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Dear parents and friends,
This week, our Parish school community celebrated the Feast of the Assumption of Mary with a whole school mass. On this holy day of obligation, we honour that Mary was taken, body and soul, to enjoy eternal life. In celebrating this feast, the Church recalls how Mary’s life on earth ended - an apparent perfect ending to a perfectly lived life of grace and so in honouring her passing, we also honour her living.
Father Paul reminded us of Mary’s absolute love for God by responding YES without fear or hesitation. Father Paul challenged each of us to think: How do I say YES to God?
One lens we use to consider this question with our staff and students is to understand that by living out our values, we are in fact saying YES to God. Being a school full of people of compassion who are quick to care and support others in need, being people of hope who encourage others when needed, being people who are just who stand up for others when they can’t stand up for themselves and being people of integrity who do the right thing, even when noone is looking. We often use Jesus as the exemplar to these values, but today was the perfect reminder that like Christ, Mary is an excellent role model who can teach us how to say YES to God.
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A reminder that tomorrow, 18 August, is a Pupil Free day. Staff are learning offsite and as such the school will be closed.
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Thank you for your continued support,
Kaylene Duffin
Principal
2023 ANNUAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN Update
Goal 1
Improve students’ relationship with Jesus through the values of compassion, justice, hope and integrity.
- Tomorrow, our entire school staff will gather at our Staff Spirituality day to delve into the question, "What is our mission as Catholic educators?" Together, staff will examine the guiding principles found in the Wollongong Diocese documents "Lighting the Way 23+" and "Bearers of Christ’s Love," as well as our School Mission and Vision statement: "Learning to Learn, Live and Love." These resources collectively empower us to provide holistic education, fostering both academic growth and spiritual development in all our students. Additionally, the staff will explore Holy Cross' prayer culture and explore the practice of Christian Meditation.
Goal 2
By the end of 2023, all students will have increased their confidence and engagement in Mathematics so that all students achieve growth.
- Teachers of Years 3-6 have been participating in professional development of a mathematics teaching pedagogy called Targeted Teaching. At its heart, targeted teaching is based on the collection and use of evidence of each student’s learning to identify how best to advance each student. Targeted teaching requires teachers to identify learning needs and adapt their teaching in response. Before teachers teach each new topic, they need to understand what each student can already do and is ready to learn. As they teach, teachers must check how each student is going and provide tailored feedback or more support to address obstacles or misconceptions and help each student stay on the right track. At present our teachers are focussing on Place Value, in particular the Place Value Aspects of Counting and Making and Representing
- Mrs McMentee, Miss Facci, Mrs Hennock, Mrs N Baker, Mrs Jennett and Mrs Duffin spent the day together in the library using the Backward by Design model of planning to develop pre and post assessments aligned to the revised K-2 Mathematics Syllabus.
Feast of the Assumption
On Tuesday, the school gathered with the Holy Cross Parish community to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The day marks our belief that when Mary died both her body and soul were taken to Heaven. We believe that God became flesh to show us the way to live life to the fullest, to show us that there is such divinity in being human that God chose it and as humans we can make choices that show love to others and contribute to the flourishing of the world we have been gifted with. It could be asserted that Jesus’ ascension is another reminder of the goodness of our human form - Jesus didn’t need to change form to take his place alongside our Trinitarian God because, as Genesis tells us, being human is very good.
The assumption of Mary could be seen in the same way. As a young woman, Mary made decisions to honour God by participating with God and doing her part in demonstrating love, the goodness of humanity and the importance humanity plays in God’s mission. Mary was assumed to her rightful place with God as body and soul and we are again reminded that being human is very good and dignified.
Thank you to Miss Facci and Year One for leading us in the Prayer Celebration.
Confirmation
Our Year Six students are commencing their journey of preparation to receive the Holy Spirit through the sacrament of Confirmation. Throughout this period, our thoughts and prayers will be with the students and their families.
Next Thursday at 6pm, the Confirmation candidates and their parents willl join together for a preparation evening at the parish hall. This occasion offers a precious opportunity for parents and their child to jointly delve into and deepen their faith.
An Invitation to Sunday Mass
Holy Cross Parish would like to extend a warm invitation to all our beloved school families to join us for Mass on Sunday mornings at 8:30am.
Attending Mass as a family is not only a wonderful opportunity to strengthen and nurture our faith but also a chance to deepen the bonds that unite us as a parish, school and a wider community.
Some things you may not know:
- Sunday Mass goes for one hour, 8:30 - 9:30am.
- We regularly gather for morning tea and a catch up afterwards.
- Every second week we have a children's liturgy which enables our kids to build some great friendships and learn about their faith.
We look forward to welcoming you and your family at our next Mass as we come together to celebrate the gift of faith and the joy of community.
Book Week and Literacy & Numeracy Week Celebrations
A reminder that our Book Week parade and celebrations will be held in conjunction with Literacy & Numeracy week celebrations on Friday 25 August. Students are encouraged to come dressed to school as their favourite book character and our whole school parade will begin at 9.15am. After the parade, visitors are welcome to visit Numeracy learning in the classrooms. We expect the celebrations to conclude by 11.15am.
Assemblies
Our next assembly for Term 3 will be held on Thursday 24 August. Principal Awards will be presented and Stage 3 will be sharing aspects of their learning.
HOLY CROSS SPELLING BEE 2023
I know you have all been waiting for this time of year so we can all join in the FUN of our Holy Cross Spelling Bee.
TIMETABLE
Friday 1/9/23
- Spelling Bee lists will be sent home via Compass
- Children are encouraged to practise learning these words at home with the help of parents
11/9/23 - 14/9/23
- In Class Spelling Bees will take place
Wednesday 20/9/23
- HOLY CROSS SPELLING BEE at 11.30am
Parents are welcome.
2023 NAPLAN Results
2023 NAPLAN results were received earlier this term and once again, our Year 3 and Year 5 students achieved outstanding results. Holy Cross performed well above the State, National and Diocesan averages in every domain in both Year 3 and Year 5 tests. This data will help us to evaluate the impact of our teaching and professional learning and support the learning needs of our students.
Pre-Service Teachers at Holy Cross
We welcome Morgan Clarke, who will be working in Year 3 for the remainder of the term and Taylor Gifford, who will be working in Kindergarten from Monday for the remainder of the term. We are confident both ladies will learn a lot about quality learning and teaching during their time with us.
Professional Learning
Recent Staff 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 by our staff this fortnight includes:
2 August 2023 - System Colloquium - Helen Timeperley
Mrs Duffin, Mrs Jennett & Mrs N Baker
9 August 2023 - Mathematics Professional Learning
Mrs McMentee, Miss Facci, Mrs Hennock, Mrs N Baker, Mrs Jennett and Mrs Duffin
10 August 2023 - Learning In Leadership
Mrs Jennett
15 & 16 August 2023 - Assistant Principal Retreat
Mrs Jennett
17 August 2023 - Speech Therapy & Occupational Therapy Training
Miss Facci
TERM 3 Dates
Please find pertinent dates for Term 3. All pertinent dates can be found on our parent Calendar https://www.hchdow.catholic.edu.au/news-and-events/events/
Years 3, 4, and 5 Excursion
Library News
PREMIER’S READING CHALLENGE (PRC)
Our second Primary class to complete the PRC is…Year 5! The following Year 5 students completed the challenge in the last two weeks…
Eddie, Macie, Maya, Sebastian
CONGRATULATIONS to all of Year 5 for completing the challenge!
SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB Issue 6 Now Open
Book Club Issue 6 catalogues will be sent home soon. Orders are due by Friday, 8 September 2023.
Once you receive your catalogue, just jump online to order: https://bookclubs.scholastic.com.au/
CBCA SHORTLIST BOOKS
Last newsletter, I showcased the Eve Pownall Award and New Illustrator categories. At Holy Cross, we are invested in providing our students with quality literature and make a priority of purchasing the age-appropriate Shortlist titles each year. This newsletter we are showcasing the following two Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Shortlist categories.
Younger Readers – this category may be fiction, drama or poetry and should be appropriate in style and content for readers from the middle to upper primary years (7-12 years).
Picture Books – This category consists of outstanding books of the Picture Book
genre in which the author and illustrator achieve artistic and literary unity or, in wordless picture books, where the story, theme or concept is unified through illustrations.
Library Warrior
Introducing…Kalani (Year 1)
What section are you responsible for?
I help out with Popular Fiction.
What is your favourite book?
The Secret Life Of Pets.
What do you love about being a Library Warrior?
Helping out in the Library and being with the other Library Warriors.
What is your favourite Library task?
I love sorting and putting books away.
Happy reading everyone!
Sue Murray
Library Coordinator
Our school canteen run by Mrs Donovan, is opened three days each week, Wednesday & Thursday breakfast & lunch 1 and Friday Breakfast lunch 1 & 2 serving yummy treats and hot food. And don't forget homemade pizza's on Wednesday's!
South Coast Athletics Carnival
On Tuesday, 8th August, 31 of our students competed at the South Coast Region Athletics Carnival at Beaton Park. Their remarkable talents, unwavering determination, and admirable sportsmanship shone brightly throughout the event. We are incredibly proud of our representative's accomplishments and contributions to our school's reputation in the athletic community.
Congratulations to Lachie in Year 4 who was named Junior Boy Age Champion after placing 1st in the 100m, 2nd in the 200m, 4th in the Long Jump, and 4th in Discus. Outstanding Achievement, Lachie!
We also had Jesse in Year 4 break a 19-Year Standing record in the Junior Boys 800m event. His time of 2:35.58 was faster by 1 second! Well done Jesse!
From this carnival, 11 students placed in the top 4 of their events and progressed to the Wollongong Diocese Primary Selection Trials.
A special thank you to our supportive parents who also attended. It was a great day!
Diocese of Wollongong Selection Trials
On Tuesday 15th August, 11 of our talented athletics students competed at the Wollongong Diocese Primary Athletics Selection Trials. The trials bring together the first four place-getters from the Western Region and South Coast Region for a chance to represent the Wollongong Diocese at the MacKillop Trials.
We had some amazing results:
Rustin- 4th in 8yr Boys 100m
Archie- 3rd in Junior Boys 1500m
Jesse- 1st in Junior Boys 1500m and 1st in Junior Boys 800m
Lachlan- 3rd in 10yr Boys 100m, 2nd in Junior Boys 200m, 8th in Junior Boys Long Jump and 5th in Junior Boys Discus
Emma M- 3rd in 11yr Girls 1500m and 5th in 11yr Girls 800m
Hannah- 6th in Junior Girls Long Jump and 9th in 10yr Girls 100m
Ella- 5th in Senior Girls Long Jump
Mia A- 6th in Senior Girls Shot Put
Leni- 3rd in Senior Girls High Jump
Tom- 5th in Senior Boys 1500m
Gardening Club
In the last couple of weeks, the students taking part in Gardening Club were in for a treat - they had a veggie harvest! They had a great time harvesting a variety of wonderful vegetables that they planted themselves, and were even able to take them home! The plants they harvested were: mint, bok choy, spinach, rosemary, spring onions, coriander, and a couple of radishes, and they have also planted some carrots. This week, we interviewed Alice Buckley from Year Six (a Gardening Club leader) about Gardening Club and this exciting event!
Interview from Alice Buckley Year Six:
Q: What have you been doing in Gardening Club recently?
A: “On Thursday, we got all of the younger kids together and we got all the pots ready for planting rosemary. We were thinking about picking the leftover radishes but we haven't done that yet. The main part would have been getting the rosemary ready to take home next week.”
Q: Why is it that you are doing this?
A:“We attend every Thursday because if you come often enough you could become a leader and at the end of the year we have a day where we make food out of what we have planted.”
Q: How was the experience?
A: “It was and still is very fun and I have no idea what people are doing without going to Gardening Club!”
Q: Do you think that Gardening Club has been successful in this event?
A: “Yes, very! We have had a large harvest. Everyone has had a decent amount of food and each student is very pleased with at least one of the vegetables we have harvested.”
Q: Do you find inspiration in what has been going on?
A: “Yes, lots of inspiration! We all have been inspired to grow our own plants at home and have so much fun doing so!”
Q: What will you do with the knowledge you have gained from your discoveries from this event?
A: “I will incorporate the knowledge I have learnt at Gardening Club eg. When to plant plants and knowing the names of the plants and what’s edible and not.
Thank you to Alice for sharing with us her knowledge and opinions on Gardening Club! We are very excited to know that the students are enthusiastic about it. We can’t wait to see how their skills develop from this knowledgeable and fun activity. Gardening Club is open every Thursday at Lunch 1 and 2 for everyone!
P&F met on Tuesday 1st August. Thank-you to everyone who attended and shared their ideas and feedback. We would especially like to thank Lisa for organising the upcoming Fathers Day Stall & a huge thank-you and welcome back to Allison as our 2024 Fete Coordinator.
The Fete and fundraisers organised throughout the year contribute to many school resources (e.g a class set of bibles and iPads) student experiences (e.g the Gumaraa student incursion coming up on the 8th September) school celebrations (e.g Holy Communion, World Teachers Day) as well as build a sense of community spirit. We welcome your ideas and feedback on how best to raise and spend these funds. Please see our Holy Cross P&F group page or contact one of us to share your suggestions and see more detailed information.
SAVE THE DATES:
Father’s Day Stall: will be held on Friday 1st September. All gifts will be $5
2024 Family Fun Day: 2nd March from 10am. Donations for raffle and choc wheel prizes are welcome anytime and volunteers are still required to fill some roles. Please contact Allison on 0409461807 or hchfete@gmail.com
menALIVE Raising Fathers Evening 2023
All members of our community are invited to a special evening event on 28 August 2023 in Campbelltown with Robert Falzon from menALIVE, as he unpacks practical advice and shares stories that are powerfully important, informative, and instructional for fathering in today’s world.
In an age where there is training to do almost everything, there are so many fathers who are in desperate need of tips and tools to do one of the most important and impactful tasks on earth – Fathering! – and this evening will be a source of great formation and encouragement for dads.
Speaker: Robert Falzon: Fathering from the Front Line
Date: Monday 28 August 2023
Time: 7 - 8.30 pm
Location: Level 1, Micah House Resource Centre, 35A Cordeaux Street, Campbelltown
Cost: Free
For more information and bookings visit: DOW Raising Fathers Evening.