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,

I trust this newsletter finds everyone in good health after the summer holidays.

On cue the weather has settled and we have had a great first week at school. Our new Foundation students did a fantastic job on Tuesday and their teachers commented on how good they were.

We also had the chance to welcome some brilliant new families across other school levels who now become Our Ladies families. Our school has been strengthened by these new additions over the last few years and we do not take their enrolments for granted. Unfortunately this is a two sided coin and we sadly said farewell to Chris Jerin and his family who are relocating to Geelong. Chris came in to see his teachers and friends and there were some tears and hugs. We wish them all the best.

A few reminders and Thank yous

Thank you for supporting us with no drop offs before 8: 30 am. Their Care is available for all families. Please see a copy of my note at the end of last year which outlines why these changes have come into play.
Earrings. Children are permitted to wear studs or sleepers only. If your child's hair is past shoulder length it needs to be tied up for obvious health reasons.
Please check the calendar as we have a number of upcoming events in the next few weeks including Grade 5 camp, Early Steps Conferences, pupil free days and community sports day.
Thank You to parents for naming/labelling your child’s possessions - makes it a lot easier to reacquaint the items with your child.

Country Bus

On Thursday afternoon I received contact from Brauer College with a country bus issue (they coordinate the School Bus Program for the State government in Warrnambool.) The problem they have presented to us is that the shuttle bus from Warrnambool College to OLHC and OLHC to Warrnambool College is now oversubscribed if all our bus travellers are present. Needless to say, this has caused us a great deal of angst and frustration here.

After numerous calls and emails, we have managed to ensure there will be an extra shuttle bus so our children from OLHC can travel both ways without fear of missing out in term 1. Beyond that, I will need to continue negotiations with the School Bus Program and Warrnambool Bus Lines as to a way forward. Warrnambool Bus Lines have been very supportive. I will endeavour to keep all families well informed, but until I know more I will hold fire with any plans and or statements. One of the challenges we will face is the clause in your contract that gives priority to government students to access this School Bus Program. Rest assured the Catholic Education Office is fully informed and has some experience in these matters with similar scenarios happening in other parts of Victoria.

The weather is looking fine for the weekend so I hope you can get out and about with your family to enjoy it.

Looking forward to seeing you around school next week.

Steve

Camps, Sports and Excursions Funds (CSEF) Applications for 2024

Please note there has been a government increase for those families that have qualified for the CSEF 2024.

On the 2024 school fee schedule, a valid concession was advertised as $125.00 per student. This amount has increased to $150.00 per student.

If you have handed in your 2024 application no further action is required.

This is a timely reminder for families to fill this form out if you have a valid concession card.

Introducing School TV

SchoolTV is a wellbeing resource implemented at our school to help support families in the challenges of modern-day parenting relating to youth mental health and wellbeing. Please see further details below on how to access SchoolTV and going forward you will be presented with articles and videos in the Wellbeing section of this newsletter each week.

SchoolTV is freely available to our school community in 2024. It provides a wealth of information in a wide range of areas. Some of these include:

- youth anxiety

- school transition

- managing screen time

- school refusal

- online gaming

- friendships

In accessing school TV, you can be assured that the information you are receiving is approved by experts, including Dr Michael Carr-Greg. There are short videos of specialists answering common questions, fact sheets, and additional resources.
OLHC School TV can be found on our school website, or using the following link:

OLHC SchoolTV

We welcome the following new students to our school

Alby Murfett

Alby Krepp

Alice Green

Angus O'Keefe

Ari Hare

Avin Herath

Billie Oborne

Bodhi Crute

Braxton Davison

Buddy Fitzpatrick

Charlie Madden

Charlie Conn

Coco Auld

Cooper Edwards

Cooper Watson

Delilah Attrill

Dusty O'Keeffe

Esmae Lamb

Evelyn Murphy

Finn Taylor

Flynn Surtees

Francesca O'Sullivan

Frederick Clark

Grace Pitt

Hamish Auld

Harlem Le Cerf

Henry Couch

Hudson Lake

Hugo Small

Hugo Harkness

Hugo Ryan

Hunter Moran

Jack Devereux

Jake Orr

Jax Uzkuraitis

Jonathon Saqat

Josephine Thomson

Larni Ludeman

Leo Sedgley

Louie McPherson

Maggie Dews

Maisie Sabo

Makenzie Haberfield

Mason Dimauro

Mia Dimauro

Michael Nelson

Mila Dwyer

Mila Murfett

Mollie Chisholm

Molly Meade

Olivia Merrett

Paddy McLean

Paddy Mugavin

Pearl Morris

Phoebe McAllen

Roody Collishaw

Sam Battistello

Sam Chapman

Sebastian McGlade

Stella Cunnington

Thijs Karunarathne

Thomas Hales

Tilly Kawade

Xavier Grant

Xavier Walsh

Ziggy Wheeler

Other Year Levels

Xavier Cunnington Yr 2

Charlie Forsterling Yr 1

Lotte Forsterling Yr 3

Henri Forsterling Yr 6

Savannah Jansz Yr 2

Lenny Jansz Yr 4

Miranda Jansz Yr 6

Arlie Le Cerf Yr 5

Archie Philp Yr 3

Ruby Reddick Yr 1

Edith Thomas Yr 2

Quinn Thomas Yr 6

Lucy Woolman Yr 4

We welcome the following new families to our school

Deon Oborne & Hannah Dale

Bradley & Jessica Crute

Tim & Taylor O'Keeffe

Jonathan & Genevieve O'Sullivan

Aaron Clark & Bernadette O'Brien

Matthew & Katlyn Pitt

Jamie & Danielle Le Cerf

Patrick Couch & Nicole McLennan

Brayden & Shelli Harkness

Jonathan & Felicity Ryan

Shaun & Kelly Moran

Andrew & Jacinta Uzkuraitis

Brenton & Chernae Ludeman

Tim & Bridget McPherson

James Dimauro & Melanie Thomas

Nathan Murfett & Courtney Dale

Adam & Amy Merrett

Ben & Alison Mugavin

Andrew Morris & Andrea Fatone

Thomas Chapman & Sarah Jeans

Billy & Jessica McGlade

Ben & Belinda Cunnington

Sonali Karunarathne

Ritesh & Peta Kawade

Michael Walsh & Samantha Harris

Karsten & Fiona Forsterling

Mark & Emily Jansz

Josh & Lilli Philp

Tim & Amy Reddick

Davis & Anna Thomas

Sally & Jeremy Woolman

Introducing new staff members to our team...

Trainees - Jaz Groves, Scarlett O'Brien & Eva Murphy

Information Technology - Peta Bouke

Erin Sedgley - CLassroom teacher 1BS

Important Dates Term 1

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

Friday 9th February - Assembly 4DJ @ 2.30pm in the Eugene Dalton Hall

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

Wednesday 14th February - Ash Wednesday & Opening School Mass @ 9.30am

15th & 16th February - Yr 5 School Camp

21st Feb - 1 March - Yr 1 - 6 Early Steps Conferences

Tuesday 27th February - School Photos

Sunday 3rd March - OLHC Athletics Day

Monday 4th March - NO SCHOOL in lieu of athletics on Sunday

Tuesday 12th March - Emmanuel College Open Evening

Thursday 21st March - Colour Fun Run

Friday 22nd March - NO SCHOOL - Staff PD

Thursday 28th March - Last day of term 1

Friday 29th March - Good Friday

Sunday 31st March - Easter Sunday

Teaching & Learning @ OLHC

A Message from Mr A

Week 1 Term 1

Welcome back to 2024! We are off and running, with students settling in well to the new year across the school. The first couple of weeks are critical for teachers to set up classroom routines, and expectations for them to gain a better understanding of each individual child’s educational, emotional and social needs.

FRESH BATCH OF STUDENTS

With the beginning of each new year, we welcome a fresh group of Foundation students and their families to our school community. It can be an exciting time for some, while for others it can be the biggest thing they will do in their short little lives. There’s bound to be a few tears, some school refusal mornings, lost jumpers and drink bottles and lots of heavy heads each week as they adjust to the rigours of primary school life. Our Foundation team is well-equipped to support the students while they make this adjustment and if you feel like you may need that extra little bit of support in the morning, please check in with your child’s teacher, Steve, or myself. Check out the happy faces as they complete their first week of school.

EARLY STEPS CONFERENCES

We have scheduled Early Steps Conferences for Weeks 4 and 5. For those new to our community these are a short 10-minute conference with your child’s teacher to make connections, discuss how your child is settling in, and anything else that may assist them to make a positive start to the year. We will release information to parents regarding this in the coming weeks.

CONTACTING STEVE OR MYSELF

From time to time parents may require some additional assistance with something that relates to their child’s education. In the past, some parents have contacted Steve or myself via Class Dojo. Being connected to all 21 grades, the messages don’t always get to us in time. If parents do require support or assistance, we ask that you contact us via our emails-

Steve- smadden@olhcwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au

Naish- nauld@olhcwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au

Have a lovely weekend with your family.

Thanks,

Naish

Library News

Anyone interested in helping out by covering books can contact Louise in the Library before school or by phone 0400 062 264.

Book Club

Issue 1 is due next Friday 9th February

Remember ALL orders are to go through the Loop, online. Instructions are on the catalogue. If you need help with this see me at school. NO CASH!

Thanks, Louise Taggert Library Manager

Faith & Culture

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

P: 5562 2231

E: southwestcoast@ballarat.catholic.org.au

Looking for Jesus
(Mark 1: 29 - 39)

One of Jesus’ first acts in Mark’s gospel is to liberate a man from a demon, as we heard last week. Next, Jesus tames a fever; and by nightfall, everyone is after him. Is this a surprise? Not to anyone who’s ever suffered. If there’s a miracle cure for our pain, we’d all like to have a piece of it. Jesus, for his part, doesn’t seem to mind. He gets down to business and sends those diseases and demons packing.

The next day, Jesus moves on to the next town, and the same thing happens. The world is full of opportunities to encounter Job, and one village is as good as another. Job, unhappily, lives in all of them. The early success of Jesus’ ministry owes itself to the rampant misery in the world and our desperate desire for an answer or a cure. For those who’d given up the hope of happiness, the coming of Jesus was a new shot at life.

For believers today, the news is just as exciting. Jesus is ready to reach into our lives and liberate us from the demons that enslave us. Jesus is the only real healer, making even death itself a king without subjects. Though our misery runs deep and happiness becomes a memory, Jesus can restore our peace. No wonder so many are still after him.

When do you go looking for Jesus?

Say the Word
(Mark 1: 29 - 39)

Preaching and healing are all of a piece for Jesus. You speak of God’s love and people are healed. Author Tony Hendra experienced the power of this combative ministry the first time he encountered the late Benedictine Monk Father Joe Warrilow, whom he pays tribute to in Father Joe. As a teenager, Hendra confessed to a flirtation he was having with a married woman. Shut up in a room with Father Joe, young Hendra spilled his guts, while Father Joe listened intently.

With his story finished, Hendra sat in silence observing the priest: “He hadn’t questioned a thing I’d said; he hadn’t asked me to repeat or clarify. He seemed to assume that I was telling the truth – which I tried to do ... When he finally spoke, his words were slow and stilted: ‘You’ve done nothing truly wrong, Tony dear. God’s love has brought you here before any real harm could be done. The only sin you’ve committed is the sin of selfishness.’ The verdict was gentle, final, the last word of, well, a father.”

“I’d never felt so safe and secure with anyone in my life,” writes Hendra. “I wanted to tell him everything that had ever happened in my few years. There were a million things I wanted to ask him. No, two million.” In that moment, Hendra discovers that encountering the love of Christ is a cure. Only say the word, Lord, and we shall all be healed.

The Commissioning

Go from here to be God’s blessing.

We will nurture our spiritual life.
We will comfort those who suffer loss.
We will affirm the humble.
We will search diligently for the truth-tellers.
We will find the compassionate way and live it.
We will be light in the dark places.
We will follow the peaceful way.
We will be ready to pay the price for faithful living.

You will be a blessing to those you encounter.
Go in peace.

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!

Strengthening Children Through Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety can come with loads of heartache for children and their important adults, but there’s something else it comes with – the opportunity to strengthen all children against anxiety and build their brave – and we know they can be brave.

Saying ‘goodbye’ can be tough! Not only for our children, but for us too – even the strongest and bravest of parenting hearts can feel the wrenching that can come at separation. Separation anxiety exists for a good reason. We want our children to feel loved and supported, and we also want to build their brave so anxiety doesn’t stand in the way of the important, growthful things they need to do.

Of course we’d rather our young ones never feel the tailwhip of separation anxiety, but so many young people (and the adults who love them) are going to experience anxiety at separation from a loved one. It’s part of being human, but it doesn’t have to hurt. As their important adult, you have a profound capacity to support them through separation anxiety and help them feel braver, stronger, and closer to you, even when you’re not beside them – at school, at bedtime – any time they are away from you. In this one-and-a-half-hour webinar, we will explore practical, powerful ways to do this.

This is information I wish every parent could have. I’ll be speaking to you from my professional experience, but more importantly, I’ll be speaking to you from my parenting heart. Something you might not know about me is that my own experience with my daughter’s separation anxiety when she was a little person is what led me to this work. (She’s now one of the bravest women I know!

I know we can get kids through separation anxiety. I know the heartache. I know the feelings of helplessness. And I know we can get them through.

If you can’t make the ‘live’ online event, that’s no problem at all. A recording of the webinar will be made available to all registered participants for 30 days.

We will explore:

why separation anxiety happens, and the important job it’s there to do;
the thing all loving adults will do (we’ll all do them!) that can inadvertently make their anxiety worse, and what to do instead;
why their anxiety will fuel yours;
what adults can do to soften the impact of separation;
how to respond in the midst of anxiety – strategies for children, parents and carers (including teachers and other important adults);
practical ways to support your child through separation anxiety;
specific strategies for bedtime anxiety;
the toolbox for young people – how to help all children feel bigger at separation;
the connection between anxiety and aggression, and how to respond to big behaviour in the moment;
the connection between anxiety, behaviour and learning, and how to work with this;
a road map for supporting your child through anxiety – before, during, and after;
why relationships matter, and how to facilitate relationships between children and their important adults (teachers, other important adults) in ways that will build brave behaviour.

Register below....

Register here for Strengthing Children Through Separation Anxiety