Principal's News

Dear Parents & Parishioners,

From ‘can’t do’ to ‘can do’

We all have setbacks. There are times when we all have to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and start again. Most of us are experts in this even if we’ve forgotten it because this is the way we learned to walk. Sucking at something the first few times you do it is the first step to getting good at it.

Successful sports teams play the game the same way regardless of the score in the game. Focusing on the result causes people to panic or freeze up. Parents’ comments can cause a shift in their child’s awareness. Instead of commenting on the result, find something you like and notice it. For example, “you sang the first few bars of that song beautifully, it’s coming together”. Avoid the temptation to then add suggestions of ways to improve.

If you become the proud parent, kids will tell you that you are embarrassing them. Don’t believe them. Maybe don’t do it in front of other people but when you get them in private, let them know that you love them and think they are fantastic. They may pretend to you that they hate it but they all secretly lap it up.

Your kids will become upset at setbacks, will label themselves as “no good” or stupid if they don’t get a good mark and compare themselves negatively to others. It is so tempting for parents to try to soothe kids out of this or even provide a salutary lesson, “well if you’d tried harder you would have done better”. Don’t do this! Be determined to stay focused on effort and improvement. “I’m sorry you didn’t do as well as you hoped and if you want to have another go, let’s work out a way of getting better at it”. At first changing your parenting language might feel a bit weird.  Focusing on noticing, commenting on effort and emphasising the power of having a go are the most powerful ways parents can set kids up for success.

Taken from Andrew Fuller’s paper, From ‘can’t do’ to ‘can do’

The full article can be read below:

OHR ANZAC Day Memorial Service

On Wednesday afternoon, we took the opportunity to recognise ANZAC Day as a school community. During the afternoon, students, staff, parents and relatives gathered together in the hall to commemorate all Australians and New Zealanders who have served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. 

Thank you to Mrs Lisa Canty who put a lot of time and careful consideration into preparing this meaningful tribute prior to departing for both Singapore and Borneo.

The students who read during the service, did so with grace and reverance.

I would also like to acknowledge the valuable contribution made to the OHR ANZAC Day Commemoration by Captain Brendan McCarthy, who read The Ode, and Corporal Trevor Eddy who spoke about his time serving in Vietnam.  Thanks to Christina Bockhurst for preparing a beautiful wreath, which was also used during the ANZAC Day Dawn Service in Surrey Gardens.

The staff were so proud of the respect shown by all the students on this occasion.

ANZAC Day Dawn Service

Yesterday morning, our School Captains, Poppy T and Art T, along with our Vice Captains, Matisse M, James G and Hugo H, represented Our Holy Redeemer at the ANZAC Day Dawn Service in Surrey Gardens.  This year's service centred on the stories of servicemen from the local Surrey Hills area, many of whose names are inscribed on the Honour Board within the shrine at Surrey Gardens. 

Poppy shared the story of John Milne Gray, a local man who lived in Croydon Road, Surrey Hills.   John enlisted in the army during 1915 and died some three years later from injuries inflicted during a battle near Dermancourt in France.  He was buried with a military funeral in the Brighton Borough Cemetry, England.  Art  shared a poem composed by John's wife, Florence Gray, which was written a year after his death.  Her poem was subsequently published in The Age newspaper.

Matisse, Hugo and James presented two wreaths on behalf of the OHR community.  The wreaths were placed at the foot of the Cenotaph. 

I would like to acknowledge our School Captains and Vice Captains who represented our school so proudly, and extend my thanks to their families for attending this important event.  We were joined by other OHR families during the annual service. 

An Invitation to a Guided Learning Walk for Parents

On Wednesday 15 May, you are invited to come to the staff room for a decent coffee (we use Nespresso pods!) and then see firsthand how children learn at our school through joining us on a Learning Walk for Parents.   Learning Walks are a great opportunity for parents to come to the school and, with other parents in a small group, be guided around classrooms by one of the school leaders.  It is a great opportunity to observe what learning looks like in different levels of the school. 

These guided walks will provide you with:

• A first-hand look into selected classrooms to observe the learning
• Special commentary and insights from school leaders
• An opportunity to ask questions
• A chance to meet, listen and learn with other parents 

If you are interested in joining us on one of these walks please indicate your interest by emailing ohradmin@ohrsurreyhills.catholic.edu.au or alternatively completing the Google Form that was sent out today.

Our Learning Walk for Parents will commence at 8.45am on Wednesday 15 May. Please allow 45mins.

Working Bee

This is a friendly reminder that our next Working Bee is scheduled for Sunday 5 May from 8:30 - 10:30am.   Within that time we will also have a sausage sizzle.

The main aim of the morning is to entirely clear and sort out the Dungeon.  The Dungeon is the storage room beneath the hall entry.  We require as many hands as possible to assist with removing old furniture and other discarded items.  The remaining items need to be neatly stored to enable ease of location and access. 

For task planning and catering purposes, please confirm your attendance to either of our Working Bee coordinators, Justin or Luke:

Luke.Torpey@jrtpartnership.com.au or Justin.trees@hotmail.com

Science Talent Search

Registrations are open once again for the annual Science Talent Search (STS).  Students in Years 2-6 are warmly invited to enter with entry costs covered by the school. OHR students have been involved in this competition for many years and many of our students have achieved great success with their entries being awarded a Bursary, a Certificate of Distinction or a Certificate of Merit. 

Mrs Axon regularly meets with entrants to support them on their journey.

Registrations for this year's STS are closing soon.  For further details, refer to the Science and STEM page further in this newsletter.

OHR Public Speaking Competition

Refer to the Learning & Teaching News page for details of next term's whole school Public Speaking Competition.

Maths Talent Quest

On the Teaching & Learning News page you will also find details of this year's Maths Talent Quest (MTQ).  If you have any questions in relation to the MTQ, please email Mrs Penny Hansen: phansen@ohrsurreyhills.catholic.edu.au

Winter Uniform

The first few weeks of Term 2 can offer temperamental weather with a mixture of warmer and cooler days.  Therefore, the children are allowed to wear either summer or winter uniform for the first three weeks.  Commencing Monday 6 May, however, all children are required to be dressed in full winter uniform.

Note: The students are required to wear their hats until the end of April.

Advance Notification of King's Birthday Long Weekend

Friday, 7 June, prior to the King's Birthday long weekend, will be a school closure day for staff professional learning.  The staff from our three parish schools will come together on that day for a focus on Religious Education. 

Wishing everyone a great weekend,

Frank Dame