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,

Welcome to and back to Our Ladies for the 2025 school year.

Our local summer, weather wise, was one out of the box and reminded me of the endless days of sunshine we enjoyed as children. I hope you managed to enjoy the weather and spend some quality time with friends and family.

Our school oval certainly points to a summer with no rain, but hopefully we get a few mills of rain to green things up a bit.

This year we welcome a few new and returning staff to OLHC . These changes include:

Nicole O'Keefe - Digital Tech Mon/Tues and Leader release Fridays
Jane Thring - Library Mon -Thurs
Alex Ryan - Teaching Mondays with Jo Wain in 3RW.
Peta Bourke - Teaching Wednesdays in Japanese Arts
Katlyn Pitt - Teaching Fridays with AnneMaree Chapman in 3CP
Mel Willis - MHiPS ( Mental Health in Primary Schools leader) Weds/Thurs
Nicole Gynes & Jacqui Toke - LSOs
Chloe Mutton, Estelle Evans and Matt Edwards -Trainees
Mark Evans - Maintenance and OHS support
Ben Louden is taking 12 months leave without pay in 2025.

We also welcome our foundation students to OLHC and the following new students & their families:

Foundation Students

Isabel Anto, Dulcie Bant, Roisin Barlow, Hamish Bateman, Arlo Bidmade, Irine Bipin, Lucia Boretto, Fleur Britnell, Ethan Broderick, William Chapman, Boh Clifford, Zimma Collishaw, Louis Conheady, Theo Coomaraswamy, George Couch, Imogen Coxall, Abel Cross, Xanthe Danger, Connor Davey, Sid Dickson, Amelia Fernando, Cleo Fogarty, Matilda Fraser, Lachlan Gear, Mace Gleeson, Arlo Graham, Mac Halloran, Sonny Hanson, Blair Harkness, Walter Hee, Sadie Isles, Harrison Jukes, Poppy Keane, Marli Keogh, Willow Lenehan, Mia Ludeman, Sullivan Lynch, Scarlett Mahony, Beau Malady, Isla Martin, Patrick McCarthy, Hugh McMillan, Annabel Merry, Tessa Miller, Edith Monaghan, Finlee Moore, Halle Neeson, Sylvia O'Sullivan, Harriet Parhar, Hugo Philp, Bonnie Preston, Elizabeth Ross, Daisy Rowan, Gia Shortt, Lukas Silbernagel, Nevindie Silva, Bessie Slattery, George Sleeman, Abigail Smith, Eli Suridge, Harrison Thorne, Cara Walker, Maisie Walsh, Evie Warhurst, Frankie White, Ava Wilde, Mason Wilson, Edwina Wright & Jacob Young

New Foundation Families

Anto Francis & Anila Rose
Chris & Emma Bant
Joel & Emma Bateman
Jye & Rhianna Bidmade
Bipin Joseph & Sheeba Babu
Ezequiel Boretto & Ange Doldan
Daniel & Alannah Clifford
Kushan & Disna Fernando
James & Emily Gear
Jack & Keziah Gleeson
Thomas & Kellie Hanson
Liam & Narelle Jukes
Nathan & Annie Keane
Scott & Jacinta Lenehan
Emma Malady
Anna McCarthy
Craig Merry & Sharni Walters
Sam & Laura Miller
Jon & Bridget Ross
Ben & Elvia Silbernagal
Shashan & Nicole Silva
Chris Wombwell & Shey Jones
Michael Sleeman & Elizabeth Hingston
Simon & Amy Walker
Natalie Dwyer
Troy Wilson
Thomas & Danielle Wright
Jai & Karen Young

Other Year Levels

Cecil Colley 1JA - Clinton Colley & Vicky Buchanan
Liam Kelly 1JS - Marcus Kelly & Jayne Couch
Teddy 2BW & Violet Jane 4TD - Andrew & Megan Jane
Tia Beaton 5CW - Dale & Carly Beaton

A few reminders and thank you's

Thank you for supporting us with no drop offs before 8: 30 am. Their Care is available for all families.
Earrings. Children are permitted to wear studs or sleepers only. If your child's hair is past shoulder length it needs to be tied up for obvious health reasons.
Please check the calendar below as we have a number of upcoming events in the next few weeks including Camps, Early Steps Conferences, Pupil free days and Community sports day.
Thanks to parents for naming/labelling your child’s possessions - it makes it a lot easier to reacquaint the items with your child.

COUNTRY BUS INFORMATION

This is a reminder that only students who are registered to travel on specific country buses can use this service.
The service is not to be used for sports training/work/social purposes.
Parent/Carers are to make their own arrangements in this regard.

Lastly, we had a new addition to our family over the holidays. I look forward to showing the kids at some point.

Meet, Roy.

Important Dates

Term 1

Monday 3rd February - Second Hand Uniform Sale 2.30 to 3.30 pm

Wednesday 5th February - Foundation Rest Day

Wednesday 12th February - Foundation Rest Day

Thursday 13th February - beginning of School Year Community Mass @ 12pm

Friday 14th February - Lunch Orders Begin

17th - 28th February - Early Steps Conferences - more info to come

Tuesday 18th February - Reconciliation Parent Info Meeting @ 7pm

Wednesday 19th February - Foundation Rest Day

Tuesday 25th February - School Photos

Wednesday 26th February - Foundation Rest Day

Wednesday 5th March - Foundation Rest Day

Monday 10th March - Labour Day Public Holiday

Sunday 16th March - OLHC Athletics @ Brauerander Park

Monday 17th March - No School in lieu of athletics Sunday

Wednesday 19th March - Foundation Rest Day

20th - 21st March - Yr 4 Camp Adekate Ballarat

Wednesday 26th March - Foundation Rest Day

Thursday 27th - Reconciliation Celebration @ 7pm

31st Mar to 1st April - Yr 3 Camp Warra Gnan & Yr 6 Camp Melbourne

Thursday 3rd April - Last day of term for students

Friday 4th April - Pupil Free Day - Staff PD

Term 2

Monday 21st April - Easter Monday - Public Holiday

Tuesday 22nd April - Term 2 Resumes

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

Friday 25th April - ANZAC Day Public Holiday

Teaching & Learning @ OLHC

A Message from Mr A

Week 1 Term 1

WELCOME BACK!

Welcome back to the 2025 school year for all students and their families. It was a baptism of fire in the Foundation area Wednesday morning as we transitioned our newest students into schooling life. Rest assured there will be teething problems for some as they make the adjustment to this major change in their life. We do have an incredibly experienced and knowledgeable staff who will assist the students (...and some parents) as they navigate through this time. Steve and I are normally floating around the office and the Foundation hallway in the mornings if you require any assistance at drop-offs.

EARLY STEPS CONFERENCES

We have scheduled Early Steps Conferences for Weeks 4 and 5. For those new to our community these are a short 10-minute conference with your child’s teacher to make connections, discuss how your child is settling in, and anything else that may assist them to make a positive start to the year. These can be booked through PAM. We will release information to parents regarding this next week.

CONTACTING STEVE OR MYSELF

From time to time parents may require some additional assistance with something that relates to their child’s education. In the past, some parents have contacted Steve or myself via Class Dojo. Being connected to all 21 grades, the messages don’t always get to us in time. If parents do require support or assistance, we ask that you contact us via our emails-

Steve- smadden@olhcwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au

Naish- nauld@olhcwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au

Technology Toolkit with Mrs Fitzgerald and Ms O'Keeffe

Hello OLHC families,

Your child’s Digital Technology teachers for 2025 are Nicole O’Keeffe (Mon & Tues) and Ellen Fitzgerald (Wed, Thurs & Fri). Each week in our newsletter we’ll share snapshots of student learnings, as well as online safety tips and relevant technology updates.

We look forward to working with you and your child this year.

Thanks,

Nicole and Ellen

Ms Fitzgerald: efitzgerald@olhcwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au

Ms O’Keeffe: nokeeffe@olhcwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au

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

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

School Transitions

Whether it is starting school for the first time, moving up to a higher grade or embarking on a journey through secondary school, there is no doubt that any school transition is a very exciting time for children and parents. It means that the children are growing up!

However, for many it may also be a very anxious and stressful time for both parents and children. Parents need to be aware of their child’s feelings during any school transition and minimise anxiety so the process is an enjoyable experience for all. It is important for children to attend transition or orientation programs offered by schools. Familiarisation is often key to reducing stress levels. It is also important for parents to talk to their children about their expectations and being more responsible for their own needs.

https://olhcwarrnambool.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/school-transitions