Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School East Warrnambool eNewsletter

Acknowledgement of Country

Today we acknowledge and pay our respects to the First Peoples, the traditional custodians of the lands and waterways and thank them for their continued hospitality.

We acknowledge and celebrate the continuation of a living culture who have lived with Creator God through creation of land, sea, waterways and life.

Prayer

Leadership & Stewardship

Principal's Message

Dear members of the OLHC school community,

Next week marks the last week of term 3. Traditionally this is a term where we are challenged with staff and student absence, inclement weather and wet grounds. While spring in Warrnambool can give you a mixed bag of conditions, as evidenced by Tuesday’s hail, here's to embracing the 4 seasons of Warrnambool and surviving term 3.

As part of our Inquiry based approach to our various Units of Inquiry, our Grade 4’s did a wonderful job of cleaning up the beach from Granny's Grave to McGennans. This activity is part of the Taking Action stage of their Inquiry Unit- Blue Marble. This stage can often give meaning to what has taken place in the class and can reinforce the link between school, home and the wider community. Many thanks to the team for providing these real world connections and experiences.

To all the families, staff and students who continue to be involved in local sporting finals (AFL, Soccer, Netball) we wish you well and congratulate you on contributing to a team and its success.

We even had a student in Darby Ryan (6SI) whose horse won race 2 at Warrnambool on Monday and OLHC got a plug on Racing.com - I know this because friends contacted me from interstate to say they had mentioned our school. This isn't the traditional pathway Catholic schools take to promote their school, but thanks to Pat Ryan for the mention. 😀

Have a great weekend!

Steve

Term 3 Important Dates

Friday 8th September - Literacy staff PD - Student free day

Sunday 10th September - Bunnings BBQ

Wednesday 13th September - SAC Meeting

Thursday 14th September - Yr 2 Shared Lunch 12.30 - 1.30pm

Friday 15th September - Footy Colours Day

Friday 15th September - Assembly FJF

Friday 15th September - PFA Secondhand Uniform Sale

Friday 15th September - Term 3 concludes @ 2.30pm

Term 4

3rd - 13th October - Yr 3/4 Swimming Program

Friday 6th October - Foundation Excursion to The Fairy Park Geelong

Friday 6th October - Regional Athletics Ballarat

16th - 27th October - Yr 5 Swimming Program

30th Oct - 3rd Nov - Yr 3/4 Bike Ed Program

Wednesday 1st November - Yr 5 Emmanuel College Visit

Tuesday 7th November - Melbourne Cup Day

Saturday 11th November - Remembrance Day

20th Nov - 1st December - Foundation, Yr 1 & 2 Swimming Program

Thursday 30th November - 2024 Foundation Transition 1 & Parent Information Session

Wednesday 6th December - 2024 Foundation Transition 2

Thursday 7th December - Yr 6 Graduation

Monday 11th December - Yr 4 Fun Day

Tuesday 12th December - Orientation Day

Wednesday 13th December - Foundation Fun Day

Thursday 14th December - Yr 1, 2 & 6 Fun Days

Friday 15th December - Students' last day for 2023 @ 3.25pm

Monday 18th December - Staff's last day for 2023

Teaching & Learning @ OLHC

A Message from Mr A

Week 9 Term 3

SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY TODAY

A reminder that there is no school for students today. The teachers will be working through some professional development on our next stage of Structured Literacy implementation that will be facilitated by existing staff members. We will also be completing our CPR update as a whole staff.

GRADE 2 INQUIRY- WESTVIC WASTE

On Wednesday our Grade 2 cohort were off on the bus to a local waste collection site, Westvic Waste. The students were given a tour and gained an understanding of what happens to certain items placed in the different colour bins. As unattractive as this may sound as an excursion, the trip was valuable in our students gaining a greater understanding of what happens to our household waste and the benefits of recycling. This has rounded off a successful sustainability Inquiry unit, Tiptoe Through Our World. Check out the photos below.

GRADE 4 INQUIRY BEACHWALK AND MEASUREMENT

The Grade 4 cohort have been busy this week on a number of fronts. They started the week with a beachwalk on Monday that linked to their sustainability Inquiry unit, The Blue Marble. The students spent the session picking up rubbish in the sand dunes and the feedback was that they were shocked at the final collection they amassed. The walk ended with a shared lunch with parents and Lake Petobe. The teachers have also been creative with the teaching of measurement, perimeter and area as a concept, with some irregular shapes created with spray paint on the school grounds. You can never underestimate the increased engagement you get in Mathematics when you take students outside the classroom, apply a little creativity to your lessons and relate it to real world scenarios. I watched through a window while trying my best to stay focused in a meeting and it was evident that each student was engaged in the lesson. As important as the meeting was, I just wanted to be out there with them. Check out some of the photos from both sessions below. Well done Grade 4 team!

GRADE 5 INQUIRY PRESENTATIONS AND SHARED LUNCH

Our Grade 5 cohort welcomed their parents in on Thursday to present their Inquiry learning from their unit, Knowing Asia. The students were excited to show their learning from this unit that aims to highlight the connections to our northern neighbours.

Enjoy the long weekend with your family.

Thanks,

Naish

Cyber Safety Bits with Ms Fitzgerald and Mrs Murfett

Hello Parents, Guardians and Friends,

Each week the Digital Technology teachers Ms Fitzgerald and Mrs Murfett will be bringing you new cybersafety tips and what is going on in the technology room this week. If you have any questions or concerns regarding cybersafety please contact us on:

Ellen Fitzgerald: efitzgerald@olhcwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au

Sarah Murfett: smurfett@olhcwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au

What is going on in the classrooms this week?

Foundation: Coding with Max Mouse and Daisy Dinosaur

1s: Coding basics with Scratch Jnr

2s: Coding & Pop Art Digital Design

3s: Microbits - coding

4s: Scratch

5s and 6s: Scratch and Microbit coding

"Loved & Shared"

AFL 9's

Basketball Comp 6SI Students v Teachers @ Lunchtime

Awards

Walk Ride Champion of the Week

Walk Ride Champion is if you ride or walk to school you receive a prize and get to have your profile in the school newsletter and an interview on ClassDojo. So start riding or walking today to be in the running for a prize.

Name: Mali Irving

Age: 12

Grade: 6

Class: 6MH

House: blue

Favorite food: sushi

Favorite color: purple

Favorite animal: cat

Sports you like: BMX & volleyball

Football team: Geelong

How far do you walk to school: 1km

How much did you walk this week: 2 days

How long does it take you to walk to school? 20 minutes

How long have you been walking to school? Start of last term

What is one tip you would give to anyone wishing to walk to school for the first time?

Make sure you keep walking

Faith & Culture

Parish Office Hours: 9am - 4pm Monday - Friday

P: 5562 2231

E: southwestcoast@ballarat.catholic.org.au

First Eucharist

Prayer For Children Celebrating
Receiving The Eucharist
For The First Time

Loving God,
May those who come to your table
know the peace of Jesus,
The light of his love
and
the joy of his life.

Amen

Last weekend many of our Year 4 students celebrated receiving the Eucharist for the first time. Thanks to the parents, Sam Inverarity and teachers who have supported them through their preparations.

Congratulations to the following students:

Harry Barr, Andi Orr, Gabriela Niruban, Leo Warburton, Sid Lewis, Sophie Byrne, Olliver Hildebrandt, Lucy Perrett, Indiana Pickford, Hamish Tuggey, Luca Chisholm, Lilly Harris, Amelia Hawken, Ruben Mills, Max Mills, Logan Rae-White, Julia Harrington, Hayley Bonnett, Jackson Bald, Emily Connolly, Isabella Lyons, Hugo Lamb, Evie Dillon, Oliver Drake, Ava Barraclough, Meredith Holmes, Flynn Murphy, Lachlan Kerr, Charlie MacDonald, Hudson Ryan, Eliza Farrer, Hugo Ross, Sophia McCarthy, Peter Fry, Sophie Graham, Lola Paton.

Special Agent of God
(Matthew 18: 15 - 20)

If we are special agents of God, then we serve as agents of grace for one another. I am, in a real sense, at your service, as you are at mine. Together, we invite the kingdom of God into our midst. It’s not the sort of commission one can achieve alone.

Of all that we do together to promote God’s reign, the hardest may be our gentle mutual correction. Unlike yourself, I’m sure, I dislike being told I’m wrong. When I respond in anger and treat someone unfairly, I want to be justified, not reproved. But some of my friends love me enough to tell me when I’m way off base and need to examine my motives. Sometimes it’s enough to hear it from one person. Sometimes, I need to hear it from every direction before I’m ready to change. I value this honesty in my life because I can’t always punch my own way out of ignorance. My friends know how dearly I want to hear yes in heaven, so they’re willing to say no to me in the here and now.

Have you ever corrected someone you love when they’re in error? How do you respond to such correction?

Two or More

If your sister or brother should commit some wrong against you, go and point out the error, but keep it between the two of you. If she or he listens to you, you have won a loved one back; if not, try again, but take one or two others with you, so that every case may stand on the word of two or three witnesses. (Matthew 18: 15 - 16)

Jesus tells us that there is strength in numbers. Instead of stewing over the wrong someone did to you, you should meet with the person and discuss the problem. This advice applies to situations at work, at home, at school, or among your neighbours. One is not only a lonely number but a dangerous number because the more you replay perceived wrongs in your head, the easier it is to lose perspective and make matters worse by blowing up at someone.

Many managers (including a few parish/school leaders) seem to have the “if I just ignore it, it will go away” approach to problems. But how many of us have ever seen that approach actually work? Problems are meant to be solved and relationships reconciled. If two people can’t do that, the next step is not to retreat but to try to advance with the aid of others (co-workers, family members, friends). If that fails, then it’s time to call in the wider community for help: the human resources department, the entire family, the parish council. These are difficult steps, but they are meant to make rare a step that is all too common: complete disassociation from the offending party.

Two or more working together toward reconciliation discourages obstinate, isolating behaviour that leaves no room for anyone, not even God. Join the crowd today.

Wellbeing

If you want to learn to ride a skateboard or get better at maths, you need to practise. It’s the same when you want to feel happier!

Here are some easy ideas to give Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness and Emotional Literacy a try every day. Because the more you practise, the better you will feel.

Let's Practice!

The impact of dad jokes

NATALIE MOUTAFIS 05/09/23

The way dad jokes teach social skills, what happens when you stop 'sharenting', and the two activities to help raise smarter kids.

Our selection of thought-provoking and useful resources from around the web on educating and raising children, and supporting families.

How ‘dad jokes’ may prepare your kids for a lifetime of embarrassment, according to psychology

(Shane Rogers and Marc Hye-Knudsen, The Conversation)

We all love a good dad joke, but it turns out they have a deeper impact on our little ones.

The authors share that dad jokes play a crucial role in social development. They provide an opportunity for parents to connect with their children in a lighthearted way, while also teaching them important social skills.

But why exactly do dad jokes lead to embarrassment? Well, it’s all about preparing kids to handle awkward situations and not take themselves too seriously. These cringe-worthy, cheesy jokes expose children to the feeling of embarrassment in a safe, controlled environment. This helps them develop resilience and learn how to cope with similar situations later in life.

‘This playful and safe teasing serves a dual role in father-child bonding in adolescence. Not only is it playful and fun, it can also be used to help educate the young person how to handle feeling embarrassed’, write the authors.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Flourish Wellbeing eMagazine – September 2023

The September 2023 edition of Converge International’s Flourish Health and Wellbeing eMag is now available.

Featured Articles:

Supporting Australians during The Voice to Parliament referendum.
R U OK? Day
Podcast – Meditation vs Mindfulness

Also in this edition:

Be bold this Liptember.
7 health ways to deal with anger.
What’s the best way to move.
The benefits of resistance training.
Snooze silence.
And more!

Parents & Friends Association

Last Friday, 1^st September, was a big fundraising day for our OLHC school community with the Father’s Day breakfast, raffle and stall.

We would like to thank all families, staff, volunteers and students for contributing and supporting us on this day.

A special thank you to Steve and Naish for being there at 6 am and cooking up 580 bacon & egg rolls.

Also, a special mention to our sponsors for the day:

Port Fairy Golf Links
Melbourne Racing Club
Warrnambool Golf Club
Ponting Mitre 10
Bunnings Warehouse
Macey’s Bistro
Koffiehuis
RB Sellars
Bursons
Dan Murphy’s
Hairy Goat
Freckled Duck
Saputo
Baker’s Delight

Community

Term 4: Monday 9th October, concluding on Wednesday 22nd November

The students participating, meet staff in the courtyard after school where they have some fruit before heading over to the school hall.

This program runs from 3.30pm to 4.45pm

We appreciate parents/guardians being prompt on pick up.

Enrolment forms are in the school foyer or can be found on PAM in the "Knowledge Bank" under forms and then selecting sporting schools or on the link below.

These forms need to be returned to the school office prior to your child/ren participating in the program.

If you have any further queries please contact the school office.

SPORTS AEROBICS NATIONALS

This week we had a group of OLHC students, Mia and Ava Southwell, Kazahali and Matilda Atrill and Savannah Davis, participate in the Sports Aerobics Nationals in Brisbane. Well done girls!

AusBike presented by the Warrnambool BMX Club

AusBike is Australia’s national program designed to give kids the essential skills to experience the freedom, fun and adventure of life on a bike. The program has been designed by expert coaches and is delivered by accredited instructors.

The sessions are flexible and designed to teach kids fundamental skills in locations ranging from basketball courts, indoor halls, local pump tracks, footy ovals and more.

AusBike caters for kids with all levels of bike riding experience – whether they’re just off training wheels, or further down the track with their cycling journey.

The program is fun, interactive and progressive. AusBikers will work their way through a program of core skills, progressing from beginner to expert and will graduate with the skills and confidence for a lifetime of adventures on two wheels!

Check out this video to see AusBike in action - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kycjjUBgKdc

Register below...

https://raceroster.com/events/2023/79118/warrnambool-bmx-club

Parenting Programs - click this link to access information

Lingapiny Ajak Inc. Is a registered non-profit charity organization, established in March 2023. Our mission is to teach and empower underprivileged individuals, families and communities in Sudan and continue to develop projects that assist creating a better life for all.

Earlier in the term we included in our newsletter, an article that was in the local newspaper putting the spotlight on Teresa Padiet (Yr 6 student Evans Ajang's mum) and the wonderful work she is achieving in Sudan. Please see details on the webpage below.

Webiste: lingapinyajak.org

Email: lingapinyajak@gmail.com