From the Principal

Stage 1 Complete!!!!!!

Well, Stage 1 of our building program has now been completed and we are extremely pleased with the outcome. We have a number of beautiful learning spaces filled with plenty of light and opportunities to learn in a variety of arrangements and settings. The children were certainly very excited to move into their new learning spaces on Monday. Parents are most welcome to come in and have a look at the new building before or after school. I am sure you will be impressed.

The move went very smoothly this week and this was due to the many parents who assisted over the two days. I am incredibly grateful to those parents for giving up their time to help. A sincere THANK YOU to you all.

We don't have telephones in the new classrooms as yet, so we please ask that wherever possible, messages to the students e.g pick up arrangements are organised at home.

On Wednesday the builders began demolishing the interior of the the four classrooms along the top corridor. This next stage of the process is due to be completed by the end of the term.

An official opening of the building will take place late next term.

Lent

We are less than a week away from Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, which falls on 26th February this year. Lent is a reminder of the importance of sacrifice, prayer and looking after those in need.

Lent helps us more deeply understand the Easter event that is at the centre of our Christian faith, and strengthens our commitment to living the life of love and mercy to which Christ calls us. We can use this time to consider how our actions are defining our relationship with God, with others and with our deepest self. Lent is a time for renewing those relationships based on compassion, truth and justice.

Next Wednesday, 26th February, all students will attend Ash Wednesday mass which will take place at 11:30am in the church. As always, parents, grandparents and friends are welcome to join us.

Next Tuesday, being Shrove Tuesday, parents will be cooking pancakes for all the children in the school. A Caremonkey has been sent home regarding this activity. We certainly welcome our new families to assist on this day.

Condolenses

We keep the Falla family (Finn 3/4GR & Archie 1/2L ) in our prayers following the recent passing of their Grandmother.

Home School Communication

Over the past two weeks we have offered Parent Information evenings as well as Parent Teacher Interviews. I am very grateful to those parents who have taken up the opportunity to engage in these activities. I am also grateful to those parents who have submitted their apologies for not being able to attend one or both of these opportunities. The teachers found these meetings to be extremely beneficial. If you were unable to make a time to meet with your child's classroom teacher I would encourage you to make a mutually convenient time at your earliest convenience.

School Education Board

Our first School Education Board meeting will be our AGM on Wednesday 11th March at 7.30pm.

As we have a few parent reps from the senior classes moving on we are looking to have representation from the junior school ie. Prep, Year 1 or Year 2. Nominations for the Education Board are sought from interested parents. Parents are invited to nominate themselves in writing to Brendan by 28th February.

Child Safe Standards

In meeting with Child Safe Standards I would like to remind parents of the need to have a current Working With Children Check if you intend on volunteering here at Christ Our Holy Redeemer.

The Working with Children (WWC) Check helps protect children from physical and sexual harm. The WWCC does this by screening people’s criminal records and professional conduct and preventing those who pose an unjustifiable risk to children from working with or caring for them. To volunteer at Christ Our Holy Redeemer as a parent helper, a check is required. To apply for the check, please visit the government website and follow the details.

www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au

Please ensure you put Christ Our Holy Redeemer as the place where you will be volunteering, as your check details will then be forwarded to the school. The only cost to parents will be the passport photo required for the card. All forms are online. Paper forms are no longer available from the Post Office or schools.

Please complete, print and submit forms at an Australia Post office with your attached photo. The school will be notified via a letter once your check has been verified and granted. If you already have a Working with Children Check and the school does not yet have a copy, please bring your card to the school office so a copy can be made for our records. It is each parent’s responsibility to update their Working with Children Check and notify the school when a new card has been issued.

Further parents need to have signed the 'Safeguarding Children and Young People Code of Conduct' which was sent home last week. If you need another copy just ask at the Office.

We greatly appreciate your time and support with school activities.

School Photos

School photos will be taken next Friday 28th February. All students are asked to wear their correct summer uniform to school on this day. Children who have class sport are asked to bring their runners and/or their sports uniform to change into once they have had their photos taken. There will be NO SCHOOL ASSEMBLY on this day.

Open Days

This year we will have three days Open Days to showcase our school to prospective parents. These will take place on;

Tuesday 3rd March 9:00am – 4:00pm,

Tuesday 21st April 9:00am – 4:00pm, and

Thursday 30th April 9:00am – 4:00pm

I would encourage you to extend this invitation to any friends or neighbours who may be looking for a great school for their child in 2021.

If these dates do not accommodate prospective families we are more than willing to make a mutually convenient time to take them for a tour of our school.

School Banking

School banking conitnues to take place every Tuesday morning. Please ensure you have updated your child’s class on the banking cover. If you would like to open a school banking account, you just need to go to www.commbank.com.au/schoolbanking to register.

Camp Fees

We have now confirmed all travel costs and finalised bookings. The camp fees have now been added to your school fees.

Year 4 camp $270 plus a $20 food expense

Year 5/6 Camp $250 plus a $20 food expense

Statements will be sent out at the beginning of each term.

Take care and enjoy the rest of the week

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SPORTS NEWS

School Sports - Thursday 5th March

Inter School Sports - tomorrow