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1. Annual School Report Parent Survey
2. Marriage congratulations
3. Kinder Orientation
4. Hair cuts
5. St Vincent de Paul donations
Like the sensible bridesmaids in last weekend's parable, good stewards make sure that they and whatever gifts are theirs to share, are ready to serve when the Master calls.
Last weekend we heard from the Gospel of Matthew. We were reminded of the need to stay awake as we do not know the day or the hour that the Son of Man will return.
Jesus wants his disciples to understand that the exact day and time cannot be predicted. He teaches the disciples that they must remain vigilant so that they will not be caught unprepared.
If not given top priority, prayer and reading Scripture risk becoming occasional activities rather than daily practices. In the Gospel, Jesus reminds us that if we fail to give our spiritual life priority, we will find ourselves unprepared to receive Jesus.
Daily prayer, attendance at Mass and spiritual practice keeps us ready to receive Jesus.
Dear Parents and Carers,
On Sunday 1st November, the feast of All Saints Day, many of our Year Six students took their final step in the initiation of their faith by receiving the Holy Spirit through the sacrament of Confirmation, which was this year conferred by our Parish Priest, Fr Sarkis, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The sacrament of Confirmation is the final step of initiation into the Catholic faith and for the candidates it is a very public reaffirmation of the promises originally made by their parents and godparents, on their behalf, at Baptism.
A powerful ritual in the Confirmation liturgy is the anointing with the oil of Chrism. Anointing with oil is an ancient symbolic ritual that continues to be used today. Kings, queens, prophets and priests were anointed to show they were chosen by God to lead with justice and integrity. The anointing of the candidate at Confirmation is a sign of confirming the gift of the Spirit, and a calling to become involved in the life and mission of the community. The words ‘Christ’ and ‘Messiah’ mean ‘anointed one’. The ritual of anointing with the perfumed oil of Chrism also symbolises being sealed, marked and identified by the Holy Spirit. We are anointed to be Christ for each other, and to be Christ in the world.
As we remember our students who now become fully initiated members of the Church, it may also be an opportune time to reflect on our own personal faith journey and our effectiveness in our role as parents, the first teachers of our child’s faith. The celebration of Confirmation within our community is an invitation to each one of us to reflect on the Baptismal promises that were first made on our behalf by our parents and godparents when we too, were baptised. This process invites us into a deeper way of relating to God, to Jesus and to one another, and to become more actively involved in the life of the community through the on-going presence of the Holy Spirit.
The Sacrament of Confirmation speaks of the need to bring the blessings of the gifts of the Holy Spirit to life. OLHC is a school community not only filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but abundantly blessed by the generous sharing of these gifts. This can be witnessed on a daily basis. Thank you to all the staff that support and nurture the faith journey of each of our students each and every day.
We ask God’s blessing on those students who received the gift of the Holy Spirit at Confirmation, that they may be open to the way the Holy Spirit works in their lives through the sharing of these gifts with others.
Jane Webb
Principal
It is hard to believe that we are halfway through Term 4. It has been a busy term so far and I’m sure it will continue to be so as we head towards the end of the year. Over the coming weeks, the teachers will be preparing the students in their class to progress to the next grade level and will be finalising their learning and assessments for the year. At the moment, the teachers are beginning to reflect on what the students have learnt and achieved during Semester 2 (over Terms 3 and 4) as they begin to work on these reports. The students were able to share some of their learning in Literacy last week via SeeSaw and will do so again in Week 7. I hope you enjoyed this opportunity to see your child’s work, progress and reflection on what they think they did really well (glow) and something they would like to work on (grow). It was my great pleasure today to listen to some of the Year 5 boy’s speeches for Captains roles next year, 2021. They all did themselves, their parents and the school proud and I look forward to continuing in this process over the coming week or two as the 2021 Captains are finalised.
Congratulations to our Year 6 students who received their Sacrament of Confirmation on the 1st November. Whilst it was celebrated differently this year, due to restrictions, it was a lovely Mass and I hope these students and their families enjoyed this special day. I’m looking forward to being a part of First Holy Communion on Sunday 22nd November as many of our Year 3 students receive this important Sacrament.
Thank you all for your support around afternoon dismissal points and procedures of an afternoon. We have noticed an improvement and we will continue to monitor and work with the students on this throughout the rest of the term.
Please keep in mind expectations for hair, especially the boys. We ask for your support in ensuring that boys' haircuts align with the school’s uniform policy which states that the emphasis is on "neat" and "tidy", be no longer that eyebrow or collar length and extremes of hair cuts are not permitted - hair must be evenly cut - no rat tails or shaved sections/lines - Colouring of hair is not permitted. Please keep any new haircuts that are different to this until the beginning of the holiday break.
Annual School Report - Parent Survey 2020
Each year it is important to take time to reflect and provide feedback in order to plan for improvements for the following year. In 2020 we have faced many challenges and disruptions to our normal operations and in many ways we have been unable to operate as we normally would have.
We greatly value all feedback and suggestions as it will assist in the preparation of the Annual School Report and contribute to in planning for 2021.
Click below to access the link to the survey, or alternatively you can complete a hard copy of the survey that is located at the school office.
The survey will be open for the next three weeks. Thank you for your constructive feedback and input.
Congratulations Mr & Mrs Wild
This coming weekend, on 14th November, Miss Brocklehurst (6M) will celebrate her wedding day as she marries Corey Wild.
We wish both Gemma and Corey many blessings on Saturday and pray that it will be the beginning of married life that is filled with much love and happiness.
As a school community we keep both Gemma and Corey in our prayers at this special time.
Class Formation 2021
In preparation for the 2021 school year, staff are currently in the process of constructing class lists. This is an important and lengthy process. This process involves the current class teachers preparing draft lists for next year’s classes. This process takes into consideration the academic, social, emotional and physical needs of each individual student. Decisions are made to establish balanced, equitable class groups with the potential to work well together. As the teachers know the students within the school environment exceptionally well, the best interests of each individual student is always considered during the discernment process.
Parents are invited annually to contribute to the process of class formation by informing us in writing of any special needs that may affect class placement. Written requests could be submitted either through the class teacher or via an email to info@olhcdow.catholic.edu.au
Parents are asked to have these written requests completed by the end of Week 5 – FRIDAY 13th NOVEMBER.
Please write Class Formation 2021 in the subject line and address the email to Mrs Webb.
All requests are considered when classes are constructed and must be provided prior to classes being finalised.Please not that these requests are valid for Years Three, Five and Six in 2021 as the other grades will be single stream (one class) in 2021.
Kindergarten 2021 Orientation
As a school community we are preparing to launch into a new cycle in the life of our school community. Next week, despite the many restrictions and challenges of COVID-19, we are able to welcome and meet for the first time, many of our new 2021 Kindergarten students and their parents when they attend the first week of Orientation sessions. These opportunities are designed to guide the parents and children to school life at OLHC.
Just as Baptism officially welcomes a child of God into a community of faith, our orientation / transition sessions welcome our new members into our educational faith community. At every enrolment interview the question is asked of prospective parents, “Why did you choose OLHC as the school for your child?”
Although there are a multitude of responses and every reason for the choice of OLHC is valid. Ultimately, parents have made this choice because they acknowledge that our school has something to offer their child and their family.
When we enrol a child, in reality we enrol a family. As a school community, we want all parents to be aware that everything that happens at OLHC is centred and modeled around the person of Jesus. We strive to emulate these characteristics in our daily interactions and the way that we choose to life our lives.
We look forward to warmly welcoming our Kinder 2021 students at orientation sessions over the next two weeks.
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:
Enoch Biju (6M - Sarkis), Sophie Collet (4M - Ingham),
Nelson Martinez-Ramirez (5M - Ingham),
Mariella-Rose Papoulis (1M - Sarkis).
Assembly
Congratulations to the following students who will be receiving a Principal's Award at our next Assembly on Friday 20th November. Merit Awards will also be presented.
David Abraham (6W), Anthony Bell (6W), Maddison Burke (6M),
Landon Henry (5M), Teiarra Latulipe (2M), Zachary Potts (6M),
Carmody Przybylo (4M), William Shearer (5W), Leo Vagaja (3W).
Co-curricular Awards
Although students have had limited activities this year, we will still be holding our Co-curricular Awards in Week 8. Unfortunately, at this stage, parents will not be able to attend.
Zero Touch Sign In for Staff, Parents/Carers and Visitors
The attached flyer explains to parents and care-givers how to download the CEDoW app to your phone that will assist you in registering your presence if you need to come onto the school grounds.
Student Absence
Letters to request reasons for a child's absence will be sent home on a weekly basis. Please provide an explanation for the absence and sign off the letter and return it to the office as soon as possible. If you think the absence is incorrect please note this on the letter.
Parents may also open the Compass app and provide an explanation through there.
Just after 10.00am, on a school day, an alert will automatically be sent to you to advise your child has been marked absent. You can provide an absence reason via this alert as well. Thank you.
School Banking
We will advise you when school banking is once again available to our students.
Celebrations and Sharing of Food
In light of the current environment that we are living in, we ask that you please do not send in birthday cakes or food to share with the class. I understand that this is something that the children enjoy, however, we need to maintain controlled safety and hygiene procedures in the school. If you would like to send in something to acknowledge and celebrate your child’s birthday, you are able to send in packaged goods only (eg, packets of Maltesers, small wrapped chocolate bars etc such as a Freddo Frogs). We will notify you when these restrictions are lifted.
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".
eSafety Website
- Monitors will be present to assist and ensure required protocols and health requirements are fulfilled. Once Mass starts, the doors will be closed.
- Temperatures will be taken, as well as other protocols and health requirements.
- Face masks are not compulsory but are highly recommended.
- After Mass you will be provided with a disinfectant wipe to rub over surfaces where you have been sitting or come in contact with.
- Toilets will not be open.
- You cannot gather outside the church after Mass.
- If you have attended any of the hot-spots listed on the notice board in the foyer, you must immediately self-isolate for 14 days and get tested even if you have no symptoms.
Communion
On Sunday 22nd November a number of our Year 3 students will be making their first Communion. We wish them all the best as they receive Jesus in the Mass for the first time.
OLHC Christmas Giving
This year we are asking for donations of gifts and non perishable food items to donate to our local St Vincent De Paul charter who will deliver these items as hampers to those in our community most in need. All donations can be sent to school with your child who will add them to their class hamper.
Donations need to be in by November 27th.
End of Year Celebrations
We are hoping to finalise our end of year celebrations in the coming weeks. Due to the COVID-19 guidelines for schools, these events will look different to previous years.
We appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we navigate these changing times.
Natasha Ferderer
Religious Education Co-ordinator
Seesaw
Last week, students shared a Literacy work sample via their Seesaw account. I would like to thank all the parents who have connected to their child’s Seesaw Family account. It was great to see the number of parents comment on all their child’s work. It was great to see the smiling faces of students come to school informing their classroom teacher of the feedback that they received from their parents.
Students annotated their work with a ‘glow’ and ‘grow’. The ‘glow’ is an area that your child did really well and the ‘grow’ is an area they would like to improve. If you have not already done so I encourage you to take the time to view your child’s chosen work sample and have a discussion with them. Giving feedback to your child can be challenging. It is important that when you are trying to support your child’s learning, you do it in a positive way. It is important to listen to your child and ask them questions about where they may be struggling. Here are some tips that may help you:
- Identify something they have done well in the task.
- Discuss the area where they could improve and suggest ways to achieve this. Focus on the skills and strategies, for example, in Writing look at their use of capital letters and choice of spelling strategies. In Reading, concentrate on the strategies they use when reading when faced with an unknown word.
- Finish by commenting how they have improved or how hard they have worked.
In Week 7, students will share a sample of work with their parents via Seesaw. Last term, your personalised Seesaw QR code was sent home with your child, if you require another QR code please contact your child’s classroom teacher and they will print out a new one for you.
Please give our school Facebook page a like. We regularly upload photos of students through this platform and would love to keep our school community updated. Select the link for our OLHC Facebook page.
Alana Stroligo
The Canteen is open for over-the-counter sales of snacks and treats at Break 1 (11.00am - 11.30am). A price list is attached. Please support the Canteen in their endeavours to support our school community.
Lunch orders are required at the Canteen by 9.00am. Please write your child's name, class and what they wish to order on a paper bag and enclose the correct money, if possible.
The Canteen is run by Made Fresh. Should you have a need to contact the Canteen, please email Maria at "made.fresh@yahoo.com" or telephone 0422 469 489.
Congratulations and best wishes to the following students who celebrate a November birthday:-
Emma Bolshakova, Annabelle Chakar, Atong Chol,
Abigail Crawford, Ayrton da Silva, Isaac Ditotto,
Lachlan Drake, Jason Gilbert, Lachlan Gorrie,
Rafqa Hachem, Jack Harrison, Andrea Joseph,
Marise Kosema, Jacob Makar, Cian Meneses O'Dowd,
Mia-Rose Morena, Sue Nguyen, Emmy Nour,
Mariella-Rose Papoulis, Jessica Pavan, Lilly Petkovic,
Amelia Sculli, Carrington-Ann Slatter, Abigail Turner,
Emelia Venegas, Carlos Yousif.