SCHOOL NEWS
REPEATED REMINDER
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 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
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.
NAVIGATING THE SOCIAL MEDIA CHANGES
From 10 December 2025, certain social media platforms won’t be allowed to let Australian children under 16 create or keep an account, giving them more time to develop important skills and maturity. The age restrictions are likely to apply to Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X and YouTube as well as other platforms.
Last week, eSafety launched new pages on the social media age restrictions hub, designed to support parents and carers, educators and young people, as we all prepare for the restrictions to come into effect.
We understand that as parents and carers you will be seeking clear information, practical advice, and support to help navigate the upcoming social media age restrictions.
Check out this eSafety link- Social media age restrictions and your family. It includes answers to frequently asked questions, as well as tools to prepare for the changes with under-16s, including a get-ready guide and a guide for starting conversations with young people about the social media age restrictions and its impacts.
eSafety is also running webinars for parents and carers. Find out more at one of these webinars “Social media age restrictions explained – a guide for parents and carers”.
Social Media and our children The Parent Pulse: Social Media and Our Children
From 10 December 2025, age-restricted social media platforms will have to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under the age of 16 from creating or keeping an account.
Your voice matters. By completing this survey, you are helping Catholic School Parents Australia (CSPA) understand the real experiences, challenges, and hopes of families in our Catholic school communities. The insights gathered will directly shape our advocacy with Catholic Education authorities and Government, ensuring that the needs and perspectives of parents and carers are heard at the highest levels.
Your input will guide us in championing initiatives that strengthen learning, wellbeing, and partnership between home and school.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L65CL58
THE CHANGING FACE OF CYBERBULLYING: HELP PROTECT YOUR CHILD ONLINE
For parents and carer of young people in primary and secondary school
Presented by the eSafety Commissioner
AI tools are evolving fast – and some are being misused in ways that can harm or exploit children and young people, including through the creation of deep fakes and digitally altered images. This 45-minute webinar covers how these technologies are being used, their impact and how to support and protect your child. It’s suitable for parents and carers of upper primary and high school students.