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ALL SAINTS DAY
Tomorrow, on Friday 1st November, we will celebrate the Feast of All Saints, a solemnity in the life of the Church and a special day for all of us in the Church. This feast day is also linked tightly with the commemoration of All Souls' Day, and both days point clearly to our belief in the "Communion of Saints."
The most extraordinary thing about the saints is that they were ordinary people. While they were filled with passion and the Spirit inspiring them to work for the good of all, and a remarkable faith, they struggled with the same doubts, fears, inadequacies, and distractions that we all face. A visit to Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney, is extraordinary in its exhibition on the life of Saint Mary MacKillop and demonstrates the reality that Mary herself was often in conflict with Church authorities and was a ‘normal person’. Her obedience and sobriety were questioned; many upstanding people had serious doubts about her cause and actively worked to undermine her schools and the sisters working in them. Mary's faith in God, herself and her personal relationship with Christ gave her the strength and tenacity to do the work she did.
As Catholics, we believe strongly that those who are in heaven, those canonised and those remaining unrecognised, intercede for us. The saints we celebrate, those who we have known and those we have read about, listen to our needs and prayers and take them on our behalf to God.
During the month of November, we also especially pray for those who have died, to remember them, to celebrate their love, and to do all we can through our prayers to ensure that they have reached the fulfilment of heaven. We particularly remember those loved ones who have gone before us and pray for their eternal peace.
May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in eternal peace.
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we have now commenced the final term of the school year, I thought it would be timely to also provide the following information about arriving late to school. This would be a worthwhile conversation with your children, even if they have strong attendance at school.
Every late day can affect your child’s learning and wellbeing. Every minute counts.
Lateness = Lost learning and impacts on wellbeing
|
If your child misses…… |
That equals…… |
Which is…… |
Over 13 years of schooling that is…… |
|
10 minutes late each day |
50 minutes per week |
1.5 weeks per year |
Almost half a year of lost learning |
|
20 minutes late each day |
1 hour 40 minutes per week |
2.5 weeks per year |
Almost 1 year of lost learning |
|
30 minutes late each day |
½ day per week |
4 weeks per year |
Almost 1.5 years lost learning |
|
1 hour late each day |
1 day per week |
8 weeks per year |
Almost 2.5 years of lost learning |
Further information in relation to supporting regular school attendance -
WHY MUST I SEND MY CHILD TO SCHOOL?
Education in NSW is compulsory. This means all children from six years of age and under the minimum school leaving age are legally required to attend school.
WHY IS REGULAR ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL IMPORTANT?
Regular school attendance will help your child to succeed in life. Attending school every day makes learning easier for your child to build and maintain friendships with other children. If your child does not learn the basic skills in the early years of school, they may develop learning problems in later years.
MUST I SEND MY CHILD EVERY DAY? YES.
It is a condition of enrolment that you send your child to school every day. A small number of absences may be justified if your child must:
- go to a special religious ceremony.
- is required to attend a serious and/or urgent family situation (e.g. funeral); and
- is too sick to go to school or has an infectious illness.
MUST MY CHILD ATTEND ALL ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING SPORT? YES.
Children are expected to attend all regular school activities. Do not keep your child at home for the following:
- birthdays.
- minding other children.
- routine check-ups or care such as haircuts.
- minor family events.
- sleeping in.
Medical and other health appointments for your child should be made either before or after school or during the school holidays.
WHY IS ARRIVING AT SCHOOL ON TIME IMPORTANT?
Arriving at school and class on time:
- ensures that your child does not miss out on the important learning activities scheduled early in the day when they are most alert.
- helps your child learn the importance of punctuality and routine; and
- gives your child time to greet their friends before class and therefore reduces the opportunity for classroom disruption.
At OLHC, we are continuing to refine our processes in relation to the regular monitoring of school attendance. If students arrive late to school, they need to be accompanied to the school office by a parent to sign them in with office staff.
Thank you for your ongoing support in managing positive school attendance for students.
Looking forward to seeing you next week at Grandparents and Great People Day!
Enjoy the week ahead.
Jane Webb
PRINCIPAL
Diary dates are published on our website home page. You can also check Compass calendar and the events tab. All newsletters can be accessed on our school website.
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Friday 1 November |
Crazy sock day with normal school uniform - gold coin donation |
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Tuesday 5 November |
Kinder 2025 Parent Information Night 5.30pm school hall - Adults onlys |
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Friday 8 November |
Grandparents Day - Mass at 9.15am (see further details in this newsletter) Assembly will be at 11.35am for today only. |
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Wednesday 13 November |
4M Parish Mass at 9am |
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Thursday 14 November |
Kindergarten Parish Mass at 9am |
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Friday 15 November |
Surf Education Day Year 5 and Year 6 Sandon point (Online consent required in Compass events) Year 4 Classroom visit by Fr Sarkis at 10am |
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Wednesday 20 November |
Year 6 Parish Mass at 9am |
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Thursday 21 November |
Year 2 Parish Mass at 9am |
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Friday 22 November |
3M Reconciliation at 9am Year 1 classroom vist by Fr Sarkis at 10am Assembly - Merits and Awards at 2pm school hall, all welcome |
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Tuesday 26 November |
Kindergarten 2025 compulsary orientation sessions 9am to 10.30am P&F Colour Fun Run (more details closer to event) |
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Wednesday 27 November |
Year 6 Wedderburn Christians Camp overnight excursion - Day 1 (Online consent required in Compass closer to the event) 5M Parish Mass at 9am |
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Thursday 28 November |
Year 6 Wedderburn Christians Camp overnight excursion - Day 2 (Online consent required in Compass closer to the event) 3M Parish Mass at 9am |
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Friday 29 November |
Year 6 Wedderburn Christians Camp overnight excursion - Day 3 (Online consent required in Compass closer to the event) 4M Reconciliation at 9am Year 2 class visit by Fr Sarkis at 10am |
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Monday 2 December |
P&F Meeting at 7.30pm, all welcome |
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Tuesday 3 December |
Kindergarten 2025 compulsory orientation sessions 9am to 10.30am |
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Wednesday 4 December |
4M Parish Mass at 10 am |
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Thursday 5 December |
Year 1 Parsh Mass at 9am |
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Friday 6 December |
Year 6 classroom visit by Fr Sarkis at 10am Year 3 and 5 Benediction at 11.30am Assembly - Merits and Awards at 2pm school hall, all welcome |
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Tuesday 10 December |
Swimming Carnival (2025) - Bradbury Pools Years 2 to 5 (The school needs to hold 2025 carnivals at the end of 2024) |
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Wednesday 11 December |
Year 2 Parish Mass at 9am Year 6 Graduation Mass 5pm to 6pm followed by dinner 7 to 9pm Catholic club (more details closer to event) |
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Thursday 12 December |
Kinder parish Mass at 9am |
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Friday 13 December |
Christmas Concert 1.15pm to 2.45pm. Students can wear christmas colours. |
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Wednesday 18 December |
End of year Mass at 10am - Last day of school term for all students. |
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Thursday 19 and 20 December |
Staff Development Days |
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21 December 24 to 3 February 2025 |
****** School Holidays ******** |
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31 January and 3 February 2025 |
Staff Development days |
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Tuesday 4 February 2025 |
Term 1 commences for Students in Years 1 to 6 |
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Wednesday 5 February 2025 |
Kindergarten commences |
Return dates 2025
WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY - FRIDAY 25th October 2024
Last week we showed gratitude to all teachers, by acknowledging all that they do on World Teachers’ Day. Australia will celebrate the teaching profession on World Teachers’ Day.
Our teachers show great resilience during challenging times, all so they can give Australian students the best future possible.
Hats off to our teachers this World Teachers’ Day!
We are encouraging students, their families, and the community to celebrate teachers.
What do teachers mean to you?
Students will be able to show their gratitude to their teacher on Friday.
We can learn so much from the persons with leprosy, who took the time to express gratitude to Jesus. We are encouraged to show this gratitude to others. We should never underestimate the positive impact that showing this gratitude can have in the lives of others. It is so important that we take time to show gratitude towards others.
Thank you to all the teaching and support staff at OLHC, who work tirelessly to support the students' growth in their faith and improve in their learning.
YEAR FIVE CANBERRA EXCURSION
Last week, the Year Five students travelled to the National Capital - Canberra for an overnight camp. They were wonderful representatives of OLHC and gained so much from the experience. Thank you to those parents who expressed their gratitude to the staff (Mrs Williams, Mrs Dryden, Mrs Hickey) and myself for accompanying the students. This overnight excursion provided wonderful opportunities for the students to deepen their knowledge in relation to democracy, the preferential voting system, and houses of parliament.
We express our gratitude to both Mrs Hickey, for her thorough planning and preparation and Mrs Williams and Mrs Dryden for the support provided in attending the camp. Please see below for some photos of the students' Canberra experience. We also extend our gratitude to the office staff, who assisted in preparing for the camp.
PARLIAMENT AND CIVICS EDUCATION REBATE (PACER)
Our Year Five students who attended the excursion tour of Canberra. Students were given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy.
The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government contributed funding in the amount of $30 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs.
Enjoy some photos:
KINDER PARENT INFORMATION EVENING
Next Tuesday evening, we will be able to welcome those families who will have a child starting at OLHC next year in Kindergarten.
It's wonderful to be able to welcome new families as well as welcome those families who already have a child at the school. Mrs Webb would like to express her gratitude to the many staff who are able to be present at the Information Evening and share information about our school with the parents. We are so blessed to have a staff that gives so generously of their time.
We look forward to welcoming the Kinder 2025 students over the coming weeks as they have orientation sessions to assist them in getting to know each other, prior to commencing school.
STAFF NEWS
As is often the case at this time of the school year, we are currently in the process of recruiting staff for the 2025 school year.
Mr Kyle Myerscough will be taking leave from OLHC for the 2025 school year as he travels and teaches in other educational settings. We wish Mr Myerscough well for safe travels and look forward to his return in 2026.
Miss Celeste Muvceska has been successful in securing a teacher position at another school in the Diocese of Wollongong. We thank Miss Muvceska for the contributions that she has made at OLHC and wish her many blessings for the future.
Ms Emma Scott, who has been an indentured casual this year at OLHC has secured a position at another school from 2025. We wish Ms Scott well for the future.
Further staffing announcements will be made once staffing is finalised. Students will have the opportunity to meet their 2025 classroom teacher at the end of the school year.
Year 5 Leadership Day Incursion - Explore Discover Act
Students in Years 5 participated in a leadership incursion on Tuesday in our school hall. Students were exploring how to be an effective leader, engage in challenges and reflections and act by empowering participates with transferrable skills.
ASSEMBLY
| Principal Awards | |
| Class | Student Name |
| 1M | Huntar MUNOZ |
| 1M | Jason VU |
| 2M | Jesse DAVIES |
| 3M | Faustina SOJAN |
| 6M | Nolan DANG |
| 6M | Sancia SOARES |
| 6W | Selamawit BESATU |
| KM | Jayden MAKAR |
| KM | Shayla SMITH |
| KM | Sina KOSEMA |
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:
Nicholas Pantoja Rodriguez 1M, Antonio Meoushy 3M, Mary Lazar 4M, Sarah Connellan Dizon 2W
STUDENTS NOT RETURNING TO OLHC IN 2025
If parents are aware that their child/ren will not be returning to Our Lady Help of Christians in 2025, we request that this information be provided to the school office as soon as possible.
This information will assist us with accommodating both new applications and students who are currently on our waiting list.
Please send an email to info@olhcdow.catholic.edu.au if your child/ren will not be returning to the OLHC school community in 2025.
Class Placement 2025 reminder
Term 4 is the time when we complete the 2024 school year as well as prepare for 2025. One of the major tasks this term is to prepare classes for 2025. Teachers and staff members utilise their professional expertise in making decisions, seeking to create equitable class groupings considering all students.
Please note - this applies to Year Two 2024 that will be regrouped for 2025.
All other grades (Kinder, Year One, Year Two, Year Four, Year Five and Year Six will be single stream for 2025).
Optimising the learning environment is the prime focus when forming new class groups for 2025, not forming friendship groups. The aim is to provide classes in which each child is able to continue to develop to their full potential.
If there is a particular issue regarding your child’s optimum learning for 2025, please write to Mrs Webb, via email, stating your concerns and requests. You are invited to be proactive rather than reactive.
Please note that this is not an opportunity to request individual teachers, but an opportunity to state a particular issue that might impact on your child’s learning in 2025.
All requests will be considered but NOT NECESSARILY GUARANTEED.
Please send your email requests to info@olhcdow.catholic.edu.au , using Class Placement 2025 as the subject line, marked to the attention of Mrs Webb by Friday 22nd November 2024. Further requests regarding class placement will not take place after this date.
Please note that because we are committed to the belief that each child begins each school year anew, we do not retain information regarding these requests from previous years.
This is the time to raise any issues regarding your child’s optimum learning for 2025. After all requests have been considered the school will make the final decision regarding all placements.
CANTEEN NEWS
As mentioned in the last newsletter, the new Canteen operators Cantina Catering are up and running.
The best way to order is through the Flexischools App or can be ordered in the usual way with the money and order in a paper bag or using the reusable lunch wallets (details below).
Flexischools App - All online lunch orders need to be placed by 9am
More information re using Flexischools see link below:
Reusable lunch wallets are available from the school office and will cost $8.50 and are available from the school office.
Canteen Menu
Cost increase for school Bags
School Bag will now cost $50.00 per bag and can be purchased from school office.
Staff Development Days remainder of 2024
Swimming Carnival for 2025 will be held at the end of 2024
We normally hold our annual swimming carnival at the start of 2025. However, due to limited availability at Bradbury pool, we will be holding our 2025 Swimming Carnival on Tuesday 10 December 2024.
This will be for students in Years 2 to Year 5 and is a compulsory event as the cost is part of your normal school fees.
A compass event will be created in the coming weeks, for parents to consent online.
Swimming Lessons reminder
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
Unfortunately Kindergarten will not be able to order Canteen lunches as they are at swimming during this break.
|
Depart school |
Grade |
Lesson (Mt Annan Pool) |
Return to school |
|
9.30am |
Kinder and Year 1 |
10.15am to 11.00am |
approx 11.10am |
|
10.20am |
Year 2 |
11.00am to 11.45am |
approx 12.00 noon |
|
11.10am |
Year 3 and Year 4 |
11.45am to 12.30pm |
approx 12.55pm |
PARISH APP
Dates for Sacraments
Camp Australia
Assisted School Travel Program
Are you looking for part-time work and want to make a difference?
Come support our students on the bus run to school!
Become an Assisted Travel Support Officer
The NSW Department of Education is looking for Assisted Travel Support Officers (ATSOs) to work on a temporary basis during the school year.
The Assisted School Travel Program (ASTP) provides specialised transport to eligible students with disability, to ensure their safe travel to and from school.
Use the QR code or link to find out more information on how to apply: https://education.nsw.gov.au/astp-atsos
WHAT'S ON IN CAMPBELLTOWN