26 July 2024
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Today we celebrated one of our favourite days in the school year, Grandparents’ Day, on the Feast of St Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus. This special day highlights the invaluable and precious bonds between grandparents and their grandchildren, and how these relationships deeply enrich our families.
There was lots of laughter and fun at the photo booth; a new addition to this year’s celebrations and the mandatory scones were a hit!
On Monday, the staff took part in a beautiful retreat day. It was an opportunity to reflect on the importance of taking moments of silence and solitude in our life to allow us to listen to God.
Congratulations to Gurdit Dhariwal who received the Good Sport Award at Assembly today. His teachers said that he participates in all sporting activities with enthusiasm and a sense of fun. Well done, Gurdit.
Margaret Ryan
Acting Principal
UPCOMING EVENTS
Term 3
- Tuesday 30th July - Zone Athletics Carnival
- Friday 2nd August - MHOC Olympics
- Friday 2nd August - Confirmation
- Thursday 8th August - Jammies for Joey's Day
- Friday 9th August - Zone Soccer and Netball knockout
- Tuesday 13th August - Seasons programs commence
- Thursday 15th August - MHOC Science Fair Years 3-6
- Friday 16th August - Diocesan Athletics Carnival
- Friday 23rd August - Book Week dress up and parade
- Friday 30th August - Fathers' Day Breakfast
- Friday 30th August - Rugby Friendly with St Augustine's
- Friday 13th September - Polding Athletics Carnival
- Monday 23rd - 24th September - Year 4 Camp
- Monday 23rd-25th September - Year 5 Camp
- Friday 27th September - Presentation of Term 3 Effort awards
- Friday 27th September - Last Day Term 3
WHAT'S THE BUZZ?
School Anxiety Webinar
The Parent Assembly has kindly provided MHOC families free access to the School Anxiety webinar being presented by Michelle Mitchell and Karen Young on Tuesday 30th July. Please see attached flyer for details or click here to register.
Grandparents’ Day
What a joy-filled day! Thank you to everyone who was able to come along to make this day so special.
MHOC Olympics
The MHOC Olympics is kicking off on Friday 2nd of August. The opening ceremony will be held during our assembly (beginning at 8:50am). Children will be engaging in novelty Olympic activities throughout the day. Parents are welcome to attend the opening ceremony and watch their children in their events. See timetable below:
Infants (K-2) 9.15-10.45am
Primary (3-6) 11:15-2:30 (lunch break 1:15-1:45)
Children are encouraged to dress up in the colours of their given country. See allocated countries below:
Grade | Country | Colours to wear | ||
K | Australia | green and Gold | ||
1 | Jamaica | green, yellow and black | ||
2 | Brazil | green, yellow and blue | ||
3 | France | red, white and blue | ||
4 | Germany | red, black and yellow | ||
5 | Canada | red and white | ||
6 | India | orange, green and white | ||
LOVING LEARNING
Kindergarten have been enjoying practising their counting this week with games of Tug-o-war. Played with a beadstring and a dice, this is a fun way to practise counting and working with a partner.
Year 5 students have been identifying key Australian landmarks and their locations. They are investigating these well-known landmarks and their distinctive features to determine why they have become landmarks of significance.
Amy Martin
Acting Assistant Principal
Learning & Teaching
FROM THE MISSION DESK
Staff Spirituality Day
On Monday, MHOC staff participated in The Bishop’s Spirituality Retreat held at The Link. The day was centered around the theme of rest. Such a simple word and yet, something that can be quite complex and elusive, and indeed neglected in the times we live. In the presence of the ever-loving Trinity, staff engaged in reflective practices, prayer, and peaceful solitude.
Confirmation Retreat
On Tuesday, our Confirmation candidates had a wonderful time at their mini-retreat. There was lots of laughter, fun games and prayerful discussion.
Students will make their sacrament of Confirmation on Friday 2nd August at 6pm at Sawtell Catholic Church. Please keep all of the candidates in your thoughts and prayers.
Year 3 Class Mass
Our Year 3 students celebrated Mass with Fr Joy on Tuesday. Fr Joy read the Gospel, Matthew 12:46-50. He explained to the children that all who do God’s will are like His brothers, sisters, and mother. This means that we can all be close to Jesus by living in a way that pleases God. Students read and sang beautifully. After Mass, they enjoyed a lovely morning tea, sharing conversations and treats.
Pete’s Place Breaky
Did you know that each school holiday our generous staff cook up a meal for those who access Pete’s Place, embodying the school's values of service and compassion.
As a school we understand the importance of living out our faith through acts of charity and love. MHOC staff not only provide nourishment but also share smiles, conversations, and a sense of community with the individuals they serve.
If this is something that you or your family could support through donations (eg food, drink or cooking supplies) please contact Amber Biddle on the below email address or phone the school office.
amber.biddle@lism.catholic.edu.au
Season’s For Growth
Seasons for Growth is a small group education program that supports children and young people to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to understand and respond well to experiences of change, loss and grief.
Seasons for Growth supports children and young people who have experienced change and loss, including, although not limited to family separation; loss or death of someone they care about; living away in out of home care; physical or mental illness; We suggest that children and young people impacted by bereavement wait 6-12 months before participating in a Seasons for Growth program.
In Term 3 we will be offering the Seasons program at Mary Help of Christians. If you think that your child would benefit from this program, please fill in this expression of interest form.
Term 3 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 3.
Tuesday 23rd July - Year 3 and Confirmation candidates.
Tuesday 30th July - Years 1 and 2
Tuesday 6th August - Year 4
Tuesday 13th August - No Mass. Thursday 15th Assumption Mass at 11am. Years 5 and 6 attending.
Tuesday 20th August - Year 6 and Kinder
Tuesday 27th August - Years 1 and 2
Tuesday 3rd September - Years 3 and 4
Tuesday 10th September - Years 5 and 6
Tuesday 17th September - Kinder
Tuesday 24th September - No Mass
Amber Biddle
Assistant Principal
Mission
Toni Fletcher
Leader of
Catechesis
MHOC SCHOOL COMMUNITY FORUM
We Need YOU!
MHOC's BINGO team urgently needs more volunteers. Volunteering for BINGO is an excellent way to support various MHOC projects funded by these events. It's just a 3-hour commitment every five weeks on Thursday evenings. With more hands on deck, we can distribute the workload more evenly, making it more enjoyable for everyone involved.
Join us and make a positive impact on our school community. For more information or to volunteer, please call or text Gemma 0404 340 494.
Thank you for your support!
Bingo
The rostered teams for the next few week's Bingo are:
- Thursday 1st August- team no. 1 (Gemma's team)
- Thursday 8th August- team no. 2 (Kelly's team)
- Thursday 15th August- team no. 3 (Catherine's team)
Jo Melinz
PSF President
SPORT NEWS
Congratulations Lacey!
Our resident long distance runner, Lacey van Hoeck, mixed it with the running elite in Sydney on Monday at the State Cross Country Championship. After a tough start, Lacey rallied to come home strongly in a very strong field. This is the second year Lacey has made it through the pathway (MHOC, Clarence Zone, Lismore Diocese, Polding, State) and we are very proud of her. Well done Lacey!
Girls AusKick Opportunity
We love seeing girls and boys involved in any and all sports. See flyer below for girls AFL AusKick clinic opportunity.
Bec Bennett
Sports Coordinator
Geraldine Hourigan
Sports Administrator
HABITS OF MINDS AWARDS
Term 3 Week 1
Kinder | Emily Borra, Edie McCrimmon, Ivy Holder, River Woodgate |
Year 1 | Penelope Edwards, Ellie Trezise, Arlo Stitt, Willow Zucker, Tully Kennedy, Lewis Podesta |
Year 2 | Scarlett Nixon, Kinsley Brown-Carter |
Year 3 | Brock Felstead, Aria Cole, Bethany Brookes, Lachlan Gould, Max Kennedy |
Year 4 | Levi Thompson, Darcy Nixon, Elsie Cook, Indiana Mitchell, Mackenzie Carson |
Year 5 | Xavier Woods, Lillian Whitehill, Tommy Hudson Eden, Charlotte Borchart, Chloe Schell |
Year 6 | Charlie Little, Piper O’Sullivan |
CANTEEN NEWS
Canteen Helpers
Parent and grandparent volunteers are always needed and welcome. Please phone the school, complete this form or email sawp-canteen@lism.catholic.edu.au if you can spare some time in the canteen.
Meba Winter
Lisa Mangan
LIBRARY WHISPERS
We’re off to an exciting start for the 2024 Book Fair. Launched today with Grandparents Day, the Book Fair was the place to be! Don't worry if you missed the Book Fair today, it is running from Monday through to Thursday next week and we can re-order any books that may have already sold out. I couldn’t have done it without my helpers; Ivy, Aunty Kelly and Mrs Burridge, Thank you.
MHOC Book Fair
Rachael Hewitt
Librarian
NEWS FROM OUR PARISH
Last weekend was a time of endings and new beginnings.
We farewelled Father Michael & we welcomed the first organic fruit tree into our future sustainable Syntropic garden on parish grounds.
The principles of Syntropy reflect the strength and resilience I see in our parish and it’s community.
Monoculture teaches us to separate different species of plants, keeping tomatoes together, bananas together and so on.
Syntropy teaches us that if we want a garden to flourish, we need to plant in density and diversity.
We create an eco-system by planting species TOGETHER.
Plants with different life cycles, light requirements and strata, thrive when they are able to hold hands and allow each plant to strengthen the other.
We see in Syntropy - grandmother, mothers and children all planted together, holding each other up, allowing each other to contribute their strengths, and be held by each other in their weakness.
It’s through this shift in perspective that we become aware once again that individually we are weak but together, in all our diversity, we are strong.
There is a dream coming to fruition. Sawtell Parish’s very own eco-system with Syntropic garden nests.
We need help to bring more life to our garden. If you would like to volunteer to get your hands dirty, start to walk the walk and contribute to this sustainable venture, please reach out to Jen or Marja at the Parish office.
BAPTISMS
During the holidays Olivia Fitzgerald and Anna-lese Ross were baptised in our church by Fr Joe during the 7:30am Mass. It was a very special occasion for them, their families and our faith community. Congratulations and Welcome girls.
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
Carolyn & Marja
Pastoral Associate
COMMUNITY NEWS
