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

The Fourth Week of Lent

The Fast Life

Fast from judging others;
Feast on Christ dwelling in them.

Fast from fear of illness;
Feast on the healing power of God.

Fast from words that pollute;
Feast on speech that purifies.

Fast from discontent;
Feast on gratitude.

Fast from anger;
Feast on patience.

Fast from pessimism;
Feast on hope.

Fast from negatives;
Feast on encouragement.

Fast from bitterness;
Feast on forgiveness.

Fast from self-concern;
Feast on compassion.

Fast from suspicion;
Feast on truth.

Fast from gossip;
Feast on purposeful silence.

Fast from problems that overwhelm;
Feast on prayer that sustains.

Fast from anxiety;
Feast on faith.

Amen

Leadership & Stewardship

Principal's Message

Dear Parents, Guardians & Students,

School Camps

Many thanks to the staff members for their supervision and care of our children ( Gr 3 and 6) while on camp this week. I am always pleased to see everyone back safely. The organisation (and paperwork) to even get children out the gate for a camp is extraordinary, but we appreciate how important these experiences are for children and will continue to support a camping program at OLHC despite the challenges that many schools and camp providers are facing. Here is a recent article from ABC that highlights these issues. ABC article Mon 24/03/25

Enrolment in a Catholic School

As we prepare for next year's Foundation classes all Catholic Schools in the Star of the Sea Parish will present these procedures to ensure the process is fair and equitable for Catholic families.

The order of priority for enrolment in Catholic primary schools is:

Siblings of children already enrolled in the school
Catholic children for whom this is the closest Catholic Primary school to the child’s residential address
Catholic children for whom this is not the closest Catholic Primary school to the child’s residential address (for pastoral reasons, following referral of parents to the closest school and discussions between colleague Principals. This will be approved where there are specific reasons for enrolling in a Catholic school that is not their closest).
Other children (non Catholic) who are seeking a Catholic education with priority given to those for whom this is the closest Catholic Primary School to the child’s residential address. (for pastoral reasons, following referral of parents to the closest school and discussions between colleague Principals. This will be approved where there are specific reasons for enrolling in a Catholic school that is not their closest).

If you apply for enrolment at more than one Catholic school, the principals will meet to allocate your child to a school based on the above priorities.

Staff Changes

I wish to announce two new appointments.

Hannah Oates will join Bridget Ross in Grade 5 in week 4 of term 2 as Carly Watson heads into Maternity leave.

Hannah will work on Thursdays and Fridays. Hannah returned home to Warrnambool to begin her family after teaching in Adelaide. She has majors in literacy and mental health.

Alison Grieg will move into a full-time position and take control of Carly’s class at the beginning of week 4. She and Carly will work together this week to ensure a positive and successful handover.

Secondly, we are delighted to announce Mel Siemer as our new Grade 4 teacher. Mel will take over the reins of 4SI beginning week 1 of term 2, working full time. Mel comes to us with a wealth of leadership and teaching experience. Her last posting was at St Kieran's Catholic School in Mt Isa as Assistant Principal and Leader of Teaching and Learning.

We feel very fortunate to pick up two talented and passionate educators at this point of the school year and I know the children they will teach will feel the same way. Both ladies will contact their respective classes and families to share their backgrounds and a bit about themselves.

Easter Holidays

I hope all OLHC families are safe over the Easter holidays and you get some time to be with loved ones. Thank you for a positive start to the school year.

2026 Foundation Enrolments - Existing Families

A big thanks to those that have already responded. If your child is currently in 4 year old kindergarten and you plan for them to start school at OLHC next year, please complete their enrolment by Friday, April 25th, using the link below. This will help us plan ahead and determine the number of places available for new families.

Enrolments are currently open for existing families and will open for new families on Monday 19th May.

Closing @ 5pm on Wednesday 11th June.

School Open Day Tours are scheduled for the following dates:

Wednesday 14th May @ 12pm

Tuesday 20th May @ 10am & 6pm

https://app.enquirytracker.net/request-application/bc2fd3a51375413797a2f97ac5aa6d88/RnbCZqCFwVHPCFHArBmE

Important Dates

Term 1

Friday 4th April - Pupil Free Day - Staff PD

Term 2

Monday 21st April - Easter Monday Public Holiday

Tuesday 22nd April - Foundation & Yr 4 Excursions

Wednesday 23rd April - District Athletics

Thursday 24th April - Southern Zone PD - Pupil Free Day

Friday 25th April - ANZAC Public Holiday

Tuesday 29th April - OLHC Cross Country TBC

Thursday 1st May - May Race Day Public Holiday

Friday 2nd May - Division Athletics

Thursday 8th May - District Cross Country

Friday 9th May - Mother's Day Breakfast

Sunday 11th May - Mother's Day

Tuesday 13th May - Staff Maths PD - Student Free Day

Wednesday, 14th May - 12pm Foundation 2026 School Tour

14th - 16th May - Book Fair

15th & 16th May - Yr 5 Camp - Grampians Retreat

Friday 16th May - Division Cross Country

Tuesday 20th May - 10am & 6pm Foundation 2026 School Tours

Wednesday 14th May - 2026 Foundation School Tours @ 12pm

Tuesday 20th May - 2026 Foundation School Tours @ 10am & 6pm

Monday 9th June - King's Birthday Public Holiday

Teaching & Learning @ OLHC

A Message from Mr A

Week 10 Term 1

GRADE 3 INQUIRY- GREAT SOUTHERN LAND

Some great examples of Inquiry and student growth in their Inquiry unit, Great Southern Land. The students presented their projects on Wednesday and completed their post test of what they knew about Australia. At the beginning of the term the students were presented with a blank map of Australia and asked to fill in all the states, towns and cities that they knew. They then went through the same process on Thursday as a post test and the student growth in knowledge was significant. Check out some examples below. Well done Grade 3 team!

GRADE 3 & 6 CAMP

Another successful round of camps this week. Some great reports back from the Grade 3 cohort and the way they behaved and it was really pleasing to spend some time with our most senior group on their camp to Melbourne. You get a unique window into the students when they are away from home and the confines of a classroom. They were respectful, supportive of each other and approached each activity with enthusiasm and an open mind. I was really proud of the way our Grade 6 level conducted themselves while away and the parents should be equally as proud about how their children were while away.

Our Grade 5 cohort ran another successful Placebook event. Please see below an update from Ms Watson-

Our Grade 5 students put their faith into action by leading the Place Book event this week, raising funds for Caritas. Caritas is a Catholic organisation that supports people in need through providing food, clean water, education, and shelter.

On Wednesday, April 2nd, thanks to generous book donations from our OLHC community, students sold preloved books ranging for 20c to $2, raising an incredible $725! This initiative reflected Catholic Social Teaching, where we are called to help the poor and vulnerable.

A huge thank you to everyone who donated, purchased books, and supported this cause. Well done to our Grade 5's.

Ms Watson

HANDS ON LEARNING

We had the pleasure of hosting Malcolm, who is the Regional Manager for Hands on Learning in the area. A brief chat with him showed me how impressed he is with the way Katie and Ava are running this program. It is the highlight of the week for some of these students and we are lucky to have two dedicated staff driving this.

DECK THE HALLS WITH…ART!

Our corridors have had an Autumn update with Suz and Peta showcasing some of the impressive student work in Japanese Arts. I was lucky enough to witness the Grade 6 students make connections while at the Kusama and Van Gogh exhibitions while on camp. Great work, Japansese Arts team!

Enjoy the holiday break and we will see you refreshed and ready to go for Term 2.

Thanks,

Naish

Technology Toolkit with Ms Fitzgerald and Ms O'Keeffe

A space providing weekly snapshots of student learnings, as well as online safety tips and relevant technology updates. Please reach out with any questions:

Ms O’Keeffe: nokeeffe@olhcwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au (Mon & Tues)

Ms Fitzgerald: efitzgerald@olhcwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au (Wed, Thurs & Fri)

Food for thought:

Some of us are disproportionately vulnerable to online harm. Factors such as accessing support and facing additional barriers to online protection can heighten risk levels for:

Women
Older Australians
Children and young people
People with disability
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
People from culturally and linguistically diverse communities
People who identify as LGBTQI+

For tips on how to support, protect and build the capacity for these at-risk groups, check out:

Protecting voices at risk online | eSafety Commissioner

Eg. The vulnerability of young people can be influenced by online interactions with strangers:

Spirit of Our Lady's Award

Lottie Moore

Remi Keogh

Imogen Coxall

Braxton Davison

Georgia Neeson

Sophia McCarthy

Finn Lyons

Maggie Harris

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

2025 OLHC SACRAMENTAL DATES

YEAR 3 CONFIRMATION

TUESDAY APRIL 29TH: with Maria Forde

Confirmation Information Evening (Parents and Children)

7pm - St Joseph's Church, Warrnambool

SATURDAY MAY 3RD:

Presentation of Confirmation Candidates
6pm at OLHC Church, Warrnambool

MONDAY MAY 12TH: with Maria Forde

Formation Day (Students and Miss Squires)
10am - 2pm at St John’s, Dennington

SATURDAY MAY 24TH & SATURDAY 31ST MAY

Sacrament of Confirmation - held over two weekends
6pm at OLHC Church, Warrnambool.

YEAR 4 FIRST EUCHARIST

TUESDAY JULY 29TH: with Maria Forde

First Eucharist Information Evening (Parents and Children)

7pm - St Joseph's Church, Warrnambool

TUESDAY AUGUST 5TH: with Maria Forde

Formation Day (Students and Miss Squires)
10am - 2pm at St Pius, Warrnambool

SATURDAY AUGUST 9TH:

Presentation of First Communion Candidates
6pm at OLHC Church, Warrnambool.

SATURDAY AUGUST 23RD & SATURDAY AUGUST 30TH

Sacrament of First Communion - held over two weekends
6pm at OLHC Church, Warrnambool.

Something Old, Something New
(John 8: 1 - 11)

“What do you have to say about the case?”

You know one thing for sure: they did not drag the woman to Jesus out of respect for his great learning. The leaders wanted him to come down for our against the law, either way trapping him by his response. If Jesus chose the law, the memory of that horrific stoning would stay with his disciples forever. And if he chose against the law, people would say he was soft on sin.

Of course, Jesus finds a third way to answer. Instead of dismissing her sin, he universalises the reality of sin by daring the sinless one to strike first. What is someone had picked up a stone? A neighbour might call out his secret fault. Or Jesus, who well knew the human heart, might publicly remind the crowd of that one’s indiscretions against the law. Rather than saying sin is unimportant, he made it too important for mere humans to arbitrate. And Jesus took that testimony all the way to the cross.

Questions for Reflection

Have you ever been saved from anything? What does it mean for you to say “God saves”?
What do you have faith in? Do you put your faith in Jesus? If so, why and how?
Over whom do you stand in judgment? What would it take to put that stone down?

A Stony Reception

The board of directors’ decision to hire a consultant to come up with some new fundraising strategies at the financially hurting organisation was met with huge resistance. Long before the consultant’s first day, the company rumour mill had begun, and by the time the “outsider” came face to face with the employees, they had painted him as an axe-wielding brute intent on slashing every beloved program currently in place.

As the company president was introducing him, the consultant scanned the room and saw nothing but scowls. Before he had a chance to say good morning, the accusations – thinly veiled as questions – bombarded him from all directions. Some of the assumptions were so ludicrous, he didn’t even know how to respond.

Wild fear that somehow the consultant would stand in judgment of each employee and expose personal failures and incompetencies fuelled the anger and panic: “How can you possibly understand our business? Most of us have worked here for years. You have no idea what goes into our programs or what our donors want. We’re wasting our money on you.”

And so it went – with no stone left unthrown. It seems Jesus’ “the one who is without sin” rule didn’t apply that day.

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.