Principal's News
Dear Parents & Parishioners,
I hope everyone managed to have a great break over the school holidays, even if it simply meant taking a break from making school lunches and washing school uniforms.
No doubt a highlight of the holidays was the Brownlow Medal count in which Matt Rowell of the Gold Coast Suns stormed away to win by seven with 39 votes. Rowell's win would have been felt by many past and present OHR families whose children have played, or currently play, for the Canterbury Cobras. During his Brownlow Medal acceptance speech, Rowell spoke fondly of his junior football club, the Canterbury Cobras. Past OHR parent, and Rowell's former under-10s and under-11s coach Craig Spagnoll was unsurprised to see Rowell win on Monday night, describing the Gold Coast star as a "quiet leader"who always had a ball under his arm and who won the club's best-and-fairest award nearly every year.
Despite Rowell's individual acolades and success, Spagnol said the young footballer never wanted to be treated differently to anyone else.
"If it was in junior football and it was his time to be off the ground, he always did so without objection," he said. "He always understood what it meant to be a good teammate."
Spagnol said everyone at Canterbury was "delighted with the win" and thrilled that Rowell recalled his time at the club with so much affection.
"You can just imagine that every boy and girl that's ever worn the red, gold and the black is just a little prouder of their club because of the way Matt speaks about it."
Acknowledgement: The Age, 25 September 2025
Sacrament of Confirmation
We congratulate our students who received the Sacrament of Confirmation during last night's ceremony at St Patrick's Cathedral.
"May the light of the Holy Spirit always burn brightly in you."
We also acknowledge the support shown by their peers during the period of preparation for this sacrament.
Confirmation is a time
to remember the
promise of God.
He has said that
he will always be there
to guide us in every circumstance
and to renew our faith
when we are discouraged.
He offers us strength to overcome
temptation and difficulties.
Most of all, he has promised
that he will always love us.
Further details about last night's ceremony can be found in the Education in Faith page.
Prep 2026 Transition
This Tuesday afternoon we will be holding the first Transition Afternoon for our 2026 Prep students and their parents. We are looking forward to welcoming 48 new faces to our school community. Please be aware that the Undercroft will be very busy around dismissal time.
School Holiday Maintenance
During the most recent school holidays a number of tasks were completed around the school to ensure the grounds and buildings are maintained and fit for purpose. These included, but are not limited to:
- Correction of the entrance pathway leading up from Barton Street, as the tree roots were previously creating a tripping hazard
- Repainting of the wooden cladding above the Undercroft entrance
- Repairs to the Undercroft carpet
- Pruning of hedges along both Barton St and Mont Albert Rd
- Blowing of the school grounds.
Jaden's Progress
Over the school holidays, Jaden Q (3/4JH) took part in the Victorian Junior Rapid Chess Championship, a state-level competition where young players in their age group compete in faster games. He came away with third place for the Under-10 category winning a trophy.
In the previous school holidays, Jaden also won third place in the Victorian Junior Classical Chess Championship. So he has been awarded trophies in both major formats of chess at the state level.
We are very proud of Jaden's achievements.
Working Bee
Our final Working Bee for the year is fast approaching and will be held on the morning of Sunday 19 October between 8.30am and 10.30am. The Working Bee will be coordinated by both Luke Torpey and Justin Bolger to address the upkeep of the school grounds and minor maintenance matters. Working Bees are a cost-effective and essential means of maintaining aesthetic school grounds that afford a safe and welcoming environment for our children, parents and visitors..
Working Bees provide the opportunity to connect with other families, and the children always have a great time helping out and playing with one another.
For task planning and catering purposes, please indicate your attendance by emailing either -
Justin: justin.trees@hotmail.com or
Luke: luke.torpey@jrtpartnership.com.au
Traffic Safety Video
In case you missed the last newsletter, over recent months the School Captains and Vice Captains have been working with me to spread the message about traffic rules and safety in the streets surrounding OHR. The following video is a result of the work we undertook. The video has been shared previously with the students at an assembly, so feel free to review and discuss the contents with your children.
Term 4 School Closure Days
- Melbourne Cup Weekend - Monday 3rd & Tuesday 4th November
- 2026 Planning Day - Monday 1st December
OHR Twlight Christmas Carols
Please note the change in date for the OHR Twilight Christmas Carols. So this event does not overlap the weekend of the OHR Parents & Kids Camp, the Carols have been moved to Friday, 21st November.
Mr Bode has already commenced preparing the students for this event during Performing Arts lessons.
Wishing everyone a great weekend,
Frank