Dear Parents and Carers,

Next Wednesday, 17th February, is Ash Wednesday, which is the beginning of the season of Lent. During Lent we, as Catholics, are asked to follow the Lenten observances of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

The reflection below is from “The Little Black Book”, a book I purchased several years ago. The book is a collection of simple reflections based on the weekly Gospels during Lent.

“Lent is a time when we cleanse the temple of ourselves. It is not unlike spring-cleaning. It is something we have to do regularly. Despite our best intentions, and despite the best things that we do, there can creep into us things that are not of God, and things that have to be cleaned out.

It’s like the differences between everyday vacuuming, and those other times when you move the sofa and vacuum. No matter how clean and polished the living room looked, when you move the sofa, what do you find? Dust, biscuit crumbs… all kinds of things.

During Lent, we ‘move the sofa’ in our lives. It’s not just a question of dirt or sin. It is a question of realigning our thoughts and, by fasting and by more intense prayer and more intense works of mercy, we begin to see things differently. We begin to take another look at our lives.

What we do during Lent is not entirely or simply getting rid of the sinfulness in us – and there’s plenty of that to do. It’s also opening our hearts and minds to a fresh, deeper, fuller awareness of God within us and around us and to do God’s will.”           Extract from The Little Black Book.

Upon reading the above reflection I sat and thought about the dust and crumbs I might find in my life. During the season of Lent will I be taking time to pray, to fast and to help others or will I be just cleaning around the edges and doing the everyday superficial things? I ask that during this Lenten season we all try and ‘move the sofa’ in our lives.

Welcome Kindergarten

Last Thursday morning we welcomed our Kindergarten class of 2021. The children were enthusiastic and eager to get into ‘Big School’ work. As a parent, it is such an exciting time to see your child move into the next phase of their life and we can only wonder what shape the learning and world will be like by the time these children complete their schooling. I am sure our new students will enjoy meeting their new classmates and their learning at Our Lady Help of Christians.

Best Wishes

Over the next two weeks our school community will farewell two staff members who will be commencing their maternity leave.  We wish Mrs Danielle Dew and Mrs Emma Cotterill all the best for the impending births of their babies. As a community we will keep Danielle, Emma and their families in our prayers during this special and exciting time.

Swimming Carnival

A big thank you to all those who assisted at our OLHC swimming carnival. The carnival ran very smoothly due to the excellent organisation and the fabulous support from staff, parents and those children who participated. Special thanks to Miss O’Sullivan for the organisation of the day. Congratulations to MacKillop House (Yellow) on winning the carnival. The OLHC Swim Team will now compete in the Wollongong Diocese Western Region Carnival on Wednesday 3rd March.

Census Day

Friday 19 February is School Census Day and our funding from the state government will depend on our student numbers enrolled on this day. As always, it is very important, if your child is absent from school, to send in a note or email explaining the absence.

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data

The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) takes place every year. The processes involved in the 2021 Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) are currently underway at Our Lady Help of Christians.

The NCCD is a collection that counts: 

• the number of school students receiving an adjustment or ‘help’ due to disability 
• the level of adjustment they are receiving to access education on the same basis as other students. 

Students are counted in the NCCD if they receive ongoing adjustments at school due to disability. This ‘help’ allows them to access education on the same basis as a child without disability. The NCCD uses the definition of disability in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. Schools provide this information to education authorities which assists governments to plan for the needs of students. It is also the way schools seek and receive funding to support the learning needs of students. 

A national fact sheet about the NCCD for parents, guardians and carers in a variety of translations is available via the following link - https://www.nccd.edu.au/tools/fact-sheet-parents-guardians-and-carers

Further resources can be accessed via the following link:

https://www.nccd.edu.au/for-parents-guardians-and-carers

Parent Teacher Meet and Greet

As you are aware the Parent/Teacher "Meet and Greet" sessions for grades 1 - 6 will be held next Monday 15 February. Please ensure you have completed the online booking form for your child’s classroom teacher so a convenient time can be arranged. Kindergarten parents will have an opportunity to meet your child’s teacher later in the term - date and time will be forwarded.

COVID safe protocols will be followed during the meetings.

Safer Internet Day

Last Tuesday, 9th February, was Safer Internet Day.

Did you know only 46% of Australian parents feel confident about dealing with the online risks their children face and 95% want more information about online safety.

eSafety resources can help you start the chat about being safer online, then keep building your family's digital skills throughout the year. 

 Some interesting topics are:

• eSafety's new research report Digital Lives of Aussie Teens.
• A new webinar for parents and carers Cyberbullying and online drama. (Limited spaces.) 
• Two new resources for 2 to 8 year-olds, the Swoosh, Glide and Rule Number 5 picture book and My Family Rules song by Lah-Lah.

For more information go to https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars

Student Absences and COVID19 Restrictions Continue for 2021

If your child has cold or flu like symptoms they must remain at home for their own wellbeing as well as the good of the community.

Any child who is sent home from school due to COVID symptoms e.g. temperature, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, NSW Health recommends that you have your child tested for COVID 19 and the school must sight your negative result before your child has clearance to come back to school.

Parents are also reminded that if your child has been sent for a COVID test they are to remain at home until test results are received. Parents must email the test results to school email via absences-olhc@dow.catholic.edu.au

Parents must log their child absences via Compass School Manager App on the morning of the absence prior to 10.00am. Parents will have a letter sent home each week if there are any unexplained absences.

Any questions please contact the school office and we thank you for your ongoing support.

Back to School Anxiety

Is your child experiencing back to school anxiety? There can be many anxiety causing triggers for students at this time of year.

To help parents and carers support their child (and themselves) CatholicCare and CEDoW have put together some strategies which may help. Find information here to support self-care and student wellbeing as the new school year begins.

If you require further support you can contact the school or CatholicCare has a range of group programs that might be helpful. Find out more at www.catholiccare.dow.org.au/index.php/family-support-program-fsp

Don Spencer

We will be acknowledging Shrove Tuesday with a pancake fundraiser.  Students can purchase pancakes and poppers for $1.00 each BEFORE school on Tuesday morning.  All money raised will go towards Project Compassion - Lent fundraising.

Ash Wednesday - 17th February

Next Wednesday students in Years 2-6 will attend Ash Wednesday Mass and Kinder and Year 1 will be attending a liturgy. 

Unfortunately, due to COVID restrictions for schools, we are still unable to have parents attend Masses, liturgies or assemblies. 

Religious Education Co-ordinator

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.

Please take note that on Ash Wednesday (17th February) and for each Friday in Lent, NO meat products will be sold from the Canteen.  Your child will be asked to select an alternative product if any meat is ordered.

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.

St Patrick's College Enrolment Open Day

A college for girls, located in Campbelltown.  Open day is Saturday 27th February from 10.00am - 2.00pm  Student and teaching staff will be on hand to discuss their experiences and the opportunities available for your daughter.  Take a tour through the College campus, facilities and classrooms.  Bookings are mandatory via "https://enquiry.saintpatricks.nsw.edu.au/events"

Mater Dei Enrolment Open Day

Mater Dei is a co-educational setting for students from Kindergarten to Year 12 with a mild to moderate intellectual disability.  The school is holding an enrolment open day on Saturday 27th February - 11.00am Presentation, 11.30am - 12.30pm guided school tour.  229 Macquarie Grove Road, Camden - 4655 7481.

Camp Australia (Before and After School Care)

The attached flyers are from Camp Australia - one is a letter advising of its service and of dates for virtual information sessions and the other is a welcome letter.