Dear Families,

Next Monday is the Feast Day for our Patron Saint, Our Lady Help of Christians. The feast day of Mary, Help of Christians has been celebrated in Australia since 1844 but the history to this day dates back to as early as the 1500's. It is believed that in 1571 a Turkish Fleet was defeated by a Christian Fleet during conflict and that the threat of invasion had been averted through Mary’s intercession. It was after that, that people often prayed to Mary for her help during times of war and invasion. Mary is also the person people pray to to help them in their lives in times of crisis. Mary Help of Christians became the Patron Saint of Australia and of the Military Ordinariate in 1844. The beautiful contemporary image of Our Lady Help of Christians above, is by artist Stephen B Whatley.

In the Opening Prayer for Our Lady Help of Christians, below, the Church prays that through Our Lady’s intercession God will “grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens”, so that “under her protection, Australia may be granted harmony, justice and peace”. We can only hope that our leaders use their wisdom and integrity to promote peace and freedom in our world, and that Mary shows them the way.

Almighty God, deepen in our hearts our love of Mary Help of Christians.

Through her prayers and under her protection, may the light of Christ shine over our land.

May Australia be granted harmony, justice and peace.

Grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens.

Bless especially the men and women of the Australian Defence Force and their families.

We ask this through Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

Mary Help of Christians, pray for us.

As this is a special day we have a special day planned for the children. We will celebrate Mass together at 9:30, sadly we are unable to invite our families to join us due to restrictions in the number of people permitted in the Church. The children will then walk to the park from 11:30 - 12:30 where families are very welcome to join us. We will return to school for a lunch and then we invite families to join us from 2:00pm until 3pm for some family activities in classrooms. The children will be grouped with their siblings and will be together for the afternoon in different classrooms. We will have a notice on the front door and Community Centre door detailing what room your children will be, in or you can arrive at 2pm when we are lining up in our family groups after lunch and come inside together. Please see the Operoo form coming home today for more information and to give permission for your child/children to walk to the park. We would be very grateful for any parent help to assist Sarah Medawar to prepare the children's lunch.

I mentioned at Assembly on Monday afternoon that children should now be wearing their winter uniforms. For the boys that can mean long pants or shorts with their school shirt and jumper. For the girls that can be their pinafore, long pants or shorts and their school shirts and jumpers. The girls should no longer be wearing summer dresser. It seems to have caused some anxiety for some of the children, which you may have felt at home. Thank you to parents for helping the children remember to wear the correct uniform. Loretta is at school each Monday morning to assist parents with purchasing the school uniform and we also have a second hand selection of uniforms available.

There is a PFOL (Parents and Friends of Our Lady's) meeting next Thursday 27th May at 2:15pm in the Staff Room. The PFOL assist with the social and fundraising activities for the school community. Everyone is very welcome.

Children who bring mobile phones to school are required to check them into their classrooms each morning. I have spoken to the children about when they arrive at school mobiles phones should be in their bags, turned off and not visible from the time they walk through the school gates. We are very fast becoming a society that cannot go anywhere without our mobile phones and this is starting as early as primary school. I understand if children walk or take public transport, a mobile phone enables a sense of security for parents and children. If this is not your child then they do not need a mobile phone at school.

Today it has been announced that Year 5-6 classroom teacher Jennie O'Dell will be retiring at the end of this term. Jennie has had a very long association with Our Lady's as a teacher and also as a parent. After the death of both her mum and dad last year, Jennie has decided to take more time to spend with her family. We will be very sad to see her go but know she will enjoy the time ahead. Jennie's replacement will be announced later in the term when it is finalised.

Congratulations to all in our community for your wonderful efforts in raising money for the Prader Willi Syndrome Association. I know it may have been a challenge finding orange clothing but everyone did a brilliant job with over $350 raised!! Thank you.

Until next week

Therese

Please refer to our School google calendar for events throughout the year.

LSO Support day

Every day, education support staff work to support our students to learn and our teachers to teach.

We celebrated on Monday May 17 to show them how much they are appreciated,

HELP PLEASE The year 1 & 2 students will be re-using plastic milk or juice bottles this term to create plant pots and plant seeds. Can you please send bottles to school.

Thank you. Amanda Kenny, Linda Lawrence, Katrina Smith.

There’re back

Locally grown from Apted Orchard, Arthurs Creek and Kinglake,

Pink Lady Apples (2kg), Granny Smith Apples (2kg), Packham Pears (2kg)

$8.00 per bag.

The first delivery will be Tuesday June 1st (Mondays normally),

orders please by Thursday prior (May 27th)

and money can be on pick-up.

Please email school@olhceltham.catholic.edu.au with your orders.

Links

Enrolment Form Link
Parent Portal (includes links to uniform, home made meals, calendar and more)
Please click here for link to Asthma plan and/or Anaphylaxis plan and allergy form.
CDFpay link
Bicycle Paths
Parish Bulletin

RSPCA BLANKET APPEAL THANK YOU