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

Loving Father,

So many times I turn away from you and always you welcome me back.

Your mercy and love gives me confidence.

Thank you for the invitation to share,

fast and pray so that you can form a new heart within me.

Your powerful compassion for my weaknesses leads me to ask for mercy and

await with great hope the Easter joy you share with us.

Leadership & Stewardship

Principal's Message

Dear Parents, Guardians & Students,

On Tuesday, three Grade 6 students made an appointment to pitch an idea to me. The girls were hoping to generate awareness around the issue of bullying through Dolly’s Dream. Dolly’s Dream was established in 2018 by Kate and Tick Everett in memory of their 14-year-old daughter Dolly Everett, who took her own life following sustained and ongoing bullying and cyberbullying.

Since it was established, Dolly’s Dream has grown to see its support services, education programs and workshops help more than 70,000 children and young people, and their families

I wish to congratulate Ava, Asher and Arlie for their initiative and the thought and work they put into their presentation to me. The girls will talk to the whole school at a Monday assembly focussing on the aspect of bullying and we will lock in Friday May 9th as a casual clothes day (gold coin donation) for students to support this program. In Arlie’s words, “Mr Madden, we will dial it down so as to not stress any kids out!” Impressive young people.

On Wednesday, all families received information about the start of Term 2 . Click on this link if you missed it.

AllReady Project Update

The Catholic Education Ballarat (CEB) Speech Pathology team is trialling a different approach to support students’ communication skills through the AllReady Project.

The project focuses on speech pathologists and classroom teachers working together collaboratively to respond to whole-cohort speech and language screening data. This project, lead by Miranda Pearse and Rebecca Free, will continue throughout 2025.

This year, St Augustine’s, Creswick and Our Lady Help of Christians, Warrnambool are the schools participating in the AllReady Project.

Initial screening of 81 Foundation students has been completed, with results aligning with national and international trends of increased communication difficulties in cohorts significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic (Zuniga Montanez et al., 2025).

Research shows that 7.5% of children have Developmental Language Disorder (Norbury et al., 2016), yet fewer than a third are identified before experiencing reading difficulties (Adlof et al, 2017, Nation et al., 2004, Tomblin et al., 1997, as cited by Adlof & Hogan, 2019).

Given this research the CEB Speech Pathology team is committed to working with diocesan schools to build teacher knowledge and confidence in identifying students with communication difficulties early and to ensure their full inclusion in the classroom.

Enhancing students’ communication skills is vital, as language difficulties can affect learning, relationships, mental health, and future career prospects.

We feel very fortunate to be one of the trial schools to access this data and develop our staff at the same time.

Student Leaders Congress

Last week a number of our school leaders attended the Student Leaders Congress at Deakin University. One of our students, Gabriela Niruban, 6OB. wrote a recount for me so I could be kept informed. Here is Gabbi’s reflection on the day. Well done, Gabbi.

2026 Foundation Enrolments - Existing Families

A big thanks to those that 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 by Friday, April 25th, 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 1

31st Mar to 1st April - Yr 3 Camp Warra Gnan & Yr 6 Camp Melbourne

Wednesday 2nd April - Reconciliation Celebration @ 7pm

Thursday 3rd April - Last day of term for students

Thursday 3rd April - Second Hand Uniform Sale from 2pm

Thursday 3rd April - Assembly 2SL

Friday 4th April - Pupil Free Day - Staff PD

Term 2

Monday 21st April - Easter Monday Public Holiday

Tuesday 22nd April - Foundation & Yr 4 Excursions

Wednesday 23rd April - District Athletics

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

Friday 25th April - ANZAC Public Holiday

Tuesday 29th April - OLHC Cross Country TBC

Thursday 1st May - May Race Day Public Holiday

Friday 2nd May - Division Athletics

Thursday 8th May - District Cross Country

Friday 9th May - Mother's Day Breakfast

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

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

Monday 9th June - King's Birthday Public Holiday

Teaching & Learning @ OLHC

A Message from Mr A

Week 9 Term 1

GRADE 4 CAMP

Such a fun two days with our Grade 4 cohort. From panning for gold to ziplining through the treetops, the students were able to thrive out of their comfort zones. We always review our camps in order to improve, but I feel like the Grade 4 team have nailed this experience for our students. Well done team, and thanks to everyone who supported the students while away.

GRADE 2 INQUIRY- WARRNAMBOOL: PAST AND PRESENT

On Wednesday, our Grade 2 cohort headed down to the foreshore and South Warrnambool as part of their inquiry unit, Warrnambool: Past and Present. The students had a great day walking along the Breakwater and making links to the industries and history of this area. A little bit of fun to finish the excursion off down at the Breakwater at the end. Check out the photos below.

On Thursday, our 3-6 teachers headed to St Johns for an opportunity to collaborate with teachers from their school. This was a fantastic way for our own teachers to reflect on their practice, gain some insights into how another school operates and network with other teachers in the region. I was proud of the teaching staff and the way they engaged in the day with curiosity and professionalism. We certainly do have a dedicated group of educators here at OLHC.

FUN LOOP FRIDAY

Lots of energy and enthusiasm out on Fun Loop Friday this morning. This was well led again by our Senior students, with plenty of Nutbushers in the lineup. The question was ‘What is something you would like to be famous for?’. Plenty of students wanting to be famous for singing and different sports, however, perhaps my two favourites were famous for fixing climate change and another student wants to be famous for banishing Trump! What a connected world we live in these days.

We wish the Grade 3 and Grade 6 level the best as they embark on their camps early next week.

Have a great weekend with your family.

Thanks,

Naish

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)

At the end of National eSmart week, a gentle reminder that e-Safety information and advice can be found at: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents

This includes free webinars about the latest strategies for helping children maintain safety in the digital world.

Next week’s lessons include:

Foundation: revising cyber safety and recalling our trusted adults

1s: Using the ‘enter’ key to create new paragraphs

2s: Adding pictures to enhance the text within our Google Slide

3s: Creating QR codes to locate chosen images

4s: Continue exploring AI to create art on Canva

5s: Analysing stats and data, located on different websites

6’s: Displaying the correct hand position during touch-typing Bootcamp

SSV Region Swimming Championships

On Wednesday, March 26th, 24 students qualified for the Region Swimming Championships in Horsham. It was an exciting day with fantastic results, as most competitors achieved personal bests. Ruby Skene had a great day, finishing second in the backstroke, just 0.7 seconds behind the winner. She also helped her team secure second place in the medley relay alongside Indi Pickford, Harper Green, and Harrison Watson. Ruby was also a part of the successful U12 Girls 200m freestyle relay with Sophie Byrne, Ava Barraclough, and Indi Pickford, winning and securing a spot at the State Championships on March 1st.

Ben Adcock had a remarkable day, winning two first-place medals in the backstroke and freestyle events. The U11 boys and U9/10 girls also showed great teamwork, finishing second in the 200m freestyle relays. The girls improved their personal best by an impressive 6.30 seconds.

Overall, it was a fantastic day, with the kids showing incredible support for one another and their fellow competitors. A big thank you to Mr. Jongebloed and Nicole Gynes for their assistance, Shaun for timekeeping, and all the parents who traveled to support the athletes.

Spirit of Our Lady's Award

Dusty O'Keeffe

Freddie Rowan

Dulcie Bant

Ida Robertson

Ruben Davis

Meredith Holmes

Lenny Jansz

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 6 RECONCILIATION

WEDNESDAY APRIL 2ND:

Sacrament of Reconciliation
7:00pm at OLHC Church, Warrnambool

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.

Christianity is a Religion for Losers
(Luke 15: 1 - 3, 11 - 32)

“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

A man of my acquaintance was disappointed to learn that I am a Christian. “But why?” he demanded of me. “Christianity is a religion for losers!”

I laughed at his unsuspecting insight. “Yes, it is,” I admitted. “But the difference between us is: You think that is an insult, and I think that is the good news.” Losers, like the prodigal son, are grateful for the invention of Christianity. But he is not the only one. The sick, the blind, the lame, the crazy – all have a lot to be thankful for. So do the dead. So do the poor, those who mourn, those who are persecuted. Outsiders, women, the despised, those in same-sex relationships, those living on the margins ... when you begin to count them up, a lot of people fall into the category of those who have lost something and long for forgiveness, comfort or justice.

The prodigal son was not the only loser in the story. The father has lost his son, which was a crushing blow. And what the elder son suffered from was perhaps the most devastating of all: the ability to feel compassion for his own brother. The Christian story promises to redress all these losses, whether from sin, suffering, or spiritual sickness. All we have to do is come to the feast.

Questions for Reflection

When has an apparent blessing been withdrawn in your life? What were you offered in its place?
How has the spirit of reconciliation affected your life? How and why do you offer it to others?
What have you gained by being a person of faith?

Growing Up is Hard to Do

Living with his parents for the boy was never easy. So often he dreamed of moving out; of going to live with his grandparents. He wouldn’t exactly say that he hated them, but he thought it often. Now, 40 years later, he knew that this was part of growing up. No family is perfect. Most of his friends had problems and conflicts with their parents.

But at the time he thought he was the only one. After all, no one went around telling their friends how crummy their life was at home. Friends’ lives and families always looked so much better than one’s own – from a distance.

He thought of running away. “If I run away, they will realise how much they miss me and what kind of parents they are.” But he was too chicken to actually do it. He was afraid that if he did, they would find him and his dad would probably kill him.

He doesn’t know why or what gave him the idea, but he wrote them a letter. It was a long and convoluted letter. “You never tell me that you love me,” was the gist of it.

His mum responded. “We show you that we love you. You’ve never gone hungry; you’ve had so many opportunities. We go on summer holidays together. We’ve never missed any of your concerts or sporting events. Everything we have is yours. We may not say that we love you, but we do, and what’s more, we show you.”

And it was true. The reason he didn’t run away was his life was not perfect but pretty darn good. His parents gave everything for their children. Now, 40 years later and himself a father, he understands the challenges they faced, and he was grateful for them.

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

Happiness is a term that captures a huge variety of positive emotions such as humour, serenity, optimism, joy, pride, inspiration, love and hope. Happiness means different things to different people and is essential to your understanding of emotional literacy. Throughout history, philosophers, religious writers and poets have pondered on the meaning of happiness and how it might be achieved. In the last few decades, scientists and psychologists have researched this further by studying a field of science called positive psychology.

The result of this research suggests there is a strong correlation between gratitude and greater happiness. Practising gratitude helps you shift your focus to positive memories or experiences, noticing the good in your life. Over time, this will re-wire your brain to create new neural pathways, increase your state of happiness and overall wellbeing.

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents and care-givers will learn how to achieve happiness and the benefits of practising gratitude.

Here is the link to your Edition https://olhcwarrnambool.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/happiness-gratitude