Dear Families,

Welcome back for another year. It has been lovely to see everyone's smiling faces and to be back in the community after my absence last year.

We warmly welcome our new teachers as they join our school community this year. We are excited to have them on board and look forward to the positive impact they will make on our students.

Ashlyn Reeves in 3/4RG
Donna Nugent in 5/6CN and 5/6GN
Rebecca Taylor as our STEM and Learning Enhancement Teacher

We also welcome back Rachael Goldring in 3/4RG who is returning after a year away to start her family.

We hope our prep students have settled in well and their families are starting to feel at home in our community.

We have two new students starting this year. Welcome to Siharu in Year 6 and to Audrey in Year 4.

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men.

‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill-top cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on the lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in the sight of men, so that, seeing your good works, they may give the praise to your Father in heaven.’

(Matthew 5:13–16)

Our challenge:

Think about this week's Gospel reading and how it connects to your daily life.

What aspects of this year so far have been a ‘light’ to you?
For whom are you a light?
In what circumstances does your light shine best?
Reflect on what it is in your life that gives you zest and flavour, and that preserves you. What guides your behaviour and gives you strength to keep going? What is ‘salt’ to you?
Identify one talent that you have and use it well and often this week. Let your light shine.

Meet and Greets

We are excited to invite parents to meet with the teachers next week. Please use the School Interviews website https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/ and the code: k898r to make an appointment.

Please note meet and greets are available at the following times:

Tuesday 10th February - 3:30-6:00pm

Thursday 12th February - 3:30-6:00pm

*5/6CN has availability at the following times:

Monday 9th February - 3:45-4:30pm

Tuesday 10th February - 3:30-6:00pm

Wednesday 11th February - 3:30-4:30pm

Welcome BBQ

All families are invited to attend out first Welcome BBQ on Friday 20th February from 4pm-6pm on the oval. A hard copy note was sent home earlier this week where you can rsvp and let us know any dietary requirements. Please bring a picnic rug or chairs.

Icy Poles

Icy poles are back for Term 1. Each Friday this term students can purchase a lemonade icy pole for $1. Students can pay each week or you can prepay in cash at the office. Currently to prepay it is $9 for the term.

nForma App and SeeSaw App

This year we have tried to streamline the online programs we use to communicate with parents. We have now moved most of our older programs over to the nForma app. A note was sent home earlier this week with instructions on how to sign up for the app or they can be found here.

If you have any difficulty please contact Nicole Russell at nrussell@cohroakeast.catholic.edu.au

You can use the nForma app to:

access notices from both the class teachers and office staff
access permission forms for excursions and events
view the school parent calendar
add absence notes for your child
update medial information
access past and current reports

SeeSaw will now only be used for sharing student work and photos.

Do you have children who will be joining COHR in the future?

We would love to know more about our future students who will be coming to COHR in the next few years. If you have younger children who are not yet at school, could you please take 2 minutes to complete the form below and let us know when they will be joining us?

https://forms.gle/TFKiQdtnkCit8B4E8

Medical Authority Form

Our school requires that parents must make a request to the school when their child requires medication to be taken during school hours or during school activities including school camps and excursions, using the ‘Medication Authority Form’. This should occur prior to enrolment or as soon as the requirement is identified. Parents/guardians/carers are required to provide the school with current medical information. We cannot administer medication without this completed form.

You can access the Medical Authority Form here: https://www.cohroakeast.catholic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Medication-Authority-Form-Schools-2024.pdf

Reconciliation

Our Year 3 students will be celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation this term. The following dates have been set as part of the preparation program.

Commitment Masses - Saturday 21st February (5:30pm Sacred Heart and 7pm COHR)

Family Night - Tuesday 3rd March 7pm in the COHR Hall

Student Reflection Day - Wednesday 11th March

Sacrament of Reconciliation - Thursday 26th March 6pm in our COHR Church

Closure Days

At different times throughout the year the school will be closed so staff can complete professional learning and to provide time in lieu for staff who attend after hours events.

The following closure days have been scheduled for 2026. Please note the school will not be open and at times there may be no staff on site during these days.

Term 1

Tuesday 10th March

Term 2

Monday 4th May

Tuesday 9th June

Term 3

Friday 21st August

Term 4

Monday 2nd November

Monday 30th November

Wednesday 16th December - Friday 18th December

Please also note the following public holidays are days when the school will be closed with no staff on site.

Public Holidays

Monday 9th March - Labour Day

Friday 3rd April - Good Friday

Monday 8th June - King's Birthday

Tuesday 4th November - Melbourne Cup

School Fees

The 2026 Annual School Fee statements were sent home via hard copy earlier this week.

If you require the CSEF or Concessional Fee Application Form please contact the office.

Homework

We are currently in the process of updating our homework guidelines and expectations. We will be sending home further information in the coming weeks.

Student Mobile Phone and Internet Enabled Devices Policy

Our Student Mobile Phone and Internet Enabled Devices Policy acknowledges that technology is increasingly affecting how students learn and communicate, with both positive and negative implications and should be read in line with our Christ Our Holy Redeemer Primary School Digital Devices, Internet & Digital Media Acceptable Use Agreement.

An increasing number of parents/guardians wish to provide their children with mobile phones or internet enabled devices such as smart watches with messaging, internet and Bluetooth capabilities for safety, security and/or emergency. This policy details the conditions under which these devices are permitted at Christ Our Holy Redeemer. The school discourages students from bringing mobile phones, smart watches, and other internet enabled devices to school.

If you wish for your child to have one of these devices (even if it is just used when travelling to and from school), you must complete the appropriate form as part of our policy and return it to the school office before the device is brought to school.

https://www.cohroakeast.catholic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Student-Mobile-Phone-and-Internet-Enabled-Devices-Policy.pdf

Reminders

Don't forget to book in for your Meet and Greet time.
Our 3/4 students have a soccer clinic each Monday for the next few weeks.
Join us for our first assembly at 9am tomorrow in the hall and stay for our Beginning of the Year Prayer Service at 10:15am in the church.
Year 6 leader badges will be presented at the Beginning of the Year Prayer Service.

Have a great week ahead,

Aimee Gale

Principal

School Photos