Dear Parents and Friends,

On behalf of all our staff, I warmly welcome you all back to another term of school where your child’s learning, their faith and wellbeing are our ongoing focus. We are incredibly thankful for your unwavering support this year, and look forward to the many varying community events and opportunities where we can continue to connect and work together to ensure that your children, our students, have the very best that we can possibly offer at Holy Cross.

May - The month of Mary

My early childhood memories include my mother’s devotion to the honouring of Mary during May – a practice I’ve continued all of my life. It’s as natural and essential to me as my morning coffee! I know a number of Catholics who see May as the Month of Mary, and we all get the same question from time to time: Why is May Mary’s month? For centuries, the Catholic Church has set aside the entire month of Mary to honour Mary, Mother of God. There are many beautiful cultural expressions of the devotion to Mary. The image I share here is one from a shrine in Brezje, Slovenia,in my parents’ country of birth. The Basilica of Maria Pomagaj (St. Mary Help of Christians) of Brezje is a Slovenian National Marian Shrine. It’s common for parishes to have a daily recitation of the Rosary during May, and many have a special May altar with a statue or picture of Mary as a reminder of Mary’s month. You may like to create a prayer space in your own home. When we echo the customs and traditions of the Church in our homes – our domestic churches – we participate more fully in the life of the Church. For May, give Mary a special spot in your prayer space- a statue or picture of our Blessed Mother. Mary is Mother – your mother, my mother, everyone’s mother – and like our own mothers who we celebrate on Mothers’ Day next weekend, Mary cares for all of us, interceding for us in even the tiniest matters.

At school, throughout this month we too will honour Mary through the prayer of the Rosary, our office and classroom prayer spaces, and in a special way, when we celebrate with our parish, the feast day mass of Mary Help of Christians (Friday 24th May, 9:15 am), which focuses on Mary’s help to those in need through her intercession. 

Mary, Mother of Jesus Pray for us

Mary, Mother of our Lord Pray for us

Mary, Mother of all peoples Pray for us

Mary, Mother who shows us how to love Pray for us

Mary, woman of strength Pray for us

Mary, woman of faith Pray for us

Mary, woman of prayer Pray for us

Mary, woman who listened Pray for us

Mary, friend of those in need Pray for us

Mary, first among the disciples Pray for us

Mary, Help of Christians Pray for us

Mary we look to you as our model of faithfulness to God. 

Strengthen us so that we can follow God in trust and hope.

Amen

Term 2 Monday Morning Prayer 8:50-9am - Throughout Term 1, our Year Six students have been leading school prayer. This term, we warmly welcome you, our parents, to join us every Monday morning on the bottom playground (undercroft area) as we gather to start the week and pray together. 

Parish Masses - As a parish catholic school, we seek to enable opportunities for our community to encounter the mass. Each term, our classes attend a weekday parish mash, as well as whole school masses for important Feast days. Parents are always welcome to attend. In Term 2, these are:

• Thursday 16th May - Kinder and Year 5 @ 9am Parish Mass. 
• Friday 24th May - K-6 Mass for Mary Help of Christians @ 9:15am
• Thursday 30th May - Year 2, 3 and 4 @ 9am Parish Mass
• Friday 7th June - K-6 Mass for Feast of the Sacred Heart @ 9:15am
• Thursday 20th June - Year 1 and 6 @ 9am Parish Mass

Sunday Parish Mass - Families are of course always welcomed to attend the Holy Cross Parish Sunday Masses. On Sunday 2nd June at 8.30am, all Kinder and Year 1 families are invited to celebrate mass. Some of our students and their parents will be invited to read a universal prayer or one of the readings or bring the offertory forward. We hope to see many Kindergarten and Year 5 students and their families there.

Vigil & Funeral Details for Bishop Peter Ingham

I was saddened to hear of Bishop Ingham’s passing. I met him many years ago in the 1990’s, when he was one of the auxiliary bishops in the Sydney Archdiocese, confirming Year Six students I was teaching back then. Bishop Peter had a warm and welcoming, happy and caring nature evident in his engagement with each person. He was compassionate and approachable, faith-filled and prayerful—in essence, a servant leader. His greatest joy was to be a disciple of Jesus and a true shepherd of God’s people.

Peter William Ingham, the fourth bishop of Wollongong, died peacefully in the late evening of 26 April 2024. He was 83 years of age and almost 60 years a priest.

The vigil and funeral details for Bishop Peter Ingham have been announced by Bishop Brian Mascord and are available on the Wollongong Diocese website (important information is included in relation to limited seating capacity, overflow seating, parking). The funeral will also be livestreamed at https://dow.sh/livestream

Past Teacher of Holy Cross - Mrs Jane Spoutszta

It is with sadness that we are informing you of the passing of Mrs Jane Spouszta, who taught at Holy Cross for many years. Mrs Spouszta is fondly remembered as kind, gentle and always with a warm smile. Jane is most remembered at Holy Cross for her care for and dedication to each one of her students. Jane’s life will be celebrated at St Michael’s Catholic Church Thirroul, this Friday at 12pm. We pass on our condolences to her husband, children and grandchildren. Eternal rest grant to her, O Lord and through the Mercy of our loving God, May she rest in peace. More details in this link.

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 continues to inform 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 on Tuesday, which provides 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/hch2024

We would appreciate parents completing the survey by Friday 24 May, 2024.

Every Blessing,

Milena Colussi,
Principal

The Scriptures are an integral part of our Catholic faith. Not only do we learn of the person of Jesus in the New Testament but we also see examples of Catholic Values. One Catholic value that we focus on at Holy Cross is the value of Justice.

In Sunday’s Gospel during this, the fifth week of Easter, we heard about Jesus great love for his people in the following words from the Gospel of John,

“Jesus said to his disciples:

‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.
Every branch in me that bears no fruit 
he cuts away,
and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes
to make it bear even more.
You are pruned already,
by means of the word that I have spoken to you.
Make your home in me, as I make mine in you.
As a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself,
but must remain part of the vine,
neither can you unless you remain in me.
I am the vine,
you are the branches.
Whoever remains in me, with me in him.”

John 15: 1-6

As we rejoice in the risen Lord this Easter season (which ends on Pentecost Sunday 19 May). Let us remember the interconnectedness of our community of faith.

ANZAC DAY DAWN SERVICE

On Thursday, at the community Dawn Service at Charles Harper Park our students represented Holy Cross and laid a wreath. A special congratulations goes to Jake Bugby who received the ANZAC School award. We are so very proud of Jake and the huge contribution he makes to so many of our extra curricular activities as well as being a true model of servant leadership here at Holy Cross. Thank you also to the parents and friends who were able to join us for our school prayer service for ANZAC day on Wednesday afternoon.

Mothers Day Celebrations at Holy Cross - SAVE THE DATE!

In Peace,

Debbie Turton
Religious Education Coordinator

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.

SCHOOL COMMUNICATION CHANNELS REMINDERS

School Website   https://www.hchdow.catholic.edu.au/

Our Holy Cross School website includes great information for families, including:

• All Newsletters, current and archived
• Key Dates via the Parent Calendar
• Save the Date: Term Masses and Liturgies
• Enrolment packages- Enrolments for Kindergarten 2025 are now open!
• Policies
• Cyber Safety information

Parent Calendar and School Dates

All school dates and events can be viewed on our School Website under the News and Events tab. We also display a few key dates every fortnight on our school display sign on the corner of McMillan and Parkes Sts.

Parent Calendar Link     https://www.hchdow.catholic.edu.au/news-and-events/

Please click on View More Upcoming Events to see further events.

To view the 2024 School Calendar, please click on View Our School Calendar under the Upcoming Events section. From here, events can be added to your own calendars.

HOLY CROSS FACEBOOK

	If you have not yet followed us, please do! We aim to post photos of student learning and events. We also post a “Next Week at Holy Cross” weekly diary of event reminders. Dates for events are also found on our parent online calendar
	https://www.facebook.com/holycross.helensburgh

NEXT PUPIL  FREE DAY - FRIDAY 5th JULY.

The last day of Term 2 for students will be Thursday 4th July. 

ASSEMBLIES - MONDAY AFTERNOONS 2:35pm

Our fortnightly school assemblies will be:

Week 2 - Monday 6 May

Week 4 - Monday 20 May (Year 6 Sharing)

Week 6 - Monday 3 June (Principal Awards)

Week 8 - Monday 17 June (Kindergarten Sharing)

Week 10 - Monday 1 July (Principal Awards)

BICYCLE / SCOOTER POLICY

It has been noticed that a small number of students have been using skateboards to get to school, or are not wearing a helmet. Please note that the school’s policy outlines clearly the expectations around:

•  the use of bicycles/scooters, which includes the wearing of a Standards Australia approved helmet. 
• A child under the age of 10 years should only ride to and from school with the written permission of a parent/caregiver accepting responsibility for the child and identifying the safest route to and from school.
• Children are to dismount before entering the school grounds and walk their bicycles/scooters whilst on site.
• Note: Skateboards and rollerblades are not permitted at Holy Cross Primary School under any circumstances, unless directed by teachers.
• Parents will be notified if students do not adhere to the School’s Bicycle/Scooter Policy and permission will be withdrawn until the issues identified have been satisfactorily addressed.
• If arriving to school before 8.20am, students must wait with their bicycle/scooter at the front gate.

Here is the full policy below.  It includes the permission note on page 2, which is required for parents to complete and return to school annually. Over the next week, these notes will be handed to students under 10 years who are currently riding their bicycle / scooter to / from school on their own. 

EARLY ARRIVAL TO SCHOOL

A reminder that morning supervision of students commences at 8:25am. If arriving at school before this, students must wait at the front gate, which is opened by staff when supervision starts. Parents who drop their children off to school should remain with their children until this time. CAMP AUSTRALIA offers before school care for families needing this service.

LIBRARY NEWS

PREMIER’S READING CHALLENGE (PRC)

Our PRC Champion for this fortnight is:

Year 4 – Asher

CONGRATULATIONS for completing the challenge!

SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB ISSUE 3

Book Club is a great way for parents to provide their children with popular literature in a variety of genres which aids in encouraging children to read. And they also make great gifts!

Book Club Issue 3 catalogues will be sent home soon. These orders are due by 20 May 2024.

How to order:

* jump online to order: https://bookclubs.scholastic.com.au/

* if your order is a gift, you can nominate it online as ‘gift’.

* once the orders arrive, all parents are given a courtesy call.

PLEASE NOTE: all orders are done online, the school does not collect cash or cheques.

NEW BOOKS NOW AVAILABLE – WHAT’S TRENDING

This newsletter I am going to highlight some of our new books which have all been selected due to our students’ latest interests.

Soccer continues to be popular amongst all of our students thanks to our Matildas team and the World Cup last year. Quite simply I cannot get these books on the shelf quick enough with many having quite a long reserve list.

New Book: The Stars Of Football

A new trend we are seeing at the moment is a resurgence of traditional crafts where our primary students have been requesting (continually!) books on crochet, sewing, origami etc (as you would have seen in a past newsletter, some of our Year 6 students started a craft club on Wednesdays Lunch 1).

New Book: Sewing School

Cooking has been popular for the last few years at Holy Cross and this is stronger than ever, especially amongst our primary students. Our budding ‘Masterchefs’ have an insatiable appetite for anything that they can get their hands on, not simply settling for kids cookbooks but are just as fascinated with the Women’s Weekly classics. They also love a themed cookbook so marrying cooking with Harry Potter will definitely be a winner with these students.

New Book: The Official Harry Potter Cookbook

Lastly, the rise and rise of the graphic novel has a very healthy interest at Holy Cross with this being the most popular collection in our Library. Of course manga features here with many of our senior primary students starting to get into the Japanese Ghibli films. I am very proud to state how fortunate we are to curate one of the best selections of graphic novels in our Diocese (as quoted by our CEO head of Libraries, Jim Gallagher).

New Book: The Ghibhliotheque Anime Movie Guide

As always, I would like to express my sincere thanks to our P&F for supporting our Library and our wonderful parents who cover the books!

Stayed tuned for more titles next newsletter…

Happy reading everyone!

Sue Murray
Library Coordinator

FROM OUR CATHOLIC CARE COUNSELLOR

Can you recognise signs that your child may need help?

Every child experience short behavioural change when they are tired at the end of a school term or worried about an important sporting match they have coming up. Parents should pay attention if their child's behaviour is significantly different from the norm over an extended period of time and they are unable to identify the cause for this behavioural change.

Signs that something may be going on emotionally for your child:

• If your child is normally very talkative and open, but they start to become quiet, not wanting to talk and withdrawn from activities they used to enjoy.

• If you child has started to show new behaviours of lashing out such as slamming doors, boundary pushing, appearing frustrated, and not able to express how they feel and explain their emotions.

• If your child may be experiencing difficulties sleeping and eating because they are feeling worried, anxious, or depressed.

• If your child has difficulties making friends or has become avoidant with their friends.

When it comes to your child, trust your instincts when it comes to their behaviour and emotions. If you feel that your child isn't acting like themselves, please reach out the school staff who can assist with your child's wellbeing at school in collaboration with the school counsellor.

Meet The School Counsellor

Hi everyone! My name is Sara, and I am the new school counsellor at Holy Cross

Primary, working through Catholic Care. I have completed a Bachelors in Social Work at the University of Wollongong and have a history of working with the NDIS – both physical and mental disabilities.

I have a strong passion in ensuring that our young people have a great experience at school. Our kids may experience academic struggles, personal issues, peer relationships or just emotions of worry and anxiety. I offer an understanding and support without judgement and help our young people uncover underlying emo?ons and identify potential solutions.

Please reach out to any of the staff members at Holy Cross for a referral form if you would like your child to receive support.

Sara Ljuboja
Catholic Care Counsellor