Principal's News
2026 Prep Parent Dinner & Information Evening
There was an incredible energy in the hall last Thursday evening as we welcomed our 2026 Prep Families - many of who are new to the school - to their first official OHR function. This cohort of parents gave the impression that they are a very social group.
The parents were blown away by the reception they received, and could not believe the beautiful way in which the hall was set up. Our current flock of Prep parents ensured that the hall looked spectacular and that our guests felt welcomed.
My thanks to our 2026 Prep teachers, Mary and Michelle, for the presentation they delivered during the evening. Kate Casley spoke on behalf of the PFA, Emma Caldwell signed up recruits for the OHR Strength Squad, while Peter Ryan went on a recruitment drive for potential OHR Scorchers.
Thank you to Tara Sutherland, and Renee and Neil Sheperd who coordianted our willing Prep parents in: setting up and packing up the hall; providing mouth-watering salads and deserts; and ensuring our guests were well looked after throughout the evening. At the end of it all, the hall was packed up, dishes washed, and rubbish dumped. The hall was left in a perfectly clean state for Friday's Christmas Carols.
A big thanks to all those involved!
In Advent we rediscover the beauty of all being on a journey
What follows is an unlikely conversation. It’s between Joseph – St Joseph – and his mother-in-law, Anne – St Anne.
Anne: You’re taking her where? I do not believe my ears!
Joseph: Bethlehem. I have to go there, so I’ll take her with me.
Anne: My daughter. Nine months pregnant! You want to walk to Bethlehem? You want to take her with you?
Joseph: Not want to take her with me. I’m going to take her with me. If she’s out of town the gossips can’t pin down the date of birth. Besides, a son of David should be born in David’s town. Where else?
Anne: A son, is it? Where else, you say? On the road there, maybe? If the robbers don’t get you first, God forbid. Joseph, nobody knows when the baby is due. This is not the moment to take her on a walking tour.
Joseph: It is a long way to walk. I could find her a donkey.
Anne: A donkey! Why not a chariot? And this is supposed to be an improvement? You should try being pregnant and riding a donkey! Joseph, be reasonable. Leave her here, in her mother’s care.
Joseph: She’s in my care now; I take care of her. How can I take care of her if I leave her behind?
Anne: You’ll take care of her? Suddenly you’re a midwife as well as a carpenter!
Joseph, this is her first baby. The only one who knows less about it is you.
Joseph: Don’t try to frighten us out of it; we were both told by the angel, “Don’t be afraid.”
Anne: Did the angel mention any other details? Like how to manage? In her condition, in a strange town, with no help, only Joseph, the midwife carpenter! Who dreamed it would be all right?
Joseph: I dreamed that I was told not to be afraid to take her. So, if I have to go to Bethlehem, then, she is coming with me.
Anne: Oh well, if an angel comes to your dreams with a special message, then, why listen to the voice of common sense?
Joseph: He also told me that it was going to be a boy; and to name him Jesus.
Anne: Jesus? My grandson? What about Rouven after my father? Or David, even? Why Jesus? What sort of name is that? Oh, Joseph!”
“Listen to your mother-in-law” Radio sketch by Cecily Cupit
The imagined conversation between Joseph and his mother-in-law, Anne, paints a picture of God coming into people’s lives in totally unexpected ways. A teenage girl is to be the Mother of God and a carpenter is going to be a midwife! During Advent we are encouraged to prepare for Christ to be born into our lives but, as Mary and Joseph experienced, you don’t have to be highly prepared with your spiritual life in total order.
This weekend we celebrate the first Sunday of Advent.
OHR Twilight Christmas Celebration
My thanks to the PFA, and other parent volunteers, for all their work behind the scenes to ensure we had a very enjoyable Twilight Christmas Celebration last week. The festivities in the school grounds capped off a wonderful celebration of Christmas carols which were sung by our students.
Twilight Working Bee
On Wednesday 10 December there will be a special Twilight Working Bee between 5.00 and 6.00pm. The purpose of this event is to relocate classroom tables, chairs and storage units. For OH&S reasons I do not want students, nor teachers, moving the items of furniture up and down stairs. It would be great to have as many hands on deck for the one hour period to enable the furniture from four classrooms to be efficiently relocated.
We have undertaken a similar project in recent years and, as a result of so many parent helpers, managed to complete all tasks generally within 40 - 45 minutes.
If you are able to help out for the full hour or part thereof, please indicate your attendance by emailing either of our two Working Bee Coordinators:
Luke Torpey: | Justin Bolger: |
Last Hurrah at OHR
The evening of Thursday 4 December offers the opportunity for all our 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 very special night on the school calendar, and we encourage as many parents as possible to attend. The evening will be held in the hall and commence at 7.30pm.
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.
2026 OHR Staff
During recent months, I have been meeting with staff to plan for the 2026 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 classroom teaching staff will be educating and nurturing the growth of our children in 2026. Note, that following a lifetime dedicated to education, Mrs Margie Maher has made the decision to retire at the end of the current school year.
At this stage I can announce that the following staff will be educating and nurturing the growth of our children in 2026:
The classroom teachers in 2026 comprise:
Prep: Mary Dening (5 days)
Prep: Michelle Hollow (5 days)
1/2: Lana Gill (4 days)/Aria Karagiannis (1 day)
1/2: Tina Hautot (4 Days)/Aria Karagiannis (1 day)
2/3: Carmel Pettinato (5 days)
3/4: Esther Jackson (3 days)/Penny Hansen (2 days)
3/4: Declan Gulavin (5 days)
5/6: Cara Mitchell (5 days)
5/6: Katie Mackay (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: Celeste Goh
Digital Technologies
Manager: - Penny Hansen
Staff holding leadership positions in the school include:
Principal: - Frank Dame
Deputy Principal: - Nick Byrne
REL / Mathematics
Leader: - Nick Byrne
Learning &
Teaching Leader: - Penny Hansen
Literacy Leader: - Lisa Canty
Learning Diversity /
Pastoral Care Worker: - Lisa Canty
Student Wellbeing: - Esther Jackson
Administration Officer: - Heather Neil (Mon - Thurs)
- Rosha Vincitorio (Fri)
Library Technician: - Deidre Campbell
Learning SupportOfficers:
- Deidre Campbell
- Rosha Vincitorio
- Lana Nikolic
- Themi Manou
- TBA
Bebras Computational Thinking
Refer to the Learning & Teaching News page for details of the 2026 Bebras Computational Thinking Competition. Entry forms, which can be found in the Learning & Teaching News, are due to be submitted by this Wednesday, 3 December.
2026 Fees and Levies
Two weeks ago, all families were emailed a letter including the schedule of Tuition Fees and Levies for the 2026 school year. A copy of this document can be accessed here:
2026 Parent Gatherings
As has become an OHR tradition, we invite families to open up their homes to host one of three parent gatherings that are spaced throughout Term One on Friday evenings. These are warm and low key social events. There is very little for the host family to organise, with the exception of some tubs filled with ice so that people can chill their drinks.
All Parent Gatherings were well-attended earlier this year.
We have currently set aside three dates for 2026:
- Yrs Prep-2 Parent Evening: 20 February @ the Shepherd's home
- Yrs 3&4 Parent Evening: 13 March
- Yrs 5&6 Parent Evening: 27 March
If interested in hosting one of these evenings, please let either Heather or myself know.
Free Dress Day
Due to the fact that our students exceeded the $15,000 fundraising target during the recent OHR Colour Run, there will be a free dress day for all students next Friday, 5 December.
Commencement of the 2026 School Year
The following dates will assist families in planning for the commencement of the new school year:
School Staff Resume – Tuesday 27 January 2026
Students in Years 1 to 6 resume – 8.40am on Wednesday 28 January 2026
Students in Foundation (Prep) attend Individual Testing Interviews – Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 January 2026
All Foundation students commence school – 8.40am on Friday 30 January 2026
Note: Each term, one day is a desginated as a school closure day for staff professional learning. The date set aside as a school closure day in Term 1, 2026, is Monday 23 February.
Next School Closure Day
- 2026 Planning Day - Monday 1st December
Wishing everyone a great weekend,
Frank