Principal's News
Dear Parents & Parishioners,
Catholic Education Week 2026: 15-22 March
This year, Catholic Education Week will be celebrated across the Archdiocese of Melbourne from Sunday 15March to Sunday 22 March.
Catholic Education Week is an opportunity for all Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne to celebrate their Catholic identity, the pivotal role they play within their local community and the strength of the sector
The theme for Catholic Education Week 2026 is:
‘Christ beside me: Walking in the footsteps of Saint Patrick.'
The theme celebrates the significance of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of our Cathedral in Melbourne. Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, our mother Church, is a reminder that Australia’s migrants have always brought their religion with them. St Patrick's legacy offers us powerful lessons in love, faith and courage.
Some of our Year 6 students will represent our school at the 'Mass of St Patrick for Schools' held tomorrow, Friday 20 March. The mass will be followed by the Concert in the Park for primary school students.
Wednesday's Open Morning was one of the ways in which we celebrated much of what Our Holy Redeemer has to offer as a faith-centred, rich learning environment.
Lenten Prayer of St Patrick
Christ be with me today.
Christ be in my heart.
Christ be in my friends.
Christ be in those who need help.
Christ be in the lonely and afraid.
Christ be in everyone I meet.
Amen.
First Reconciliation
Congratulations to all those students who received the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Tuesday evening. The students were prepared by their teachers, families and parish for this signficant sacrament. They were also supported by their peers throughout their preparation, and for this we are truly appreciative.
We pray that our candidates ask for "the courage to be honest, the humility to seek forgiveness, and the grace to mend relationships".
Further details can be found in the Education in Faith page.
Raising Kids in a Digital World
Join us this evening, 19 March, for an engaging, insightful and practical webinar where you will hear from both the expertise of an experienced primary school teacher and cyber safety educator - Marty - combined with the insights of a psychologist and mum - Carley.
Inform & Empower is endorsed by the eSafety Commissioner as a Trusted eSafety Provider.
The Digital World is a rapidly evolving landscape for parents and their children. This very practical webinar will provide parents with the tools to support your children in navigating this landscape in your homes.
Please head to the Digital Technology and Online Safety page for details of how you can register for the live parent webinar, 'Raising Kids in a Digital World'.
Years 3&4 Parent Gathering
Thank you to Katherine and Esmond Prowse for offering to open up their new home to host the gathering for parents of students in Years 3 & 4. We are all looking forward to, what should be, a great night.
Years 5 & 6 Parent Gathering
The next Parent Gathering will be held at the home of Lisa and Michael Wilson. This function is for parents who have children in Years 5 or 6, and will be held next Friday 27 March. An invitation was emailed to all Year 5/6 parents earlier this week.
Road Safety Around Schools
This Road Safety Flyer has been created by the City of Boroondara to support safe behaviours around school zones during drop‑off and pick‑up times.
Online Safety: Parental Controls - Repeated
Parental controls are digital tools, settings, and software built into devices, apps, and networks that allow parents to manage their children's online safety. They enable blocking inappropriate content, setting screen time limits, managing app usage, and tracking location to ensure age-appropriate, secure digital experiences.
But it's important to understand their limitations and use them in combination with other protective strategies.
The following tips and advice from the eSafetyCommissioner can help in keeping your child safe online:
Working Bee - this Sunday Morning!
This year's Working Bees will be coordinated Laura Hilet to address the upkeep of the school grounds and minor maintenance matters. Working Bees are a cost effective and essential means to 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 in the school grounds.
Our first Working Bee for the year will be held this Sunday commencing at 8.30am. We usually conclude around 10.00am and follow the pack up with a sausage sizzle and a drink.
The school has a limited supply of tools so we encourage you to bring leaf blowers, wheel barrows, hedge trimmers and secateurs .
For task planning and catering purposes we ask that you contact Laura: lauradinicol@gmail.com
School Photos
School Photos will be taken by Advanced Life this Monday 23 March. Details can be found on the School Photo Orders page.
Student Wellbeing
Please refer to the Student Wellbeing page where Mrs Jackson has written in detail about how we are supporting student mental health and wellbeing.
Last Parent Helpers Session this Semester
Please refer to Learning & Teaching News regarding your last opportunity this semester to complete the required Parent Helper's session to be able to help out in the classroom.
School Closure Days
We will have two school closure days for staff professional learning during Term 2. Therefore, there will be no school closure days during Term 3. The dates of the two school closure days are:
Monday 4 May
Friday 5 June (leading into the King's Birthday long weekend)
Wishing everyone a great weekend,
Frank