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Gospel Reflection....
We’ve all experienced a time when the lights went out and we were in darkness. In this case, if you were to light a candle and place it in the centre of the room, its light would make quite a difference. One candle in a darkened room transforms that room, making it a more comfortable dwelling place.
Using that image, consider the first line in Jesus’ metaphor. “You are the light of the world.” Try to see yourself as that single candle in the darkness. That is your mission. Just as a single candle can give light to an entire room, so you are capable of being a source of light for many others.
One of the primary missions we have all received in life is to allow the light of God’s grace to “shine before others.” The result of fulfilling this mission is that others will see our good deeds that were inspired by God, and they will, in turn, glorify the Father in Heaven. Thus, your mission of radiating the light of Christ for others results in God being praised and glorified.
Dear Parents and Carers of Our Lady Help of Christians,
What a positive start to the 2023 school year we have had! This week, we welcomed our newest members to our community - our Kindergarten students. They are an absolute delight to watch as they navigate the school environment under the guidance of our supportive OLHC staff.
One of my greatest pleasures each day is watching the children engage with each other. The morning duty gives the perfect opportunity to greet the children but also allows me to observe the great friendships that are forming. I came across a quote recently that made me think of the children I see each day:
Friendship is contingent on love—real love: compassion, empathy, reaching out, going beyond what we imagine is possible. That is the command: love. And if we reach out in love, friendship is the result, even friendship with God. (Diana Butler Bass)
Kindergarten’s start to the year is looking very successful as they engage with each other and their teacher, Mrs Hickey, during these first few days of school. We all look forward to watching these students grow and learn and to the contributions that will be made by the many new families during their time at Our Lady Help of Christians.
As members of a Catholic school community, we all teach in Jesus’ name, we all have Him as a wonderful example from which to draw inspiration and confidence as we, the staff at school work in close partnership with parents and carers, to create the best possible learning environment for all the students in our school.
May we enter this new adventure together in anticipation of the possibilities that lie ahead and remember our collective responsibility to Seek Wisdom Love God, a lived reality within our community each day.
Blessed are you, Lord God, Creator of body and mind and heart;
At the beginning of this new school year ask you to bless the students, staff, and families of OLHC that together we may grow in faith, hope, and love as we learn from you and each other how to follow your Son Jesus.
Expand the horizons of our minds, that we may grow in wisdom, understanding, and knowledge; deepen our commitment to seek the truth of your ways; and enliven our faith to reach out to those in need.
Amen
Jane Webb
Welcome back to 2023! I hope you all had a relaxing holiday and enjoyed the quality time you spent as a family. Already we have hit the term running with lots of great learning and wonderful opportunities and celebrations.
It was lovely last week for all of the students in Years 3-6 to come together to participate in our OLHC Swimming Carnival. Our Year 6 captains and leaders had their first opportunity to lead the school and their colour houses and what a wonderful job they did. The weather was certainly on our side and it was great to see the students have a go and try their best. The winning house will be announced soon and all of the house points awarded on the day will go towards the house point total for the term.
It was lovely to welcome our new Kindergarten students to our school this week on Tuesday. Starting school for the first time is such a huge step but we look forward to taking this step with the students and their families. Thank you to Mrs Hickey for all that she is doing to make this transition to big school so smooth. I am sure there will be many tired Kindergarten students this Friday afternoon after their first week of school.
The students have been working very hard in their classrooms and on the playground to show that they are able to follow the school rules and have been awarded house points for doing so. These points, along with the points awarded for the Swimming Carnival, are totalled each week to see which house is coming first. The first house point update will be announced at next Monday’s flag raising. I am sure all of the students will be keen to learn which house colour is in the lead.
To begin the year the teachers have explicitly taught the expectations for behaviour in the classroom and in all areas of the playground. These are retaught throughout the year to remind students of what is expected and how we follow the school rules in everything we do here at OLHC. We have particularly focused on the rules and expectations for Afternoon Dismissal and we appreciate your support in ensuring that your child uses one of the dismissal points each afternoon (Pick Up, John Therry, Bus, After School Care or Classroom Pick up).
Please remember that if you plan to come into the school to pick up your child you must enter the school via the St Anne gate and not through the school car park gate. We also ask that parents don’t park in the school car park and walk over to pick up their child from the Pick up or John Therry waiting area.
Just as a reminder, the students are not allowed to wear apple watches to school due to their expense and interactive capability. The teachers will follow this up with any students who are and remind them of this. Also please be aware of the expectations for girls with earrings, they are only allowed to wear plain gold or silver studs or sleepers (the sleepers must be able to be turned through the ear so they can’t have a clasp at the back). Girls hair that is below shoulder length must be worn up and boys hair must be of an even length all over with no shaved lines. We appreciate your support with this and uniform house points are awarded each week to students who are following our uniform policy.
We are looking forward to another productive year and to the many experiences and the wonderful learning that we will all do together. It will be wonderful to join together as a whole school community tomorrow to celebrate our Beginning School Mass.
Alison Fazio
Assistant Principal
Meet and Greet sessions
Teachers look forward to establishing positive relationships and working in close partnership with parents. Ensuring that teachers are able to find out important information about the students is important to ensuring that the partnership between home and school is as strong as possible. As the first educators, parents often have fresh insights and lots of key information to share about their child. To this end, we are encouraging parents to arrange a Meet and Greet session with their child’s teacher next week from 13th February. These sessions will be the perfect opportunity for parents to inform the teacher of particular information about their child that they feel it is necessary for the teacher to be aware of as we commence the school year together.
The purpose of this “Meet and Greet’ session is to: - meet your child’s teacher, visit your child’s classroom and share important information about your child with their teacher. These sessions will be for all students from Kinder – Year 6. This is an opportunity for parents to inform teachers of insights and important information at the beginning of the school year.
P & F Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Notice is given that the P & F AGM will be held at school and via Zoom on Monday 20th March at 7:00 pm.
The primary purpose of the P & F is to provide an opportunity for parents to be involved in the school through community building activities, fundraising and support for school initiatives.
At the meeting all executive positions will be declared vacant, and an election will take place.
Information about the responsibilities of each position will be provided to all parents via a separate Compass notification.
Any parent who wishes to nominate themselves or someone else for any of the positions are asked to complete the nomination form that will be shared. Parents must be present at the meeting to accept the nomination.
We very much look forward to welcoming many new and existing parents at this important meeting for 2023. Come along and be informed about what is happening at OLHC.
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 myself.
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/
Library borrowing & Sport days
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LIBRARY DAY |
SPORT DAYS |
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KM |
Tuesday |
Friday & Wednesday |
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1M |
Wednesday |
Friday & Wednesday |
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1W |
Wednesday |
Friday & Wednesday |
|
2M |
Friday |
Friday & Monday |
|
3M |
Friday |
Friday & Wednesday |
|
4M |
Friday |
Friday & Tuesday |
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5M |
Wednesday |
Friday & Wednesday |
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5W |
Wednesday |
Friday & Wednesday |
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6M |
Thursday |
Friday & Tuesday |
January & February birthdays
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:
| Tuesday 7 February |
Kindergarten - first full day of school |
| Friday 10 February |
Beginning School Mass - all students. Church at 9.30am |
| Monday 13 February |
National Apology Day |
| Wed 15 February |
Year 3 Parish Mass - 9.00am |
| Thurs 16 February |
Year 2 Parish Mass - 9.00am |
| Friday 17 February |
5M Reconciliation Year 6 - Fr Sarkis visit Assembly 2.00pm in the Hall |
| Tuesday 21 February |
Shrove Tuesday - pancake sales at Break 1 $2.00 - proceeds to Project Compassion |
| Wed 22 February |
Ash Wednesday - Mass, all students. Church at 10.30am |
| Friday 24 February |
5W Reconciliation Year 4 - Fr Sarkis visit |
| Saturday 25 February |
Parish Sacramental Program - Reconciliation 4.15pm St Joachim Parish Hall. |
| Wed 1 March |
Western Region Swimming Carnival Year 4 Parish Mass - 9.00am |
| Thursday 2 March |
Year 6 Parish Mass - 9.00am |
| Friday 3 March |
Year 2 - Fr Sarkis visit Year 3 & Year 5 Benediction - 11.30am |
| Wednesday 8 March |
Year 2 Parish Mass - 9.00am |
| Thursday 9 March |
Year 5 Parish Mass - 9.00am |
| Friday 10 March |
Year 4 Reconciliation Year 1 - Fr Sarkis visit |
| Monday 13 March |
Swimming Selection Trials |
| Wed 15 March |
Year 4 Parish Mass - 9.00am |
| Thursday 16 March |
Year 1 Parish Mass - 9.00am |
| Friday 17 March |
Athletics Carnival - Whole School at Campbelltown Athletics Stadium |
| Monday 20 March |
P&F Annual General Meeting - All welcome, 7.30pm in the Library or via ZOOM, followed by the General Meeting. |
| Tuesday 21 March |
Harmony Day |
| Wed 22 March |
Year 6 Parish Mass - 9.00am |
| Thursday 23 March |
Year 5 Parish Mass - 9.00am |
| Friday 24 March |
6M Reconciliation Year 3 - Fr Sarkis visit |
| Wed 29 March |
Year 3 Parish Mass - 9.00am |
| Thursday 30 March |
Kindergarten Parish Mass - 9.00am Frist Reconciliation 4.15pm - Church |
| Friday 31 March |
Year 5 - Fr Sarkis visit |
| Sunday 2 April |
Daylight Saving Time ends |
| Thursday 6 April |
Last Day of Term 1 |
| Friday 7 April |
Good Friday |
| Monday 24 April |
PUPIL FREE DAY - no school for students |
| Tuesday 25 April |
ANZAC Day |
| Wed 26 April |
Term 2 Commences |
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.
