Newsletter

Principal's Message

Dear Families, 

 

I hope everyone had a lovely Mother's Day last weekend. The celebration of the Mother's Day breakfast on Friday was an exciting opportunity for me to see our wonderful community in action. The Year 5/6 students couldn't wait to help set up the hall on Thursday afternoon and we had many dad's who volunteered their time to make sure the mother's, grandmothers and other special women in our children's lives had a special morning to remember. I thank everyone for their support to make the event so successful. I also thank the parents who formed the Mother's Day stall subcommittee and worked hard to ensure we were able to run a stall and provide the students with the opportunity to purchase a range of great gifts.

 

Children's learning thrives in an environment where there is a strong relationship between home and school and the value parents place on belonging to the community at Christ Our Holy Redeemer is evident by their involvement in all school activities. 

 

 

Pope Leo XIV

 

We welcomed the news of the newly elected Pope, Pope Leo XIV on May 8 2025. Pope Leo greeted the world invoking peace and pledging to work for a united Church faithful to Jesus and to the Gospel. Read more about Pope Leo XIV on Mrs Cowan's page of this newsletter. 

I give you a new commandment: love one another. 

John 13:31-35

The Gospel for this Sunday, the Fifth Sunday of Easter, is an invitation to all to love. ‘I give you a new commandment: love one another just as I have loved you. You must also love one another. By this love you have for one another, everyone will know that you are my disciples.” John 13:31-35. The Easter events portray the extent of Jesus’ love for us. This commandment clearly defines the test and principle of discipleship today.

 

If we are to emulate the love of Jesus – giving one’s life for the sake of another, we must take up Jesus’ call to action and live as disciples. It is in our reaching out to others and caring for one another, being compassionate and praying for each other that we can show love just as Jesus showed love and forgiveness to those who crucified him. Loving one another is how we are disciples. This is not always easy but we must put aside any of our petty grievances we have with each other and move forward if we are to truly live the Gospel. 

 

Our challenge:

The challenge in this Gospel is perhaps one of the most difficult. It is not always easy to love. Showing others we love them by our actions and words, especially those we do not always get on well with, is a testing task for our discipleship. This week consider:

  • How do we show love to those who are outside our family and immediate circle of friends? 
  • Reflect on times when you have found it difficult to love someone. Why was this so difficult?
  • Can you take up the challenge and act with love towards all people you encounter this week?

Kitchen Garden

We are excited for our Term 2 Kitchen Garden program to begin next week. If you can help out at any of the sessions this term, please sign up below:

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

Cross Country 

Congratulations to the students who participated in our school based cross country on Tuesday last week and those who went on to represent COHR at the district cross country on Monday this week. All the students trained hard and represented our school with determination and school spirit. 

 

A special congratulations to Hugh, Carla, Alex, Ilya, Matthew and Ante who have made it through to the next round. 

 

Trivia Night

Our COHR Parent Trivia Night is fast approaching on Friday May 30th. Tickets are 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

Camp

Year 5/6 camp at Forest Edge was a fantastic experience for both the students and the staff involved. We had a great time testing our limits and trying new things, while connecting as a year level. The students were very well behaved and represented our school with enthusiasm and confidence. We had great feedback from the camp and all camp leaders shared that they were impressed with our students ability to work as a team and follow instructions.

 

5/6 C have shared their camp reflections on the Learning and Teaching page of this newsletter. 

Reminders

  • Our Online Cybersafety Parent Information Session is on tonight, Thursday 15th May at 7:30pm. Make sure you register here: bit.ly/CommunityWebinarMay15
  • Hot Dog Day - Tuesday 20th May
  • Eucharist Family Workshop at Sacred Heart PS - Tuesday 20th May 7.00pm
  • The free dental check up for Prep - Year 2 will take place on Monday 19th May for those students who have returned a consent form. 
  • Don't forget to mark the School Disco in your calendars - Friday June 27th 6:30pm-8:00pm!
  • Parents intending on sending their child to a government secondary school in 2026 are asked to collect enrolment forms from our school office.

  • 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