Last Sunday's Gospel ... 

It was the feast of Christ the King and we heard about the Kingdom from Jesus himself as he hung on the cross. One thief mocked him but the other one aligned himself to Jesus by defending him. Sometimes, we too need to stand against those who taunt or put others down and have the courage to speak out.

Did you know? ...

Tradition states that St John took Our Lady to Turkey, to a place near Ephesus, and had a house built there for her.  It has been reconstructed over the first century ruins that were found there.

We celebrate the solemnity of Christ the King.  We are reminded that everything was created through Him and for Him.  Does my stewardship of all the blessings entrusted to me give evidence that Jesus Christ is the King and Lord of my life?

Dear Parents,

We conducted the voting process for our school leaders for 2020 and their names appear in the newsletter this week. I told them, and all of Year 5, that they will have a particularly important job next year supporting the new principal. I was very impressed with the way all the students conducted themselves. The students were very warm in their congratulations of the successful candidates and the candidates gracious and supportive of those who were not voted in. They will be a very good leadership grade next year.

First Communion was a lovely celebration in our parish last Sunday. Mass was memorable and the students were very well prepared. It was wonderful to see such a full church! Congratulations to the First Communicants. I am very grateful to at least ten of our staff who gave up their Sunday morning to be with us all too.

We have more staffing settled. As you know, Miss Natasha Ferderer returns to us next year and she has been appointed our new Religious Education Co-ordinator.  I congratulate her on this significant achievement.  In addition, The Head of School Improvement CEDoW, has appointed Miss Ferderer as our Instructional Coach. We will welcome two new teachers next year - Mr Kyle Myerscough and Miss Alicia Zoccoli and I know you will make them feel at home at OLHC. 

The End of School Year Mass on Friday 13^th December will also be a Mass of Thanksgiving for my time at OLHC. Everybody is very busy at this time of year and I thought you might appreciate not having another event on your calendars. It will be followed by the guard of honour for Year 6 and any other leaving students and staff. Then we will have morning tea for those who have helped in any way in the school or at carnivals etc over the year. Our Christmas assembly will follow in the afternoon so we should all have a very happy day, and perhaps a tear or two as well.

Remember also, we will have the Blessing and Naming liturgy for the Sts Joachim and Anne halls on Wednesday 4^th December at 10.00am.

God Bless,

Michelle Rolfe

Principal

As mentioned in the previous newsletter, the Semester 2 reports will be released to parents at the end of Week 9. This year is a little different as you will not receive a paper copy of your child’s report as it will be released online through Compass. With this in mind, it is imperative that you have set up your access to Compass and are able to log into your child’s page. These login details were given out to parents last term at the Parent Information Night and were sent home if you were unable to attend. If you are unable to find your access details, please ring the office and they will help you. We have been advised to release reports over two days so Kindergarten to Year 2 reports will be released through Compass on Thursday 12^th December and Year 3 to Year 6 reports on Friday 13^th December.

Christmas time is an ideal opportunity to replace uniforms and other school items. If you are replacing your child’s bag, we ask that you purchase a school bag, not a generic bag. The school bag was introduced a number of years ago and it is now compulsory that all students have an OLHC bag. We also remind you that joggers must be predominantly white. If grandparents, or other family members are purchasing these items, we ask that you let them know our school uniform policy.

It was my great pleasure to attend the First Holy Communion Mass on the weekend. It was lovely to see how reverent and prepared our students were - I was very proud of them. Congratulations to these students.

I am looking forward to joining Year 6 at their camp later this week, I am sure it will be a wonderful way for them to celebrate, as a grade, before they move away from us into the next phase of their education, High School.

I look forward to seeing many of you at our end of the year celebrations; End of Year Mass, Graduation and our Christmas Concert.

 Alison Fazio

Assistant Principal

School Leaders 2020

Congratulations to the following students, who will be our school leaders in 2020:

Captains:  Abigail Turner, David Abraham

Vice Captains: Maya Gomez, William Chanhdara

House Captains: Harry Morell (MacKillop), Benjamin Robin (Sarkis),

                         Elizabeth Lisita Cocheci (Rose), Atong Chol (Ingham).

Leaving Families (Other than Year 6)

If any family, other than Year 6 families, are leaving the school at the end of the year, and you have not already advised the school, please contact the office so the relevant paperwork can be sent home.

Appointment of Director of  Schools

Mr Peter Hill has been appointed to replace Mr Peter Turner as the Director of Schools for the Diocese of Wollongong.  Mr Hill has spent over 30 years working in Catholic education and is currently the Director of Employee Services and a member of the Catholic Education Leadership Team in the Archdiocese of Brisbane.  Prior to this Peter was Executive Director of Schools for the Diocese of Bathurst.  We welcome Peter to our Diocese and look forward to meeting him next year.

Positive Behaviours for Learning

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.  The students receive a voucher for use at the canteen.

Congratulations to the following students who were drawn from the last two weeks:

Braxton Clark (2M - MacKillop), Dylan Hickson (6W - MacKillop),

Orianne Lennon (2M - Sarkis), Matthew Mifsud (KW - Ingham).

Please join us at our next assembly on Friday 6th December at 1.30pm in the hall.  (Owing to the presentation of Co-curricular Awards, please note the earlier start for the assembly).  Merit and Principal's Awards will be presented.  Congratulations to the following students who will receive a Principal's Award.

Signet Ring Found

A signet ring has been handed in to the office.  Please telephone if you think you know who it may belong to.

Swimming Programme - Kinder to Year 4

This programme continues every Monday of Term 4 until 9th December.  On swimming days students are required to wear their swimmers to school under their sports uniform.  The students will change back into their sports uniform once they return to school.  Students can bring thongs to wear to and from the pool and can also bring shorts and a t-shirt to wear over their swimmers (board shorts and rash shirts during lessons).  Students are to bring their swimmers, towel and thongs in a separate bag.  Goggles and swimming caps may also be packed.  Please ensure your child's name is marked on all articles.  Please remember to pack underpants.

Compass App

This app should be downloaded so you can be kept up to date with the latest events and information from the school.  This app is also used for distribution of the Newsletter.  Please download the app from your relevant store.  For more information please see the attached flyer "Accessing the Compass App".

How_to_App_or_Google_Instructions.pdf

How_to_App_or_Google_Instructions _pdf 107.43 KB

Facebook

www.facebook.com/olhc.rosemeadow

eSafety Website

This website provides online safety basics.  Help your children safely navigate their digital world and educate them to avoid harmful online experiences.  Explore websites, games, apps and social media together and set some rules.  We urge parents to take the time to look at this site by visiting:

esafety.gov.au

School Banking

School banking is every Friday.

P&F Cookie Fundraiser

A reminder that orders for the cookies are due back at school by next Friday, 6th December.  An order form is attached.

P&F Meeting

Please join us at our next meeting, Monday 2nd December, at 7.30pm in the staff-room.

Clothing Pool

The Clothing Pool is open every Wednesday from 8.00am - 8.20am.  The Clothing Pool is located between the Years 1 and 2 classroom.

First Holy Communion

Congratulations to all the children who received their First Holy Communion.  Let us pray that they will continue to receive their Lord in Holy Communion and that their parents will continue to bring them to Holy Mass to enable them to do so.  And may the Lord be always at their side to guide and protect them throughout their lives.

St Vincent de Paul

The Rosemeadow Conference is seeking volunteers.  If you would like to help in this service and are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Hub in Ambarvale, please contact Mr Dennis Baert on 0473 100 599.

Parish Silver Jubilee

This year is the 25th year since the church's canonical establishment as a Parish.  The celebration falls on a Sunday and to suitably celebrate there will be no 8.30am Mass,  the only Mass on Sunday 8th December will be at 10.00am (of course, the Vigil Mass will remain on Saturday).  It will be followed by a parish luncheon provided in the hall.  Numbers are obviously not needed for Mass attendance; however, since the meal will be catered for, we need to know definite numbers attending the lunch. It will not be possible to "just turn up" for the meal - please put your name down - remember if you put your name down and do not come, that meal will have been paid for and will be wasted.  If you will be attending the lunch, please write your name, number of people attending and telephone number on the sheet at the Notice Board of the church, or ring the Parish Office on 4628 1385.

Appin Parishioners

Even though weekend Mass is no longer celebrated, Appin Church is still being used for funerals and weddings and requires cleaning each month.  Volunteers are urgently needed - if you can help ring the Parish Office on 4628 1385