Dear Parents & Parishioners,

Earlier this week I returned from a pilgrimage with 22 other Catholic principals having walked the Camino Frances in northern Spain. The Camino Frances is the most famous Camino de Santiago trail. Journeying with my colleagues, we managed to cover a distance of 117.2 km in six days, with one rest day in between. On average we walked a distance of 24 km per day. The surface of the trail changed constantly from gravel roads to narrow goat tracks, and from ancient paved roads to gushing steams. Hurricane Kirk tore through Europe and the tail end did not spare us. For two days we walked through torrential rain, but this just added to our experience. We were also blessed with some fine weather which really brought a spring to our step.

Before we embarked on the Camino, our guide encouraged us to drink in the sights, the smells and the sounds as we walked the UNESCO listed trail. He also reminded us to acknowledge fellow travellers with the warm greeting, “Buen Camino” which loosely translated means, “(May your) path be good”.

The terrain and landscape constantly changed. Often, we walked through fairytale forests. At other times we would be trapsing through medieval villages, with local famers herding stock reminiscent of farming in years gone by. We were often greeted with sweeping farmland, not to mention the cornfields … often as far as the eye could see. The terrain was never flat; always undulating. Some days involved a lot of climbing (thank God we had bought our walking poles). Towards the end of Day 3 we conquered three enormous valleys where the descents were equally as steep as the ascents. Our Swedish/Spanish guide, Daniel, reminded us prior to conquering the valleys, “When you continue walking down, down, down, you will eventually reach the valley floor, and then you will require all your energy to climb up, up and even further up.” It was very satisfying to end Day 3 with a few beers!

The wonderful part to walking the Camino is coming across such a variety of people from all corners of life, all walking with a positive spirit and the same destination in mind. There were families (some spanning a number of generations), young couples, very elderly couples, groups of youths singing, dogs on leads, cyclists in groups … you name it, we saw it.

The recurrent theme throughout our pilgrimage was, “You never walk alone.” So, while we undertook the journey at our own pace we often walked with friends/colleagues who travelled at a similar pace, often making acquittances with pilgrims from various corners of the globe who shared their stories.

All walkers on the Camino have a passport of sorts, referred to as a Credencial. The aim is to stop on a number of occasions each day and have this document stamped as evidence that you have completed a section of the route. The Credencial can be stamped at many places along the way, including medieval churches, shops, homes and humble cafes. Despite what I read in The Age online before setting out on this pilgrimage, the coffee in Spain is remarkably good, even in those remote villages dotting the Camino. At 1.50 Euro (or $2.40 Aud) for a good coffee, who is going to complain?

Through sun, rain, storms, mud, hills, injuries, blisters and even a hurricane, our group sustained a genuinely positive, collegial and humorous demeanour throughout the Camino de Santiago.

Next week … Reaching the final destination and why this landmark is so important to pilgrims of the Camino de Santiago.

OHR Spring Carnival School Fete - 1 Week to Go!

I would like to acknowldege the incredible drive and focus of this year's Fete Committee. During recent months they have met regularly and worked tirelessly to reinvigorate the first OHR fete in five years. Their mission has been to create an event that will be celebrated by members of our school and parish communities, while also attarcting those from the broader community. I am in awe of the commitment and investment of all Committee members.

Ultimately, an event such as this is of huge benefit to our children as all profits raised go directly back to the school.

The fete committee will hold its final meeting this evening prior to next Saturday's Spring Carnival Fete.

Make sure that you visit the PFA News page for further information, including instructions for accessing the amazing silent auction.

A link to the fete website can be found on the homepage of our school website.

Mrs Willis

The staff received the exciting news this week that Mrs Danielle Willis gave birth to a baby girl on Tuesday morning at 11.00am. Danielle, and her husband Tom, welcomed Penelope Paige to the Willis family. She is the very proud sister to her older siblings Charlotte and Harper.

Working Bee - all hands on deck!

This Sunday we will be holding the final Working Bee for the year. We have had a terrific response during this year's previous Working Bees and are hoping for the same this weekend as we prepare the school grounds for the following weekend's Spring Carnival Fete.

We require volunteers to bring wheelbarrows, shovels, leaf blowers, secateurs and hedge trimmers.

The Working Bee will run from 8.30 - 10.30am.

A sausage sizzle will commence at 10.00am to conclude the morning.

Bring along the whole family. Even if you can only volunteer an hour of your time, it will be greatly appreciated.

For planning and catering purposes, please communicate your attendance to either Justin or Luke:

Justin.trees@hotmail.com

Luke.Torpey@jrtpartnership.com.au

Term 4 School Closure Days

Melbourne Cup Weekend - Monday 4 & Tuesday 5 November
2025 Planning Day - Monday 2 December

Vision for Instruction

In February 2024, MACS examined the way reading, writing and mathematics are taught in its 300 primary and secondary schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne.

Vision for Instruction promotes explicit instruction, a way of teaching in which complex skills are introduced to students in small steps, supported by clear explanations and demonstrations of what students are expected to learn. Students then practise what they have learned and receive feedback from their teacher until the skill is mastered.

MACS is leading explicit instruction and evidence-based practice education in Victoria to achieve teaching and learning excellence. To find out what becoming a flourishing learner means for your child, and how you can help, read Parents Guide to Vision for Instruction and ask your child’s teacher if you have any questions. MACS also regularly posts about Vision for Instruction in social media.

To follow MACS, please click on the following links for Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Wishing everyone a great weekend,

Frank

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