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OLHOC School Newsletter
18 Balaclava Road, Earlville Qld 4870
Telephone 07 4054 2566 • Fax 07 4054 2426
Email [email protected]
www.olhoc.qld.edu.au
Outside School Hours Care • Telephone 4033 1920
Tuesday 3rd May 2016
Term 2, Week 4
News from the Principal
Contents
Dear Parents,
News from the Principal 1-2
This week I write to you from the United States where I am with a group of Catholic
school leaders from across Australia. The tour is part of a program offered by the
Queensland Educational Leadership Institute. For the next two weeks I will be with 25
others reviewing school systems and individual schools in New York and Toronto. In
addition I will be spending time with a number of university researchers who have been
instrumental in the success of the Ontario schooling system. Over coming weeks I will be
sharing with you some key learnings and insights into school improvement. I also look
forward to working with the school board, leadership team and staff as we develop a
new operational plan for the period 2017 to 2019.
School Fees - Term 2
2
Loud Fences Movement 2
RE News
3
SEL Awards
4
NAPLAN 2016
5-6
Shutterbug Happenings 7
Mothers Day Invitation 8
Mothers Day Gift Stall
8
Travel Smart News
9-10
Tuckshop News
11
NQ Games
11
Best Teacher in the
Galaxy
12
Mothers’ Day
Afternoon Tea and
Prayer
THIS FRIDAY!
From 1pm
Over the past 2 weeks the OLHOC admin team conducted enrolment interviews for
those families with a student ready for Prep in 2017. One of the satisfying parts of this
process is the chance to have a detailed discussion with individual families and children
about their hopes and aspirations for schooling. It is also a very affirming process with so
many positive reflections from prospective and existing parents who have done their
"homework" prior to seeking a place at OLHOC. A common strength that is identified in
parent discussions about OLHOC is the diversity that exists within our school
community. Here at OLHOC we have students from 46 different nationalities, all with a
great variety of gifts and talents. Each child brings with them a unique story developed
through a variety of significant experiences as well as their own personality. We are all
to some degree a product of our environment. Often in our world today there can be a
suspicion of "the other". I believe that our diversity is in fact one of our greatest
strengths as it presents our children with the opportunity to develop tolerance and an
appreciation of the inherent value of the other not just at OLHOC but in the wider world.
It's not surprising one of the key themes in the field of school improvement is
collaboration. The complexities of modern problems often require solutions drawn from
the wisdom of more than one person. By allowing our children to work and flourish in
an environment that recognises the unique gifts and value of every human being, we
foster an appreciation of others and the development of empathy. In the words of
Stephen Covey, we develop children's willingness to seek understanding first. The skills
that allow for effective collaboration and leadership are best nurtured by respecting
what each other brings to the table.
Just as we seek to develop the unique gifts and talents of students, we also do so with
staff. This year our professional learning team structure under the guidance of our
Leader of Pedagogy (Robyn Arri) provides an opportunity for staff to collaborate and
share the skills and talents within the staff through job embedded professional learning.
One of the tensions that exists for Catholic schools is balancing the individual with the
collective. In a Catholic school the collective identity is critical. The research is clear
“I have come so you may have life to the full.”
John 10:10
OLHOC School Newsletter
Page 2
News from the Principal cont...
about the need for belonging to ensure wellbeing. The notion of the common good is also one that underpins our
fundamental beliefs and values. In Catholic schools the tension between individual and common good plays out in a
number of areas. For this reason it is important that school communities are clear about the underlying mission and
values of Catholic Schooling. Being part of any Catholic school means being part of a community that clearly stands
for something and this will not be consistent with everyone's values. By being part of OLHOC we are choosing to be
a part of a community that has explicit values. Everything from the Religious Education curriculum, social justice
activities through to school uniforms and haircuts all represent a commitment to a community. We are a
community that seeks to develop the individual not just for their own sake but for the collective good. In a very real
way Catholic schools are counter cultural. To not be is to sell out our fundamental purpose and mission which is to
achieve life to the full for all, not just a few.
Cheers,
Luke Brown
Principal
School Fees & Levies - Term 2
Invoices for Term 2 were emailed on Friday 29th April. If you did not receive this email please contact Tracey in
accounts.
The due date for payment is two weeks from receipt of the invoice, unless payment arrangements such as a Direct
Debit are in place. If you would like to discuss our payment options, or you have any other questions or concerns in
regards to School Fees & Levies, please contact Tracey at
[email protected]
or alternatively phone our office on 4054 2566 and press 2 for accounts
Loud Fences Movement
The Loud Fences Movement aims at encouraging individuals to tie
brightly-coloured ribbons on the fences of Catholic institutions, as
a symbolic act of solidarity with survivors of sexual abuse, their
families and communities. The movement, which has spread as
far as the Vatican, Bali, China, New York City, and has been
recognised widely across Australia during the Royal Commission
into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse as a peaceful
form of support for victims and their families. Embracing Pope
Francis’ proclamation of 2016 as the ‘Year of Mercy’, Loud
Fences is a medium to show solidarity and hope for the future.
Children are encouraged to bring a coloured ribbon to tie on the school fence at Mestrez Street commencing
Wednesday, 1st June 2016, continuing until the end of Term 2 on Friday, 24th June 2016.
We sincerely hope and anticipate that you will embrace this initiative.
Term 2, Week 4
Page 3
RE News
MOTHERS DAY at OLHOC
This Sunday, 8 May, is Mothers’ Day. Staff and students will honour and
gift of mothers at our Mothers’ Day Prayer Service to be held in the
Friday at 1.45pm. All of our mums, grandmothers, and ‘mother figures’
VIP guests at this special community gathering. The history of
sacredness of women, in particular mothers, can be traced back to the
Greece and Rome. Feasts at this time, would last for one month to
of Spring; Mother Nature bringing flora and fauna to life after the long
the Northern Hemisphere.
celebrate the great
Sports Hall this
are invited to be our
acknowledging the
ancient cultures of
celebrate the arrival
period of winter, in
As a faith community, we spend one whole month, May, focussing on Mary as Mother – your mother, my mother,
everyone’s mother. Not only is she our model but the mother of all Christians, known as Mary, Help of Christians. This
very special feast day, the patron saint of our school is also in the month of May, on May 24. We will remember this
feast day very shortly. In the meantime, we offer all of our prayer intentions to and through Mary. Special Marian
prayers include: the Hail Mary, the Angelus, the Hail Holy Queen and the Rosary. She loves you as if you were her
only child in this world. Pray to her. Tell her about everything that happens to you; honour her and love her. United in
faith, we thank God for the gift and model of the Blessed Virgin Mary and for all of the mothers connected to our
OLHOC community. Together we pray:
Loving God,
We thank you for the love of the mothers you have given us,
whose love is so precious that it can never be measured,
whose patience seems to have no end.
May we see your loving hand behind them and guiding them.
We pray for those mothers who fear
they will run out of love or time, or patience.
We ask you to bless them with your own special love.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, our brother. Amen.
Blessings to all of our extended community of OLHOC mothers and peace to you all and your families in this month of
May.
Kathy Fleming
APRE
TERM 2 - Year Level Liturgy Schedule
28 April – Year 6
19 May – Prep
26 May – Year 4
2 June – Year 5
9 June - Year 3
23 June - Year 1
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OLHOC School Newsletter
SEL Awards - Week 3
News from The Arts Department
Instrumental Students
Due to NAPLAN testing for years 3 and 5 next week, lessons on Tuesday 10th May and Thursday 12th May will run
for students in years 1, 2, 4 and 6 only. Monday's (9th May) brass timetable will run as scheduled as there is no
NAPLAN testing on that day.
We regret that the Mrs Hamill and Ms Baker do not have the flexibility in their timetables to schedule lessons on
other days or at other times next week for students in years 3 and 5 next week, as they teach lessons at other
schools when they are not at OLHOC.
Piano lessons will run as per the timetable next week, but on Monday 9th May instead of Tuesday 10th May.
Cairns Festival Float
OLHOC will be entering a float in the Cairns Festival in August. The Cairns City council are offering free workshops
every month in the construction and design of float elements. If there are any parents or community members
interested in assisting in the construction of the float and are available on Saturday 7th May 9.00 am to 12 pm
please meet Mrs Sandford at Tank 3, The Tanks Art Center Edge Hill. If you would like to volunteer some time in
building and decorating the float but cannot make this date please leave your expression of interest, name and
email with the school office.
Regards
Kim Sandford & Katie O'Donnell
The Arts
Term 2, Week 4
Page 5
NAPLAN 2016
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual assessment for all students in Years 3,5,7
and 9.
All students in these year levels participate in tests in:
Reading
Writing
Language Conventions (Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation)
Numeracy.
WHY DO STUDENTS DO NAPLAN TESTS?
NAPLAN is the measure through which governments; education authorities, schools, teachers and parents can determine
whether or not young Australians are meeting important educational outcomes in literacy and numeracy. The tests provide
parents and schools with an understanding of how individual students are performing at the time of the tests. They also provide
schools, states and territories with information about how education programs are working and which areas need to be prioritised
for improvement.
HOW CAN I HELP MY CHILD PREPARE FOR THE TESTS?
NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are already learning through the school curriculum. Teachers will
ensure students are familiar with the test formats and will provide appropriate support and guidance. NAPLAN is not a test of
content. Instead, it tests skills in literacy and numeracy that are developed over time through the school curriculum. Excessive test
preparation using previous tests is not useful.
If you have any questions about your child’s preparation for NAPLAN, you should make a time to speak with their teacher.
NAPLAN Timetable
Tuesday
10 May 2016
9am start
Wednesday
11 May 2016
9am start
Thursday
12 May 2016
9 am start
Year 3
Language conventions
40 minutes
Writing (11am start)
40 minutes
Reading
45 minutes
Numeracy
45 minutes
Year 5
Language conventions
40 minutes
Writing (11 am start)
40 minutes
Reading
50 minutes
Numeracy
50 minutes
The best way you can help your child prepare for NAPLAN is to:
reassure your child that NAPLAN tests are just one part of their school program
urge them to simply do the best they can on the day
ensure they have a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast
be at school on time as most tests are completed in the first session of the day
ensure they have a supply of necessary pencils, erasers etc.
If you wish to withdraw your child from participating in the testing program, please follow the link to download the exemption form
that needs to be completed and returned to the school by Monday 9 th May.
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OLHOC School Newsletter
Term 2, Week 4
Page 7
Shutterbug Happenings
We have had a fantastic start to the Shutterbug program. So far, we have looked at some of the different types
of camera and settings you can use and have also been looking at composition and making our photos tell a story.
Here are some of the amazing shots we have taken so far!
Regards,
Elisa Dingle
Shutterbug Co-ordinator
Library Display
Can you help the library with their display?
Drop a photo of yourself with your dog or puppy and we will put it on display in the library.
Please write your name on the back of the photo if you want it returned to you.
Page 8
OLHOC School Newsletter
Mother’s Day Gift Stall
The annual OLHOC Mother’s Day Gift Stall
is this Friday 6th May,
and is one of the few P & F fundraising events for the year.
Gifts will be sold for $3 and $5.
We will also be selling Mother’s Day Cards for $1.
The children love to bring along money and choose a special gift to give to their Mum on Mother’s Day.
Please ensure your child has money so that they may purchase a gift for you!
Term 2, Week 4
Page 9
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OLHOC School Newsletter
Term 2, Week 4
Tuckshop News
Please note that we have a new item
on the Tuckshop Menu for Term 2.
The Four’N Twenty Slams have 8 bite
sized pies in a packet. Cost per packet is $2.00.
These Slams are available for both
morning tea and lunch time.
Page 11
OLHOC School Newsletter
Page 12
Best Teacher in the Galaxy - Vote Now!
It would seem we have a few teachers that have been nominated for the Zinc 102.7’s “Best Teacher in the
Galaxy” Competition!
Julie Pike, Kylie Ireland, Nicole Ireland, Sarah Griffiths and Tammy Lacey have all been nominated. If you agree
that one or all of these teachers deserve your vote, please click on the link below. You can vote as many times as
you like!
Voting is open now and goes through to Thursday 5th May. The nominated teacher with the most votes WINS!
The prizes are out of this world: • The Best Teacher in the Galaxy will win a brand new Samsung Galaxy tablet from
The Good Guys • The Best Teacher’s class will each win a $20 Cairns Penny bank account and a screening of The
Angry Birds Movie • The Best Teacher’s school will win $2000 cash.
The winner is announced on Friday 6th May on Zinc 102.7.
Click Here
http://cairns.radiozinc.com.au/win/win-now/51865-best-teacher-in-the-galaxy-nominate-yours
This competition is brought to you by The Good Guys and Cairns Penny.