MUFTI DAY - THURSDAY 28 NOVEMBER

On Thursday 28 November students are invited to wear mufti clothes in return for a gold coin donation for our 2020 Fete.  A reminder to wear sensible clothing, closed in shoes and a hat.  Many thanks for your support.

Dear Parents

You may have heard your children talk about how they are trying to be extra kind. Our focus for the term at Holy Cross, born from our Gospel values is to be kind. On the most part the children at Holy Cross display kindness in their interactions with each other and their teachers and as parents you should be proud. Each week at our morning assembly, our Year 6 leaders are sharing a kindness idea or challenge for the students. Next week we will discuss the notion or question of ‘is it better to be right or kind?’

A flyer has been sent home this week with various celebrations and activities taking place during Catholic Schools Week. I encourage all families and friends to get involved and take the opportunity to come and see what your children are doing in the classroom.

School Fete

Our annual school fete is just around the corner. All families are asked to support the fete through volunteering to help for a short time on a stall. There are still quite a few stalls which need more volunteers. Please place your name on the ‘A Frame’ display outside the office or feel free to call the school and ask where help is required. We are looking forward to a fantastic day.

Swimming News

Due to the size of the diocesan swimming carnival, students have to achieve a qualifying time to compete. Only a small swim team will attend this carnival as many of our students do not meet the qualifying times. If you are concerned or have any questions, please feel free to come and speak with me.

Parents and Friends

The next Parents and Friends meeting will take place on March 5 at 10.00am. This will follow on from our open classrooms. At this stage there will be several positions on the P&F executive made vacant. If you have an interest in filling one of the executive positions, please give me a call and we can discuss what it would entail.

2020 Enrolments

Kindergarten enrolments for 2020 are now open. Enrolment forms are available from the school office or can be downloaded from our school web page.

2019 School Fee Agreements

Each year families are to complete a new School Fee Agreement.  For your convenience, this Agreement has been sent home with your 2019 School Fee Statement. You may also download this form from our school website.

Please note, if you have an existing School Fee Agreement you are required to provide an amended version as soon as possible to update your details.

• The School Fee Agreement should be returned to the school office by Friday 1 March 2019.
• Families who do not return agreements will be subject to full payment within 30 days.

If your family is experiencing financial difficulties, please contact the school office to organise an appointment with the Principal.  If you have already spoken to the Principal regarding your situation in 2018, this process must be undertaken annually.  Parent/Carers should be assured that these situations will be treated with the utmost confidentiality, respect and empathy.

Please do not hesitate to contact the school office if you require explanation or assistance in relation to school fee matters.

Athletics Carnival

Today our students have competed in the school athletics carnival. The school team to compete later in the year and results from the carnival will be published in the next newsletter. I thank Mr Whitehall and all parent helpers who have worked hard to make the day success.

Uniform

A big thank you to all of our families who are maintaining a high standard with our school uniform. Please keep in mind that students are required to wear black polishable school shoes. Other types of shoes are not part of our uniform. On sports days children should have predominantly white sports shoes with white laces and white socks above the ankle.

Canteen

A reminder that our school canteen is open on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Your support of the canteen will ensure its long term viability. Feel free to drop down and have a chat to Joanne and try one of her cookies!

Best Wishes,

Mr Brendan Dickinson  |  Principal

Shrove Tuesday - 5 March

Shrove Tuesday is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday which is the first day of Lent. Traditionally Shrove Tuesday is the last chance to indulge yourself, and to use up the foods that aren't allowed in Lent. Giving up foods: but not wasting them. In the old days there were many foods that observant Christians would not eat during Lent: foods such as meat and fish, fats, eggs, and milky foods. So that no food was wasted, families would have a feast on the shriving Tuesday, and eat up all the foods that wouldn't last the forty days of Lent without going off.

As a school community we will have a shared breakfast on this day to celebrate Catholic Schools week and Shrove Tuesday. Families are invited into the school playground from 8am.

Additionally, it is a tradition that on Shrove Tuesday the palms from palm Sunday are burnt to create the ashes for Ash Wednesday. The Holy Cross Parish invites you to join in the burning of the palms ceremony at 6pm at the church. Following this there will be refreshments. If you still have your palms from last year’s Palm Sunday could you please bring them along or bring them to the school or parish office.

Ash Wednesday - 6 March

Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, the Catholic Church’s 40 day preparation for Easter. During Lent we are called to fast, almsgive and pray. You are invited to join in the Holy Cross school and parish community for Ash Wednesday Mass at 9:15am.

Emily Costello  |  Religious Education Co-Ordinator

UNIFORM SHOP

All donations of clean, second hand uniforms are greatly appreciated. The uniform shop is open on the first Monday of each month.  There is a wide range of stock available and all second hand items are just $5 each.  New hats and school bags are also available.

We are currently superseding our old sports uniform and hats, this is the last year that the older style can be worn.  Numerous bags of our older style uniforms have been shipped off to a school in Africa thanks to Ms Johlene Morrison (mum of Jed & Leni) and the University of Wollongong.  Another shipment will be made soon and all donations of the older style uniforms are very welcome, drop them into the school office.

Holy Cross Fete Saturday 16 March 2019  - Save the date!!!

Raffle Tickets  - Remember to return your sold tickets along with the golden cover ticket to be in the draw for some fantastic prizes.  There are extra books available from the office.

White Elephant & Book Stall – Donations are still being taken, the next drop off date is Tuesday 26 February, 8:45am-9:15am.  More dates coming soon.

Cake Stall – Thank you for all the returned slips keep them coming in!  Cake boxes and bags will be sent home shortly.

Volunteers  – We can’t do it without you – please add your name to a stall and help make our fete day a success.

Rides – Notes have been sent home.  Pre-purchased unlimited tickets will be available for $25 (buy on the day for $30).