Dear Parents and Friends of Holy Cross,

I wonder how many of us watched Pope Leo XIV's inauguration mass last weekend?

Certainly in my lifetime (six Popes!), the ones I recall most as a young person were of the last three.  The inauguration of a Pope is a significant event marked by ancient rituals and powerful symbols that hold deep meaning within the Catholic Church. 

Key Events of the Inauguration

• Popemobile Tour: Pope Leo began his pontificate with a tour through St. Peter's Square in the popemobile, greeting the crowds. This has become a symbolic way for the new Pope to connect with the faithful from around the world.
• Mass at St. Peter's Square: The inauguration mass was held in St. Peter's Square, attended by a large number of pilgrims, clergy, and world leaders.
• Reception of the Symbols of Papacy: During the mass, Pope Leo received the two most important symbols of his office: the pallium and the Fisherman's Ring.

Symbols of the Papacy

   The Pallium:

• The pallium is a white woolen stole worn over the Pope's shoulders.
• It is made from the wool of lambs blessed on the Feast of St. Agnes.
• The pallium symbolizes the Pope's role as the Good Shepherd, carrying the flock of Christ. It represents his pastoral authority and his unity with the Church. The three pins that adorn the pallium are said to represent the nails of Christ's crucifixion.

The Fisherman's Ring:

• The Ring of the Fisherman is a gold ring engraved with an image of St. Peter casting his net.
• It symbolizes the Pope's authority, which is derived from St. Peter, who was a fisherman called by Jesus to become a "fisher of men."
• The ring is a signet ring, representing the seal of faith entrusted to Peter.

These symbols are central to the inauguration ceremony, as they visually represent the transfer of authority and the weighty responsibilities that come with the office of the Pope. 

BISHOP BRIAN MASCORD VISITS HOLY CROSS SCHOOL AND PARISH

Next Friday 30th May, we will be welcoming our Bishop to our school and parish, starting with our Year 3-6 students joining the Parish Mass at 9am, followed by visits to our classrooms and a morning tea with staff.

Bishop Brian will also be visiting the Parish over the weekend. On Sunday after Mass, there will be a Morning Tea in the hall. Please bring a plate to share with others.

TELL THEM FROM ME SURVEY- TERM 2

This term all schools in the Wollongong diocese will survey the voice of parents, staff and students in Years 4-6 via the 'Tell Them From Me' survey. The survey will provide important feedback which informs our work in designing improvement priorities that are responsive to the needs of our school community. We greatly value the role of parents and carers within our school community and would greatly appreciate your feedback. The information you provide will be used to maintain our commitment to working together in partnership to further improve student learning and wellbeing at Holy Cross Catholic Primary School.

A detailed letter was sent via compass two weeks ago,, which provided parents with the details to complete the survey. You are able to access the parent survey on your computer or mobile device by using this URL LINK :

http://tellthemfromme.com/g959x

We would appreciate parents completing the survey by Friday 30 May, 2025.

RECONCILIATION WEEK

Our commitment to recognising Reconciliation Week in schools is crucial for fostering a deeper understanding and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, and contributions among students and staff. It provides an opportunity to learn about the journey towards reconciliation, reflect on past injustices, and engage in meaningful activities that promote positive relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. By embedding reconciliation into the school environment, we empower the next generation to become informed and active participants in building a more equitable and unified Australia. 

Holy Cross will be acknowledging National Sorry Day (26th May) and National Reconciliation Week (NRW) between 27 May and 3 June. The dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey—the anniversaries of the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision. We have planned for a wonderful day of learning, cultural engagement and creative activities for Tuesday 3rd June, for all of our students.  

Bush Tucker Workshop ~ In preparation for one of the workshops for the day, our students of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island backgrounds will first be involved in a workshop next Wednesday 28th May from 1:30pm focused on learning about and selecting native plant species, including Aboriginal bush tucker species. They will be guided by a local horticulturist who has a wealth of knowledge and works closely with indigenous elders across a range of settings. Parents of these students are warmly welcome to join us at this workshop. They will then, with Mrs Colussi’s guidance, share some of their learnings on our workshop day, and together plant their selection of native and bush tucker plants in our school’s Yalunga Garden space.

ENROLMENTS FOR 2026 ARE OPEN

Enrolment Interviews are wrapping up in the final week of May. The online application form is accessible from the home page of our school website. https://www.hchdow.catholic.edu.au/enrol/

INTERVIEW BOOKING REMINDER : If you have a younger sibling enrolled, please hop online or call our school office to book a time for an interview. 

TEACHER PROFESSIONALISM

Our school’s Annual Improvement Plan’s impact on improving students’ faith, learning and wellbeing is highly dependent upon the ongoing professional learning and capacity building of our staff. 

The professional learning opportunities and official events that staff have engaged with the last two weeks: 

May the peace of Christ be with you,

Milena Colussi
Principal