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

God who calls us to be the bearers of light and peace to those we meet each day,

increase our sense of discipleship.

Help us to be secure in the knowledge that your love and forgiveness are boundless.

Give us your strength to respond fully to the work you have given us to do and our calling to be your witnesses in the world.

Amen

Leadership & Stewardship

Principal's Message

Dear Parents, Guardians & Students,

School Leaders

Today we introduced our semester one leaders (see below). We have been blessed with a large cohort of capable and confident children who will be outstanding representatives of the school. Many great candidates missed positions but we will look at semester two as an opportunity to give these children another chance to experience a leadership role

Dodgy or Not

A shout out to Ellen Fitzgerald for leading our Digital Technology lessons and exposing the children in Gr 3-6 to Dodgy or Not. This program is helping us ensure our children are safe online as we attempt to enhance cyber safety awareness and skills. Visit the site and talk to your children about it.

A Reflection

Edgar Albert Guest was an American poet who resonated with the common person, earning him the affectionate title of "The People's Poet." His verses were simple, heartfelt, and relatable, often celebrating themes of home, family, and everyday struggles.

Among his many works, one poem that stands out is It Couldn't Be Done, which perfectly encapsulates his optimistic and encouraging style: Here is a link to it if interested. It Couldn't Be Done

Marc Fogel

In light of the above poem, I wish to share a good news story that has no real relevance to the OLHC community but caused a great deal of relief and joy in our household. Long story short, Jan and I worked at ABA (American British Academy) in Muscat Oman for over a decade. During that time the student population represented over 60 nationalities and the staff over 20. It literally was the definition of a cultural melting pot that exposed you to the weird and wonderful of our world. Every day in Oman presented opportunities to see life through a different lens. One couple and family we worked with for a period of time in Oman was Marc and Jane Fogel, along with their two boys Ethan and Sam. Sam was in the same year as our Isobel. As is often the way with expatriate teachers, some never come/go home and simply stay on the circuit of international education. After a stint in Oman, the Fogels went to Malaysia and then onto Russia. Jane and Marc were employed at the Anglo-American School of Moscow. A school full of US embassy children. On returning to Moscow in 2022 (their last year of the contract) before retiring, Marc was detained at Moscow Int Airport and arrested for having less than an ounce of marijuana in his luggage. He used it as a medicinal aid after a back operation. He was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment in Russia. Despite some high profile prisoner exchanges between Russia and the US (e.g. Brittany Griner- US basketballer,) Marc was never included in these discussions. It was a bleak outlook for him and his family.

Marc was released on Wednesday after spending 3.5 years in jail. All throughout this ordeal, his mother and his family have never given in and been relentless in their quest to get him home. His Mum is over 90 now and by the time you read this, will have been reunited with her son. In all likelihood Marc will never read this, but to the bloke who taught me about American football on Monday nights and lit up every room and classroom he walked into- welcome home Fogel and real love from Down Under to Jane, Ethan and Sammy.

There are many links to this incredible story online for those interested, including this report from USA Today and his back story

School Captains - Hugo Ross & Gabriela Nuriban

Vice Captains - Harrison Watson & Lilly Harris

Japanese/Arts Leaders - Flynn Murphy & Andi Orr

ICT Leaders - Darcy Brebner & Bonnie Talbot

Library Leaders - Hugo Lamb & Jonah Davis

Social Justice Leaders - Harry Powell & Sophia McCarthy

Environmental Leaders - Ollie Drake & Holly Sudiro

Sports Leaders - Ruben Mills & Sophie Byrne

Sports Leaders - Beau Morrison & Mabel Clements

Sports Leaders - Connor Ryan & Indi Pickford

Sports Leaders - Ollie Hildebrandt & Evie Dillon

Chickenpox

It seems we still have chickenpox doing the rounds so please be on the lookout for signs & symptoms.

Lunch orders kicked off today thanks to our new online system and partnership with The Pig & Pie Bakery.

A reminder that all orders need to be submitted by Wednesday 5pm for that week.

Also, we remind you that next Friday 21st February there will be NO LUNCH ORDERS available

Important Dates

Term 1

17th - 28th February - Early Steps Conferences

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

Wednesday 19th February - Foundation Rest Day

Friday 21st February - NO LUNCH ORDERS ON THIS 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

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

Friday 25th April - ANZAC Public Holiday

Thursday 1st May - May Race Day Public Holiday

Monday 9th June - King's Birthday Public Holiday

Teaching & Learning @ OLHC

A Message from Mr A

Week 3 Term 1

PARENT HELPERS @ OLHC

If you are interested in becoming a parent helper in your child’s classroom please get in contact with me. An email was sent out Friday 14th February outlining the process. We run through a brief induction process to outline helper expectations and guidelines around assisting in the classroom. Email- nauld@olhcwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au

If you have already completed the induction process, your WWCC is up to date and you have signed the Code of Conduct document at the front office with Rachel, you can get in contact with your child’s teacher to assist.

EARLY STEPS CONFERENCES

The Early Steps Conferences kick off next week. These are a great opportunity for teachers to gain a greater insight into your child/children and for parents to build a connection with this year’s teacher/s. Please keep to the designated time.

MENTAL HEALTH IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS INITIATIVE

All Catholic primary schools are now part of the Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS) initiative. Participating schools receive funding to employ a Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader, a qualified teacher, to work across the school to implement a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing for students, staff and families based on a broad knowledge of the needs of the school community. We have been lucky enough to employ Mel Willis for two days a week and she has had a positive impact so far, working with different levels and implementing ideas to improve student wellbeing. We are lucky to have her on board!

Have a great weekend with your family.

Thanks,

Naish

Technology Toolkit with Ms Fitzgerald and Ms O'Keeffe

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.

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

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

Senior Students continue to sharpen their cyber safety skills via interacting with ‘Dodgy or Not’, introduced this year at OLHC for students to assess online risks within real-life scenarios and foster critical thinking skills. One learning from this week is that reporting suspicious activity is always a good step.

Here is an example of a ‘Dodgy or Not’:

In Digi Tech lessons next week, we are learning to:

Foundation: identify where the ‘mouse’ is on a Chromebook and practice guiding it

1s and 2s: use Google Draw to create family glyphs

3s and 4s: navigate Google Classroom and create ‘All About Me’ glyphs using Google Draw

5s and 6s: apply effective organisation skills within Google Drive, by creating labelled Term 1 subject folders and storing files in their correct folder.

Spirit Awards

Rylee Timms

Jax Uzkuraitis

Theo Davis

Max Mills

Savannah Davis

Rose Mcleod

Sadie Isles

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 6 RECONCILIATION

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 18TH: with RELS

Reconciliation Information Evening (Parents and Children)

7pm - St Joseph's Church, Warrnambool

MONDAY MARCH 24TH: with Maria Forde

Formation Day (Students and Miss Squires)
10am - 2pm at Emmanuel College

WEDNESDAY APRIL 2ND:

Sacrament of Reconciliation
7:00pm at OLHC Church, Warrnambool

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…TBC:

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 30TH & SATURDAY TBC : (potential dates 23rd Aug or 6th Sept)

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

Blessing and Cursing
(Luke 6: 17, 20 - 26)

Congratulations, you poor ones!

This phrase has something wrong-sounding about it, but it comes closest to the meaning of the beatitude. Being poor has nothing about it to merit congratulations, and it is surely no blessing to live in need. But the blessing, Jesus proclaims, is not in the poverty but in God’s favour. God is pleased with the one who is poor, and not delighted at all about the rich.

So is Jesus saying God is guilty of classism, preferring the economically devastated to the ones who have earned their way to a better life? Will God disapprove of the person who has money to spare?

Luke is not suggesting that God would like you better if you closed your bank account and gave away your house. What he is saying is God delights in being the salvation of the one in need. So if you are in need, God promises every good thing; a place in the kingdom, the great banquet, a time to laugh. But if you have plenty, you too must become the delight of the poor. The curse of a full belly is its potential to forget the hungry one not far away.

Questions for Reflection

In what part of your life do you know yourself to be blessed?
Is there an aspect of your life that seems cursed?
How does Jesus differ from them?
Who would you assign to the category of “wisdom teacher” in our present day?
How might you give from your wealth?
How are you poor? How are you rich?

Action Response

Alms giving stares us in the face this week. Give a scary amount of money to your favourite charity or justice organisation if you have it. Volunteer some time to a group that needs you. Be more available to a lonely neighbour, an elderly relative, a child who is crying out for attention.

Kids’ Corner

Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied. (Luke 6: 21)

A hunger is a deep want or craving. Usually we hunger for food, but hunger comes in many forms. For example, people who are lonely might hunger for friendship. They long to be included. People who have been wronged might hunger for justice. They want to be treated with respect. There are many kinds of hunger in the world, but we know that Jesus will provide. He inspires us and works through us to help satisfy the needs of others.

Jesus, show me how I can help someone in need today.

Tough Questions, No Easy Answers

Years ago, the 8-year-old son of a family in the parish was devasted when his football team didn’t make it to the finals. He asked his father how there could be a God since no one answered his or all the other long-suffering fans’ fervent prayers for the team. Patiently, his father explained that God has more important issues to deal with than the football finals. The child grew quiet and then with tears in his eyes asked his father very softly, “Then how could God have allowed the Holocaust?”

“Talk to your mother” was the only answer the father had left.

It’s not easy to trust in God. We are constantly tempted to find facile answers and easy solutions to problems of incredible magnitude and complexity. We have the need to solve all problems, to sew up all the loose ends, to fold everything into a neat package. Unfortunately, life isn’t that predictable. Nothing reminds us of the questions that lurk hidden inside us more than the reality of death, especially of a loved one for whom we have been praying. How much easier it is to believe in God and to relate to God when life is going well, when we appear to be getting all for which we pray.

The way I see it, however, God is a loving partner who struggles alongside us on life’s journey, not some wish-fulfilling magician who capriciously changes what is going to be. Take God’s hand and walk together.

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

Cyberbullying

Tuesday 11th February was Safer Internet Day and a great reminder to think about how we are keeping our children safe online.

With the advent of the internet, smart phones and tablets, there is now a whole new digital dimension added to traditional schoolyard bullying. There was once a time when bullying victims were given some respite outside of school hours, but sadly these days, online bullying can occur 24/7. In today’s world, teaching your child about online and cyber safety, is as important as learning to swim or cross the road!

Cyberbullying can be identified as being the repeated behaviour by an aggressor with the intent to harm or embarrass. Technology enables these aggressors to share information widely and quickly, making this form of bullying extremely dangerous and harmful. However, the answer is not to shun the internet nor social media. Instead, parents are encouraged to embrace it and instil a family internet policy to protect their children without limiting the freedom to learn, explore and communicate online.

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents are provided with useful guidelines and advice on how to minimise the risks. Children have the right to feel safe, regardless of whether it is in the schoolyard or online.

Here is the link to your Edition https://olhcwarrnambool.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/cyber-bullying