Dear Parents & Parishioners,

This will be a short Newsletter, for my part, as I am currently away with the Year 5 & 6 students and teachers on Camp at Coonawarra Farm Resort.

We have had an amazing week in terms of the weather and the activities that have both engaged and challenged the students.

Each year at the Year 6 Graduation Ceremony our exiting students reflect on their seven years at OHR. Interestingly, many of them relate very fond stories of their experiences on camp.

So what are the benefits of attending camps during primary school? There are at least 10, which include:

1. Disconnect with technology and reconnect with self and others

2. Develop social skills

3. Build lasting relationships with other students

4. Staff and Students building a connection

5. Learn new activity skills

6. Improve independence

7. Expand experiences in nature

8. Teach personal organisation

9. Foster decision making skills

10. Practical learning that ties back to the school curriculum.

The parents of our Year 5 & 6 students have been kept up to date with our progress thanks to Mr Byrne's posts on Seesaw.

More will be written about the camp in forthcoming Newsletters. In the meantime, we are expected to return from the camp at approximately 3.00pm tomorrow. Please keep the area outside the school on York St free from parked cars tomorrow afternoon so that the bus can safely deposit our weary travellers.

School Photos

School Photo Day will take place this Monday 17th February 2025. Students are required to wear their full summer uniform including black leather shoes.

No Assembly this Monday

There will be no school assembly this Monday as school photos are scheduled.

Traffic and Parking Strategy in the Vicinity of OHR

In case you missed the email I wrote last Friday, I have reproduced the contents below:

"I would like to draw your attention to the traffic and parking strategy that became effective on 7 October 2024, and is applicable to Barton and York Streets.

During 2024, Boroondara Council worked with local residents and the school to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety, by imposing restrictions on U-turns and right-hand turns, adjusting parking times, and decreasing speed limits around the school.

We encourage you to read the attached letter that was distributed to local residents back in September last year advising of these changes.

I ask that you support the school with this strategy both for the safety of our students and parents, and as a courtesy to our local neighbours."

Also a Reminder for Parents to Dismount Bikes at School Crossings

Managing Big Feelings Parent Webinar

As a follow up to our Starting School presentation with Carley McGauran in 2024, we present the Managing Big Feelings webinar. This webinar is primarily targetted at parents/carers with children in Prep (Foundation) though to Year 2. This session is not to be confused with Raising Kids in a Digital World which is scheduled to be held later in March.

The Managing Big Feelings session is desgined to support parents/carers to show up in the most helpful way when your children experience big feelings. The goal is for parents and carers to feel more informed and empowered.

Managing Big Feelings

Presenter: Carley McGauran

Date: Thursday 6 March

Time: 7.30pm (75 min)

Here is the link for parents to register for the webinar :

bit.ly/bigfeelings2025

Prep - Year 2 Parent Gathering

All parents of students in Prep through to Year 2, should have recived an invitation earlier this week to the P-2 Parent Evening at the Sutherland's home. This gathering will be held next Friday 21 February commencing at 7.00pm.

Current Student Medical Details - Repeated

Please make sure that your child's medical information is always kept up to date.

Moving forward, you will receive an email recording the details of any attendance by your child to the Sick Bay during the day.

Camps, Sports & Excursions Fund (CSEF)

If any families hold a current Health Care Card and are eligible for CSEF, please see Heather in the school office to obtain the necessary paperwork for completion.

Supervision Before and After School - Repeated

The children are supervised before school by teaching staff from 8.25 – 8.40am. Commencing at 8.30am, the children may enter their classroom and begin setting up for the day as long as their teacher is in attendance. In the interest of child safety, we request that children are not dropped off at school any earlier. Teaching staff are not scheduled for playground supervision until 8.25am as prior to this time they are regularly involved in meetings, preparation and administration.

The children are dismissed at 3.15pm, with staff supervision in the school grounds extending from 3.15pm – 3.30pm. We kindly request that all children be collected by no later than 3.30pm as staff are often involved in a variety of meetings commencing at this time.

We appreciate the fact that so many parents and/or guardians have been prompt in picking up their children at the end of the school day.

Please note the following:

Children are allowed to play on the Junior Playground equipment between the times of 8.25 – 8.40am and 3.15 – 3.30pm, but not in the sandpit nor on the Middle/Senior Playground Equipment at the Northern end of the grounds.
In the interest of everyone’s safety, ball games are not to be played before or after school between the times of 8.25 – 8.40am and 3.15 – 3.30pm.
Children should never wait to be picked up in York Street. They should always be collected by an adult from within the school grounds, if they are not exiting through the Barton Street kiss and drop-off.

Job Vacancy

There is a job vacancy for a part-time position at Our Lady of Pentecost Parish. If interested, head to the School Community page for further details.

Wishing everyone a great weekend,

Frank

Library News

Reading is Magic

Enrolments for Chess Club are now closed for Term 1