18 December 2024
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
The Good Ship MHOC (Ignore the S! I had a fight with Chat GPT!) has come into port after another wonderful voyage. The passengers are ready to disembark, the crew are ready for some shore leave and the captain is retiring to her cabin for a few weeks!
On behalf of the staff, I say thank you so much to each and every one for your gifts and Christmas wishes. I wish you all the blessings of Emanuel, of ‘God With Us’, this Advent and Christmas season and very much look forward to seeing you in the new year.
Mass times for Christmas Eve and Christmas day are listed below.
Warmest regards and wishes for a safe, happy and holy Christmas holiday break,
Liz
Liz Watts
Principal
UPCOMING EVENTS
2024 Dates
- Tuesday, 24th December
The Nativity of the Lord - Christmas Eve
8pm Vigil Mass - Wednesday, 25th December
The Nativity of the Lord - Christmas Day
7:30am Mass
9am Mass
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
- Monday 24th February - Zone Swimming Carnival
- Tuesday 4th March - Diocesan Swimming Carnival
- Tuesday 11th-12th March - School Photos
- Thursday 10th April - Last day for students - Term 1
- Friday 11th April - Staff Development Day (Pupil-free day)
WHAT'S THE BUZZ?
Awards Ceremony
We all thoroughly enjoyed the Awards ceremony on Monday. The major award winners, presented at this ceremony or at Yr 6 Graduation were as follows:
- K-2 Chess Competition - Levi Postlewait
- MHOC Chess Champion - Patrick Forshaw
- Good Sport Award - Rosie Symonds
- Sportsperson of the Year - Kaidan Doust and Gabrielle Laurie
- Quota International Award for Citizenship - Emily Crowe
- Rotary Leader of the Year - Keeley Adamson
- Quiet Achiever Award - Mehar Kaur
- Sawtell Catholic Care Empathy Award - Chloe Cooper
- Sawtell Catholic Care Servant Leadership Award - Leo Salter
- Michael Bryant Indigenous Student Award - Ruby Culverwell
- Aunty Doreen Flanders Deadly Leadership Award - Diezel Fell
- Principal’s Awards - Lawson Baz and Diezel Fell
- Dux - Maia Bennett
- Fr Kelly Award - Maia Bennett and Tobias Heinke
Year 6 Grad Mass & Dinner
It’s always a very special evening and this year was no different. Our 2024 Year 6 students did themselves and their families proud at both the Graduation Mass and the ensuing dinner and awards presentation ceremony.
The Mass was a lovely time for reflection, gratitude, and celebrating the end of primary school. Fr Joy read the Gospel of Matthew 5:14 - 16. He explained to the Yr 6 students that Jesus tells us, “You are the light of the world,” encouraging everyone to share their talents, kindness, and goodness with others. Fr Joy told the students that by doing good deeds and living with love, they bring light into the lives of those around them, just like a lamp brightens a room or a city shines on a hill. It’s a reminder that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference!
We wish all of our Year 6 students all the very best for the exciting adventures ahead!
K-2 Water Safety
The children from K-2 had a wonderful time learning about water safety last week.
Year 3-6 Chess competition
There were some very close games and some careful strategising in the Year 3-6 Chess Competition. Congratulations to Patrick Forshaw, our 2024 champion.
LOVING LEARNING
Science and Technology
All children at MHOC absolutely love Science and Technology! What a wonderful year of learning they’ve had. Thank you, Mrs Hudson.
Margaret Ryan
Assistant Principal
Learning & Teaching
FROM THE MISSION DESK
Week 3 of Advent
As we journey through the season of Advent, we arrive at Week Three, often known as the Joyful Week. This special time is marked by the lighting of the pink candle on the Advent wreath, symbolising joy and rejoicing as we prepare for the birth of Jesus. The pink candle is sometimes called the Shepherd's Candle, reminding us of the joy the shepherds experienced when they heard the good news of Christ's birth.
Advent is a time of waiting, hope, and preparation, but Week Three invites us to pause and reflect on the joy that comes from knowing that God is near. This joy is not simply about happiness or gifts but a deeper, more profound feeling of peace and contentment that comes from faith and love.
On behalf of our school community, we wish all our families a happy and holy Christmas filled with love, joy, and peace.
Pete’s Place
We are so proud of our amazing Mini Vinnies students! Yesterday, they prepared and delivered a special Christmas lunch to Pete's Place, where it was gratefully received and brought smiles to so many faces. They also generously donated 85 handmade blessing boxes, filled with some essentials and sweet treats. Thank you to our students, staff and families who made this possible. Your generosity truly makes a difference!
Threads of Hope
We are delighted to share that the ‘Threads of Hope’ clothing sale has raised $172.85 for our friends in Cambodia. A big thank you to everyone who donated and supported this initiative. Your generosity is helping us make a real difference in the lives of others.
Amber Biddle
Assistant Principal
Mission
Toni Fletcher
Leader of
Catechesis
SENSEI'S CORNER
Using a family set of Peppa Pig plush toys across the grades.
Kindergarten jointly completed a likes and dislikes chart according to what they thought each plush toy liked to eat “Banana ga suki“ (Peppa likes bananas) or “Banana ga suki janai“ (Peppa doesn’t like bananas).
Year 1 were wrapped in toilet paper bandages when they could say which body part of Peppa pig hurt. “Atama ga itai” (My head hurts) “Ude ga itai” ( My head hurts)
All of this language was introduced via the ELLA app (Early Language Learning Australia). A research based interactive way to introduce natural Japanese to young children. MHOC is proud to boast that we are one of the few approved schools in Australia to use this program.
Merii Kurisumasu
メリークリスマス🎁
Janine Boyd
Japanese Teacher
MHOC SCHOOL COMMUNITY FORUM
Big Banana Waterslide Night
Thanks to all the families who came along to make this a wonderful community event.
Join Our BINGO Team in 2025! You know you want to!!
As we look ahead, MHOC BINGO is in need of more helpers. Volunteering for BINGO is a wonderful way to contribute to the school while being part of a supportive and fun community. The commitment is just 3 hours every five weeks on a Thursday evening.
With more volunteers, we can share the workload and make it even more enjoyable for everyone involved. So, if you’ve been considering lending a hand, now’s the perfect time! For more information or to join the team, please give me a call or text
Gemma 0404 340 494.
If you'd like to check out how it all runs, why not bring the family along for a Bingo night over the holidays?
Good time guaranteed!
Bingo Roster
- Thursday 26th December - team no. 2 (Kelly's team)
Jo Melinz
SCF President
SPORT NEWS
AFL Trials
If your son is a talented AFL player and will be in Year 5 or 6 in 2025, he might like to nominate for the Diocesan trials in February. See the attached form for how to nominate.
Sorry girls, your trial will be later in the year!
Rebecca Bennett
Sports Coordinator
Geraldine Hourigan
Sports Administrator
HABITS OF MIND AWARDS
Term 4 Week 9
Year 1 | Harriet Algie, Indee Schweitzer, Nina Rapley, Archer Doman |
Year 2 | Lucy Clarke |
Year 3 | Brock Felstead, Quinn Rozyn, Naira Chawla, Molly Jones, Zoe Collin, Chase Dennis |
Year 4 | Levi Thompson, Anna-lese Ross, Chael McMurray |
Year 5 | Lacey Van Hoeck, Rue Couzens |
Year 6 | Emily Crowe, Georgie Bowden |
END OF YEAR AWARDS
CANTEEN NEWS
Canteen Helpers
Thank you to all of our helpers who have generously volunteered their time this year. We can't wait to see you in 2025!
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
Canteen Manager
LIBRARY WHISPERS
I had a lot of help putting up the Christmas decorations in the library this year. It was extra special having help from these Year 6 students because it’ll be the last MHOC Christmas display they get to help with before going off to high school next year.
Borrowing has closed for the year but I have let students who were keen to read over the break take some books home for the holidays. If your child has overdue books, would you help them look at home for them please? Thank you so much to those parents who have contacted me about books that are lost. I really appreciate your taking the time to let me know.
Parent Book Swap - don’t forget you can take books or drop books off to the bookshelf outside the staffroom. Books in good condition only please.
I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas break. I look forward to hearing what all the children have been reading over the holidays.
Rachael Hewitt
Librarian
OSHC
As Term 4 comes to an end, we want to thank all of our families for your continued support throughout the year. We’re looking forward to our exciting summer vacation care program and can’t wait to see some familiar faces in 2025!
With the warmer weather, we’ve been taking full advantage by enjoying lots of outdoor games and sports. Indoors, the children have been getting creative with festive Christmas crafts and impressive construction projects.
Thank you again for being part of our OSHC community. Wishing you all a happy and safe holiday season!
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
Holiday fun at Yarrawarra
Coffs Harbour Basketball
