Dear Families,

Last week we began Term 2 having experienced the joys and blessings of Easter Sunday. Christ is risen! The Easter Season is an excellent example for us. The risen Lord presented himself to his friends renewing their energies for their roles in continuing his work and spreading his message. Let us take the Easter message to proclaim the risen Lord and boldly and bravely step into the new term eager to do our best.

I am currently enjoying camp at Forest Edge with the Year 5/6 students and staff. We have had a great time so far and will return tomorrow afternoon.

Jesus stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish. John 21:1-19

After the resurrection Jesus appeared to the disciples on several occasions. In the Gospel last week, when Thomas is told by his companions that they have seen Jesus, Thomas places his own conditions on his faith. He will not believe unless he sees and touches Jesus. Jesus must fulfil the expectations that Thomas has.

This Sunday, we will hear how Jesus prepared a hearty breakfast for his friends who had been fishing. Simon Peter and some of the disciples had been fishing all night and had not caught any fish. It was light now and though the disciples did not realize it, Jesus stood on the shore. Jesus called out, ‘Have you caught anything, friends?’ When they answered no, Jesus told them to throw the net back into the water.

They dropped the net and there were so many fish they could not haul it in. The disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord.’ At these words Simon Peter jumped into the water to go ashore to be with Jesus. The other disciples came in on the boat. As soon as they came ashore they shared the meal Jesus had prepared for them. After they had eaten Jesus asked Peter the same question three times: ‘Peter, Do you love me?’ Peter answered, ‘Yes Lord, you know I love you.’

Asking Peter to declare his love three times echoes the three denials of Jesus by Peter on the morning of his crucifixion. Jesus gave Peter the opportunity to make up for past mistakes and show his commitment and faith. Jesus then says to Peter, ‘Feed my sheep.” He asks Peter to share his love and faith with the rest of the world.

Our challenge:

We have the task of bringing the Good News to others. Knowing God is with us, calls on us to make this presence a felt reality, a genuine experience for those around us as well. We need to be ready to recognise the risen Christ as we go about our everyday work and like Peter, we should be eager to be with Jesus.

We are also called to share our love and concern for all those around us by our words and actions and by the activities we undertake in our everyday lives. Pope Francis during his life would often recall the words of St. Francis of Assisi: “Preach the Gospel at all time; if necessary, use words.” He didn’t just talk about love – he lived it. Love for creation. Love for the forgotten. Love for the whole human family. With Pope Francis' passing, it is timely to remember to take inspiration from him to live like he did. With heart. With hope. With guts. That’s how we honour his legacy – not with statues or silence, but with action.

God of compassion,

You gave us Pope Francis as a light in dark places –

a leader who reminded us to smell like the sheep,

to care for the planet,

to welcome the refugee,

to stand with the poor.

As we grieve, help us carry forward what he began.

Let his legacy live on in our lives, in our schools, in our Church.

May he rest in Your peace and rise in Your glory.

Amen.

ANZAC Day Ceremony

Thank you to our senior students who represented COHR at the Oakleigh RSL Anzac Day service. It is such a significant day in Australia's calendar and we are proud of our students and families who represented us at the dawn service last Friday.

Government Secondary School Enrolments 2026

Parents intending on sending their child to a government secondary school in 2026 are asked to collect enrolment forms from our school office.

Mother's Day Stall

Please read the Parents Association page of the newsletter to see all the details about our Mother's Day Stall on Wednesday 7th May.

Mother's Day Breakfast

Our Mother's Day Breakfast for all our mums and special women, and their children will be held in the school hall from 7:30-8:45am on Friday May 9th.

We are calling out for any dads who can assist on the day to contact the office and let us know as soon as possible.

Prep 2026 - Siblings

A reminder for anyone who has a child starting in Prep in 2026 to enrol as soon as possible.

We have now updated our website so you can enrol online:

https://www.cohroakeast.catholic.edu.au/enrolment-information/enrolment-application/

Over Term 2 we will also be holding our Preschool times, please see the flyer. Our pre-schoolers are also very welcome to borrow from our school library. Just drop in!

Mobile Phone and Internet Enabled Devices Policy

If your child is bringing a mobile phone, smart watch or other internet enabled device to school, a reminder to complete the form - Appendix 1: Student Mobile Phone & Internet Enabled Device Permission Note found in the Student Mobile Phone and Internet Enabled Devices policy: https://www.cohroakeast.catholic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Student-Mobile-Phone-and-Internet-Enabled-Devices-Policy.pdf).

Reminders

The next Open Day is Tuesday May 13th! Tell all your friends and suggest they book a tour via our website: https://www.cohroakeast.catholic.edu.au/enrolment-information/book-a-tour/
Our Online Cybersafe Parent Information Session is on Thursday 15th May at 7:30pm.

All the best for a great week ahead.

Aimee Gale

Principal

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Guardian Oakleigh East

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Monash Student Association Training and Professional Development

Emmanuel Calisthenics - Come & Try