Term 1 Week 1 Newsletter 

We are thrilled to welcome you to another exciting year of learning, faith development and growth at Our Lady Help of Christians school. Our vision:  

Our Lady Help of Christians School aspires to nurture the 
fullness of life for every individual through its faith-filled, 
holistic learning community steeped in the Spirit of Mercy.  

is grounded in the values of respect, love, mercy, and community and our charism of Mercy.  This guides every aspect of our journey together and we are committed to nurturing your child’s academic and spiritual development, fostering a love for learning, and deepening their faith. We encourage you, as parents and caregivers, to partner with us in supporting your child’s growth, both in the classroom and through meaningful participation in our vibrant religious life. Together, we can inspire our students to live out our shared values and make a positive impact on the world. 

Important Religious Life of the School events for Term 1 – All welcome 

Supporting Your Child’s Success at School 

Parents play a vital role in their child’s education. A strong partnership between home and school can help children thrive. Here are some ways to support your child’s learning: 

• Encourage curiosity and celebrate efforts. Teach your child to see mistakes as opportunities to grow. 

• Establish consistent routines for home reading and bedtime. 

• Read to your child as often as you can. 

• Ask about your child’s school day, attend parent-teacher meetings, and show interest in their learning.  

• Consult with your child’s classroom teacher if you have any questions or concerns.   

• Support good nutrition, regular physical activity, and adequate sleep to keep your child ready for learning.  

• Think about lunch boxes and how you can make them attractive and nutritious. 

• Demonstrate lifelong learning by sharing your interests and connecting your child’s studies to real-world topics. 

• Encourage your child to take responsibility for his/her behaviour choices. 

• Encourage family prayer which nurtures spiritual growth and resilience. 

By fostering a supportive home environment, you can help your child succeed academically, socially, emotionally, physically and spiritually. 

Year of Jubilee – Pilgrims of Hope  

On 24 December last year when the doors of St Paul’s Basilica were opened, Pope Francis declared the beginning of The Jubilee Year with its theme Pilgrims of Hope. Please click on the link below to find out more about what a Jubilee year is all about. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hsp9c9N0no  

What’s in a name? -  Our Catholic Identity 

It is important for our community to make an effort to refer to our school by its full name, Our Lady Help of Christians, rather than the acronym OLHOC, as it underscores our Catholic identity and distinguishes us from other schools. Using the full name reflects our commitment to the values and teachings of the Catholic faith, serving as a constant reminder of our vision to nurture the whole child through our Catholic Christian community steeped in the Mercy Tradition.  By prioritizing our full name, we visibly and verbally uphold the unique character of our school and affirm the role of faith in our community which speaks to our point of difference. 

We are looking forward to an exciting hope filled year working with the wonderful families in our school community. 

Many blessings, 

Toni 

Toni Foley
Assistant Principal - Religious Education