As we are now in the month of October, we are reminded that as part of our Catholic faith tradition, it is the month  that is dedicated to the Holy Rosary.  

The Rosary is a group of prayers where you reflect on the important events in the life of Jesus and Mary.  The word ‘rosary’ means a chain of roses and the roses are prayers.  

The Rosary contains four sets of mysteries or events from periods in Jesus’ life: 

• The Joyful Mysteries help us to think about happy times in Mary’s life. 
• The Sorrowful Mysteries help us to think about the difficult time in Jesus’s life, which made Mary sad. 
• The Luminous Mysteries or Mysteries of Light help us to think about the things Jesus did to help understand how much God loves them. 
• The Glorious Mysteries help us to think about the wonderful times in Jesus’ life and in Mary’s life after the Crucifixion.

As a prayer, it reminds us that we are never alone when we pray; when we pray we are always helped by the prayers of Our Lady and the saints in heaven as well as the prayers of all the members of the Church.   Rosary beads are used to help us; they count our prayers and tell us which prayer to say. During the month of October, we pray the rosary for world peace, those living with illness, the elderly and frail, those who are completing exams and the special intentions of those in our community.

Our Lady of the Rosary

Pray for Us.

 

 

Congratulations to Ingham who were the House Point winners last term. Please see below for the overall house point tally for Term 3. 

1st - Ingham (1818 points)

2nd - Sarkis (1744 points)

3rd - MacKillop (1405 points)

4th - Rose (1393 points)

This term we continue our PB4L focus, Afternoon Dismissal. The students have been reminded of these expectations, procedures and how to follow the school rules when they are dismissed in the afternoon.

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. 

At 2.45pm all children leave their classrooms. Those who travel on buses, use the car pick up area or wait for their John Therry siblings, 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. Parents cannot wait for children outside the classrooms or library as it is distracting for the children. Teachers will remain near their classroom after the bell and then escort the remaining children to the office area to be supervised until they are collected by parents.

To help ensure safety, the car park is not to be accessed from 2.45pm 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. As a staff we have discussed the duty of care of the students during this time and due to a few concerns in relation to this, these expectations will need to be followed moving forward. Thank you all for your support with following these procedures.

As mentioned in the last newsletter, our school community (staff, parents and Years 4-6) were asked to give feedback to the school through responding to the Tell Them From Me Survey. 

Today’s feedback reflects the ‘teacher voice’ of the school. Overwhelmingly, the parents responded positively  (above 80%) to the following statements:

Leadership

• I work with school leaders to create a safe and orderly school environment.
• School leaders have supported me during stressful times.

Collaboration

• I talk with other teachers about strategies that increase student engagement.
• I discuss learning problems of particular students with other teachers.

Learning Culture

• I monitor the progress of individual students.
• I set high expectations for student learning.

Data Informs Teaching

• My assessments help me understand where students are having difficulty.
• I use formal assessment tasks to help students set challenging goals.
• I regularly use data from formal assessment tasks to decide whether a concept should be taught another way.
• When students' formal assessment tasks or daily classroom tasks fail to meet expectations I give them an opportunity to improve.
• I use results from formal assessment tasks to inform my lesson planning.

Teaching Strategies

• My students are very clear about what they are expected to learn.
• Students receive feedback on their work that brings them closer to achieving their goals.
• I discuss with students ways of seeking help that will increase learning.

Inclusive School

• I am regularly available to help students with special learning needs.
• I strive to understand the learning needs of students with special learning needs.
• I establish clear expectations for classroom behaviour.
• I make sure that students with special learning needs receive meaningful feedback on their work.
• I make an effort to include students with special learning needs in class activities.
• I use individual education plans to set goals for students with special learning needs.
• I create opportunities for success for students who are learning at a slower pace.

Alison Fazio

Assistant Principal

Geon Joseph - Athletics

On 25 September, Geon Joseph represented OLHC and the Wollongong Diocese at the Mackillop Athletics Trials, in Homebush. Geon showed great determination on the day to come away with second place in the 12 Year Boys 100m Sprint. In placing second, Geon has now been selected to represent Mackillop at the NSW Primary School Sport Association (NSWPSSA) Athletics Carnival in Week 3 of this term. By competing at this level, Geon will be facing the top students from across NSW.

We are so proud of Geon and wish him all the best!

Basketball Gala Day  

In Week 9 last term, six teams of students from Year 3 - 6 represented OLHC at the Western Region Basketball Gala Day at Minto, over two days. The students showed great sportsmanship and teamwork across the two days. Students were able to develop their basketball skills whilst competing against a number of other schools. 

Many thanks to our parent helpers Mrs Crawford, Mrs Gomes and Mrs Barrett for volunteering their time to coach our teams on the day, your assistance was greatly appreciated. We would also like to thank all the parents and family members of our students who attended to spectate, your presence also made the day a success for our students. 

Swimming Lessons 

Our Swimming lesson program for 2024 will commence next Monday, 21st of October at Mount Annan Leisure Centre. Students are reminded that they will need to wear their sports uniform every Monday. Kinder and Year 1 students will need to wear their swimmers under their sports uniforms to school, whilst students in Year 2-4 will have the opportunity to change before attending swimming lessons. 

Please ensure your child’s clothing and belongings are clearly labelled and to bring the following items each Monday:

• Swimmers
• Towel 
• Goggles 
• Swimming cap (optional)
• Thongs (to wear to and from pool)
• Underwear to change into after swimming

The next P&F meeting will be held on Monday 21 October 2024 at 7.30pm in the Library - all are welcome to attend in person or can join via ZOOM using the link below.

Link to P&F meeting ZOOM

WHAT'S ON IN CAMPBELLTOWN