OLHC News Issue 13 Term 2 Week 5 - 23rd 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,
Each year on May 24th, we celebrate the Feast Day of Our Lady Help of Christians, the special patron of our school. This day holds a very important place in our hearts, as it reminds us of Mary’s loving care and guidance. Mary, the mother of Jesus, is honoured under this title as someone who helps and protects people, especially during times of trouble.
At our school, we take this opportunity to reflect on values such as kindness, compassion, and helping others—qualities that Mary showed in her life. We marked the day with special prayers, by attending Mass in Horsham with Mons Glynn and the parishioners of Sts Michael and John's Church, and with dessert in May Park.
Next week is Catholic Education Week, and we are looking forward to another celebration of our faith, the good work we do in our schools, and the wonderful students and families we get to serve.
As always, please come and see me if you would like a tour of our new building, or conversation about OLHC.
All the very best,
Chris McCumstie
principal@olhcmurtoa.catholic.edu.au
OLHC Feast Day Photos
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.
Official Portrait of Pope Leo XIV
We continue to pray for our new Pope, Leo XIV. May he lead the Church and the world toward peace, harmony, and truth.
New Build Update and Photos
We can't wait to show people through our new space!
Science
This term, students have begun an exciting new Science unit on Weather. They have explored different types of weather and how to observe and record weather patterns. Throughout the unit, students will investigate activities suited to various weather conditions and identify appropriate clothing choices. They will also conduct hands-on experiments, learn about sun safety, and engage in fun activities designed for windy weather.
School Excursion
Our Lady’s students went on an excursion to Warracknabeal to visit their Community Gardens. They were researching biodiversity and sustainability in the garden. They learnt about different plants, herbs and composting, getting ideas for how they could renew our own veggie garden project. Following that they went to the Warracknabeal Lions Park where they had a tour of all the animals and had the opportunity to pat and feed them.
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 Mass, and fun activities for the students. Information below.
- Monday 26th May - Special Visitor
- Tuesday 27th May - Catholic Education Week Mass at 11.00am and Combined Day with St. Patrick's Nhill and St. Mary's Warracknabeal
- Wednesday 28th May - School Photos at 9.00am, Reading activities
- Thursday 29th May - Library activities
- Friday 30th May - Free Dress Day, Sports and a Movie
School Photos
School Photos will take place on Wednesday, 28th May at 9.00am.
All orders for School Photos this year can be made online using the 'School Access Key'. Please note there is the same access key for all students, not individual envelopes for each student, as has been the case in the past.
Individual & Family Photos can be ordered with the same code.
To place an order -
- Go to - www.creationsphotography.com.au
- Click on "Order your Photos" and enter the code
- Follow the on screen advice to complete your order
- All online orders are secure
- Easy tracking of all orders placed
- No need for Cash to be sent to School
- You DO NOT need to return the Photo Form to School
- Family Orders must be ordered online before 6.00pm the night before photo day - No family photo orders can be received after this time
- School Photo Forms (1 per family) were sent home last week
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
- Monday 26th to Friday 30th May - Catholic Education Week
- Monday 26th May - Special visitor
- Tuesday 27th May - Catholic Education Week Mass @ 11am at Our Lady's & combined day with St. Patrick's Nhill and St. Mary's Warracknabeal
- Wednesday 28th May - School Photos 9.00am, Reading Activities
- Thursday 29th May - Library Activities
- Friday 30th May - Free Dress Day, Sports, Movie
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
November 2025
- Tuesday 12th November- Pupil Free Day - Staff PD
December 2025
- Thursday 18th December - Last Day of Term 4
Mass Times & Parish Information
Sunday 25th May 2025, Livestream at 9.00am at St. Mary's Catholic Church.
Parish Bulletin
Community News
See the attached flyers for initiatives that may interest from groups in and around Murtoa.