Our Holy Redeemer School Newsletter

Principal's News

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Dear Parents & Parishioners,

 

Is it possible to "love your child to poverty"?  This was a question asked at the Australian Catholic Education Conference which I attended some weeks ago.

The idea of "loving your child to poverty" by denying them the opportunity to experience failure is a powerful metaphor for the negative impacts of helicopter parenting. While a parent's instinct is to protect their child from pain and struggle, constantly shielding them from failure can unintentionally harm their long-term development.

The Downside of Preventing Failure

When parents consistently swoop in to fix their children's problems, they are, in effect, preventing them from developing crucial life skills. This overprotection can lead to a host of negative outcomes:

  • Undeveloped Coping Skills: If a child never experiences disappointment or loss, they won't know how to handle these feelings as an adult. They might not learn how to regulate their emotions, deal with frustration, or find healthy ways to bounce back from setbacks.

  • Lack of Resilience: The ability to persevere and bounce back from adversity is built through experience. By removing obstacles, parents rob their children of the chance to build the grit and determination needed for a successful and fulfilling life.

  • Low Self-Confidence: When a parent constantly intervenes, the implicit message they send is, "I don't trust you to handle this on your own." This can lead to a lack of self-confidence and an overreliance on others, making it difficult for the child to become an independent adult.

  • Poor Problem-Solving Skills: Children who are not allowed to solve their own problems, whether it's a social conflict or a difficult homework assignment, don't learn how to think critically and come up with solutions. They enter adulthood without the essential skills to navigate real-world challenges.

Fostering a Healthy Mindset

Instead of being a "snowplow" parent who clears every obstacle, a more effective approach is to be a supportive guide. This involves a shift in perspective, where failure is not a disaster to be avoided, but a valuable learning opportunity.

Here are some ways to encourage this healthy mindset:

  • Encourage a Growth Mindset: Teach your child that abilities aren't fixed. Emphasise that effort and learning from mistakes are what lead to growth. When children fail, focus the conversation on what they learned and what they could do differently next time.

  • Model Vulnerability: Share your own failures and how you overcame them. This shows your child that it's normal to make mistakes and that even adults don't have all the answers.

  • Offer Support, Not Solutions: When your child faces a challenge, resist the urge to fix it. Instead, ask them what they've already tried and what they think they should do next. This helps them take ownership of the problem and develop their own solutions.

  • Let Them Feel the Consequences: If your child forgets their homework, let them face the natural consequence of  a conversation with the teacher. While it's hard to watch, this experience teaches responsibility and accountability far more effectively than a parent rescuing them.

By allowing children to experience and learn from failure, parents equip them with the resilience, confidence, and problem-solving skills they need to navigate the complexities of adulthood.

Fathers' Day Stall & Breakfast 

Last Thursday's Fathers' Day Stall proved to be a great hit with the students and, hopefully, the dads.  Thanks to Emma C for coordinating the stall and for the mums that were on hand to service the savvy customers as they made their discerning gift selections for dad.  A big shout out to Paula D, Belinda G, Kate C and Frankie V-H.

 

We had a superb morning, weather-wise, for Friday's Fathers' Day Breakfast.  Many thanks to the mums who organised the food and coffees.  The dads had ample time to socialise with the other dads and play some sport with their children.  At 8.20am, the classrooms were opened so the children could proudly show their dads around their place of learning.

School Concert

I have no doubt that the students' performance during Monday evening's school concert, Come Fly with Meimpressed everyone who attended, and I’m not just saying that because I’m the Principal of OHR.   Mr Jon Bode, with the support of the staff, ensured that the children delivered in terms of song, dance and acting.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Bode for the enthusiastic and energetic   way in which he has worked with our students over recent months to prepare them for the night. Monday's concert conveyed the depth of sheer talent and enjoyment that this experience has unearthed.

OHR Mathematics NAPLAN Results

Head to the Learning & Teaching News page to obtain a snapshot of our progress in Mathematics.

A Beautiful Baby Girl

Congratulations to Alex and Joshua Mannerheim on the birth of their beautiful daughter, Isabella, who entered the world last week.  Charles (Prep MD) is so proud of his new baby sister.

Footy Colours Day

Don't forget to dress up your children in their favourite team colours next Friday.  The footy code doesn't matter.  They are in for a day of fun as we celebrate the footy finals.  Mrs Gorgeous Golds has a bit more to say about the day in her PE News page.

The day will begin with a whole school mass to conclude the term, which parents are welcome to attend.  

Throughout the morning the students will engage in a range of footy activities organised by Mrs Golds and the House Captains.

Digital Safety & Wellbeing

Please head to the Student Wellbeing page for some important information and links to support digital safety for your child/ren.

MACSSIS

Last Monday, 1 September, some families would have received an email from Mr Nick Byrne containing the following subject line: OHR MACSSIS - Family School Improvement Survey 2025. The email contained login details and a unique family PIN.   If you have misplaced this email, please contact Nick directly at:

nbyrne@ohrsurreyhills.catholic.edu.au 

All participation is invited, welcomed and 100 per cent voluntary. The surveys are not a test; they are an inclusive way to support the work we are already doing to improve our school.

So far, 12 families have completed the survey.  The average survey completion time is 7.6 minutes.  So, we would encourage as many families as possible to undertake the survey prior to next Friday, 19 September.

PFA Sausage Sizzle Next Friday

To conclude the term, the PFA will hold a sausage sizzle for the students next Friday.  The cost for a sausage in bread is a gold coin donation.

Remember, the students will be dismissed at 1.00pm. 

 

Wishing everyone a great weekend,

Frank Dame