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

The Feast of Mary MacKillop is celebrated annually on August 8th. It commemorates the life and legacy of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia's first saint. This day is a solemnity in the Catholic Church, honouring her dedication to education, particularly for underprivileged children, and her founding of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart (the Josephites).

In the upcoming weeks, in conjunction with Father John, all grade levels will join in a morning mass. As the Parish has morphed into one, our children must continue to experience the Catholic traditions of Mass. Our children are always reverent, and as we expose them to these rituals, we can continue to build this aspect of faith. I look forward to joining the children, staff and families on Saturday night for a 1st Eucharist celebration.

Leadership & Stewardship

Principal's Message

Dear Parents, Guardians & Students,

Another action-packed week at OLHC. Sincere thanks to the staff and parents for the spirit of cooperation during Parent Teacher Conferences. We can't do this job effectively without your advice, support and encouragement. I also wish to thank my School Advisory Council for your work on Monday evening and the Parent and Friends on Wednesday evening. Both these groups volunteer their time to give something back to our school. Their efforts are greatly appreciated.

School Uniform

The school has had a number of parent requests for us to explore some winter items for the children to wear as an option. Our provider, Lowes, just this week supplied us with two samples. These winter jackets are to be worn over the OLHC school jumper for kids who are feeling the cold. The softshell version was unanimously selected as the preferred option by the PFA and ratified by the School Advisory Council. I want to stress this will be an option and not compulsory. Lowes has listed the jacket price at $79. They look smart, will have a long life span and be a better option than us dealing with the task of trying to return countless “lost” puffer jackets, including Katmandu ones that retail for $200. My model for the day is Andi - 6OB.

We will leave one hanging in the front foyer for you to look at and feel and should we get enough interest, we will proceed with the order to Lowes ASAP. Please let us know if you’d be interested in purchasing a jacket- no names necessary at this point in time

Important Dates

Term 3

Saturday 9th August - First Eucharist Presentation Mass

Tuesday 12th August - Foundation to Yr 3 Subway Lunch @ 1.30pm

Wednesday 13th August - Yr 4 to Yr 6 Subway Lunch @ 1.30pm

Thursday 14th August - Yr 2 Big Night Out

Friday 15th August - Cancer Awareness Casual Clothes Day - A Hint of Yellow

Tuesday 19th August - Yr 4 District Basketball

Friday 22nd August - Yr 6 District Basketball

Friday 22nd August - 4MS Assembly

Friday 29th August - SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY - Literacy PD

Saturday 30th August - Yr 4 First Eucharist Celebration

Friday 5th September - Father's Day Breakfast

Friday 5th September - 3RW Assembly

Sunday 7th September - Father's Day

9th - 18th September - Yr 5 Swimming Program

Friday 12th September - FSD Assembly

Thursday 18th September - Grandparents Day

Friday 19th September - 6OB Assembly - Time to be confirmed

Teaching & Learning @ OLHC

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)

Dealing with the ever evolving issue of AI and Deepfakes in our lives

In term 2 Grade 4s and 6s completed a unit on AI - how it works, where is a useful tool, where it is harmful and how it can be used ethically. It created lots of discussion around ‘Deepfake’ images and videos, where it is becoming more common in our lives whether we realise it or not. We have collected a few resources and articles to let you know more about the issue and how we can deal with it when it arises in our homes or schools.

eSafety Commissioner article - ‘Deepfake damage in schools - how AI generated abuse is disrupting students, families and school Communities’

https://www.esafety.gov.au/newsroom/blogs/deepfake-damage-in-schools-how-ai-generated-abuse-is-disrupting-students-families-and-school-communities

Cyber Safety Project - Understanding AI and Deepfakes: What Parents Need to Know

https://cybersafetyproject.com/understanding-ai-and-deepfakes-what-parents-need-to-know/

The Conversation - Generative AI and deepfakes are fuelling health misinformation. Here’s what to look out for so you don’t get scammed

https://theconversation.com/generative-ai-and-deepfakes-are-fuelling-health-misinformation-heres-what-to-look-out-for-so-you-dont-get-scammed-246149

Spirit of Our Lady's Award

Mason Nadaraj

Charlie White

Vincent Lamb

Roody Collishaw

Julia Harrington

Billy Chapman

Harper Griffin

Congratulations & good luck to Bonnie Talbot 6SH, shortlisted in the Great South Coast Young Writers Competition. Regardless of the outcome, what a great accomplishment!

It was not an easy task, but our reading panel has managed to whittle the 100+ entries down to a Shortlist of seven!

Congratulations to:

Bonnie Talbot (Yr 6) from OLHC Primary School Warrnambool

Remy Roberts (Yr 7) from Emmanuel College Warrnambool

Ava Martin (Yr 5) from Alvie Consolidated School

Heidi Leonard (Yr from Brauer College

Indigo Clarke (Yr 6) from Allansford and District Primary School

Maisy Rowe (Yr from Warrnambool College

Talullah Burchell (Yr 6) from Warrnambool East Primary School

The shortlist is now with author Judith Rossell and the winner will be announced on the last day of The Children's Book Council of Australia Book Week, 23rd August in Warrnambool Standard.

The winning entrant will receive $1000 of bookshop credit for themselves and $500 for their school.Huge thanks and congrats to all of this year's entrants and their schools - it was phenomenal to have so many wonderfully imaginative, funny, creative and thoughful stories sent in for the first year of our Great South Coast Young Writers' Prize.

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 4 FIRST EUCHARIST

SATURDAY AUGUST 9TH:

Presentation of First Communion Candidates
6pm at OLHC Church, Warrnambool.

SATURDAY AUGUST 23RD & SATURDAY AUGUST 30TH

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

The Quiet Treasures of the Classroom
(Luke 12: 32 - 40)

“Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can’t go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bank robbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.” (Luke 12: 33 - 34)

As educators in Catholic schools, we carry the unique privilege and challenge of shaping not just minds, but hearts. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus speaks to us with tender encouragement – “Do not be afraid, little flock” – reminding us that we’re not alone in the work we do. There’s deep reassurance here, especially when the lesson plans pile up, the emails flood in, and the energy feels like it’s running low.

Jesus calls us to stay “dressed for action,” like servants ready for their master’s return. But this isn’t about running on empty. It’s about being alert to the quiet, holy moments in our day – the student who finally “gets it,” the colleague who needs a smile, the parent who just wants to be heard. Being ready means being present. And presence is a powerful kind of service.

What are we storing up? Not treasures in a bank account, but something richer – kindness, patience, encouragement, wisdom. These are the treasures that last, the ones our students will carry long after they leave our classrooms. That’s where our hearts are. That’s where Christ meets us.

So let’s step into this week not in fear, but in faith – alert, grounded, and hopeful. Your work matters. Your presence matters. And in the ordinary rhythm of school life, grace is always breaking through.

The Backpack and the Treasure

Angus was in Year 10 and, by most standards, had a good life. He went to a Catholic school, lived near the beach in a small town outside Newcastle, and had the latest iPhone, decent mates, and a part-time job at the local servo.

But lately, something had started to bother him.

It wasn’t anything dramatic. Just a nagging feeling he couldn’t shake – especially after Tuesday RE classes of Sunday Mass, when he’d hear words like kingdom, treasure, be ready. What did that mean for someone like him?

One day, his RE teacher, Mrs. Ardern, read out a Gospel passage: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

“Alright,” Mrs. Ardern said, “here’s the challenge: what are you really carrying around in your ‘backpack’? Not just your books and gear, but your values. What matters most to you? And – what would it take to pack differently?”

The question stuck.

Later that week, Angus was scrolling through his feed when he saw a post from his cousin Ellie, who was volunteering with a mobile food van in the city. He messaged her. “Is that legit? I wouldn’t mind giving that a go.”

She replied: “Come Saturday night. Bring nothing except a good attitude and maybe a warm hoodie.”

So he went. For three hours, Angus handed out hot drinks and sandwiches to people sleeping rough. He listened. Laughed. Made eye contact. He even gave his hoodie to a man who was shivering. On the bus home, something felt different. Not guilt, not pity – just clarity. Like his “backpack” had been repacked with something better.

The following Monday, he told Mrs. Ardern about it.

“You’re onto something, Angus,” she said. “This is what Jesus meant. Staying ready doesn’t mean looking busy – it means living awake. Seeing people. Choosing love. That’s real treasure.”

That night, Angus took a sticky note and wrote one word on it: Treasure? He stuck it on the back of his bedroom door – so every day when he left the house, he’d have to ask himself: Where’s your treasure today? Where’s your heart?

What’s in your backpack right now? What might you need to take out – or add – to live more awake, more ready, more like Jesus.

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

Sibling Relationships

"Supporting healthy sibling relationships means recognising each child's unique strengths and avoiding comparisons. This encourages mutual respect, reduces rivalry and helps build lasting bonds into adulthood."

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

Overview of this edition

Sibling relationships play a powerful role in shaping a child's social and emotional development. For parents and caregivers, understanding the dynamics between siblings is key to promoting harmony at home and fostering resilience. These relationships can be a source of lifelong friendship and support, but they can also be marked by rivalry and conflict if not guided positively. Encouraging young people to value each other's differences, communicate openly and resolve disputes respectfully, helps build strong sibling bonds. By creating a nurturing environment that avoids comparisons and recognises individual strengths, adults can help siblings grow into compassionate, cooperative and emotionally intelligent individuals.

https://olhcwarrnambool.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/sibling-relationships-au