Dear Parents & Parishioners,

Welcome to the final school newsletter for the year.

The Twelve Days of Christmas in Christian tradition signifies the time between the birth of Christ and the arrival of the three wise men, also known as the Magi. It starts on December 25, which is celebrated as Christmas Day, and lasts until January 6, which is the Epiphany.

The Twelve Days of Christmas is an English Christmas carol that lists a group of increasingly superb gifts given on each of the 12 days of Christmas . The song, published in England in 1780 without music as a chant or rhyme, is thought to be French in origin. The melodies of collected versions of the carol vary throughout history. The standard tune now associated with it is derived from a 1909 arrangement of a traditional folk melody by English composer Frederic Austin.

There's a theory claiming that during a time when Christians were punished for worshiping openly, 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' song was used to secretly pass on the ideology of Christianity. The song was claimed as written by the English Jesuits to educate the young Catholic people in the doctrines, and tenets of the faith. They used mnemonic numbers to simply help the laypeople in remembering the basic facts and teachings. As per this theory, each gift on the list symbolises a different aspect of the Christian faith. For example, The Partridge in the Pear Tree is Jesus Christ, The 2 Turtle Doves are The Old and New Testaments, and so on.

Many early sources suggest that The Twelve Days of Christmas was a "memory-and-forfeits" game, in which participants were required to repeat a verse of poetry recited by the leader. Players who made an error were required to pay a penalty, in the form of offering a kiss or confection.

But while it is true that the 'twelve days' reference the days between the birth of Christ and the coming of the Magi, or the three wise men, there are others who have broken down the many historical and logistical errors in the "hidden meanings" theory.

Regardless of this, the song serves to remind us that Christmas is a season and, as is the case with every season, lasts more than one day.

The Christmas Mass schedule for Our Lady of Pentecost Parish can be accessed below.

Sacrament Celebrations 2025

Make sure you visit the Education in Faith page for details of next year's sacramental celebrations involving students at OHR.

Farewell Mass for Nanette Giovannini on Sunday

You are all invited this Sunday to a special farewell mass for Nanette Giovannini, our Parish Sacramental Coordinator. The mass will be celebrated at 10.30am in the OHR Church, and will be followed with hospitality.

This event is a small way of recognising the great contribution that Nanette has made to our parish families over many years in preparing both younger and older students for their sacraments.

Thank You

On behalf of the staff I would like to acknowledge and thank all our parents, carers and relatives for the many ways in which you have contributed your time to the school this year. Your engagment and involvement during your child's educational journey this year has conveyed that you value the community to which they belong. Every single effort helps to build the sense and experience of community while sending the very strong message to your children that 'you value' the place in which they come every day to grow, learn and succeed.

Acknowledge the Past, Make the Most of the Present and Look Forward to the Future

This Monday evening we will celebrate the end of primary school for our Year 6 students with the annual Graduation Mass and Dinner. Fr Hoang will be celebrating the mass and joining us for the dinner in the hall.

As has become the tradition, many hours of planning has gone into the Graduation Dinner and I thank Lisa Cuteri for her incredible efforts in this regard. There are other Year 5 students’ parents who will be assisting throughout the day and during the evening and we thank them, in anticipation, for their time.

The Graduation provides a special opportunity to celebrate the students’ years at OHR. Everyone present, including family members and staff, will have the opportunity to reflect upon and appreciate the events that have aided the formation of these students who are now preparing to embark on secondary school life.

Congratulations to the following students who will officially graduate from OHR on Monday evening:

Thomas B, Luca C, Nicholas D, Lily G, James G, Hugo H, Betty J, Jot K, Lianna K, Matisse M, James N, Lars R, Ava S, Ted S, Art T, Poppy T and Alicia W.

On Tuesday we also farewell the following students who will move to other schools:

Zara A, James B, Harry C, Phoebe C, Otis H, Rosey M, Lucy S and Finn S.

As they conclude their time at OHR on Thursday, the children will take a small part of OHR with them to whichever school they attend, and my wish is that they will always remember the school that nurtured them and assisted them during their formative years to “Grow, Learn and Succeed”.

Student Leadership 2025

Great student leadership is best defined as the development of a student’s capacities to lead others including organisational skills, presentation skills and team-building abilities. It also refers to the development of leadership characteristics including accountability, integrity and reliability.

Leadership is demonstrated through a single act such as a student giving a verbal report at a school assembly. Great student leadership can also be shown over a long period of time as occurs when students hold leadership positions.

Some weeks ago our year 5 students, who will be the school leaders of 2025, had the opportunity to prepare and deliver speeches stating the qualities they possess that will qualify them to be a good leader. The speeches were presented before their peers, year 5/6 teachers and myself. The decision regarding final positions of leadership is, however, not solely focussed on the speeches. As a staff, we have been observing the students for many years and carefully consider the roles to which they are most suited.

I take great privilege in announcing the Year 6 Student Leaders for the 2025 school year:

School Captains

Zoe C and Amelia L

School Vice Captains

Lachlan G, Kate M and Jacob Y

RE/School Parliament Leaders

Ned K, Zac T and Gabriella W

The Arts/Library Leaders

Ariel M, Teddy T and Ben S

STEM Leaders

Lucas K and A.J. Y

Student Wellbeing Leaders

Luca C, Audrey K and Arlo P

Media Leaders

Mia C, Cynthia H, Anna H and Sophie L

Sustainability Leaders

Winter H and Alexis P

Clarke House Captains

Sya J, Emilia K, Laykn R and Jack T

Fraser House Captains

Thomas C and Sam R

Jackson House Captains

Henry C, Xander C and Chloe O-L

Perkins House Captains

Kiara C, Orlando I and Raf L

Final Assembly & Pass the Light Ceremony

The tradition of the Pass the Light ceremony, where the leadership mantle is passed from the exiting Year 6’s to the current Year 5’s, will take place on Tuesday morning as part of our Final School Assembly at 8:45 am. Everyone is warmly invited to attend.

Note: There will not be an assembly on Monday.

A Final Christmas Messsage from our School Captains and Vice Captains

Thank you to all of the OHR community for making our school so great this year. I have really enjoyed being School Captain and I am going to miss being a student here. I hope everyone has a safe and happy Christmas and enjoys their break from school.

Poppy T

What a year it has been. It only feels like yesterday when I walked through the school gates for the first time this year. It's this time of the year again where all of us in year 6 are heading off to different schools. This year has definitely been a year to remember, I hope everyone keeps growing, learning and succeeding at this school and I hope I have set a good example to all the younger students at OHR. Have a great Christmas.

Art T

Wow, what a year 2024 was! I have loved fulfilling the role of School Vice Captain this year, especially representing our school at the Remembrance Day service and ANZAC service. I will really miss my teachers and all the OHR students, but I’m excited to start secondary school. I hope everyone in our OHR community has a blessed Christmas and enjoys the holidays!

Matisse M

Thank you OHR for making me into who I am today. I hope that through the year of 2024 I have become a school leader that you have been proud of and one that you live up to. Thank you for all the support that you have given me through my years of primary school. Keep striving for the highest and Merry Christmas.

James G

Wow! This year has gone really fast. It seems that only yesterday I was putting my badge on and coming to school for my first day of year six and now it is already December and school is about to end. Thank you students for a great year and I hope I was a good role model. Merry Christmas!

Hugo H

Twilight Working Bee

Thank you to the parents who turned out last night to assist with the twilight working bee. All furntiure was relocated within 40 minutes! An amazing team effort.

Our Deepest Sympathy

On behalf of the school staff, I would like to extend our sincere condolences to Luke Floyd, whose dad passed away over the weekend.

May his soul rest in peace.

Mandarin Teacher

I can announce that we received some very strong applications for the advertised position of Mandarin Teacher for 2025. Ms Celeste Goh will join our staff. Celeste interviewed extremely well and comes with strong endorsements from her referees. We look forward to welcoming Celeste in 2025.

2025 Parent Gatherings

Recently we invited families to open up their homes to host one of next year's Parent Gatherings, which are traditionally held during Term One. Thank you to the following familes for responding to the invitation to host one of the evenings.

Prep - Yr 2 Parent Evening: 21 February 2025 @ the Sutherland's home
Yrs 3 & 4 Parent Evening: 21 March 2025 @ the Korda's home
Yrs 5 & 6 Parent Evening: 28 March 2025 @ the Jackson's home

Final Day of the 2024 School Year

I would like to remind everyone that the last day of the school year for all students in years Prep – 6 will fall on Tuesday 17 December, where the students will conclude at the regular time of 3.15pm.

PFA Sausage Sizzle

As has become the tradition, there will be a sausage sizzle at lunchtime on Tuesday to conclude the term and year.

Q: The price?

A: Gold coin donation.

You may consider packing a little extra for lunch as one sausage may not fill the gap.

Commencement of the 2025 School Year

The following dates will assist families in planning for the commencement of the new school year:

School Staff Resume – Tuesday 28 January 2025
Students in Years 1 to 6 resume – 8.40am on Wednesday 29 January 2025
Students in Foundation (Prep) attend Individual Testing Interviews – Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 January 2025
All Foundation students commence school – 8.40am on Friday 31 January 2025

Christmas Blessings

On behalf of Fr Sang, Fr Hoang and all the staff at Our Holy Redeemer, I would like to wish each family a Christmas season filled with joy and peace. May you all find the time to celebrate Christmas with your loved ones. May the blessing of joy abide WITHIN you … May the blessing of peace rest UPON you … May the blessing of love flow out THROUGH you … May all the blessings of the Lord be yours at Christmas and in the New Year.

Farewell to those families who have been a part of our school community over the years; we will always hold you dear to our hearts.

He made each star and galaxy.

His birth fulfilled each prophecy.

His power made the blind to see.

His sacrifice set people free.

His resurrection proved to be

the turning point in history.

REJOICING IN THE LIFE-GIVING HOPE OF JESUS AT CHRISTMAS

Peace and best wishes,

Frank

PFA News

Class Rep Coordinator

The PFA will be back in 2025 to share details of a range of great social events across the year, and the kids Colour Fun Run which will be our big OHR fundraiser for 2025.