6 September 2024
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
The Season of Creation is an annual Christian celebration where we are called to pray and act to care for our common home. The theme for this year is To Hope and Act with Creation. Spring is a time when we become aware of the possibilities of something new - the joy that comes with flowers blooming and the colours, sights and sounds of beauty and rebirth. It's the perfect time to reflect on the gifts of our world
Throughout September, we are reminded that we are called to be stewards of creation, living out our hope that we can make a difference by caring for the world and all who live here, especially the most vulnerable.
It has been a busy week of skipping fun as we participated in Jump Rope for Heart. It has been lovely to see so many happy children proudly call out, “Mrs Ryan, watch me!” as they demonstrated a new trick or skipping technique.
Congratulations to Ruby Culverwell who was awarded the Walk Worthy of God Good Sport award today. Her teachers say she is a model of fair play and is a wonderful team member.
Margaret Ryan
Acting Principal
UPCOMING EVENTS
Term 3
- Monday 9th September - Mini Vinnies Bake Sale
- 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?
Outdoor Family Fun Night
A great time is always had by all at MHOC Outdoor Family Fun night so grab your tickets now! Shrek is screening on Friday 13th September. Tickets start from $7 and you can order sausages and drinks as well. Gates open at 5.30pm and the movie starts at 6.15pm. Book on Flexischols. See you there!
Are you OK? Day
R U OK? Day is a national day of action in Australia dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and encouraging people to check in on those around them. The aim is to foster meaningful conversations by asking the question, "Are you OK?" and listening with empathy. It promotes the idea that regular check-ins can make a significant difference to someone's mental well-being, especially for those who may be struggling with life's challenges. The day encourages connection, support, and reducing the stigma around discussing mental health issues.
To promote awareness, next Thursday 12th September there will be some yellow treats for sale in the canteen. Children will be able to purchase jelly cups for $1 and slushies for $2,
Cheeseburger and Waffles!
There was a buzz of excitement at the canteen this week as students lined up for their cheeseburgers and waffles. Delicious!
Bake Sale on Monday for Pete’s Place
On Monday, Mini Vinnies is hosting a Bake Sale to raise money for Pete's Place. We are asking for donations of cakes, slices and biscuits to sell. If you are able to bake or buy something, please drop it to the office on Monday morning.
Students will be able to purchase treats at recess for $1 or $2.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Leon In Year 2 who recently entered the Jetty Memorial Theatre Draw your Robot Competition. Leon won first prize and received a family pass to the performance of Whalebone. Great Job Leon!
This is my Robot. It is made with real metal!
The cool features are; it can walk but also you can park it and pop out a tree house. It has a rocket launcher so you can travel but also self defence to protect itself and it grows apples for food. You can activate the turbo booster if you need to escape really fast or if you are doing a race. If someone is a bad guy you can use the self defence too for that. Some parts are made of gold but also nature. From Leon Martinez - Age 8
Jump Rope for Heart
Jump Rope for Heart: A Week of Skipping and Saving Lives
This week, we have logged many hours of skipping, with each jump contributing to a healthier heart and adding to the Heart Foundation’s challenge: 40,000 hours of skipping across the nation. We had a great time participating in this challenge and joining our fellow Heart Heroes in this heart-pounding effort. Together, we skipped towards a healthier future while supporting vital heart research!
School Disco - Tropical Island Paradise
Our school captains have decided on the theme of this year’s disco. Children are invited to come dressed in their tropical holiday wear.
Ideas include:
- floral shirts, shorts, skirts or dresses
- boardshorts
- rashies
- sunhats
- sunglasses
- sandals
- floral leis or flowers in hair
Please note, no swimwear (besides boardshorts or rashies) to be worn. Wear shoes that are good for dancing.
There will be three separate discos on the following days:
- 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
LOVING LEARNING
Learning Showcases
The children are excited to share their learning with parents and carers again this term. Please note, all showcases start at 1:45pm on their allocated day.
What's Happening in Year 2
In Year 2, we have been exploring the influence of culture on music and instruments. Students enjoyed making their own maracas using paper plates and pasta. They then used these to explore the concepts of duration, dynamics, tone and structure. Students are also creating a composition using GarageBand on their iPads.
Amy Martin
Acting Assistant Principal
Learning & Teaching
FROM THE MISSION DESK
“Future generations will never forgive us if we miss the opportunity to protect our common home. We have inherited a garden; we must not leave a desert for our children.”
The Season of Creation is a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment together. During the Season of Creation, we join our sisters and brothers in the ecumenical family in prayer and action for our common home. The season starts 1 September, the Day of Prayer for Creation, and ends 4 October, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology beloved by many Christian denominations. Throughout the month-long celebration, the world’s 2.2 billion Christians come together to care for our common home.
Peer Groups
Today, students were supported by their Yr 6 Peer Group leaders to complete a pledge about something they can do to look after the environment. Students wrote their pledge on a postcard. Have a look below!
Here are some of the pledges the students created in Peer Groups today -
"I promise to always put my rubbish in the bin and recycle whenever I can, so I can help keep the Earth clean."
"I will use less water by turning off the tap when I brush my teeth and take shorter showers”.
"I pledge to turn off lights when I leave a room and unplug things I'm not using to save energy."
"I will take care of the animals and plants by not harming them and by respecting their homes in nature."
"I promise to use reusable bags, bottles, and containers instead of plastic ones to help reduce waste."
“I pledge to put my recyclable bottles in the Little Wings bins at school to help children in need’.
Mass and Reconciliation
After Mass on Tuesday, Sonny, Olivia and Lorcan met with Fr Joy for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Together they reflected on their actions and received guidance and forgiveness.
Staff Prayer
Did you know that every Wednesday morning, our staff comes together for a special time of prayer before the school day begins. This is an important moment for us to connect, reflect, and seek guidance as we prepare to support our students throughout the week. We believe that starting the day with prayer helps us to create a more loving and supportive environment for everyone.
What’s Been Happening in Religious Education in Year 4?
In Year 4 Religious Education, our students have been exploring the unit 'One With God's Creation.' This unit has been an exciting journey of discovery and reflection. The children were particularly inspired by the book Dear Pope Francis, where they pondered big questions, like one posed by a student about what God did before the world was made. This led to meaningful discussions on the Season of Creation 2024 and the teachings of Laudato Si, where the students learned about caring for our common home. To culminate their learning, the students wrote heartfelt letters to Pope Francis, sharing their thoughts and reflections. We are proud to share a selection of these thoughtful letters.
MHOC Children-led Mass
It was wonderful to see so many MHOC families, students and staff celebrate Mass with Fr Michael and Zippy last Saturday evening. As always, the music was amazing and everyone enjoyed singing along. Big thanks to our wonderful band for generously giving up their time.
Little Wings Update
We have filled another bin. That's 5 in total…woohoo! Thank you to all of our wonderful families for your support.
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 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
MHOC SCHOOL COMMUNITY FORUM
Outdoor Family Fun Night
This wonderful school community event is always popular. Don't forget to order your tickets on Flexischools!
If you’re available on Friday 13th September between 5-7pm, we’d appreciate your help in 30-minute time slots throughout the evening. Whether you can spare a half-hour or more, your contribution will make a big difference and help ensure everyone has a great time. Please click here to volunteer.
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
Bingo
The rostered teams for the next few week's Bingo are:
- Thursday 12th September - team no. 2 (Kelly's team)
- Thursday 19th September - team no. 3 (Catherine's team)
- Thursday 26th September - team no. 4 (Donna's team)
Jo Melinz
SCF President
SPORT NEWS
Elective Sport
Today, children in Years 3-6 received a note for Elective Sport. This year there are a number of new sport options available, which should be a whole heap of fun! The Google form will open on Monday 9th September at 4pm and close on Tuesday 10th September at 7pm. To ensure fairness, preferences are given based on a timed system, so we recommend getting onto the form as early as possible! Families who are unable to complete/access the Google form can return their preferences to the office (ideally first thing on Tuesday morning).
Please ensure you discuss this with your child over the weekend and make your choices (for all 3 preferences) carefully, as changes are unable to be made due to change of mind.
Any questions relating to elective sport should be directed to Mrs Bennett (bec.bennett@lism.catholic.edu.au) or Mrs Hourigan (mhocsawtell@lism.catholic.edu.au) before the form opens on Monday.
Summer Sports Trials
As previously sent out via Compass, nominations are now being accepted for Clarence Zone Summer Sport trials.
These sports trials are for children of representative standard (i.e have been selected in representative teams in the past) in CRICKET, TENNIS, TOUCH FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL and SOFTBALL and who would ultimately like to be part of a Polding team.
The Summer Sports trials commence at Zone level in the week commencing Monday 28th October, with Diocesan trials towards the end of Term 4 and then Polding trials take place in the 2025 school year.
If your child meets the representative criteria and would like to trial in one of the summer sports pathways, please complete and submit this form.
We chatted to an Olympian!
Prior to the Olympics, Sensei organised a very special opportunity for our Sports Captains to send some interview questions to Olympian Olivia Sandery. Olivia competed in Paris in the 20km walk. Olivia responded to student questions this week with some very interesting answers!
Roller Hockey
A couple of our MHOC parents, Jeremy and Elise Cox, are running a Roller Hockey session every Friday on the basketball court from 4-5pm. Children need to bring their own roller skates or blades, a helmet and pads (and a hockey stick if they have one).
Rebecca Bennett
Sports Coordinator
Geraldine Hourigan
Sports Administrator
CANTEEN NEWS
What's Cooking?
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
OSHC
In Week 7 at Mary Help of Christians OSHC, we've been enthusiastically embracing our newly updated dramatic play areas. Our fresh kitchen role play setup and revamped reading zone, dollhouse, and LEGO/construction areas have quickly become favorites. We’ve also redesigned our entryway, which everyone is loving.
This week, we introduced a "Question of the Week" initiative, and we’re thrilled with all the thoughtful responses we’ve received. The children have been particularly captivated by skipping, and it’s been wonderful to see their skills improve with practice. This interest has lead from the schools involvement in the Jump Rope for Heart Foundation.
Looking ahead, our Vacation Care bookings are now open for the upcoming September/October school holidays. We have a fantastic lineup of activities planned, including cinema outings, a Disney dress-up day, color runs, an in-centre soccer clinic, a sports dress-up day, and much more. We can’t wait for all the fun ahead!
Laura McDiarmid
OSHC Coordinator
NEWS FROM OUR PARISH
Axios Update – It’s smiles all around!
Spring is here and the days are getting longer and warmer.
Children who attend Axios will be receiving a gift of summer slippers to enjoy when they arrive each Wednesday to Axios, something we felt that may make them feel more comfortable during their afternoons of Faith, Fun, Friendship and Food.
This summer we are also working on some activities that involve water play so their bodies, nervous systems and brains can unwind & cool down.
For more information on Axios Youth group get in touch with Marja at the Parish office on 6658 3544
Your Child's Journey through the Sacraments– Reconciliation, Confirmation & Holy Eucharist.
This September, we will commence preparations with a new group of children to continue the journey they began when they were Baptised.
If your child is a Baptised Catholic in Year 2 or above (and is not already participating in this process), please complete the below google form and Marja from the Parish office will be in touch to welcome you!
Any questions please get in touch with our friendly team on 6658 3544.
https://docs.google.com/forms/
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
Foster care week - 8th-15th September
