Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School East Warrnambool eNewsletter

Acknowledgement of Country

Our Grade 4 students have created personalised Acknowledgement of Country posters that reflect their own thoughts, feelings and wishes. We will share a new poster each week.

Prayer

Loving God,

Today we pause and reflect on the importance of connection, compassion, and care.
On this R U OK? Day, we ask for the courage to reach out,
To notice those around us,
And to ask the simple but powerful question: “Are you okay?”

Help us to listen with open hearts,
To sit with silence if needed,
And to offer support without judgment.

Amen

Leadership & Stewardship

Principal's Message

Dear Parents, Guardians & Students,

A big thank you to the Des Ryan, PFA and OLHC staff for another successful Father’s Day breakfast. Also to the PFA ladies who ran the Father’s Day stall. As witnessed by the large array of gifts available for the students to purchase, there is an incredible amount of work that goes into this. Our students are very lucky.

There were a number of parent engagement events this past week, kicked off by our Foundation Art Show. Following this, we welcomed the Grade 2 parents in for them to show off their recycled projects as part of their sustainability unit, Tiptoe Through Our World. We always get a great turnout of parents and we are always appreciative of the families that involve students in their lunch whose parents couldn’t make it.

As we navigate our way in this ever increasing digital world, we as parents face many pitfalls in ensuring our children are safe. We have been dealing with a number of issues regarding Kids Messenger, which a large number of our students are using. Our Grade 6 cohort spent some time together on Friday going over the importance of using messaging services correctly and the legal ramifications of not doing so, including inappropriate messages and imitating others online. This would be a timely reminder for all parents that Kids Messenger is parent controlled and to check your child’s account. Here is a link for information and safety tips for parents. https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics/esafety-guide/messenger-kids

We turn our sights to Grandparents Day on Thursday and finish the term off with Team Colours Day and 6OB Assembly on Friday.

Have a great weekend.

Naish

School Fee Reminder

All school fees for 2025 are to be finalised by 19/09/2025. Please make contact with the school office if you wish to discuss your fees.

If you are on a direct debit or credit card payment plan, please ignore this message.

Important Dates

Term 3

16th - 18th September - Yr 5 Swimming Program

Thursday 18th September - Grandparents Day

Friday 19th September - Team Colours Casual Clothes Day

Friday 19th September - 6OB Assembly @ 12.30pm

Friday 19th September - Last day of term 3 - 2.30pm Finish

Term 4

Monday 6th October - Term 4 begins

Monday 6th October - Swimming Program begins F - Yr 4

Friday 10th October - Regional Athletics - Ballarat

Friday 10th October - Foundation Fairy Park Excursion

Thursday 23rd October - School Mass - Time to be confirmed

Friday 7th November - Yr 1 Werribee Zoo Excursion

Tuesday 11th November - Remembrance Day

Tuesday 11th November - Basketball Hotshots Competition - Colac

Teaching & Learning @ OLHC

A Message from Mr A

FOUNDATION ART SHOW

A great start to the week with the Foundation Art show and Shared Lunch on Monday. An incredible amount of work behind the scenes from all of the Foundation team resulted in a spectacular event. Fantastic to see so many parents in attendance. Well done to everyone involved.

GRADE 2 RECYCLED PROJECTS- SUSTAINABILITY

Grade 2 had a shared lunch and exhibition this week. To complete thier sustainability unit the students needed to recycle, reuse or repurpose some items to make a creation that could be used in their household.

It was terrific to see so many families that could join us for the lunch, and wonderful to see the enthusiasm and enjoyment and the children’s faces as they shared their creations.

In the afternoon, we open the rooms up and invited the grade 4 students to come in and share our projects. The grade 2 children had to face a barrage of questions about materials used design and purpose for their project. What a grat experience for both our students and parents. Well done Grade 2 team.

Here is an update from our Senior level-

This term, our Grade 6 students have been immersed in the magical world of Nevermoor for their Term 3 novel study. To wrap up, students have taken inspiration from the text to create their own fantasy novels or picture storybooks. The results are looking fabulous, with many creative and imaginative storylines taking shape. The students can’t wait to share their work with the school community on Grandparents Day.

We have kicked off our Term 4 Inquiry unit “I AM”, with students beginning to explore and choose their personal passions. This week, we were fortunate to hear from our LSO, Nicole Gynes who shared her inspiring basketball journey from playing locally in Warrnambool as a junior to representing the Opals in an Olympic qualifying game. Students were highly engaged, asking thoughtful questions and gaining valuable insight into the dedication and perseverance behind pursuing a passion.

Mrs McPherson

Thanks,

Naish

Yr 5 Swimming Program

This week we have been going to Splash Factory for our school swimming lessons. We have been practising our freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke. Our instructors have been very helpful and kind, helping us to learn the best ways to swim.

We have really enjoyed the games we get to play at the end of each lesson, a different game every few days. It leaves us wanting to come back again, and makes the lessons even more inviting.

We love swimming with our classmates and there is a fun touch of competitiveness.

Thank you to the teachers, swimming instructors, and Brendan for driving us. Without these people we wouldn’t be able to have fun activities like this.

By Emily and Elora.

Volleyball

On Monday, the Year 5s and 6s went to the Arc in Warrnambool to compete in volleyball against other schools in the district. The Year 6 girls were lucky enough to make it into the grand final and won it! The year 5’s won some games too. The year 6 boys made it into the grand final, but sadly lost.

By Bonnie McLeod and Matilda Parsons

Eight students represented our school at the Warrnambool Table Tennis Association hall, competing in a round-robin tournament against other schools. Teams travelled from as far as Hamilton to participate in the day’s competition.

In their first match, the boys faced off against St Pius in a series of singles games played as best-of-five sets. Connor Ryan, Oliver Hildebrant, Lenny Jansz, and Lachlan Kerr all started strongly in what proved to be a very close contest. After some tight singles matches, the team came together in the doubles to secure their first win.

Their momentum continued into the next round against Hamilton, where they again displayed determination and skill in a series of exciting and hard-fought games.

At the end of the day, the boys emerged victorious, winning the overall boys’ division title. It was a fantastic day of competition, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

On the 11th of September Arlie, Indi, Harper and Asher, went to the Table Tennis competition for the grade 6 tournament. Each of us played 4 games against Saint Mary’s PS in Hamilton and Saint Pius PS. We all had an amazing day and came second overall. We would love to say a big thank you to all the other competitors, Mr K, Estelle, and the Warrnambool table tennis committee for organising this day and helping us out on the courts, and also Brendon for driving us to and from the school.

By Indi Pickford, Arlie LeCerf, Harper Green and Asher Purcell

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)

Parental Guidance - Channel 9 - Season 3 Episode 1 - Screen Time

The first episode of the current season of Parental Guidance on channel 9 provides a nuanced conversation about screen time with our children. It is a great episode to have a think about the positives and negatives of screentime on our children. I found it interesting that the children with unlimited screentime actually showed better understanding of how to navigate more negative online experiences but the children with more boundaries around their screentime use seemed to have a more positive relationship with their screentime.

If you haven’t watched yet:

https://www.9now.com.au/parental-guidance/season-3/episode-1

Spirit of Our Lady's Award

Nicholson Niruban

Banjo Auld

Freddie Wheeler

Indigo Butler

Lincoln McLean

Mollie Chisholm

Evie Christison

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

Pointing Young Hearts Towards Christ
(John 3: 13 - 17)

Jesus said, “No one has ever gone up into the presence of God except the One who came down from that Presence, the Son of Man. In the same way that Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert so people could have something to see and then believe, it is necessary for the Son of Man to be lifted up – and everyone who looks up to him, trusting and expectant, will gain a real life, eternal life.” (John 3: 13 - 15)

As Catholic educators, we are entrusted with something deeply sacred: the opportunity to help young people lift their eyes beyond the ordinary, to glimpse the bigger story of who they are and what they are called to be.

In this passage, Jesus reminds us that his mission is not abstract or distant – it is grounded in God’s desire to give life in abundance. Just as the people of Israel looked up to the bronze serpent in the desert to find healing and hope, so too are we invited to lift our gaze to Christ, who is the source of new life.

In schools, that “lifting up” happens in simple yet profound ways: in the encouragement we offer a student who feels unseen, in the patience we show when learning is hard, in the joy we bring to a classroom. Every lesson, pastoral conversation, or act of kindness can become a signpost that points young people towards God’s life-giving love.

Our world is noisy, fast, and often burdened with anxiety, especially for young people navigating issues of identity, belonging, and purpose. As Catholic teachers, we are called not to just deliver curriculum but to be living witnesses to hope. Jesus reminds us here that eternal life isn’t only about the future – it begins now, whenever faith, love, and trust take root in hearts.

So today, let us reflect: how can I, in my teaching, in my presence, and in my relationships, help “lift up” Christ for my students to see? May we be educators who don’t just teach minds but inspire souls, offering our young people the chance to encounter the God who loves them, heals them, and calls them to fullness of life.

The Light on the Footy Field

In was a Friday night, and the local footy oval was buzzing. Families sat on the sidelines with hot chips, kids ran around with their jumper half on, and the floodlights shown down bright. In the middle of the field, Kai, a Year 9 student, was having a rough game. He’d missed a kick, missed a pass, and by halftime, he was on the bench with his head in his hands.

He muttered to himself, “I’m useless. Everyone must think I’m a joke.”

From the stands, his dad noticed. He walked down, crouched beside him, and said quietly, “Mate, no matter how many goals you kick or how many mistakes you make, you’re my son. Nothing changes that. I love you. Just give it your best, that’s all I ask.”

Something in Kai shifted. He jogged back onto the field – not suddenly perfect, but lighter. He played with freedom, laughed with his teammates, and even managed a decent kick or two. He knew he was loved, no matter the scoreboard.

That moment is a glimpse of what Jesus is saying in John 3: 13 - 17. God doesn’t love us because we’re flawless, or because we “score goals” in life. God loves us because we are God’s children. God sent Jesus not to condemn us for our dropped marks or mistakes, but to lift us up, to show us what eternal life looks like – a life where we know we’re loved beyond measure.

For families, for schools, for parishes, this story is real. Kids, parents, teachers, parishioners – we all have days when we feel like we’ve failed, like we don’t measure up. But the heart of our faith is this: “God so loved the world that God sent us Jesus.” That love is steady. That love heals. That love gives us the courage to get back out there, live fully, and share hope with others.

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.
SchoolTV is a wellbeing resource that we have to support you with the challenges relating to modern-day parenting. This award-winning resource helps build relationships, foster connections, enable understanding and break down barriers to navigate a pathway towards better mental health and wellbeing for young people. It can assist in starting conversations on topics that are sometimes awkward or difficult to tackle.
In addition to the weekly topic we publish in our newsletter, all of the SchoolTV topics are always accessible through our school website under the Student Wellbeing section. You can also use this link: https://olhcwarrnambool.catholic.schooltv.me/category-latest-newsletter
There are videos from experts as well as a huge range of websites, books, apps, fact sheets and podcasts.
If you require any further information about SchoolTV, please contact Mel (mwillis@olhcwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au)

Tap here to access SchoolTV

How to ask Are You OK?

Parents & Friends Association

Next Meeting

Wednesday 15th October

Save the date!

Grandparents Day - Thursday 18th September

Community

TheirCare Registration Form - tap here

Out & About in our Community

Mini national advanced individual - FISAF National Aerobics Championships

We are proud to report that two of our students, Ava Southwell and Mia Southwell, qualified and competed at the FISAF National Aerobics Championships held from Tuesday, 26th - Sunday, 31st August 2025 at the Gold Coast Sport & Leisure Centre, Carrara.

Ava competed in Cadet Elementary Pairs and Cadet National Intermediate Individual and Mia competed in the Mini National Advanced Individual.

Both girls displayed exceptional athleticism, teamwork, and dedication throughout their preparation and during the competition. Their routines reflected months of disciplined training and commitment to excellence in the sport of aerobics.

Competing at the national level is a significant achievement in itself, and their participation highlights the strength and potential of our aerobics program. We commend them for their outstanding effort and sportsmanship.

We extend our sincere congratulations to Ava and Mia for this remarkable accomplishment and thank their coaches, families, and supporters for their continued encouragement.

Well done, girls – you have made us all proud!