From the Principal

The building is coming along nicely with the expected completion date being the start of Term 2 next year. Once the new building is completed we will move the classes along the top corridor into the new building to allow the builders to refurbish these existing four classrooms.

It is interesting to note that the space that brings us together as a school community is not inside the new buildings but the empty space outside, especially in the courtyard. I am certainly missing the interactions with families before and after school. When the building is completed we will certainly have to have a big celebration and get everyone back onto the school grounds.

Tonight will be a good opportunity to gather as a community. We are expecting over 330 people for our COHR Christmas Party on the oval! The evening commences at 5:30pm but please don't put yourselves under pressure to be here at this exact time. Food will be available for a couple of hours before the movie starts at dusk.

ADVENT

We are fast approaching the beginning of Advent and the end of the Church’s liturgical year, so it is appropriate that we take some time to reflect. As we remember Jesus Christ, who was born into human life in the ultimate act of charity, we can contemplate how to lead and serve the communities we live and work in, and how we can be more like Christ.

Our busyness, as our school year winds up, and the preparations for Christmas and the holidays, are a challenge at this time. However, Advent gives us an opportunity to pause and reconsider how we can use our strength and energy to improve the world around us.

In the final weeks of the year the children will lead us in an Advent prayer service each Monday morning at assembly.

In this season of Advent, inspire us to be people of hope.
Encourage us not to be greedy for material possessions, but for justice and truth.
Enflame us with a love for others, which crosses boundaries of race, religion and nationality.
Stir within us a desire to fight for the integrity of creation and appreciate the immense beauty of the earth.
Be with us, Lord, at this time, that we may be people of hope.
Amen

Year 4 Camp

Last Thursday and Friday our Year 4's headed to Stringybark Lodge Camp in Gembrook for an overnight camp. Challenged by the hot and windy weather on the first day, the children still managed to have lots of fun and learn from their experiences.

Cybersafety

COHR is committed to helping parents keep children safe online. One of the ways we do this is through the delivery of cyber safety lessons in the curriculum and another is providing support to parents through information sessions.

The information session provided on 14th November was excellent, however attendance was extremely low. Karen Wakeling, our ICT Leader, has kindly put together an information page in this week's newsletter. I would certainly encourage you to view this page and access the slides and notes provided on the evening.

2020 Prep Orientation

Yesterday we held our final orientation visit for our 2020 Preps. Our new Preps got to meet their 'Buddy' for next year. They were very excited to meet their buddies who presented them with a welcome card. Each of our new Preps also took home a learning show bag, full of fun activities and a picture story book to enjoy.

COHR Christmas Party

TONIGHT

Commencing at 5:30pm, come along for a night of family fun. A free sausage sizzle tea will be provided along with some special treats for the children. This will be followed by a movie night on the big screen on the oval. The film being screened is 'Aladdin'. BYO seats, blankets and drinks.

Staff News

Next year we have the following movement of staff;

Sadly we farewell Michella Pradel at the end of the year. After 7 years at COHR Michella has decided to look into other ventures (or adventures!) in 2020. Michella is an amazing teacher and leader and she will be sadly missed.

At the end of the year we shall also farewell;

Marisa Lucia, our Italian teacher, who will be retiring after 34 years in education. This is a remarkable achievement and we sincerely thank Marisa all that she has contributed to, not only Christ Our Holy Redeemer but also to Catholic Education over these years.

Sue Jenkins, a Learning Support Officer, will also be retiring after 9 years at COHR.

David Nolan, one of our 5/6 teachers. We congratulate Dave on his new appointment at Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School in Craigieburn, Dave and his family are looking to move to the northern suburbs at the end of the year.

Leah Macdonald has resigned from her position here after 12 years of both full time and part time teaching. Leah is looking at working closer to home in the coming years.

We also thank and farewell Ashleigh McLellan and Elle Counihan who have have assisted us this year in some fixed-term positions.

We sincerely thank all of these staff members for the enormous contribution they have made to our school in their respective roles. We will certainly miss them and we wish them much happiness and success for the future.

In 2020 we welcome Mrs Jo Cowan to Christ Our Holy Redeemer. Jo will be taking on the role as Deputy Principal and Religious Education Leader. Jo is currently the Literacy Leader at St Mary’s Dandenong.

We also welcome Mrs Clare Inwood as a new 5/6 teacher. Clare is an experienced teacher of 19 years, currently working at St Simon’s Rowville.

The appointment of an Italian teacher and an additional Learning Support Officer is still being considered.

A full 2020 staff list will be communicated in our next newsletter.

'The Redeemers' on tour!

The school choir, aptly named ‘The Redeemers’, will be going ‘on tour’ on Friday 6th December. Travelling by our walking school bus, the children will perform at 3 Bees Early Learning Centre, St John’s Kinder and Estia Aged Care, singing a small number of Christmas songs.

School Closure Day

A reminder that TOMORROW is a school closure day. Staff will will be working on planning for next year.

Community News

St James College and St Bedes College Amalgamation