Dear Parents and Friends of Holy Cross,

Last Friday, we had the wonderful pleasure of welcoming Bishop Brian Mascord to Holy Cross. Celebrating Mass, and followed by class visits, he answered a fabulous range of questions from our students, who were keen to know about his early years as a primary school teacher, what inspired him to become a priest, how he was asked to become a Bishop by late Pope Francis, even about his favourite sports and football team!

Students: 

The Bishop’s visit was special because he was being kind to us - Orlaith (Year 2)

It was good that he came because we could actually see him for the first time. I thought he was nice - Hunter (Year 3)

 I liked how Bishop Brian let us know more about him, and about his past - Henry (Year 3)

We were able to ask him questions about how he became a Bishop. We were able to talk to him as a class which was special - Airlie (Year 4)

I liked how Bishop Brian let us ask him questions so we could learn all about him- Maggie (Year 4)

It was interesting asking him questions and finding out about priests, bishops and Popes - Kai (Year 5)

It was quite exciting for us because we don’t often get to meet the Bishop and talk to him. He was very nice, funny and caring - Keira (Year 6)

I liked how Bishop Brian was very open to our questions and how he was clear with his answers, especially about how a priest is chosen to become a Bishop- Cathal (Year 6)

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. 

In the Next Newsletter: Student Semester Reports

Parent Teacher Interview times will be offered for parents to book via COMPASS:

Friday 13  June: Compass Bookings open for parent interviews Years 3, 4 (for Week 9 Interviews)

Friday 20  June: Compass Bookings open for parent interviews K-2, 5,6 (for Week 10 Interviews)

Booking Instructions will be emailed to parents via Compass. 

Student Attendance Matters

Last year, the NSW government launched a new school attendance campaign called Every Day Matters. It aims to improve student attendance levels. Like NSW public schools, the Catholic Education Office Diocese of Wollongong, has a target of a 95 per cent attendance rate for students. This roughly equates to students being absent two days per term. The importance of attending school for students’ academic success and sense of belonging is well documented in research. Missing just one day of school each fortnight adds up to four weeks of lost learning a year. Over a student’s school life, this equates to an entire year of missed learning.

The Every Day Matters campaign aims to drive behavioural change among parents and students to:

• reduce absenteeism close to weekends and/or public holidays;
• reduce family trips during term;
• reduce arbitrary days off due to convenience or pressure from students.

Whilst our school’s attendance rates are generally positive, we do have some students with higher rates of absence. Parents are encouraged to help students reach their attendance goals by:

• ensuring they attend school every day unless they are unwell
• booking holidays during breaks and 
• reaching out to your child’s teacher or to a member of the school leadership team for support, if required
• working in partnership with the school when you are contacted to discuss your child’s attendance rate concerns.

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: 

STUDENT BEHAVIOURAL, SOCIAL AND PEER RELATIONSHIP SKILLS

As an educator for over 33 years, 20 of those as Principal, I have seen, supported and guided responses, in partnership with teachers and parents, for a great many range of student behavioural, social and peer relationship skill development and needs. By far though, parents are the first and significant educators and role models for their children in these areas. The expectations, routines, boundaries and supportive conversations you create and have make a huge difference in what they see, hear and learn from you. There are many great parenting books and websites these days from quality Australian authors:

• https://raisingchildren.net.au/  raisingchildren.net.au provides ad-free parenting videos, articles and apps backed by Australian experts.

• Happy Families (Dr Justin Coulson) Latest free article: Helping KIds Learn Self Control- A skill that can be taught. Other articles and podcasts https://happyfamilies9.wpcomstaging.com/articles
• Read our school counsellor’s fortnightly parenting tips- This week’s “Being Assertive Without Being Mean”

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 will again be 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.

May the peace of Christ be with you,

Milena Colussi
Principal