Principal's News

Dear Parents & Parishioners,

This Sunday, the 'Feast of Christ the King', is celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church in honour of Jesus Christ as lord over all creation.  Essentially an extension of the Feast of the Ascension, it was established by Pope Pius XI in 1925. Originally, it was celebrated on the last Sunday in October, but in the revised liturgical calendar by Pope Paul VI in 1969 it was moved to the last Sunday of Ordinary Time (immediately preceding Advent), where its theme of Christ’s dominion made it a fitting end to the liturgical year. The festival is also observed in  Lutheran, Anglican, and other Protestant churches.

Not suprisingly, most of today’s children have an easier time relating to their superheroes than to the kings and queens of old. The current superhero craze has its downsides - in many ways, superheroes function as demigods for a secular culture that still yearns for God, even as it protests it’s “over” God.

On the other hand, today’s superhero stories also can’t help pointing to the true and the good; and as Bishop Barron points out in Spider-Man, Iron Man and Batman, they even carry some theological heft:

I can’t help but hear an echo of the ancient Christological doctrine in the latest crop of films featuring Batman, Superman and Spider-Man. All three of these superheroes are hybrids - combinations of the extraordinary and the ordinary. In all three cases we have someone who, in his lowliness, is able completely to identify and sympathize with our suffering and, in his transcendence, is able to do something about it.

In the same vein, consider some of Jesus' super powers.  Possibilities include: healing; forgiving; calming storms; multiplying loaves and fishes; etc.

We can remind our children about Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-11). What kind of king rides on the back of a donkey?  Not a warrior-king (who would ride a war horse), but a humble ruler who brings mercy, forgiveness, and peace.

In discussing the Feast of Christ the King we can ask our children questions like these:

• What is a king? What do they do, and what are they like?
• How is Jesus like a king?
• How is Jesus different from ordinary human kings? 

Tomorrow morning, parents and relatives are invited to join the school students and staff in celebrating a OHR's Feast Day with a whole school mass at 9.00am.

2025 OHR Staff

An addition to the line-up of teaching staff, we welcome the appointment of Mr Declan Gulavin to the Year 5/6 team.  Mrs Lisa Canty will take on the roles of Learning Diversity Leader & Pastoral Care Worker, while Mrs Carmel Pettinato will return to full-time classroom teaching. 

During recent months, I have been meeting with staff to plan for the 2025 school year.  As always, careful consideration is given to the most suitable teaching and student support combinations that will benefit the children’s learning and development.

At this stage I can announce that the following staff will be educating and nurturing the growth of our children in 2025:

The classroom teachers in 2025 comprise:

Prep:   - Mary Dening (5 days)

P/1:     - Michelle Hollow (5 days)           

1/2:     - Lana Gill (3 days)/Aria Karagiannis (2 days)

2:          - Tina Hautot (4 Days)/Nick Byrne & Lana Gill (1 day)

3/4:      - Carmel Pettinato (5 days)             

               - Esther Jackson (3 days)/Penny Hansen (2 days)

5/6:      - Cara Mitchell (5 days)           

               - Katie Mackay (3 days)/Margie Maher (2 days)

               - Declan Gulavin (5 days)

Maths Co-teacher:        - Nick Byrne

Literacy Intervention:   - Meaghan King

Specialist Teachers:        

                                               - Phys Ed & Fitness: Jo Golds

                                               - Science: Stephanie Axon

                                               - STEM: Stephanie Axon                                                                                                                    - Performing Arts: Jon Bode                                         

                                               - Languages: TBA

Digital Technologies 

Manager:                            - Josephine Harrison

Staff holding leadership positions in the school include:

Principal:                       - Frank Dame

Deputy Principal:        - Nick Byrne

REL / Learning 

& Teaching Leader:     - Nick Byrne

Mathematics Leader: - Penny Hansen

Literacy Leader:            - Lisa Canty

Student Wellbeing:      - Lisa Canty

Learning Diversity /

Pastoral Care Worker: - Lisa Canty 

Administration Officer:    - Heather Neil

Library Technician:            - Deidre Campbell

Learning SupportOfficers:   

                                                   - Deidre Campbell

                                                   - Rosha Vincitorio

                                                   - Lana Nikolic

                                                   - Themi Manou

                                                   - Nicki Durrant

2025 Fees and Levies

Two weeks ago, all families were emailed a letter including the schedule of Tuition Fees and Levies for the 2025 school year.  A copy of this document can be accessed here:

Calling for PFA Nominations - 2025

Being a member of the PFA is a wonderful opportunity to be involved in your child’s school community, as well as play a part in initiatives that support the education and welfare of the children of OHR.  

Please jump to the PFA News page for further details.

Assessment

At OHR,  regular formative and summative assessment occurs on a consistent basis. All students are involved in formal assessments in order for us to track achievement and growth as well as determining future directions of their learning. We also track trend data, to ensure we sustain our high results in Literacy and Numeracy .  We have access to an array of normed assessment tools which are used to assess students at a deeper level when required.  If you have any queries regarding assessments, please reach out to any Leadership Team member. 

The Last Hurrah at OHR

The evening of Thursday 5 December offers the opportunity for parents to come together to farewell the parents of those children who will be leaving the school community at the end of this year.  This is a special night on the school calendar.  The evening will be held in the hall and commence at 7.00pm.

On behalf of Fr Sang, the staff and parents at OHR, I would like to thank all the families who will be leaving and have contributed to the life of our school.  A number of our families, following a long association with OHR, have their last child in Year 6, while others have their last child in other year levels  We will miss all our beautiful families and wish them nothing but the very best for the future.

Thank you to Damian and Fiona Love who are coordinating this event.

OHR Twilight Christmas Celebration

Please remember that the OHR Twilight Christmas Celebration will be next Friday, 29 November, commencing at 5.00pm with our students singing Christmas Carols.   Food and refreshments will be available. There will also be balloon creations, face painting, temporary tatoos and a visit by Santa. The PFA encourages pre-purchase of tickets for food and activities to help minimise lengthy queues.  Details on the pre-purchase of all-inclusive tickets can be found on the PFA News page. 

We encourage the children to dress up in something Christmassy!

We also ask that children arrive by 4.45pm in order that the carols can commence at 5.00pm sharp.  Please allow ample time for car parking as the roads around the school will be busy.

Mandarin

Early last week, I was informed by Ms Li, our Mandarin teacher, that she will require leave for the duration of 2025 in order to care for her sister in China.  Ms Li's sister is currently quite unwell.  

I have advertised for another Mandarin teacher through the Teachers On Net platform. Applications are due this Monday 25 November.

I will keep you posted on developments.

2025 Parent Gatherings

Recently we invited families to open up their homes to host one of next year's Parent Gatherings, which are traditionally held during Term One. Thank you to the following familes for quickly responding to the invitation to host one of the evenings.

• Prep - Yr 2 Parent Evening: 21 February 2025 @ the Sutherland's home
• Yrs 5 & 6 Parent Evening: 28 March 2025 @ the Jackson's home

We now only require one family to open up their home to host the Yrs 3 & 4 Parent Evening on 14 March 2025.

Skipping Club Demonstrations

Our students have been fortunate to have the opportunity to learn skipping skills and routines during their lunchtimes, with thanks to Mrs Nicki Durrant.

Mrs Durrant would like to take the opportunity to showcase what the students have learned.

Skipping Club demonstrations will be held at the following Whole School Assemblies:

• Year 1/2 - Monday, 25th November
• Year 3/4 - Monday, 9th December

Students are encouraged to wear their sports uniform on the day they are involved in their skipping demonstration.

Next School Closure Day

• 2025 Planning Day - Monday 2 December

Commencement of the 2025 School Year

The following dates will assist families in planning for the commencement of the new school year:

• School Staff Resume – Tuesday 28 January 2025
• Students in Years 1 to 6 resume – 8.40am on Wednesday 29 January 2025
• Students in Foundation (Prep) attend Individual Testing Interviews – Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 January 2025
• All Foundation students commence school – 8.40am on Friday 31 January 2025

Wishing everyone a great weekend,

Frank