Dear Families,

Thank you for helping to make my first term at Christ Our Holy Redeemer so enjoyable. I have loved being part of this community and getting to know you all this term.

It has been a very productive term and students have been progressing well in their learning. We have celebrated a number of key events such as our Opening School Mass, Shrove Tuesday and the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Parish celebration of the 100 Years of the Sacred Heart Church, Harmony Day, Hot Dog Day, Open Days, Open Classrooms, excursions and our Parent Nights and Meet and Greet sessions. I look forward to another great term.

Our storm damage repairs are finally well underway. The roof works should be completed by the end of this week and we are hoping that the rest of the works will be finished by the end of the holidays.

Let the person without sin be the first to throw a stone.

John 8:1-11

The Gospel for the 5th Sunday of Lent (John 8:1-11) shows us the goodness and mercy of God and the need for repentance. The scribes and Pharisees try to trick Jesus into disobeying the Law. For Jesus to tell them to stone the woman for doing wrong would offend Rome and cancel his message of forgiveness. To let her go would offend the Law of Moses and the prophets. However, Jesus throws the decision back to them. “If there is one of you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”

Jesus ignores the crowd ready to punish the woman and gently brings her to a new sense of life. He invites her to put her past behind her and to begin again. He speaks to her without pressure, anger or outrage. He restores her dignity and gives her a sense of peace and hope. Jesus touches her with his love and concern and she experiences compassion and forgiveness.

We are sometimes guilty of seeing the mistakes and faults of other people before we notice our own. At times, it is easy for us to ‘throw stones’ and find fault with others and to put people down, often in a mean and cruel way. Jesus understands that we are often weak and do the wrong thing. Jesus shows us it is understanding and love that allows repentance and change to occur in others. We can follow Jesus’ example by listening to people who suffer, by forgiving those who have hurt us and by touching the lives of those around us with gentleness and love.

Have you ever been too quick to pass judgement or too harsh and condemned someone for something they did?
Are there times or situations when you find yourself being judgmental or self-righteous?
Have you ever experienced the criticism from others? How did you feel?
Do you know someone who needs your support, perhaps someone who is not so welcomed that needs a friend?

With all your heart turn to me, for I am tender and compassionate. Joel 2:12-13

James Foley Incursion

Yesterday we had author and illustrator James Foley visit our school. The year 5/6 classes were lucky enough to learn about the process James goes through to create his amazing books.

Classroom Cuisine - Term 2, 2025

Please note that Classroom Cuisine will not commence until Monday 28th April.

Prep 2026 - Siblings

We had a fantastic Open Day on Tuesday with more families coming through for a tour. If you have a child who will be in Prep for 2026 we ask you to complete an enrolment application as soon as possible so we can confirm the enrolment and plan our numbers for next year. Please see the office staff for the enrolment forms.

Over Term 2 we will also be holding our Preschool times, please see the attached flyer. Our preschoolers are also very welcome to borrow from our school library. just drop in.

Container Deposit Scheme

Mobile Phone and Internet Enabled Devices Policy

There has been a rise in the number of students wearing smart watches with internet, phone or messaging capabilities. At Christ Our Holy Redeemer we strongly discourage students from bringing mobile phones and internet enabled devices to school unless there is a valid reason.

Our policy and procedures around internet enabled devices and mobile phones are outlined in the Student Mobile Phone and Internet Enabled Devices Policy (see website link: https://www.cohroakeast.catholic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Student-Mobile-Phone-and-Internet-Enabled-Devices-Policy.pdf).

To better monitor the number of devices being brought to school and the use of these devices during school hours we are now asking parents/carers to complete a form - Appendix 1: Student Mobile Phone & Internet Enabled Device Permission Note found in the above policy if their child must bring a device to school. There are a few reasons why a mobile phone or device may be required and parents/carers can ask for an exception to be made using the form. The devices will be signed into the office by the student at the start of the day and signed out at the end of the day.

Please take some time to read through this policy so you are aware of the details.

There are some watches that appear to be smart watches, but have been disconnected from internet/phone or messaging access. If your child has one of these watches, please complete the permission note in Appendix 1 and outline that you have disconnected the device.

At this stage Garmin Vivofit Jr watches will be allowed as they do not allow for internet access or communication such as calls and text messaging.

Thank you for your support with this policy.

Reminder of School Closure Days for 2025

Our school closure days will be as follows for the remainder of the year:

School Closure Days
TERM 1
Friday 4th April
TERM 2
Tuesday 10th June Monday 23rd June
TERM 3
Friday 8th August
TERM 4 Monday 3rd November
Monday 1st December

Please note that school will finish for students for the year on Tuesday 16th December at 3:20pm. The will be no school for students on Wednesday 17th, Thursday 18th or Friday 19th December.

The school will also be closed on the following Public Holidays:

Easter Monday - Monday 21st April
ANZAC Day - Friday 25th April
King's Birthday - Monday 9th June
Melbourne Cup Day - Tuesday 4th November

Reminders

Tomorrow is a school closure day for students.
Term 2 begins on Tuesday April 22nd, after the Easter Monday holiday.
The ANZAC Day holiday falls on Friday April 25th in the first week of Term 2.

During the school holiday break we turn our thoughts to Holy Week as we begin our final preparation for the celebration of the glorious Feast of Easter. We journey with Jesus to the Cross and our sorrow will turn to joy as we rejoice in the resurrection. May you all rejoice and celebrate the Easter season of renewal and rebirth and enjoy spending time with family and friends.

Aimee Gale

Principal

Parent Association