11 - 24th April, 2025 - Term 2, Week 1
Principal's News
Dear Families,
It was great to welcome back our students on Wednesday after an extended holiday break! I hope you all had a relaxing time over the holidays and Easter, and are ready for the new term! With only two days at school this week, our newsletter is going to be a condensed version, but it will still hold some important information and dates for your calendar.
As you would be aware by now, Pope Francis, head of our Catholic Church, passed away on Monday. Pope Francis was a man of vision who had an unwavering commitment to compassion and justice, and to the idea of how education could be used to transform the lives of people all around the world. He called upon all people to walk together with each other and God. Pope Francis reminded us that education is not only about knowledge, but about forming hearts capable of understanding, peace, and empathy. His messages to young people were always filled with hope and encouragement, urging them to be builders of bridges, not walls. As the process of electing a new Pope takes place, we hope that whoever is elected will have the same vision for the world as Francis did before them.
On Wednesday, we gathered as a school to celebrate our Easter liturgy. This was a great opportunity to reflect on the holy time of Easter and what its true meaning is. While I’m sure we all enjoyed the chocolate treats that come with the season, the students were able to think instead about the importance of Jesus dying on the cross for us and the ways they can go forward this term, living his example. Well done to our readers (who had limited practise time!) and to all students for their beautiful singing.
Our Cross Country run took place this morning, with some very (and some not!) enthusiastic runners making their way around the course in the warm weather. Overall, all students did very well to participate as best they could, even if they were a little anxious about the day. Well done to the students who took out the first, second and third places for their age groups – great running! Thank you to all of those who helped this morning and we hope parents enjoyed the coffee that was available!
Today we held a very meaningful ANZAC Day commemoration at school, with parishioner Bernadette Wells from the Merbein Historical Society giving an interesting presentation to the students and staff. It is great to see the respect shown by all of our students for this solemn and important occasion. Tomorrow, OLSH will gather to support the local RSL in the Anzac Day march in Merbein. If you would like to join in the march, please meet outside the RSL no later than 8.45am, in full school uniform. We will march with the community to the gates at Kenny Park and then on to the rotunda to listen to the service. We welcome all students to participate. A flyer has been posted on Facebook with details.
Enrolments for 2026 close tomorrow, and we currently have a waiting list for the Prep class.
If you are yet to reply to the Mother's Day Morning Tea invitation, please do so as soon as possible.
Things to remember for this term:
Winter Uniform should be worn from Week 3 of this term - 5th May
Assemblies this term: May 9th (in afternoon due to Mother's Day Liturgy) & 23rd, June 6th & 20th & July 4th.
Monday 19th and Tuesday 27th May – Staff Professional Development (pupil free)
Monday 9th June – King’s Birthday public holiday
I hope everyone enjoys the longer weekend and that your team has a win! Go Bombers!
Narelle Gallagher
This week's events
Netball Ring
A big thank you to two of our students, Paley Hammet and Zali Breewel, for taking the initiative to organise a netball ring for everyone to enjoy!
OLSH Cross Country
OLSH ANZAC Day Commemorative Service at OLSH
Links:
Enrolments at OLSH:
OLSH Calendar:
Religious Education News
Sacramental Program: We have a number of children involved in the sacrament program in the coming weeks. Children are now preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation and Holy Communion, so please keep the following students in your prayers:
Confirmation: Jacinta Wagner, Sophie Barnes, Anatasia Cory, Layla Portaro, Ivie Mazza.
Holy Communion: Isaac Lohmeyer, Morgan Dowling, Violet Dimasi
* A reminder to parents to return the Confirmation sheet to the parish office during the holidays filled out with your child's details, Mass time you are attending and your child's sponsor name.
* Children making their first commuion need to ensure they have the passport and attend 3 Masses before making the Sacrament of Holy Communion. These need to be handed into the parish office the week before the sacrament.
* There will be practice sessions for both sacraments the week before the sacrament. Please contact the parish office for further details.
Sacrament of Confirmation (Year 3 & Above)
- Celebration of the Sacrament - Friday 30th & Saturday 31st May & Sunday June 1st.
Sacrament of Holy Communion (Year 4 & Above)
- 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
Mother's Day Liturgy & Morning Tea
R.S.V.P. is due next Friday, 2nd May
We will be celebrating our OLSH mums with a Liturgy on Friday, 9th May at 9.15 am. Following the Liturgy in the church we will join the students in the classroom for activities and then head over to the Multipurpose room for Morning Tea.
We would love to see you all there and we are asking you to r.s.v.p. by the 2nd May so we can organise the food and activies.
Federal Election 2025 – Supporting Catholic Education
As we approach the upcoming Federal Election on Saturday 3 May, we encourage you to take a moment to consider how your vote can support the future of your child’s education.
This election presents an important opportunity to reinforce the value and voice of Catholic education in our communities. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, in announcing the election, referenced key issues impacting Catholic schools—especially around school choice and fair funding for all.
National Catholic Education Executive Director, Jacinta Collins, has outlined Catholic education’s election priorities under the banner “Catholic Education benefits all Australians”.
These include:
- Ensuring affordability and choice for families
- Addressing student hardship, wellbeing and disadvantage
- Continuing to build and innovate for the future
Catholic schools make a vital contribution to the Australian community, educating one in five students, including a high proportion of those from low socio-educational backgrounds and regional communities. Our schools save taxpayers billions each year while delivering strong educational outcomes and lifelong benefits for students.
To ensure this contribution continues, we are calling on all political leaders to:
- Guarantee fair and stable funding, so Catholic schools remain accessible and affordable
- Expand support for student mental health and wellbeing, particularly for disadvantaged and rural students
- Invest in Catholic education infrastructure and early learning to meet future needs
Ahead of the election, we encourage you to review the document below and consider these issues ahead of casting your vote.
We will also be sharing a scorecard summarising the responses of political parties and candidates on these key priorities as they become available.
Thank you for continuing to support the mission of Catholic education in the Diocese of Ballarat.
The following is a list of resources:
- Parent Priorities Document – A two-page overview of key issues for families.
- School Funding Explainer – Clarifies how Catholic Schools are funded.
- Dispelling the Myths – Addresses common misconceptions about Catholic education.
- What You Need to Know: Federal Election 3 May – Read more here.
Open Days - Merbein P to 10 & Henderson College
Managing Overwhelm
Happy Birthday
We wish the following students a Happy Birthday:
Month of April:
2nd - Lily B - 11 yrs
3rd - Klara S - 8 yrs
4th - Indi M - 6 yrs
6th - Colton O - 5 yrs
9th - Dixie C - 11 yrs
12th - Mason M - 12 yrs
20th - Hannah B - 6 yrs
29th - Sophie L - 7 yrs
30th - Zara R - 8 yrs
Month of May:
2nd - Dusty H - 7 yrs
4th - Evelyn L - 6 yrs
4th - Bailey S - 8 yrs
6th - Ivie M - 9 yrs
7th - Hunter-Rose K - 7 yrs
11th - Chloe SR - 12 yrs
14th - Meila G - 9 yrs
18th - Oliver L - 8 yrs
20th - Aysha ES - 11 yrs
23rd - Isla C - 10 yrs
25th - Harrison G - 8 yrs
25th - Paley H - 12 yrs
26th - Halle PZ - 7 yrs
27th - Jessica M - 11 yrs
27th - Harriet P - 9 yrs
28th - Parker M - 7 yrs
OLSH Canteen
Orders need to be completed by 9.15am every Friday.
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.
