Condolences - Mr Ray Phillips

It is with much sadness that we announce the passing last week of Mr Ray Phillips, father of Mrs Cathy Astill who is well known as our Traffic Crossing Officer. Ray was a Holy Cross Catholic Primary school parent, grandparent and a long standing parishioner who contributed to parish life over many years.

We convey our sincere condolences and prayers in support of Cathy and her family and to all of Ray's many family and friends.

The Funeral Mass for Ray will be celebrated on Friday, 8 April at the Holy Cross Catholic Church at 10am.

We pray that Ray is now at peaceful rest in the eternal joy of the risen Christ.

RECORDING OF ABSENCES ON COMPASS

The NSW Education Act (1990) and Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) require Parents/Carers to ensure that children of compulsory school age attend school on each day that the school is open for instruction. If children are absent from school, Parents/Carers are required to provide the school with an acceptable explanation, within seven days of the absence. 

During the next school holiday vacation period the settings in compass will be adjusted to reflect the requirements of the Education Act (1990). After seven days, unexplained absences will automatically be recorded as Absent - unexplained / unjustified if the school has not been provided with an acceptable explanation from Parents/Carers within that seven day period. Parents wishing to provide the school with an acceptable explanation after the seven day period, will need to contact the school and the school will adjust the attendance register. Parents will no longer be able to enter the absence through the parental portal in Compass after the seven day period. 

In addition to this change, we wish to provide a reminder of the process for Applying for Extended Leave. From the beginning of 2015, Family holidays and travel are no longer considered under the Exemption from School-Procedures. Travel outside of vacation period is now counted as an absence for statistical purposes. 

For this reason, an Application for Extended Leave form must be completed prior to leave, including leave for Travel or Holiday.

Process for applying for Extended Leave:

• Application For Extended Leave form is collected from the school office prior to the intended  leave
• Principal will review the application for leave and will either grant the leave or contact parents for further consultation
• If the Application for Extended Leave is granted, parents will receive a Certificate For Extended Leave. This document will provide evidence of the child’s approved leave.
• On approval from the Principal, School Support Staff will enter the student’s absences in Compass under the Travel option.  Parents should not use this option. 

Examples of these letters:

The school will continue to support Parents/Carers and frequently send home letters giving Parents/Carers the opportunity to provide the school with an explanation for absences.

Please do not hesitate to contact the school should you require further information regarding the change.

Holy Cross Open Twilight Event

Last Thursday we hosted a very successful Open Twilight session for prospective Holy Cross families. A huge thank you to the staff who stayed and met these families, our wonderful P&F representatives Jenny and Kathy and our incredible Year 5 students who volunteered their time to share their connection and love of Holy Cross with these children and their families. 

Assemblies in Term 2

Each term we change the day and time of our fortnightly school assemblies. This is to provide more opportunities for parents to hopefully be able to attend. 

In Term 2, our assemblies will be held fortnightly on Tuesday afternoons at 2.30pm.

Bishop’s Flood Relief Appeal 2022

We will be holding a Mufti Day tomorrow whereby students are encouraged to wear casual clothing for a gold coin donation. This money will go towards Bishop Brian’s Flood Relief Appeal 2022 in direct response to calls for support from the Lismore Diocese and from parts of our own diocese.

Enrolling Now For 2023

Enrolment forms are available at the school office or on school Website.

Parent Calendar and School Dates

All pertinent school dates and events can be viewed on our School Website under the News and Events tab https://www.hchdow.catholic.edu.au/news-and-events/

To view the 2022 School Calendar, please click on View Our School Calendar under the Upcoming Events section. From here, events can be added to your own calendar.

Upcoming Term 2 Events

These are all included on the School website and Holy Cross Parent Calendar:

Wednesday 27 April

Students return to Term 2

School ANZAC Service - 2.30pm

Thursday 28 April

Easter Mass @ 11am

Tuesday 3 May

Diocesan Cross Country Carnival

Friday 6 May from 9.00am

Mother’s Day Celebrations

• Assembly
• Open Classrooms
• High Tea
• Mother’s Day Stall

Tuesday 10 May

P&F Meeting - 7pm

NAPLAN

Tuesday 10 May

Wednesday 11 May

Thursday 12 May

Thursday 19 May

Holy Communion Parent Meeting - 6pm in Church

Friday 27 May

Activate - Year 6

Friday 3 June

Dance-a-Thon

Sunday 19 June

First Holy Communion - 10.30am

Disco

Friday 24 June 

ICAS

Canteen

The Canteen is open Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays.