9 June 2023
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
There was a sea of blue at school yesterday as we all got into the spirit of World Oceans’ day. This young man summed up the day’s theme perfectly. Thanks Gabe!
Great to have some of our parents keen to be part of a sustainability group; some amazing and practical ideas being discussed already. Please enjoy the photo gallery further down in the newsletter.
Today's Walk Worthy of God Good Sport award was presented to Sophie Laurie. Her teachers say she is a skilled sports person who is very humble, considerate of others' feelings and always plays fairly. Well done, Sophie!
A long weekend awaits! I hope you all get to enjoy a little bit of down time over the coming days.
Warm regards,
Liz
Liz Watts
Principal
UPCOMING EVENTS
Tuesday 13th June - Polding Cross Country
Tuesday 13th June - Year 6 Class Mass 9:30 - All welcome
Tuesday 20th June - Kindergarten Class Mass 9:30
Wednesday 21st June - MHOC Athletics Carnival, Coffs Harbour International Stadium
Friday 23rd June - Presentation of Term 2 Effort Awards - 8:45am
Sunday 25th June - MHOC Parish Children's Mass - All welcome
Monday 26th-29th June - NAIDOC Week
Tuesday 27th June - Year 3 Class Mass and Confirmation mini-retreat for candidates
Thursday 29th June - Zone Athletics Carnival, Coffs Harbour International Stadium
Thursday 29th June -Last day of Term 2 for students
Friday 30th June - Staff Development Day
Sunday 16th July - Practice for Confirmation -3:30pm in the church
Monday 17th July - Staff Development Day
Tuesday 18th July - First day of Term 3 for students
Tuesday 18th July - Confirmation -6pm
Saturday 12th August - Family Bush Dance (Save the Date!)
Tuesday 15th August - Diocesan Athletics
WHAT'S THE BUZZ?
World Oceans’ Day
World Oceans’ Day was lots of fun! We learnt some important facts and loved wearing blue to remind us of the beauty of the sea and all the life it contains.
Story and Song Time
There were lots of scary bears (and some not-so-scary bears) at Story and Song Time today. Preschoolers with their parents and carers are invited to join us each Friday from 9:30 - 10:15 am for singing, dancing, stories and craft. Come along and join in the fun.
Term 2 Effort Awards
On Friday 23rd June, at 8:45am, we will be presenting Effort Awards in each Key Learning Area to children from Kindergarten to Year 6 who have demonstrated significant effort this term. All welcome.
MHOC NAIDOC Week- For Our Elders
NAIDOC Week will be celebrated at MHOC from Monday 26th June to Thursday 29th June. Here are some highlights:
- Monday 26th June - One Mob Radio will broadcast from MHOC from 7-9am. Breakfast will be provided for our ATSI students and their families.
- Monday 26th June - Classroom activities and presentations from Manduway Dutton, Uncle Tony Perkins and Uncle Troy Robinson.
- Wednesday 28th June - NAIDOC Assembly - 9am
- Thursday 29th June - Lunchtime activities for students
Pupil-free Staff Development Days
A reminder that Friday 30th June and Monday 17th July are pupil-free Staff Development Days.
The last day for students this term will be Thursday 29th June. Students return to school on Tuesday 18th July.
MHOC Parish Children’s Mass- New date
Due to staff and student absences, the decision has been made to postpone the MHOC Parish Children's Mass that was to be held last Sunday 4th June. We will now be celebrating our MHOC Parish Children’s Mass on Sunday 25th June at 9am at Sawtell Catholic Church. We hope to see you there.
NCCD
We have been busy preparing for the upcoming Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) process.
What is the NCCD?
Australian students with disability must be able to access and participate in education on the same basis as their peers. To ensure this, students with disability may receive adjustments to access education, based on the professional judgement of teachers, in consultation with the student and/or their parents, guardians or carers.
The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability gives Australian schools, parents, guardians and carers, education authorities and the community information about the number of students with disability in schools and the adjustments they receive.
What is the purpose of the NCCD?
The NCCD collects data about students with disability who are receiving adjustments across Australia in a consistent, reliable and systematic way. It enables schools, education authorities and governments to better understand the needs of students with disability and how they can be best supported at school.
How is the data used?
- as an evidence base, to give teachers, schools and sectors information about students with disability and the level of educational adjustment being provided
- to inform policy development and future planning to better equip schools and education authorities to support students with disability
- to improve understanding of the requirements and responsibilities of school teams and the broader community
- to highlight the individual needs of each student with disability by focusing on the level of educational support provided to them at school.
How does the NCCD assist schools?
The NCCD prompts schools to identify students with disability and to review their processes and practices. It records the adjustments already undertaken in schools to support students with disability to access and participate in education on the same basis as their peers.
Going through the NCCD process each year gives us the opportunity to reflect on the wonderful, inclusive pedagogies and practices we have at MHOC.
Amber Andrews
Inclusion Teacher
LOVING LEARNING
Science and Technology
Years 3 and 4 have been learning about the transfer of heat energy. This week, Year 3 designed and constructed solar ovens and cooked delicious s’mores.
What's happening in Year 6?
This term, Year 6 students have been immersed in a diverse range of captivating learning experiences. One of the continual highlights was the implementation of Genius Hour, a dedicated time for students to explore their passions and nurture their creativity. The outcomes were awe-inspiring, as students delved into cooking, building, and artwork, showcasing their ingenuity and honing essential skills such as critical thinking and effective communication.
In addition, Year 6 students commemorated National Sorry Day by listening to Kevin Rudd's powerful speech to Parliament, fostering empathy and understanding for the experiences of indigenous Australians.
Lastly, the students became champions of World Ocean Day, organising peer groups to raise awareness about the importance of preserving our oceans.
Margaret Ryan
Assistant Principal
Learning & Teaching
Michaela Miller
Leader of Pedagogy
FROM THE MISSION DESK
Peer Groups
On Thursday, we connected with our Peer Groups for World Ocean Day. On World Ocean Day, people celebrate and honour the shared ocean that connects us all.
The children discussed why this day is important and what we can all do to help. The peer group leaders told the children about Pope Francis and his special letter called Laudato Si: Care for our Common Home. Pope Francis has told us that climate change is real, urgent and it must be tackled. He has asked us to remember that the climate is "a common good, belonging to all and meant for all”. Pope Francis calls on all people, not just Christians, to save the earth’s environment.
The children came up with some great suggestions on how we can do our bit to protect our oceans. Here are some of the peer groups suggestions:
Conserve water
Reduce plastic waste
Be careful about what goes down our drains
Use less energy
Fish responsibly
The children completed a World Ocean Day school colouring-in competition.
Year 5 Class Mass
Year 5 attended Mass on Tuesday with Fr Michael and Zippy. The Gospel reading, Mark 12:13-17, explained that the suffering that Tobit and Jesus encountered were because they loved so deeply and people didn't understand them. When we hear or read about a stranger doing a good deed for another stranger, it not only makes us feel happy and positive, but it also inspires us to do likewise.
The children sang along beautifully with the band and had a lovely morning tea afterwards. The ‘Cookie Monster’ cupcakes were pretty spectacular.
Altar Server chat with Fr Michael, Zippy and Carolyn
Year 4 students had a lovely chat with Fr Michael and Carolyn on Tuesday about becoming altar servers. Some of our current Yr 5 altar servers were also there to help answer questions. Carolyn explained the skills involved in the ministry team and how being on this team is a great way to meet others and have fun!
There were a lot of keen little people.
What is happening in Religious Education in Year 1
This week, we finished our Holy Week unit. This culminated with the story of Jesus' Ascension. We created artworks depicting the Ascension and we wrote letters pretending we were there.
Check out some of our amazing letters and artworks.
Class Liturgies
Year 3 and Year 4 had class Liturgies this week. The children loved having their special visitors in the classroom. They did a wonderful job with the prayers, readings and hymns. It was lovely to come together for spiritual reflection.
Term 2 Class and School Masses
All parents are welcome to attend our weekly Tuesday Mass at 9:30am. These class Masses are all held at MHOC Church, Sawtell. Please see the timetable below for Term 2.
Tuesday 13th June - Year 6
Tuesday 20th June - Kindergarten
Tuesday 27th June - Year 3 (followed by Confirmation retreat).
Amber Biddle
Assistant Principal
Mission
Toni Fletcher
Leader of
Catechesis
SPORT NEWS
MHOC Athletics Carnival
As mentioned last week, the MHOC athletics carnival will take place at C.Ex International Stadium on Wednesday 21st June.
The 1500m race, a relatively new addition to the athletics pathway, will be run at 8am on the day and requires nomination in the below form. Students are required to report to Mrs Bennett for marshalling at 7:45am. This will require parent transport to the stadium.
The Parents Team for the 50m race is looking very slim still. If you think you can beat the Teachers' and Captains' Teams, please nominate in the below form.
Parents v Teachers v Captains Race
Can you help on the day? We would really appreciate it. Please complete the form below if you can lend a hand for some or all of the day.
Keep an eye out on Compass for more information about the carnival.
Golf and Rugby Pathways
Opportunities are available for 11 and 12 year olds in Golf (girls and boys) and Rugby 7s (girls only) to trial in Sydney in August for a place on a Polding team. Entry and participation is the responsibility of parents.
Information is contained in the flyers below.
Rebecca Bennett
Leader of PDHPE
Geraldine Hourigan
Sports Administrator
SENSEI'S CORNER
Year Three are learning how to ask to go places or to get drinks politely in Japanese.
ハワイに行ってもいいですか？ Hawaii ni itte mo ii desu ka? May I go to Hawaii, please?
ミルクシェイクを飲んでもいいですか Milkshake o nonde mo ii desu ka? May I have/drink a milkshake?
We played a game where we purposely tried to trick the runners. If a person ran when the incorrect phrase was spoken, they were out. If they ran when the correct phrase for spoken, they ran to collect their pretend drink.
HABITS OF MIND AWARDS
Term 2 Week 7
Kinder | Darcy Boggett, Harper Hayton, Emilia Nyhan |
Year 1 | Jayce Gineesh, Iylah Wilkins, Gabriel Norman, Gabriel Hughes |
Year 2 | Sonny Diacono, Leni Slater, Lucas Donald, Peyton Brown, Daisy Biddle, Scarlett Collon, Eila McCarthy |
Year 3 | Aubrey Woods, Ned Rapley, Faith Kurinyepa, Atticus Hobson, Oliver Bolt |
Year 4 | Liam de Groot, Emmett Simpson, Louis Kenny |
Year 5 | Grace Chape, Samuel Friend, Maia Bennett, April Diacono |
Year 6 | Louka Whitehill, Maya Schmetzer, Cooper Harding |
LIBRARY WHISPERS
We celebrated World Ocean Day in the library this week with a beautiful display that some of the Year 4 girls helped create.
I read the wonderful book by Nick Bland, ‘Walk of the Whales’, to Kinder and Year 2 and we talked about the message in the book - keeping our oceans clean. There was also a lot of discussion about how freaky it would be if the whales did actually leave the ocean - and what we’d do if it happened (there were quite a few who thought getting rides on the whales would be fun! 😂).
Adhmiya got to be in the ‘Hot Seat’ to talk about the book she’s been reading this week during Year 6 Library - it’s such a great way to get the kids talking about books and discovering new ones.
Scholastic Book Club orders close on Tuesday 13th June. Remember, you can order online through the Scholastic website or bring the filled in form with correct money into the office.
Rachael Hewitt
Librarian
CANTEEN NEWS
Canteen Roster
Monday 12th June
PUPLIC HOLIDAY
Tuesday 13th June
HELP WANTED
Wednesday 14th June
HELP WANTED
Thursday 15th June
Carrie Paine
Friday 16th June
Rachel Pryce
Nichole Brookes
Meba Winter
Canteen Manager
OSHC
Our mornings have been especially busy this week but it’s been twice as fun! We have played group games of gaga, duster hockey, tag and soccer. The older children never cease to amaze our educators with how kind and helpful they are, especially to the little Kinders.
Our afternoons have been just as exciting; we have put out some new resources for the afternoons to ensure the children all feel they have something that will meet their needs and preferences. Some favourites include tetris, chess, hammer and nail sets, golf, bubble making and magnetic letter games.
This week's 'Artwork of the Week' goes to Peyton Brown and her very snazzy little monster.
Tahlia Q
Julie Cross
MHOC OSHC Coordinator
NEWS FROM OUR PARISH
PARISH 40TH ANNIVERSARY
This event is only three weeks away. To make this a special celebration we need parishioners to contribute photos, memorabilia and time to prepare and set it up. Please consider how you could help and give us a call at the office. Any contributions to a historical display can be left at the office from now. Please make sure you have labelled items and talk to us when you drop them off. More details to come.
Altar Servers
Parents of children interested in joining this important ministry team are invited to complete the online form or contact Carolyn at the parish office 66583544 or via email: pastoral@sawtellcatholicchurch.com.au
Axios Youth Group
Some fun times and games in the Winter sun using our imagination and working as a team. Next week we are going on a pilgrimage prayer walk along the beach. Should be fun.
Baptism
The Sacrament of Baptism is available to those requesting it. Please ring Jennifer at the Parish Office (66583544) or talk to Amber Biddle, Liz Watts or Margaret Ryan at school if you have any questions. Alternatively, if you wish to register for Baptism, there is now the option of an online request form .
Parish Website , E-bulletin & Facebook Page
For all the latest news from our parish, check out the Parish website or subscribe to our new e-bulletin which can be sent directly to your inbox each week. Why not sign up today by entering your details in the sign up box on the Homepage or Contact page of the website!
And don’t forget to check out our FaceBook page
Parish Team