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 our Grade 6 students and families participated in our Graduation ceremony. It was a chance to thank many of the people involved in the support, education and supervision of these 69 students whilst at OLHC. While conscious not to be too preachy, I did take the opportunity to reflect on the challenges young people face in 2024 and beyond.

A few parents have contacted me to read my Graduation address. Here is a link for those interested.

A big thanks to everyone who contributed to making this a fantastic night! Special thanks to our Year 5 families for assisting with catering and volunteering their time during the event. We also extend our gratitude to Theircare for generously donating the sausages.

Hosting an event for around 400 people involves a lot of effort, and we really appreciate all the support and assistance we received.

Next week marks the end of Marie Harney’s time at OLHC. Marie actually began her lengthy career here way back in 1985. She also worked in Catholic schools in Pirron Yallock, Purnim, Terang, The Catholic Education Office, back to Terang with her husband Terry, and then full circle to OLHC in 2014 up until now. This totals 100’s of students and families she has taught, guided and supported along the way. As her Principal, she gives me incredible support. She is one of the first here in the morning and the last to leave. Her work ethic is enormous and at the core of what she does is care for the children. I want to openly congratulate and thank her for her service to Catholic Education and wish her every happiness in the next chapter of her life with Terry and their own children and grandchildren.

Well played Marie!

Class of 2024

Important Dates

Term 4

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 10 Term 4

ALMOST OVER…GRADE 6 GRADUATION

A big congratulations to our Senior most level on their Graduation on Wednesday night. This was a special way to send this cohort off as they prepare to enter the secondary school world. We had a touching formal ceremony in the Church followed by a relaxed meal in the Eugene Dalton hall. It was great to catch up with some of the students and their parents. These things don’t just magically happen with lots going on in the background to ensure it was a successful event. A big thank you to the grade 5 cohort for donating the plates of food and to the Niruban, Lewis, Harrington, Ryan and Adcock families in Grade 5 who assisted on the night. Next year is your year to sit back and enjoy the night. The meal was expertly coordinated by Kristen in the office with some handy work from Katie and Mrs Davey in the kitchen, especially cutting up the cake. Much appreciated.

IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS…

This week has required all hands on deck as we welcomed parents into some levels to assist with Christmas craft. Thursday was all systems go in both the Foundation and Grade 3 areas. These Christmas activities wouldn’t be possible without this help. Thank you. It was great to see ex student Tilly Paton helping in the Grade 3 area. Check out some photos below from both Foundation and Grade 3.

FAREWELL MRS HARNEY

On Tuesday we had a final morning tea for Mrs Harney. This was a great opportunity for some staff to say a few words about Marie and reflect on her time here. Who knew Mrs Wellington could rap? We had a special visit from ex-Principal Eugene Dalton who sat in on the morning tea. Marie will be missed, particularly in the leadership of RE here at OLHC. Well done Mrs Harney!

ORIENTATION DAY

Tuesday morning was a busy one as students spent some time with their teacher and classmates for 2025. Lots of nerves and excitement and a few tears as the students navigated their way through the change and new and unfamiliar environments. Parents will have an opportunity to connect with next year’s teacher at Early Steps Conferences at the beginning of next year.

END OF YEAR AND SCHOOL REPORTS

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

Thanks,

Naish

Yr 3 Christmas Cooking

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

Prevent explicit content and content ratings

Open the Settings app, then tap Screen Time.
Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions, then tap App Store, Media, Web & Games.
Choose the settings that you want for each feature or setting under Allowed Store Content.

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

Desert Voices
(Luke 3: 10 - 18)

The people around John are odd. What seems to attract them is who he is not: not the anointed Saviour of Israel, not Elijah come to announce the end of the world, not the great prophet the Samaritans were expecting. But the evangelist John also tells us who the Baptist is: the testimony to the great light to follow.

What is your life’s testimony? Does it proclaim fidelity, honesty, generosity? If you had to name ten things you stand for, would any of them be holy? These are hard questions. If I pose them to myself, my answer is wishy-washy: depends on when you ask. Some days are less exemplary than others. Sometimes I’m a shining example of Christian virtue, and I wish my Mum were here to see me. Other times I’m grateful she isn’t and wish no one was. John the Baptist, cousin of Jesus and the fruit of a miracle birth, may have had a head start on his testimony. Or maybe he had to work out all the bugs like the rest of us in the years before he turned up at the Jordan.

But the truth is: whatever our origins, they can’t be an excuse for who we are or are not, “what we’ve done, or failed to do.” John’s desert voice summons me to train mine, to learn to present another clear testimony to the light.

Christmas Joy

The Church calls this Gaudete Sunday, which means “rejoice.” Gaudete Sunday always reminds me of Fezziwig. Fezziwig is a character in Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, a man from Scrooge’s memory of Christmas Past. Fezziwig was a businessman who had hired the young Scrooge. He was a good man. A generous man. A man who hosted a wondrous Christmas feast at which family, friends, and employees alike shared in abundant food and wine and gifts and music and dancing. Fezziwig was a perfect counterpoint to what Scrooge had lately become: stingy, cramped, bitter, and small of heart.

Christmas puts the choice plainly before us: Will we choose to be like Fezziwig or Scrooge? Too many people have the idea that God is more likely to say, “Bah humbug!” than “Welcome to the feast!” The prophet Zephaniah knows different. He predicts that “on that day ... the Lord your God will rejoice over you with gladness and renew you in God’s love, God will sing joyfully because of you as one sings at festivals.”

Can you imagine the Lord your God singing joyfully because of you? The almighty God belting out songs about you? Behold Fezziwig and he might just make a believer out of you.

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

Navigating Christmas Stress: Tips for Parents

youngacademics

Navigating Christmas Stress: Tips for Parents

The Christmas season is a time of joy, celebration, and spending quality time with loved ones. However, it can also be a stressful time for parents, especially when trying to juggle childcare responsibilities amidst the chaos of Christmas preparations. Below are some of our Young Academics top tips to help parents navigate holiday stress during the Christmas period.

Set Realistic Expectations

It’s easy to get caught up in the idea of a perfect Christmas/Summer season, but it’s important to remember that perfection is often unattainable. Instead, focus on creating meaningful moments and memories with your family, rather than striving for perfection.

Plan Ahead

One of the best ways to minimise stress during the holidays is to plan ahead. Make a list of everything that needs to be done, from gift shopping to meal planning, and tackle tasks one at a time. Setting aside specific times for these preparations can help you stay organised and reduce last-minute stress.

Delegate Tasks

You don’t have to do everything yourself. Enlist the help of your partner, children, or other family members to share the load. Whether it’s wrapping gifts, decorating the house, or preparing meals, involving your loved ones can turn holiday preparations into a fun and bonding experience.

Stick to a Routine

While the Christmas period often disrupts regular routines, try to maintain some sense of structure for you and your children. Stick to regular mealtimes and bedtimes as much as possible, as this can help prevent meltdowns and maintain a sense of normalcy amidst the holiday chaos.

Practice Self-Care

It’s easy to neglect self-care during the busy season, but taking care of yourself is essential for managing stress. Make time for activities that help you relax and recharge, whether it’s taking a long bath, going for a walk, or simply enjoying a cup of tea in peace.

Set Boundaries

Learn to say no to things that add unnecessary stress to your plate. Whether it’s attending every Christmas event or taking on extra commitments, it’s okay to prioritise your own well-being and the well-being of your family.

Focus on What Matters Most

In the midst of all the holiday chaos, don’t lose sight of what truly matters – spending time with loved ones. Instead of stressing over the perfect gifts or decorations, focus on creating memories with your family.

The Christmas season can be a stressful time for parents, but with some careful planning and self-care, it’s possible to navigate the Christmas period with ease.