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SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT
We have now entered the liturgical season of Advent, which is also the commencement of a new liturgical year. The Advent season includes the four Sundays that precede Christmas. Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of the Lord. In this season, we recall two central elements of our faith: the final coming of the Lord in glory and the incarnation of the Lord in the birth of Jesus. The key themes of the Advent season are watchful waiting, preparation, and justice.
In the Gospel last Sunday, John the Baptist is presented to us as a model during Advent. We, too, are called upon to prepare a way for the Lord. Like John the Baptist, we are messengers in service to one who is greater than we are. Our Baptism commissions us to call others to life as disciples of Jesus.
A driving dynamic of Advent is hope. If we had nothing to hope for, there would be no point to this season. The original hope was for a child to be born who would bring justice and peace to the world. But that larger hope is filled with smaller ones—daily hopes that can shape us as people.
May we each experience this true deep sense of hope during this Advent as we await and prepare for the birth of Christ in our hearts and homes.
May God continue to bless us during this liturgical season of hope.
STAFF NEWS - FAREWELL AND THANK YOU
The last couple of weeks have certainly been filled with much end of year ‘busyness’. Amongst all the work that goes on to have a successful end of year for the students is the important task of recruitment and employment of teachers and support staff for the new school year. This task is becoming increasingly complex with the lower number of applications being received by schools and schools competing for teachers across the Diocese.
As we approach the end of the school year, I wanted to advise of the following staffing changes that will be taking place. We wish the following staff many blessings as they prepare to leave the OLHC school community and embrace the opportunity to gain experience both personally and professionally in 2025.
These staff leave with our prayers and gratitude.
Miss Celeste Muvceska - Miss Muvceska will be leaving us to teach at another Catholic school in the Diocese of Wollongong - St Francis of Assisi next year. Miss Muvceska has taught Year Four Maroon this year.
Ms Emma Scott - Ms Scott has been an indentured casual at OLHC this year. We wish her well for the future.
Ms Peta Howley - Ms Howley has been supporting Stage Two students with English and Mathematics interventions this year. We wish Ms Howley well for the future.
Mr Myerscough is leaving us to go travelling and live overseas for 2025. We extend our best wishes to Mr Myerscough and look forward to his return in 2026.
We thank Celeste, Emma and Peta for their commitment and care for the students at OLHC. Each of them leaves OLHC with our prayers and best wishes for the future.
We welcome Miss Ellen Buchanan to the OLHC teaching staff for 2025.
All 2025 staff positions will be communicated next week, after the children are introduced to their 2024 classroom teacher on Tuesday 17th December 2024.
This will be the time where students get to meet their teacher for the 2025 school year.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION - A SPECIAL CELEBRATION
A heartfelt congratulations is extended to the children from our school and parish who gathered at the Our Lady Help of Christians Parish Church to commemorate the Sacrament of Eucharist a few weekends ago. For those who experienced receiving Jesus in Holy Communion for the first time, our prayers accompany them, with the hope that they will continue to find spiritual nourishment in the Eucharist, allowing them to reflect the presence of Jesus in the world.
A special thank you to Father Sarkis, for his significant role in leading the Mass, and our gratitude is extended to Samantha McGarrity, the sacramental coordinator for all the behind-the-scenes efforts, contributing to the seamless preparation and success of the sacrament. A big thank you is also, expressed to the staff from OLHC, Miss Ainsley Northey and Miss Megan O’Sullivan, for their support to the parish throughout the program. Your commitment is genuinely appreciated.
PARENTS & FRIENDS
What a wonderful time we all had at the P&F Colour Fun Run! Thank you so much to the P&F Executive for their planning of this fun-filled event. It was wonderful to see the joy on the students' faces as they participated. We are also thankful for those parents who were able to assist in this wonderful community event!
We are looking forward to celebrating the Christmas festival on Friday and our thanks are extended to those parents who can assist with the cooking of the BBQ.
On a personal note, I would like to extend my thanks to Mrs Monica Dickey, the P&F President, who has been part of the P&F for many years. Mrs Dickey has collaborated tirelessly with other members of the P&F executive and has been incredibly supportive of fundraising initiatives that support all students at the school.
As Mrs Dickey will be leaving our school community at the end of this year, we wish her and her family many blessings.
Final words
As this is the final newsletter for 2024 it is timely to say “thank you” to many members of the Our Lady Help of Christians school community:
- To the parents and carers for all your support of the school in many ways. Your constant support of all that we did, was appreciated. Thank you for helping and collaborating with us in all areas, particularly the areas focused on learning, wellbeing, and safety. We consistently worked hard in partnership with all our families for the benefit of all students in our school.
- To our Parish Priest, Fr Sarkis, who has guided us and supported us through 2024. We say thank you for his spiritual guidance, support, and assistance in many ways.
- To the students for their hard work and resilience. Throughout 2024, the students have constantly amazed us all with their willingness to learn and ability to adapt particularly to events and situations out of their control. Our school community is fortunate to work with children who love to learn and who continue to engage with their learning. Thank you to our students.
- To the wonderful staff of Our Lady Help of Christians. Their professionalism and dedication to the community is inspirational. All of our staff have ensured that the children in our care were safe and equipped to cope with all that was being asked of them. Thank you to our OLHC staff.
- Thank you to the parishioners of Our Lady Help of Christians, for their prayerful support, particularly with the sacramental programs for 2024. To everyone who did anything to assist and support our great school community in 2024, we say thank you.
May your families have a restful break and safe travels. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in the new year.
Jane Webb
PRINCIPAL
We are moving quickly towards the end of the year, with many end of year events occurring over the coming days. We are all looking forward to our Christmas Concert this coming Friday, 13th December, and are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate the end of a wonderful year as a whole school community.
Next Tuesday, 17th December, the students will move into their classroom for next year, finding out their class and their teacher for 2025. We hope they are filled with eagerness for everything the new school year will offer them.
Semester Two reports were released yesterday via Compass, this brings an opportunity for you to discuss and celebrate your child’s achievements throughout this semester. It will be lovely to finish the year next Wednesday with our End of Year Mass. I look forward to seeing many of you at these upcoming events.
Tomorrow, 13th December, the winning House for Term 4 will be announced, the last house point count was very close so the students will be excited to find out which house is the winner. I am sure all of the students have been working hard this week to earn as many house points as possible. The winning house will be awarded with a mufti day next week on Monday 16th December. We will then tally all of the house points throughout the whole year and the winning house will be awarded the house cup at Flag Raising.
Congratulations to our Year 6 students who graduated with a special Mass and Dinner last night. They have been a wonderful group of students who have led our school this year with pride and maturity. I wish them all the best as they move ahead into high school, the next stage in their educational journey. I hope they enjoy all the experiences they will have, carry on shining their light to those around them and may they continue to grow in their faith. I thank them for the way they have embraced being the leaders of OLHC this year and for all they have brought to the school community during their time here with us.
I would also like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of the wonderful staff here at OLHC. They work tirelessly for the good of the students in their class, constantly implementing strategies to improve their learning. Their professionalism and hard work is truly inspirational. A special thank you to Mrs Webb for her continual guidance and leadership this year, I am grateful to be supporting her in leading the school. I also take this opportunity to say thank you to Father Sarkis whose support and guidance is invaluable and never ending.
I wish all of our community a blessed Christmas and a very relaxing holiday. May we all be given the opportunity to be refreshed and ready for 2025.
Alison Fazio
Assistant Principal
Friday 13 December 2024 - Christmas Concert
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 13 December |
Christmas Concert 1.15pm to 2.45pm. Students can wear christmas colours. |
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Wednesday 18 Dec |
End of year Mass at 10am - Last day of school term for all students. |
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Thursday 19 & 20 Dec |
Staff Development Days |
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21 Dec 2024 to 3 Feb 2025 |
****** School Holidays ******** |
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31 January & 3 Feb 2025 |
Staff Development days |
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Tuesday 4 Feb 2025 |
Term 1 commences for Students in Years 1 to 6 |
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Wednesday 5 Feb 2025 |
Kindergarten commences |
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Friday 7 Feb 2025 |
Beginning of School Mass - 9.30am all welcome |
THANK YOU AND FAREWELL - LEAVING FAMILIES
As we prepare to begin a new school year by finalising the staff and students for 2025, we do so with the knowledge that we will be farewelling some of the existing members of our community.
We remember the students in Year Six, many of whom have been at OLHC since Kindergarten - seven years ago. As these students leave us to begin the next phase of their journey, I thank them for sharing their special gifts with all of us here at OLHC, for enriching our school environment. Year 6 please be assured that each of you takes with you our love and prayers and you leave with us the memory of the special, unique person that each of you are.
For many of our families their association with the OLHC community will be ending. I take this opportunity to thank these families for living out their commitment to the school and for contributing to the building of this wonderful community in a multitude of ways.
We farewell to the following families at the end of 2024 -
Abranches, Anderson, Besatu, Bolshakova, Camoin, Dang, Dickey
Ditotto, Drake, Hickey, Karimusango, Linden, Martin, McVittie,
Mickan, Navin Marcel, Robinson, Shaji, Shiju, Soares, Thorpe-Slifer
Tran, Wijaya
We thank you for your contribution to your child’s learning and your support of the school. May God continue to bless you and your families as you leave OLHC.
PROMOTION TO NEW CLASS FOR 2025
As mentioned by Alison Fazio, students will have the opportunity to meet their teacher for 2025 next Tuesday 17th December 2024. The purpose of the session is to help our students get to know their new teacher and classmates a little better and feel positive about starting in a new grade in 2025. New students who will be joining OLHC in 2025 have also been invited to attend. Information about 2025 requirements will be provided to students and will be shared with parents via Compass.
YEAR SIX LEADERS FOR 2025 ANNOUNCED
It is with great pleasure that we announce the following student leaders for 2025 -
- School Captains - Isabel Martin and Ezrah Latulipe
- Vice Captains - Maci Hunter and Orlando Arias
House Captains -
- Jacob Failla - Ingham House
- Mary Bowen - Rose House
- Elosie Soriano - Mackillop House
- Alexandra Vagaja - Sarkis House
As we congratulate these students, we know that they will be wonderful representatives of our school as 2025 student leaders.
It was also very pleasing to see the deep pride in every student who was nominated for these roles and presented speeches. The time spent in preparation and the courage it takes to stand for a leadership role knowing that there is a possibility of not receiving one, is not lost on myself and the staff. I would also like to express my pride in the manner in which all Year 5 students supported their peers once these positions were announced. It says a lot about the leadership capacity of every student moving into Year 6 next year.
Year 6 Award winners
We warmly congratulate our Year 6 Perpetual Trophie Award winners that we announced at last nights Graduation.
| Excellence Awards |
| Zali Linden |
| Jessica Navin Marcel |
| Principal's Award |
| Isabella Hili |
| Vinhy Tran |
| Mary Mackillop Award |
| Adwin Shiju |
| Ryan Francis |
Swimming Carnival
A huge thank you to our parent helpers. Mrs. Tabone, Mrs. Davies, Mrs. Crawford, and Mrs. Soriano for their invaluable assistance at the carnival. These events simply wouldn’t be possible without the support of our parent community.
Semester 2 School Report on Compass
Reminder, Semester 2 report are now available online in Compass under the 'Reports tab' for parents. No hard copy reports will be sent home.
If parents have any issues accessing Compass please contact the school office.
Parents of Year 6 students - School Reports
Year 6 students who are going to a high school that is not in the Diocese of Wollongong, for example St Gregory’s College Campbelltown or St Patricks Girls College, will need to print off school reports prior to leaving Our Lady Help of Christians, as reports will no longer be available in Compass from 20 December 2024.
Please call the school office, should you need any assistance.
2025 Photo and Internet permissions
Permission for your child to be photographed as well as responsible use of the internet will come out to parents via Compass. Please keep an eye out for these notifications which are expected some time in January. We ask that they be actioned at your earliest convenience.
Canteen will be closed from Monday 16 December 2024
The last day that the Canteen will be open is Friday 13 December 2024. The Canteen will then close for the year.
We kindly ask that students have enough lunch, snacks, and their drink bottle for the last three days of term.
SCHOOL FEES
The school fees for 2025 are now on our website for viewing by parents.
See link: School Fees 2025
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 2025 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 2025 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 2025 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.
Camp Australia
This is a friendly reminder that all Rocketeers bookings need to be confirmed by Friday, 13th December 2024. The program will proceed based on the number of bookings received, and we want to ensure your child/ren doesn’t miss out.
To secure your child/ren’s place, please book now through the Parent Portal. You will be notified about the status of the program by Tuesday, 18th December 2024.
If you have any questions or need assistance with bookings, please feel free to reach out to us. Our Customer Care team on 1300 105 343, (available from 5am – 9pm Monday to Friday, and 7am – 9pm on weekends), except on National Public Holidays.
Kind regards,
Camp Australia
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