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From the Gospel - Fourth Sunday of Lent
At the centre of the Gospel on the Fourth Sunday of Lent we find Jesus and a man blind from birth. Christ restores his sight and performs this miracle with a type of symbolic ritual: first, He mixes dirt with saliva and spreads it on the blind man’s eyes; then, He orders him to go and wash in the pool of Siloam. The man goes, washes, and regains his sight. He was blind from birth. With this miracle, Jesus manifests Himself, and He manifests himself to us as the Light of the World. The man blind from birth represents each one of us, who was created to know God; but due to sin has become blind; we are in need of a new light; we are all in need of a new light: that of faith, which Jesus has given us. Indeed, that blind man in the Gospel, by regaining his sight, is opened to the mystery of Christ. Jesus asks him: “Do you believe in the Son of man?”. “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?”, the healed blind man replied. “You have seen him, and it is he who speaks to you”. “Lord, I believe”, [the blind man said,] and he prostrated himself before Jesus.
This reading induces us to reflect on our faith, our faith in Christ, the Son of God; and at the same time, it also refers to Baptism, which is the first Sacrament of faith: the Sacrament which makes us “come to the light”, by being reborn through the water and through the Holy Spirit; as happens to the man born blind, whose eyes are opened after being cleansed in the water of the pool of Siloam. The man born blind and healed represents us when we do not realise that Jesus is the light; he is “the Light of the World”, when we are looking elsewhere, when we prefer to entrust ourselves to little lights, when we are groping in the dark. The fact that the blind man has no name helps us to see our face reflected and our name in his story. We too have been “illuminated” by Christ in Baptism, and thus we are called to behave as children of the light. Acting as children of the light requires a radical change of mind-set, a capacity to judge others and things according to another scale of values, which comes from God.
As we journey through the liturgical season of Lent, may we see those who are in most need. We particularly are asked to support those in need through prayer and almsgiving. Thank you for the generous support of Project Compassion who supports those less fortunate during Lent.
We remember those students from Year Three and above who are making their first Reconciliation next week on Thursday 30th March. May they each come to know the forgiveness, compassion and mercy of our ever-loving God in a personal way.
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we approach the completion of Term One in a few weeks, I wanted to extend to you my personal thanks for your support over the past nine weeks. We have so much to be grateful for as we reflect on the first term of the school year. We have had several successful whole school events such as the Athletics Carnival and Cross Country Carnival as well as whole school celebrations of Mass to celebrate the commencement of the school year and Ash Wednesday.
We are also grateful to parents and carers, who have continued to show support to the school in a wide variety of ways over the past term. In the true essence of the home and school partnership, it is important for both home and school to work closely together, so as to benefit the child.
ATHLETICS CARNIVAL THANKS
Last Friday 17th March, in spite of very hot conditions, we gathered at Campbelltown Sport Stadium for the Annual OLHC Athletics Carnival. Students had the opportunity to participate in a variety of track and field events, this would not have been possible without the support of parents, staff and students working together towards a common purpose.
While the weather was very warm, everyone contributed so generously, to enable the carnival to run so smoothly. A day like last Friday, is not a reality without the combined efforts of many. Gratitude is extended to our wonderful staff, enthusiastic parent volunteers and the energetic and committed students from John Therry Catholic College. Our most important people, our students, had the opportunity to participate in a variety of athletic events using the fantastic equipment available at Campbelltown Stadium.
We particularly thank the staff who worked together to convene the Athletics Carnival, Mr Myerscough, Miss Northey and Mrs Cotterill who supported with planning. Without this level of planning and organisation from these staff, the carnival would not have been such a success.
P&F EXECUTIVE 2023
The P&F are a critical part of building community in any school setting. It is the primary advisory to the principal concerning school matters. They provide a forum where matters relating to the growth and development of the school community can be explored. It is a means by which the school can also promote social contact between parents and friends of the school. The P&F is a consultative body under the auspices of the principal. The central role of the P&F is to support the school - in particular the students who are the beneficiaries of fundraising initiatives.
The quality of the relationships between parents and the school is reflected in how each member present, is significant for the education of the child. Such relationships call for tolerance and mutual respect for the position and perspectives of the other person.
This is the goal for every P&F meeting.
After the AGM held this week, we congratulate members of the P&F executive for 2023 -
President - Mrs Louise McHugh (Alexis, 2M and Chelsea, KM)
Vice - President - Mrs Natasha Gomes (Braxton, 2M)
Secretary - Mr Shaun Hudson (Brooklyn, KM)
Assistant Secretary - Mrs Monica Dickey (Quinn, 5M)
Treasurer - Mr Nick Hailes (Sophie, 6M and Chloe, 2M)
We extend our grateful thanks to Mrs Liana MacDiarmid and Mrs Casey Hailes for the generous support that they both provided to the P&F Executive in 2022.
ANZAC DAY MARCH - TUESDAY 25 APRIL 2023 - MAWSON PARK
We are pleased to inform our community that we will once again have the opportunity to participate in the Campbelltown RSL commemoration of ANZAC Day March and Service at Mawson Park. Students are invited to join in the ANZAC Day celebrations and march with the Our Lady Help of Christians group. Students are to wear Full Summer Uniform including hat and meet at the corner of Queen and Dumaresq Streets at 8:20 am and then proceed to Mawson Park for the commemorative service. Students will be accompanied during the march by Mrs Webb.
Parents are most welcome to join our school group. Participating students will need to be collected at the conclusion of the commemorative service at approximately 9:45 am at Mawson Park.
STREET PARKING AT OLHC
Parents are reminded of the need to adhere to parking regulations when visiting the school to drop off or collect your children.
Below, you will find a list of parking infringement notices and the associated fines linked to these infringement notices.
As members of the local community, it is most important that these road signs are adhered to - for the safety of all children and pedestrians at OLHC.
Parents are also advised that Campbelltown City Council has been informed and will be conducting regular ranger patrols at drop off and pick up times.
In particular, parents are asked to refrain from parking in the no stopping area near the pedestrian crossing at the front of the school - this will incur a fine of $352 and 2 demerit points.
Thank you for your support in keeping all of our students and pedestrians safe at OLHC.
LIGHTING THE WAY
Earlier this term Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong, launched the newest version of their strategic plan known as Lighting the Way 2023+. This plan will be implemented through a focus on Continuous Catholic School Improvement. This improvement process has been designed to focus on growth and improvement in faith, learning and wellbeing outcomes for all students.
This plan has been co created following extensive consultation with a range of key groups, including students, parents, staff, members of school leadership teams and personnel from the Catholic Education Office Diocese of Wollongong. It has been a truly collaborative process and one which aims to see our community of schools continue to improve and become highly effective places where each student is challenged to grow in their faith, their learning and their wellbeing. I strongly encourage every parent to take a few moments to read the document that is available through the attached link to become better informed about the newest iteration of Lighting the Way.
Click here to visit the Lighting the Way website
https://ltw.dow.catholic.edu.au/
Jane Webb
PB4L
Throughout the term all students have been trying hard to receive House Points. There are a number of ways that they can do this; by wearing their uniform correctly, completing their homework each week and when they borrow from the library. Students are able to receive extra house points in the classroom and on the playground for following the school rules - BE SAFE, BE RESPECTFUL and BE AN ACTIVE LEARNER. Points were also accumulated from the Swimming Carnival, Cross Country and Athletics Carnival. The Year 6 House Captains count the House Points each week and each Monday the House Points are announced at Flag Raising. On Monday Week 11, the winning House colour for the term will be announced. They will then be awarded with a mufti day during the last week of the term. The House Points currently sit at:
1st - Ingham (949 points)
2nd - Rose (923 points)
3rd - Sarkis and MacKillop (842 points)
Last week our PB4L focus was the library. When the students access the library the expectation is that this is a quiet space and that the students enter in silence. The students then have time to find a book that they would like to read and a comfortable spot to read their book quietly. All students are encouraged to bring their library bag to school each week, on their allocated library day, so that they are also able to borrow a book. When leaving the library the students must leave the space the way they found it with the books, cushions and chairs tidy and neat. As mentioned before, the students who use this time to borrow a book and remember to bring their library bag are awarded a house point when they return to the classroom. Please see below for you child’s library borrowing day:
Kindergarten - Tuesday
Year 1 - Wednesday
Year 2 - Friday
Year 3 - Friday
Year 4 - Friday
Year 5 - Wednesday
Year 6 - Thursday
Alison Fazio
Assistant Principal
This Year as a school we will be holding a Stations Walk on Thursday 6 April. Students will move around the school in class groups according to the timetable below.
The Stations displayed have been created by our students. Parents and friends are very welcome to join us.
| Time | Grade |
| 8.45am | 5M |
| 9.00am | 5W |
| 9.15am | 6M |
| 9.30am | 4M |
| 9.45am | 1M |
| 10.00am | Kinder |
| 10.15am | 1W |
| 11.40am | 2M |
| 12.00pm | 3M |
STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAYS
ENROLMENT PACKAGES
Enrolment Applications for Kinder 2024 can now be collected from the school office or downloaded from the following link –
https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/for-parents/enrolment/
Following the return of completed enrolment applications an interview will be organised with Fr Sarkis and Mrs Webb next term.
Please let family and friends know that we are accepting enrolment applications now. These applications will be due by the end of this term - Thursday 6 April 2023.
Thank you for spreading the word about our wonderful school!
ASSEMBLY
Our next Assembly will be held on Friday 31 March 2023. 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:
NO MEAT - FRIDAY LUNCH ORDERS
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 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 Assembly - Merit & Principals Awards - 2.00pm in the hall |
| 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 March - meet 8.20am Cnr Queen & Dumaresq Sts Wear full summer uniform |
| Wed 26 April |
Term 2 Commences |
| Friday 5 May |
Assembly - Merit & Principals Awards - 2.00pm in the hall |
| Friday 19 May |
Assembly - Merit & Principals Awards - 2.00pm in the hall |
| Friday 26 May |
National Sorry Day |
| Friday 2 June |
Assembly - Merit & Principals Awards - 2.00pm in the hall |
| Saturday 3 June |
Sacrament of Confirmation |
| Monday 12 June |
King's Birthday Public Holiday |
| Friday 16 June |
PUPIL FREE DAY - no school for students |
| Thursday 22 June |
Netball Gala Day |
| Friday 30 June |
Assembly - Merit & Principals Awards - 2.00pm in the hall Last Day of Term 2 |
| Monday 17 July |
Term 3 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.
