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And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. Acts 2:2-4
Last Sunday, as we celebrated the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, we also celebrated the birth of the Church. Pentecost happens 50 days after Easter, and it celebrates when the Holy Spirit came down upon Mary and the Apostles.
The Apostles were gathered together, feeling lost and unsure after Jesus had ascended into heaven. Suddenly, there was a sound like a strong wind, and what looked like flames of fire appeared over each of their heads. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and had the courage and power to go out and share the Good News of Jesus with everyone, even speaking in different languages so everyone could understand.
The Holy Spirit gave the Apostles the gifts they needed to be brave and spread Jesus' message of love and hope to the whole world. As Catholics, we are reminded of the wonderful gifts He gives us, like wisdom, understanding, courage, and kindness. These gifts help us to be better followers of Jesus and to make a positive difference in our own lives and in the lives of others.
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
We also remember those students from Year Six who recently celebrated their Confirmation in our Parish. May they each be gifted with the gifts of the Holy Spirit as they complete this final sacrament of initiation.
Our school community is continually guided by our annual improvement goals, targets, and priorities, which act as a compass for our daily work. These goals are deeply rooted in the idea of 'pivoting back to purpose' and 'knowing your WHY.' Understanding our individual and collective purpose, asking "What is my purpose?" and "What do I value?", helps guide how we live and what we prioritise. This mindset of purpose, often involving connecting with others and being an active community member, can be incredibly helpful when navigating challenges.
Our two focus areas for 2025 are:
- Catholic Life: The focus for 2025 is aligned to the school vision and mission. This includes a shared Mission and Vision is visible and influences all aspects of school life. This ongoing spiritual and intellectual formation is vital to our school's identity.
- English: Our commitment here is students will demonstrate targeted growth in reading comprehension.
Also, this year, our school will have a Cyclic Inquiry next term in September. This cyclical process, as the name suggests, enables the school to prioritise strategies and set improvement goals for the following four years. These strategic priorities will then be included as part of the Annual Improvement Plan (AIP). Parent input will be invited as part of this process with more information to follow.
To deepen our expertise and refine our approaches, our staff participated in a Staff Development Day on Tuesday. Throughout the day, our staff were immersed in analysing student data and using a document called the School Improvement Tool to identify areas of celebration as well as areas for future improvement. This was in preparation for the upcoming Cyclic Inquiry.
We appreciate your ongoing support as we work together to nurture purposeful learners, grounded in faith, and ready for success.
VISIT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF SCHOOLS - Mr Peter Hill
Tomorrow, Friday 13th June, we are welcoming Mr Peter Hill, the Director of Schools to OLHC.
Whilst visiting our school, Mr Hill will be meeting with our Leadership Team and sharing morning tea with staff. Mr Hill will also have the pleasure of visiting our classrooms and meeting with our wonderful students.
We warmly welcome Peter to our OLHC school community!
Jane Webb
PB4L -
Congratulations to Ingham house who are currently in first place, please see the House Point tally listed below which was announced at Flag Raising yesterday morning. The students will continue to be awarded house points for following the school rules (both in the classroom and on the playground), wearing the correct uniform, completing their homework and for borrowing from the library.
1st - Ingham (2073 points)
2nd - Sarkis (1867 points)
3rd - MacKillop (1724 points)
4th - Rose (1565 points)
The house with the most points at the end of the term will be awarded with a mufti day in Week 10. This will be announced at Flag Raising on Monday 30th June.
Semester One Reports and Parent Teacher Interviews
The teachers are currently reflecting on student achievement as they complete their Semester 1 reports. These reports will be released to you digitally, via Compass, on Wednesday Week 9, 25th June. This report is a reflection of what your child has achieved during Term 1 and Term 2. Student achievement has been assessed, and will be reported to, across all Key Learning Areas.
All students from Kindergarten to Year 6 will receive a Semester One report, this report will be reflective of the new English and Maths curriculum. As occurred last year, an A-E overall grade for each Key Learning Area will no longer be given and there will no longer be a general comment written for Semester One reports.
We encourage parents to attend the Parent Teacher Meetings in Week 10 where teachers will have the opportunity to discuss with you student achievement across this semester as well as goals for Semester Two. Students in Years 5 and 6 are welcome to attend these meetings to be a part of this discussion.
At the Parent Teacher Interviews, your child’s class teacher will be able to explain how the performance descriptor awarded reflects the level of work your child is currently achieving.
Parent teacher interview bookings will be released via Compass shortly. Please look for 'Conferences' under your Compass Community tab menu.
Performance Descriptors -
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Extensive |
The student has extensive knowledge and understanding of the content and can readily apply this knowledge. In addition, the student has achieved a very high level of competence in the processes and skills and can apply these skills to new situations. |
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Thorough |
The student has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the content and a high level of competence in the processes and skills. In addition, the student is able to apply this knowledge and these skills in most situations. |
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Sound |
The student has a sound knowledge and understanding of the main areas of content and has achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills. |
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Basic |
The student has a basic knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved a limited level of competence in the processes and skills. |
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Elementary |
The student has an elementary knowledge and understanding in few areas of the content and has achieved very limited competence in some of the processes and skills. |
- All Kindergarten students will receive a written report in Semester 1 and Semester 2 with a three-point grade scale used to report student achievement using the following performance descriptors:-
- Thorough
- Sound
- Basic
- Students in Year 1 - Year 6 will continue to receive semester reports twice a year with a five-point grade scale used to report student achievement using the following performance descriptors: -
- Extensive
- Thorough
- Sound
- Basic
- Elementary
Final Parent Reminder - Sport Representation Policy and Agreement
Thank you to the families who have already read and consented, via Compass, to the OLHC Sports Representation Policy and Agreement. This is for all students and parents from Years 2 - Year 6.
It outlines the expectation for behaviour for all students representing the school at representative sporting events and gala days. If your child is in Years 2 - Year 6 please read and respond to this event, students are also expected to understand the Policy and Agreement.
If you have any questions, please contact the school office.
https://olhcdow-nsw.compass.education/Organise/Activities/Events/
Alison Fazio
Assistant 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 13 June |
4M Reconciliation at 9am Year 3 classroom visit by Fr Sarkis at 10am |
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Wednesday 18 June |
Year 3 Parish Mass at 9am |
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Thursday 19 June |
Year 5 and 6 Parish Mass at 9am |
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Friday 20 June |
5M Reconciliation at 9am Year 4 classroom visit by Fr Sarkis at 10am Assembly - Merits and Awards at 2pm school hall, all welcome |
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Wednesday 25 June |
Students Semester One Reports released on Compass |
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Thursday 26 June |
Western Region Netball Gala Day - Minto. Online consent via Compass for representative students. |
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Friday 27 June |
St Vincent De Paul, Winter Woolies Mufti- Day - Gold coin donation. |
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Monday 30 June to Friday 4 July |
Parent Teacher interviews - Bookings NOW open via Compass Conferences |
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Wednesday 2 July |
Kindergarten Parish Mass at 9am |
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Friday 4 July |
3M Reconciliation at 9am Last Day of Term 2 |
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Saturday 5 July to Sunday 20 July |
********** School Holidays *********** |
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Monday 21 July |
OLHC Athletic Carnival - Narellan Sports hub (Online Consent via Compass) |
DISCO THANKS
Thank you to the members of the P&F executive and the many parent helpers that supported to make the annual disco such a success. The students all had so much fun with their friends. They loved the glow sticks, the snacks and especially the dancing! We also extend our thanks to the staff members who were also able to support by providing supervision during the disco. Thanks to Mrs Marshall, Mrs Skillen, Mrs Carpenter, Mrs Fazio and Mrs Dew for the additional support provided.
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:
Ethan Lazar 5M, Yanna Tuang KM, Hazel D'Silva KM, Oliver Joyce 3M
Our next Assembly will be on Friday 20 June 2025. Merit and Principal Awards will be presented. Congratulations to the following students who will be receiving a Principal's Award.
| Principal Awards | |
| Class | Student Name |
| 2M | Layla SUMMERS |
| 5M | Rafqa HACHEM |
| 5M | Robert RIBICIC |
| 6M | Josephine VAGAJA |
Netball Gala Day - Thursday 27 June 2025
We have published through Compass events, the Netball Gala day that will be held on Thursday 26 June 2025. Students representating our scchool will need to be driven by Parents to and from the venue at Minto.
Student must stay until the Gala Day concludes.
Cost is $5.90 per student and can be paid online through the Compass event.
Parent information - SOCIAL MEDIA STATEMENT
The Catholic Education Office of Wollongong, Social Media Statement is contained below in order for Parents of the school community to be aware of the standards expected.
For further information please visit CEO Social Media Policy.
Parent tip: Have you checked your Compass calendar and school website
To keep up to date with important events such as, assemblies, excursions, term dates, etc. Please look at your Compass calendar in the App and/or our school website.
Having trouble getting on to COMPASS? - If you are experiencing access issues, please call the school office.
Canteen News - Cut off 9am for lunch orders
Reminder to place online lunch orders before 9am through Flexischools. Otherwise student orders will be missed.
Staff Development Days 2025
P&F General Meeting Monday 16 June 2025 at 7.30pm
We warmly invite parents to our next P&F meeting held on Monday 16 June 2025 at 7.30pm in school library or via Zoom.
Agenda and Minutes will be released shortly via Compass alert with zoom details prior to the meeting.
Looking forward to seeing to there.
