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 Parents, Guardians & Students,

This Sunday marks the first Sunday of Advent. A time when Christians around the world focus on a deepening relationship with the Creator. It is often marked by a calendar or wreath and each new week begins a new focus; hope, faith, joy and peace

What does Advent Hope mean?

The kind of hope we celebrate in Advent is about the arrival of Jesus into the world and how he can arrive into anything in our lives as well.

On Wednesday we welcomed our 2025 Foundation children for the first time. They were a terrific group of little ones and the staff ensured their first experience at school was a positive one. On the same morning, our three Grade 2 classes hosted their parents for the annual Poetry Cafe presentations. The children, despite being very nervous, did a fantastic job. I wish to thank the Grade 2 team for setting these children up for success. To the many parents who joined us, thank you! If that wasn't enough for one day, our Grade 6’s presented their I AM passion project at the annual exhibition. This was a showcase of something they love and it allowed for a celebration of learning as they near the end of Grade 6.

Also on Wednesday, after her I AM presentation, Mira Brightwell finished up at OLHC. Mira is due for surgery next Thursday 5th December. Our heartfelt love and support for Mira, Katrina, Mark (Jack and Frankie) was expressed last Friday in a simple Graduation ceremony. Our thoughts, prayers and sincere best wishes go to her and the family.

On Thursday our Hands on Learning team led by Katie and Ava had an end of year BBQ. They also auctioned off their homemade Christmas trees from recycled pallets. This program has continued to evolve and grow under their watch and I am very appreciative that this “point of difference” at our school, caters for children who deserve an opportunity to shine.

Lastly, I shared this with the teachers on Tuesday (we are always looking at ways to keep the children engaged) Check it out.

https://x.com/TansuYegen/status/1860190982261842067

Important Dates

Term 4

2nd - 6th December - Yr 6 Beach Ed & Yr 4 Bike Ed

Thursday 5th December - 2025 Foundation Transition

Thursday 5th December - End of Year School Mass

Friday 6th December - Assembly 5SH - please note *change of date

Tuesday 10th December - Orientation Day Whole School

Wednesday 11th December - Yr 3 Fun Day

Wednesday 11th December - Yr 6 Graduation Evening

Thursday 12th December - Yr 4 Fun Day

Friday 13th December - Yr 5 & Yr 6 Fun Days

Monday 16th December - Foundation Fun Day

Tuesday 17th December - Yr 1 Fun Day

Wednesday 18th December - Last Day of School for Students

Wednesday 18th December - Yr 2 Fun Day

2025 - Term 1

Tuesday 28th January - Staff Return

Wednesday 29th January - Students Return

Thursday 30th January - Country Bus Resumes

Tuesday 25th February - School Photos

Tentative - Sunday 16th March - OLHC Athletics @ Brauerander Park

Tentative - Monday 17th March - No School in Lieu of athletics Sunday

Teaching & Learning @ OLHC

A Message from Mr A

Week 8 Term 4

STARTING AGAIN…2025 FOUNDATION TRANSITION

On Wednesday our Foundation teachers welcomed in our 2025 Foundation students for 2 hours of transition. The Foundation team are experts at this, calmly guiding the students through their very first experience at OLHC. It was great to see many new (and some old) parents hang around for a coffee and a chat. From all reports the students did well and we look forward to seeing them next Thursday for another transition session.

RHYME TIME…GRADE 2 POETRY CAFE

Wednesday was also a hive of activity in the Grade 2 area as the students welcomed their parents and special visitors in for the Poetry Cafe. This was the last step in their Inquiry unit, Poetry in Motion. The students have been extremely lucky with this unit having participated in a number of wonderful learning experiences, including their big night out to the Gruffalo production last week. The 2SS assembly was a great showcase of their term’s learning on Friday. Well done Grade 2 team.

‘I AM’ IMPRESSED…GRADE 6 EXHIBITION

What a night! Wednesday evening saw the culmination of a term’s hard work with the I Am Exhibition for our Grade 6 cohort. The students certainly were experts as they manned their stalls and discussed their passions with parents and special visitors. It was great to chat with some younger siblings who were already thinking about what they might like to do when they’re in Garde 6. A special shout out to Alby Rae for his piano performance, Evie Coxall for her Christmas presentation and Hannah Ragg, Will Kerr and Indi Griffin who spoke passionately about Surf Life Saving. Well done to the Grade 6 team and supporting staff for this showcase event.

Orientation Day will be on Tuesday 10th December where everyone will be with next year’s teacher from 9am-11am. Your child’s report will be released on the final day of the term, Wednesday 18th December.

CONTACTING ME

Please use my email instead of Class Dojo when contacting me as a way of communication. Being connected to 21 classes presents challenges in receiving and responding to Dojo messages in a timely manner. Thanks. nauld@olhcwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au

Technology Toolkit with Mrs Fitzgerald and Mrs Murfett

New technology updates, cyber safety tips and snapshots of the learning experiences happening in the digital classroom. Let’s work together to make the online space a positive space! If you have any questions or concerns please contact us:

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

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

The cyber safety video game teaching students how to stay safe online amid a rise in deepfake scams

By Ursula Malone

In this Sydney classroom, year 5 students are playing a video game. With headsets on, they watch their screens intently. It isn't the typical lesson taught in a primary school, but this game is different.

Using real-life scams, the students are being shown how to spot online fraud.

The game called Dodgy or Not? is updated in real time as scammers find new ways to trick or blackmail victims into parting with their money.

"So what we do is we take scams from the dark web and we put them in the game," cyber safety educator Stacey Edmonds said.

"We keep abreast of everything new, everything that's coming and then we pop them in the game."

Students are presented with a series of messages or social media posts and are then asked to vote on whether they seem genuine or not.

Ms Edmonds designed the game with the help of a group of year 5 students at Mosman Public School.

"Whether it's on socials, emails, text, or virtual reality, wherever that attempt to scam or contact a young person happens, we want to see that they are critically thinking and asking one question; is it dodgy or not?"

To read more of this ABC article click on this link:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-17/students-learn-how-to-spot-a-deepfake-in-scammer-video-game/104593702

Spirit of Our Lady's Award

Margot Green

Max Mills

Sophie Bryne

Raff Lynch

Willow Wickenton

Peyton Cleverley

Will Chisholm

Hugo Small

Faith & Culture

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

P: 5562 2231

E: southwestcoast@ballarat.catholic.org.au

webpage : https://www.southwestcoastparish.com.au/

Weekend Masses

Saturday Vigil

6:00pm OLHC, Warrnambool East

Sunday Morning

9:00am Infant Jesus, Koroit

9:00am St Pius X, Warrnambool West

10:30am St Joseph’s, Warrnambool

10:30am St Patrick’s, Port Fairy

6:00pm St Joseph’s Warrnambool

*11:00am St Anne’s, Purnim

2nd Sunday of the month (Eucharist)

Weekday Masses

NB: MASS OF THE DAY IS REPLACED WHEN A FUNERAL IS HELD AT THAT CHURCH

Tues 10:00am St Pius X

Wed 10:00am St Joseph’s

Thu 10:00am OLHC & 11:00am Mercy Place

Fri 10:00am St Joseph’s

Sat 10:00am OLHC

Promises, Promises
(Luke 21: 25 - 28, 34 - 36)

When we read end-of-the-world passages in Scripture, we usually focus on destruction unleashed on the unsuspecting world. “Apocalypse now” sounds really scary - and it’s supposed to. But not to us believers. Be not afraid is one of the most oft-repeated pieces of advice in the New Testament. If you’re with Jesus, there’s nothing to fear, even when the boat is rocking in a violent storm.

Some may die of fright when disaster strikes, whether it’s apocalyptic or a mere crisis of modern living. We all know people who die a thousand deaths when the bank account is overdrawn. Fearful living is not faithful living. For believers there’s no disaster large enough to be bigger than God’s sovereignty. And though at first glance it seems strange to begin Advent and the new church year on such a note, on further examination it is the perfect place to start. We know we’re not really waiting the coming of the Christ child but rather the coming of Christ the King (remember, last Sunday?) Redemption is at hand. We have nothing to fear.

What awakens your fear? How does your faith address this fear?

The Advent of a New Year

I was terrified to start my first year of high school. While I was excited about the prospect of learning, I was afraid to go forward alone. My classmates from primary school were attending a different high school. I wasn’t sure I would how I’d make it without the friends I had been with since kindergarten. I was sure my first day of high school would be the end of me.

As the summer holidays wound up, my mum encouraged me to check out a flyer from the soccer team about tryouts. I was a tough defender in other sports, so I figured I’d probably do well in the soccer team about the goal posts. My mum rearranged her schedule so that she could drive me to tryouts and then for practice after I made the team. I spent two weeks running drills with the team before school started. I got to know my teammates and found that a few of us shared the same classes. By the first day of high school, I had a few friends – and even some sports cred.

While it was tough to arrive at the end of what I had known for most of my life, it was also necessary in order for the great new adventure to begin. And people like my mum would be with me, giving me strength and encouragement – and car rides – all along the way.

As we start this first week of Advent, we remember that we go forth not alone but with our faith community. In this season of hope, we can trust that together we will find strength and encouragement for whatever adventures and challenges lie ahead.

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!

**A reminder to parents, carers and grandparents that SchoolTV** is a free resource.

Tap here to access SchoolTV

Confidence and Motivation are two essential traits that not only help young people believe in themselves, but also empowers them to face challenges and pursue their goals with resilience and purpose.

Fostering confidence and motivation in young people will help strengthen their sense of self-worth and emotional resilience. This edition of SchoolTV provides practical strategies and guidance to nurture these essential qualities, ensuring children and adolescents thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

If your school has published this topic, you can view it here:

Confidence & Motivation

Click on the link below to view what we are dealing with when we give our children phones too early.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCXff2NM_PK/?igsh=MWU5ZHJ5MTZ6ZTgxYg%3D%3D

Parents & Friends Association

Community Picnic & Raffle winners

A big congratulations to our OLHC young entrepreneurs for sharing their talents with our school community! And thank you to everyone who supported the night.

Raffle Winners:

1st Melissa Bourke

2nd Kelly Kelly

3rd Bec Carlin