Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School East Warrnambool eNewsletter

Acknowledgement of Country

Today we acknowledge and pay our respects to the First Peoples, the traditional custodians of the lands and waterways and thank them for their continued hospitality.

We acknowledge and celebrate the continuation of a living culture who have lived with Creator God through creation of land, sea, waterways and life.

Prayer

Leadership & Stewardship

Principal's Message

Dear Parents, Guardians & Students,

Remembering Pope Francis

This week, we join together in heartfelt remembrance and deep gratitude for the life and legacy of Pope Francis. His unwavering commitment to compassion, justice, and the transformative power of education has inspired countless lives across the globe. With humility and love, he called upon each of us – students, educators, and leaders alike, to walk gently with one another and with God.

Pope Francis reminded us that education is not only about knowledge, but about forming hearts capable of understanding, peace, and empathy. His messages to young people were always filled with hope and encouragement, urging them to be builders of bridges, not walls.

His life was a living testimony of service and simplicity, a true shepherd who carried the concerns of the poor and the marginalised in his heart. As a Catholic community, we are blessed to have been guided by his wisdom and his deep love for humanity.

May Pope Francis forever rest in God’s loving care.

To honour his memory, we will take a moment in prayer and reflection at our Monday morning gathering.

ANZAC DAY

Two of our school leaders in Gabriela & Harrison will join me to lay a wreath on behalf of the OLHC school community at Friday’s ANZAC Day service. Our message to the children has been a simple one, based on it being a day of remembrance and respect for all Australians and New Zealanders who have served in wars and conflicts, both past and present.

Lest We Forget

OLHC Cross Country - Tuesday, 29th April

Grades 3–6 will compete at Albert Park, with the course starting and finishing at Reid Oval.

Students will depart by bus at 9:00 am, with the first event running from 9:30 am to 11:00 am.

They will return to school between 11:00 and 11:15 am.

Please log on to PAM and give permission for your child/ren to leave the school grounds if you have not already. If your child/ren will be absent on the day, please log in and select "No".

At 12:30 pm, the Junior School will hold their Cross Country events on the school grounds. Parents & Carers are very welcome to join us & support the students.

Order of Events:
Prep Girls (5/6 yrs) – Prep Boys (5/6 yrs): 250m – ½ lap
Grade One Girls (7 yrs) – Grade One Boys (7 yrs): 500m – 1 lap
Grade Two Girls (8 yrs) – Grade Two Boys (8 yrs): 1km – 2 laps
Presentation of ribbons and the Perpetual Shield will follow immediately after the junior events.

SCHOOL UNIFORM - SUMMER TO WINTER

Term 2: Time to change student uniform to the OLHC winter uniform. Students have a 2 week grace period and are expected to be wearing their winter uniform consistently from week 3. Please see the outline of uniform below:

Navy unisex gabardine pants or shorts
Navy pinafore or skirt
Navy polo shirt with school logo
Navy windcheater with school logo
Navy socks and black shoes/black boots

SPORTS UNIFORM -To be worn on sports day only

Navy tracksuit pants or OLHC navy sports shorts with school sports house polo shirt (red, yellow, green or blue), white sports socks and runners.

OTHER INFORMATION

All clothing needs to be clearly labelled with your child's name

For health and safety reasons, shoulder length or longer hair should be tied back at all times
Jewellery such as bracelets, bangles, chokers, anklets and brooches are not appropriate wear for school
Body piercing is not acceptable, except for sleepers or studs in the ears
Nail polish is not to be worn to school
If children are unable to be in the correct uniform, a note must be provided to their teacher

Enrolment in a Catholic School

As we prepare for next year's Foundation classes all Catholic Schools in the Star of the Sea Parish will present these procedures to ensure the process is fair and equitable for Catholic families.

The order of priority for enrolment in Catholic primary schools is:

Siblings of children already enrolled in the school
Catholic children for whom this is the closest Catholic Primary school to the child’s residential address
Catholic children for whom this is not the closest Catholic Primary school to the child’s residential address (for pastoral reasons, following referral of parents to the closest school and discussions between colleague Principals. This will be approved where there are specific reasons for enrolling in a Catholic school that is not their closest).
Other children (non Catholic) who are seeking a Catholic education, with priority given to those for whom this is the closest Catholic Primary School to the child’s residential address (for pastoral reasons, following referral of parents to the closest school and discussions between colleague Principals. This will be approved where there are specific reasons for enrolling in a Catholic school that is not their closest).

If you apply for enrolment at more than one Catholic school, the principals will meet to allocate your child to a school based on the above priorities.

2026 Foundation Enrolments - Existing Families

A big thanks to those who have already responded. If your child is currently in 4 year old kindergarten and you plan for them to start school at OLHC next year, please complete their enrolment ASAP, using the link below. This will help us plan ahead and determine the number of places available for new families.

Enrolments are currently open for existing families and will open for new families on Monday 19th May.

Closing @ 5pm on Wednesday 11th June.

School Open Day Tours are scheduled for the following dates:

Wednesday 14th May @ 12pm

Tuesday 20th May @ 10am & 6pm

https://app.enquirytracker.net/request-application/bc2fd3a51375413797a2f97ac5aa6d88/RnbCZqCFwVHPCFHArBmE

Important Dates

Term 2

Thursday 24th April - Southern Zone PD - Pupil Free Day

Friday 25th April - ANZAC Public Holiday

Monday 28th April - Yr 6 Excursion

Monday 28th April - Netball Mini's Kicks off

Tuesday 29th April - OLHC Cross Country

Thursday 1st May - May Race Day Public Holiday

Friday 2nd May - Division Athletics

Saturday 3rd - Federal Election Day

Thursday 8th May - District Cross Country

Friday 9th May - Mother's Day Breakfast

Friday 9th May - Do it for Dolly Casual Clothes Day

Friday 9th May - Assembly 5GR

Sunday 11th May - Mother's Day

Tuesday 13th May - Staff Maths PD - Student Free Day

Wednesday, 14th May - 12pm Foundation 2026 School Tour

14th - 16th May - Book Fair

15th & 16th May - Yr 5 Camp - Grampians Retreat

Friday 16th May - Division Cross Country

Friday 16th May - Assembly 3CC

Tuesday 20th May - 10am & 6pm Foundation 2026 School Tours

Wednesday 14th May - 2026 Foundation School Tours @ 12pm

Tuesday 20th May - 2026 Foundation School Tours @ 10am & 6pm

Friday 30th May - Assembly 1JS

Monday 9th June - King's Birthday Public Holiday

Friday 13th June - Assembly 6MM

Friday 27th June - Assembly 5DJ

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)

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 3 CONFIRMATION

TUESDAY APRIL 29TH: with Maria Forde

Confirmation Information Evening (Parents and Children)

7pm - St Joseph's Church, Warrnambool

SATURDAY MAY 3RD:

Presentation of Confirmation Candidates
6pm at OLHC Church, Warrnambool

MONDAY MAY 12TH: with Maria Forde

Formation Day (Students and Miss Squires)
10am - 2pm at St John’s, Dennington

SATURDAY MAY 24TH & SATURDAY 31ST MAY

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

YEAR 4 FIRST EUCHARIST

TUESDAY JULY 29TH: with Maria Forde

First Eucharist Information Evening (Parents and Children)

7pm - St Joseph's Church, Warrnambool

TUESDAY AUGUST 5TH: with Maria Forde

Formation Day (Students and Miss Squires)
10am - 2pm at St Pius, Warrnambool

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.

Probing the Wounds
(John 20: 19 - 31)

“As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”

The wounds of Jesus left a deep impression on Thomas. When he thought of his Teacher in those days after the crucifixion, he saw those nails penetrating his limbs again, and that spear lacerating his chest. He had pledged to go up to Jerusalem to die with Jesus (11: 16), but instead he watched his hopes pierced on the cross. It is no wonder he responded to his friends’ assertion with such vehemence. The brutal image would not leave him.

The final confrontation with the glorified Christ was also, for Thomas, an encounter with the wounded Christ. He had to look at the One who suffered while he did nothing. He was invited to touch the wounds and put his faith, if not in words, then in those wounds. That made Thomas a believer pretty quickly.

What does it take to make a believer out of us? Words, wounds, memories, glory? We may take different routes to faith, but the crucial thing is to get there. May we contemplate what brings us to faith, and count as precious what sustains us there.

Questions for Reflection

How do you free the Spirit of holiness to work in your life? What are the Spirit’s signs most evident in your life?
When you receive Christ on the Lord’s day, what does it mean to you?
What made a believer out of you? What sustains your faith today?

Breathe Easy

Perhaps my earliest memory is being carried from our family’s car and into our new house by my father when I was about 3 years old. We had been out late visiting my grandparents, and it was dark and cold outside. My father wrapped me in his overcoat and held me close to his chest. I could feel his breath on my neck as he extracted me from the car and walked toward the house. I felt safe.

I felt his breath on my neck again when I was about to board a plane for Rome. I was leaving to spend some time in the “Eternal City” and walk the Camino in Spain for the first time. I was afraid and uncertain when my dad held me close to him and wished me farewell. I felt his blessing.

There were other times as well when I felt his breath. In the embrace before going on holidays, when I left to go overseas to study, when he came to visit me when I was living away, when he was in hospital recuperating from serious surgery and I leaned in to greet him with a kiss. Always I felt reassurance in his presence.

The apostles were confused and frightened even before the risen Jesus appeared in their midst. But as he often did, he told them, “Be not afraid,” and then he breathed on them. Imagine yourself in that scene, and likely you will feel safe, you feel his blessing, and you will be reassured of his presence.

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.

Tap here to access SchoolTV

Parents & Friends Association

Next Meeting

Wednesday 7th May @ 7pm

Save the date!

Mother’s Day breakfast Friday 9^th May

Bunnings BBQ Sunday 22^nd June

My School Connect - Login

Community

TheirCare Registration Form - tap here

Good Friday Appeal - Guess the Jelly Beans

Congratulations to Sophie Battistello with her guess of 1010 jelly beans being the closest to the mark. Thank you to everyone who participated, raising $87.15 for the Royal Children's Hospital.

Out & About!

Congratulations to Layla Williams, the 2025 Victorian Equestrian State Jumping Champion (Primary 45cm). What a fantastic achievement Layla! Well done!

A big 'Thank You' to Collins Books for the donation of five CBCA 2025 Shortlisted books valued at $135.86. We very much appreciate the support of our local bookshop in encouraging learning through books

Footy’s back…..And so is Auskick!!

The Brierly Sharks will be running their Auskick program on the OLHC school oval on a Sunday morning from 10am-11am, beginning 4th May.
The program is open to all children aged 5-12 years, so sign your child up and come along and enjoy some footy fun!

Location: OLHC school Oval
Start Date & Time: Sunday May 4th, 10:00am – 11:00am.

Cost: $91 for 10 week program. Open to kids aged 5-12. All kids will receive an Auskick welcome pack when they sign up, which includes a backpack, football,
training shirt and more.

Register at www.play.afl/auskick or using the QR code on the attached flyer.