From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

It is hard to believe we are halfway through the term already. The children are to be commended on their efforts so far as they settle into the new school year. The Preps are to be especially commended for the way they have adjusted to the routines of school life. They have learnt so much already!

NAPLAN Online

NAPLAN is an Australian wide assessment for students in Years 3 and 5 in Writing, Reading, Language Conventions and Maths.

This year all NAPLAN assessments will be completed online, except for the Year 3 Writing assessment.

All assessments for Years 3 and 5 will be conducted between 15th and 27th March.

15th March - Year 3 and 5 Writing

16th March - Year 5 Reading

17th March - Year 3 Reading

20th March - Year 3 and Year 5 Language Conventions

21st March - Year 5 Numeracy

22nd March - Year 3 Numeracy

If students are absent for any of the assessments we are able to provide ‘Catch Up’ sessions when they return to school.

Seasons is a peer support program for young people who have experienced the loss of a significant person in their lives. This loss and change is essentially because of death or separation and divorce within the family unit.

When we experience loss we may look for support and encouragement as we adjust to the loss. The changes in our lives that occur because of this loss, challenge us to find ‘inner and outer resources’ to help us to cope and reconcile our lives.

Seasons provides an opportunity for young people to express, acknowledge, normalise and integrate their grief. Staff at COHR have been trained to guide this process.

If your child is part of a single parent or step-family or has experienced the loss of a significant person, this will be an opportunity for him/her to share with someone, what is happening on the inside. In order to properly facilitate the program, we only have places for a certain number of children.

The Seasons program will be organised as follows:

- sessions will be held at school.

- will comprise of 8 weekly sessions

- the group will have no more than 6 children.

- the group will be facilitated by Kim Goddard (a specially trained staff member)

If you would like your child to be apart of this program please notify the school office or Kim Goddard directly no later than Friday 24th March. Contact will be made with the parents whose child has been accepted into the program.

office@cohroakeast.catholic.edu.au

kgoddard@cohroakeast.catholic.edu.au

Division Swimming

Yesterday five of our students competed at the Division Level at Waverley Pool, competing against students from numerous schools in our area. Congratulations to Giselle, Miette, Archer, Ari and Cristiano for their amazing efforts and for representing the school at this event. We are very proud of you all.

Cross Country Training

We have been incredibly impressed with the commitment by our children to attend the cross country training on Thursday mornings. There were 37 participants this morning. What an amazing effort!!

COHR Tennis Trials

A big thank you to all the 5/6 students who participated in the tennis trials at lunchtime over the last few weeks. Congratulations to Olga & Liesel and Lucas & Max for winning the competition. These children will represent the school on Tuesday the 21st March (boys) and Thursday 23rd March (girls) at our school at 3.45pm on these days.

Evacuation Drill

Last Wednesday we ran an evacuation drill. These drills, conducted once a term, aim to remind our children about the correct procedures and actions required should we have to respond to an emergency situation. The children did an amazing job, following staff directions and responding appropriately to the situation.

Open Day

Tomorrow we have our second Open day for the year. Please spread the word and welcome any neighbours, friends or family who may be interested in having a look around our beautiful school with a view to enrolling their child/children.

Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI) Survey

Thank you to those families who have completed the ECSI survey. The survey instructions can be accessed via the following link.

When you access the survey for the first time you will be asked to enter as a 'New User' , our school’s access code is X7dK8G

Thank you for your consideration of this request and for your anticipated participation.

Condolences

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Montano family at the recent passing of Vera's (Prep) grandmother (Josie's mother).

Assembly

Tomorrow morning we will hold our usual Friday morning assembly in the hall. 3/4H will be sharing some of their recent learning with the school community. As always, parents and grandparents are most welcome to join us.

Thank you

A special thanks to our parents who assisted at yesterday's Hot Dog lunch. Thanks to Melissa Fornaro who has kindly offered to coordinate this activity through the year. Melissa is very grateful to the many parents who came along to support her yesterday.

Thanks also to the many parents who assisted with the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program last Friday. It was another successful day of preparing, cooking and sharing food from our school garden.

As we journey through Lent

let us keep Christ at the heart of all our

words and actions.

Let us focus our lives more clearly on the way of Christ and living the Christian life.

Take care, keep safe and enjoy the long weekend.

Brendan Welsford

Community News

Oakleigh Dragons Football Club

Emmanuel Calisthenics