OLHC News Issue 11 Term 2 Week 2 - 2nd May 2025

Our Lady Help of Christians is a Child Safe School and is committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We acknowledge the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia, and Japagulk peoples as the traditional custodians of the land upon which our school was built. 

Principal Report

Dear Parents and Friends of Our Lady's,

Welcome back to Term 2! We had an extended break over Easter, with staff returning before students to participate in a number of collaboration days with other schools across our network. Our team have told me they found the days helpful, building their knowledge and understanding, skill sets, and forming closer relationships with other educators from the Ballarat Diocese. Personally, I always find these days beneficial and encouraging. Belonging to a system of schools allows each school to benefit from the others, and to benefit from the expertise, resources, and wisdom coming from our colleagues in Ballarat, Horsham, Mildura and Warnambool.

With the election this weekend, I draw your attention to the article below highlighting the lifelong benefits of a Catholic Education. Catholic schools, our own included, provide a great service to our nation, alleviating the pressures on the state education system, giving parents choice, and forming our future leaders to be people of strong principles. The National Catholic Education Commission has provided a Federal Election Scorecard, which may be of interest to our community. All major parties were asked to contribute their responses on Catholic education and are included in the resource.

We are edging ever closer to moving to the new building. Swanbuild have completed the vast majority of the works, the temporary fencing has been removed, and I anticipate we will be working and learning from the new building in the next week. This is an exciting time for our school, and I encourage all those in our community- friends, families, parishioners- to come and see what we offer. The spaces are beautiful, light and airy, and we look forward to settling into the next phase in the life of Our Lady's.

As always, please come and see me if you would like a tour or conversation.

All the very best, 

Chris McCumstie

principal@olhcmurtoa.catholic.edu.au

DOBCEL (Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited) governs Our Lady's and is the system to which our school belongs. After a long period of consultation with principals, school leaders, educationalists, and international experts, DOBCEL has released their 2035 strategy "Pursuing Fullness of Life for All." You can read more about the strategy here or can come in and see me to have a conversation if you'd like more information about the direction of our system.

Lifelong benefits of attending a Catholic School

New research based on data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, reveals that individuals who attended Catholic schools are likely to experience lifelong benefits in employment, general health, and overall life satisfaction.

The study highlights that Catholic schooling offers both personal and community advantages. On average, Catholic school alumni are more likely to be employed and earn higher wages compared to those who attended government schools, with wage differences ranging from 4% to 11%. Additionally, former Catholic school students are more inclined to work in public-serving industries and sectors, and they are more likely to donate to charity. The research also shows that Catholic school attendance positively influences personal health and life satisfaction scores.

Conducted by the Centre for International Research on Education Systems (CIRES) at Victoria University and commissioned by VCEA, the research adjusts for various individual and family characteristics to specifically isolate the impact of Catholic school attendance.

The research shows that an education focused on developing the whole person leads to well-rounded individuals who are prepared to succeed, thrive, and navigate life with confidence, regardless of the path they choose.

As part of the great endeavour of Catholic Education, we can take great pride in the substantial and positive impact this movement has on the lives of students and families as they journey through the educational system.

A copy of the full report is available on the DOBCEL website, and you can also watch a video featuring lead researcher for the report, Mr. Andrew Wade.

New Build Update and Photos

We can't wait to show people through and use our new space!

Project Compassion - Thank you!

We are thrilled to share that our school has raised $252.35 for Project Compassion!
A heartfelt thank you to all the families who contributed so generously. Your support will make a meaningful difference — this donation is enough to help fund a household in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to begin selling food products as a source of income. Your kindness is helping to create real change.  

DSSA Athletics

The Dunmunkle Cluster School Athletics were held on Friday 4th April at Minyip Recreation Reserve. We are thrilled to report that Our Lady's won the day! Andre, Nihal and Kirat gave a great acceptance speech, thanking Minyip for hosting, congratulating Murtoa, Rupanyip, Minyip and Marnoo on their efforts, and thanking everyone who attended for their support. Miss Kirby even got a special mention for her great teaching each week in PE.

Great job boys and girls!

ANZAC Day

On the morning of April 25th at 7:00am the ANZAC Day Dawn Service was held in Murtoa. Our senior students represented Our Lady’s, honouring all who served our country and fought for freedom. Lest We Forget.

This week Mons Glynn came to our school as we held an ANZAC Day Liturgy. He spoke to the children about being in Gallipoli in 2015 for the 100th anniversary of the landing. The students made wreaths which were laid at the flagpole.

We were also lucky enough to have Mrs Cox (and Poppy) come to visit us and bring along a diary and some photos from when her grandfather fought in the First World War. 

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

Students and Staff attended the performance by the Brass and Percussion sections of the MSO on Thursday 1st May at Horsham Town Hall

They enjoyed music from Romeo and Juliet, Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Jurrasic Park. The MSO do such a wonderful job teaching the students, exposing them to beautiful music, and passing on the cultural heritage we enjoy. 

Joey- "I liked the sounds each instrument produced. The tuba gave such a deep note!"

Irene- "The talented performers played so beautifully!"

Nihal- "The light reflecting off the instruments was really cool."

Kirat- "The different sounds produced by the instruments was so interesting."

New Student

We would like to welcome Rose, a new student who started at Our Lady’s this term. 

Dunmunkle Cross Country

The Dunmunkle Cross Country was held at Rabl Park, Murtoa on Thursday 1st May at 1.30pm. Students turning 10, 11 and 12 by 31^st December 2025, were eligible to run. Our Lady's was the host school for the event and schools within the areas of Murtoa, Rupanyup, Marnoo, and Minyip participate.  

10 year old boys and girls ran 2 kilometres, and 11 and 12 year old boys and girls ran a distance of 3 kilometres.

Medals were presented to students who come in first place for each age group. Students who qualify for the next level - Black Ranges Cross Country to be held at Lord Nelson Park St Arnaud on Wednesday 14th May - will be notified.

Well done to all the students who represented Our Lady's, and especially to Kirat who came first!

11 year old girls -  Kirat 1st

11 year old boys - Nihal 4th 

10 year old girls - Irene 4th

10 year old boys - Joseph 4th

Thank you to our marshalls for your assitance.

Science - River Detectives

Jeanie Clark, the Wimmera Catchment Education and River Detectives facilitator, visited Our Lady's today and presented a River Detectives Workshop. Topics covered included the River Detectives Program, Water Quality test and surveys. Students learned how to use scientific equipment, how to collaborate in teams, how to collect and test water, and grew their knowledge about PH levels, salinity, and turbidity. 

As River Detectives, students from OLHC will collect samples regularly from Lake Marma and Rabl Park, to be tested, analysed, and recorded. We are proud to be community scientists and are looking forward to learning more! Thanks Jeanie!

Mother's Day Liturgy & Afternoon Tea

Mothers, Grandmothers and Special Friends are invited to a special Mothers' Day Afternoon Tea on Friday 9th May. from 2pm - 315pm. Keep a look out for the invitations the students took home this Wednesday.

Catholic Education Week

Catholic Education Week 

Monday 26th to Friday 30th May

Theme for 2025

'May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace.' (Romans 15:13)

We will run a week full of great events including visits from other Catholic schools, a liturgy or Mass, and fun activities for the students. Information to follow in the coming weeks.

Child Safety

Our Lady Help of Christians is a Child Safe School. We implement the 11 Child Safe Standards, and work to embed these in our school culture. Our newsletter is just one place among a number where we educate our community about Child Safety. Below is a concise and helpful guide to the Child Safe Standards. The Child Safety Officer at OLHC is Chris McCumstie, and he can be contacted for information at any time.

principal@olhcmurtoa.catholic.edu.au

School TV

The SchoolTV initiative at Our Lady Help of Christians School aims to help parents to navigate the often complex issues they face in raising their children.

Expert advice, helpful tips, and other resources, are available to all our parents and caregivers. Explore the wide range of topics at SchoolTV by clicking on the link below. 

Important Upcoming Dates:

May 2025

• Friday 9th May - Mother's Day Liturgy & Afternoon Tea
• Wednesday 14th May  - Student Free Day (School closed - all staff PD in Horsham)
• Wednesday 14th May - Black Ranges Cross Country Lord Nelson Park, St. Arnaud
• Friday 16th May - CEP Excursion TBC
• Monday 26th to Friday 30th May - Catholic Education Week
  
• Tuesday 27th May - Catholic Education Week combined day at Our Lady's
• Wednesday 28th May - School Photos 9.00am
  

June 2025

• Tuesday 17th June - Imagine (Live Show) Horsham Town Hall 11.00am

July 2025

• Friday 4th July - Last Day of Term 2
• Monday 21st July - First Day of Term 3

September 2025

• Thursday 18th September - Last Day of Term 3
• Friday 19th September - Pupil Free Day - Staff PD

October 2025

• Monday 6th October - First Day of Term 4

December 2025

• Thursday 18th December - Last Day of Term 4

Mass Times & Parish Information

Sunday 4th May 2025, Mass at 8.30am at St. Mary's Catholic Church. 

Parish Bulletin