Dear Parents & Parishioners,

17th March is celebrated globally as St Patrick's Day.

When I was a young child attending a Catholic primary school, St Patrick's Day was always celebrated as a day off much to the envy of my mates who attended the Government school across the road. Growing up in Healesville, our parish began the day by celebrating with the annual St Patrick's Day mass. Afterwards, all our families would head to the Healesville Racecourse where we would partake in the St Paddy's Day races.

Those childhood traditions have been lost over recent decades, but new ones have evolved to take their place. This week we celebrate Catholic Education Week, which culminates with the Mass of St Patrick for schools to be celebrated at St Patrick's Cathedral. This annual tradition invites a small representation of students from every Catholic primary and secondary school across the Archdiocese of Melbourne to celebrate the conclusion of a significant week in our schools. Primary school students are then invited to participate in a celebratory Concert in the Park.

The following link may be of interest to you as it provides an insight on some truths and misconceptions relating to St Patrick's Day .

Sacrament of Reconciliation

This Tuesday evening a number of our Year 4 students will be participating in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We pray for God's blessing as they prepare for this important ceremony.

The following students will be supported by their family and friends:

Emmeline A, Keilah B, Emily B, Charlie C, Aston C, Daniel C, Alexander E, Leo F, Tully F, Joseph G, Jasmine H, Mia H, Luke H, Patrick J, Harrison K, Dilan R, Finley R and Hailey W. Amelia O'H will receive a blessing on the night.

Thank you to the friends and peers who have supported the above students on their Reconciliation journey, including: Estelle G, Tommy K, Maxwell L, Isaac P and Tiana S.

Holy Week & Easter Schedule

In the lead up to Holy Week and Easter, please refer to the Education & Faith News page for the parish schedule of dates, times and locations.

Congratulations

Josie and Brendon McCarthy would like to share the exciting news that young Angus Joseph was welcomed into the world earlier this week. This brings a total of four boys to the McCarthy household (not including Brendon). Mum and Angus are now at home doing well.

Congratulations from the entire OHR community!

Raising Kids in a Digital World

Join us this evening for an engaging, insightful and practical webinar where you will hear from both the expertise of an experienced primary school teacher and cyber safety educator - Marty - combined with the insights of a psychologist and mum - Carley.

Inform & Empower is endorsed by the eSafety Commissioner as a Trusted eSafety Provider.

The Digital World is a rapidly evolving landscape for parents and their children. This very practical webinar will provide parents with the tools to support their children in navigating this landscape in their homes.

Here is the link so that parents can register for the webinar :

bit.ly/parents20march

Once parents register (with an email address and name), you will be emailed a link to the webinar. You will also receive reminder emails. The day following the webinar, you will receive a link to access the replay. Therefore, we recommend that even if you are unable to attend the live webinar, that you register to ensure access to the replay which will be available for 30 days.

Years 3 & 4 Parent Gathering - Tomorrow

The next Parent Gathering will be held at the home of Tiffiny and Michael Korda. This function is for parents who have children in Years 3 or 4, and will be held this Friday 21 March. An invitation, with relvant details, was re-sent to all Year 3/4 parents earlier this week.

Years 5 & 6 Parent Gathering - One week to go!

Next Friday, 28 March, the gathering for parents who have children in Years 5 and 6 will be held at Esther and Cam Jackson's home. An invitation was emailed to those families on Tuesday morning.

Working Bees - this Sunday Morning!

This year's Working Bees will be coordinated by both Luke Torpey and Justin Bolger to address the upkeep of the school grounds and minor maintenance matters. Working Bees are a cost effective and essential means to maintaining aesthetic school grounds that afford a safe and welcoming environment for our children, parents and visitors.

Working Bees provide the opportunity to connect with other families, and the children always have a great time helping out and playing with one another in the school grounds.

Our first Working Bee for the year will be held this Sunday commencing at 8.30am. We usually conclude around 10.00am and follow the pack up with a sausage sizzle and a drink.

The school has a limited supply of tools so we encourage you to bring leaf blowers, hedge trimmers and secateurs .

For task planning and catering purposes we ask that you contact either Justin: justin.trees@hotmail.com or Luke: luke.torpey@jrtpartnership.com.au

School Closure Day

Our first school closure day for Staff Professional Learning will take place this Monday 24 March.

The focus of the day will be 'Strengthening Evidence-based Pedagogies' in which the staff will delve deeper into the work begun last year under MACS' Vision for Instruction, a system-wide approach to achieving teaching and learning excellence.

Surrey Hills ANZAC DAY Dawn Service

Our Holy Redeemer ANZAC Day Service

We are commemorating ANZAC Day at OHR on Thursday 24th April at 2.30pm. All are welcome, including grandparents and other family members. We are looking for some volunteers to assist with wreath making and participating on the day. Please see the Learning & Teaching News for more information.

Easter Colouring Competition

Recently, the office of Jess Wilson MP extended an invitation for OHR students to participate in the annual Easter Colouring Competition. The Colouring Competition template can be found below. Entries may be returned to Heather in the front office.

Wishing everyone a great weekend,

Frank

Camp Australia