congregate around classrooms in the morning or afternoon as independence of the children is encouraged and causes congestion at dismissal. In the morning, we ask parents to say goodbye to their children at the pathway and allow them to put their bags outside their classrooms.
This is particularly important in assisting with the transition of Kindergarten children to school.
On arrival at school, students or parents are not to use the gate in the staff car park from 8.00am until 8.30am. Parents and children are asked to use the Demetrius Road pedestrian gate, near St Anne hall.
At 2.45pm all children leave their classrooms. Those who travel on buses, or use pick up, are to move to these pick up areas under the supervision of classroom teachers. Parents may move from the seats near the flagpole, or from the parent waiting area at the hall, to their child’s classroom.
To help ensure safety, the car park is not to be accessed from 2.30pm until 3.05pm. Parents and children are asked to use the Demetrius Road pedestrian gate.
We also ask that parents don’t park in the school car park and walk over to pick up their child from the Pick Up or John Therry waiting area.
Refer to Parent Handbook on our school website:
ANAPHYLAXIS (Extreme allergies)
Due to an increasing number of children in the school with nut allergies, no products containing nuts will be sold through the canteen e.g. peanut butter, nutella. Parents are also asked not to send their child to school with any products that contain nuts for their child’s lunch or recess. This includes muesli type bars and this request is extended to gala days, sporting carnivals and excursions. Some children also have an allergy to seafood products. If you pack salmon, tuna or other seafood products in your child’s lunch, please have your child inform the class teacher so that the necessary precautions can be put in place.
NAPLAN
Our Year 3 and 5 students will be participating in NAPLAN (National Assessment Program, Literacy and Numeracy) this term. This assessment is completed by all students across Australia in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. This year NAPLAN testing will be online and as a system and school we are currently preparing for this. The students for this and the students will have an opportunity to have a go at some sample NAPLAN questions using the platform over the next few weeks.
To be ready for this, students must download the NAP app and make sure they come to school each day with their iPad fully charged and have their headphones at school.
The dates assigned for the NAPLAN assessment this year are from 13 March to 25 March 2024.
Further information about NAPLAN Online and the National Assessment Program can be found at
www.nap.edu.au/naplan and https://nap.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/naplan-information-brochure-for-parents-and-carers.pdf
Bike Rack
Thank you to the P&F who funded the purchase of a bike rack for OLHC. This was delivered towards the end of last year and has been installed at the back of the St Joachim Hall. Any students in Year 4, 5 or 6 who would like to ride their bike to school can now safely store their bike at school for the day. If this is something that your child is interested in, please ask them to see me so that they can be given a copy of the bicycle policy and permission note. This must be read, signed and agreed upon (by both parents and students) before they can start riding to school.
Looking forward to another productive year and to the many experiences and the wonderful learning that we will all do together. Enjoy the rest of your week.
Alison Fazio
Assistant Principal
MEET OUR OFFICE STAFF
This year, we are fortunate to have Mrs Skillen, Mrs Williams and Mrs Cantrill working in our school office. The office hours are from 8am - 4pm daily except for Tuesday which is 8am - 3pm.
In the school office, Mrs Cantrill holds the Senior School Support Officer (SSSO) position. Mrs Cantrill looks after the financial management of school as well as managing the collection of school fee payments, first aid, parent queries and maintenance of the school site.
Mrs Williams and Mrs Skillen also work in the school office. They both assist with enrolment queries, parent phone calls and over the counter queries, first aid and parent communication via COMPASS and the school newsletter.
Mrs Williams also supports our school library two days per week.
WELCOME TO OUR NEW FAMILIES
Our school community has been enriched this year by a number of new families joining our community. We would like to welcome the following families and trust that you are settling in well to the OLHC school family
Welcome to the following families -
Bell, Bowen, Brar, Cabrera, Civijoski, Estefanos, Garcia,
La Rosa, Magpantay, Manouk, Munoz, Narkngemthong,
Piipari, Scarcella, Sheen, Vilavong, Vu
ONLINE ENROLMENT PACKAGES - KINDER 2025
As mentioned in the last newsletter, we have transitioned to online Enrolments for 2024.
Enrolment Applications for Kinder 2025 can now be located on our school website using the following link - ENROL NOW
Following the return of completed enrolment applications an interview will be organised with Fr Sarkis and Mrs Webb next term.
Please let family and friends know that we are accepting enrolment applications now. These applications will be due by the end of this term - Thursday 11th April 2024.
Thank you for spreading the word about our wonderful school!
ASSEMBLY
Our next Assembly will be held on 23 February 2024. Merit and Principal Awards will be presented. Congratulations to the following students who will be receiving a Principal's Award.
| Principal Awards | |
| 1M | Hayley KULPER-EVANS |
| 2W | Brooklyn KOSEMA |
| 4M | Ryan MUSCAT |
| 4M | Josie KLARICH |
| 4M | Robert RIBICIC |
| 6M | Sherlyn NAVIN MARCEL |
| 6W | Ava CALLAGHAN |
| 6W | Joselyn QUEZADA AYQUIPA |
POSITIVE BEHAVIOURS FOR LEARNING (PB4L)
When students exhibit positive behaviour, by following our school rules, their name is written on a raffle ticket and is entered into a draw where two winners are selected at flag-raising on a Monday morning. The students receive a voucher for the Canteen which can be used for treats or put towards a lunch order. Congratulations to these winners:
Alysse Halliday 5M, Sarah Connellan Dizon 2W
SPORT NEWS! - Swimming Carnival Wrap
On the 2nd of February 2024, Year 3 to Year 6 attended our annual swimming carnival at Gordon Fetterplace Aquatic centre. We were blessed with beautiful blue skies and warm weather. It was great to see so many students participating in all the events, trying their best and showing great sportsmanship.
We would like to extend a big thank you to all of the parent helpers on the day, we could not run the carnival without your help and support.
Congratulations to Rose house who took out the overall house points for the 2024 swimming carnival.
We congratulate the following students who have made it to the Western Region Swimming Carnival held on February 28th.
|
Year 3 |
Nash Summers |
|
Year 4 |
Ryan Muscat Josie Klarich Jax Stevens |
|
Year 5 |
Ezrah Latulipe Orlando Arias Eloise Soriano |
|
Year 6 |
Ava Callaghan Ryan Francis Riley Tabone Isabella Hili Quinn Dickey Oscar Anderson Aleesha McVittie Emma Bolshakova Benedict Wijaya |
Parent Action required in Insights:
2024 Media Consent for use of students image and/or work. Plus 2024 Acceptable Use of Technology - Parents.
Dear Parents/Carers
Thank you to all the parents that have already granted permission to take student photos and have agreed with the responsible use of Technology in Compass new feature in Insights tab.
We still have around 50 families who have not granted permission in Insights.
What do parents need to do as a matter of priority?
You would have receive a new 2024 Media image consent and Acceptable Use of Technology Insight in the Compass app, (see the more button). Please click on the link provided and read the details of the Insight carefully and answer the question to either provide or decline consent.
To ensure that no child misses out on having their photo taken as part of school life and is able to use technology provided, please action this request asap.
If you have any questions of where to access Insights tab, under your childs profile in Compass, please contact the school immediately.
An Insights cheat sheet has been provided below to help families :
Afternoon Dismissal messages
Parents are reminded to advise your child/ren how they are going home each day.
If you need to change pick up arrangements, please contact the office before 2pm by phone. This is to ensure we have minimal disruption to class and students are not confused on how they are going home.
Changes to afternoon dismissal should be by exception only and reserved for emergencies or situations that are unavoidable.
We thank you for your understanding and support.
PROMOTING SAFE ONLINE BEHAVIOUR
Safer Internet Day is a global initiative to to raise awareness of online safety issues.
The eSafety Commissioner leads the initiative in Australia. We educate people about online safety risks, like online abuse, how to be safe online and where to go for help.
This Safer Internet Day we're encouraging you to take three simple actions when approaching online safety: Connect. Reflect. Protect.
Connect safely by keeping apps and devices secure and reviewing your privacy settings regularly.
Reflect on how your actions online may affect others or your safety.
Protect yourself and others by visiting eSafety.gov.au to find out how to stay safe online and report online abuse.
As mentioned in this newsletter, thank you to those parents who have completed the Responsible Use of Technology Agreement via COMPASS insights.
Together, we will work together to ensure that online safety is a priority for all students.
NO MEAT - FRIDAY LUNCH
During Lent the canteen will not be selling items containing Meat. Please ensure that all lunch orders on Fridays are MEAT free.
Clothing Pool opening hours - Tuesdays 8.10am to 8.40am
Clothing Pool will be open every Tuesday starting from Tuesday next week 20 February 2024.
Before attending, you must must sign in as a visitor at the office. The clothing pool operates because of the generosity of families in our school community who donate good quality, clean uniforms that their children have outgrown.
No payment is required.
We would like to thank our volunteer Ms Johnson for her valuable time in operating the clothing pool again this year.
REPEATED NEW FAMILIES - PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES BY INSTALMENT
School Fees are invoiced as an annual account, due for payment in full 30 days after invoicing. However, many families select to pay their school fees by regular instalments and as a new family to our school, we would like to offer you this option. If you wish to take up this offer, please complete a Request to Pay by Instalment Form which is available on the school’s website or from the school’s administration office.
On completion of the request, either email it to instalments@dow.catholic.edu.au or submit at the school office. Following receipt of the request, instalments will be generated on your school fee account during the process of invoicing 2024 school fees. Your school fee statements are emailed to you and they will provide a list of scheduled payments and their due date.
IMPORTANT: Please note that if you currently have a child or children at another school in the Diocese and you are paying by instalments at this location, you will not need to complete another Request to Pay by Instalment. The instalment request carries over from school to school with the same frequency of payment e.g. Weekly, fortnightly, etc.
EXISTING FAMILIES IN OUR SCHOOL WITH INSTALMENTS
If you are currently paying by instalments there is no need to complete another Request to Pay by Instalment as your request carries over from year to year unless you wish to amend the frequency of your payments e.g. Weekly to Fortnightly
EXISTING FAMILIES IN OUR SCHOOL WITHOUT INSTALMENTS
If you would like to pay school fees by instalments in 2024 and have previously not taken up this option for payment, please complete a Request to Pay by Instalment Form which is available on the school’s website or from the school’s administration office. On completion of the request either email it to instalments@dow.catholic.edu.au or submit at the school office. Following receipt of the request, instalments will be generated on your school fee account during the process of invoicing 2024 school fees. Your school fee statement will provide a list of scheduled payments and their due date depending on the frequency you have chosen e.g. Fortnightly, Monthly, etc.
IMPORTANT: Please note that if you currently have a child or children at another school in the Diocese and you are paying by instalments at this location, you will not need to complete another Request to Pay by Instalment. The instalment request carries over from school to school with the same frequency of payment e.g. Weekly, fortnightly, etc.
Diary dates are published on our website home page. You can also check Compass calendar and the events tab.
| Saturday 17 February | Reconciliation Lessons 4.15pm to 5.15pm |
| Wednesday 21 February | Year 1 Parish Mass 9am |
| Thursday 22 February | Year 2 Parish Mass 9am |
| Friday 23 February |
5M Reconciliation 9am to 10am Year 6 Class Visit by Fr Sarkis 10am Assembly - Merit and Principal Awards 2pm in hall. All Welcome |
| Saturday 24 February |
Reconciliation Lessons 4.15pm to 5.15pm |
| Wednesday 28 February |
Year 3 and 4 Parish Mass 9am Primary Western Region Swimming Carnival - Bradbury Pools (Representative Students) |
|
Thursday 29 February |
5M Parish Mass 9am |
|
Friday 1 March |
6W Reconciliation Kinder Class Visit by Fr Sarkis 10am Year 4 and 6 Benediction |
|
Saturday 2 March |
Reconciliation Lessons 4.15pm to 5.15pm |
|
Thursday 7 March |
Year 6 Parich Mass 9am Assembly - Merit and Principal Awards 2pm in hall. All welcome. |
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Friday 8 March |
Year 4 Class Visit by Fr Sarkis 10am |
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Saturday 9 March |
Reconciliation Lesson 4.15pm to 5.15pm |
|
Wednesday 13 March |
Year 3 and 5 - Naplan commences (13 March to 25 March) Further to follow of exact dates. Year 2 Parish Mass 9am |
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Thursday 14 March |
Year 3 and Year 4 Parish Mass 9am |
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Friday 15 March |
Year 1 Class Visit by Fr Sarkis 10am |
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Saturday 16 March |
Reconciliation Lessons 4.15pm to 5.15pm |
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Monday 18 March |
P&F Annual General Meeting (AGM) 7.30pm to 8.30pm |
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Wednesday 20 March |
Year 1 Parish Mass 9am |
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Thursday 21 March |
Harmony Day Year 6 Parish Mass First Reconciliation 4.15pm to 5.15pm |
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Friday 22 March |
Athletic's Carnival - Campbelltown Athletic Centre Leumeah further details closer to the event. |
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Friday 29 March |
Good Friday Public Holiday |
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Monday 1 April |
Easter Monday Public Holiday |
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Wednesday 3 April |
Year 5 Parish Mass 9am |
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Thursday 4 April |
Kinder Parish Mass 9am |
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Friday 5 April |
Year 3 Class Visit by Fr Sarkis 10am Year 3 and 5 Benediction Assembly - Merit and Awards 2pm in hall,all welcome |
|
Friday 12 April |
Cross Country TBC (Further details closer to the event) Term 1 concludes |
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Saturday 13 April to Sunday 28 April |
School Holidays |
|
Monday 29 April |
Term 2 commences |
CAMP Australia Newsletter
CATHOLIC CARE PROGRAMS
See link below;
Catholic Care Course Supporting ParentsWHAT'S ON IN CAMPBELLTOWN