9 February 2024

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

I received a lovely email this morning from one of our parent volunteers who was tidying up the pre-loved uniforms. She was privileged to witness one of our skilled teachers (That’s you Sensei Boyd!) in action and wrote in praise of what we in the education game call “The Art of Teaching”! We are blessed at MHOC to have outstanding educators and I take this opportunity to thank them for a wonderful start to the school year. (..and no, Mr Kolder, the Kindergarten team is pretty incredible but they will not be getting double pay for Term 1!)

I presented a principal's award to Caoimhe Scullion this morning for her lovely care of her cousin in Kindergarten. Well done Caoimhe and to all of the Kinder children, big brothers and sisters, parents and buddies who have worked so hard to give our littles people the best start to their schooling journey.

Lots of smiles and lots of new experiences. Have a big rest this weekend, Kindergarten!

Mr Murphy made his MHOC public speaking debut at Assembly today, presenting Kaiden Doust with a Good Sport award. Kaiden has leapt into his 2024 sports captain position with enthusiasm, initiative and even a touch of heroism! Well done Kaiden.

The Season of Lent begins next Wednesday. We’re looking forward to a pancake or two on Shrove Tuesday. Don't forget to send a $1 coin!

Warm Regards,

Liz

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Sat 10th February - First Communion parent meeting for - 9am
• Tuesday 13th February  - First communion parent meeting- 6pm
• Wednesday 14th  February - Ash Wednesday- Parish Mass-9:30am
• Wednesday 21st February - AXIOS parish youth group starts for 2024, 3pm at the Church
• Tuesday 27th February- Class Parents meeting
• 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?

School Buses

Applications for school bus passes must be completed online.  Click here to apply for free travel between home and school for eligible students.

Click here to view the Busways timetable (6652 2744)

Click here to view the Forest Coach timetable (6653 3344)

School Pick-up Zone

To ensure the pick-up zone flows smoothly, it is important that all cars display a sign with the name of the children they are collecting. This way, the teacher with the microphone can call your child from the waiting area and the teacher in the pick-up zone can ensure children walk safely to their cars.

If you have misplaced your laminated sign or if you would like additional signs for other people who collect your children e.g. grandparents etc, please complete this form.  These laminated signs will be sent home with your child.

Parking

Please be mindful of the safety of our children and be courteous to our neighbours when parking near the school. Stay clear of No Stopping zones and ensure you don’t park across driveways.

Kindergarten 2025

For those inquiring about enrolment for Kindergarten 2025: our official enrolment period commences in Catholic Education Week (8th April), but you are more than welcome to submit your application earlier via the online portal.

Class Breakfasts - Save the Date

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

LOVING LEARNING

Unleashing the Mechanical Marvels of Tomorrow!

Have you ever wondered what robots in the future will be like? What will their role in society be? What will they be able to do? Well, that is the question Year 5 have been asking themselves for the start of our unit of learning on narratives. Year 5 are studying the text 'The Wild Robot' and exploring how robots may interact with the natural world. They have begun designing their own robots in preparation for 3D modeling to bring them to life! We have also been practising our drama skills and developing our confidence when performing in front of an audience.

FROM THE MISSION DESK

Shrove Tuesday

To celebrate the beginning of Lent our leaders of Social Justice have organised a pancake sale. Next Tuesday 13th February, pancakes will be on sale at the canteen during recess and lunch. Pancakes will be $1 for a plate of 4 pikelets with the option of adding maple syrup. All money raised on the day will go to Project Compassion.

Caritas Boxes 

Each family will receive their Project Compassion box today. Project Compassion is Caritas Australia’s annual Lenten fundraiser and awareness-raising appeal. Millions of Australians come together in solidarity with the world’s poor to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. During Lent we think about praying, fasting and almsgiving. 

The theme ‘FOR ALL FUTURE GENERATIONS’ is a powerful affirmation that the good that we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come.

All donations to Caritas Australia can be returned to school in your boxes during the weeks leading up to Easter.

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

What’s Been Happening in Religious Education in Year 4?

Year 4 are excited to begin the season of Lent next Wednesday.

To put this season into the context of the whole Liturgical Year (or Church Year) we have been investigating the Liturgical calendar and the Liturgical colours. Students began by looking at items placed on a table and recording what they could see, what they were thinking and what wonderigns the items inspired. They discovered that the items represented the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus,as well as the Ascension of Jesus and Pentecost, just as the liturgical year celebrates. This activity has certainly  sparked lot of questions and curiosity!

SENSEI'S CORNER

Konnichiwa and welcome to Japanese classes 2024 -  the Year of the Dragon. 

At MHOC we have Japanese language and culture classes during lesson time for Kindergarten to Year Four. 

Japanese Club

On Thursday’s at lunchtime, we have Japanese club open for Year 3 - Year 6.  Club members can decide the content and zoom in on their interests eg. manga drawing, anime movies, Japanese food tasting, hiragana writing or  karaoke to name a few ideas. Children are welcome to along with some new ideas and check it out. At Japanese Club this week, we drew a dragon’s eye for The Year Dragon theme. Next week we will make a dragon puppet.

ELLA

Our K-2 students have been granted access for the fifth consecutive year to the Japanese learning app via the ELLA program. (Early Language Learning Australia). This program brings engaging child-focused language activities into our lessons. Click this link for more information.

MHOC PARENT FORUM

AGM

Our Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday 20th February at MHOC. At this meeting we will be discussing ideas for the year ahead.  All welcome.

Save the Date

Year 6 parents have been invited to the following event at Saint John Paul College. 

Bingo

The rostered teams for the next few weeks' Bingo are:

• Thursday 15th February - team no. 2 (Kelly's team)
• Thursday 22nd February - team no. 3 (Catherine's team)
• Thursday 29th February - team no. 4 (Teachers' 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.

No experience necessary!

Text or call Gemma at 0404 340 494 to join.

SPORT NEWS

Swimming Carnival

What a great (hot) day we had at the swimming carnival last Friday! Congratulations to the winning house, Gold, on breaking Blue House’s 3-year winning streak.

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The competitive trials were held earlier in the day in a streamlined program using all 8 lanes of Coffs Pool. Our resident starter, Mr Hugh Goddard, congratulated our students on their knowledge and technique, so well done to all who trialed. Thank you, Hugh!

Congratulations to the following students who have progressed to represent MHOC at the Clarence Zone carnival in Maclean on 26th February:

Keeley Adamson, Frankie Barretto Gunn, Maia Bennett, Mackenzie Carson, Scarlett Carson, Tessa Chape, Kaiden Doust, Matilda Elkins-Baker, Lachlan Forrest, Grace Furey, Xavier Furey, River Griggs, Toby Heinke, Lachlan Herbert, Max Herbert, Gabrielle Laurie, Sophie Laurie, Karlos Mendoza, Ella Morton, Piper O’Sullivan, Milla Powell, Ned Rapley, Ella Snow, Tommy Snow,  Lacey  van Hoeck.

HABITS OF MINDS AWARDS

Term 1, Week 2

CANTEEN NEWS

Canteen Roster

Monday 12th Feb 
HELP WANTED

Tuesday 13th Feb
HELP WANTED

Wednesday 14th Feb
HELP WANTED

Thursday 15th Feb
Angela Thaler

Friday 16th Feb
Hannah McDonald
HELP WANTED

LIBRARY WHISPERS

It’s wonderful that we have so many avid readers at MHOC and that here at school we have so many ways of supporting and encouraging children to read…did you know that  One study examined the habits of Kindergarten to year 12 students and found that just 6 extra minutes of reading time per day can help  readers reach – and even surpass – the year level’s benchmark. Students who read for 15 minutes or more per day improved their reading skills at an accelerated rate. 

Lots of serious games being played in the library this week.

OSHC

Welcome, welcome, welcome to our new families and 2024 Kinders. We are so excited to have you at our service. The start of the year has been really busy but the Kinders and new children within our service have transitioned amazingly well. 

This week we have spent our time making new friends and trying new things. We are blown away always with the amazing skills the children possess whether that’s from a creative avenue like art, dance and music or from a sporting avenue like soccer, gymnastics etc we can’t wait to watch and help the children to grow and most importantly staying safe and having fun. This week we have been making some amazing works to fill our display walls up and create a nice sense of space and belonging within our service. This week children are making “All About Me” puzzle pieces which should fill our walls by next week. Feel free at assembly times or when in the hall to check out the amazing creations. 

MHOC Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) wishes to highlight the critical importance of notifying our Service of any intended absence for your child or children from our care. This notification is vital for ensuring the safety and well-being of all children under our supervision. Please note that while we collaborate closely with the school, we operate as separate entities and do not automatically share information about individual children.

In the event that your child does not arrive at MHOC OSHC, we adhere to a stringent procedure to locate them promptly. 

If your child/s is absent or not attending the service on booked days please notify us by emailing sawp-oshc@lism.catholic.edu.au 

If you have any queries or inquiries regarding the service please contact via emailing sawp-oshc@lism.catholic.edu.au

Darcy

NEWS FROM OUR PARISH

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

COMMUNITY NEWS