School Voices

After three years, students, staff and families from Our Holy Redeemer Primary School were able to once again gather to celebrate Grandparents and Special Friends Day.  Mid October saw the return of Fr Trac Nguyen as he celebrated Mass for this special occasion.  It was a cold, wet day but this did not deter our invited guests who came from near and far.  Some lived locally, others came from the other side of Melbourne, while a few journeyed from interstate.  We even had one family fly in from New Zealand. 

Following the mass, all our special guests were invited to the classrooms where the children proudly showed off examples of their learning.  It was lovely to see the pride in the faces of the children as they escorted their guests around the school, finally ending up in the hall.  A superb morning tea followed and were also treated to a special performance by our school choir singing “Hard Knock Life” from the Broadway musical Annie.  The grandparents and other special guests looked on so proudly.

Socktober

October marked World Mission Month with Mission Australia promoting Socktober in schools. 

Classes joined with their Buddy Class for a Liturgy around the theme of Mission – especially in this year’s focus country – Ethiopia. They also worked with their buddies to make ‘sockballs’ which are soccer balls made up of scrap materials and string. Finally, students were invited to wear crazy socks to school that day and in turn make a gold coin donation.

Our school raised $284.90 on the day for Catholic Mission which was a wonderful effort. More importantly the day enabled opportunities for the students to be formed in mission and respond through prayer, fundraising and action, inspiring them to reach out, and give life – within Australia and around the world. All of us engage in mission when we proclaim our faith through our words, actions and lives.

Amongst all these celebrations we continue to hold in our minds and hearts all those affected by the floods and pouring rains.  Our hearts go out to those whose homes, possession and businesses that have been destroyed or damaged by floods in the eastern states of Australia.

By Frank Dame, Principal