9 May 2025
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
This Sunday is Mothers’ Day, a time to thank and remember those wonderful women who nurture, support, encourage and comfort us.
Even mums need nurturing and we are blessed to be loved by a God with a mother’s heart who loves each and every one of us 24/7.
God tends lovingly to all of our needs. Indeed, God knows all of our needs even before we do.
God encourages us. God doesn’t just cheer us on from the sidelines. God gets into the game with us.
God is always there, warmly embracing us and gently consoling us. There is nothing we can do that will make God love us less.
Today, and every day, let’s remember to take time to receive and share God’s love by nurturing each other with our words and actions.
It was wonderful to see so many at the Mothers’ Day liturgy and morning tea today. I wish all of our MHOC mums, carers, grandmas and all of those with a nurturing heart, a happy time on Sunday.
Warm regards,
Liz
Liz Watts
Principal
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Monday 13th May - Zone Cross Country Carnival - NOTE NEW DATE
- Tuesday 20th May - Diocesan Cross Country
- Wednesday 21st May - Years 2-6 Athletics Carnival (International stadium)
- Monday 26th May - Mary Help of Christians Feast Day
- Tuesday 27th May - 3-6 Choir Eisteddfod
- Wednesday 27th May - 3rd June - National Reconciliation Week
- Monday 2nd June - K-2 Athletics Carnival
- Friday 6th June - Dance Eisteddfod
- Monday 30th June - 4th July - NAIDOC Week Celebrations
- Monday 30th June - Dental Van Visit
- Friday 4th July - Effort Awards & Reports
WHAT'S THE BUZZ?
Pope Leo XIV
You will have seen in the news that our Church has a new leader. Taking the name Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Rober Prevost is a US/Peruvian citizen. I’m sure you’ll hear and read more about Pope Leo. Let’s all keep him in our prayers.
Lord, source of eternal life and truth,
give to your shepherd a spirit
of courage and right judgment, a spirit
of knowledge and love.
By governing
with fidelity those entrusted to his care,
may he, as successor to the Apostle
Peter and vicar of Christ, build your
Church into a sacrament of unity, love,
and peace for all the world.
Amen.
Threads of Hope
Go Sustainability Team! Threads of Hope popped up at the Mothers’ day Morning tea today, raising close to $100 for our sister school in Cambodia! Thanks for supporting Threads of Hope, everyone.
Kindergarten 2026
Don't forget to complete your application for enrolment in Kindergarten 2026 before next Friday 16th May. Interviews will commence soon after the closing date.
Year 7 2026
Don't forget to complete your application for enrolment in Year 7 2026 at Saint John Paul College before Wednesday 21st May. Interviews will commence soon after the closing date.
Japanese Drumming Group
We had such a great visit from Byron Taiko, a Japanese drumming group on Tuesday. Here's a little sample of the fun!
The presenters taught us the call and response method. They tapped the beats on the drum and rim of the drum and we responded with perfectly timed hands and feet beats.
The best part of the performance was when Mrs Kelly, Mr Williams and many students were invited to lead the beats and the whole school responded.
Mothers Day Stall
Thanks, thanks and more thanks to the wonderful Mothers’ day stall helpers!
LOVING LEARNING
What’s happening in Year 3?
In Year 3 History we were learning about Reconciliation in Australia. We created posters to show events on timelines, important facts and associated symbols. Great work, Year 3!
Makerspace
Our engineers have been in full swing in Makerspace this week creating the tallest towers they can using spaghetti and play dough or only paper and masking tape.
Check out Leon’s tower that is taller than he is!
Margaret Ryan
Assistant Principal
Learning & Teaching
FROM THE MISSION DESK
What's been happening in Religious Education in Year 2?
This week, the Year 2 students have been reflecting on the miracle of Easter. Students listened to the story of the resurrection of Jesus and imagined they were a journalist reporting on the event. Students made connections to the Apostles Creed and some children incorporated elements of the Creed into their news report.
Year 4 Class Mass
On Tuesday, our Year 4 students, School Captains and our Leaders of Evangelisation attended Mass. Fr Joy reminded the children that just as God provided for His people in the desert, He continues to nourish us today, especially through the Eucharist, which feeds not just our bodies but our hearts and spirits too. It was a beautiful reminder that God’s love and care are always present.
After the Mass, students had the opportunity to see the Jubilee Boat, which is travelling to all schools in our diocese as part of the Jubilee Year of Hope. It was a great chance to think about our own faith journey and the hope we share as followers of Jesus.
Year of Hope 2025 Pilgrimage
Our school leaders travelled to the church on Tuesday to meet the Jubilee Boat, beautifully crafted by students from Newman Senior Technical College in Port Macquarie. Symbolising pilgrimage, unity, and new beginnings, the boat is journeying across the Diocese of Lismore, connecting communities along the way. As one student put it, “It made me realise that even though our schools are far apart, we’re all part of something bigger.”
Everyone is invited this Saturday (10th May) to pilgrimage together.
Mother’s Day Liturgy & Morning Tea
What a lovely morning we had today celebrating our mums and special women! The liturgy was a beautiful way to reflect, give thanks, and honour both our own mothers and Mary, the Mother of God.
It was wonderful to see so many families join us, and to share a cuppa and some treats together afterwards. A big thank you to everyone who came along and to those who helped with setting up, serving, and packing away.
Illuminate - Discovering the Light Together
Are you interested in joining a small group that meets weekly over four weeks to share Christian prayer, build friendships, and strengthen connections with others? Express your interest via the flyer below.
Term Two Class Masses
All parents and carers are warmly invited to join us for our weekly class Masses at Sawtell Catholic Church. We’d love for you to stay afterwards for a cuppa and some morning tea. It's a great chance to catch up and connect with others in our school community.
Tuesday 13th May - Kinder and Year 6
Tuesday 20th May - Year 2
Tuesday 27th May - Year 4, 5 and 6
Tuesday 3rd June - Year 1
Tuesday 10th June - Year 3
Tuesday 17th June - Year 5
Tuesday 24th June - Year 6
Tuesday 1st July - No Mass
Save the Date
Our Parish/School led Mass will be held on Sunday, 15th June at 9:00am at Sawtell Church. We hope you can join us for this special celebration with our parish community.
Amber Biddle
Assistant Principal
Mission
Toni Fletcher
Leader of
Catechesis
MHOC SCHOOL COMMUNITY FORUM
Thank you!
Thank you to all of the wonderful volunteers who gave up their time last Saturday to help run the cake stall at the election.
Council of Catholic School Parents
Parent Assembly Conference
This filled up quickly but it's still worth adding your name to the waiting list if you are keen.
Jo Melinz
SCF President
SPORT NEWS
State Tennis Superstar
Olivia Cheney travelled to Bathurst this week to represent Polding at the State All-Schools Tennis Championships. Olivia played brilliantly to win 10 of her 14 matches, helping Polding to outright 5th position from the 13 regional teams from around NSW. Olivia’s efforts are a credit to herself, Baylis Tennis Academy at Sawtell and to MHOC. Well done Olivia!
Athletics Carnivals
Keep a lookout in Compass for athletics carnival events that will be published soon. Years 2-6 have been running shot put trials at school ahead of the 3-6 carnival on(21st May and will begin the long jump trials next week (thank you Mr Emanuel for battling the wet conditions to get our long jump pit in today!).
The Year 2 class will attend the first part of the Year 3-6 carnival to run their 100m and 200m races before heading back to school.
Parent volunteers would be very much appreciated. Please enter your name on this form if you can help out for some of the day.
The K-2 carnival will be held at school on Monday 2nd June. Stay tuned for more details.
Rebecca Bennett
Sports Coordinator
Geraldine Hourigan
Sports Administrator
LIBRARY WHISPERS
We have a few special displays coming up in the library this term. The first one is our Mothers’ Day display. We’ve got so many beautiful books celebrating Mums, Grandmas and all the special women in our students’ lives.
One of the books I’ve been reading to the students this week is the uplifting ‘Grandma’s Guide to Happiness’ by Andrew Daddo. It celebrates finding joy in the simple things...splashing in puddles, sitting in the sunshine and sharing time with someone you love. On that note, I hope you have a happy Mothers’ Day!
NEWS FROM OUR PARISH
Parish Jubilee Pilgrimage
You are invited to join the Parish Jubilee Pilgrimage on Saturday 10th May from 4:30pm meeting at church and travelling in convoy by bus (need to book through parish office) or own vehicles. We will be celebrating a vigil Mass at St Augustine’s with their parish at 5:30pm and sharing a meal together afterwards. There will be no vigil Mass in Sawtell on that day.
Save the date
MHOC Feast Day Mass and celebrations- Sunday 25th May from 9am.
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
