12 April 2024
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Happy Catholic Education Week, everyone!
Well done to our Term 1 award winners and a special congratulations to our Week 10 and Week 11 Walk Worthy of God award recipients: Aleayah Shipman (Good Citizen) and Zella Cox (Leadership Star).
I’m always mindful of wishing you a happy holiday as so many of you will not be having a break from work. Hoping that there are some rest days in the next fortnight for you all and that the weather is kind!
I look forward to seeing those who can make it to the ANZAC march in Sawtell on the 25th of this month.
Warm Regards,
Liz
Liz Watts
Principal
UPCOMING EVENTS
Term 1
- Thursday 25th April - ANZAC Day march (Meet near the surf club walkway entrance by 10.45am.)
Term 2
- Monday 29th April - Staff Development Day - no school for students
- Tuesday 30th April - first day of term for students
- Wednesday 22nd May - MHOC Athletics Carnival, Coffs Harbour
- Thursday 30th May - Staff Development Day (pupil-free day)
Term 3
- Friday 26th July - Grandparents’ Day - Save the date
WHAT'S THE BUZZ?
Kindergarten 2025
A reminder to existing families to submit enrolment applications for Kindergarten 2025 as soon as possible. Due to a significantly increased number of applications, we will be introducing a closing date for applications this year.
Please be advised the 2025 Kindergarten enrolment window will close on Friday May 17th, 2024 at 5pm.
The online application can be found on the school website.
Bishop Greg Visit
On Sunday 28th April, Bishop Greg will be visiting our parish. He will celebrate the 9am Mass and join us for morning tea after Mass. Following the morning tea, parishioners are invited to join a conversation with Bishop Greg in the church, regarding the ongoing pastoral arrangements for our parish.
If you have any questions for Bishop Greg please place them in the Communication box near the main church entrance over the next two weeks.
If you are able to offer some time to assist with this morning tea on the day, please contact the parish office. 66583544
Grandparents’ Day - Save the Date
Our annual Grandparents Day will be held this year on Friday 26th July.
LOVING LEARNING
Using Seesaw
As you are aware, every child is now sharing their learning with parents and carers via the Seesaw app. If you would like to know when something new has been shared, you can turn your notifications on. (See image below)
You can select to receive notifications via email, sms and/or push notifications.
Learning Showcases
It was wonderful to have so many parents and carers able to attend our Learning Showcases for Catholic Education Week. The children were so excited to share their learning.
Year 3 & 4
Year 3 & 4 have been reading and responding to information texts, learning about adjectives, adverbs and 2 and tier 3 vocabulary.
Margaret Ryan
Assistant Principal
Learning & Teaching
FROM THE MISSION DESK
This morning we started our awards ceremony with a special Liturgy to celebrate Catholic Education Week. This year’s theme is “Innovation and Faith”. Our school captain, Keeley, read Saint Paul’s words about the variety of gifts given to us by God. God wants us to be people of action, to use our gifts not as individuals looking out for ourselves but as a community, who work together, who work with each other, who work for each other and importantly, who work for God's will. This is the kind of place all members of Mary Help of Christians school community strive to create. The light within us is not our own, but a reflection of the light of God. God is light, in him there is no darkness. I believe that there is so much love in our school and there is so much to love!
Thank you for a wonderful term everyone.
First Holy Communion
What a beautiful morning we shared last Saturday with many of our Year 4 students and other children receiving communion for the first time. A big thank you to our teachers for their part in making it such a memorable occasion for the children. The music was incredible thanks to Katie, Emma, Tom, Cory and the Melinz boys. A wonderful celebration was had!
Peer Group Picnic
Peer groups were a buzz of excitement today as students shared in their groups what they are looking forward to about the upcoming holidays. Pope Francis tells us “People who work must take the time to relax, to be with their families, to enjoy themselves, read, listen to music, play a sport.”
Students shared a picnic lunch and a casual chat with their peer groups.
Kinder and Year 6 Mass
Kindergarten and Year 6 classes celebrated a special Mass together on Tuesday. The Year 6 buddies were caring leaders who supported their buddies throughout the service.
Amber Biddle
Assistant Principal
Mission
Toni Fletcher
Leader of
Catechesis
MHOC PARENT FORUM
Mother's Day Stall
Order now on Flexischools.
Parent Assembly Annual Conference
All parents are warmly invited to attend the upcoming Parent Assembly Conference to be held on 15th June at Opal Cove where we'll delve into the theme "Your Child Our Schools: Nurturing Hearts and Minds." Discover valuable insights and strategies to support your child's holistic development. Register soon as places fill quickly. Click here to register.
Bingo
Heads up for the holidays! Last Thursday nights' jackpot did not go off and is now well over $1000! Might be a good time for a game of Bingo on the first Thursday of the school holidays!
The rostered teams for the next few weeks' Bingo are:
- Thursday 18th April - team no. 1 (Gemma's team)
- Thursday 25th April - team no. 2 (Kelly's team)
- Thursday 2nd May - team no. 3 (Catherine's team)
Jo Melinz
PSF President
SPORT NEWS
State Swimming
Congratulations to our super team of swimmers who represented Polding at the State Swimming this week. Well done Max Herbert, Lachlan Herbert, Xavier Furey, Ned Rapley, Sophie Laurie and Gabrielle Laurie. What an experience!
Zone Cross Country
The Zone Cross Country carnival was postponed this week due to the track being too wet. Our team will try again on Wednesday 1st May. Fingers crossed that the rain stays away!
Athletics
Our students will soon begin their practice for the Athletics Carnival, which is scheduled for Wednesday 22nd May at the C.ex Stadium. Save the date; parents are very welcome to come along and watch. You can even volunteer for the Teachers v Parents v Captains race, but only if you’re game. (The score so far...Swimming carnival>parents, Cross Country>teachers, Running Relay>????)
Stage 3 Soccer Gala Day
Mr Murphy led an awesome day of soccer yesterday and had this to say about fun:
Amidst the radiant glow of the sun and the harmonious beats of lively music, the Stage 3 MHOC Gala Day was a resounding success, brimming with camaraderie and sporting excellence. Students from Years 5 and 6 came together to showcase their talents on the soccer field, demonstrating exceptional teamwork and skill. The air buzzed with excitement as matches unfolded, with each player giving their all in the spirit of friendly competition. Despite the intensity of the games, the true highlight of the day was the unwavering display of sportsmanship, as participants cheered each other on and celebrated victories with genuine excitement. Congratulations to the Wacky Wombats for their well-deserved win.
Rebecca Bennett
Leader of PDHPE
Geraldine Hourigan
Sports Administrator
END OF TERM AWARDS
End of Term 1 Awards
CANTEEN NEWS
Canteen Roster
Parent and grandparent volunteers are always needed and welcome. Please phone the school or complete this form if you can spare some time in the canteen.
Monday 29th Apr - STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY
Tuesday 30th Apr
Hannah Cook
Wednesday 1st May
Thursday 2nd May
Friday 3rd May
Nichole Brookes
Meba Winter
Lisa Mangan
LIBRARY WHISPERS
Overdue notices went out over the last week so thank you to all those parents who helped search for missing books or got in touch with me to let me know the books weren’t at home.
It’s wonderful when children can recommend books to each other - when a friend recommended Judy Moody to Aria, she wasn’t sure if she’d like it, but now she’s on to her third book in the series!
Just an early heads-up that Anh Do will be in Coffs and Bellingen on the 18th and 19th June, so if you’re keen you might need to book in soon as I believe places will be snapped up. Check on his official website for details.
Rachael Hewitt
Librarian
OSHC
MHOC OSHC Vacation Care
Laura McDiarmid
MHOC OSHC Coordinator
NEWS FROM OUR PARISH
First Holy Communion
This was a wonderful celebration last Saturday with 41 children completing their sacraments of initiation and receiving Jesus in Holy Communion for the first time. The brunch afterwards was lots of fun. We are grateful to the band of musicians, school staff, brunch helpers and Fr Joy for enriching this special experience for the children and their families.
We hope to see you often at church. Remember there is usually Children’s Liturgy at 6pm vigil and 9am each weekend. On the first Sunday of the month you are invited to morning tea after 9am Mass/ Liturgy.
Altar Serving
Another opportunity for children who have celebrated their First Holy Communion is to join our Altar Server’s team. Looking forward to hearing from you.
AXIOS
Our last get-together for the term was a walk to the beach for some games and fun. It was very tempting for some to play in the foam from the recent stormy weather. Wishing all all a safe and happy holiday. We will start back in Week 2 of Term 2. Remember new members are always welcome. Just complete the registration form first.
ALPHA
Our parish is going to be offering this program in the near future. Wherever you are at in your faith journey, you are invited to come along and meet with others to talk about your faith and hear from other people..
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
