Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School East Warrnambool eNewsletter

Acknowledgement of Country

Our Grade 4 students have created personalised Acknowledgement of Country posters that reflect their own thoughts, feelings and wishes. We will share a new poster each week.

Prayer

“I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” John 10:10

Catholic Mission is the Pope’s international mission agency in Australia and is part of the global network of Pontifical Mission Societies operating in over 160 countries. We partner with communities to help them flourish by supporting grassroots projects, including healthcare, education, and faith formation, while also being an active voice for human rights.

Each year Catholic Mission celebrates the work of the Mission in Australia and around the world in October for Catholic Mission month.

Loving God,

You sent Your Son Jesus so that we may have life and have it to the full.

Bless the work of Catholic Mission as they bring life, hope and love to communities in need.

May their efforts in healthcare, education and faith formation help all people flourish in dignity and peace.

Inspire us to be part of Your mission, sharing Your love and standing up for justice around the world.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Leadership & Stewardship

Principal's Message

Dear Parents, Guardians & Students,

Welcome back to Term 4!

I hope the holidays were a time of joy for you and your loved ones. I wish to thank Naish, the office staff and the leadership for their hard work in my absence. Each day in a school of our size brings a new and expected challenge or celebration. There is never a dull moment.

This time of the year is marked by lots of sports teams competing in finals after a long season. This article serves as a wonderful reminder that a team, school, business or even family can’t function to its optimum level without all “players” being recognised. Read and reflect. The Invisible Teammates

Next Tuesday, OLHC will welcome the DOBCEL board from Ballarat as they tour the school. I look forward to showing them around our wonderful establishment.

We welcome the Beddow's family to OLHC this term. John & Michelle and their children, Rhys (Yr 5) and Marie (Yr 3). I'm confident everyone will make them feel welcome.

A big welcome to "Roy Paul Dwyer", who arrived late on 6th October. 7lb 7 oz

Absolutely beautiful! Mum (Saya) and Dad (Sam, Sharon & Paul's son) are all doing well. Sharon and Paul are very proud grandparents, as you can see below.

Congratulations!!!

A big shout to one of our school captains, Sophie Byrne on her recent appointment as Vice Captain of the under 12 Victorian School State Netball team. With 1000s of girls playing across Victoria, this is a significant achievement. Sophie will be representing OLHC, Warrnambool & Victoria. We briefly recognised this on Monday at assembly and as usual, Sophie was humble and embarrassed by the fuss. Sophie plays locally for South Warrnambool and has a very bright future.

School Fee Reminder

All school fees for 2025 are now due. Please finalise these as soon as possible. Please make contact with the school office if you wish to discuss your fees.

To pay directly into the school bank account, please see details below:

Account Name: OLHC

BSB: 083 957

Account Number: 75170 2580

Reference: Account Number/Family Name

If you are on a direct debit or credit card payment plan, please ignore this message.

Important Dates

Term 4

Monday 13th October - Swimming Program continues F - Yr 4

Friday 17th October - Assembly 4BM

Wednesday 22nd October - Down the Garden Path Art Show Official Presentation @ 6pm

Thursday 23rd October - District Cricket Competition

Friday 24th October - Regional Basketball Competition - Ballarat

Wednesday 29th October - Regional Volleyball Competition

Friday 31st October - Lunch Orders NOT AVAILABLE

Friday 31st October - OLHC Mission Day

Friday 31st October - Assembly FNM

Friday 7th November - Yr 1 Werribee Zoo Excursion

Tuesday 11th November - Remembrance Day

Tuesday 11th November - Tennis Hotshots Competition - Colac

Wednesday 12th November - Yr 5 Emmanuel College Visit

Friday 14th November - Assembly FJF

Wednesday 26th November - Yr 2 Poetry Cafe

Friday 28th November - Assembly 1JA

Wednesday 3rd December - Yr 6 I AM Exhibition

Monday 8th December - Yr 6 Beach Education

Tuesday 9th December - Orientation Day

10th - 12th December - Yr 6 Beach Education

Thursday 11th December - Yr 6 Graduation

Friday 12th December - Foundation Fun Day

Friday 12th December - Assembly 4TD

Monday 15th December - Yr 4 Fun Day

Tuesday 16th December - Yr 3 & Yr 6 Fun Days

Wednesday 17th December - Yr 5 Fun Day

Thursday 18th December - Last day for students

Friday 19th December - Last day for staff

Teaching & Learning @ OLHC

Library News

During Term 2, a competition was held to design a logo for our 2026 Book Fair. The idea was a gem belonging to one of our Library leaders, Hugo Lamb, who formed the catchy slogan. The actual logo was designed with a combination of ideas from Eliza Lawrence Gr.5 and Julia Harrington Gr. 6. The final result drawn by Eliza. The 3 received a voucher each from Collins Bookstore.

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)

SBS Insight - Scammed - Season 2025 Episode 20

Scams are everywhere, but how do we recognise the warning signs? Insight speaks with people who’ve been caught out—from dealing with consequences overseas to facing banks and bureaucracy at home—and looks at how they’re working to recover and protect others.

To watch this great episode, please follow the following link and scroll down to episode 20:

https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/news-series/insight/insight-2025

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

An Attitude of Gratitude
(Luke 17: 11 - 19)

Jesus said, “Were not ten healed? Where are the nine? Can none be found to come back and give glory to God except this outsider?” Then he said to him, “Get up. On your way. Your faith has healed and saved you.” (Luke 17: 17 - 19)

This week, Jesus asks a piercing question after healing ten lepers: “Were not ten healed? Where are the nine?” Only one returns to give thanks. Gratitude becomes the mark of faith, the sign that healing has gone deeper than the skin.

As Catholic educators, this moment invites us to pause. Our classrooms are full of small miracles every day – students learning to read, friendships forming, kindness quietly shared. Yet how often do we notice and give thanks? In the rhythm of planning, grading, and guiding, gratitude can fade into the background noise of busyness. Jesus’ question echoes still: Where are the grateful ones?

To work in a Catholic school is not only to pass on knowledge but to waken hearts. Gratitude transforms education. When we teach from a place of thankfulness, our tone shifts, our patience deepens, and our joy becomes contagious. We model for our students that faith is not only about what we believe but how we see the world – with eyes open to grace.

So this week, let us be the one who turns back. Let us thank God for the privilege of shaping young minds and hearts. Let us recognise Christ in our students, our colleagues, and in the quiet victories of the school day. Gratitude does not just change our outlook – it renews our vocation.

May we teach with hearts that remember to return, to give thanks, and to help our students do the same.

“Gratitude is the memory of the heart.” (Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop)

The One Who Remembered to Return

Ten people stood at a distance, calling out to Jesus. Ten lives changed in an instant when He healed them. Yet only one came back. Just one remembered to return, to kneel, to say thank you.

It’s easy to read that story and shake our heads at the nine who kept going, but if we’re honest, we do the same. Life moves fast. Between work, school, sports, and endless to-do lists, we rush ahead, forgetting the moments when God has shown up for us. We pray hard when we need help, but how often do we pause to give thanks when the help arrives?

Gratitude is more than good manners. It’s the heartbeat of faith. The one who returned to Jesus didn’t just receive healing – he received relationship. Gratitude drew him closer to the source of life itself.

For our Catholic schools, parishes, and families, this story is a gentle challenge. What if we became known as people who return? People who notice God’s hand in ordinary moments and choose to thank Him out loud. Teachers who begin class with a simple prayer of gratitude. Families who take a few seconds at dinner to name one thing they’re thankful for. Parishioners who see God’s goodness in community and respond with joy and service.

Gratitude changes everything. It lifts our eyes from what is missing to what has been given. It shifts our energy from worry to trust, from complaint to celebration. And most of all, it brings us back to Jesus.

This week, slow down long enough to return. Return in prayer. Return in kindness. Return in thankfulness. Say “thank you” to God and to the people who reflect God’s love. Like the one healed man, come back to Jesus and let gratitude renew your faith, your home, and your heart.

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.
SchoolTV is a wellbeing resource that we have to support you with the challenges relating to modern-day parenting. This award-winning resource helps build relationships, foster connections, enable understanding and break down barriers to navigate a pathway towards better mental health and wellbeing for young people. It can assist in starting conversations on topics that are sometimes awkward or difficult to tackle.
In addition to the weekly topic we publish in our newsletter, all of the SchoolTV topics are always accessible through our school website under the Student Wellbeing section. You can also use this link: https://olhcwarrnambool.catholic.schooltv.me/category-latest-newsletter
There are videos from experts as well as a huge range of websites, books, apps, fact sheets and podcasts.
If you require any further information about SchoolTV, please contact Mel (mwillis@olhcwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au)

Tap here to access SchoolTV

SPECIAL REPORT: World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day is marked every year on 10 October as a reminder of the importance of mental health to our overall wellbeing. It is a day that encourages families, schools, workplaces and communities across the globe to start conversations, reduce stigma and highlight the support available for those who may be struggling.

Mental health challenges can affect anyone: children, teens, and adults alike. Recognising this helps us create more compassionate and supportive environments.

Parents and caregivers play a central role in shaping the mental health of their children. World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to pause and reflect on the pressures young people face in today's world and how we can best support them. Whether it's helping children find balance between school, technology, and rest; encouraging open conversations about feelings; or modelling healthy coping strategies ourselves - small steps at home can make a big difference.

By engaging with resources and discussions on this day, families can strengthen their understanding of mental health and contribute to a culture where seeking help is seen as a sign of strength, not weakness.

This Special Report highlights the importance of World Mental Health Day and offers practical suggestions for how your family can acknowledge and support it together.

Here is the link to your Special Report https://olhcwarrnambool.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-world-mental-health-day-au