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Stewardship thought....
God’s word in his or her own language. As Christian stewards sharing the gifts
and talents poured out on us by the Holy Spirit, we too will be empowered to
meet the needs of our brothers and sisters today.
Dear Parents and Carers,
Last Sunday, we celebrated one of the most important feast days of our Church, the great feast of Pentecost. The word ‘Pentecost’ in Greek means, the ‘fiftieth day’. It marks the 50th day after Easter Sunday and the end of the Easter Season. In the Jewish tradition, Pentecost occurred fifty days after Passover and was a time of celebration after the harvest. After Jesus’ death the people he had been intimately connected with on a daily basis for the three years of his public ministry, his disciples, returned to their normal lives. Fear and the absence of a clear understanding of the mission ahead sent them back to the default safety of the lives they led before they met Jesus. They became people frozen by fear and uncertainty.
On the day of Pentecost, all this changed when the Holy Spirit descended upon them as they were gathered together in Jerusalem. This gathering was the beginning of the first Christian church. The Holy Spirit gave to these frozen disciples the gifts of courage, wisdom, understanding and knowledge so they could finally understand their role in continuing the mission of Jesus. The feast of Pentecost is a celebration of the harvest of the seeds of faith, because the disciples finally came to understand the significance of Jesus’ teaching. As a teacher, this can be likened to the moment when our students finally put the pieces of learning together and are able to transfer this learning to a new situation. Jesus understood the fragility of his followers and knew that they would need these gifts if they were to be able to go out to all the nations and spread the good news. New believers in Jesus were baptised as they joined this church. They, along with the first followers of Jesus, shared life together, focusing on teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. They shared their belongings so that no one was hungry or needy. All this was done to keep alive the memory and mission of Jesus. Jesus began his work of mission and after Pentecost he had a church to continue the mission he had begun ~ to make present in the here and now, the kingdom of God.
The church of Jesus Christ is a place where every single person matters, where every member contributes to the health and mission of the church. Pentecost presents us with an opportunity to consider how we are living each day through our daily interactions with one another. We have the opportunity, just like the disciples to spread the Word of God in our lives, to our families, neighbours and the wider community. This can be through our words, but also our actions. As St Francis of Assisi said “Preach the Gospel at all times, if you have to use words”.
We pray that as a school community the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the gifts of Wisdom, Understanding, Right Judgement, Courage, Knowledge, Reverence, Wonder, and Awe of God, are present in our lives and the lives of our children. We pray that through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can all play our part transforming the world into a better place.
This begins in the here and now and is played out through our interactions with our family, friends and community, especially our community here at Our Lady Help of Christians.
May the Holy Spirit guide our hearts and minds so that we continue to spread the mission of Jesus, to reach out in service of others and build the kingdom of God.
We pray especially for those Year Six students who have been preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on Saturday evening. Confirmation marks the continuation of the journey first begun at Baptism. During Confirmation, candidates receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and are strengthened in their faith. Please keep these children in your prayers at this time.
We thank Mrs Samantha McGarrity, our Sacramental Coordinator, Mrs Alicia Failla and Miss Ainsley Northey who helped to prepare the children for receiving this sacrament. We know that this will be a very sacred time for the Year Six students and their families, as they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Enjoy the coming week ahead,
Jane Webb
PRINCIPAL
SEMESTER ONE REPORTS
The Year 1-6 teachers are currently finalising their Semester 1 reports. These reports will be released to you digitally, via Compass, on Wednesday Week 9, 22 June 2022.
This report is a reflection of what your child has achieved during Term 1 and Term 2. Student achievement has been assessed, and will be reported to, across all Key Learning Areas. The students will receive an overall grade (A-E) in each of these areas. Three learning gains will be highlighted for Religion, English and Maths. The Semester One reports will also highlight some points to focus on as Areas of Growth in both English and Maths.
The explanation of the common grade scale (A-E) that the teachers reflect upon when assigning these grades is outlined below:
The teachers also reflect on and comment on the student’s effort in each of these subject areas. The effort scale used to make this judgement is shown below:
Please take the time to celebrate the successes and discuss the areas to focus on for improvement with your child after this report is released. You will also have the opportunity to discuss this report with your child’s teacher during Week 10. Information about these Parent Teacher Meetings and how to book your time via Compass will come over the next couple of weeks. The Kindergarten parents will also have an opportunity to meet with either Miss Gabrio or Mrs Hickey in Week 10.
HOUSE POINTS
Congratulations to Sarkis house for being the winning house at the halfway point in the term. They all enjoyed their ice block reward on Monday of this week. The house captains will continue to count the house points each week and on Monday of Week 10 at Flag Raising the winning house for the term will be announced. This house will then enjoy their mufti day reward later that week, the exact day for this will be announced to the students on that day and to the parents via Compass. The students will continue collecting house points for following the school rules in the classroom and on the playground, for completing homework, borrowing from the library and wearing the correct uniform. The teachers are particularly focusing on uniform at the moment and will be talking to students who aren’t following what is outlined in the uniform policy, if this isn’t corrected it will be followed up with a phone call to parents. Thank you for supporting your child and the teachers with this.
May the opportunity for some extra family time this long weekend be embraced and you all enjoy the extra time together to relax. Congratulations to the Year 6 students who are making their Sacrament of Confirmation this weekend. May it be a special time for them all and their families and may they feel blessed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Alison Fazio
Assistant Principal
SEMESTER ONE REPORTS
Teachers are currently in the process of finalising Semester One (Terms One and Two) reports. Students in Years One – Six will receive this academic report that provides parents with a summary of learning gains as well as areas for improvement for the first two terms of the school year.
Parents will be provided with the opportunity to meet with their child’s teacher during Week 10 – from Monday 27 June 2022 with more information provided in the coming weeks as to how to book a meeting time via COMPASS. Kindergarten parents will also be invited to meet with either Mrs Hickey or Miss Gabrio to receive some feedback into your child’s learning and progress for the first half of the year.
The benefits of attending these learning conferences can never be underestimated. They provide an essential opportunity to set goals and targets for continued learning in Semester 2, as well as, strongly reinforcing the notion of partnership between home and school, which research indicates is a strong indicator of student success. Students from Stage Three are welcome to be part of these conferences.
ARRIVING AT SCHOOL ON TIME - READY FOR LEARNING
Arriving at school on time ensures that students are ready to learn as soon as they enter the classroom. At Our Lady Help of Christians, the morning bell rings at 8:25am allowing students to line up and get ready for learning.
Currently we have a number of students who are arriving at 8:30am well after learning has begun.
Parent Action:
Parents are asked to ensure that their child/ren are at school ready for learning from 8:30am. Students are deemed ‘late’ following this time has been completed.
If your child is late for school, parents are asked to bring them into the office foyer so that they can be signed in.
|
If your child is missing…. |
That equals |
Which is |
And over 13 years of school |
|
10 minutes per day |
50 minutes per week |
Almost 1.5 weeks of the year |
Almost half of a school year |
|
20 minutes per day |
1 hour 40 minutes per week |
Over 2.5 weeks per school year |
Almost 1 school year |
|
Half an hour per day |
Half a day per school week |
4 weeks per school year |
Almost 1.5 school years |
|
1 hour per day |
1 day per school week |
8 weeks per school year |
Over 2.5 school years |
If you want your child to be successful at school, then attendance does matter.
MANAGING COMPLAINTS
From time to time, parents may have an issue with something that occurs in the classroom or within the school community. Initially, these concerns should be addressed with your child’s class teacher directly. This can be raised by making an appointment to see your child’s teacher or by sending a message requesting that the teacher contact you. However, if the issue is not adequately addressed at this point, it is recommended that the concern be addressed through a member of the school leadership team. This can either be achieved by making an appointment at the school office or by contacting Mrs Fazio or Mrs Webb.
In the case that a satisfactory outcome is unable to be achieved, a formal process is available for complaints handling. Our school has aligned its approach to complaints handling using the model proposed in the Diocesan Complaints Handling procedure.
For details please consult the following CEO website for more information: https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/safety-and-wellbeing/concerns-complaints/
STUDENT ABSENCES
It is important that when your child is absent from school to complete their absence in COMPASS.
Under you childs photo you will see
Click on Add Attendance Note and the Attendance Note Editor will appear,
add the reason from the drop down box
then add Details/Comment
For example
Doctor as confirmed tonsillitis.
Has been coughing all night, negative RAT test.
Stomach ache.
Make sure the date is correct and you can Add Attachments - a Doctors certificate (if applicable).
ABSENCES NOT COMPLETED WITHIN 7 DAYS
AS PREVIOUSLY NOTIFIED *PLEASE READ*
The NSW Education Act (1990) and Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) require Parents/Carers to ensure that children of compulsory school age attend school on each day that the school is open for instruction. If children are absent from school, Parents/Carers are required to provide the school with an acceptable explanation, within seven days of the absence.
After seven days, absences will automatically be recorded as Absent - unexplained / unjustified if the school is not provided with an acceptable explanation from Parents/Carers. Parents wishing to provide the school with an acceptable explanation after the seven day period, will need to contact the school and the school will adjust the attendance register. Parents will no longer be able to enter the absence through the parental portal in Compass after the seven day period.
DROPPING OFF FORGOTTEN ITEMS
Parents are not to go directly to the classroom to drop off or pick up left items or to check on their child. Please inform the office and they will attend to this.
EARLY PICK UP FOR APPOINTMENTS
If you are picking your children up early for an appointment that cannot be arranged outside of school hours, please send a note to the classroom teacher so that your child can be ready to go when you arrive at the office.
CONTACT DETAILS
At all times, we ask that parents keep your contact details up to date. Phone numbers and email addresses can be amended, by you, through the Compass portal.
ASSEMBLY
Our next Assembly will be held on Friday 17 June 2022. Merit and Principal Awards will be presented. Congratulations to the following students who will be receiving a Principal's Award.
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:
IF YOU NEED A UNIFORM ITEM AND ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND IN PERSON, PLEASE EMAIL THE SCHOOL info@olhcdow.catholic.edu.au with item and size required and we will send it home with your child if the item is available.
HEADLICE
A case of Head lice has been reported to the school. If you notice your child scratching their head frequently it would be a good idea to check for head lice.
COMPASS
Having trouble getting on to COMPASS? - try installing the updates on the App. Another idea is to uninstall the App and reinstall. If you are still experiencing access issues, please call the school office.
To visit the school Facebook page, please click on the link below. When you see something you like on our Facebook page, please "like" us
www.facebook.com/olhc.rosemeadow
eSAFETY WEBSITE
This website provides online safety basics. Help your children safely navigate their digital world and educate them to avoid harmful online experiences. Explore websites, games, apps and social media together and set some rules. We urge parents to take the time to look at this site by visiting:
| Thursday 9 June | Parish Mass - 9.00am - 4W attending |
| Friday 10 June |
Winter Woolies Mufti Day - gold coin donation 3M Reconciliation 5M Class visit - Fr Sarkis |
| Monday 13 June | Queen's Birthday Public Holiday |
| Saturday 11 June | Confirmation |
| Wednesday 15 June | Parish Mass - 9.00am - 2M attending |
| Thursday 16 June | Parish Mass - 9.00am - 1M attending |
| Friday 17 June |
6M Reconciliation 3M Class visit - Fr Sarkis Assembly - 2.00pm St Joachim Hall, Parents welcome to attend |
| Wednesday 22 June | Parish Mass - 9.00am - 5M attending |
| Thursday 23 June | Parish Mass - 9.00 am - 3M attending |
| Friday 24 June |
6W Reconciliation Year 4 Class visit - Fr Sarkis |
| Wednesday 29 June | Parish Mass - 9.00am - KM attending |
| Thursday 30 June | Parish Mass - 9.00am - KW attending |
| Friday 1 July |
Year 6 & Year 4 Benediction Assembly - 2.00pm St Joachim Hall, Parents welcome to attend Last day of Term 2 |
| Monday 18 July | Staff Professional Learning - NO school for students |
| Tuesday 19 July | Students return for Term 3 |
| Tuesday 26 July | Sts Anne & Joachim Feast Day |
| Thursday 28 July | School Photographs |
| Friday 29 July | Soccer Gala Day |
| Monday 1 August |
Year 4 Religious Literacy Assessment P&F Meeting 7.30pm in the Library |
| Friday 5 August | Western Region Athletics Carnival |
| Monday 8 August | St Mary MacKillop Feast Day |
| Monday 15 August | Assumption of Mary |
| Wed 17 August | ICAS - English |
| Thursday 18 August | Mass with Bishop Brian |
| Wed 24 August | ICAS - Science |
| Wed 31 August | ICAS - Maths |
| Thurs 1 September | World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation |
| Sunday 4 September | Father's Day |
| Thurs 8 September |
Our Lady's Birthday RU Okay day |
| Sat 10 September | P&F Bunnings BBQ - Campbelltown |
| Thurs 15 September | Basketball Gala Day - Year 3 & Year 4 |
| Friday 16 September | Basketball Gala Day - Year 5 & Year 6 |
| Mon 19 September | Activate Fire program - Year 6 attending |
| Friday 23 September | Last Day of Term 3 |
| Sunday 2 October | Daylight savings commences |
| Monday 10 October | First day of Term 4 |
| Thursday 20 to Friday 21 October | Year 5 Canberra Excursion |
| Friday 28 October | World Teacher's Day |
| Tuesday 1 November | All Saints Day |
| Wed 2 November | All Souls Day |
| Friday 11 November |
Remembrance Day Surf Day - Year 5 & 6 |
| Mon 21 November to Wed 23 November | Year 6 Camp - Wedderburn |
| Mon 28 November | Staff Spirituality Day - NO school for students |
| Wed 14 December | Year 6 Graduation Mass 5.00pm |
| Friday 16 December | Students Last Day of Term 4 |
Congratulations to the following students who celebrate a June birthday:-
Matilda Summers, Gisella Wijaya, Adelaide Douglas,
Christopher Boos, Jax Stevens, Charlie Desborough,
Jackson Marten, Jasmine Jallad, Nolan Tran,
Georgia Botrous, Kobie Fenton, Max Kyselov,
Oliver McIntyre-Wormald, Jessica Chanhdara, Alexandra Vagaja,
Josephine Vagaja, Christian Fenech, Orlando Arias,
Steven Brticevich, Roman Oraz, Enzo Venegas,
Sienna Robinson, Loxley-Reid Dale, Chloe Delmo.
UNIFORM UPDATE: SPORTS SHIRT
Survey results for the proposed change to the school sports shirt showed the majority (75.6%) voting to change to a new design, with Option 2 being the overwhelming favourite.
The majority of responses elected to keep the current sports shorts. Work is now underway to organise the new shirts through Lowes, which will be gradually phased in over 3 years.
NEXT MEETING
FUNDRAISING: BUNNINGS BBQ - SAVE THE DATE!
There will be a Bunnings BBQ fundraiser at Campbelltown Bunnings on Saturday 10 September 2022. Volunteers are needed to help run the fundraiser, if you are able to give a couple of hours of your time and/or any butchers or bakers able to assist with supplies, please let us know.
The Canteen is open for lunch orders and 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.
