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During this season of Lent, we are called to enter into a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving as a way of preparing for recalling the death and resurrection of Jesus’ at Easter.
Lent is an opportune time for reflecting, pruning, forgiving, letting go and being reconciled to God and others.
This Lenten Litany from Pope Francis helps to guide our words and actions during Lent. We are ever mindful that our loving God is always with us through moments of anguish to moments of great joy.
May the words of this Litany encourage and sustain you on your Lenten journey towards Easter.
Almighty and ever living God,
you invite us deeper into your world, your people, your Lent.
May this time be one of outward focus;
seeking you in those we often ignore.
Help us live a Lent focused on freedom, generosity, and encounter.
Give us hearts hungry to serve you
and those who need what we have to give.
Amen
Dear Parents and Carers,
It was a wonderful celebration, at the Welcome Mass and BBQ over the weekend. The Kinder students and new students to our school community were welcomed as part of the parish community. The students also received their school badge, which was blessed by Fr Sarkis, which I am sure they will wear with pride as part of their uniform.
Following the Mass, we also hosted a Welcome BBQ for all families, grandparents and of course the students!
Special thanks to the following members of our school community who offered their support (and cooking skills!)
Mr Shaun Hudson (Father of Brooklyn 1M), Mr Jon Dew (Husband of Mrs Dew 6M), Mr Myerscough (Teacher 3M), Mr Mark Webb (Husband of Mrs Webb), Mrs Joanna Skillen (School Office SSO) and Miss Megan O’Sullivan (REC). The BBQ would not have been possible without your assistance and support.
Also, we would like to extend our thanks to Mrs Nowak (Kinder M), Mrs Hickey (Year 5M) and Miss O’Sullivan for preparing the Kinder and Year Five students so beautifully as they sang a special blessing hymn as part of the Mass.
Please enjoy some photos from this special evening
We also keep in our prayers those students who will make the sacrament of Reconciliation next week on Thursday 21st March. The Sacrament of Reconciliation, is a celebration of God’s love and mercy. It celebrates the call to repentance after a process of conversion of heart. During this sacrament, a Catholic confesses his/her sins in the spirit of true repentance and receives forgiveness of God through the ministry of the priest.
We ask for God’s blessing on these students at this very special time.
We also are grateful for the support of our Sacramental Coordinator, Mrs Samantha McGarrity, Miss Ainsley Northey, Mrs Alicia Failla and Miss Megan O’Sullivan in supporting the students and parents in the preparation of this sacrament. As this is a parish-based program, we are very grateful for this support.
Jane Webb
NAPLAN - Year Three and Five
This week our Year 3 and 5 students have commenced their NAPLAN (National Assessment Program, Literacy and Numeracy) assessments. This assessment is completed by all students across Australia in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 and is conducted online. Please ensure your child comes to school each day with their iPad fully charged and that they have their headphones at school.
The dates assigned for the NAPLAN assessment this year are from 13 March - 25 March 2024. The timetable for these assessments at OLHC is outlined below:
Friday 15 March - NAPLAN Reading (AM)
Monday 18 March - NAPLAN Language Conventions (AM)
Thursday 21 March - NAPLAN Numeracy (AM)
Attendance at school during this period for Year 3 and Year 5 students is very important and we recommend that leave is not taken during this time. If your child is unwell and unable to attend school on one of these days, there will be an opportunity to catch up on the days in between. The last day for this is Monday 25 March.
Throughout the term all students have been trying hard to receive House Points. There are a number of ways that they can do this; by wearing their uniform correctly, completing their homework each week and when they borrow from the library. Students are able to receive extra house points in the classroom and on the playground for following the school rules - BE SAFE, BE RESPECTFUL and BE AN ACTIVE LEARNER. The Year 6 House Captains count the House Points each week and each Monday the House Points are announced at Flag Raising. Congratulations to Sarkis for being the winning House colour for half way through the term and receiving the ice block reward last week.
The House Points currently sit at:
1st - Sarkis (1072 points)
2nd - MacKillop (971 points)
3rd - Rose (855 points)
4th - Ingham (799 points)
This week our PB4L focus has been expectations for when we arrive at school in the morning before the bell goes at 8:25am. Students enter the school via the St Anne gate or through the gate near the St Joachim hall and walk to the amphitheatre where they sit in their grade groups, supervised by a teacher, until 8:15am. At this time they walk across in their class/grade lines to assemble on P2 where their teacher’s pick them up from when the bell rings. The expectation is that all students are silent when the bell rings. Please see the poster that is displayed in each classroom to outline the expectations for all students during this time.
Alison Fazio
Assistant Principal
The Premiers Reading Challenge has returned to OLHC this year!
Thank you to Mrs Williams who has organised books which appear on the reading booklist. The PRC books are available in Picture Books, Fiction and Non-Fiction and should cater for all levels and interests. In Kinder, Year 1 and 2 the students are being read books in class by their teacher. All students are encouraged to participate, as it is a fantastic way to improve their reading throughout the year.
General Rules
Students have until Friday 23rd August 2024 (11:59pm) to complete the challenge.
A certain number of books must be read to complete the challenge:
- Years K-2: Students are able to read books on their own, read them with someone else or someone can read it to them.
- Years 3-6: Students must read books on their own but someone can help in choosing them.
- Students will be rewarded with certificates in Term 4 if their Student Reading Record is updated and returned to school by 23rd August 2024.
NATIONAL CONSISTENT COLLECTION DATA (NCCD)
Please see the attached letter below that provides further information for parents and carers about the National Data Collection for Students with a Disability. This provides information provided to the Australian Government on an annual basis. The NCCD collection provides state and federal governments with the information they need to plan more broadly for the support of students with disabilities. This data collection happens annually each August.
If you have any questions about this collection of data, please do not hesitate to contact either Mrs Cameron or Mrs Webb.
NAPLAN - Arrive to school on time - 8.25am sharp!
NAPLAN begins this week for our students in Years 3 and 5. We wish our students all the best as they undertake this national testing. Please ensure your children are well rested the night before, and have a good breakfast in the morning. Year 3 and 5 students require their headphones or earbuds, and are reminded to bring their iPad to school fully charged each day.
HARMONY DAY – Thursday 21st March
At OLHC, we aim to create a safe and supportive school community for everyone. Next week, we celebrate Harmony Week. Australia is one of the most successful multicultural countries in the world and we should celebrate this and work to maintain it.
Harmony Week is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values.
Orange is the colour chosen to represent Harmony Week. Traditionally, orange signifies social communication and meaningful conversations. It also relates to the freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect. On Thursday, the students are invited to incorporate a splash of orange into the uniform e.g. ribbon or socks.
By following our school rules, policies and procedures we all play our part in ensuring that as a community we live in harmony and respect for one another.
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.
Term 1 - 30/1/2024 - 11/4/2024.- Online enrolment applications should be submitted by the end of Term 1.
Term 2 - Interviews are held during Term 2 with Fr Sarkis and Mrs Webb - you will receive an invitation to attend this interview when your enrolment form is submitted.
Term 2 - Week commencing 24/6/2024 Enrolment Offer of Place letters are sent to successful applicants.
Should you have any questions about the Kindergarten application process, please contact the school office.
We would be most grateful if you could please share this information with other friends or family who might be interested in applying for a kindergarten place in 2025.
Thank you for spreading the word about our wonderful school!
ASSEMBLY - Will be held in week 10
Our next Assembly will be held on Friday 5 April 2024 Merit and Principal Awards will be presented. Congratulations to the following students who will be receiving a Principal's Award.
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Principals Awards |
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1M |
Isaiah KORKISE |
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1M |
Leona NGUYEN |
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1M |
Layla SUMMERS |
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2M |
Alexander STOBINSKI |
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2W |
Brooklyn TERAN |
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2W |
Klara SMITH |
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4M |
Makenzie WILLIAMS |
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4M |
Isabella JOUKHADOR |
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5M |
Maci HUNTER |
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5M |
Tevita-Jr GATEHAU |
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6M |
Andre MEOUSHY |
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6W |
Benedict WIJAYA |
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:
David Jose 3M and Alessandra Moncada 1M
Staff Development Day - Monday 29 April 2024
Staff will be engaged in professional learning on this day. Thank you for organising supervision for your children.
NO MEAT - FRIDAY LUNCH from Canteen
During Lent the canteen will not be selling items containing Meat. Please ensure that all lunch orders on Fridays are MEAT free.
Canteen menu can be found on our school website. Link found here:
Clothing Pool opening hours - Tuesdays 8.10am to 8.40am
Representative Sport
Congratulations to Zali Linden, Alexis Dellis, Lachlan Drake, Geon Joseph, Noah Mickan, Luka Ribicic and Riley Tabone for proudly representing OLHC at the Diocesean Representative Trials for Football (Soccer) on Monday the 4th of March. The Year 6 students demonstrated great sportsmanship at their tails and were commended for their efforts.
A special congratulations goes to Zali, Lachlan and Riley who have been selected to represent Wollongong at the MacKillop Trials in Goulbourn at the end of May. Good luck Zali, Lachlan and Riley!
Athletic's Carnival - Details in Compass Events
The Athletics Carnival will be held next Friday the 22nd of March for Kinder - Year 6, at Campbelltown Athletics Stadium.
What to Wear: School or protective hat in house colour, coloured house polo shirt, sunscreen and school shorts.
What to bring:
- Water
- Towel or rug to sit on
- Break 1 and Break 2 food
- Sunscreen
Students will return to school in time for normal dismissal.
We are delighted to invite parents to spectate. We look forward to seeing you there.
Diary dates are published on our website home page. You can also check Compass calendar and the events tab.
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Friday 15 March |
St Patricks Day Mufti Day - gold coin donation (Lolly stall $2.00) 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 |
Naplan - Language Years 3 and 5 (morning session) P&F Annual General Meeting (AGM) 7.30pm to 8.30pm |
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Wednesday 20 March |
Year 1 Parish Mass 9am WEN day (nominated Year 5 students) |
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Thursday 21 March |
Harmony Day - Wear splash of orange Naplan - Numeracy Years 3 and 5 (morning session) 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 in Compass events tab) |
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Tuesday 26 March |
Stations of the Cross, 9.30am whole school |
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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 |
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Friday 12 April |
Cross Country (Further details closer to the event) Term 1 concludes |
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Saturday 13 April to Sunday 28 April |
School Holidays |
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Monday 29 April |
*new* Staff Development Day |
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Tuesday 30 April |
Term 2 commences |
P&F AGM - Monday 18 March 2024
https://nsweducation.zoom.us/meeting/u5Yld-GsqzgvHtaAQw0Ya-T2CheHFWLw8CTm/ics?icsToken=98tyKu-qpjsiHtGWtR2FR_MQGoigWejwmHZYgrdcvS7yUxlSLzekFepHGpRIPM-I
Passcode: 323818
Please find OLHC P&F AGM Nomination Form;
Please find attached OLHC P&F 2023 AGM Minutes;
Please find attached OLHC P&F AGM 2024 Agenda;
Please find OLHC P & F General Meeting Agenda (held straight after AGM);
Please find OLHC P & F minutes from February meeting;
Please find Principals report from February general meeting;
Easter Raffle
We are holding an Easter Raffle next week. Please bring your donations and hand to the teacher. Donations are due by 21 March 24.
Raffle tickets are $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00. Raffle drawn Thursday 28 March 24.
PARISH APP
Dates for Sacraments
