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Brendon Napier
Principal
Dear Parents/Carers,
I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all staff, students and families for making our Feast Day celebration in honour of Our Lady Help of Christians such a joyful and meaningful occasion. From the wonderful celebration of Mass to the shared morning tea with our families, it was a beautiful reflection of our faith and the strength of our school community.
A special thank you to our Parents and Friends Association for their generous support in providing the sausage sizzle and supporting the colour run — both were highlights of the day and added great fun to the celebration. A huge thanks to Mrs Tindall and Mrs Watson for all their work in organising and facilitating the Colour Run and Slime fun – you are amazing!
Thank you once again to everyone who contributed to this special day of faith, fellowship and festivity.
Congratulations to the Our Lady Help of Christians Award Recipients
Celebrating Pentecost – The Gift of God’s Spirit
Next weekend, we celebrate Pentecost Sunday, a special feast that brings our fifty-day Easter journey to a joyful close. Pentecost is often called the "birthday of the Church" because it marks the moment the Holy Spirit came to Jesus’ followers, filling them with courage and faith to share God’s love with the world.
Just like Christmas celebrates Jesus coming into the world as God’s Word made flesh, Pentecost celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit, sent by Jesus to live within us. At Christmas, God came to dwell among us. At Pentecost, God chooses to dwell within us.
In a world where important people often live in grand houses and luxurious places, our God chooses to live in our hearts. We are temples of the Holy Spirit — called to carry God's love and presence into our everyday lives. Through the Spirit, we become part of God's story of love and salvation — a story that began in creation and continues through us today.
May this Pentecost remind us that we are never alone. The Spirit is with us—guiding us, strengthening us, and helping us to be people of peace, hope, and joy.
A Blessing
May the fortnight ahead be filled with moments of kindness, understanding, and peace.
May we take time to listen, to support, and to care for one another with patience and love.
May the example of Our Lady Help of Christians inspire us to walk with compassion and courage.
And may God’s grace surround our school community, guiding our hearts and hands in all we do.
Amen.
Toni Foley
Assistant Principal - Religious Education
Dear Parents and Carers,
We have a few important updates to share with you this week regarding our reporting platform, The Learning Dashboard and Seesaw communications.
The Learning Dashboard
We’re excited to invite you to one of our Parent Information Sessions this Thursday to learn more about The Learning Dashboard (TLD), our updated platform for student reporting and progress tracking.
During these sessions, we will:
- Walk you through the changes to the reporting platform from a parent/carer perspective.
- Explain the behind-the-scenes work our teachers have been doing to ensure consistent and accurate judgments across academic and the affective reporting domains (ARDs).
- Provide time for you to log in and explore the platform.
Please bring a mobile phone or device with the MyCE app or Parent Portal access. If you need help with either, feel free to arrive a few minutes early and we can assist you.
Japanese Language Reporting – Years 4 to 6
We’d like to inform families of students in Years 4 to 6 that Japanese will not appear on this semester’s report. This decision has been made as we currently do not have a formally trained LOTE (Languages Other Than English) teacher. As such, it is challenging for classroom teachers to formally assess students against the Australian Curriculum standards for Japanese.
Students will continue to engage in Japanese lessons weekly via the Education Perfect online platform and are exposed to rich cultural experiences through integrated learning topics.
This decision was not made lightly and was reached in consultation with the Learning and Teaching team at the Catholic Education Diocese of Cairns.
Seesaw – Weekly Updates and Access Tips
We’ve now been sharing weekly updates about what’s happening at Our Lady Help of Christians through Seesaw. Some families have let us know they’re having trouble accessing these messages.
Tip: Make sure you are logged in under your parent account, not your child’s. This will allow you to view all school communications properly.
You can also click on the image in the post to zoom in if the text is difficult to read.
Thank you for staying connected and engaged with your child’s learning journey! We are loving the engagement we are seeing from families on their child’s learning posts.
Karina Brady
Assistant Principal - Administration
Lauren Blenkinsop
Finance Officer
IEU Art Design Awards
Theme: FRIENDS
If your child has an artistic talent and would like to prepare a piece of artwork at home, Mrs Williams will submit it into this competition. Due date is 18th July.
- Each entry must be that of an individual (no joint work) and the original work of the entrant.
- Name of the artist must NOT be visible on the piece of artwork.
- Artwork must be in keeping with the theme.
- Artworks may be painted, drawn, collage work or photographic work and must be suitable for exhibition purposes. Sculptures are not permitted.
- Artwork must be easily transportable by post but no larger than 60cm x 100cm. Sizes A4, A3, A2, A1 are acceptable.
A number of students have already registered to participate in these assessments which are designed for students wishing to extend themselves academically.
They are available for students in Years 3-6 and will be conducted in Weeks 4-7 of Term 3 as indicated below. Exact dates and times will be determined once we know how many students have registered. The cost per test is $20.95 including GST.
ICAS Digital Technologies (Week 4) 4 Aug –8 Aug 2025
ICAS English (Week 5) 11 Aug – 15 Aug 2025
ICAS Science (Week 6) 18 Aug – 22 Aug 2025
ICAS Spelling Bee (Week 6) 18 Aug – 22 Aug 2025
ICAS Mathematics (Week 7) 25 Aug – 29 Aug 2025
Please indicate your interest in purchasing one or more of these assessments by emailing Mrs Williams (awilliams2@cns.catholic.edu.au) and she will provide you with further information for accessing the Parent Payment System. Closing date is 28th July.
The Opti-MINDS Creative Sustainability Challenge is a creative problem solving event for students from Years 3-6 which EMPOWERS them to THINK, CREATE & COMMUNICATE.
They are required to solve open-ended Challenges from one of the following categories:
| Language Literature | Media Communication | Science Engineering | Social Sciences |
The Opti-MINDS Challenge is an opportunity for all those with a passion for learning & problem solving to showcase their skills & talents in an exciting, vibrant & public way.
THE CHALLENGE…
- Teams are required to work together on a Long Term Challenge for up to six weeks without assistance from anyone outside the team. Participants are encouraged to explore possibilities & experiment with ideas as they endeavour to produce their best possible solution.
- They develop creative & original ways to communicate this solution to others, working within predefined parameters such as limited materials, complex Challenge criteria & the deadlines of The Challenge Day.
- Students present the product of their ideas – their Challenge solution – to a panel of judges & an audience on Challenge Day. They have 10 minutes in which to present & must do so in a 3 x 3 metre performance area.
- The teams must also participate in an unseen Spontaneous Challenge on Opti-MINDS Day. This Challenge requires rapid interchange of ideas, the ability to think effectively, creatively, & well-developed group cooperation skills.
Opti-MINDS will commence on Monday 14th July and conclude with the Challenge presentation at JCU on Sunday, 31st August. Students in Years 3-6 who wish to participate or would like to know more, should register their interest by completing the google form. Students do not need to commit until they have seen the challenges in Week 1, Term 3.
Please contact Mrs Williams if you are unable to access the google form or would like any further information.
Year 3 Enrichment Writing
Students were asked to describe what happened when Jack got to the top of the beanstalk and then what happened next. Enjoy reading these examples of “show not tell” using various techniques from the “suspense toolkit”.
Jack climbed with all his effort. He felt so tired. When he finally got to the top he saw huge boots. As he looked up, he saw a mammoth shadow. He smelt stinky socks. “Ew!” said Jack.
He touched the leather boot.
“Who did that?” roared the shadow.
“Ahh…too loud” cried Jack.
Jack thought what could’ve made that noise? Maybe a dragon? No. He gasped. “Could it be?” wondered Jack, “a giant?”
by Olivia Lee
Jack was struggling to pull himself up. His hands were aching as every pull brought him closer to the top. Finally, he was there. He smelt the fresh air as it slowly faded away turning into dusty air. He then saw some leather boots. He stayed silent. He slowly crept down the beanstalk. The monster’s eyes were locked onto Jack. He bolted back down faster than a cheetah.
Luckily the giant was scared of huge heights.
by Josaia Daganayasi
Jack’s arms were sore. Just when Jack was nearly at the top he heard, “Boom! Boom! Boom!” As he got to the top, he saw big brown leather boots and he saw something as big as a skyscraper. “Wow! Look at that. It’s huge!” Jack exclaimed.
Jack was hungry and ate a sandwich on the boot.
“Get off my boot!” the monster growled.
Jack left his lunch and sneaked behind the boots.
by Rayani Dinadayura
Jack’s hands were aching when he climbed the beanstalk. He didn’t know where he was going. He just knew he had to climb.
When he reached the top of the beanstalk, he saw something…something big. The thing that was bigger than the Eiffel tower chased Jack down the twirly whirly beanstalk.
by Walter Irvin
When Jack climbed the beanstalk, he saw a massive shadow hanging over him. He was exhausted from climbing the beanstalk. He had no energy left.
Jack screamed, “ AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!”
When the giant shadow heard it, he started, “Oh, it’s little ant.” He sounded like Mrs Doubtfire.
by Leo Karalus
Jack just finished climbing when he saw two huge giant leather boots. He felt so scared and he felt like it was a dream. He smelt something really smelly. ‘That is so smelly. I wonder what that is?” Jack sighed.
The two huge leather boots growled. Jack wanted to run away but he didn’t. He went closer and closer until he was so close he couldn’t see what was at the top of the boots. He felt like the boots were going to smoosh him.
by Gia Whitcroft
Jack’s hands were aching trying to reach the top. All of a sudden he smelt something that was like rotten eggs. He saw a big ginormous brown pair of shoes.
At that next second, after looking up from the shoes, Jack thought for a moment. “Have I shrunk or is he a GIANT?” While Jack was thinking he felt like he was flying. Instead the giant picked him up, up to his eyes.
“Why are you here?” roared the giant.
Jack froze, acting like a toy feeling scared.
by Emma Kim
Jack pulled himself up with all his strength and spotted two house-sized boots in front of him. He trembled and shook. Apart from this freaky image, it also stank like rubbish. “Ayawwwwwww!” moaned Jack.
Jack was as quiet as a mouse when he was tiptoeing to the door but there was no way in. But suddenly he felt rumbling. Something was moving, something BIG. At this point, Jack thought he would faint! But luckily, he saw a crack in the door and walked through it. Jack’s mind didn’t have time to think.
by Stella Townson
Alison Williams
Enrichment Teacher
Library News
Jill Watson and Paula Tindall
Borrowing Days
Please ensure your child brings their library bag and returns ALL borrowed books at their weekly session.
Check the days below for your child/ren’s days.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| Year 3 | Year 6 | Year 5 | Prep | 4O |
| 4E | Year 1 | Year 2 | 4L |
Overdue Books
Several emails have been sent to many of our families requesting the return of overdue library books. The library would appreciate your urgent attention to this matter.
If you receive an overdue list, please take the time to search all the great book hiding places at home. Any library books not returned will be added to the school fees next term.
Please don’t hesitate to contact the library staff if you have any queries.
National Simultaneous Storytime
On Wednesday 21st May at 12 noon, our school took part in the ALIA National Simultaneous Storytime.
A huge thanks to Mr S, who did an amazing job of reading and performing this year’s book ‘The Truck Cat’ written by Deborah Frenkel and Illustrated by Danny Snell.
The Cassowary Cup
WOW! Students have been really busy working on their reading logs and our display is slowly filling up. Each coloured book represents a student who has completed and handed in at least one sheet. Remember, everyone has until the 27th June to read and record as many books as possible.
Students have to log the title and author for each book they read, or listen to, during the challenge period.
The requirements are as follows:
- Prep to Year 3 should read (or listen to) at least 20 books,
- Years 4, 5 & 6 should read (or listen to) at least 5 compulsory genres and 15 novels.
Every student who completes the challenge (finishes one sheet) will receive a Certificate of Participation and students may complete as many recording sheets as they wish during the reading period.
Important Library Dates
These are some important whole school library dates and celebrations coming up for the remainder of this year. We will release more information about each activity closer to the date.
|
Term |
Activity |
|
2 |
● Cassowary Cup Reading Challenge continues |
|
3 |
● Cassowary Cup Challenge Certificates/Prizes Assembly ● NAIDOC Week ● Wk 7 Book Week (includes dress up and parade) |
|
4 |
● Wk 4 Book Fair |
Happy Reading,
The Library Team:
Paula Tindall and Jill Watson
OLHOC Sports Days – Week 10
Below is a reminder of the dates for the following sports days coming up at OLHOC in week 10. Please note these days are run by the classroom teachers with support from our Year 6 students. On these days students will be rotating around a mixture of individual events as well as team events. Students will be trying to win ribbons for themselves and points for their house team. Students are to come on these days in their sports uniform with a house colour shirt.
- Prep & Year 1 Sports Day: 24th June (8:35 – 12:05)
- Year 2 & Year 3 Sports Day: 26th June (8:35 – 12:05)
Mr Peter Henson
Sports Coordinator
Another busy term for the P and F. We hope everyone enjoyed Mother’s Day, Feast Day Celebrations and are gearing up for Sports Day next week!
The June P and F meeting has been postponed due to prior commitments of our executive team. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to seeing you in Term 3. Dates to be advised.
Enjoy the rest of Term 2 everyone!
Megan, Tiffany, Miranda and Susan
OLHOC Backpacks are now for sale in the office for $75 each.
No pre-order required.
Stock Available now.
The MyCE app will now be our main way of communicating with parents. If you have more than one student attending at different catholic schools, you will be able to see all of them on the one app, instead of accessing the different school portals.
Things that will be able to be seen/accessed on MyCE:
- School Reports
- Edsmart slips
- Advising of absences
- Access to newsletters
- School Calender, etc
If you require any assistance with the MyCE App, please contact the office.
| Date: | Thursday August 14th, 2025 (Term 3 week 5) |
| Time: | 8:30am-2:30pm (Parents to arrive at 2:00pm for a presentation of all the ensembles) |
| Location: | St Mary's Catholic College, Woree, in the Hugh O'Brien Centre (HOB) |
