15 November 2024
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
We’re very excited to be partnering with Southern Cross University from the beginning of 2025 to pilot the RiTE (Re-imagining Teacher Education) project, a new model of teacher training which is the first of its kind in Australia. As a recognised Teaching School, MHOC will be hosting Master of Education students for two days each week and our very own Mr Craig Warnes will be playing a key role in this initiative. You can find all of the details about the RiTE Project on our website or in yesterday’s Compass communication.
Today’s Walk Worthy of God Good Sport award was presented to Nina Rapley. Mrs Dennis said Nina is a 'little ray of sunshine' who always tries her best and has a positive attitude. She is a respectful and caring team player both on and off the field. She helps others to achieve their best and always strives to include everyone. Well done, Nina!
Congratulations to all of the children who entertained us so beautifully in the Buskers' Festival over the course of the week.
Warm regards,
Liz
Liz Watts
Principal
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Tuesday 19th November - SJPC 2025 Year 7 Transition Day
- Tuesday 19th November- SJPC 2025 Year 7 Parent Info Night
- 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
- Sunday 1st December - Family Mass MHOC Church
- 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 - MHOC Christmas Concert
- Wednesday 18th December - Last day for students 2024
2025 Dates
- Monday 3rd February - Year 1-6 students return
- Monday 3rd-Friday 7th February - Kindergarten BestStart assessments
- Tuesday 4th February - MHOC Swimming Championships & Year 3-6 House Swim Carnival
- Monday 10th February - Kindergarten students commence
WHAT'S THE BUZZ?
MHOC Buskers Festival
What an exciting week it has been! So many performances with an enthusiastic audience every recess this week. What talented children we have here at MHOC!
Launch of the Kmart Wishing Tree
The Years 5 and 6 choir sang beautifully at the launch of the Kmart Wishing Tree on Wednesday at Toormina Gardens. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… already!
Kinder 2025 Orientation Visit
It was a second visit for some of our 2025 Kinders on Thursday. What a fun morning!
Sydney Swifts visit
There was a buzz of excitement at today’s visit from some members of the Sydney Swifts. They shared a positive message about never giving up and striving to achieve your dreams.
Big Banana Waterslide Fun Night
Friday 6th December - Order your tickets now on Flexischools.
LOVING LEARNING
This week in Year 3
In PDHPE, Year 3 students have been learning to take action to promote the health and well-being of themselves and their peers. Students have been using their technology skills in Keynote (an app on their iPad) to create animations and are learning to 'app-smash' by exporting these animations to Clips to create videos. Students are planning to share these projects to teach the 2025 Kindergarten students about our Code of Conduct.
Robotics
On Monday, students in Stage 3 participated in a robotics workshop where they engaged in a series of coding challenges. Very engaging stuff!
Margaret Ryan
Assistant Principal
Learning & Teaching
FROM THE MISSION DESK
World Kindness Day
World Kindness Day, celebrated on November 13th, reminds us all of the power that small acts of kindness hold in making a big difference. At Mary Help of Christians, we recognise that kindness is at the heart of a supportive, inclusive and thriving community. By practising compassion, lending a helping hand or simply offering a smile, each of us plays a vital role in creating an environment where everyone feels valued and respected. On Wednesday, staff and students reflected on how we can bring more kindness into our daily lives, whether through encouraging words, thoughtful gestures or standing together against unkindness. Together, we can all be true reflections of God’s love in action.
Have a look at the lovely video below, promoting the importance of being kind to each other, to yourself and to the world!
“Kind words can be short and easy to speak,
but their echoes are truly endless.”
Saint Mother Teresa
Year 2 Reconciliation Retreat
Students recently attended a special retreat at Sawtell church to prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. During the retreat, students engaged in a variety of fun activities to deepen their understanding of this important sacrament. It was lovely to see student's getting ready to take this important step in their faith journey and deepening their connection with God’s love.
Peer Groups
In peer groups today, students brainstormed ideas about all the kindness they see in their life. They discussed ways to show kindness to others, to themselves and to the environment. Students shared ideas such as offering a helping hand to a friend, speaking kindly to themselves and taking steps to protect and care for our planet.
What’s been happening in Religious Education in Year 2?
Year 2 has been studying Psalms 104, singing Praises of God's Creation. Students reflected on the Psalm through their production of GIFs and discussed how they can be stewards of God's Creation.
Little Wings
Please keep sending in your recycled bottles, as every contribution helps transport seriously ill children across regional Australia via air and ground. Let’s work together to make a big impact, one bottle at a time!
Mini Vinnies Christmas Blessing Boxes
This year, Mini Vinnies are excited to be creating Christmas Blessing Boxes for the visitors at Pete’s Place, with a goal of making at least 90 gift boxes. Each box will be a decorated shoe box filled with useful and enjoyable items such as toiletries, hair care products, socks and chocolates to bring comfort and joy to those in need.
If you have any empty shoe boxes at home, we would love you to bring them into school so our Mini Vinnies team can transform them into special gifts. Additionally, if you are able to donate items such as chocolate bars or other goodies to include in the gift boxes, your generosity would be greatly appreciated.
Term 4 Class Mass Roster
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
It is not long now until we will have our school-led Parish Mass with Father Michael and Zippy - 9am Sunday 1st December at Sawtell Church.
Amber Biddle
Assistant Principal
Mission
Toni Fletcher
Leader of
Catechesis
MHOC SCHOOL COMMUNITY FORUM
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 21st November - team no. 2 (Kelly's team)
- Thursday 28th November - team no. 3 (Catherine's team)
- Thursday 5th December - team no. 4 (Donna's team)
Jo Melinz
SCF President
SPORT NEWS
MHOC Swim Trials
Save the date - Tuesday 4th February (2nd day back at school!). Open to students turning 8 or older in 2025. More information to come.
Elective Sport Fun
Rebecca Bennett
Sports Coordinator
Geraldine Hourigan
Sports Administrator
HABITS OF MIND AWARDS
Term 4 Week 5
Kinder | Lucie de Dassel, Jasmine Munro, Drew Herbert, Thomas Rogers, Amelia Rouse, Zoe Mazzarelli |
Year 1 | Liyla Bates, Tanner Lavender, Henry de Byl, Toby Snow, Hannah Orman, Lewis Podesta |
Year 2 | Savannah Schweitzer, Lucy Laurie, Riley Gleeson, Ava Autry-Hall, Hannah Meledath |
Year 3 | Bentley Bunt, Charlotte Miller, Peyton Brown, Grace Furey, Max Kennedy, Lily Walmsley |
Year 4 | Xavier Furey, Sahajpreet Kaur, Jackson Wood, Imogen Baylis, Summer Wills |
Year 5 | Asha Cook, Liam de Groot |
Year 6 | Lincoln Sawaya, Diezel Fell |
CANTEEN NEWS
Canteen Red Day - Pizza
Thursday 5th December - order by Tuesday 3rd December on Flexischools.
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
Some of the Scholastic Book Club orders arrived this week and have been handed out. I am waiting on two boxes that weren’t delivered but I’ve been advised that they will be delivered within the week.
I read this beautiful book to the students throughout the week to commemorate Remembrance Day. It tells two stories that are intertwined, one story set at home in a kitchen in Australia with a mother and child making ANZAC biscuits, and the other a soldier at war. The children really enjoyed making connections between what was happening at home and what the soldier at war was going through.
Overdue notices have gone out this week. If your child has an overdue book could you please help them look for it. If you feel that your child has returned the book please let either me or the class teacher know and I’ll fix it on the library system.
Rachael Hewitt
Librarian
OSHC
Week 5 at MHOSHC
Creativity, Games, and Active Fun!
This week at MHOSHC has been packed with activities that kept everyone entertained and engaged! The children enjoyed GaGa games, where they showed off their agility and quick reflexes. Melty beads were a big hit as well, with kids creating colorful, intricate designs.
Outdoors, the monkey bars challenged everyone’s strength and coordination, while indoors, the car tracks set the stage for some exciting races. Colouring in provided a relaxing, creative outlet, allowing everyone to unwind and express their artistic side.
It’s been another fantastic week full of energy, creativity, and activities that everyone has loved!
Laura McDiarmid
OSHC Coordinator
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
