2 February 2024
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
I’ve just come back to school from the Colour House Carnival and I don’t think I’ve ever been more grateful for the air-conditioning (and the solar panels!). The children were having a grand old time, despite the heat; the war cries are still echoing in my ears!
Mrs Ryan led us in a beautiful gratitude prayer this morning at Assembly. The first thing that popped into my mind were all of the smiles on Wednesday as the children re-connected with each other and the staff. It really has been a beautiful start to the school year.
You will have received a welcome letter from your grade teachers on Compass this week outlining expectations, routines and curriculum overviews for the term. Thank you, parents, for your attention to detail with school uniforms and hair. If you have any questions or concerns around these expectations, please give us a call at school. We’re always happy to help out.
Frankie Chambers was awarded the first Principal’s Award of the year for his beautiful manners. A “Good morning”, an “Excuse me” and a “Please” all in the space of one morning was a winning trifecta in my opinion! Well done, Frankie, and well done to all of our children who have been remembering their manners this week.
We say a warm MHOC welcome to the Forrest, Munro, Godara, Kaur, Prince, Sidhu, Brown, Dunkley, Summers families who have joined the school community this year and a big welcome back to the Baretto-Gunn family.
We’re looking forward to welcoming our 2024 Kindergarten children next Wednesday.
Warm Regards,
Liz
Liz Watts
Principal
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Wednesday 31st January - 6th February - Kindergarten BestStart Assessments
- Wednesday 7th Feb - Kindergarten students commence
- Wednesday 7th February - Kindergarten students commence
- Sat 10th February - Eucharist parent meeting- 9am
- Tuesday 13th February - Eucharist parent meeting- 6pm
- Wednesday 14th February - Ash Wednesday- Parish Mass-9:30am
- Wednesday 21st February - AXIOS youth group starts for 2024, 3pm
- Wednesday 28th February - Kinder Breakfast
- Tuesday 12th-13th March - School Photos
- Wednesday 20th March - Years 1 & 2 Breakfast
- Wednesday 27th March - Years 3 & 4 Breakfast
- Thursday 29th March - Holy Thursday
- Friday 29th March - Good Friday
- Monday 1st April - Easter Monday
- Wednesday 3rd April - Years 5 & 6 Breakfast
- Saturday 6th April- First Eucharist (Holy Communion) - 9am
- Monday 7th April-12th April - Catholic Education Week
- Monday 8th April - 12th April - Australian Dental Health Visit
- Monday 8th April - Year 3 Learning Showcase, 2pm
- Tuesday 9th April - Years 4 & 1 Learning Showcase, 2pm
- Wednesday 10th April - Years 6 & Kindergarten Learning Showcase, 2pm
- Thursday 11th April - Years 5 & 2 Learning Showcase, 2pm
WHAT'S THE BUZZ?
Class Breakfasts
Save the date! Class breakfasts will be held later this term from 7:30am - 8:30am. Come along and meet the teachers and other parents in your child's grade.
Wednesday 28th February - Kindergarten
Wednesday - 20th March - Year 1 & 2
Wednesday 27th March - Year 3 & 4
Wednesday - 3rd April - Year 5 & 6
New Staff Members
We say a warm welcome to Mrs Kara McFadden (Year 4 teacher), Mr Brendan Murphy (Year 6 teacher), Mrs Holly Adamson and Mrs Leanne Maguire (Teacher Assistants) and Mr Terry Cahill (School Chaplain).
Private Music Lessons
We currently have two teachers providing private music lessons at school. These teachers collect students from their class according to a rotating roster.
- Paul Holleman teaches piano, keyboard, saxophone and clarinet. Paul has a few spots available on Thursdays and Fridays. He has 25 years experience teaching and coordinating music programs. Lessons are $36 for a 30 minute lesson or $25 for 20 mins for young beginners. You can contact Paul on paul@mdiart.com or mobile 0403 716 355.
- Katie Thorn teaches piano Mondays -Wednesdays, but currently has no places available.
Japanese Lessons After School
Our Japanese teacher, Janine Boyd, is offering Japanese language and culture lessons after school for interested children.
Please complete this expression of interest if you are interested in signing up.
LOVING LEARNING
We’re Back - What’s Happening in Classrooms?
The beginning of a new school year is an exciting time for staff and students alike. The first two weeks of the year is a busy time indeed! Here is an outline of some of the happenings:
Establishing Expectations and Routines - Every grade uses our school Code of Conduct to help children understand the behaviour that is expected both in the classroom and on the playground to keep everyone safe, happy and learning at school.
Internet Safety - At the beginning of each year we focus on teaching children how to use the internet safely both at school and at home. We outline our expectations for using technology safely and respectfully at school.
Mathematics Assessment Interviews (MAIs) - A Mathematics Assessment Interview is undertaken by every student in our school at the beginning of each year. The MAI data provides valuable information for classroom teachers that allows their planned learning experiences to be targeted to the needs of their learners.
Kindergarten Best Start Assessments- Our new Kindergarten children have been meeting with their teachers to complete the one-on-one Best Start and Maths Assessment Interviews. These assessments focus on early literacy and numeracy skills and enable teachers to identify and plan for the learning needs of every student in their class.
Margaret Ryan
Assistant Principal
Learning & Teaching
FROM THE MISSION DESK
Term 1 Class Masses
All parents are welcome to attend our weekly Tuesday Mass at 9:30am. These class Masses are held at MHOC Church Sawtell. Please see the timetable below for Term One. Masses will commence in week 3.
Wednesday 14th Feb - Year 5 & 6 (Ash Wednesday)
Tuesday 20th February - Year 6 (Leadership Retreat)
Tuesday 27th February - Year 3
Tuesday 5th March - Year 2
Tuesday 12th March - Year 1
Tuesday 19th March - Year 5
Tuesday 26th March - Year 4
Tuesday 2nd April - Year 3
Tuesday 9th April - Kinder & Yr 6
Pastoral Care Meal Register
Many of our families experience challenging times for a variety of reasons eg. sickness, accident, bereavement, changed employment circumstances. At MHOC, we try to provide practical support in the form of a meal. If you would like to assist by providing a meal for a family on one or two occasions this year, your generosity would be very much appreciated. The meal is brought to school and we ensure it is delivered. If you can help, please complete this form. Please note: If you have previously signed up, please kindly re-register.
Amber Biddle
Assistant Principal
Mission
Toni Fletcher
Leader of
Catechesis
SENSEI'S CORNER
Japanese Club
Welcome back to the MHOC Japanese lunchtime club for 2024.
Years 3 to 6 are invited to join Sensei at lunchtime on Thursdays, to experience Japanese culture, food tasting, anime movies , manga drawing and language opportunities.
These lucky students signed up for their member’s card on Thursday this week and we made an origami dragon’s 
head .
Boyd Sensei
MHOC PARENT FORUM
Bingo
The rostered teams for the next few weeks' Bingo are:
- Thursday 8th February - team no. 1 (Gemma's team)
- Thursday 15th February - team no. 2 (Kelly't team)
- Thursday 22nd February - team no. 3 (Catherine'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
Swimming Carnival
What a beautiful day for a swimming carnival! A great day was had by all, results will be published next week. Watch this space!
Rebecca Bennett
Leader of PDHPE
Geraldine Hourigan
Sports Administrator
HABITS OF MINDS AWARDS
Term 1, Week 1
Year 1 | Isabella Masefield, Ava Hennessey, Matisse Algie, Alba McCrimmon, Amelia Pryce, Rori Pastro |
Year 2 | Ted Munro, Alexander Mangan, Lucy Laurie |
Year 3 | Grace Furey, Darby Hoy, Charlize Law, Lachlan Gould |
Year 4 | Cheyse Blair, Polly Munro |
Year 5 | Lillian Whitehill, Nate Maguire, Isaac Lane, Zoe Dawson, Patrick Forshaw |
Year 6 | Aleayah Shipman, Leo Salter, Ruby Culverwell, Keeley Adamson |
CANTEEN NEWS
Canteen Roster
Monday 5th Feb
HELP WANTED
Tuesday 6th Feb
Wendy Bright
Wednesday 7th Feb
HELP WANTED
Thursday 8th Feb
Angela Thaler
Friday 9th Feb
Liz Jackson
Nichole Brookes
Meba Winter
Canteen Manager
LIBRARY WHISPERS
I hope you all had a relaxing break. It was wonderful to see the children in the library this week getting straight back into borrowing. I’ve had a lot of students letting me know what books they were reading over the summer and also lots of recommendations for the library.
I always try to think of new ways to encourage reading, so it’s great when the children come up with their own way - Misha and Aria have chosen books for each other to read and will then swap!
Lots of traffic through the library this week - new games to play, books to read and air conditioning to relax in...what more could you want!
Rachael Hewitt
Librarian
OSHC
Welcome back to all of our existing children and families, and a big warm welcome to our new Kindergarten students! The children and educators had such a great Vacation Care and it was lovely getting to meet a few of our new Kinders.
This week has been very relaxing with the children settling into BSC and ASC. We are very excited for the year to come and the memories we will all make!
Tahlia Q
Laura McDiarmid
MHOC OSHC Coordinator
NEWS FROM OUR PARISH
Sacraments for Children - First Eucharist Preparation
Families with children who will be receiving their First Holy Communion (First Eucharist) this year have been emailed a link to register for the parent meeting. (Please check spam). These children have already celebrated Reconciliation and Confirmation in previous years.
Theseparent meetings will be held on Saturday 10th February at 9am & Tuesday 13th February at 6pm. RSVP 7th February.
First Eucharist Mass will be held on Saturday 6th April 2024 at 9am
Families will receive more information at the parent sessions.
AXIOS
Our youth group will recommence for 2024 on Wednesday 21st February. Old and new members always welcome.
Please click here to complete the online form to enter or update your details for this year.
Parents and parishioners: Can you support our group by joining an afternoon tea roster once a month or to help with games and activities ?
Please contact Carolyn at the parish office or email - pastoral@sawtellcatholicchurch.com.au
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