Dear Parents and Carers,

Next Monday, 8th August, we celebrate the Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop - Australia’s first saint. Mary MacKillop was a trail-blazer in her lifetime, leaving a culture of exemplary living for her followers to emulate. Mary paved the way for education of poor children and a variety of ministries which addressed the needs of 19th century Australia.

Her legacy continues today in countless ways. Education in its many facets is still a strong ministry for the Sisters of Saint Joseph.

Mary’s work continues today with a myriad of ways of bringing healing and hope through spirituality, counselling, supervision and mentoring.

Mary MacKillop’s legacy encourages us to be people of justice and ecumenism. 

Mary inspires us to be courageous and hopeful and to have a deep faith in our God who provides.

Mary MacKillop has shown us how to forgive and how to be compassionate; she teaches us about spirituality and is a saint for all of us today.

The life of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop demonstrates the deep commitment that was shown to her faith and the Church. She stood for others believing that her work was for the good of others; that those around them would live lives that were fulfilled and filled with prayer and the Holy Spirit. Mary is remembered by many quotes, and I leave this one with you this week to reflect upon as we journey through the week.

“If disappointed, don’t say hard things. Only think a little, pray a little, and try to remember that God will bring about what is best in God’s own time.”

Mary MacKillop, 2 September 1873

WALKATHON

Next Monday 8th August, we are celebrating the Feast of St Mary of the Cross Mackillop, with a school walkathon. This will be a wonderful opportunity for parents to be involved and to be part of this walk around the local area. Parents are welcome to join us for prayer at Flag Raising from 8:30am. The walkathon will then commence with our senior students, Year 6. Parents are warmly invited to be part of the walkathon and walk with your child. 

Students are encouraged to collect sponsorship from relatives and friends. All money raised will be put towards the completion of the mosaic prayer space located near our playground area.

COVID SMART MEASURES

We continue to experience high rates of sickness within our student and staff community. As always, we appreciate your support when it comes to your child / ren being unwell, in that, you keep them home until they are well enough to return. If you or someone in your family tests positive for COVID, students are still able to attend school. It is recommended that they wear a mask whilst at school.

We are maintaining our COVID safe practices here at school by ensuring that we:

• Stay home if unwell or showing any symptoms & not returning until we are fully recovered.
• Use Rapid antigen test when exhibiting symptoms & for close contacts who are able to be at school.
• Practice good hygiene including regular hand washing & sanitising before eating & entering classrooms.

Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) are available on request and can be sent home with your child/ren as needed. If you require RATs, please email the school info@olhcdow.catholic.edu.au. 

We appreciate your support in helping us to keep our school community safe and well over the coming weeks.  

PARENT SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT -

What do I do if I have a concern regarding another student/s who is not my child?

At times, parents may become concerned about the behaviour of other students and, in an effort to resolve the situation, approach the student concerned. However, under no circumstances are parents to approach other students’ when trying to resolve an issue. 

Always seek assistance from the school. Incidents such as this can very quickly lead to reportable Child Protection matters that have to be investigated and reported.

It is also good practice to seek the assistance from the school when you have a concern rather than approaching other parents about school related matters.

Always think about what you would do, or how you would feel, if another parent approached your child or confronted you about a matter where you were not fully informed of the details.

Next Tuesday 9th August, I will be undertaking an appraisal of my role as Principal of Our Lady Help of Christians. 

The Principal Appraisal process is an important platform for reflection on performance and achievement in the role allowing for successes to be acknowledged and affirmed and areas for development to be identified and used for ongoing Performance and Development processes. 

This process is designed for identifying areas of future growth and development for me as a principal. I thank those who have been able to complete the survey. I appreciate your input into this process.

CAMP AUSTRALIA

CATHOLIC CARE COURSES

Our range of groups focus on strengthening relationships, parenting, post-separation, supporting parents with children in care, managing challenging emotions and loss and grief.  Click on the link below for the current courses available.