Dear Parents and Friends,

A very warm welcome to Term 4. I trust you enjoyed some quality time with your children during the student vacation period. Our students have settled back into the daily routines of the school day, and we look forward to a busy term ahead of us.  

Spirit on Country Catholic Schools NSW Conference

Mulaa gamili in Gamilaraay (“Welcome friends”) from Kamilaroi nation.

I am honoured to have been able to attend this conference this week in Tamworth, where, on the first day, an On Country experience visit to the Heritage listed Myall Creek Memorial site was amongst many highlights.

Myall Creek is a moving and emotional memorial to the gruesome massacre which took place on the 10th June 1838. 

“In memory of the Wirrayaraay people who were murdered on the slopes of this ridge in an unprovoked but premeditated act in the late afternoon of 10 June, 1838.

Erected on 10 June 2000 by a group of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians in an act of reconciliation, and in acknowledgement of the truth of our shared history.”

Ngiyana winangay ganunga …

we remember them.               

The Myall Creek Massacre Memorial Stone

For more information, you may like to explore this link ~ Myall Creek Massacre Story

Staffing Update

After a recent round of recruitment for 2025, we have appointed Mrs Megan Brannon to a full time class teacher role, and Mr Mitch Wells to the 1 day per week Creative Arts (Dance, Drama & Music) teaching role. Kindergarten will be once again taught by Mrs Melissa McEntee. All other staffing and class teacher allocations will be communicated later in the term, just prior to the students meeting thor 2025 class teacher.

Parents & Friends Association Meeting

Parents are warmly welcome to come along to the Term 4 P&F meeting, which will take place on Tuesday 29th October, from 6pm, in our school Library.

Student Leadership Policy and Procedures update

Updates have been made to reflect more formally the various student leadership roles and opportunities we have for our Year Six students.  Please read the policy linked here. There will be an opportunity to comment or ask questions at our next P&F meeting in Week 3, before it’s implementation begins with this year’s student leadership nomination and voting processes.  Policy Link 

World Teachers Day

This Friday, 25th October we celebrate World Teachers Day around Australia. This is a day to celebrate how teachers are transforming education but also to reflect on the support they need to fully deploy their talent and vocation, and to rethink the way ahead for the profession globally. Our staff are extremely appreciative to the P&F for providing lunch in honour of World Teachers Day tomorrow. We are honoured to teach at Holy Cross and we are very aware of how fortunate we are to be a part of this community.

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 or other professional commitments by our staff this fortnight includes:

Every Blessing,

Milena Colussi
Principal