7 - 14th March, 2025 - Term 1, Week 7
- Principal's News
- Links:
- Religious Education News
- Teaching & Learning
- NEXT WEEK - School Photos - Tuesday, 18th March
- Easter Raffle & Donations
- OLSH Harmony Day - 21st March
- OLSH Canteen
- Eating Anxiety
- Happy Birthday
- Student of the Week
- Prep News
- Grade 1 News
- Grade 2 News
- Grade 3 News
- Grade 4 News
- Grade 5 News
- Grade 6 News
- Other News
- General News
Principal's News
Dear Families,
I hope everyone felt refreshed after an extra day off on the weekend!
Our Grade Three and Five students sat the first of their NAPLAN Assessments this week, with Writing taking place on Wednesday and Reading on Thursday. Teachers reported that all students gave their assessments their best efforts, which is all we ask of them! NAPLAN is a nationwide measure through which parents/carers, teachers, schools, education authorities, governments and the broader community can determine whether young Australians are developing the literacy and numeracy skills that provide the critical foundation for other learning. As students also undertake this assessment in Years Seven and Nine, the progression of their learning can be seen. Next week Language Conventions and Numeracy will take place. We wish our students all the best in these assessments!
While sandals have always been a part of our summer uniform, we have come to the decision that next summer, we will be taking these off our uniform list. This decision has been made for a few reasons:
- Sandals do not provide the protection of school shoes when students are playing in the yard, as exposed toes can easily be injured by bark and sticks.
- Many students are not wearing sandals that are supportive of young feet or are wearing sandals that are more of a fashion statement, which are breaking easily.
- Current OHS rules strongly recommend closed-in shoes as appropriate footwear for the school environment.
Early into Term Two, we will transition into our winter uniform and summer uniform will not be worn again until late in Term Three. By informing you early of this change to our footwear requirements, we hope everyone will be in appropriate footwear when summer next comes around.
Thanks to those families who have already sold their Easter Raffle tickets! There are extra tickets available from the office if any family would like to sell or buy some more. Thank you also to those who have sent in donations for the raffle. We do rely on these to make sure that there are plenty of prizes on the day, so if you haven’t already sent something in, there is still time!
Families would have received a message this week asking for numbers for our Family Night and an indication of what they would like to eat. Please take the time to fill this in (it will only take you a few minutes!) and send it back to us as soon as possible, so that we can cater accordingly. We hope to see as many families as possible on the night!
Due to our STOMP dance program which will be held each morning in Week Nine, we will be moving our previously scheduled assembly to Week Ten. The Grade Threes will be presenting their item at this assembly, which will be the last one for the term.
Have a great weekend!
Narelle Gallagher
Links:
Enrolments at OLSH:
OLSH Calendar:
Religious Education News
Project Compassion Boxes: each family has been sent a project compassion box to help raise money for Caritas Australia. This project runs throughout the Lenten season and helps many communities around the world. All project compassion boxes can be returned to school on the last day of term.
Sacramental Program: Those families wishing to participate in the Sacramental Program need to contact the Parish Office for more details.
Sacrament of Confirmation (Year 3 & Above)
- Parent Information Session - Wednesday April 2nd.
- Celebration of the Sacrament - Friday 30th & Saturday 31st May & Sunday June 1st.
Sacrament of Holy Communion (Year 4 & Above)
- Parent Information Session - Wednesday April 2nd.
- Celebration of the Sacrament - Friday 20th & Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd June.
Sacrament of Reconciliation (Year 2 & Above)
- Parent Information Session - Wednesday October 15th
- Celebration of Sacrament - Wednesday November 26th
Teaching & Learning
NAPLAN
This week, our Year 3 and Year 5 students completed the Writing and Reading NAPLAN assessments. We are incredibly proud of their efforts, focus, and determination. Each student approached the tests with a positive attitude, showing resilience and a commitment to doing their best. Next week students will complete the Conventions of Language and Numeracy tests.
NEXT WEEK - School Photos - Tuesday, 18th March
Parents should have ordered photos using the MSPOnline system. Please refer to the flyer below to register and order your child/rens photos or go to the following website: https://olotshsmerbein-vic.msp.photos
Buddy envelopes and Student Leader envelopes have been sent home to families.
Easter Raffle & Donations
We already have some great donations and raffle books returned. As always, we rely on the generous donation of Easter eggs and treats from our school families to make the raffle successful. There is a basket in the foyer of the office where families can drop their donations into. The more donations we receive, the more prizes we have to give away!
More tickets are avaible from the office.
Tickets are due back: Monday, 28th March & the Raffle will be drawn on the last day of Term 1.
OLSH Harmony Day - 21st March
OLSH Canteen
Orders need to be completed by 9.15am every Friday.
Eating Anxiety
Happy Birthday
We wish the following students a Happy Birthday in the coming week:
Tori O - 20th March - 8 yrs
Inidiana W - 20th March - 8 yrs
Alissa Leunig - 22nd March - 6 yrs
Alfie G - 23rd March - 11 yrs
Jasper O - 23rd March - 10 yrs
Student of the Week
| Class: | Awarded to: | For: |
| Grade Prep : | Daisy Ietto | always sharing her thoughts and ideas during classroom discussions. |
| Grade Prep : | Jimmy Hallam | always completing his work with dedication and effort. |
| Grade 1 : | Hunter McPherson | for making positive decisions both in his larning and interactions with others. |
| Grade 1 : | Pandora Henderson | for her ability to stay engaged in class and persist through challenging problems in Mathematics. |
| Grade 2 : | Klara Smit | for working hard and showing perseverance when learning her spelling words. |
| Grade 3 : | River Hudson | for working hard in writing time and creating interesting and well organised narratives. Well done! |
| Grade 3 : | Pippa Page | for always being respectful and responsible in the classroom and in the playground. Well done! |
| Grade 4 : | Savanah Borchard | for being able to express herself clearly and confidently when expalining her persuasive poster during Mrs Garraway's writing lesson. |
| Grade 4 : | Hayley Channing | for her cheerful nature, her ability to get on with others and always trying her best in her school work. |
| Grade 5 : | Harry Petty | showing persistance and dertimination during maths this week. |
| Grade 5 : | Jessica McMahon | adjusting quickly to her new school and showing a positive attitude. |
| Grade 6 : | Jake Hardy | having an amazing focus when working on classroom tasks. |
| Grade 6 : | Chloe Shaw-Robinson | writing an amazing paragraph about the levels of government. |
Prep News
School Photos- Please don’t forget to complete your school photo orders online. If you wish to purchase buddy photos the envelopes will need to be returned on Tuesday. School photos are on the 18th of March. Please make sure students are in the correct summer school uniform on this day- no nail polish, correct earrings and hair accessories and shoes.
Easter Raffle and Donations- Thank you to those parents who have kindly donated Easter treats for the prizes. Please keep bringing in donations and selling raffle tickets.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me during office hours, either the SeeSaw app or email:
Rebecca Appledore- rappledore@olshmerbein.catholic.edu.au
Grade 1 News
Our Grade One students put their noun knowledge to the test in the grooviest way possible—by creating their very own dance moves! On Tuesday, they travelled back in time to the 1970s, learning all about disco dancing. To reinforce our focus on identifying nouns, each student chose a noun and matched it with a unique dance move. Check out the school Facebook page or Seesaw for the results!
We have started a new Science topic: Animals and their Features! We had fun on Thursday identifying animals features and choosing what features we would like to have. A lot of students chose wings or tails!
A reminder that school photos are next Tuesday. Please refer to Seesaw for more info.
Thank you to those families who are getting spelling practise and reading completed at home.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me during office hours, either the SeeSaw app or email:
Grace Laity- glaity@olshmerbein.catholic.edu.au
Grade 2 News
Hi Everyone,
We have pushed through the hot weather and had a fun week of learning!
Some of our beans have sprouted which has caused great excitement. Hopefully we'll see a few more sprout over the next few days!
Health
Over the past few weeks we have been exploring our school value of Resilience. We have learnt about the importance of positive self-talk/growth mindset and how it can help us keep trying to achieve our goals.
Science/Art
Today we made fossils using plasticine, plaster and dinosaurs. This helped the students understand how 'cast fossils' are created. This has been a very engaging area of learning for the Grade Twos!
Reminders:
* Photo Day -18th March
* Easter Raffle Books
*Donations for the Easter Raffle
Week 8 Class News: Indi Walsh, Indi Williams, Rylee
Have a great weekend!
Lisa
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me during office hours, either the SeeSaw app or email:
Lisa Ryan - lryan@olshmerbein.catholic.edu.au
Grade 3 News
This week, students worked hard to complete their NAPLAN Writing and Reading assessments, showing great effort and focus—I am so proud of them! In Religion, we have been learning more about Lent and its meaning. As part of our reflections, students decorated special rocks for our prayer table to remind us of Jesus’ 40 days in the desert. We have also been thinking about ways we can live more like Jesus through kindness, patience, and helping others. It has been wonderful to see the students so engaged and thoughtful in their learning!
Wishing you all a lovely weekend!
Cheryl-Anne
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me during office hours, either the SeeSaw app or email:
Cheryl-Anne Courtney – ccourtney@olshmerbein.catholic.edu.au
Grade 4 News
Thanks to everyone who came to watch our class assembly today! We hope you all enjoyed it, and a happy Saint Patrick's Day to you all for Monday!
Next Tuesday we have school photos. Please ensure your child is in the correct regular school uniform and money has been sorted if you are purchasing photos.
This week we have been preparing a small activity for Harmony Day and what the word 'harmony' means for us. Harmony Day will be celebrated on Friday 21st March to recognise and celebrate our cultural diversity within our school community. Students are encouraged to wear cultural clothing or clothing that represents them as a person. This will cost just a gold coin donation. All procedes will go to Project Compassion.
Enjoy the weekend!
Julie
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me during office hours, either the SeeSaw app or email:
Julie Phelan – jphelan@olshmerbein.catholic.edu.au
(Friday's): Emma Garraway - ewood@olshmerbein.catholic.edu.au
Grade 5 News
The Grade 5s completed their Writing and Reading NAPLAN tests this week- all students did an excellent job and should be commended for their efforts! NAPLAN Conventions of Language and Maths tests will occur next week.
This week students have been researching adapatations Australian animals have developed to help them survive in our unique environment. We've also looked at the associative properties of multiplication- this was a little tricky but with some practise we got the hang of it!
Next Friday is Harmony Day- students are invited to wear clothes repesenting their cultural heritage or identity for a gold coin donation to Project Compassion.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me during office hours, either the SeeSaw app or email:
Sophie Lohmeyer- slohmeyer@olshmerbein.catholic.edu.au
Grade 6 News
It's been a nice week with lots of learning happening in our Grade Six classroom.
In Literacy we have been reading and writing about the history of Australia's government system. Students have enjoyed covering this topic not only in History lessons, but also in Reading and Writing.
In Religion we have been looking at the events of Holy Week as well as Catholic Social Teaching, talking about Caritas Australia, Project Compassion and how we can help and provide hope to others who need it.
On Friday with our buddies we decorated some green biscuits for St Patricks Day. Grade Six taught the Preps about Saint Patrick and the Holy Trinity.
A reminder about school photos next week (Week 8) on Tuesday. Students are to be in their Summer uniform. A reminder for this will also be on SeeSaw.
Please remember to fill out the RSVP for the Family Night BBQ which is happening on 27th March. Students will be showcasing their STOMP dance performance and our classroom will be open for families to take a look at. We ask that only immediate family members attend this event.
Have a nice weekend!
Breanna Meyer
2026 Enrolments - St Joseph's College, Mildura
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me during office hours, either the SeeSaw app or email:
Breanna Meyer - bmeyer@olshmerbein.catholic.edu.au
- Sophie Lohmeyer - slohmeyer@olshmerbein.catholic.edu
Other News
General News
School Advisory Council Members:
Thel O’Shea, Hannah Mills, Courtney Portaro, Sandra Hammet, Lana Borchard, Sara McClelland, Jennifer Wilson, Jordan Wade, Adam Lawrence (Staff Rep) & Narelle Gallagher (Principal).
Change of details:
Please contact the office if you have had a change of details. Phone: 50252258 or Email: admin@olshmerbein.catholic.edu.au
Bell Times
8.30am | Supervision of students begin. Classrooms are remained closed. |
8.45am | Classrooms are opened for reading time. |
8.55am | Organisational bell (students go to the toilet, get a drink, be in line before music ends). |
9.00am | Teachers collect students from their line and proceed into class. |
11.00am | Recess bell. |
11.25am | Organisational bell (students go to the toilet, get a drink, be in line before music ends). |
11.30am | Teachers collect students from their line and proceed into class. |
1.30pm | Lunch bell. |
1.40pm | Students are to finish eating and go and play. |
2.20pm | Organisational bell rings (students go to the toilet, get a drink, be in line before music ends). |
2.25pm | Teachers collect students from their line and proceed into class. |
3.10pm | NSW bus bell. |
3.25pm | End of day bell rings. |
SIMON Everywhere App
This can be downloaded from either the Google Play Store or the Apple Store. The app has been updated earlier this year and an email was sent out to parents. If you are having issues with logging in, can you please contact Mia in the office.
Student Medical Profile
Medical Profile: Please make sure that the school has been notified of any changes that have been made to your child’s Medical Profile on PAM and to also include this on the pink Parental Authority and Consent Form each year.
IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARENT TO MAKE OLSH AWARE OF ANY CHANGES.
Parent Notified Absence
If your child is unwell and will be absent from school, you are able to complete a Parent Notified Absence (PNA) on the SIMON Everywhere App or Parent Access Module (PAM) which will automatically notify the teacher and a text message will not be sent.
Newsletters
These are distributed every Friday on SIMON Everywhere and the OLSH Website. Please contact us if at any time you have any queries or require any further explanation about events, dates etc. Any items for the newsletter are asked to be handed in at the office by 9.00am on Friday.
Attendance & Sign in
A reminder to parents that the school needs to be notified of a student absence by 10 am on the day. This can be done by calling the school office or by using SIMON Everywhere or sending an email to admin@olsmerbein.catholic.edu.au.
Second Hand Uniform
Please contact the school if you require any second hand uniform.
