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,

We close the curtain on another school year and I openly wish to express my gratitude to staff, students and parents for their contributions in making 2023 another successful year at OLHC.

Today we recognise and thank a number of staff who are leaving OLHC. In particular, Kathy Freeman and Jacinta Hurley who have spent 27 and 25 years respectively working at our school. They have supported countless teachers and children with their studies, problems and life in general. Throughout their time they have been kind, generous and wholeheartedly committed to our school. I wish both of them all the best in retirement and thank them sincerely for all they have done for our school.

Rhiannon Lumsden will be joining St Pats Koroit in 2024. Rhi has been a brilliant junior school teacher here at OLHC and will be missed. She has a long and successful career in front of her and I’m glad we were the school where she began her teaching journey. All the best Rhi.

Kristy Goss is joining Emmanuel College. Kristy has covered a myriad of classes here at OLHC and has always been willing to jump into whatever role we have asked her to fill. She is a kind and considerate teacher who takes the time to get to know her students who in return trust and confide in her. I wish Kristy all the best and thank her for her service to our school.

I also thank Ashlee Dendle for working alongside Sarah Murfett teaching information technology in Ellen's absence. We hope to see Ashlee around OLHC next year.

I would like to also thank Finn, Niamh, Lucy and Callum for their outstanding contributions as our trainees. The children love these people and with good reason. The job description of a trainee is as diverse as it gets but they play a crucial role at our school. I wish each and everyone of them all the best with their studies in 2024 and beyond.

We wish Alex Ryan and her husband Dan all the very best for the next exciting chapter of their lives. Alex will finish up to begin maternity leave and we can't wait to meet Baby Ryan when he/she arrives in 2024.

Important Dates Term 4

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

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

18th December 2023 - 29th January 2024 - School Holidays

2024

Monday 29th January - Staff return to school

Tuesday 30th January - Students start school

Wednesday 31st - Foundation student's rest day / Scheduled Foundation testing day

Wednesday 7th February - Foundation student's rest day / Scheduled Foundation testing day

Wednesday 14th February - Foundation students rest day / Early Steps Conferences Foundation

Wednesday 14th February - Ash Wednesday

Please note 2024 Uniform Change

Our school has partnered with an independent provider called TheirCare to provide exceptional Outside School Hours Care services for our school community.

The program is available for all children at Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School East Warrnambool from 6:45am until 8:45am in the morning and from 3:25pm until 6:00pm each school day.

During School Holidays & Pupil Free Days the service will operate from 6:45am until 6:00pm.

Families wishing to use this service can visit the TheirCare website: www.theircare.com.au

Families are eligible for a Government Rebate called the Child Care Subsidy which can reduce the cost per session by up to 90%.

More information can be obtained by contacting the school or ringing TheirCare Support Team on 1300 072 410.

TheirCare provides a stimulating and safe environment for all children. During sessions, children develop life-skills, friendships, confidence and creativity through play-based programs.

Teaching & Learning @ OLHC

A Message from Mr A

Week 11 Term 4

I’ll be honest there hasn’t been that much teaching and learning to report this week, as we drag ourselves to the end of the year. It doesn’t matter how many times they do it, students are always exhausted at this point of the year. Our staff have been busy creating plenty of activities around Christmas craft and fun, engaging things for students to do in this last little piece of 2023.

GRADE 4 INQUIRY- SHOW ME WHAT YOU KNOW!

“Last week the grade 4 students presented their ‘Show Us What You Know’ projects as part of our term 4 communication inquiry unit. Students chose how they wished to present their information and did an outstanding job planning, researching, collating and presenting to their peers. We saw a range of presentation types from quizzes, posters, picture storybooks and podcast recordings. Well done to the grade 4 students.” Mrs McPherson

FUN FUN FUN DAYS!

It has been a week of fun days this week with students transported all over the place. We’ve had ten pin bowling, mini golf, Adventure Park, Active Sports, trips to Lake Pertobe and the movies. These are a great way for levels to celebrate the end of the year.

AU REVOIR LADIES

We bid farewell to two of our incredible support staff this week as Jacinta Hurley and Kathy Freeman call time on their careers. These two have been the staple of our support system since the mid 90’s and it is sad to see them go. Cint, as she is affectionately known, will be missed dearly apart from maybe around next year’s Melbourne Cup staff sweep, having won it the last two years. It might be time for someone else to win Cint! And lastly to Mrs Freeman, a lady who makes the most delicious sandwiches and can always be counted on to check in on staff from time to time. Kathy and Cint have made a great impact on the students who have travelled through OLHC and they will both leave holes in our collective hearts for a long time to come. Good luck ladies!

A big thank you to our parent community for your support over the last 12 months. We wish you a restful break and look forward to 2024 and what it will bring.

Merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Naish

Semester 2 School Reports Released TODAY!

Hello to all the mighty Mini Vinnies,

I am writing this after your graduation day and thinking how important this has been for you.

Congratulations on your Grade 6 Graduation. Even an old dinosaur like me can remember clearly the excitement of the change to secondary school and graduating from primary school.

By now you are all very keen to progress. Congratulations to you all on your achievements and the way you so proudly have been leaders and seniors at OLHC. As a parish, we salute you all.

Thank you especially for your contribution, willingness and keen support for your Parish St Vincent De Paul.

Thanks to you, there are 6 kids in the Pacific nations getting their fees, books and uniforms and school fees paid for. I know what this means to families when they are poor and in need.

Thanks for your kind welcome when I visited to explain how you can help St Vincent De Paul. It was an exciting start to a future I hope will see us and your school, work more closely together to help people and spread God's love.

I congratulate you on your Graduation Ceremony. It was a big success and you always remember you have lots of opportunities in your life ahead to help those in need, be kind to others and achieve your individual potential.

You are a great group and I wish you all every success.

Best wishes,

Dedy Friebe and all at OLHC SVDP

Yr 6 Fun Day

Yr 3 Fun Day

Yr 1 & 2 Fun Day

Faith & Culture

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

P: 5562 2231

E: southwestcoast@ballarat.catholic.org.au

Christmas Mass Times @ OLHC

Christmas Eve 24th December

Outdoor Mass 5pm (Carols @ 4.30pm)

Christmas Day 25th December

OLHC 9am

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!

10 tips for surviving school holidays

While school holidays are a welcome break from the busyness of school routines, there is never a break from parenting.

The following tips will help you have fun and connect with your kids so you make the most of the school holidays:

1. Plan

Get your kids involved in making a list of activities that they would like to do
Plan for good and bad weather
Schedule downtime and time-out as well as time for one-on-one and family group activities

2. The best things in life are free

Make sure the list includes plenty of free activities such as picnics, bike rides, trips to the beach, the local library and the great outdoors

3. Boredom is good

Unstructured time and time away from electronic devices is good for young minds

4. Use opportunities to teach new skills and self-reliance

Not having the pressure to rush out the door in the morning can allow for kids to develop new skills such as getting their own breakfast and lunch, taking the dog for a walk or going to the shops by themselves.

5. Ask for help

Don’t be afraid to ask for help to share the load. For example, asking friends or family to help care for children or to provide assistance in other ways.

6. Accept that things may not always go to plan

Even the best made plans may need to be discarded at the last minute due to unforeseen events such as weather, illness or accidents. Whilst stressful, these unforeseen events often teach us and our kids valuable life lessons and may even become the source of family bonding or stories down the track.

7. Don’t forget self-care

Look after yourself and take time out to relax, even if it’s half an hour whilst you have a cuppa and read a book. Remember, happy and relaxed parents make for happy children.

8. Support and company

Having a support system can be crucial to any parent. It also gives parents the opportunity to interact with other parents whilst giving the kids a bit of play time.

9. Consider your child’s mental health and wellbeing

Whilst it may be a family tradition to go on an annual family holiday or attend a family dinner, maybe your teenager is too depressed or your child with ADHD will be labelled by judgemental relatives. Consider if it’s really worth maintaining the tradition when it may be at the cost of mental health and wellbeing.

10. Holiday connections help us the rest of the year

School holidays provide unique opportunities to connect with, listen to and get to know your kids. Use the time to spend one-on-one time with each family member.

Parent Line can also provide over the phone support throughout the holiday period if you need some extra help. Our counsellors are here for you seven days a week, 9am to 9pm weekdays and 4pm to 9pm weekends (closed public holidays).

Parents & Friends Association

Merry Christmas from the OLHC PFA

Congratulations to our School Fee Raffle Winners

1st - $800 off 2024 School Fees - Tara Ryan

2nd - $100 LOWES Voucher - Alanah Hare

3rd - $50 LOWES Voucher - Chloe Burleigh

Community

The 41^st Annual Warrnambool Surf T Surf Fun Run/Walk event is once again being run on Sunday the 7^th of January 2024. Last year OLHC won the school's Challenge. Our aim is to go back to back but also encourage young children to get out and be active with the added benefit of potentially raising funds for our school. The winner of the Challenge will have the most participants registered under your team’s name across all 4 fun run events. The events are 10km run, 6km run, 6km walk and 3km Lap of the lake. The prize is a $1000 donation to the winning school. We will have runs on Saturday mornings starting this weekend 11th November. Keep your eye on DOJO

If would like to run in our team please click the link below and register.

Join my team, OLHC team to participate in the event, Warrnambool Surf T Surf Fun Run/Walk

https://raceroster.com/events/2024/71146/warrnambool-surf-t-surf-fun-runwalk/register?team=589525

Team code: OLHC 24