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Stewardship thought....
to say thank you. I, too, have received many blessings from the
Lord – indeed, all I am and all I have is gift! How, and how often,
have I remember to thank Him?
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we are now in the month of October, we are reminded that as part of our Catholic faith tradition, it is the month that is dedicated to the Holy Rosary. The Rosary is a group of prayers where you reflect on the important events in the life of Jesus and Mary. The word ‘rosary’ means a chain of roses and the roses are prayers. The Rosary contains four sets of mysteries or events from periods in Jesus’ life: the ‘Joyful Mysteries’, the ‘Mysteries of Light’, the ‘Sorrowful Mysteries’ and the ‘Glorious Mysteries’.
As a prayer, it reminds us that we are never alone when we pray; when we pray we are always helped by the prayers of Our Lady and the saints in heaven as well as the prayers of all the members of the Church. Rosary beads are used to help us; they count our prayers and tell us which prayer to say.
During the month of October, we pray the rosary for world peace, those living with illness, the elderly and frail, those who are completing exams and the special intentions of those in our community.
Our Lady of the Rosary
Pray for Us.
Welcome back to Term 4! It is almost impossible to believe this is our final term for 2022.
The holidays are always a wonderful time to reconnect with family and friends and I hope the last two weeks were also an opportunity to rest and recharge in preparation for the term ahead.
Term 4 will be filled with many life-giving community events. These include our Kindergarten 2023 playgroup and transition sessions, Student Leadership elections, First Holy Communion workshops and celebration of the sacrament, School Swimming and Surf Program, Christmas celebrations, Semester 2 reports, and our Year 6 farewell.
In Term Four, the lifecycle of the school year recommences as we welcome our newest school members – Kindergarten 2023 and their families and farewell our Year Six students, some of whom have been part of the OLHC school community for the past seven years.
Please keep informed regarding all the great things happening and do try and join us if you are able. We certainly have much to look forward to and be grateful for!
KINDERGARTEN PARENT INFORMATION EVENING & PLAYGROUP
For the first time in a number of years, we are looking forward to welcoming parents of Kinder 2023 students to an information evening next Wednesday evening, 19 October from 6pm.
At this evening, parents will be able to hear about what the beginning of the school year will look like and have the opportunity to learn more about our wonderful school. Fr Sarkis will also be joining us on this evening. We look forward to welcoming our Kinder families and pray that this will be a special time for them as they prepare to support their child transition to school in a positive way. Children do not need to attend this information session.
If you have a family friend or relative who is looking to enrol their child in 2023, we still have some availability in some classes for additional students. Please encourage parents to complete an enrolment form that can be found at the following link.
https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/for-parents/enrolment/?ref=quicklinks
STUDENTS NOT RETURNING TO OLHC IN 2023
If parents are already aware that their child/ren will not be returning to Our Lady Help of Christians in 2023, we request that this information be provided to the school office as soon as possible.
This information will assist us with accommodating both new applications and students who are currently on our waiting list. Please send an email to info@olhcdow.catholic.edu.au if your child/ren will not be returning to the OLHC school community in 2023.
CLASS PLACEMENT 2023
Term 4 is the time when we complete the 2022 school year as well as prepare for 2023. One of the major tasks this term is to prepare classes for 2023. Teachers and staff members utilise their professional expertise in making decisions, seeking to create equitable class groupings considering all students. Please note - this applies to Year One and Year Five that will be regrouped for 2023.
All other grades (Kinder, Year Two, Year Three and Year Six will be single stream for 2023).
Optimising the learning environment is the prime focus when forming new class groups for 2023, not forming friendship groups. The aim is to provide classes in which each child is able to continue to develop to their full potential.
If there is a particular issue regarding your child’s optium learning for 2023, please write to Mrs Webb, via email, stating your concerns and requests. You are invited to be proactive rather than reactive.
Please note that this is not an opportunity to request individual teachers, but an opportunity to state a particular issue that might impact on your child’s learning in 2023. All requests will be considered but NOT NECESSARILY GUARANTEED.
Please send your email requests to info@olhcdow.catholic.edu.au, using Class Placement 2023 as the subject line, marked to the attention of Mrs Webb by Friday 18 November 2022. Further requests regarding class placement will not take place after this date.
Please note that because we are committed to the belief that each child begins each school year anew, we do not retain information regarding these requests from previous years.
This is the time to raise any issues regarding your child’s optimum learning for 2023. After all requests have been considered the school will make the final decision regarding all placements.
DATES FOR TERM 4
- Staff Development Day - Monday 28 November (Week 8) - all staff will be offsite attending a Spirituality Day. Thank you for making care arrangements for your child/ren on this day.
- Last day of Term 4 for students Friday 16 December. Students able to go home following the End of year Mass and farewell tunnel.
A number of students will be participating in excursions and overnight camps this term -
- Years Three and Four attending Belgenny Farm on Thursday 13 October.
- Years One and Two attending Sydney Zoo on Tuesday 18 October.
- Year Five attending an overnight excursion to the National Capital - Canberra on Thursday 20 and Friday 21 October.
- Kindergarten attending Featherdale Wildlife Park on Thursday 27 October (more information to follow).
We know that all these students will be wonderful representatives of our school and remember to follow the school rules on these excursions and campsites. We thank the teachers for the planning and preparation that goes into the organisation of these events. We look forward to sharing photos with you via our Facebook page over the coming weeks.
As we commence this final term we ask God to bless us all and each of our families and ask for God’s continued blessing.
Jane Webb
Welcome back to Term 4. I hope that you have all had a lovely break with your families and found the time away from the busyness of school life. I know the teachers have also enjoyed the time to recuperate after a very busy Term 3 and are all looking forward to enjoying the final term together as a school community.
Congratulations to Sarkis for winning the House Points for Term 3, I know the numbers were very close and they just moved into first place in the final count. They were awarded their mufti day on the last day of the term. We will begin the process again this term and the students will continue being awarded points for following the school rules both on the playground and in the classroom, for wearing the correct uniform, for borrowing from the library and for completing their homework.
Thank you for your support in ensuring your child has returned to school this term wearing their uniform with pride and making sure their hair complies with the expectations of the uniform policy.
At the end of last term we refined our Afternoon Dismissal processes, thank you for continuing to follow these this term.
AFTERNOON DISMISSAL
These are the dismissal points for students each afternoon. The students can be picked up via carline, parent pickup at the classroom, be picked up by their John Therry sibling, be taken up to the bus zone to catch their bus or walk home. Please adhere to the following arrangements for each of these dismissal procedures.
The current arrangements for John Therry dismissal state that the students wait to be picked up by their John Therry sibling outside the St Joachim hall where their brother or sister will walk down to collect them from. The current procedures for Pick Up via the car line are that the students will walk up to this area in their stage groups where they will remain seated while they are waiting and watching for their car to come through and to be picked up by their parent. If you wish to come into the school to pick your child up then the only option for this is Parent Pick Up from the Classroom. The procedures for this option are that you enter the school via the St Anne gate and wait around the flagpole area, back from the Kindergarten classrooms, until the bell goes at 2:45pm when you will walk down to their classroom area and pick up your child. Please note that you are not to park in our school car park and walk over to pick your child up from the carline area or the John Therry zone. We appreciate your support of these procedures and the staff will be reminding any parents picking up their child from carline or John Therry that the only option for parent pick up is via the St Anne gate.
October is Mental Health Month and as a school we already have daily practices in place to support the students. Each afternoon, after Break 2, the school participates in SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) / Mindfulness activities. These range from mindful breathing exercises, meditation, gratefulness circles, journaling, mindful colouring in and more. During Week 3 this term, we will also offer a range of these activities throughout the week during one break time each day.
Congratulations to the following students for making it through to the CDF Regional Public Speaking Competition.
Year 6 - Lina Prime
Year 5 - Isaac Soriano
We wish them all the best as they represent our school at the next level. They should be very proud of the way they presented their speeches to the students and staff of Stage 3 and our special guest adjudicator. We look forward to hearing how they went.
Alison Fazio
Assistant Principal
October is Mission Month. OLHC Students will be learning about the work that Catholic Mission are doing in Ethiopia. To support this work we will be holding a Jersey and Crazy socks themed mufti day on Friday 28 October 2022. Students are asked to bring a gold coin to donate. Students are also asked to bring in some old clean socks and recycled materials to support their class in making a sockball.
This Sacrament will be celebrated on Sunday 13 November, 2022 (and 20 November ONLY IF NEEDED). It is available to all children in Year 3 or above who have been baptised and have received the sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). If anyone who has NOT made their First Holy Communion in the last 3y ears due to COVID, but have made their First Confession, they can do so this year.
If you wish your child to make this Sacrament you MUST attend the first lesson for this programme on Saturday 15 October, 2022 commencing at 4.15p.m. Please bring a copy of your child’s full birth certificate, and if they were not baptised in Rosemeadow Parish, a copy of their baptism certificate. Children will participate in lessons in the St. Joachim Parish Hall. A decision on parent’s meetings will be made later depending on covid restrictions at the time. This is the last opportunity for you to enroll for 2022.
NOTE: If you will be enrolling at the first lesson, then please arrive at 3.45pm to the Parish Hall before the lesson to complete the paperwork. The program fee of $25 is also payable at the first lesson. Thank you.
PLEASE NOTE : Since we anticipate increased numbers this year, there will be an extra opportunity to enrol on Saturday 8 October in the Martha Room (access via the Quiet Room in the foyer) at 5.30pm prior to the Vigil Mass.
October is dedicated Holy Rosary and the liturgical feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary is held annually on October 8. Students will learn about and pray the Rosary throughout the month of October.
The OLHC 2022 Christmas Concert will be held on Thursday 8 December at 6:30pm in the John Therry Hall. Keep an eye out for more information soon!
GEL BLASTERS/GEL GUNS
CSNSW has issued an update regarding Gel Guns and the potential penalties that may apply if a student is found to be in possession of one.
STAFF NEWS
We congratulate Miss Megan O’Sullivan who has been successful in gaining the permanent Religious Education Coordinator (REC) position commencing immediately.
We also extend our congratulations to both Mrs Gemma Wild and Mrs Emma Cotterill who will both welcome new babies to their families in 2023.
As Mrs Karen Powell continues to take leave this term, Mrs Judy Azzopardi will continue to support students with their learning on Monday - Thursday. Mrs Vanessa Lennon will support students on Fridays.
ASSEMBLY
Our next Assembly will be held on Friday 21 October 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:
Lucas MacDiarmid 3M, Ingham
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 13 October |
Mass at 9.00am - 2M attending Excursion - Year 3 and Year 4 |
| Monday 17 October | Kinder to Year 4 swimming program |
| Tuesday 18 October | Excursion - Year 1 and Year 2 |
| Wed 19 October | Mass at 9.00am - 3M attending |
| Thursday 20 October | Mass at 9.00am - KW attending |
| Thursday 20 to Friday 21 October |
Year 5 Canberra Excursion |
| Friday 21 October |
Reconciliation - 6W Fr Sarkis visit to Year 4 |
| Monday 24 October | Kinder to Year 4 swimming program |
| Wed 26 October | Mass at 9.00am - 1M attending |
| Thursday 27 October |
Mass at 9.00am - 4W attending Excursion - Kindergarten |
| Friday 28 October |
World Teacher's Day Jersey day & Crazy socks day Reconciliation - 4M Fr Sarkis visit to Kindergarten |
| Monday 31 October | Kinder to Year 4 swimming program |
| Tuesday 1 November | All Saints Day |
| Wed 2 November |
All Souls Day Mass at 9.00am - 4M attending |
| Thursday 3 November | Mass at 9.00am - 5M attending |
| Friday 4 November | Benediction at 11.40am - Year 4 and Year 6 attending |
| Monday 7 November | Kinder to Year 4 swimming program |
| Wed 9 November | Mass at 9.00am - KW attending |
| Thurs 10 November | Mass at 9.00am - 6M attending |
| Friday 11 November |
Reconciliation - 3M Fr Sarkis visit to Year 3 Remembrance Day Surf Day - Year 5 & 6 |
| Sunday 13 November | First Holy Communion |
| Monday 14 November | Kinder to Year 4 swimming program |
| Wed 16 November | Mass at 9.00am - 3M attending |
| Thurs 17 November | Mass at 9.00am - 6W attending |
| Friday 18 November |
Reconciliation - 4W Fr Sarkis visit to Year 2 |
| Sunday 20 November | First Holy Communion |
| Monday 21 November | Kinder to Year 4 swimming program |
| Mon 21 November to Wed 23 November | Year 6 Camp - Wedderburn |
| Wed 23 November | Mass at 9.00am - 2M attending |
| Thurs 24 November | Mass at 9.00am - KM attending |
| Friday 25 November |
Reconciliation - 5M Fr Sarkis visit to Year 6 |
| Mon 28 November | Staff Spirituality Day - NO school for students |
| Wed 30 November | Mass at 9.00am - Year 6 attending |
| Thurs 1 December | Mass at 9.00am - Year 4 attending |
| Friday 2 December |
Benediction at 11.40am - Year 3 & Year 5 attending Co-curricular Assembly |
| Monday 5 December | Kinder to Year 4 swimming program |
| Wed 7 December | Mass at 9.00am - 5M attending |
| Thursday 8 December |
Mass at 9.00am - 1M attending Christmas Concert 6.30pm - John Therry hall |
| Monday 12 December | Kinder to Year 4 swimming program |
| Wed 14 December | Year 6 Graduation Mass 5.00pm |
| Friday 16 December |
End of Year Mass 9.30am Students Last Day of Term 4 |
Congratulations to all the students who celebrate a birthday in October.
Isobel Saywell, Nash Summers, Leo Kyselov,
Zali Linden, Rihanna Abranches, Lilly Muscat,
Fiona Nguyen, Sophie Hailes, Jeremy Chanhdara,
Xia Lamont, Liam Crawford, Olivia Anderson,
Ruby Clark, Christopher Ash.
CAMP AUSTRALIA
Have you redeemed your $500 BASC (Before and After School Care) voucher yet? Please see attached flyer for more information.
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.
WHAT'S ON IN CAMPBELLTOWN
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.