Dear Parents & Paishioners,

Welcome to our final newsletter for 2025. You are all warmly invited to our final school assembly for the year this Tuesday morning, where we will also celebrate the Passing of the Light in which our exiting Year 6 students will hand over the mantle of leadership to our Year 5 students. Further details of the assembly can be found below. Note: There will be no assembly on Monday.

Thank You

On behalf of the staff I would like to acknowledge and thank all our parents for the many ways in which you have contributed your time to the school this year. Every single effort helps to build our strong experience of community while sending the very powerful message to your children that 'you value' the place in which they come every day to learn, grow and succeed.

The 12 Days of Christmas

The "12 Days of Christmas" in the carol references the 12 days following Christmas. The period begins with the birth of Christ on 25 December, and ends with the coming of the Three Wise Men on 6 January, also known as the Epiphany or Three Kings Day.

In the original lyrics to the song, the "four calling birds" were actually “four colly birds." The term "colly" is old English slang for blackbirds. In other old versions of the song, the partridge we all know is replaced with a "very pretty peacock upon a pear tree." It wasn't until 1909 that British composer Frederic Austin penned the version of the lyrics that we are all familiar with today.

There's a theory floating around claiming that during a time when Christians were punished for worshiping openly, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" song was used to secretly pass on the ideology of Christianity. The religious wars in sixteenth century England, for example, made it particularly dangerous to be a Catholic. Many people practiced their faith in secret. As the legend goes, Catholic families courageously developed unique ways to secretly pass the faith onto their children. As per this theory, each gift on the list symbolises a different aspect of the Christian faith:

The Partridge in the Pear Tree is Jesus Christ.

The 2 Turtle Doves are The Old and New Testaments.

The 3 French hens are Faith, Hope and Charity, the theological virtues.

The 4 Calling Birds are the four Gospels and/or the four evangelists.

The 5 Golden Rings are the first five books of the Old Testament.

The 6 Geese A-laying are the six days of creation.

The 7 Swans A-swimming are the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments.

The 8 Maids A-milking are the eight beatitudes.

The 9 Ladies Dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.

The 10 Lords A-leaping are the ten commandments.

The 11 Pipers Piping are the eleven faithful apostles.

The 12 Drummers Drumming are the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed

Rgardless of whether this theory be of substance, the carol certainly serves as a beuatiful way of capturing many of the fundamental tenants of Christianity.

Our Lady of Pentecost Christmas Mass Schedule

Farewell from Fr Hoang

Sacramental Dates in 2026

Please refer to the Education in Faith section of this newsletter for a letter from the Parish regarding Sacramental dates in 2026.

Twilight Working Bee

Once again, we smashed out the job of moving the classroom furniture in record time on Tuesday afternoon. Many thanks to our band of parent helpers who rolled up their sleeves. The job was completed in the record time of 28 minutes!

Student Leadership 2026

Great student leadership is best defined as the development of a student’s capacities to lead others including organisational skills, presentation skills and team-building abilities. It also refers to the development of leadership characteristics including accountability, integrity and reliability.

Leadership is demonstrated through a single act such as a student giving a verbal report at a school assembly. Great student leadership can also be shown over a long period of time as occurs when students hold leadership positions.

Some weeks ago our year 5 students, who will be the school leaders of 2026, had the opportunity to prepare and deliver speeches stating the qualities they possess that will qualify them to be a good leader. The speeches were presented before their peers, year 5/6 teachers and myself. The decision regarding final positions of leadership is, however, not solely focussed on the speeches. As a staff, we have been observing the students for many years and carefully consider the roles to which they are most suited.

I take great privilege in announcing the Year 6 Student Leaders for the 2026 school year:

School Captains

Andrew J and Sophie W

School Vice Captains

Arabella B, Oliver F and Emily N

RE/School Parliament Leaders

Edward C and Connor G

The Arts/Library Leaders

Mila-Rose B and Sia K

Student Wellbeing Leaders

Millicent M and Alessia V

STEM Leader

Aksel R

Sustainability Leaders

Sebastian G, Archie H, Emily H

and Griffin M

Clarke House Captains

Oliver D and Oliver M

Fraser House Captains

Noah R and Tom W

Jackson House Captains

Tristan O-L and Chloe S

Perkins House Captains

Anne E and James E

Thank the past, embrace the present, and look forward to what's next ...

This Monday evening we will celebrate the end of primary school for our Year 6 students with the annual Graduation Mass and Dinner. The mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Victories Basilica in Camberwell. Following mass we will progress to the OHR hall for dinner and the graduation celebration.

Countless hours of planning has gone into the Graduation Dinner and I thank Lisa Wilson for her incredible efforts on this front. There are other Year 5 students’ parents who have assisted Lisa throughout the process. Thank you for your contribution. In preparation for the evening, some parents will commence setting up the hall on Sunday afternoon, while others will be on hand to assist throughout Monday evening. We thank them, in anticipation, for their time.

The Graduation provides a special opportunity to celebrate the students’ years at OHR. Everyone present, including family members and staff, will have the opportunity to reflect upon and appreciate the events that have aided the formation of these students who are now preparing to embark on secondary school life.

Congratulations to the following students who will officially graduate from OHR on Monday evening:

Luca and Thomas C, Henry C, Mia C, Xander C, Zoe C, Kiara C, Lachlan G, Cynthia H, Winter H, Anna H, Orlando I, Lukas K, Ned K, Emilia K, Audrey K, Sophie L, Rafael L, Amelia L, Kate M, Ariel M, Chloe O-L, Alexis P, Arlo P, Lakyn R, Samuel R, Benjamin S, Jack T, Zachary T, Teddy T, Gabriella W, A. J. Y and Jacob Y.

On Tuesday we also farewell the following students who will move to other schools, some quite far away:

Aston C, Alexander E, Joshua H, Drago & Leon J, Tommy K, Grace L, Krishna M, Nathaniel T and Thomas VH.

As they conclude their time at OHR on Tuesday, the students will take a part of OHR with them to whichever school they attend,. My wish is that they will always remember the school that developed and nurtured them during their formative years to “Grow, Learn and Succeed”.

Final Assembly & Passing of the Light

The tradition of the Pass the Light ceremony, where the leadership mantle is passed from the exiting Year 6’s to the current Year 5’s, will take place on Tuesday morning as part of our Final School Assembly at 8:45 am. Everyone is warmly invited to attend.

Note: There will not be an assembly on Monday.

A Final Christmas Messsage from our School Captains and Vice Captains

What a year it has been. We have had such great experiences as School and Vice Captains, we have attended many events such as the Saint Patrick’s Day mass,and the ANZAC dawn service. So as we pass the light, we thank all the teachers that have helped to brighten our OHR journey and hope that we have left a legacy for the years to come.

Amelia L

Firstly, thank you to the wonderful support of the school community. Your support has made our school thrive in 2025. I have really enjoyed being a school captain this year and feel confident passing the light to our future school Captains. I wish you and your families all the best in 2026 and hope that you have a wonderful, safe and happy Christmas.

Zoe C

Thank you OHR for all you have done for me. I have had a blast being a school vice captain in 2025 and I am looking forward to passing my role to another student to fulfil.

I hope that the legacy that I have left behind will inspire others to take a path similar to mine.

I would also like to say thank you to all of the staff at OHR; without you our school would not be what it is today. I hope everyone has a great Christmas and a happy new year.

Lachlan G

I think that we can all say that this year has definitely been one to remember. This community has been such a great experience for me. I have learnt so much and I am so ready for next year. So as I pass the light down to next year's leader, I would like to express my gratitude for all the opportunities that I have been able to have this year. So as we draw closer to the end of the year, I wish everyone a very merry Christmas and all the best for the years ahead in making many more memories and making OHR the best place it can possibly be.

Kate M

As we come to the end of a great year, I have had lots of fun leading and being a school vice captain. Thank you OHR for assisting me for seven years and I wouldn’t be who I am today if I went to a different school. From walking into the prep classrooms to practicing graduation dances, I hope I have had a great influence on some of the kids at this wonderful school. I wish everyone a merry christmas and a happy new year.

Jacob Y

2026 Parent Gatherings

As has become an OHR tradition, we invite families to open up their homes to host one of three parent gatherings that are spaced throughout Term One on Friday evenings. These are warm and low key social events. There is very little for the host family to organise, with the exception of some tubs filled with ice so that people can chill their drinks.

We have currently set aside three dates for 2026. Thank you to the Shepherd amd Prowse families for opening up their homes. We now only requie one family to host the Yrs 5/6 event.

Yrs Prep-2 Parent Evening: 20 February @ the Shepherd's home
Yrs 3&4 Parent Evening: 13 March @ the E & K Prowse's home
Yrs 5&6 Parent Evening: 27 March @ ________________

If interested in hosting the 5/6 evening, please let either Heather or myself know.

Final Day of the 2025 School Year

I would like to remind everyone that the last day of the school year for all students in years Prep – 6 will fall on Tuesday 16 December, where the students will conclude at the earlier time of 1.00pm.

PFA Sausage Sizzle

As has become the tradition, there will be a sausage sizzle on Tuesday to conclude the term and year. However, as the students will be dismissed at 1.00pm, we will have the sausage sizzle closer to the commencement of recess.

Q: The price?

A: Gold coin donation.

Commencement of the 2026 School Year

The following dates will assist families in planning for the commencement of the new school year:

School Staff Resume – Tuesday 27 January 2026
Students in Years 1 to 6 resume – 8.40am on Wednesday 28 January 2026
Students in Foundation (Prep) attend Individual Testing Interviews – Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 January 2026
All Foundation students commence school – 8.40am on Friday 30 January 2026

Note: Each term, one day is a designated as a school closure day for staff professional learning. The date set aside as a school closure day in Term 1, 2026, is Monday 23 February.

Christmas Blessings

As the school year draws to a close, Fr Sang and all the staff at Our Holy Redeemer would like to wish every family a Christmas season filled with joy and peace. During this season of giving, please take the time to slow down and enjoy the simple things. May you embrace the spirit of Christmas that is Peace, the gladness of Christmas which is Hope, and the Heart of Christmas that is Love.

Farewell to those families who have been a part of our school community over the years; we will always hold you dear to our hearts.

Peace and best wishes,

Frank

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