23 August 2024
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
What a joyful morning! Our annual Book Week parade brings lots of smiles and laughter. What a fun way to celebrate the joy of reading.
Congratulations to all of the Stage winners, runners-up and finalists in our inaugural Spelling Bee. We were incredibly impressed with how many children entered the competition.
Today, we said farewell to Soichiro and Naoko from Japan who have been visiting our school for the last few weeks. We presented them with a little gift to remember us by. Who doesn’t like Vegemite and Tim Tams!
Congratulations to Wren McDonald, the recipient of today’s Walk Worthy of God Good Citizen award. Wren’s teachers say that she is helpful, kind and inclusive. Well done, Wren!
We look forward to seeing lots of our dads and grandads at the Fathers’ Day breakfast next Friday.
Margaret Ryan
Acting Principal
UPCOMING EVENTS
Term 3
- Friday 30th August - Fathers' Day Breakfast and Footy Colours Day
- Friday 30th August - Rugby Friendly with St Augustine's
- Saturday 31st August - MHOC Children-led Mass and pizza with Fr Michael and Zippy
- Friday 13th September - Polding Athletics Carnival
- Friday 13th September - Outdoor Family Fun Night
- Monday 16th September - Year 3 and Year 6 Learning Showcases
- Tuesday 17th September - Year 1 and Year 4 Learning Showcases
- Tuesday 17th September - School Disco (5 & 6)
- Wednesday 18th September - Barney Barselaar Soccer Gala Day
- Wednesday 18th September - Kindergarten and Year 2 Learning Showcases
- Wednesday 18th September - School Disco (3 & 4)
- Thursday 19th September - Year 5 Learning Showcase
- Thursday 19th September - School Disco (K, 1 & 2)
- 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?
A Taste of Japan Cultural Night
A fantastic evening was had by all on Monday night. Families enjoyed making (and of course eating!) sushi and Zaru Soba noodles and learning furoshiki; the japanese art of wrapping items such as bottles and books in a square of fabric. The evening was such a success we are sure it will be the first of many to come.
Book Week Parade
Fathers’ Day Breakfast and Footy Colours Day
We look forward to welcoming our dads and grandads to breakfast next Friday from 7:30am for an early Fathers’ Day celebration. All children and visitors are invited to wear their favourite footy team’s colours for the day.
Jump Rope for Heart
Jump Rope for Heart has helped fund life-saving heart research. During this time, more than 10 million Aussie kids — our Heart Heroes — have skipped their way towards better heart health. What’s more, the amazing Heart Heroes have raised more than $113 million for lifesaving research that has the power to help save Aussie hearts.
We are thrilled to join this challenge and become Heart Heroes ourselves! Throughout the week starting Monday 2nd September, we will be skipping at school, and we invite all students to bring a gold coin donation for the Heart Foundation on Friday, 6th September.
When: Week 7, Monday, 2nd - Friday, 6th September
Who: All students from Kindergarten to Year 6
What: Each grade will participate in skipping activities throughout the week, culminating in a collection of gold coin donations on Friday, 6th September.
Car Park and Bus Zone Safety
We are all responsible for keeping our children and their families safe at school. The car park and bus zone are particularly busy from 2:45-3:15 pm each afternoon. We ask that all adults and children follow these rules to keep everyone safe:
- If you need to cross Eungella St, always do so at the school crossing. Make sure you say ‘Hello’ to our friendly crossing supervisor, Vanessa, while you are there.
- Always walk around the car park on the path, never walk across the car park.
- Never walk between parked buses
Thank you for helping keep our school community safe.
Learning Showcases - Save the Date
We will be holding Learning Showcases on the following dates. Every showcase begins at 1:45pm on the allocated day:
- Monday 16th September - Year 3 and Year 6 Learning Showcases
- Tuesday 17th September - Year 1 and Year 4 Learning Showcases
- Wednesday 18th September - Kindergarten and Year 2 Learning Showcases
- Thursday 19th September - Year 5 Learning Showcase
It’s Disco Time! - Save the Date
Mark your calendars! Adrian from ‘The Toads’ will be running our MHOC Discos again this year.
- Year 5 and 6- 6pm-7:30pm Tuesday 17th September
- Yrs 3 & 4 - 6pm-7:30pm Wednesday 18th September
- Kinder, Yr 1 and Yr 2 - 6pm-7pm Thursday 19th September
Don’t forget your dancing shoes!
LOVING LEARNING
Loving Learning - Year 3
As part of Book Week, Year 3 have been using Harry Potter as inspiration for a series of lessons, including identifying figurative language (similes, metaphors and personification), writing about their own magical setting, and learning to draw Hogwarts with Harry Potter illustrator, Jonny Duddle. We've had a truly magical week.
Spelling Bee
Well done to all the students who participated in our inaugural MHOC Spelling Bee. A special mention goes to all the finalists and winners on the day.
Stage 1
- Stage Winner - Jonathan Bailey
- Runner-up - Hannah Meledath
Stage 2
- Stage Winner - Cleo Ellem
- Runner-up - Ben McPherson
Stage 3
- Stage Winner - Layla Verbruggen
- Runner-up - Charlotte Borchart
MHOC and Clarence Regional Public Speaking Competition
A note went home this week outlining the topics for this year’s Clarence Regional Public Speaking Competition. Check for details on Compass. You will also find a note in your child’s bag.
All students are asked to bring their speeches to school by Monday 9th September. This will allow for students to practise at school before the competition which begins later that week
Amy Martin
Acting Assistant Principal
Learning & Teaching
FROM THE MISSION DESK
Class Mass - Kindergarten and Year 6
On Tuesday, our Year 6 students, alongside their Kinder buddies, celebrated Mass together. Fr Joy read the Gospel Matthew 19:23 - 30, explaining that with God, all things are possible. Our Year 6 students did a wonderful job guiding their buddies during the Mass.
CSYMI Lunch Club
This week, students had fun dancing and singing with our RMO (Regional Ministry Assistant), Ashlinn de Dassel. They even got to hear some brand new Wildfire tunes. The session finished with a beautiful prayer thanking God for the beauty of the world around them and all of the joy in their lives.
Year 6 also had the opportunity to work with Ashlinn. Ashlinn ran a fantastic session about the importance of community where the students engaged in a great discussion about the things we value in our communities. The Year 6 students then completed a group task where they designed a poster to share their understanding of community, including symbols and scripture.
Peer Groups
In peer groups today, students had fun creating their own book covers, drawing inspiration from their favourite stories. It was great to see so much imagination and creativity.
Little Wings - Return and Earn ‘Fuel our Planes’ fundraiser program.
Our Ministers for Sustainability are very happy to report that, since launching the program only two weeks ago, we have filled our first Little Wings bin. Andrew Bailey, Little Wings marketing manager, has informed us that this is Little Wings record...woohoo!
There were 375 containers which means Mary Help of Christians has already donated $37.50 to the Little Wings Return and Earn fundraiser. Well done to our MHOC school community!
Please note, milk containers are not eligible for the 10c scheme. Below is what you can and can’t recycle. Thank you for your support.
What’s Been Happening in Religious Education in Year 2?
Recently in Year 2, the students have read the scripture passage from Mark 12:30-31. The students have reflected on what it means to 'love your neighbour' and there have been many rich discussions about who our neighbours might be. Connections were made between this message from Jesus and some of the social justice actions that are taking place around our school, such as our involvement in supporting causes such as Little Wings.
This week, students were asked to rewrite the commandment into their own words. Here are some of the 'Year 2 Commandments':
'Treat people the way you would like to be treated and be helpful to everyone.'
'Respect and help all people.'
'Help everyone, even if you don't know them.'
'Love one another and help one another.'
'Don't just love your neighbour. Love everyone in your community.'
Sacramental Journey for Children
MHOC Children-led Mass
Save the date! Father Michael and Zippy will be back for our MHOC children-led Mass on Saturday 31st August at 5pm. Please stay afterwards for a pizza dinner. RSVP here for catering purposes. We hope to see you there.
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 27th August - Years 1 and 2 - Liturgy
Tuesday 3rd September - Years 3 and 4
Tuesday 10th September - Years 5 and 6
Tuesday 17th September - Kinder
Tuesday 24th September - No Mass this week
Amber Biddle
Assistant Principal
Mission
Toni Fletcher
Leader of
Catechesis
SENSEI'S CORNER
Workshop Invitation with Boyd Sensei
Come for a drive to the main street of Bellingen on Saturday where you’ll find musicians, ramen, and 750 tonnes of fabric to be repurposed into new fashion and handbags. This event will have something for all the family and is being hosted at Bellingen library. Later that night there will be a fashion parade to show off all the creations made during the daytime events. Daytime events are free but the evening show in the Memorial Hall is ticketed. Come in and see the catwalk of creativity- Read all about it here
Saturday August 24th 9-5pm . (Sensei will be in the library 10:30 - 1:30 pm running Furoshiki workshops )
Boyd Sensei
MHOC SCHOOL COMMUNITY FORUM
Family Summer Session - 2025
The School Community Forum is busy planning a Family Summer Session night for early 2025. It will be a great evening with lots of fun activities to raise money for a new school playground. If you are willing and able to lend a hand, please register as a volunteer using the Google form below and we will be in touch.
Please register here
Fathers' Day Stall
Outdoor Family Fun Night
This wonderful school community event is always popular. Don't forget to order your tickets on Flexischools!
Anita Heiss Reads Bidhi Galing
An online literacy event for all families to celebrate Indigenous Literacy Day!
Indigenous Literacy Day is held on the first Wednesday of September and is an annual celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Stories, Cultures and Languages (find out more here: (https://www.indigenousliteracyfoundation.org.au/ild). To celebrate this year, the Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee has organised a wonderful online evening event open to all families in our schools.
We are delighted that Aboriginal Australian author Anita Heiss will read her book Bidhi Galing. Dr Anita Heiss AM is a proud member of the Wiradyuri nation of central New South Wales and one of Australia's most prolific and well-known authors publishing across genres including non-fiction, historical fiction, commercial fiction and children's fiction.
Her book Bidhi Galing (Big Rain) tells the story of the Great Flood of Gundagai in 1852 and the Wiradyuri heroes Yarri and Jacky Jacky who paddled bark canoes through raging floodwaters, risking their lives to save countless others. Primary school students aged 7–12 – and their families! – will love this story and the beautiful book illustrations. It’s a chance to sit down together and enjoy a nice, quiet time listening and reading, which is a wonderful way to support children’s literacy skills at home.
Go to the Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT website to REGISTER or complete the form here: https://ccsp.schoolzineplus.com/form/63.
Or use the QR code:
Understanding how to support your child with online gaming
Suitable for parents and carers of children and young people in primary and early secondary school.
Tuesday, 3 September, 12.30pm
Register here
An introduction to online safety and emerging technologies
Suitable for parents and carers of children and parents in primary and secondary school.
Thursday, 5 September, 12.30pm
Register here
Bingo
The rostered teams for the next few week's Bingo are:
- Thursday 29th August - team no. 5 (Meg's team)
- Thursday 5th September - team no. 1 (Gemma's team)
- Thursday 12th September - team no. 2 (Kelly's team)
Jo Melinz
PSF President
SPORT NEWS
Diocesan Athletics Carnival
On Tuesday, our athletics superstars attended the Diocesan Athletics Carnival at C.Ex Stadium. Our students performed beautifully, with a number of students progressing through to Polding in their events.
Congratulations to Sophie Laurie, Layla Verbruggen, Diezel Fell, Lacey Van Hoeck, Sonny Diacono, Frankie Barreto Gunn and Gabrielle Laurie who have progressed through to Polding.
Rebecca Bennett
Sports Coordinator
Geraldine Hourigan
Sports Administrator
CANTEEN NEWS
Red Day - Cheeseburger & Waffles Day
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.
Lisa Mangan
LIBRARY WHISPERS
Reading is Magic is the theme of this years’ Children’s Book Week. We’ve had a great week celebrating reading and books in the library this week with lots of children borrowing a great range of books from the display…I think my enthusiasm for creating displays outweighs my ability, but the kids don’t seem to mind! 😆
Is there anything more magic than quietly reading with a friend?
Rachael Hewitt
Librarian
NEWS FROM OUR PARISH
Hospitality Volunteers
A major part of our parish mission to build a loving Christ-centred community, is the ability to meet the needs of the community through outreach and hospitality. Each of us has our own role to play.
DISCOVER WHAT YOUR ROLE MIGHT BE TODAY!
We want to create a new list of volunteers willing to provide hospitality support with meetings and events which occur in the parish.
By completing this form you agree to go on a list to be contacted when the need arises. You can then decide at the time, if you are able to assist. You would be on the list for a set period of time.
Some of you are already involved in aspects of hospitality and your generosity is greatly appreciated. However, we need to expand and develop a stronger support network that is able to respond more reliably to the needs of the parish.
We ask you to please take some time to prayerfully reflect on this need and opportunity and respond to the options below.
God bless and thank you.
Please complete the online form here
Download the form to complete and hand in here
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
COMMUNITY NEWS
