Dear Parents and Parishioners,

Welcome to our new-look weekly newsletter. We hope that you will find this multi-page format easy to navigate on any smart device, tablet or desktop. Images can be enlarged by simply clicking on them; similarly, they revert to their original size when selected once more. Click through the pages using the advance arrow found on every page.

Mothers' Day

The greatest mother of all is Mother Nature and, even if you have very little interest in gardening, you would be fully aware of the advice from the gardening gurus that extols the use of slow-release fertilisers. “Slow-release fertilisers work in conjunction with the processes in the soil. Rather than a quick overdose, these products release nutrients over a period of time, even for several months. This means that the nutrients supply plant roots with a sustainable diet instead of a binge buffet. The plants benefit from a consistent supply of the elements they need throughout their growth.” Ella MacKenna

In the context of Mothers’ Day, the slow-release nutrients that flow from a mother to her family would be rich in love and care. A consistent supply of love and care, packaged in the visible form of laughter, meal preparation, school pick-up, cleaning, planting flowers, helping with homework, buying clothes then washing and ironing them, and the less visible form of encouragement, support, compassion, forgiveness, consistency, leads to lives that thrive from the benefit of a consistent supply of the elements they need throughout their growth.

Wishing all our mums, and the mother figures in our lives, a very special Mothers’ Day on Sunday.

ANZAC Day

Our School Captains, Madeleine S and Benjamin W, along with our Vice Captains, Pia M and Oliver M, represented Our Holy Redeemer at last week’s ANZAC Day Dawn Service in Surrey Gardens. The Cenotaph in Surrey Gardens is etched with the names of 52 servicemen from the Surrey Hills area who made the extreme sacrifice during the First World War.

Benjamin read the story of Joseph George, an Air Raid Precautions Officer from Surrey Hills who served during the Second World War, while Madeleine told of the impact that World War II had on ordinary Australians. Pia and Oliver presented a floral wreath on behalf of the OHR community. I thank these students and their families for committing themselves to participate in this important event. We were joined by other OHR families during the annual service.

The occasion provided the opportunity to reflect on the conflict that is currently affecting all Ukrainian people.

Last week, we also took the opportunity to recognise ANZAC Day as a school community. On Wednesday 27 April we all gathered together in the hall to commemorate all Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations and the contribution and suffering of all those who have served. The staff were so proud of the respect shown by the students on this occasion.

I thank Mrs Lisa Canty and the students in 3/4CB who put a lot of time and care into preparing this meaningful tribute.

Cyber Safety

Roblox is the number #1 online game in 2022. Click on the following button where you can find an article written by Marty McGauran entitled ‘What every parent needs to know about Roblox’. I encourage you to take the time to process Marty’s advice.

Cyber Safety Information Night for Parents

We are proud to invite Marty and Carley McGauran back to OHR on 1 June 2022 to deliver a highly informative parent information evening on Cyber Safety. Keeping parents in the loop when it comes to all things online safety and digital citizenship is crucial.

Marty and Carley present two very different perspectives and have previously left our parents feeling informed and empowered. Together they have presented to over 150 primary schools across Australia and the feedback is resounding.

Our school is already embracing a proactive approach to online safety through our “Every Term, Every Student” virtual incursions which are conducted every term.

Winter Uniform

The first two weeks of Term 2 have been a time of transition where students have been able to wear either summer or winter uniform. As of this Monday, 9 May, all students are required to be dressed in their winter uniform.

For all school uniform needs visit Surrey Clothing at 424a Station St, Box Hill.

OHR Cross Country

Congratulations to all our students in Years 3-6 who participated in last Thursday's OHR Cross Country at Macleay Park in North Balwyn. The Cross country was run as a House Event in the lead-up to the North Balwyn District Cross Country. The Years 3 and 4 students ran approximately 1500 metres and Years 5 and 6 covered approximately 2000 metres. More details can be found in the PE & Sport section of today's Newsletter.

The District Cross Country will be held at Macleay Park on Friday 13 May. As there is a restriction on the number of students able to qualify for the District Cross Country, the selection of the school team will be based on the results of Thursday's School Cross Country.

Holiday Maintenance

During the recent school holiday break, the following tasks were attended to:

repainting lines and symbols in the staff car park
painting the ceiling and cornices in the Performing Arts Room
internal painting of particular aspects in the Admin Building
cleaning of stormwater pits
blowing and tidying of the school grounds.

School Closure Day

Our one school closure day for staff professional learning will fall on Friday 10 June, which leads into the Queen's Birthday long weekend. The staff from the three schools in our parish will come together on the day to undertake further professional learning in Religious Education.

No Assembly this Monday

There will be no whole school assembly this Monday as a number of staff and students will be absent due to attending the Year 3/4 Camp at Narmbool.

Wishing all our mums, and mother figures in our lives, a great weekend,

Frank

Key Dates