Feast of Mary MacKillop - 8 August - Whole school Mass at 9:15am

On Friday, 8 August, our school will unite with the parish community to honour St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia's first and only saint, who played a pivotal role in establishing our school. Back in May 1900, Mother Mary MacKillop arrived at Helensburgh with her Sisters of St. Joseph and founded the school, starting with 56 pupils.

Mary took the religious name, Mary of the Cross.  Responding to the isolation of colonial families, she pioneered a new form of religious life to provide education for their children.  She and her Sisters shared the life of the poor and the itinerant, offering special care to destitute women and children.  She is remembered for her eagerness to discover God's will in all things, for her charity in the face of challenges and for her abiding trust in God's Providence.

St. Mary MacKillop Art Competition

In preparation for St. Mary MacKillop’s feast day, the students have been engaged in

some art to reflect on her famous words, “Never see a need without doing something about it.” Each class has worked in class on an individual artwork to reflect these words in reference to our school values of Compassion, Integrity, Hope and Justice. The teachers have also been making connections with our revised school mission. The artwork will be judged by each teacher and 2 ‘winners’ per class will be awarded on Mary MacKillop’s Feast Day and shared in our next newsletter.  All artwork will also   be displayed in our classrooms for our school feast day/grandparents day.

Religious Literacy Assessment

On Monday 4 August our Year 4 students will sit the Religious Literacy Assessment Test. The Religious Literacy Assessment (RLA) in the Diocese of Wollongong is a Partners in Learning initiative between the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) and the Australian Catholic University (ACU). This initiative began in 2000.

This assessment project provides a sustained and systemic Diocesan approach to the documentation and reporting of students’ learning in the key learning area of Religious Education (RE) across the diocese and in particular, aspects of religious literacy. It is a means of celebrating and sharing the good news about students' learning in Religious Education and enables the story to be told on a continuing basis. 

The concept of 'religious literacy' is the basis for the framework for assessment in Religious Education in Wollongong across K-6. To be religiously literate, children leaving a Catholic primary school need to be able to communicate with and be at home in Catholic society and religion in general. The assessment of religious literacy focuses on students’ knowledge and understanding of the key concepts that are being addressed by the Religious Education program and the children’s ability to communicate with their religious tradition. 

Mini Vinnies Pyjama Day and Bake Sale - Funds

Congratulations to our Mini Vinnies who organised the collection of items for the St. Vincent de Paul Winter appeal. These items were collated into hampers for people in our community in need. The Mini Vinnies also hosted a wonderful bake sale and Pyjama day to raise funds and we were able to raise $365.90 a great effort! Well done Mini Vinnies and thank you for all of your support of these initiatives. 

School Song

GREAT news! To continue our work in embedding our revised school vision and mission, we asked Mr Tim Hart (Education Officer with CEO Wollonongong, past teacher of Holy Cross and “Pray School” presenter) to help us to reword our school song to match our revised vision and mission statements. Mr Hart will be coming to Holy Cross in Week 4 to RECORD the official track with some of our choir students. Our revised school song will be ‘launched’ officially on our feast day and grandparents day. We can’t wait to share it with you! 

Year 6 Mass with Bishop Brian

Year 6 students from across the Diocese of Wollongong enjoy the opportunity to engage with Bishop Brian Mascord and their fellow students from CEDoW schools in a special liturgical celebration in their final year of Primary School. These are held across four different locations in the Diocese of Wollongong.

On Wednesday 6 August, Year 6 will journey to St. Therese West Wollongong for Mass with Bishop Brian along with 8 other Catholic Primary Schools. A reminder for all students in Year 6 to ensure they are in full school uniform for this important occasion. 

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

RE Leading Improvement Innovation and Change

Mrs Turton and Miss Facci are involved in a project to improve student learning and engagement in Religious Education with other Catholic Schools in Wollongong. As part of this action research project we have been working as an infants team to reflect on our practice as Catholic Educators. We have been visiting each other's classrooms and observing the teaching of Scripture in our Religious Education units. Our focus has been to improve student engagement in this area. Here are some photos of our work in progress.