Dear Families,

We are half way through Term 2 already. As always, we’ve got a lot happening around the school—the Trivia Night tomorrow, First Eucharist preparation, Open Days, the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program, Open Classrooms and of course Year 4 camp is just around the corner. This week's newsletter has a lot of information, so please take some time to read all the updates, especially about our new nForma App.

The Ascension of the Lord

He withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven.

Luke 24:45-53

We celebrate Jesus the Lord in the Ascension this coming Sunday. We also recognise our work is not finished. Jesus promises the Spirit will come and help us live and work for others, so that heaven will become real for everyone.

Before Jesus ascended into heaven to be with God the Father, he gave the disciples important instructions. They were to tell people all over the world about Jesus’ life, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension. They were to preach repentance—or turning our hearts away from sin and back to God—and forgiveness of sins.

For us today, it can be a challenge to keep some balance in our lives between the demands of our everyday activities and our desire to praise and worship God. Often our temptation is to skip Mass and prayer time because of our hectic lives. Let us be true disciples in our witness to God and put God as our focus and work to spread the Good News to all.

I found God today through the eyes of a child.

He looked up at me and he gave me a smile.

I found God today in an old woman’s face

as she held my hands, I felt God’s embrace.

I found God today in the warmth of a friend

who has given me strength for which I can depend.

I found God today when I searched for so long

and it’s now I realize, he’s been there all along

in family and friends and in all who I see.

Each day I find God and now I’ve found him in me.

National Reconciliation Week

The theme for this year’s National Reconciliation Week is: Bridging Now to Next. This theme emphasises the ongoing connection between the past, present, and future, urging Australians to look ahead and continue the work towards reconciliation.

Two very significant milestones in our reconciliation journey are recognised during this week. They are the successful Referendum in 1967 and the High Court Mabo decision.

To be able to create a nation with respectful relationships between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people we encourage everyone to play their part in strengthening our resolve to build a nation where our communities value each other and respect all our peoples, histories, cultures, and future.

The theme ‘Bridging Now to Next’ challenges to look ahead and continue the push forward towards a more unified and respectful nation as past lessons guide us.

Information taken from https://www.reconciliation.org.au/our-work/national-reconciliation-week/

nForma App

In order to enhance communication between school and home we have been investigating a new app that parents can use. Eventually the goal is to transition most of our online communication and forms to the one app.

We are starting by trialing the app for attendance, the parent calendar and student reports. We need all families to sign up to the new app so we can begin testing the system.

Please see the nForma App section of this newsletter for information on how to download and sign up for the app.

Trivia Night

Our COHR Parent Trivia Night is on TOMORROW - Friday May 30th. Tickets are still on sale for $25 per person. Organise your own table of 8-10 or buy single tickets and the Parent Association will coordinate a table for you. We hope to see you all there! Book your tickets here: https://www.trybooking.com/DBJCR

Some Trivia Night reminders:

don't forget to dress in your best back to school outfit, there will be prizes for the best dressed table
bring all your spare gold coins for the games and raffles held during the night
eftpos will be available on the night
there will be a meat tray raffle: $2 a ticket or three tickets for $5
BYO snacks and drinks

Seasons for Growth Program

Seasons for Growth strengthens the emotional and mental wellbeing of children and young people who are adapting to experiences of change, loss and grief in their lives, such as following death, separation and divorce.

The program is evidence-based and uses the imagery of the seasons to describe and understand the experience of change, loss and grief. Trained adult ‘Companions’ facilitate small groups where participants support and learn from each other in age appropriate and engaging activities. Participants learn that change and loss are a natural part of life and that they are not alone in dealing with the effects of these experiences. They also learn communication, decision making and problem-solving skills to support them to adapt to their new circumstances.

You can read more about it here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xr1BtrS74zaGWVkd96L1At3gdRTJOGlx/view?usp=sharing

If your child would benefit from participating in the Seasons for Growth Program, please contact either our Wellbeing Leader, Jo Cowan: jcowan@cohroakeast.catholic.edu.au or myself: principal@cohroakeast.catholic.edu.au.

Kitchen Garden

If you can help out at any of the remaining sessions this term, please sign up below:

https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code/qhhry

After School Supervision

A reminder that supervision ends at 3:35pm and all students should be picked up by this time or booked in for after school care. The staff often have staff meetings or other commitments we have to get to and it is very difficult if children haven't been picked up on time. We strongly recommend that every child is enrolled in after school care, so in the event of an unexpected change to circumstances your child can be booked in for after school care.

Reminder of Upcoming Closure Days

On Monday June 9th we have the King's Birthday public holiday and on Tuesday June 10th we have a school closure day. The school will be closed on both of these dates and will reopen on Wednesday June 11th.

Uniform

As the weather is starting to get a lot colder, it is time for students to wear their winter uniform.

The winter uniform consists of:

Blue Polo Shirt

Navy trousers (grey pants can still be worn until your child grows out of the old style)

or

COHR Check Tunic/Skirt (the grey tunic can also still be worn until your child grows out of the old style)

Blue Polo Shirt

Grey school socks or navy tights

Black shoes

Bomber Jacket

Raincoats are available in navy or burgundy however these items are optional.

We are currently trying to add a beanie to the school uniform, but this will unfortunately not be ready for this winter season. We ask that you try and get a burgundy or navy beanie in the interim and refrain from sending children in other coloured beanies if possible.

Boots are not permitted.

Reminders

Our next Open Day is Wednesday 11th June! Please tell all your friends and family about our wonderful school and invite them to visit.
Year 4 camp will take place from Wednesday 18th June - Friday 20th June. Don't forget to complete all permission forms as soon as possible.
Don't forget to mark the School Disco in your calendars - Friday June 27th 6:30pm-8:00pm!
We have now updated our website so you can enrol siblings at COHR online:
https://www.cohroakeast.catholic.edu.au/enrolment-information/enrolment-application/

All the best for a great week ahead.

Aimee Gale

Principal

2025 School Concert

‘Storytime Symphonies' - Monday 4th August