Last Sunday's Gospel ...

Last Sunday was Good Shepherd Sunday. Jesus often used the metaphor of him as a shepherd and us as his sheep. It was to show what lengths a shepherd would go to in looking after his flock. The people of the time knew this because they knew how valuable sheep were to the shepherd. God loves us in the same way. He guards the gate to save us from wolves and he leaves the flock safe while he goes out looking for the one lost sheep who has strayed. The love for his sheep is unconditional.

Did you know ...

Sheep actually knew their shepherd by his voice and would answer his call to come – whether out of the safety of the fold to graze, or to come back from the hills when it was time to come in for the night.

Stewardship Thought ...

Paul and Barnabas encountered both violent rejection and joyful acceptance of the message that they preached.  We, too, may meet with mixed reactions when we use our gifts in the service of God.  But, the Gospel assures us, the reward for those who following faithfully is eternal life.

Our Feast Day is fast approaching on the 24^th May. We will be celebrating with John Therry in their hall so we can come together as a whole community to attend Mass with Father Sarkis. You are all very warmly invited to be with us. More details will follow but a special lunch and games have been planned for the day too. In the evening, there is a parish Mass at 7.30pm, followed by a supper in the courtyard. It will be another lovely chance to be with the community in our new church. Please come along.

We held Kindergarten interviews last week and had an increase in numbers. For the first time in a number of years we have enough to fill one class already. If the pattern of previous years continues, we may have enrolments for two classes – traditionally we get a lot of applications during the year. Many people said they wanted to come because of our good name, strong Catholic values and excellent academic results, so thank you for giving us that good name, sharing our values and supporting your children with their learning. We couldn’t do all that without you. Let’s hope the applications keep coming in.

I am available before P&F meetings for parents and carers who want to come and see me. No-one has been since the first one so I’ll do a couple more and then reassess to see if there is still a need for me to offer it.

There is nothing further to report on the building other than all is running to schedule at this stage. I met with the gardeners about some landscaping for our new entrances. We’ll get some costings and then see what we are able to do.

Naplan has run smoothly this week. The students are not anxious about it – which is as it should be. Thank you for helping us keep the testing in perspective. I would particularly like to thank the Years 3 and 5 teachers, along with Miss O’Sullivan and Mrs Fazio, who have done a tremendous amount of work ensuring all the online testing has run smoothly.

Looking forward to seeing many of you at the Feast Day.

God Bless.

Michelle Rolfe

Principal

National Assessment Program, Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN)

Our Year 3 and Year 5 students have begun their NAPLAN assessments this week. They completed their Writing Assessment on Tuesday and their Reading Assessment today. Next Monday (20^th May) they will complete their Language Conventions Assessment and on Tuesday (21^st May) their Numeracy Assessment. I thank the Year 3 and Year 5 teachers for all of their preparation for this and especially Miss O’Sullivan for ensuring that our school was ready for the online component of NAPLAN this year. Please continue to make sure your child has a good night sleep the night before and a healthy breakfast in the morning and to contact the office if they are too unwell to come to school on the day.

Walk Safely to School Day

National Walk Safely to School Day is tomorrow, Friday 17^th May. This is an annual event that asks primary school children, their parents and families to walk safely to school, encouraging them to be more active and focus on road safety when crossing the road. Walking to school from home may not be possible on the day due to distance, however, you may like to park a street or two away and walk from there. We will have some Year 6 captains at our school gate to give out stickers to any students who have walked to school safely on the day.

Alison Fazio

Assistant Principal

Our Lady Help of Christians Feast Day

Our Feast Day celebrations will be held on Friday 24th May with a combined High School/Primary School Mass that will commence at 9.30am in the John Therry Hall.  Parents are welcome to join us on this special occasion.  

Students have the opportunity to order a special feast day celebration pack from the canteen and playground activities have also been organised.  Parents, families and care-givers are welcome to watch these events.

Did you know ...

(Acknowledgement to the Catholic Weekly)

The feast day to Mary Help of Christians has been celebrated in Australia since 1844 but the history to this day dates back to the start of the 1800s.  Napoleon Bonaparte had jailed Pius VI who died in jail.  When Pope Pius VII was elected he, too, was jailed by Bonaparte, who kept him prisoner at Fontainbleau.  The Holy Father vowed to God that if he was restored to the Roman See, he would institute a special feast in honour of Mary.  The military eventually forced Bonaparte to release the Pope and on 24th May 1814, Pius VII returned in triumph to Rome.  Twelve months later the Pope decreed that the feast of Mary Help of Christians be kept on 24th May.

The infant church in Australia had a special reason for turning to Mary.  No priests were sent to the colony in its early days and Mass was not allowed except for one brief year until 1820.  It was largely the Rosary in those early days that kept the faith alive.  Catholic Australia remained faithful to Mary and was the first nation to choose her under the title "Help of Christians", as principal Patroness.

St Mary's Cathedral was dedicated in her honour by the Irish pioneer priest, Father John Therry, who arrived in Sydney in 1820 and assumed responsibility for the planning and initial construction of the Cathedral.  When Australia became the first country to have Mary Help of Christians as Patroness, it became the first country to have a mother-cathedral under the same title.  The altar as St Mary's, with its statue of Mary Help of Christians, was erected as a memorial to Father Therry's name.

In the opening prayer for Our Lady Help of Christians, the Church prays that through Our Lady's intercession, God will "grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens", so that "under her protection Australia may be granted harmony, justice and peace".

Mary Help of Christians patroness of Australia and of the Military Ordinariate

Almighty God, deepen in our hearts our love of Mary Help of Christians.

Through her prayers and under her protection, may the light of Christ shine over our land.

May Australia be granted harmony, justice and peace.

Grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens.

Bless especially the men and women of the Australian Defence Force and their families.

We ask this through Christ Our Lord.  Amen.

Mary Help of Christians, pray for us.

Peter Vincent

Religious Education Co-ordinator

School-wide 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 this week's entries:

   Anthony Bell (5W - Rose), Alex D'Emanuele (KW - MacKillop),

Paige Halliday (5M - Rose), William Shearer (4M - MacKillop)

Congratulations

From time to time our students are successful outside of their school life in their chosen hobbie or sport.  We welcome a note from parents and care-givers to let us know about the achievement and/or success of their child.  This newsletter we congraulate:

Charlotte Suares (5M).  Charlotte sat her piano examinations on Monday at the

 Australian Music Examinations Board and received an "A".  Excellent work Charlotte.

Early Notice - Pupil Free Day

Our staff will be attending a Spirituality Day on Friday 28th June - this will be a pupil free day and parents and care-givers will need to make alternative arrangements for the care of their children on this day.

Cross Country Carnival

On Tuesday 7th May, twenty four students represented OLHC at the Diocesan Cross Country on the very difficult championship course at Browns Mountain, Willandra (Nowra).  Miss Lockhart and the students had a wonderful day.  All students demonstrated great sportsmanship and were fantastic representatives of our schoool.  Congratulations to all runners on the day.  Thank you to the Drake, Denniss and Barrington families for providing parent helpers on the day.  House points have been awarded and we are very greateful for your support.  We wish Rhys Barrington the best of luck when he competes at the next level.

Lost Property

There are many items in the lost property basket which is located in the Clothing Pool Office.  Most of these items are jumpers and sports jackets that are taken off during the day when it is warmer.  Unfortunately, none of the items can be returned as there are illegible or no names on the clothing.  If your child has lost an item of clothing, either at the end of last term or the beginning of this term, please ask them to go to lost property.  Please ensure all items of clothing are clearly marked, especially those that may be removed throughout the school day.

Gala Days

For students in Years 3 - 6, notes were sent home on Tuesday requesting students to provide their interest in the Diocesan Gala Days and to nominate their preferences.  Forms must be returned by tomorrow, Friday 17th May for your child to be eligible to compete.

Please join us at our next assembly on Friday 24th May at 1.50pm in the multi-purpose centre.  Merit and Principal's Awards will be presented.  Congratulations to the following students who will be receiving a Principal's Award:

 Applications for Opportunity Class Placement - Year 7 2020

Students looking to apply for opportunity class placement (Year 5) for Year 7 in 2020 are advised that online applications are open and will close on Friday 17th May.  Parents are requested to submit a downloaded copy of the Principal's page for provision of school assessment scores by Friday 17th May.  Application information should be read carefully before applying.  It is on the website at: "https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/selective-high-schools-and-opportunity-classes/year-5".

Woolworths Earn and Learn

Our school will be participating in the Woolworths Earn and Learn Program this term.  Stickers will be available from Wednesday 1st May until Tuesday 25th June.  Get your family and friends collecting for us.  Copies of the sticker sheet are available from the school office or you can send the stickers into school and we will put them on a sheet for you.

School Office Hours

Office hours are 8.00am - 3.30pm.

School Banking

School banking is every Friday.

Facebook

www.facebook.com/olhc.rosemeadow

Skoolbag 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 visit "skoolbag.com.au".

Happiest of birthdays and congratulations to the following students who celebrate a May Birthday:

Mother's Day Stall

The P&F would like to thank the families that supported the Mother's Day Stall!!  We hope that you all had a lovely day :) A huge thank you to the following ladies that helped on the stall and also made a donation:

Danielle Anderson, Katrina Bishop, Lisa Crawford, Belinda Federico, Donna Hachem,

Alecia Kerewaro, Vanessa Lennon, Anna-Lisa Morena, Kelly Tabone, Kat Teran,

Janet Tonna, Holly Venters, Karly Wilson.

P&F Meeting

Please join us for our next P&F Meeting on Monday 3rd June 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.

The Canteen is open from 8.15am and breakfast items may be purchased at this time. (Please see menu) and closes at 11.30am (the end of Break 1).  Made Fresh have items for purchase that are counter sales only They are reduced portion serves of hot food and snacks.  We urge you to try these delightful little morsels.  Please take note that the reduced portion sizes CANNOT be ordered as lunch orders.

To celebrate our Feast Day on Friday 24th May, Made Fresh have devised lunch packs that involve two choices.  A copy of the order form was sent home on Monday - a copy is also attached to this article.  Please take advantage of this special offer.

 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 0410 481 150.

If your child wishes to order food at lunch (Break 1:  10.50am - 11.30am) please write your child's name, room number and what is required on a paper bag and include the correct money, if possible.  Payment must accompany orders and treat eg. ice-creams cannot be ordered.  Normal purchasing of "treats" will still occur at Break 1.

Our Lady Help of Christians Feast Day

This year the Parish Feast Day (24th May) falls on a Friday and for the first time it will be celebrated in the new church with Mass at 7.30pm.  Mass will be followed by a finger-food and champagne supper in the meeting room and courtyard of the foyer.  Mark off this date in your diary to gather and celebrate our Feast Day and give thanks for the many blessings and graces through Our Lady's intercession upon us and our Parish.

Corpus Christi Procession

The Parish will be hosting the Corpus Christi Procession for this region on Sunday 23rd June at 2.30pm.  Please make every effort to participate in this important liturgical event when we give visible witness to our Catholic belief in the Real Presence of Or Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.  

Parish children who made their First Holy Communion last year are invited to lead the Corpus Christi Procession as Flower Strewers (girls) and Escorts (boys).  It is a great privilege for your child to have this opportunity offered to them in their life and one that they will reflect on as an adult.  Children will wear their First Communion clothes but girls will not wear veils but can have white ribbons or flowers in their hair.  You must be present for the practice on Friday 21st June from 3.30pm-4.30pm in the church.  Please write your child's name and telephone number on the sheet of paper at the front notice board of the church.

Rose and flower petals are needed for our Corpus Christi Procession.  If you have any, please bring them to the church on the weekend of this event so they can be placed in baskets for the flower strewers.  Thank you.

If you can serve at this special liturgy, please let Father Sarkis know - telephone 4628 1385.

Statement from Bishop Brian Mascord

Below is a statement fromm Bishop Mascord regarding the court appearance of Father Ron Peters today.

From the Catholic Education Office, Wollongong

Federal Election 2019 - know the facts before you vote.  The election is being held this Saturday, 18th May.  Throughout this election campaign, Catholic Education has highlighted the needs of Catholic schools and the parties have responded with various election promises.  Please find, at the link below, a collection of resources and facts to keep you well informed about the policies that affect our Catholic school students and families:

https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/about-us/general-news/federal-election-2019-know-the-facts-before-you-vote

It is essential everybody who cares about Catholic schools understands these key issues, especially how our schools are funded.  We encourage you to use this material and information to inform your your vote and any discussions with your friends, family, community and local candidates.

National Sorry Day 2019

This day falls on Sunday 26th May and is a day when we pause to remember the Stolen Generations of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.  It leads us into National Reconciliation Week which is held between 27th May and 3rd June.  The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2019 is "Grounded in Truth:  Walk Together with Courage". At the heart of reconciliation is the relationship between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  To foster positive race relations, our relationship must be grounded in a foundation of truth.  Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move to create a nation strengthened by respectful relationships.

Fostering Futures

This organisation is CatholicCare, Wollongong's new permanency support program.  Its priority is to find same, permanent families for children to give them a sense of belonging, rather than being fostered which can seem more temporary.  These children have had a tough start to life but with the support of agency staff and carers, they can reach their full potential.  The organisation is always on the lookout for potential carers who can share their homes and lives and make a positive impact on a child's future for a short time or for a lifetime.  If you are interested in learning more, you can take it one step at a time to decide whether this is the right journey for you and your family.  Call the agency on 0418 783 956, email at fosteringfutures@catholiccare.dow.org.au or visit their website.

Learning Labs - Wollongong University

The University of Wollongong are running an academic enrich program for students from Years 1 to 6 in the next holiday break.  The program is designed for students who are exelling in their area of interest within their year group.  A flyer from the University is attached if you would like to obtain further information.  Please note there is a cost involved to participate in the course.