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Stewardship thought....
Dear Parents and Carers,
It is hard to believe that we are approaching the mid way point of the final term of the year. This year, we have seen the return of welcoming parents into the school community, planning whole school events and being able to participate in excursions and camps. It is also difficult to believe that this time last year, we were just returning to school after a significant period of learning at home (I am sure that parents in Years One - Six remember this time very well). During this time, we were indebted to and very grateful for the support of our parents in assisting students to learn at home.
This made me consider and reflect on the Gospel passage of the Ten Lepers. It is not uncommon for parents, and we as teachers as well, to remind children to say, ‘Thank you’. In the Gospel the focus is on Jesus and his capacity to heal others - even those with leprosy a life threatening condition. Only one of those who were healed remembered to thank Jesus. Every day, we are presented with gifts from God. These range from the small– a roof over our head, food on our plate, to bigger things – a happy and healthy family, driving from A to B and arriving safely. All of these things we take for granted. We need to be reminded to take a moment in our day, wherever and whenever, to give thanks to God for all we have.
And so it is, in reviewing the commencement of this term at OLHC, that we have SO much to be thankful for. Students from Kindergarten - Year Four have had the opportunity to take and enhance their learning in an outdoor environment. These excursions help to enhance and bring to life the learning that takes place in the classrooms. As you can appreciate, these excursions do not just happen. They take a great deal of planning and organisation. We show gratitude to the teachers who invest time in planning these excursions that help to bring the curriculum to life.
Last week, the Year Five students travelled to the National Capital - Canberra for an overnight camp. They were wonderful representatives of OLHC and gained so much from the experience. Thank you to those parents who expressed their gratitude to the staff (Miss O’Sullivan and Mr Myerscough) and myself for accompanying the students. This overnight excursion provided wonderful opportunities for the students to deepen their knowledge in relation to democracy, the preferential voting system and houses of parliament. We express our gratitude to both Mr Myerscough, for his thorough planning and preparation and Miss O’Sullivan for the support provided in attending the camp. Please see below for some photos of the students' Canberra experience. We also extend our gratitude to our office staff, who assisted in preparing for the camp.
Last Wednesday evening, we were able to welcome those families who will have a child start at OLHC next year in Kindergarten. It was wonderful to be able to welcome new families as well as welcome those families who already have a child at the school. I would like to express my gratitude to the many staff who were able to be present at the Information Evening and share information about our school with the parents. We are so blessed to have a staff that gives so generously of their time. We look forward to welcoming the Kinder 2023 students over the coming weeks as they begin the Transition to School through play sessions to assist them in getting to know each other, prior to commencing school.
WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY
This week, we are also showing gratitude to teachers, by acknowledging all that they do on World Teachers’ Day. Australia will celebrate the teaching profession on World Teachers’ Day this Friday, 28 October 2022.
Our teachers have shown great resilience during challenging times, all so they can give Australian students the best future possible.
Hats off to our teachers this World Teachers’ Day!
We are encouraging students, their families and the community to celebrate teachers.
What do teachers mean to you?
Students will be able to show their gratitude to their teacher on Friday.
We can learn so much from the leper, who took the time to express gratitude to Jesus. We are encouraged to show gratitude to others. We should never underestimate the positive impact that showing this gratitude can have in the lives of others.
PARLIAMENT AND CIVICS EDUCATION REBATE (PACER)
Year 5 students recently set off for an educational tour of Canberra, our national capital last week. Students will be given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage, and democracy.
For many years the Australian Government has recognised the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as a part of their Civics and Citizenship education and has contributed towards costs through the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) program of $30 per student. We are extremely grateful for this support and look forward to sharing student reflections in the weeks ahead.
Jane Webb
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.
This week we have also offered a range of these activities throughout the week during break time. The students have loved coming together for a session of mindful colouring and mindful painting. Today, the students interested were able to enjoy spending time drawing with chalk on Playground 2 during break time. Tomorrow we will be offering some reflective time to think about what we are grateful for in a Gratitude Circle.
We hope the students have found these extra activities worthwhile and enjoyable, it is important for us all to give ourselves time to be mindful, to breathe, to reflect and to relax. I hope you all find some time to do this over the weekend as well.
Alison Fazio
Assistant Principal
Students are also asked to bring in some old clean socks and recycled materials to support their class in making a sockball.
Students will be engaging in prayer and learning experiences next week focused on All Saints Day and All Souls Day.
All Saints' Day is a solemn holy day of the Catholic Church celebrated annually on November 1. The day is dedicated to the saints of the Church, that is, all those who have attained heaven. On Friday afternoon students will participate in a liturgy in their classroom to acknowledge this important day in the church’s calendar.
All Souls' Day, is observed on November 2, and is dedicated to those who have died and not yet reached heaven.
As a school we will be commemorating Remembrance Day with a whole school liturgy. The Liturgy will be held in the St Joachim Hall at 2.00pm. We invite all parents to join us.
STUDENTS NOT RETURNING TO OLHC IN 2023
If parents are 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 2023 that will be regrouped.
All other grades (Kinder, Year Two, Year Three, Year Four 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 18th 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.
PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES BY INSTALMENT – NEW FAMILIES TO OUR SCHOOL
School Fees are invoiced as an annual account, due for payment in full 30 days after invoicing. However, many families elect to pay their school fees by regular instalments and as a new family to our school, we would like to offer you this option. If wish to take up this offer, please complete a Request to Pay by Instalment Form which is available on the school’s website or from the school’s administration office. On completion of the request, either email it to instalments@dow.catholic.edu.au or submit at the school office. Following receipt of the request, instalments will be generated on your school fee account during the process of invoicing 2023 school fees. Your school fee statements are emailed to you and they will provide a list of scheduled payments and their due date.
IMPORTANT: Please note that if you currently have a child or children at another school in the Diocese and you are paying by instalments at this location, you will not need to complete another Request to Pay by Instalment. The instalment request carries over from school to school with the same frequency of payment e.g. weekly, fortnightly, etc.
EXISTING FAMILIES IN OUR SCHOOL WITH INSTALMENTS
If you are currently paying by instalments there is no need to complete another Request to Pay by Instalment as your request carries over from year to year unless you wish to amend the frequency of your payments e.g. weekly to fortnightly
EXISTING FAMILIES IN OUR SCHOOL WITHOUT INSTALMENTS
If you would like to pay school fees by instalments in 2023 and have previously not taken up this option for payment, please complete a Request to Pay by Instalment Form which is available on the school’s website or from the school’s administration office. On completion of the request either email it to instalments@dow.catholic.edu.au or submit at the school office. Following receipt of the request, instalments will be generated on your school fee account during the process of invoicing 2023 school fees. Your school fee statement will provide a list of scheduled payments and their due date depending on the frequency you have chosen e.g. Fortnightly, Monthly, etc.
IMPORTANT: Please note that if you currently have a child or children at another school in the Diocese and you are paying by instalments at this location, you will not need to complete another Request to Pay by Instalment. The instalment request carries over from school to school with the same frequency of payment eg Weekly, fortnightly, etc.
ASSEMBLY
Our next Assembly will be held on Friday 4 November 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:
| Friday 28 October |
World Teacher's Day Jersey day & Crazy socks day - gold coin donation 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 |
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.
