Blessing of the Animals 

On Sunday 24th of August Our Lady Help of Christians School was the setting for a special occasion, with Father Nathan offering a Blessing of the Animals. Families from St Gerard Majella, St Mary’s Catholic College and Our Lady Help of Christians School were invited to bring their pets along their pets who were recognised as God’s creation. Father Nathan spoke of the importance of animals in our lives and we remembered those animals who are no longer with us. It was a terrific turnout with many dogs, one cat and three guinea pigs receiving a blessing and being sprinkled with holy water. All animals put on their best behaviour and most came dressed up for a fashion contest.  

Thank you Father Nathan. We hope this will become an annual event to celebrate together. 

Lucy’s 5th Birthday 

It’s been a big week for OLHOC’s favourite wellbeing dog. On Sunday Lucy received a blessing from Father Nathan, and today is her 5th birthday!  

To celebrate Lucy’s birthday, students are writing poems about her and folding origami Lucy lookalikes. We will post samples of these student tributes on our school FaceBook page soon. 

Happy Birthday Lucy. Thank you for being our loving, joyful wellbeing dog. 

Season of Creation celebrations 

The Season of Creation is an annual ecumenical celebration from 

1 September to 4 October 

During the Season of Creation, we join our sisters and brothers in the ecumenical family in prayer and action for our common home. At Our Lady Help of Christians School, we will offer students an opportunity to contemplate the meaning of Creation through meditation. Students will gather in an outdoor space to be enveloped in nature, relax on a yoga mat and be led through a meditation exercise with a Creation theme. 

Creation Meditation will run on Mondays at morning tea in Weeks 8-10. To help foster a suitable tone for meditation,  student numbers will be limited. 

If your child is interested in participating in this mindful activity, use the TryBooking link to indicate their intention to attend. Please note the separate links for different year levels.    

Week 8 Monday 1/9/25 Year 5&6 students Click on this link

Week 9 Monday 8/9/25 Year 3& 4 students Click on this link

Week 10 Monday 15/9/25 Prep, Year 1&2 students Click on this link 

 Additional activities for the Season of Creation will include: 

• a peace garden created by the Environment Mercy Workers. This will be within the school grounds for all to enjoy. 

• An art competition with Caritas Australia. Please see the flyer for further details. 

 Garden Club update 

• In Term 2 students planted a variety of vegetables, herbs and flowers. 
  
• From the beginning of Term 3 we began harvesting our tomatoes, carrots, beetroot and lettuce. This organically grown produce is delivered to Ms Carmen in the Tuckshop to use in delicious and healthy lunches enjoyed by our students and staff. We ask that students do not pick anything from the vegetable garden unless they are with a staff member. 

• In Week 5 we planted a variety of flower seeds in the old desk tubs to attract butterflies and other insects. Keep an eye out for these seeds sprouting. Flowers should appear by the end of this term to create a colourful display.
  
• In Weeks 6 and 7, students created grass-head people. They took a stocking, sprinkled some grass seeds inside, filled it with soil, then glued on googly eyes. These were taken home to be placed in the sun, sitting in a cup of water so that the grass seeds will grow and become the hair on their grass-head person.
  
• Garden Club is open to all students.  We meet near the Chill Zone on Tuesdays at morning tea break.
  
• A big thank you to the P&F for the funding of Garden Club activities.
  
  

Mrs Wunsch
Student Wellbeing