IMPORTANT DATE CHANGES IN TERM 3

A number of important whole school masses, Fathers Day, our school’s Feast Day and Gala Days falling on Fridays has required some swapping of days to ensure your children do not miss out on their weekly Sport, Music/Drama and Library learning programs for your children.

Changes have been clearly highlighted on the Parent Calendar, our google parent calendar, and reminders will be posted weekly via our compass and facebook weekly infographic. 

Up next:

Week 5: FRIDAY 22nd AUGUST  Sport, Library and CAPA lessons  (Sport Uniform)

Week 6: THURSDAY 28th AUGUST  Sport, Library and CAPA lessons   (Sport Uniform)

                      (Friday 29th is normal Winter uniform)

Please note the next PUPIL FREE DAYS :

TERM 3 PUPIL FREE DAYS

WEEK 6, MONDAY 25 AUGUST. Focus Area ~  Staff Spirituality Day (NOTE - Camp Australia Vacation Care will not be available for this pupil free day).

WEEK 10, FRIDAY 26 SEPTEMBER. Focus Area ~ Student Engagement and Wellbeing- Berry St Education Model. Module 2 Relationship – Positive relational classroom management strategies that promote on-task learning.

Dear Parents and Friends of Holy Cross,

We have a number of wonderful events and celebrations coming up over the next few weeks. These are opportunities for our students, families and staff to come together to celebrate our faith as a community and our students’ learning. We hope to see many of you join us!

• Feast of the Assumption of Mary- Mass tomorrow, from 9:15am.
• Book Week - Theme  “Book an Adventure”
  
• Book Week Parade on Thursday 21st August, from 9:15am. Come along and enjoy a special staff presentation which will take us on a special adventure! 
• Helensburgh Library visits (parent helpers are welcome to assist with walking classes to the library and back- please refer to compass for details)
• Year 2- Tuesday 19th August
• Kindergarten- Tuesday 19th August
• Year 1- Wednesday 20th August

Fathers’ Day- celebrating fathers and father figures in our lives!

* Gift Stall (P&F) on Thursday 4th September

FATHERS’ DAY RSVP 

Please complete by FRIDAY 29th August for catering purposes.

And finally, we are looking forward to our school’s Feast Day on FRIDAY 12th SEPTEMBER, beginning with mass at 9:15am, to celebrate our school’s revitalised Vision and Mission.  Our school song has been reworked to reflect this, and Tim Hart, once an REC here at Holy Cross, is returning to record with our choir, and will be a special guest at our Feast Day Mass, joining Mr Body and our choir.  

Grandparents Morning Tea- Traditionally here at Holy Cross, we also celebrate the special place grandparents have in our lives with a morning tea after our Feast Day Mass. RSVP coming soon!

JUBILEE YEAR- PILGRIMS OF HOPE 

In choosing the motto ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ for the Jubilee, Pope Francis noted that ‘We must fan the flame of hope that has been given to us and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision. The forthcoming Jubilee can contribute greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so greatly desire’ (1).

Pilgrimage is a journey to a sacred place undertaken for religious reasons. In many faiths, people travel to holy sites to show devotion, seek spiritual guidance, or fulfill a vow. For example, Muslims undertake the Hajj to Mecca, and Christians may visit sites in the Holy Land or walk the Camino. These journeys are often challenging and are seen as a way to deepen one's faith, reflect on life, and connect with a community of believers. It's a powerful way to put one's beliefs into action and experience a profound sense of purpose.

I will be joining Bishop Brian and a group of diocesan educators and staff as a pilgrim

to Ireland, Rome and Assisi from 26th September for three weeks. I was blessed to have last pilgrimaged to the Holy Land (Israel and Jordan) just over 10 years ago, and am looking forward to visiting many important holy places across Ireland, in Rome and a special highlight for me, in Assisi. More next time!

JUBILEE YEAR EVENTS : We can be pilgrims both in far away places and in our spaces close to home. I encourage you to keep an eye out for diocesan Year of Jubilee pilgrimage events  such as this one coming up next month:

• Rosemeadow Jubilee Pilgrimage Day Saturday 6 September 2025. The Parish of Our Lady Help of Christians, Rosemeadow invites everyone to a Jubilee Pilgrimage Day where we will uncover the profound meaning, history and significance of the Year of Jubilee and how we can continue living it out in our pilgrimage of life towards Christ. The day begins with Mass at 10:00am, followed by a catechesis led by Elise Duval, a time of Eucharistic Adoration with opportunity for confession, and concludes with Benediction at 3:00pm. Please BYO lunch. Come and be renewed in God’s mercy!

STAFFING

Mrs Brannon has needed to take leave for 13 school days, inclusive of these dates 13th August to 29th August. Miss Kasey Maher (our current CAPA (Music/Drama/ Dance) teacher will be teaching Year 5 during this time, with exception of these dates (14/8, 22/8 and 28/8 as Mrs Maher teaches the CAPA lessons on these days) when Miss Jemma Turner will be teaching Year 5. 

TEACHER PROFESSIONALISM

Our school’s Annual Improvement Plan’s impact on improving students’ faith, learning and wellbeing is highly dependent upon the ongoing professional learning and capacity building of our staff. The professional learning opportunities and official events that staff have engaged with the last two weeks: 

May the peace of Christ be with you,

Milena Colussi

Principal

The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples - 9th August

The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples is observed on 9 August each year to raise awareness and protect the rights of the world's indigenous population. This event also recognises the achievements and contributions that indigenous people make to improve world issues such as environmental protection.

There are an estimated 476 million indigenous peoples in the world living across 90 countries. They make up less than 5 per cent of the world's population, but account for 15 per cent of the poorest. They speak an overwhelming majority of the world’s estimated 7,000 languages and represent 5,000 different cultures.

Indigenous peoples are inheritors and practitioners of unique cultures and ways of relating to people and the environment. They have retained social, cultural, economic and political characteristics that are distinct from those of the dominant societies in which they live. Despite their cultural differences, indigenous peoples from around the world share common problems related to the protection of their rights as distinct peoples.

Indigenous peoples have sought recognition of their identities, their way of life and their right to traditional lands, territories and natural resources for years. Yet, throughout history, their rights have been violated. Indigenous peoples today, are arguably among the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups of people in the world. The international community now recognizes that special measures are required to protect their rights and maintain their distinct cultures and way of life.

In order to raise awareness of the needs of these population groups, every 9 August commemorates the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, chosen in recognition of the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations held in Geneva in 1982.

Lindsay Burns
Assistant Principal

The Feast of the Assumption 15 August Whole School Mass 9:15am You are invited to join us.

This Friday is the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

From our Parish Bulletin…

“In Holy Cross Parish, there will be two Masses on Friday: 9.15am (Whole School Mass) and 6.30pm. The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Holy Day of Obligation for the whole Church (that is, it is like a Sunday). This means that Catholics are generally obliged to make the day a holy day, especially by attending Mass.”  

The Feast of the Assumption, celebrated on August 15th, commemorates the unique privilege of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who, at the end of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.  This dogma, solemnly defined by Pope Pius XII on November 1, 1950, affirms that Mary, like her Son, overcame death and is already triumphant in heaven in the totality of her being.. It is a profound reminder of the destiny awaiting all who are united with Christ, offering hope and comfort to the pilgrim People of God.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the glorious Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a sign of hope and the promise of our own resurrection. May her example inspire us to live lives fully devoted to Your will, so that one day we may share in the heavenly glory You have prepared for us. Amen.

Feast of St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop 

What a beautiful celebration of the Eucharist we had last Friday for the Feast of St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop. A big thank you to Father Paul for leading us in prayer.

St. Mary MacKillop Art Competition

The ‘winner’s’ of our school Inaugural St Mary of the Cross Art Competition were presented with a certificate and a sweet treat after Mass last Friday. A ‘special guest’ came and presented the awards with Father Paul. Check out their beautiful artwork in the photos below.

Congratulations to the following students: 

Year 6 Mass with Bishop Brian

On Wednesday 6 August, Year 6 journeyed to St. Therese West Wollongong for Mass with Bishop Brian along with 8 other Catholic Primary Schools. A big congratulations to Lachie who led the congregation in the Second Reading, representing Holy Cross with pride. Thank you to Father Paul who also came to celebrate with us.

Dates of Term 3 Masses and Liturgies

Confirmation: Year 6 Parents - Please see COMPASS News Feed for enrolment details for the Sacrament of Confirmation

Confirmation Date:

Sunday 14 September 2025

Workshop Dates: 

Thursdays, 6.30pm in the Parish Hall 14th August, 28th August & 11th September

Retreat Day: Wednesday 10 September 9-3 pm
Parish Hall

Mrs Debbie Turton
Religious Education Coordinator

Term 3 Monday Morning Prayer 8:50-9am - If you have the time, we warmly welcome you, our parents, to join us every Monday morning on the Top Plaground COLA, as we gather to start the week and pray together. 

Parish Masses - As a parish catholic school, we seek to enable opportunities for our community to encounter the mass. Each term, our classes attend a weekday parish mash, as well as whole school masses for important Feast days. Parents are always welcome to attend. :

Sunday Parish Mass - Families are of course always welcome to attend the Holy Cross Parish Sunday Masses. 

PB4L (Positive Behaviour for Learning)

                                         

Our schoolwide focus for PB4L has in the past two weeks included expectations of:

• Being Respectful by wearing your School Uniform with pride
• Being Respectful when attending Mass in our Church or during prayer

VALUES IN ACTION @ Holy Cross

Integrity- I will be authentic, reliable and honest when using my gifts from the Holy Spirit.

Compassion - Seek support from a teacher when needed.

AWARD ASSEMBLIES IN TERM 3

Our school assemblies in Term 3 will again be held fortnightly on even week Tuesday afternoons beginning at 2:30pm. Any change to the time will be communicated to parents via Compass. 

Dates for Term 3:

Week 6:  26 August (inc Principal Awards) 

Week 8:  9 Sept  (Year 2 sharing learning)

Week 10: 23 Sept  (inc Principal Awards)

MATHS

A Fraction of the Fun: Staff and Students Dive into Maths

This term, our students have been exploring the fascinating world of fractions and more, and it's all thanks to the hard work of our dedicated staff!

At the end of Term 2, our teachers participated in a Staff Development Day focused on the fractions content in the maths syllabus. They worked together to plan engaging and collaborative units of work for Term 3, ensuring a smooth progression of learning for all students.

It's been wonderful to see the results of this planning come to life in the classrooms. Teachers in Years 1, 2 and 3 have been using hands-on tasks and practical models to help students deepen their understanding of the relationship of the parts to the whole length, linking words and images. For example, our Year 1 students recently demonstrated their newfound confidence by finding halves and quarters of linear models in a hands-on maths lesson! 

Through these activities, they're making real-world connections and building a solid foundation for more complex mathematical concepts. We're so proud of our students' enthusiasm and progress!

NEW BADGES FOR OUR LIBRARY WARRIORS

Anyone who follows this space knows how important our Library Warriors are to keeping our Library functioning. Like our Mini Vinnies and WEN students, having a badge symbolises that they belong to a group of students who perform an important role within our school, and these are worn with great pride.

So when I came across ‘Book Dragon’ badges, I got excited! And on introducing them to our Warriors at the start of this term, they got VERY excited too!

As Library Warrior tasks only occur on a Friday, we have decided that the badges are put on in the morning and worn until the end of Lunch 2 when they are returned. As there are six different designs, our students liked the idea that they can choose a different design each week.

So far, our Warriors have been brilliant at returning them with every badge being returned for the last two weeks!

PREMIER’S READING CHALLENGE (PRC) UPDATE

This fortnight, Year 6 has now completed the challenge – well done to all our Year 6 students!

Champions for this fortnight are:

Year 3 – Isla, Aidan, Fox, Arie, Jack, Ruby

Year 4 – Travis A., Ryan, Emily, Sophia, Matilda

Year 6 – Kai, Owen

Congratulations to the above students!

***Stay tuned to see who completes the Challenge next!***

CBCA Shortlist Books

This newsletter, we are highlighting the Picture Books and Eve Pownall Award books (Information texts) that made the shortlist that we have purchased for our Library. They will be available for student borrowing after Book Week in Week 6.

Shortlisted Picture Books:

• Afloat by Freya Blackwood, text by Kirli Saunders (Little Hare)
• The Garden of Broken Things by Freya Blackwood (HarperCollins AU)
• A Leaf Called Greaf by Kelly Canby (Fremantle Press)
• These Long-Loved Things by Ronojoy Ghosh, text by Josh Pyke (Scholastic Australia)
• The Truck Cat by Danny Snell, text by Deborah Frenkel (Bright Light)
• We Live in a Bus by Dave Petzold (Thames & Hudson Australia)

Shortlisted Eve Pownall (Information) Books:

• Always Was, Always Will Be by Aunty Fay Muir & Sue Lawson (Magabala Books)
• Design & Building on Country by Alison Page & Paul Memmott, illustrated by Blak Douglas (Thames & Hudson Australia)
• Flora: Australia’s Most Curious Plants by Tania McCartney (NLA Publishing)
• I am a Magpie, I am a Currawong by Bridget Farmer (Black Cockatoo Books)
• Making the Shrine: Stories From Victoria’s War Memorial by Laura J Carroll (The Crossley Press)
• South With the Seabirds by Jess McGeachin (A&U Books for Children and Young Adults)

SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB ISSUE 5 & 6

Book Club Issue 5 has now closed and families with orders will be notified when the orders arrive.

Book Club Issue 6 catalogues will be sent home in the next week.

How to order:

* jump online to order: https://bookclubs.scholastic.com.au/

* if your order is a gift, you can nominate it online as ‘gift’.

* once the orders arrive, all parents are given a courtesy call.

PLEASE NOTE: all orders are done online, the school does not collect cash or cheques.

Happy reading everyone!

Sue Murray
Library Coordinator

Diocesan Sports Carnival

A huge congratulations to our outstanding athletes who represented Holy Cross at the South Coast Diocesan Athletics Carnival at Beaton Park on Tuesday. It was a fantastic day on both track and field, with amazing results across the board.

We are proud to share that Holy Cross placed 3rd overall and took out Boys Champion School! What an incredible achievement for our team!

Special congratulations to Lachlan (Year 6), who was named 2nd in Senior Boys Age Champion, and to Jesse (Year 6), who broke the Senior Boys 800m record.

Our relay teams also shone on the track, with both the Junior Boys and Senior Boys 4 x 100m relay teams finishing 1st place. Our girls also delivered strong performances, with the Junior Girls placing 9th and the Senior Girls 8th.

The following students placed 1st–4th in their events and will now progress to the Selection Trials next Tuesday – congratulations and best of luck:

Archie (Year 4), Rustin (Year 4), Blake (Year 3), Noah (Year 3), Jesse (Year 6), Lachlan (Year 6), Nate (Year 6), Cooper (Year 5), Jack (Year 3), Asher (Year 5), Tallow (Year 3) and Mila (Year 5).

Well done to every student who competed and represented Holy Cross with pride, determination, and sportsmanship.

The Holy Cross Parish Bulletin is emailed to our families via COMPASS, but it is easily accessible on the Parish website: https://www.helensburghcatholic.org.au/bulletins

An Invitation to Sunday Mass

Holy Cross Parish would like to extend a warm invitation to all our beloved school families to join us for Mass on Sunday mornings at 8:30am. 

Attending Mass as a family is not only a wonderful opportunity to strengthen and nurture our faith but also a chance to deepen the bonds that unite us as a parish, school and a wider community. 

Some things you may not know:

• Sunday Mass goes for one hour, 8:30 - 9:30am. 
• We regularly gather for morning tea and a catch up afterwards. 

We look forward to welcoming you and your family at our next Mass as we come together to celebrate the gift of faith and the joy of community.

PARENT TIPS - FROM OUR CATHOLIC CARE COUNSELLOR   

Healthy Sleep

Good quality sleep is essential for children’s learning, mood, and overall wellbeing. When children get enough restful sleep, they are better able to concentrate, regulate their emotions, and stay physically healthy. Establishing a consistent bedtime routine and sleep schedule helps signal to the body when it’s time to wind down and rest. Creating a calm, screen-free environment before bed, such as reading a story or listening to soft music, supports relaxation. Limiting caffeine and heavy snacks in the evening, and ensuring a comfortable, quiet bedroom, also contribute to better sleep. Parents can play a key role in modelling healthy sleep habits and encouraging their child to prioritise rest, helping them wake up refreshed and ready to learn each day.

Here are some tips on helping your child develop health sleep habits:  

Set a Consistent Bedtime - Aim for the same bedtime every night, even on weekends. 

Example: If bedtime is 8:00 pm on school nights, keep it close to that time on weekends to maintain the body’s sleep rhythm.

Create a Calming Bedtime Routine - Spend 20-30 minutes before bed doing quiet activities like reading a story, taking a warm bath, or listening to gentle music. 

Limit Screen Time Before Bed - Turn off TVs, tablets, and phones at least one hour before bedtime because screens can interfere with the brain’s ability to relax. 

Example: You could replace screen time with puzzles or drawing in the evening.

Keep the Bedroom Comfortable - Ensure the room is cool, quiet, and dark. Use blackout curtains or a soft nightlight if needed.

Avoid Caffeine and Heavy Snacks Late in the Day - Skip soda, chocolate, and sugary snacks after mid-afternoon.

Encourage Physical Activity During the Day - Regular play and exercise help children feel naturally tired by bedtime.

Be a Role Model - Show healthy sleep habits yourself by sticking to your own bedtime routine. 

Talk About the Benefits of Sleep - Help your child understand how sleep helps them grow, learn, and feel happy. 

Be Patient and Consistent - Changes take time. Stick with the routine even if your child resists at first. 

Sara Ljuboja
School Counsellor