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 week I had the opportunity to thank both the School Advisory Council (Tuesday) and Parents and Friends (Thursday) over a meal. Both these groups volunteer their time to ensure the school is doing everything it can to be the best version of itself. I wish to thank two retiring SAC members in Laurissa Walther and James Byrne. Both these individuals are staunch supporters of our school and advocate for OLHC in many ways. I appreciate that they are always looking critically at our operations to ensure we are making decisions that are grounded in common sense and equity for all stakeholders. Thank you Laurissa and James for your support and counsel.

This week was also loaded with events. Our 2025 Foundation students had their second visit to school on Thursday, our grade 4’s completed their Bike Ed course and the Grade 6’s had a great week in the water for our beach safety program. We also had our end of year mass where we celebrated our Grade 6 students, recognised the efforts of many people including our Religious Education Leader in Marie Harney. I will write more about Marie in next week's newsletter, but it was a fitting place and time to thank Marie in front of the whole school. Her work in this space has been incredibly significant for OLHC.

Next week sees Orientation Day and a number of Fun Days taking place along with the Grade 6 Graduation on Wednesday evening. I hope to see you around the school in the last few weeks.

Go gently.

Steve

2025 Teaching Staff

Classroom Teachers

Foundation - Nat Meade, Sharon Dwyer & Jane Fish

Yr 1 - Julie Aberline, Jess Squires & Erin Sedgley

Yr 2 - Kate Maree Barnes/Maree Wellington, Sharon Leslie & Sharell Smits

Yr 3 - Jo Wain/Alex Ryan, Chelsea Swarbrick (Crosier), Annemaree Chapman/Kate Maree Barnes

Yr 4 - Tara Davey, Emily McMillan/Nicole Bongers, Sam Inverarity

Yr 5 - Carly Watson, Dylan Jongebloed & Bridget Ross/Alison Greig

Yr 6 - Ollie Bidmade, Stephen Hogan & Sarah Murfett/Bridget McPherson

Specialist Teachers

Physical Ed - Dean Kilpatrick

Japanese/Art - Suz Auld & Peta Bourke

Digi Tech - Ellen Fitzgerald & Nicole O'Keeffe

Performing Arts - Ben Louden

Important Dates

Term 4

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 - Yr 2 Fun Day

Wednesday 18th December - Last Day of School for Students normal finish time 3.20pm

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

A reminder to all parents to check if your child has returned their Library books. There are more than 1000 books still out
Book Club is running late but should be here next week. Thanks to those who have supported our Library purchasing from Scholastic Book Club
For anyone interested in covering books, I will run a quick workshop at the start of 2025 school year.

Thanks, Louise Taggert

Teaching & Learning @ OLHC

A Message from Mr A

Week 9 Term 4

FINAL SCHOOL MASS…THANKS MRS HARNEY

We celebrated our final school mass on Thursday. Father John assisted us with the service and the students did well in warm conditions. This was also an opportune moment to say thanks to Mrs Harney for all her assistance with our school liturgies across her journey. Mrs Harney is retiring at the end of the year and we appreciate the efforts she has gone to to ensure we remain faithful to our Catholic traditions. It is definitely the ‘hot seat’ up the back of the Church running the songs and the PowerPoint. A big thanks to Mrs Harney for her work in this space.

‘I WANT TO RIDE MY BICYLCE’...GRADE 4 BIKE ED

Our Grade 4 cohort have been on their bikes this week participating in the Bike Ed program ran by Mr Kilpatrick. The students have been well versed in bike and street safety and celebrated the culmination of the program with the community ride. Although it was a little wet, the students had a great time.

BEACH SAFETY

Our Grade 6 cohort have been honing their water skills down at the beach this week. It has been pleasing to see the positive impact being in the ocean has had on some of these students.

A big thanks from me to the PFA for their efforts this year. It was great to share a meal with them on Thursday night as a thank you. We are lucky to have an energetic group who have done some great things behind the scenes for the school this year. Thank you!

END OF YEAR AND SCHOOL REPORTS

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

Parental Controls for iPads and iPhones

Over the coming weeks, we are going to be putting up tips for setting up iPads and iPhones with parental controls. It is important that if we are giving children access to these tools that there are restrictions put in place to make them safer.

Allowing Built in Apps and Features

Open the Settings app, then tap Screen Time.
Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Enter your Screen Time passcode.
Tap Allowed Apps & Features.
Select the apps that you want to allow.

Spirit of Our Lady's Award

Bella Green

Mabel Couch

Isabella Lyons

Bonnie McLeod

Hugo Harkness

Hugh Walther

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

Hope on the Horizon
(Luke 3: 1 - 6)

Imagine the valleys of your life. Those times when yawning need was met by silence. When the desire for companionship found only absence. When there were bills to pay and only holes in your pockets.

Now reflect on the mountains. The tasks that seemed insurmountable. The illnesses that dragged on and on. The hurt that seemed to grow rather than diminish with time. The challenges that seemed to have been designed with someone bigger and stronger than you in mind.

The way of the Lord is the smooth way. No valleys, no mountains, just a journey through pleasant country. Never been there? Neither had Jesus on this earth. Jesus sums up his experience with a rather sad evaluation: “My kingdom is not of this world”. This world has a rough topography, complete with sin, death, and crucifixion. Yet we trust the word of Jesus because he’s travelled these same valleys and mountains on the road to salvation. We’re never so lost that we can’t be found on these wild roads.

Map out the prominent valleys and mountains of the past year. Where do you see hope in the smooth way?

Holy Ground

A few decades ago pundits were predicting the demise of the once mighty proud city of New York. It had become in too many people’s minds virtually ungovernable, incredibly dirty, frighteningly dangerous, and so, totally uninviting. Almost in desperation, the “I LOVE N.Y.” advertising campaign was launched to counter those attitudes. And somehow it worked. The city not only survived, but despite horrendous tragedies like 9-11 and power blackouts, it has thrived.

Isaiah the prophet trumps: “Up, Jerusalem!” touting the glories of the centrepiece of God’s chosen and holy land. It is a special place where God makes known the divine role that God plays in the lives of God’s chosen people. Isaiah is doing quite a public relations job.

We could say the same thing about John the Baptiser. He draws people to the waters of the Jordan River outside of Jerusalem, taking its muddy, lacklustre waters and turning them into something special, attracting crowds of pious pilgrims and curious onlookers.

All this is being done to remind us that the Messiah is coming soon to Jerusalem and will make what is special even more special. John the Baptiser entices us with his message of repentance and anticipation. As the birth of Jesus approaches, we who are the church, the “new” Jerusalem, repent and anticipate its growing even more special.

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

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

The real weight of parenting

Keeping kids to the school routine and driving them to sports and parties can be exhausting, says Michelle Mitchell, but parents carry an even heavier weight.

I’ve been trying to describe the real weight of parenting. Is it the exhaustion that comes from keeping the school routine, or driving kids to sports and social activities all weekend? Is it dealing with snippy requests from a teenager who wants to live a grand life with your credit card in hand?

While no one would argue that these day to day things are weighty, I think there is an even heavier weight we carry – and that’s the weight of uncertainty.

Uncertainty raises its head when our kids and teens say things like – I’m going to quit my trade because I don’t like my boss, or I don’t see the big deal with smoking pot, or I’m dropping out of football for good, or I’m dropping Maths B and doing art because all my friends are…

And we are left thinking…. Where will that decision lead them? The truth is, in that moment, we don’t know. That’s the problem. The outcome is uncertain.

Below I’ve outlined a few things that may help you manage the feeling of uncertainty.

This may (or may not) be an emergency

There are two types of moments your family might experience. Life defining moments (where you and your child’s life will forever be changed) and bump in the road moments (that are rocky but recoverable). I hope that your family will never experience a tragic life defining moment.

However, out of necessity, your family will experience lots of bump in the road moments. Try not to turn bump in the road moments into emergencies, or we will always be living with more anxiety than we need to. Their job right now is to fail and learn, and then fail some more. That’s bumpy, but what they have to do in order to navigate their path in life.

Question to answer: Is this an emergency? Calculate your response accordingly.

Try not to forecast

Not all things tweens and teens do or say will carry through to adulthood. Most of their risky ideas and statements will be short lived – thank goodness. The more they get to talk it out rather than act it out, the better. I like that idea!

Although we may not always like what we hear, the fact that our kids can be honest and tell us what is in their hearts and minds is at the heart of authentic relationships. Given a non-judgmental space, many kids do talk themselves into wiser decisions.

PS. If this doesn’t happen, and you still need to set a limit, do so without negating their feelings or ideas. For example, “If I were in your position, I’d want to go to the party just as badly, but my answer still has to be no. I imagine you might feel mad, totally understandable, but I love you too much to compromise on this one.”

Question to answer: Am I giving enough non-judgmental talking time? If they can talk it out, they are less likely to act it out.

Your now impacts their next

Every now and then I notice how much my thoughtful response or kind gesture impacts kids and teens next decision. In those moments I am reminded that I matter in their lives – a lot. My now impacts their next. Why? I am literally interacting with the neurochemicals in their brain.

If you can deflect with humour, do it. If you can offer care, go for it. If you can be playful, curious and compassionate, it will matter! I recently walked into a detention room where the mood was awful, and ended up boosting some positive neurochemicals, and changing a lot of kid’s next decisions. It felt good! Significant point: It’s easy to do with someone else’s kid, but way more difficult when it is your own, and you are the one upset at them!

Question to answer: How do you best shift mood with your kid or teen? Your now can impact their next.

Sharing the weight

By sharing our concerns with friends and professionals, we not only lighten our own burden but also gain valuable perspectives and support. A listening ear helps us gain clarity and find solutions to the challenges we face. Moreover, we create a sense of community, which helps others just as much as ourselves. So, don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious – and don’t underestimate how intentional we need to be about relationships.

Sharing also helps us keep perspective and realise that uncertainty hits us all – and if we invest too much into momentary wins and losses, ups and downs we can’t be the stable base our kids need.

Question to answer: Who is your go-to community? Don’t underestimate how intentional we need to be as adults.

Your core values

Taking time to define your core values really is life changing when it comes to all forms of decision making. So, just stop and think – what are your core values as a person, and then a parent? What do you want to make sure your actions are aligned with on a day to day basis, regardless of your child or teen’s decisions? Can you finish this sentence – I want to be a parent who…. is consistent, present, honest, authentic, open, trustworthy…? Choose three to five core values you would like to define you. Who you are in their life is the one thing you can control.

Question to answer: What are three core values you hold as a person, and then a parent? Who you are in your child’s life is the one thing you can control.

About the author

Former teacher Michelle Mitchell is a best-selling author and award-winning speaker known for providing parents with compassionate and grounded advice on the wellbeing of teens and tweens. This article was reproduced with permission and originally appeared at michelle.mitchell.org.

Parents & Friends Association

CONGRATULATIONS!

School Fee Raffle Winners:
1st prize - $800 off your school fees - The Murfett Family (Finn & Alby)
2nd prize - $150 LOWES voucher - The White Family (Fletcher & Harry)
3rd prize - $50 LOWES voucher - The Allan Family (Mia)
Please contact the office to collect your vouchers.

Donation of Colour Fun Run Prizes:
This week we had the pleasure of donating our remaining Colour Fun Run prizes to MacKillop Family Services Christmas Appeal and Brophy Family & Youth Services. Both organisations were very appreciative of our donations and would like to thank our school community for our contributions.
PHOTOS ATTACHED

Thank You:
Thank you to our crafty parents who mended our second-hand uniforms.