From the Principal

Dear Families of Our Lady Help of Christians, 

The last week of school is always busy but it provides us with an opportunity to reflect on our year together. It is amazing to think of all the activities our students, staff and school families have been a part of during 2022, our first full year since 2019.  I’d like to express my gratitude to all in the school community for their contribution to our school throughout the year. The expression of good-will and support for our students is not underestimated and we, as a staff, also hope it helps parents and carers feel they are able to work with us for the benefit of all our students.

Year 6 Graduation

On Wednesday we said a formal farewell to our Graduation Class of 2022.  The evening was full of the symbolism of a journey beginning and a journey completed. The evening was filled with fond memories to reminisce about, as well as the anticipation of new adventures ahead. Well done to our Year 5/6 teachers and other staff who orchestrated such a wonderful event to recognise and congratulate these students. Of course the students were the highlight of the evening and it was wonderful to see the pride and enjoyment they gained from the evening.  We wish you well as you continue your learning journey in secondary school.  

Congratulations to the following Year 6 students:

Yr 5/6A: Adrian Z, Atticus A, Rafael A, Eden B, Eloise B, Francesca B, Binca F, Jaime H, Edith J, Xavier S, Indiana S, and Ned W.

Yr 5/6K: Jack W, Lottie D, Jacob D, Emily G, Kai K, Lexi K, Alicia L, Xavier L, Olivia McL, Harold N and Louis W.

Departing Families

We wish all the Year 6 families that are finishing their time with us all the very best as they move on from OLHC.  We hope that you will take with you fond memories of your experience and I thank you for all you have contributed to our school community. 

Arnolda, Barber, Bell, Bucknell, Dalton, Gartland, Hvalica, Jarrott, Knight, Labura, Landy, McGregor, McLaughlin, Noonan, Stagg, Webster, Wilson, Zanic

Farewell

As I communicated in a letter to families earlier this week, my time has come to an end at Our Lady’s. I would like to thank you for your support during my time here.  I am grateful to Fr Michael and the MACS regional team for the opportunity to work with this wonderful school community.  I know the strength of partnerships and the collective desire to make Our Lady’s a wonderful place of learning, will see OLHC continue to be a truly faith-filled, thriving and happy community. 

I know you will join me in wishing Mark Pinkerton all the best in his role as Acting Principal until a new appointment has been made.  Below I have included a staffing list, along with some profile images of new staff so you can help welcome them to Our Lady’s in the new year.

School Advisory Council (SAC)

Many thanks to our SAC for their support and counsel. They provide an important parent perspective that truly adds to our efforts to realise the school’s vision and for the best outcomes for all students. 

Thank you to: 

Kate Lewis (Chair 2022, 2023)

Mark Lafferty (Vice Chair 2022, 2023)

Mary Karolyj (Secretary 2023)

A special thanks to departing members for their contribution:

Mark Noonan

Faith Bell

Damian Barber

Jacki Landy (Secretary)

In 2023, we welcome the following parents to the School Advisory Council

Catherine Donoghue

Kristy Williams and 

Sharon Walker

Parent Helpers

There have been many parent helpers over the year.  Some quietly go about assisting in classrooms with reading groups, others have joined us on excursions or incursions, some have assisted in the Tuck Shop, or on event days such as Twilight Sports or Christmas Carols.  It would be impractical to list all of you but please know we value and appreciate your support.

A special word of thanks on behalf of our students to the following people who helped with main events/activities:

Sarah Medawar - PFOL Coordinator

Claire Lafferty - Colour Run

Pip Gordan - Movie Night / Prep Dinner

Astrid Arnolda - Year Book

Danette Wilson - SWELL Art

Jennifer Kernaghan - SWELL Art

Kristy Williams - Lego Club

Faith Bell - Book Club / SWELL Art

Brie and Bella - OSH Club

Jose - Cleaner and maintenance

Madeline Martin - Canteen ‘My Mum and I’

Nerissa Jackson - Canteen ‘My Mum and I’

Farewell to the following staff with their years of service at OLHC stated:

Chris Hoyne - 2002 to 2022

Chris started his teaching career in Catholic education in 1986.  Chris has also taught a variety of year levels but most notably as our Performing Arts teacher.  Many students have had their opportunity to shine through the many concerts and productions that Chris has written and coordinated over the years.  On your behalf I thank Chris for his service and contribution to our school community and wish him good health upon his retirement from teaching.  Chris has a passion for the local history of OLHC, so it was wonderful that he was able to share that with us during his time here.  Well done Chris and congratulations on a stellar career that has touched the lives of thousands of students and their families.

Annie Facchinetti - 2003 to 2022

Well done and thank you to Annie for her service to OLHC as a classroom teacher, specialist Italian teacher and in leadership roles. Annie has most recently been our Learning and Teaching Leader and Literacy Leader, forging the charge with our Eastern Region School Improvement Learning Collaborative. Annie’s passion for learning and in particular for literacy provided our staff with invaluable professional learning.  Annie has also been a central figure in the development of our Italian program which is quite different to other schools and proving to be an effective model. We wish Annie well at her new school Xavier College where she takes on a new Literacy Leader role.

Amanda Kenny - 2010 to 2022

Amanda has been a part of our school community since 2010 teaching across a range of year levels.  Some of our students have benefitted from having Amanda as a teacher for half their primary school years! We wish Amanda well as she takes on the next phase of her career.  Amanda has had a bit of a commute each day to be here in Eltham , so I know she will welcome the closer proximity of her new school in Ringwood, Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

Maree Rofe - 2022

It may have been for only one year but we have been lucky to have Maree with us for 2022. Maree is retiring from teaching and her service also deserves recognition.  Maree started her teaching career down the road at St Francis Xavier, Montmorency in 1980.  After 22 years there she spent the next 20 years at St Peter’s in Epping with a short two year stint during that time at St Mary’s in Greensborough.  Naturally over that time Maree has taught across many year levels and will have impacted the lives of thousands of students. Maree also spent time as a Deputy Principal during her career!  Congratulations on all that you have achieved Maree and I know the school community will appreciate seeing you back here next year as a replacement teacher.

Amanda Doody - 2022

Amanda joined us mid year to teach our Year 3/4 students Monday to Wednesday.  Amanda has done a wonderful job getting to know her students well and being a great team member on both her level team and on staff. We wish Amanda well as she begins the next stage of her career at Holy Cross School in Mickleham.

Connie Lania - 2022

Connie is one of our regular replacement teachers and kindly took on the role of Library teacher from mid year.  We thank Connie for her wonderful work and look forward to seeing her back next year as a replacement teacher again. 

Welcome to New Staff

Our staff and students are looking forward to working with our new staff in 2023. Please join me in welcoming the following new staff members:

Staff List 2023

Electronic Sign

I am delighted to announce that after more than a year of planning and navigating council approvals we have finally been given permits and permission to erect an electronic sign on the front corner of the school.  The sign will face north looking directly down Main St where it will be front and centre for all passing traffic heading south to see.  The sign will help promote our school and celebrate all the wonderful events and achievements of our school community. See below for the location and example of what it will look like.

Kind regards,

Patrick Green

Principal

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALICE (3/4A)

on winning  first place in the Koorie Art Show.

Her artwork, titled “Message Stick”, speaks of her cultural pride.

The artwork is on display at the Koorie Heritage Trust in Federation Square.

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

Links