SCHOOL NEWS
Emergency Management at Holy Cross
Over a school year, as part of the school’s WHS procedures, we conduct a range of emergency drills. This term we conducted a playground based evacuation and a Lockdown (from classroom time). Your children are shown safe ways to respond, listen and follow teacher directions to a safe place.
Bushfire Management Plan
Bush fire areas are a natural part of the Australian environment and occur regularly. When threatened by bushfires, people will often leave it too late to make critical decisions. This Bush Fire Management Plan has been developed for Holy Cross Primary School Helensburgh with rigorous consultation with the Rural Fire Service and aims to provide a clear and effective tool for the school to use during a bushfire emergency. The Bush Fire Management Plan is reviewed annually in consultation with the Rural Fire Service, prior to the Bushfire season. In 2025, for the 2025-2026 Plan, this consultation occurred on 21/9/25.
Please carefully read the following Parent Notification - Bush fire Emergency Plan.
Of particular note:
It is important to understand that during the Shelter in Place procedures staff, students and parents/visitors on site will not be allowed to leave until advised by emergency services (RFS, POLICE) that it is safe to do so. Parents are asked NOT to attend the school site. It is advised that no parent should be travelling on roads during these events.
The Rural Fire Service encourages parents to download and observe the Hazards Near Me app, as this will be updated with information regarding Hazard Reduction operations as well as active fire locations.
Students are also asked to bring a bottle of water to school each day.
AWARD ASSEMBLIES IN TERM 4
Our school assemblies in Term 4 will be held fortnightly on even week WEDNESDAY afternoons beginning at 2:30pm, under the top cola. Any change to the time will be communicated to parents via Compass.
Dates for Term 4:
- Week 2: Wednesday 22nd October
- Week 4: Wednesday 5th November including Kindergarten’s Celebration of Learning
- Week 6: Wednesday 19th November, including Principal Awards
- Week 8: Wednesday 3rd December
- Week 10: TUESDAY 16th December
IMPORTANT DATES
Please note - TOMORROW is a 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.
PARENT COURSES AND WEBINARS
Council of Catholic School Parents (CCSP) Conference – Supporting Families:
Working Together in a Modern World
On 25 October 2025, the Council for Catholic School Parents (CCSP) is hosting a special anniversary celebration conference for all NSW/ACT parents and carers with children in Catholic schools! It’s going to be a value-packed day of connection and collaboration where their expert presenters will provide specialist advice on parenting in a modern world.
Dr Justin Coulson: co-host and parenting expert on Channel 9's Parental Guidance and the founder of happyfamilies.com.au
Michelle Mitchell: sought-after author and speaker on parenting tweens and teens
Daniel Principe: a passionate youth advocate and educator, and nominee for Australian of the Year.
This conference will cover areas such as managing technology with young people, consent and respectful relationships, cybersafety, building your child’s resilience, sleep, managing anxiety, screens and brain development, supporting your child’s learning at home and at school and more!
Date: Saturday 25 October 2025
Time: 8.30 am – 3.30 pm (doors open at 8.00 am)
Location: Novotel, 350 Church Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150
Parking is available at the venue, Novotel Parramatta, for a day rate. Please contact the hotel for more information: (02) 9630 4999. Other options include Eat Street Parking. Novotel Parramatta is offering special rates for conference guests. Please call the reservations team on 02 9890 0850 or email novotel@nmsp.com.au to book and advise them that you are attending the conference. Valid until 9 October 2025, subject to availability at the time of confirmation.
Buy a ticket here: Supporting Families: Working Together in a Modern World Registration.
Find out more and book here: https://www.ccsp.catholic.edu.au/2025-conference
ONLINE PARENT COURSES
Parent courses are also available through OnLine Training for parents seeking information or support around understanding ADHD and Autism and can be accessed via the OLT website.
Short courses are self-paced (approximately 2 hours) and include a variety of topics, with parents only able to enrol in only one course at a time.
Term 3 Environmental Highlights
At Holy Cross we are constantly striving to teach the next generation eco-conscious strategies for reducing, reusing and recycling waste that can have long-lasting, sustainable outcomes for the planet. There are lots of simple ways we can encourage sustainable behaviour and help students become more eco-conscious in their day-to-day lives. Click this link to see Term 3 Highlights Term_3_Environmental_Highlights.pdf