10 November 2023
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
We’re all feeling very proud of these Year 6 ladies! Third in the state in a competition encompassing teams from all school sectors is a pretty impressive achievement. Well done Cleo, Rhylee, Molly, Abby, Mia, Amelia, Isabella, Polly and Jessie.
On Wednesday, we had a visiting panel to review Mrs Ryan in her role as Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching. Sadly, she failed miserably and will be returning to her previous employment entertaining diners in the cabaret on Friday nights at the Paddington RSL. So long Margaret. It was fun whilst it lasted...
Just kidding! We are very blessed indeed to have an Assistant Principal of Margaret's calibre here at MHOC. The panel concurs! Congratulaions on a wonderful appraisal, Mrs Ryan.
This week’s Walk Worthy of God Good Sport Award was presented to Addie Heinke whose teachers described her as a helpful, honest, funny, kind student, respectful in winning and gracious in defeat. Addie follows the rules and cheers for others. Well done, Addie.
It’s Remembrance day tomorrow. Don’t forget to take a moment at 11am to pray for peace.
Warm Regards,
Liz
Liz Watts
Principal
UPCOMING EVENTS
Tuesday 14th November - 2024 Kinder Orientation Day #2
Tuesday 14th November - SJPC Transition Day #1 (Year 6)
Wednesday 15th November - Year 5 Leadership Retreat
Wednesday 15th November - Red day in the canteen (Pizza)
Friday 17th November - Choir performance @ Kmart Wishing Tree
Monday 20th November - K-2 Chess competition
Wednesday 22nd November - Milk Bar Choir
Thursday 23rd November - SJPC Transition Day #2 (Year 6)
Friday 24th November - Year 6 Liturgy - 2.15pm
Sunday 26th November - Sawtell Parish Christmas Markets- The Link, Toormina
Monday 27th November - Year 3-6 Chess competition
Friday 1st December - Year 3 Liturgy - 2.15pm
Wednesday 6-12th December - K-2 Intensive Swimming
Friday 8th December - Kinder Liturgy - 2.15pm
Friday 8th December - Big Banana Family Waterslide Night - SAVE THE DATE!
Tuesday 12th December - Year 6 Mass & Graduation
Wednesday 13th December - End of Year Awards Assembly
Thursday 14th December - Christmas Concert
Friday 15th December - Last day of school for students
Saturday 16th December - MHOC Choir @ CHCC Carols
WHAT'S THE BUZZ?
2024 Grade Teachers
We’ve finalised our grade teachers for 2024:
Kindergarten - Mr Joe Kolder, Miss Emma Kelly, Ms Rebecca Edwards
Year 1 - Mrs Bec Bennet, Mrs Donna Dennis, Mrs Danielle Mears, Mrs Kristy deGroot
Year 2 - Mr Calvin Wigg, Mrs Amy Martin, Mrs Meg Withers
Year 3 - Mrs Jayne Appeldoorn, Mrs Josie Hockey, Mrs Kate Wright
Year 4 - Mrs Toni Fletcher, Mrs Nicole Hall, Mrs Kara McFadden, Mrs Arlee Tones
Year 5 - Mr Tom Madden, Mr Craig Warnes, Mrs Prue Glover, Mrs Monique Waterworth
Year 6 - Mr Brendan Murphy, Mrs Emma Connor
MHOC Buskers Festival
What an exciting week it has been with the MHOC Buskers Festival taking center stage at our school. The amphitheatre buzzed with excitement as spectators filled the steps every day during recess. The talent showcased by our students has been amazing. Throughout the week, we saw a diverse array of performances, ranging from singers and dancers to basketball enthusiasts, mathematicians, magicians, rappers, and even a skilled unicyclist, just to name a few. Such was the overwhelming response from our talented student body that we've are extending the festivities into next week, concluding with our final performances on Monday.
The concept of the Buskers Festival originated from the creative minds of the Year 6 Art Committee students. A heartfelt thank you is due to these students who not only conceived the idea but also played a pivotal role in the festival's organization. They diligently managed the music, equipment and compering duties each day this week, ensuring the smooth running of this event.
The Buskers Festival has proven to be a resounding success, bringing our school community together in celebration of talent, creativity, and teamwork. Many students are already planning their acts for next year in the hope that this becomes an annual event.
Milk Bar Choir
Have you heard about Pub Choirs? People come together for a fast-paced music lesson to learn one song. Participants don’t need any musical experience to participate (it's not that kind of choir). The night climaxes with the audience performing all that they have learned, while Pub Choir's crew films the result.
Well, Mrs Moss is holding the MHOC version; The Milk Bar Choir!
We have opened up this event to all our families who are invited to come along for a fun evening together, learning a song (many grown-ups will already know Don’t Go Breaking My Heart by Elton John) and having lots of laughs.
At the end of the night, we will be filming the choir singing the song which will be shared on our social media platforms and in the school newsletter.
A pizza dinner is provided.
See you there!
Click here to register.
Kinder Orientation
It was so delightful to have our 2024 Kinders visit on Tuesday. We look forward to seeing them again this Tuesday.
MHOC Chess Competition
The MHOC Chess competition will be a little different this year. Our chess master, Mr Madden, has discovered some very skilled chess players in our K-2 grades. So this year, there will be two separate competitions here at school:
- Monday 20th November - K-2 Chess competition (children must know the rules of chess to take part)
- Monday 27th November - Years 3-6 Chess competition for Chess Club members and other interested students who can play chess.
Children just need to let Mr Madden know they are interested in competing.
Safe on Socials
This week's safe on socials tips is: How to secure your child's iPad & Android device.
FROM THE MISSION DESK
Mass with Kinder and Year 3
This week, Kinder attended Mass with their Year 6 buddies. Father Colin read the gospel reading Luke 14: 15-24, the Parable of the Great Banquet. During his homily, Father explained that Jesus told this parable to help explain what heaven is like. He said that a banquet is like a big party and everyone is invited! Kinder greatly enjoyed attending Mass and having a delicious morning tea with their buddies.
Vinnies Christmas Hampers
Please remember the Vinnies Christmas appeal. Our Mini Vinnies members are asking for donations of food items (examples listed below) to help those in need this Christmas. Below are some examples of hamper donations -
Tea and coffee, zooper doopers, milo, long life milk ,Tim Tams, Christmas lollies, tinned fruit, cordial, long-life juice, cereal, chips, shortbread, Biscuits – sweet & savoury, jelly, spreads – jam, vegemite, honey, peanut butter, pancake mix, tinned vegetables, gravy mix, soup, dried pasta, pasta sauce, bonbons, christmas decorations, Christmas gifts (new).
Each grade will have a tub in their classroom where children can place their donated items. Please ensure that all food items are not due to expire for at least 6 months, are non-perishable and undamaged.
Term 4 Class Mass Roster
Class Masses are held each Tuesday morning at 9:30 at Sawtell Catholic Church. All of our families are welcome to come along and stay for a cuppa and morning tea after Mass.
Tuesday 14th November Year 3
Tuesday 21st November Year 1
Tuesday 28th November Year 5
Tuesday 5th December Year 2
Tuesday 12th December No Class Mass. Year 6 Graduation Mass 5pm
Year 5 Class Liturgy
Year 5 celebrated their class liturgy this afternoon. Look out for photos in next week’s newsletter!
Amber Biddle
Assistant Principal
Mission
Toni Fletcher
Leader of
Catechesis
LOVING LEARNING
This term Year 4 have been writing lots of letters!
We started the term by writing letters to one of our favourite authors - Kate diCamillo. At the start of the year we read Kate's novel The Tale of Despereaux, and loved it. The letter writing process begins with brainstorming and drafting, then students move to editing, revising and, finally, publishing. Mrs Hewitt has a literary connection and will be passing on our letters to Kate. Thanks Mrs Hewitt!
We have been writing more letters recently after joining in with The VCOP Christmas Letter Exchange. Each student is assigned a class from a different school (from all over Australia). Included in the envelope with the letter is a Christmas decoration with a Random Act of Kindness written on the back.
All participating schools then open one letter a day for each day of Advent (starting a little earlier so we fit it in before the end of this term). We will be able to map where each letter comes from, add a Christmas decoration to our Christmas display, and focus on one Random Act of Kindness each day during this time.
Letters from all over Australia have begun arriving for Year 4 and we are all very excited to begin opening these in the next few weeks.
Margaret Ryan
Assistant Principal
Learning & Teaching
Michaela Miller
Leader of Pedagogy
MHOC PARENT FORUM
Safe on Socials Parent Evening
Another great day on Monday as we welcomed Madeleine West back to the school. Madeline spoke with the Stage 2 and Stage 3 students and then backed up to present to a parent audience at 6pm.
Thank you to the Diocesan Parent Assembly for covering the costs for this very beneficial day.
Keep checking out the weekly cheat sheets provided by Safe on Socials in our newsletter each week.
Family Reading Night
An enthusiastic group of readers came along on Wednesday night to share their love of reading and their favourite picture books. The Parent Assembly provided delicious Pizza.
We are sure there will be more events like this in the future.
Bingo
The rostered teams for the next few weeks' Bingo are:
- Thursday 16th November - team no. 5 (Donna's team)
- Thursday 23rd November - team no. 6 (Meg's team)
- Thursday 30th November - team no. 1 (Gemma's team)
WE NEED YOU!
MHOC's Bingo teams need volunteers to support various projects funded by Bingo. You'll only need to dedicate 3 hours, once every 6 weeks, allowing flexibility with your schedule. Join now to make a positive difference in our school community.
Text or call Gemma at 0404 340 494 to join.
Jo Melinz
PSF President
SPORT NEWS
State Netball Cup Finals
The MHOC netball team travelled to Sydney this week for the State finals after having won both the local and regional rounds of the NSW Schools Cup. After winning 4 of their 5 pool games, our girls faced up against the eventual winners, Centaur Public School, FNC, in the semi final. After a narrow defeat, they played off for third and fourth place against Holy Spirit Primary School, Central Coast, and played their hearts out to come away with the victory.
So, third in the state from all schools - a fantastic result! Well done girls!
Rebecca Bennett
Leader of PDHPE
Geraldine Hourigan
Sports Administrator
HABITS OF MINDS AWARDS
Term 4 Week 5
Kinder | Akari Ticli, Hunter Stevens, Alba McCrimmon, Stevie Felstead |
Year 1 | Layla Stubbs, Gabriel Hughes, Jayce Gineesh, Ava Autry-Hall |
Year 2 | Scarlett Black, Sophie Judd, Theo Whitehill, Lakey Schomberg |
Year 3 | Jackson Wood, Jessica Tritton, Max Herbert, Dominic Gosney, Faith Kurinyepa, Darcy Nixon |
Year 4 | Austin Foy, Liam de Groot, Aram Cox, Eden Corr, Dawson Bevand, Imogen Dean, Alice Maddison, Patrick Forshaw |
Year 5 | Tommy Snow, Archer Casson, Ted Wright, Grace Chape, Ruby Culverwell |
Year 6 | Will Fargher, Amelia Bolt, Mia Tran |
LIBRARY WHISPERS
The author Kate DiCamillo is one of those writers whose books appeal to children (and adults) of all ages. As more children were coming to me asking to read her books, and then telling me how much they enjoyed them, it occurred to me that it might be fun if I got them to write a letter of appreciation to her. Knowing a bit about her from my time working with the Australian branch of her publisher, I knew that she would love receiving letters and information about the children reading her books. Year 4 had all read some of her books in class and so they all wrote letters and drew pictures and I posted them off this week. It was such a great experience for them all!
It’s wonderful seeing children teaching each other new games in the library. Alex taught Gurdit how to play UNO and by the end of recess they were both enjoying playing together!
Rachael Hewitt
Librarian
CANTEEN NEWS
WE NEED YOU!!
Canteen Roster Week 4
Monday 13th Nov
HELP WANTED
Tuesday 14th Nov
Robyn Rattray
Wednesday 15th Nov
RED DAY
Thursday 16th Nov
HELP WANTED
Friday 17th Nov
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
Lisa Mangan
Acting Canteen Manager
OSHC
Week 5! Oh how time flies when you’re having so much fun every morning and every afternoon!!!
This week MHOC OSHC started off the week celebrating Diwali - the festival of lights. The children made very beautiful clay Diya candle holders that turned out beautifully!
Some other favourite activities from the week include: abstract self-portraits, spontaneous box creations, sandpit play (this has definitely been the current craze), soccer, games of chess and battleship.
This week’s 'Artwork of the Week' goes to… Olivia Fitzgerald and her funky dabbled garden!
Tahlia Q
Julie Cross
MHOC OSHC Coordinator
NEWS FROM OUR PARISH
This week at AXIOS we played a game, shared food and company and completed a mixed up jigsaw puzzle. Then we spent a little quiet time in the church listening to music and letting God speak to us as we wrote, drew or just sat. Below are some of our reflections. Amber talked with us about connecting the mixed up pieces of a puzzle to how we can sometimes feel in our lives. We know that Jesus is always with us ready to listen and hold us close.
Reconciliation
Last week, most of Group 24 children celebrated this sacrament for the first time. There were a couple of nervous children but everyone left with a smile on their face.
Mass Times
There are some changes during this month, so check the bulletin and parish website for current information.
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
COMMUNITY NEWS
National Cartoon Gallery
It's almost time for the 35th Annual Rotary Cartoon Opening & Awards Presentation Night!
On Friday 24th November, from 6pm, we will be presenting the preeminent night of the Gallery's year! There'll be music, delicious food, bubbles on arrival, well-stocked cash bar, volunteers, artists, and a couple hundred cartoons to enjoy.
Tickets can be purchased via https://www.trybooking.com/
The following week we welcome Cartoon Chef's Childrens Competition to the Bunker. Children from near and far have drawn Coff Coast Creatures for this Exhibition and our very own "Kooky Kritters" will share the Gallery space.
Tickets for 6pm, Friday December 1st are available via https://www.trybooking.com/
