25 October 2024

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Lots of crazy socks around the place today, with  $400 raised for Catholic Mission. Well done, MHOC staff and students!

Bodhi Tones is the recipient of this week’s Walk Worthy of God Good Citizen award.

Mr Kolder spoke of a young man who consistently demonstrates what it means to be a great friend, conscientious learner and a helpful classmate, inspiring everyone around them. Congratulations, Bodhi!

We began welcoming our 2025 Kindergarten families this week. Please enjoy the delightful wisdom shared - by some of our current Kindergarten children- at our parent information night on Monday.

On this 2024 World Teachers’ Day, we give thanks for the incredible teaching staff at MHOC.

Warm regards,
Liz

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Thursday 31st October - 2025 Kinder Orientation - Group 2
• Friday 1st November - All Saints Day
• Monday 28th-Thursday 31st October - Zone Summer Sports Trials
• Friday 1st November - Outdoor Family Fun Night 
• Monday 4th-6th November - Year 6 Camp
• Thursday 7th November - 2025 Kinder Orientation - Group 3
• Monday 11th November - Remembrance Day
• Tuesday 12th November - Reconciliation Retreat
• Thursday 14th November - 2025 Kinder Orientation - Group 1
• Tuesday 19th November - SJPC 2025 Year 7 Transition Day
• Thursday 21st November - 2025 Kinder Orientation - Group 2
• Sunday 24th November - Sawtell Parish Christmas Markets
• Wednesday 27th November - Year 5 Leadership Retreat
• Thursday 28th November - 2025 Kinder Orientation - Group 3
• Thursday 28th November - SJPC 2025 Year 6 Orientation Day
• Friday 6th December - Big Banana Waterslide Night
• Monday 9th-13th December - K-2 Water Safety Program
• Wednesday 11th December - Year 6 Graduation Mass & Dinner
• Wednesday 18th December - Last day for students 2024
  
• Monday 3rd February - Year 1-6 students return
• Monday 3rd-Friday 7th February - Kindergarten BestStart assessments
• Monday 10th February - Kindergarten students commence

WHAT'S THE BUZZ?

Kindergarten Orientation #1

We have begun to welcome our 2025 Kinders to ‘big school’. What a lovely morning we all had on Thursday. We can’t wait to meet the rest of our 2025 Kinders in the next couple of weeks.

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 26

Next

A Taste of Japan Furoshiki Workshop

Our Japanese events have been very popular and today’s Furoshiki workshop was no exception. The snacks were delicious, too! See the photo gallery is Sensei’s Corner further down in the newsletter.

Power to the Kids workshop

The Power to the Kids workshop on Wednesday was very informative, with a local dietician and sport physiologist sharing tips and tricks with a captive audience. Great to see the MHOC contingent taking out all of the evening’s lucky door prizes!

Keep an eye out in 2025 for more Power to the Kids workshops.

Outdoor Family Fun Night

This event will be held next Friday 1st November. Purchase your tickets through Flexischools.

LOVING LEARNING

Seesaw Update

We have added a new option for parents and carers to ‘love’ their child/ren’s post. Take a look at your child’s learning portfolio in Seesaw and give him/her a heart for a great effort.

Remember, if you have any trouble accessing your child’s Seesaw account, contact your child’s teacher.

This week in Kindergarten

It has been wonderful to jump straight back into learning in our last term of Kindergarten. Over the past two weeks we have covered everything from nouns and adjectives in our writing to forming groups in Mathematics. 

Check out our pictures describing the Christmas tree/farm in the book ‘All I want for Christmas is Rain’ and our strategies to share objects into equal groups. We have come so far since the start of the year and we are all so proud of our Kinders! 

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 11

Next

FROM THE MISSION DESK

Socktober

Today, students wore their craziest socks to raise funds through Catholic Mission for disadvantaged children in Mongolia. Today’s vibrant display of colourful socks was a wonderful way to bring attention to the needs of those less fortunate. It was lovely to see the amazing MHOC community spirit in action, helping make a difference in the lives of children who need it most.

Did you know?

• $30 can help provide warm winter clothing and school uniforms for children.
• $50 can help provide every child with pencils, books and other stationery for them to
• use at school.
• $100 can help purchase food such as milk, vegetables and meat to make nutritious
• meals for the children.
• $200 can contribute towards a school bus to safely transport students to and from
• school.

Thank you to everyone who was able to contribute!

What's been happening in Religious Education in Year 5?

This week, Year 5 students had a wonderful opportunity to participate in Mass, deepening their connection to the liturgy and the broader church community. The children were engaged and respectful, taking time to reflect on the teachings shared. In their Religious Education lessons, they have also been exploring the Sacraments, discovering their meaning and importance in Christian life. Through class discussions and activities, students are gaining a deeper understanding of how these sacred rituals mark key moments in a person's spiritual journey. It’s inspiring to see their enthusiasm and thoughtful reflections!

Year 5 Class Mass

This week Year 5 celebrated Mass with Fr Joy. He read the scripture Luke 12:35-38 to the congregation. Fr Joy explained that Jesus encourages us to be ready and willing to do good at all times. We should be ready to live in a way that makes God happy—by being kind, helpful, and making good choices, even when no one is watching. After Mass, students reverently participated in a decade of the Rosary, joining together in prayer and reflection.

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 11

Next

Term 4 Class Mass Roster

Tuesday 29th October - Year 6

Tuesday 5th November - Kinder

Tuesday 12th November - Year 2 followed by Reconciliation Retreat

Tuesday 19th November - Year 3

Tuesday 26th November - Year 4

Tuesday 3rd December - Year 1

Tuesday 10th December - No Mass (Yr 6 Graduation Mass on 11th December)

Tuesday 17th December - No Mass

MHOC School-led Parish Mass - Save the Date

Next term, we will have our school-led Parish Mass on Sunday, December 1st, at 9 am at Sawtell Church, with Father Michael and Zippy.

SENSEI'S CORNER

A Taste of Japan 

A wonderful group of enthusiastic parents, carers and students participated in the Taste of Japan special daytime event in the hall this morning, hosted by Michie Akahane from the Japan Foundation in Sydney..

The event was designed to share some history of Japan as well as teach the ancient art of wrapping items in beautiful silk squares of fabric  as an alternative to our modern day plastic bag or gift paper. Not only is it practical but very strong as well as decorative. All you need is a square of fabric about 100 x 100 in the bottom of your car to carry the shopping. Have a look at the photos to see what we wrapped. Note books, laptops, bottles, even basketballs! 

After wrapping, we had a couple of Japanese activities with Sensei and then enjoyed a taste of some sushi, Soba noodles and green tea. 

Keep an eye out for this event next year and if   you'd like to learn more, have a look for furoshiki on youtube.

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 17

Next

MHOC SCHOOL COMMUNITY FORUM

Save the Date - Big Banana Family Fun Night

Keep Friday 6th December free for this annual school community event.

Bingo

Parents, MHOC's BINGO team urgently requires 4 additional volunteers. Being a BINGO volunteer is a fantastic way to assist and support various MHOC projects that are funded by BINGO. The best aspect of this volunteer opportunity is that you will only need to dedicate 3 hours, once every 5 weeks, making it easy to coordinate with your busy schedule. With more volunteers on board, we can distribute the work evenly, making the task smoother and less stressful for everyone. Be a part of our team and help us make a positive difference in our school community.

Sign up now by texting Gemma on 0404340494.

The rostered teams for the next few week's Bingo are: 

• Thursday 31st October - team no. 4 (Donna's team)
• Thursday 7th November - team no. 5 (Meg's team)
• Thursday 14th November - team no. 1 (Gemma's team)

Free Webinar - Breaking Point

SPORT NEWS

Elective Sport

There were lots of smiles around the venues marking the beginning of this year’s elective sport program for Years 3-6. A few new locations and sports this year made for more variety and a whole lot of fun! Keep praying for sunshine on Thursdays!

Just a reminder to make sure students have a water bottle packed to take with them.

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 30

Next

Summer Sports Trials

The 2024/25 Summer Sports Trials program kicks off next week with Clarence Zone trials in tennis (boys only), touch football, basketball and cricket. Those who nominated in girls’ tennis and softball will progress directly to Diocesan trials in November. Good luck to all our athletes!

PSSA Athletics

Well done to Sonny Diacono and Layla Verbruggen who represented Polding at the PSSA Athletics Championships in Sydney this week. What an experience, competing at this very high level!.

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.

LIBRARY WHISPERS

The children have been delighted with the new  table and chairs in the  area outside the library...they use it as a little picnic area to eat their recess before they come into the library. 

We had an overlap of seasonal traditions in the library this week. While helping me organise the Halloween display and craft for the library, the children wanted to practise their Christmas carols so we had Christmas carols playing all through recess… So much fun!

Scholastic Book Club orders are due on Monday 28th October. Don’t forget if you’re not ordering online, you can pay with either correct cash or Eftpos at the office, but please make sure the order forms have your child’s name on it. 

OSHC

 As we move into Week 2 of the term, the children at Mary Help of Christians OSHC have been making the most of the beautiful weather with plenty of outdoor activities. Dodgeball and soccer have been the highlights, fostering teamwork, physical activity and lots of fun under the sun. Indoors, our imaginative hairdressing salon continues to spark creativity, with children styling and creating in a playful and engaging environment. Additionally, our sand art sessions have been a hit, allowing the children to explore their artistic talents and create unique masterpieces.

We would like to remind our families that re-enrolment forms for 2025 have been distributed, with priority given to our current families. We encourage you to submit your forms promptly to secure your spots for next year. In the coming weeks, any remaining spaces will be offered to new families.

We are excited to continue providing a supportive, fun, and enriching environment for all our children and families.

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

Carolyn & Marja

COMMUNITY NEWS