Enrolment Applications for Kindergarten 2022 are available from the school office. These forms need to be returned by next Thursday 1 April 2021.

Interviews will take place next term with Father Sarkis and Mrs Webb. Children also attend this interview.

Following the return of the completed enrolment application an interview will be organised with Father Sarkis and Mrs Webb for next term. Children also attend this interview. 

If you download your form from the Catholic Education website, please also include a family photograph with the application.

Click below to access a CEDoW school enrolment package.  Please let extended family and friends know that we are currently enrolling for Kindergarten 2022.  Enrolment forms can also be collected from the school office.  Children will be eligible for enrolment in Kindergarten if they have turned 5 prior to 31st July.

 

Dear Parents/Carers, 

**  SAVE THE DATE  **

STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY

MONDAY 19 APRIL 2021

Students are not required to attend school on this day.

WITH SYMPATHY

We keep Mrs Margaret Hole (school office) in our thoughts and prayers as her mother passed away last week.

We pray that her mother may rest in eternal peace and the family be comforted at this time of great sadness.

As we approach the end of first term it is an appropriate time to give thanks for the many great opportunities that have occurred at OLHC so far this year. This is a wonderful community where parents and teachers work closely together to provide support and learning experiences for the students at OLHC. It has been wonderful to welcome parents back onto the school site, have the students attend Parish Mass with parishioners and seeing students transition smoothly to their new

This was truly evident in the wonderful morning that we shared at John Therry Catholic College, for the school Cross Country. It was wonderful to see so many parents and family members who were able to be present to support and cheer on the students. Many thanks to the parents who were able to volunteer and assist, providing support to the students who were competing. Without your help days like this would not be able to happen.

 Special thanks also goes to the staff that arrived early to set up the activities and mark out the Cross Country course. We especially thank Miss Megan O’Sullivan who planned and organised the carnival with the support from OLHC staff. Without this planning and preparation the Carnival would not have ran so smoothly.

YEAR OF ST JOSEPH

On March 19th each year we celebrate the feast day of St Joseph. Everything we know about St. Joseph, the husband of Mary and the foster father of Jesus, comes from the Bible, and mentions of him are underwhelming, to say the least. Despite this fact, the little that is known about him provided the basis for Joseph to be declared the patron of the universal church by Pope Pius IX in 1870. In his Apostolic Letter entitled Patris corde (“With a Father’s Heart”), Pope Francis described Saint Joseph as a beloved father, a tender and loving father, an obedient father, an accepting father; a father who is creatively courageous, a working father, a father in the shadows.

The Letter marks the 150th anniversary of Blessed Pope Pius IX’s declaration of St Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. To celebrate the anniversary, Pope Francis has proclaimed a special “Year of St Joseph,” beginning on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception 2020 and extending to the same feast in 2021.

Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, which, Pope Francis says, has helped us see more clearly the importance of “ordinary” people who, though far from the limelight, exercise patience and offer hope every day. In this, they resemble Saint Joseph, “the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence,” who nonetheless played "an incomparable role in the history of salvation.” 

Some of what we know of this great biblical figure includes that he was a carpenter, a working man, who was certainly not wealthy. However, despite his humble work and means, Joseph was also described as coming from royal lineage, since he was descendant of King David, the greatest king of Israel. We know from his actions, especially towards Mary, that Joseph was a compassionate, caring man.

We know he was man of faith, who was obedient to whatever God asked of him even without knowing the outcome. We know Joseph loved Jesus and Mary. His one concern was always for the safety of those entrusted to his care. Since Joseph does not appear in Jesus' public life, at his death, or resurrection, many historians believe Joseph probably had died before Jesus entered public ministry.

Joseph is described in the scriptures as a ‘just’ man. Throughout his life he remained simply, joyfully and wholeheartedly obedient to God—in marrying Mary, in naming Jesus, in shepherding his family to Egypt, in bringing them to Nazareth, in the undetermined number of years he lived a life of quiet faith and courage. 

By referring to Joseph as 'just', the Bible is describing him as someone who was completely open to all that God wanted to do for him. He became holy by opening himself totally to God. He did not think of himself but focused instead, on the lives of Mary and Jesus. 

PB4L

Throughout the term all students have been trying hard to receive House Points. There are a number of ways that they can do this;

• by wearing their uniform correctly
• completing their homework each week
• when they borrow from the library

Students are able to receive extra house points in the classroom and on the playground for following the school rules -

BE SAFE, BE RESPECTFUL and BE AN ACTIVE LEARNER.

Points are also accumulated at the Swimming Carnival and Cross Country Carnival.

The Year 6 House Captains count the House Points each week and next Monday 30 March 2021, at Flag Raising, the winning House colour for the term will be announced. They will then be awarded with a mufti day next Thursday 1 April 2021.

Congratulations, in advance, to this winning House and to all students for the house points they have received throughout the term. 

NAPLAN

As previously advised, the Year 3 and 5 students will be participating in NAPLAN (National Assessment Program, Literacy and Numeracy) next term. This assessment is completed by all students across Australia in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. This year, similar to 2019, NAPLAN testing will be online and as a system and as a school we have prepared for this. The teachers have been preparing the students for this throughout the term and the students participated in the practice online NAPLAN test today. To be ready for this, students must download the NAP app and make sure they come to school each day with their iPad fully charged and have their headphones at school.

Further information about NAPLAN Online and the National Assessment Program can be found at www.nap.edu.au/naplan . The dates assigned for the NAPLAN assessment this year are from Tuesday 11 May 2021  - Friday 21 May 2021, further details will be provided next term as to which specific dates we will sit each assessment at our school.

BLESSINGS THIS EASTER 

May the Easter season bring you much joy and the holiday break allow your family a chance to relax and enjoy your time together. I look forward to working with you, the students and the teachers next term.

A huge thank you to all of the teachers for all they have done for our school and the students in their class this term, may they also enjoy the upcoming holiday break.

A big congratulations to the following students who celebrate a April birthday:

Jessica Tran, Roselett Lijo, Peyton Thorpe-Slifer, 

Peyton Venters, Teresa Jimmy, Lilly Fenton, 

Josh Fonseca, Liam Denniss, Jarrod Crawford,

Alex D'Emanuele, Monykuc Kon Chol, Alannah Bou Merhi,

Mya Kyselov, Sienna Glover, Lincoln Hickey, 

Emmanuel Venegas, Sophie Nunes

Apologies to Isabelle O'Toole who was omitted from our last

newsletter for her birthday in March.

The Easter Raffle draw will take place on Friday 26 March 2021, with the winning prizes being sent home with students that day.

SCHOOL BANKING

School banking is now operating each Tuesday.  Students need to remember their deposit books and savings. 

POTENTIAL UNIFORM STOCK DELAYS

Unfortunately, Lowes has experienced a flood event in their warehouse which has resulted in damage or destruction of some uniform items for some schools. At this stage they are yet to determine the specific items affected, or the impact on supply of those items in the coming months. They currently have assessors looking at all affected stock to determine the condition and saleability of the items. If any specific uniform items for our school are damaged, we will keep you informed.

BUSABOUT

A reminder that students need to tap on and off the bus with their Opal cards when they travel to and from school.  If students do not use their cards services risk being cancelled or changed due to patronage.

SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN AND ACTIVITIES

Looking for fun activities during the school holidays, then check out Campbelltown City Council's website for events including the upcoming Koala Sculpture Trail.

https://www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/WhatsOn