OLHC News Issue 16 Term 2 Week 8 - 13th June 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,
This weekend past, we celebrated the Feast of Pentecost, which calls to mind the birth of the Church. After the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus, His closest friends and disciples were still afraid. But as He promised, Jesus sent them the Holy Spirit, and they were filled with gifts to fulfill the mission of the Church. The apostles had courage, right judgement, wisdom, knowledge and understanding- gifts that helped them to spread the good news of Jesus.
We must remember that the Bible is not only the inspired word of God but a historical record as well. In Acts, the first book after the four gospels, we have a record of the early Church. Beginning with Pentecost, we see the Apostles traveling around the Mediterranean teaching, preaching, baptising, and giving witness (ultimately with their lives) to the truth of the gospel.
In our own age, this mission continues. At Our Lady's, we include everyone in our school, whether they have faith in Christianity, another religion, or no faith tradition at all. We warmly invite our community to consider the Catholic faith and the encouragement the Church gives us to live meaningful lives, dedicated to making the world a better place.
Prayer to the Holy Spirit for Unity (based on the Prayer of St Francis)
Come, Holy Spirit,
Source of peace and love,
Breathe Your life into our divided world.
Where there is hatred, sow love.
Where there is conflict, bring peace.
Where there is fear, inspire courage.
Unite our hearts in understanding,
and help us see one another as brothers and sisters.
Guide our leaders with wisdom,
comfort the suffering,
and stir within each of us a desire for peace and unity.
May Your light overcome the darkness,
and may we become instruments of Your grace.
Amen.
As always, please come and see me if you would like a tour of our new building or a conversation about OLHC.
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.
Parent Support Initiative: School TV
The SchoolTV initiative at Our Lady Help of Christians School aims to help parents 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.
Digital Media Literacy and Safety
Save the Date (18th June) for this important online webinar from experts in the field. Susan McLean and Dr. Michael Carr-Gregg offer expert advice to parents navigating the complex online environments their children are exposed to.
As part of the School TV initiative at OLHC, our parents are given the support they need on a whole range of topics, ensuring that our families are connected to leaders offering up to date resources to keep children safe.
Scan the QR code to register for this free, live, online webinar.
Tours of New Building
We warmly invite families, prospective families, parishioners, and friends of Our Lady's to come for a personalised tour of our new facilities. Come and see what we offer at our school, and hear about the excellent teaching and learning that happens daily in our classrooms.
Winter Sports
Yesterday some of our senior students joined with St. Mary's School, Warracknabeal and played football and netball against other West Wimmera teams in the Winter Lightning Premierships at Nhill College. The children had a great day, with Nihal kicking a great goal, and the girls contributing to St. Mary's winning the Winter Lightning Premiership Netball competition! Well done all, and thank you to Miss Kirby for taking the children, and to St. Mary's for inviting us to join them.
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
Important Upcoming Dates:
June 2025
- Tuesday 17th June - Imagine (Live Show) Horsham Town Hall 11.00am
- Online Child Safety Webinar (see advertisement above)
July 2025
- Friday 4th July - Last Day of Term 2
- Monday 21st July - First Day of Term 3
August 2025
- Monday 11th to Friday 15th August - National Science Week
- Monday 18th to Friday 22nd August - Book Week
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 15th June 2025, Mass at 8.30am 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.