OLHC News Issue 15 Term 2 Week 7 - 6th 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,
The Ascension of Jesus, which we celebrated last Sunday, is a reminder that we are tasked with a mission. Before He ascended into Heaven, Jesus said to His friends: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations...teaching them everything I have commanded you." (Matthew 28)
This command to spread the good news of Jesus Christ has come down through the ages and is still with us today. Our work in education is a participation in this mission - to spread the teachings of Jesus, making the world a better place.
But Jesus does not leave us to do this work as parents, parishioners, staff and teachers by ourselves. He assures us that He will be with us "throughout all the ages" and this, too is true. We work with the aid of God, to invite our students, their families, and the wider community to consider Jesus and His life, death, resurrection and ascension in their own lives. In 2025, what does it mean to be a follower of Jesus? What does it mean to be a member of a Catholic Community?
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 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.
Library Detectives
At school this week the children have been "Library Detectives". Exploring the Library to find books including: one with a cover that makes them laugh, has cover that are a bit creepy, that they would read one day and a the book with the most pages.
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
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 8th June 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.