Dear Families,

Last week we held our first ever SPARK Night. The evening provided an opportunity for us to showcase the fabulous work of our specialist teachers and for parents to see the work their children have been doing in these classes.

We offer our sincere condolences to the Salemme family on the passing of Mila's grandmother and to Miracle's family on the passing of her great aunt. Please keep both families in your prayers at this very difficult time.

“The Pharisees send their disciples to test Jesus with a question about taxes." Matthew 22:15-21

Jesus gives clear, cool-headed advice in a situation where the Pharisees are trying to trip him up. The people of the time lived under Roman rule and were heavily taxed. The Roman leader was Tiberius Caesar whose picture was on their money. Taxes were paid to Caesar just as they are paid to the government today. The Pharisees wanted to discredit Jesus and asked him, “Is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” The question which was asked of Jesus would condemn him either way it was answered. If he said it was unlawful to pay the tax, they would have him arrested for treason. If he said it was lawful to pay the tax, he would be discredited by many Jews who hated Roman tradition since it put Rome in the place of God.

Jesus was aware of the trap they set and asked to see the money used to pay the tax. Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar – and to God what belongs to God.” Their money bears Caesar’s image and therefore belongs to him but the whole of creation comes from God and belongs to God. Jesus makes it clear that there are obligations to the state but also makes it clear that there are obligations to God.

Our Challenge:

The challenge for us today is to balance the demands of our world and remain constantly faithful to God.

Upcoming School Closure Days

A reminder that the school will be closed on both Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd November.

YLV Expression of Interest - Closure Day Monday 2nd November

Youth Leadership Victoria (YLV) our before and after school care provider, are now taking expressions of Interest for our Closure Day on Monday 2nd November. Please see the flyer for more information.

Fete Meeting

Our next fete meeting will be on Monday 19th October at 7:00pm. You can access the online meeting via the following link:

https://meet.google.com/mgz-opgy-ibk

Class Placements for 2027

In the coming weeks staff will commence planning and the process of student placement for 2027. As a team of professional educators, we aim for the best outcomes for our students to maximize their learning opportunities and at the same time providing well-balanced class groupings. The social, emotional, academic, past and present behaviour and physical characteristics of each student are taken into consideration.

Placement of students is a collaborative process involving all staff. If a parent has a genuine concern regarding the placement of their child for next year or information that could impact on your child/children’s learning I invite you to put your concerns in writing, in a letter/email addressed to me, the principal, and forward this letter/email to me at principal@cohroakeast.catholic.edu.au by Friday, October 23rd 2026.

Only concerns in writing will be considered. Please note there is no guarantee that your request will be granted as the ultimate responsibility for student placement lies with staff and the principal. We make every effort to take your concerns into consideration but we must make the best decisions of all our students. Parent input is not an invitation to request a particular teacher. Teacher placement for 2027 has not been confirmed at this stage. Staff placement is carefully considered and lies with what best suits the needs of the school for the coming year. As the principal I have discussions with all staff regarding their intentions and the desired outcomes they wish to achieve. It is, therefore, not possible for parents to request a particular teacher for their child. Please also note letters received after Friday, 23rd October 2026 will not be considered as placements will have already begun.

Notice of Intention for 2027

A Notice of Intention for 2027 has been sent via nForma to allow families to indicate if they are not returning next year. Student numbers impact on staffing levels and class structures and to assist with planning we ask that you fill in this Notice of Intention. Your response prior to Friday, October 23rd 2026 would be greatly appreciated.

Help for School Sports

We need someone who can help paint the lines on our school oval for our School Sports that is being held on Tuesday November 10th. If you are able to help out on the morning of Tuesday 10th November please contact Sue Tobin at stobin@cohroakeast.catholic.edu.au

If you have access to any line marking equipment we would love to borrow it. Please let Sue know if you do.

World Teachers Day

World Teacher’s Day is celebrated on Friday, October 30th. This day provides us with the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the amazing contributions teachers and staff have made and continue to make in our school and wider communities.

COHR is blessed to have amazing teachers who are professional, well trained individuals with a passion for learning and developing young minds. They care deeply about the children they teach, striving to open their minds to new learnings, new possibilities and encouraging them to explore their own creativity. They are resilient, dedicated and compassionate.

I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank our teachers and all staff for the enormous contribution they make to the life of Christ Our Holy Redeemer School. It is not only a pleasure to lead and work with them but a delight to witness the growth in each of them individually and the growth of our students entrusted into their care.

Please join with us in saying ‘Thank You’ to our teachers and staff who make COHR an amazing place to be.

Swimming

“There is no ‘OFF SEASON’ for water safety.”

Swimming and water safety is included in the Health and Physical Education Curriculum from Foundation to Level 10. Knowledge of survival swimming and basic water safety skills can significantly reduce the risk of drowning, enhance community safety and build resilience in children.

At COHR we provide the opportunity for students to learn these valuable life skills that will prepare them for being in and around water. Swimming and water safety skills also provide health benefits for children, including social, psychological and physical wellbeing.

Our Swimming Program is a compulsory part of the curriculum and all students are expected to attend. If your child has any health concerns that would prevent them from participating in this vital program, please notify the school as soon as possible. As the students will be changing out of their swimsuits, please ensure that your children are capable of dressing themselves independently and will not require assistance. Please make sure you have given consent via nForma.

Catholic Secondary School Enrolment - Year 7, 2029 Important Dates

Applications for students starting Year 7 in 2029 will open on Wednesday 27 January 2027 and close on Friday 13 August 2027.
Offers will be posted to 2029 prospective Year 7 applicants on Friday 15 October 2027.
Parents/carers will be required to accept an offer by Friday 5 November 2027.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Samuel Duckett (older brother of Mary-Elizabeth) who has been appointed Vice School Captain at Mazenod for 2027.

VCE Students

Final exams for VCE students commence in October. Please keep the VCE students from our local Catholic feeder schools including Sacred Heart, Avila, Salesian and Mazenod in your prayers together with students from our neighbouring colleges and high schools as they commence this quite stressful period in their young lives. We wish them all the best.

Lost Property

ARE YOU MISSING A SCHOOL JUMPER OR JACKET?

Our Lost Property Bin is LOADED with unclaimed and unnamed jumpers and jackets!

Please encourage your children to check for theirs, or pop into the Community Hub/Second-Hand Uniform shop yourselves to take a look.

We will also have missing jumpers displayed in the hall this Friday 16/10/26 at Assembly time for ease of checking.

UNCLAIMED ITEMS WILL BE DONATED TO THE UNIFORM SHOP AFTER FRIDAY 23 OCTOBER 2026

Icy poles

Icy poles will be sold tomorrow for $1. This will be available every Friday for the duration of Term 4.

Socktober

Due to a very eventful Term 4, we have decided to move Socktober to the 30th October 2026. More information will follow very shortly.

Reminders

Swimming commences on Monday 19th October and runs every day until Thursday 29th October.
Prep 2027 Parent Information Night - Tuesday October 20th 6pm-7pm
SAC Meeting Wednesday 28th October 7:30pm
Preschool Story Time Wednesday 28th October 2pm
All students should now be wearing their summer uniform. Please ensure all removable items of clothing (hats and jumpers) are clearly named.

Have a fantastic week ahead,

Aimee Gale

Principal

Fete Sponsorship 2026