Thank You to our School Support Officers

We are incredibly lucky to have such hardworking and passionate School Support Officers at Holy Cross. These ladies support the learning, faith and wellbeing of our students each day. They also work collaboratively with our teachers to achieve our school goals and strategic plans. Today, we celebrated all that they do and bring to our students and our school. 

Uniform

As per our Uniform Policy, students may wear their Summer uniform on warm dates from Monday 11 September (Week 9). We do appreciate parents supporting the high expectations we have for our students’ uniform. A reminder that school shoes must be black leather. 

ACBC Social Justice Statement 2023-24

In a tradition reaching back to 1940, each year the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference releases a major social justice statement in time for Social Justice Sunday (last Sunday in August). 

Through this tradition they contribute to the development of local Catholic Social Teaching.  

The statements encourage the Catholic community to reflect and act on social, economic and ecological issues. They remind us of the social dimension of the mission of the Church.

This year, Social Justice Sunday is 27 August and the theme of the Statement is: 

LISTEN, LEARN, LOVE
A New Engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples 

At the heart of this Statement is a call for all the People of God to embrace a new engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, an engagement which involves a commitment to listen to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sisters and brothers and to learn from them. This listening and learning and the actions which flow from them must be grounded in a spirit of love if there is to be a change for the better.

Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) marks the release of the Social Justice Statement with an annual SEE JUDGE ACT Workshop. This gathering involves a group of secondary students and staff breaking open the document, discussing its significance in our modern context and exploring ways in which we can apply it in our communities. 

The statement can be found here.

Gumaraa Incursion Experience & Indigenous Literacy Day

On Friday, 8 September, we welcome Gamaraa to our school. Gumaraa is a certified Aboriginal education facilitator who provides immersive Aboriginal school incursion programs on the South Coast. Our students will be provided with a variety of hands-on and practical experiences that will deepen their knowledge and awareness of Aboriginal culture. Thank you to our incredible P&F for funding this experience for all students. 

Our plan on this day is to also acknowledge Indigenous Literacy Day (actually held on Wednesday 6 September). Indigenous Literacy Day focuses on the importance of improving Literacy 

Outcomes for Indigenous students in remote communities. The Indigenous Literacy Foundation works to give Indigenous children access to books and books in First Languages. 

Therefore on Friday 8 September, we are encouraging all students to wear mufti clothes in the colours of the Aboriginal flag - Yellow, Black & Red or Indigenous clothing and or accessories. A gold coin donation to go towards helping the Indigenous Literacy Foundation will be greatly appreciated.

Public Speaking 

Our talented Year 5 and Year 6 Finalists entertained us all at today’s Holy Cross Stage 3 Public Speaking Finals. 

Congratulations to the winners, runners up and finalists!

Year 5 Winner - Emma

Year 5 Runner Up - Mattia

Finalists - Mikaela & Amelia

Year 6 Winner - Isabella

Year 6 Runner Up - Pippa

Finalists - Joseph, Ella, Leni

Emma and Isabella will now go on to the CDF Regional Public Speaking Competition in September. We wish them the best of luck!

Assemblies

Our next assembly for Term 3 will be held on Thursday 7 September at 2.35pm. All are welcome.

Save the Date - End Of Year Mass and Yr 6 Graduation

Please note that our End of Year Mass and Year 6 Graduation Ceremony will be held in the church on Thursday 14 December at 9.30am. 

Feast of Holy Cross and Grandparents Day

We will celebrate the Feast of the Holy Cross and honour our Grandparents and grandparent figures, on Thursday 14 September. We will join together at Mass at 9.30am and will follow with Open Classroom and a picnic lunch. More details will be forwarded next week.

Professional Learning

Recent Staff Professional Learning

Research tells us that the quality of the teacher is the greatest in-school influence on student achievement. Therefore high quality professional learning for teachers must be a priority to ensure improved teacher practice that leads to improved student growth. Recent professional learning undertaken by our staff this fortnight includes:

23 August 2023 - Diverse Learning Network Meeting

Mrs Jennett & Mrs Mitrevski

24 August 2023 - Assistant Principal Network Meeting

Mrs Jennett

25 August 2023 - SSSO Network Meeting

Mrs Maguire

28 August 2023 - K-2 Curriculum Day - Mathematics

Mrs McEntee & Mrs N Baker

29 August 2023 - Learning In Leadership

Mrs Jennett

30 August 2023 - System Colloquium  - Continuous Catholic School Improvement

Mrs Duffin & Mrs N Baker

31 August 2023 - half day - Religious Education Standing Committee Meeting 

Mrs Duffin

31 August 2023 - Lamp Lighters Spirituality Reconnector 

Mrs Rowles and Mrs Barbuto

TERM 3 Dates

Please find pertinent dates for Term 3. All pertinent dates can be found on our parent Calendar.

https://www.hchdow.catholic.edu.au/news-and-events/events/

National Child Protection Week

Next week is National Child Protection Week, the main message is 'Every child in every community needs a fair go' which is complemented by the theme 'Where we start matters.'  

Library News

PREMIER’S READING CHALLENGE (PRC)

Our third Primary class to complete the PRC is…Year 6! The following Year 6 students completed the challenge in the last two weeks…

Shanay, Alice, Joseph, Mia G, Leni, Annabel, Stella, Isla, Kobi, Anna, Ruby

CONGRATULATIONS to all of Year 6 for completing the challenge! 

SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB Issue 6 Now Open

Book Club Issue 6 catalogues were sent home last week. Orders are due by Friday, 8 September 2023.

Once you receive your catalogue, just jump online to order: https://bookclubs.scholastic.com.au/

CBCA SHORTLIST BOOKS 

Last newsletter, I showcased the Younger Readers and Picture Book categories. At Holy Cross, we are invested in providing our students with quality literature and make a priority of purchasing the age-appropriate Shortlist titles each year. This newsletter we are showcasing the last two Children's Book Council of Australia Shortlist categories.

Older Readers – these books require the reader to have a degree of maturity to appreciate the themes and scope of emotional involvement. Books in this category may be fiction, drama, illustrated text, poetry or graphic novels.

Please note: We do not necessarily buy this whole category as this category includes books that are appropriate for high school aged students. At Holy Cross, we will only select titles that are appropriate in their themes for upper primary.

Early Childhood Readers – these books require suitability in content and style for pre and beginning readers for children in the age range 0 to 6 years (pre-school and infant level). This includes works of fiction, poetry, wordless, board and concept books. The illustrations reflect all the text on the page and often do not add extra meaning to the storyline. 

Introducing…Grace (Year 2)

What section are you responsible for?

I help Keira with the Popular Fiction section.

What is your favourite book?

Chi’s Sweet Adventures series.

What do you love about being a Library Warrior?

You get to help sort out all the books and put them away.

What is your favourite Library task?

I love sorting and putting books away. It’s also fun and I like being with all the other Library Warriors.

Happy reading everyone!

Sue Murray
Library Coordinator