Principal's News

Dear Parents & Parishioners,

First Eucharist

Nine of our students received the Eucharist for the first time last weekend, marking an important milestone in their faith journey, where they were surrounded by family, friends, school staff and members of the parish community.

We thank all those who guided and supported our students as they prepared to receive the Sacrament of First Eucharist.

We also pray that the joy our students experienced in receiving First Eucharist for the first time will inspire them to continue growing in faith and discipleship throughout their lives.

                                    Please refer to the Education in Faith page for more.

Vision for Engagement

It is almost 12 months since MACS launched the Vision for Engagement.  This document communicates MACS system-wide, evidence-based approach to supporting students to be actively engaged in their learning:

The MACS Vision for Engagement is a faith-inspired and evidence-informed commitment to creating calm, respectful and inclusive learning environments where every student feels safe, connected and supported to flourish. Through consistent expectations, positive relationships and explicit teaching of behaviour, MACS seeks to ensure that all students are fully engaged in learning and able to reach their God-

given potential.

Key Principles

MACS and OHR describes engagement as more than simply students being compliant or on-task. It is about students being:

• Behaviourally engaged – participating positively in learning and school life
• Emotionally engaged – feeling connected, valued and supported
• Cognitively engaged – investing effort and thinking deeply about learning

• Socially and spiritually engaged – developing meaningful relationships and growing in faith.

   

Connection to the MACS 2030 Strategy

Vision for Engagement is one of three key MACS vision statements, alongside:

• Vision for Instruction
• Vision for Leadership

The Vision for Engagement has supported many of the practices we have in place at OHR. It has also enabled the staff to collectively reflect on  areas in which we seek to improve. Above all, it has empowered our Leadership Team and staff to strive for consistency in our engagement practices.

Student Attendance

Consistent attendance is critical for academic achievement and students’ sense of belonging, connection and self-efficacy.

                                                                                                            MACS Vision for Engagment

Six engagement practices are employed in all MACS schools. While each is presented as having a separate focus, they are intrinsically connected and should be considered holistically wherever possible. These engagement practices are: focussing on attendance; promoting mental health & wellbeing; enabling motivation; targeting individual learning needs; teaching respectful behaviour; and fostering belonging.

School attendance is crucial because each day missed by a student means valuable learning time is lost. At OHR we design strategies to engage students in learning, address personal and external barriers, and maintain high expectations with clear, supportive pathways for families facing challenges in ensuring their children attend school.

OHR Public Speaking Competition Final

Learning public speaking at OHR offers students benefits that extend well beyond speaking in front of an audience. It helps develop skills and dispositions that support success in learning, relationships and future life opportunities.

When students learn to speak before an audience, they gain the ability to express their ideas clearly, listen respectfully to others and engage thoughtfully in discussion. Preparing and delivering speeches also strengthens critical thinking, organisation and resilience as students learn to manage nerves and respond to feedback.

After months of preparation, we finally arrive at the OHR Public Speaking Final this Monday afternoon.  The OHR Public Speaking Final represents the culmination of extensive preparation and dedication, providing an opportunity for the finalists to demonstrate the skills they have developed throughout the program.  The afternoon also provides the opportunity to acknowledge all students' efforts throughout this term's public speaking season.

Thank you to the combined efforts of our parents, classroom teachers and Mrs Lisa Canty for enabling our students to step outside their comfort zone and put themselves out there.

Please refer to the Leearning & Teaching News for further details.

Save the Date: OHR School Fete

Remember save the date of Saturday 24 October in your calendar.  This is the date of the OHR School Fete, branded as the OHR Spring Carnival Fete.  

A new organising committee has been establised and have begun initial planning.  Look out for regular communications from the committee throughout the course of next term, and consider ways in which you can volunteer your time to make this fete a success.

Learning Snapshots

As part of our Family Engagement focus this year, we are implementing Learning Snapshots which will take place regularly between 8:45 - 9am (at dropoff) or 3:00 - 3:15pm (at pickup), commencing early next term.  The Learning Snapshots are designed to best support you when working and guiding your child at home with their learning.  Each session runs for only 15 minutes, thereby making them accessible for busy parents.

Semester One Reports & Parent Teacher Conferences

Semester One Reports will go live during the afternoon, this Tuesday 23 June. Instructions for accessing the reports were communicated yesterday in an email sent by Mrs Penny Hansen, with the subject line: Acessing your child's Semester 1 report.

Due to the fact that a number of classroom teachers will be away on Long Service Leave during the last week of Term 2, the Parent Teacher Conversations will be held early next term on Wednesday 22 July and Thursday 23 July.  Students will be dismissed at 1.00pm on 23 July.

Living and Growing Program

Parents with children in Years 3 - 6, should head to the Student Wellbeing page for details of the Living and Growing Program that will be held next term.

Australia's Best Teachers

At OHR, I believe we are blessed with the best teachers in the Eastern suburbs, if not in all of Melbourne.

At the heart of each MACS’ school are teachers who create vibrant centres of learning – nurturing their students to grow academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually.

The Australia's Best Teachers campaign recognises exceptional educators in our school communities. An expert judging panel will shortlist nominations for recognition as one of Australia’s Top 50 Best Teachers, to be announced in The Herald-Sun and nationally in NewsCorp publications in July.

Do you know a teacher at OHR who brings something extraordinary to their classroom and community?

ICAS Competition 2026

For parents of students in Years 2-6, please refer to the Learning & Teaching News page for information about the ICAS Competitions in 2026 and how to enrol.  

NCCD

The NCCD Information Sheet for Parents, Carers and Guardians can be found on the Student Wellbeing page.

Wishing everyone a great weekend,

Frank Dame