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Stewardship Thought ....
Sacrament of Confirmation ....
Last Saturday evening, on the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, 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 conferred by our Bishop, Brian Mascord. 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step of initiation into the Catholic faith and for the candidates it is a very public reaffirmation of the promises originally made by their parents and godparents, on their behalf at Baptism.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 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.
Dear Parents and Carers,
Farewell
Next term, we farewell Mrs Gemma Wild (Year 5) as she prepares for the upcoming birth of her baby.
We wish Gemma and her husband, Corey, all our best wishes for the safe arrival of their baby and pray that this will be a time filled with many blessings as they become parents.
A recruitment process is currently underway to replace Mrs Wild for the remainder of the school year. Year 5 parents will be informed of the outcome of this process once it is completed
Semester One Reports
Reports for students in Years One – Six were released to parents yesterday via COMPASS. If you are having difficulty accessing your child’s report please make contact with the school office.
These reports will form the basis of discussion at parent/teacher interviews next week.
These interviews can be booked via COMPASS.
Parent/Teacher Interviews
Semester One Parent/Teacher interviews will take place next week, Week 10, for all students from Kindergarten – Year Six.
This is a great opportunity for parents and teachers to work together, in partnership, to support student learning. The focus of these interviews will be to discuss the Semester One Report.
Parents are invited to book an appointment time to discuss their child's achievements and areas for growth during the first two terms of the year.
Please be mindful that each interview is scheduled for ten minutes in duration. If you require an extended time to discuss your child's learning, this will need to be held outside of these scheduled meeting times.
Parent/Carer access opened early this afternoon. Conferences will remain open for until Sunday 20/06/21 at 3:00pm. Please note that not all teachers are available on every day for interviews.
To access Conferences through the COMPASS app, tap on the main menu (three horizontal lines in the top left hand corner of the app) then tap on the Conferences menu. You will then be able to book an appointment day and time that suits you.
We look forward to sharing your child's learning growth and achievements so far this year.
Please arrive at the interview, which will be held in your child’s classroom, a few minutes early to assist the interviews to run according to the time schedule.
School Attendance & Absences
It is most important that students attend school unless there exists a genuine reason for absence, such as sickness. It is also most important that students attend school for the full school day. Whilst the first 10 minutes of school or the last 20 minutes of the school day may seem unimportant to parents, it is during these times that students are instructed of the essential routines of the school day that help to create productive learning environments.
As parents, you are urged to ensure your child/ren arrive at school on time and stay for the complete school day every day of the week.
Below is an outline of the processes the school will use to follow up extended absences from school. As a systemic primary school, within the Wollongong Diocese, Our Lady Help of Christians adheres to the School Attendance Guidelines and Procedures of the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong.
As such, the following process will be used to support the regular attendance of students at school.
Step 1: 3 - 4 days absent
- Phone call to parents by classroom teacher (if required ).
- Follow up with letter to parents if absences continue - arrange meeting with parents to discuss.
- Review situation for the following week.
Step 2: 7 - 14 days absent
- Regular phone call to parents re attendance.
- Registered letter to parents re attendance.
- Referral to school counsellor/Family Support.
- Meeting with school Principal.
- Head of School Services to be informed.
Step 3: 14 - 21 days absent
- Inform Head of School Services.
- Regular contact to parents.
- School informs Catholic Education Office.
- Meeting with school Principal and Head of School Service (Action Plan agreed on and review date set).
- Registered letter to parents.
Step 4: 22+ days absent
- Head of School Service with Principal to determine Action Plan.
Step 5: Above 30 days absent
- Report ‘education neglect’ (i.e., habitual absence or not enrolled) to Community Services (CS) Child Protection Helpline.
- Letter to parents from Head of School Services advising that the system has reported to Community Services (CS) or if not enrolled, also reported to Department of Education and Communities (DEC). If there are any concerns for the child’s well-being, normal child protection procedures apply - this can be made any time during the above procedure.
House Points
It was announced at Flag Raising on Monday that Ingham are leading the House Points at the moment. Any House Points awarded in the classroom or on the playground this week will be added to this total and the winning House colour for the term will be announced on Monday 21st June. This house will be awarded a mufti day next week. There are many ways that the students can get a house point like following the school rules (Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be An Active Learner), participation at sporting events, completing homework, wearing the correct uniform and borrowing from the library. Points are also awarded to parent helpers when we have a sporting event like the Athletics Carnival.
SPOTLIGHT ON RELIGION
Confirmation
Congratulations to the students who made their Confirmation last Saturday. It was a beautiful celebration of the sacrament.
I would like to thank the parish Sacramental Coordinator, Mrs Samantha McGarrity, as well as Miss Reid and Mrs Failla who supported the students in preparing for the night.
The sacrament was performed by the Bishop who shared an important message with the children about the language of God. He spoke of how God communicates through love and the first experience a child has of this language is through their parents. The Bishop asked each child receiving the sacrament to thank their parents for sharing and modelling this language of love with them.
Co-curricular Awards
These Awards will be presented at the final assembly for the term on Friday 25th June. Co-curricular Awards are given to students who have contributed to our school community outside the normal classroom setting, such as gala days and sport activities through the diocese.
Nude Food Fridays
Every Friday students are asked to bring in a rubbish free lunch. This way, we can work together to reduce the amount of rubbish we send to landfill. This means no zip lock or plastic bags, cling wrap, foil, paper bags and simply any pre-packaged food items. Students are encouraged to bring their lunch in durable and re-usable containers or wrapping. House points will be awarded for students with waste free lunches.
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:
Duke Miller (KM - Sarkis), Lilly Petkovic (1M - Rose),
Moni Tumanuvao (6M - Ingham), Makenzie Williams (1M - Rose).
Assembly
Congratulations to the following students who will be receiving a Principal's Award at our next assembly on Friday 25th June 2021. Merit Awards will also be presented at this assembly.
Deric Abraham (4M), Mary Camilleri (6M), Anabelle Federico (5W),
Marise Kosema (2M), Isabel Martin (2M),
Cian Meneses O'Dowd (5M),
Emmanuel Venegas (2M).
Newsletter Translation
Did you realise that the Schoolzine Newsletter platform allows for the Newsletter to be translated into any language? Please follow the prompts from the attached flyer for further information.
Use of School Bubblers
Parents are advised that the school bubblers can be used by students. However, it is recommended that students continue to bring a water bottle from home.
We also have a refilling station that the students can access during the school day to refill their drink bottles.
Please ensure that drink bottles are clearly labelled with your child’s name.
Student Absence
Letters to request reasons for a child's absence will be sent home on a fortnightly 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 if your child has been marked absent. You can provide an absence reason via this alert as well. Thank you.
Celebrations and Sharing of Food
We are continuing with the request that parents/care-givers not send in birthday cakes or food to share with the class. We 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).
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
Congratulations to William Shearer who competed at the NSWCPS Cross Country. He came 27th overall and his age group performed exceptionally well and won team gold medals on the day.
Netball Gala Day
Students from Years 3 - 6 are participating in the Western Region Netball Gala Day today. The day is a great opportunity for students to develop their netball skills and to demonstrate great sportsmanship. A big thank you to the parent helpers! 10 house points have been awarded for each parent helper.
| DATE | ACTIVITY |
| Friday 18th June | 5M Reconciliation, 9.00am |
| Year 5 grade visit by Father, 10.00am | |
| Wednesday 23rd June | Year 1 to Mass, 9.00am |
| Thursday 24th June | Kinder to Mass, 9.00am |
| Friday 25th June | 6W Reconciliation, 9.00am |
| Kinder grade visit by Father, 10.00am | |
| Assembly & Co-curricular Awards, 1.50pm | |
| Last day of Term 2 | |
| Monday 12th July | First day of Term 3 |
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.
Clothing Pool
The Clothing Pool is generally open each Wednesday between 8.00am and 8.20am. Parents may now come on site but before moving to this area, please sign in at the office. If you cannot make this day or time, please contact the office and let them know what you require and these will be sent home to you if the items are available. As parents can now return to site, a donation for the clothing selected is being re-instated.
School Banking
School banking is available on Tuesday of every week. Please remember to bring the deposit book and savings in on this day.
School banking helpers are required. If you can assist with school banking, please come to the office on a Tuesday morning after school drop off. It is a chance to volunteer your time at school and meet new friends. It takes about one hour per week and involves counting deposits, basic computer data entry and issuing prizes from the bank. If this sound like it would suit you, please come along!
