Dear Parents and Carers,

P&F Contributions to student playtime

A few weeks ago, at our Term 2 P&F meeting, funding towards some new playground equipment, markings and new basketball/ netball towers on the lower playground was approved. This will further enhance the variety of play options your children have during their breaks, including lunchtime library clubs, the open grass areas for soccer, ball and running games, basketball, and Thursday garden club.  We are especially grateful to our hard working P&F for this additional boost which will benefit all of our children directly. Student voice in what they would like to play with will be sought over the next few weeks. Our Year Six student leaders will visit classes to share and gather students’ ideas around a range of play equipment, before we place orders.

I have also requested consideration under minor capital works for next year, for a resurfacing of the lower playground synthetic grass area, where we will install the two new inground reversible basketball/ netball towers in the coming months.

Our Faith Life at Holy Cross

“Our schools are to be places of prayer, where the Eucharist is celebrated, and the

rich devotional life of the Church forms part of the fabric of the school environment. It is in this context that a young person’s faith will be enhanced.”  Bearers of Christ’s Love - Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Wollongong

Term 2 Monday Morning Prayer 8:50-9am - We warmly welcome you, our parents, to join us on Monday mornings, on the bottom playground (undercroft area) as we gather to start the week and pray together. 

Parish Masses - As a parish catholic school, we seek to enable opportunities for our community to encounter the mass. Each term, our classes attend a weekday parish mass, as well as whole school masses for important Feast days. Parents are always welcome to attend. The last of these this term is on Thursday 20th June - Year 1 and 6 @ the 9am Parish Mass.

Sunday Parish Mass - On Sunday 2nd June, some of our Year 1 and 6 families

joined together with our Holy Cross Parish community to celebrate the mass. Our Year 1 and 6 teachers, Miss Facci and Mr Whitehall, along with Mrs Turton and myself were also present. Some of our students also engaged with the ministries of reading and offertory procession. It would be of course wonderful to see even more families in the future!  Dates for K and Year 5, and Years 2,3 and 4 will be shared soon!

“Recognise the integral connection between schools and parishes and so develop relationships of active collaboration between schools, parish clergy and the wider Catholic community. They actively seek to develop students’ and families’ involvement in the life of the parish, especially that of Sunday Eucharist.”  Bearers of Christ’s Love - Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Wollongong

The Sacrament of First Holy Communion

In a Catholic Primary school, we are so very blessed to be a part of a child’s faith formation as they prepare for and receive three significant sacraments. 

Our Year 3 Students are preparing for their First Holy Communion, with their parents, as the first educators of their child’s faith, engaging with the Parish preparation program led by Fr Paul. We are honoured this year to be also running a Retreat Day - for both our students, and other children in our Holy Cross Parish. 

One integral part of a child’s faith formation is the experience of the Mass. As a school, we look for the opportunities for our students to encounter prayer and the mass throughout the school year. Families who choose a Catholic school education do so because they wish to have their child grow in their faith, the Catholic faith chosen by you as parents when you baptised your child. I encourage all of our families to seek out some times you could be present at our Holy Cross Parish Sunday Masses, and, most especially, our Year 3 families as you support and provide a wonderful example of faith for your children during their time of preparation.

Helpful Curriculum Guides for Parents - Mathematics

These parent guides from NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) are helpful in outlining the key content and ways in which you can also support your child at home in simple and fun ways. This week, we share the links to the Mathematics guides: 

Kindergarten (Early Stage 1) LINK to Guide

Years 1 and 2 (Stage 1) LINK to Guide

Years 3-6  (Stages 2 and 3) LINK to Guide

Professional Learning

STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY

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 or other professional commitments by our staff this fortnight includes:

CEDoW Mental Health Services Review – Invitation to Feedback and Validation Forum

The CEDoW ILW Wellbeing and Student Support Team has been collaborating with Shawn van der Linden of Altum Consulting Pty Ltd to review the mental health supports available for CEDoW students.

Mental Health Services Review - Invitation to Feedback and Validation Forum: We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who has participated in this review through written surveys or semi-structured online interviews.

Next Steps - Feedback and Validation Forum: We are now entering the final stage of this process, which involves a critical feedback and validation forum. We are inviting key stakeholders, including parents, school staff, CatholicCare counsellors, and CEO staff, to join us for a face-to-face group discussion.

These three forums will be held on Thursday 27 June 2024, at the Marian Centre Wollongong.

Event Details

Date: Thursday 27 June 2024

Location: Marian Centre Wollongong

Time: 3-hour session with a half-hour break (three forum sessions available to choose from)

Refreshments: Morning and afternoon tea provided

The forum will focus on reflecting on the preliminary findings of the review and will provide an opportunity for participants to contribute to the emerging recommendations.

Session Booking: Participants are requested to book one session from the available time slots via  this Google form. 

Every Blessing,