Dear Parents and Friends,

We are well and truly into the busy part of Term 2 now. It is also the season of winter illnesses, with colds, flu strains and COVID making the rounds. As we all manage these challenges in our family and working lives, I thank you in advance for your understanding around staff absences due to illness. We do our very best to ensure that we have our regular casual teaching staff relief, but the winter months pose an additional challenge to the teacher shortages felt right across education systems everywhere. 

Our staff are now in the process of gathering assessments and evidence of student learning which will inform Semester 1 reporting. A number of changes have been made this year, due to the implementation of the new English and Maths syllabus.

2024 Student Semester Reports

As you may be aware, the NSW Educational Standards Authority (NESA) have undertaken a comprehensive review of the NSW Curriculum, leading to curriculum reform and subsequent implementation of a reformed curriculum which commenced in 2023. In response to the curriculum changes, Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong has made significant modifications to student semester reports for Primary schools to better reflect your child's academic progress at key points throughout the year and provide parents and carers with a clear picture of their child’s strengths and areas for improvement in specific subject areas.

The following changes will be evident in your child’s semester report from Semester 1 2024: 

• A ‘new look’ report format released via Compass reflecting the outcomes of the new K-10 English and Mathematics syllabuses providing a descriptor for each of the focus areas found in the respective syllabuses
• All Kindergarten students will now receive a written report in Semester 1 and Semester 2 with a three-point grade scale used to report student achievement using the following performance descriptors:
• Thorough
• Sound 
• Basic
• Students in Year 1 - Year 6 will continue to receive semester reports twice a year with a five-point grade scale used to report student achievement using the following performance descriptors: 
• Extensive
• Thorough
• Sound
• Basic
• Elementary 

This short video also explains the updates too reporting : 

Parent video: academic reports (Link)

Report formats are also available for students who are working towards outcomes by which a graded report will not accurately represent their learning progress. As an alternative to a graded report, a comment is provided for each Key Learning Area in line with the student’s goals identified in their Personalised Plan. These reports are only used following consultation between school and parents/carers. 

At Holy Cross, the reporting timeframes are as follows:

Week 9: 

• Monday 24th June: Compass Bookings will open for parent interviews and close Sunday 30th June
• Friday 28th June- your child’s report will be available on COMPASS

Week 10: 

• Parent- Teacher Interviews will be available Monday- Thursday 
• Tuesday 2 July -  later evening times available to 6:45pm.

We look forward to this positive shift in our reporting system and appreciate your continued support in your child's educational journey.

HELPFUL CURRICULUM GUIDES FOR PARENTS 

In recent weeks, we held parent workshops for Kindergarten and Year 1 parents about the teaching of reading in the early foundational years. 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.

This week, we share English: 

Kindergarten (Early Stage 1) LINK to Guide

Years 1 and 2 (Stage 1) LINK to Guide

Years 3-6  (Stages 2 and 3) LINK to Guide

 Next Newsletter-Mathematics Parent Guides

Safety online for children & young people:  eSafety Commissioner Term 2 webinars for parents & carers

Recent media reporting has highlighted the ongoing concerns and worrying impacts around children and young people’s access to social media. The  Australian Government eSafety Commissioner is hosting four webinars in Term 2 to give parents and carers the knowledge, skills and tools to support and protect children and young people in primary and secondary school to have safe online experiences.

Helpful links: 

• The eSafety Guide ( https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics/esafety-guide)
• eSafetyparents  ( https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents )

Various dates until Thursday 20 June. More information and registration: 

Webinars for parents and carers  (https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars)

Kids’ Helpline: 1800 55 1800            Lifeline: 13 11 14        

NSW Mental Health Access Line: 1800 011 511     Parent Line: 1300 1300 52

OUR FAITH LIFE AT HOLY CROSS

Term 2 Monday Morning Prayer 8:50-9am - If you have the time, 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:

• 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, all Year 1 and 6 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 Year 1 and 5 students and their families there.

TELL THEM FROM ME SURVEY- EXTENDED CLOSING DATE- Tomorrow 31 May

It’s not too late to provide us with your thoughts, insights and feedback! You are able to access the parent survey on your computer or mobile device by using this URL LINK : http://tellthemfromme.com/hch2024

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 or other professional commitments by our staff this past fortnight includes:

Date	Event	Staff
16th May	Diverse Learning Needs Network Meeting	Mrs Jennett  Mrs Mitrevski
20th May	Principal and Assistant Principal Network Meeting	Mrs Colussi Mrs Jennett
21st May	Learning Walks K-6 (Focus on Writing practices)
22nd May	Communities of Practice - small schools project	Mrs Colussi
23rd May	NCCD Meeting	Mrs Mitrevski
27th May	The Why, What and How of Evidence-Based Reading Instruction	Mrs Colussi
29th May	Wollongong Environmental Network Teacher Meeting day	Mrs Turton
NEXT STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAYS (PUPIL FREE DAYS)  FRIDAY 5th JULY ( The last day of Term 2 for students will be Thursday 4th July.  TERM 3:   Monday 22nd July (First day of Term 3 for students is Tuesday 23rd July)          NEW Date confirmed: Friday 20th September

Every Blessing,

Milena Colussi, Principal

National Reconciliation Week

Kate Jennett 

Assistant Principal

Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus - Friday 7 June- Mass at 9:15am

Friday the 7th of June is The Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the day where we

celebrate Christ’s love for all humankind. The Feast of the Sacred Heart is one of the most popular in the Catholic Church and is celebrated 19 days after Pentecost each year. The Sacred Heart of Jesus represents not simply Christ’s physical heart but also His love for all mankind. In the Roman Catholic Calendar, this day is a Solemnity; a feast day of the highest rank celebrating a mystery of faith such as the Trinity, an event in the life of Jesus, his mother Mary, or another important saint. We will celebrate a Whole School Mass at 9:15am and you are warmly invited to share in this celebration with us.

World Environment Day - Wednesday 5 June

“Ecological Spirituality springs from a profound ecological conversion and helps us to “discover God in all things”, both in the beauty of creation and in the sighs of the sick and the groans of the afflicted, aware that the life of the spirit is not dissociated from worldly realities. Actions could include promoting creation-based liturgical celebrations, developing ecological catechesis, retreats and formation programmes”.   (Laudato Si’ Ac tion Platform) If you would like to find out more about World Environment Day please visit https://www.worldenvironmentday.global/ We will recognise this day with prayer at our morning assembly and the students will also engage with some resources to support their understanding in class.

Rosary

During the month of May - the month of Mary, we have invited the students to pray the rosary before school on a Thursday morning in Year 2. Many students have taken up this opportunity and have enjoyed beginning their day with prayer.

First Holy Communion

First Holy Communion preparation meetings begin this Thursday evening at 6pm. The 2nd workshop will be Thursday evening, 13 June, 6pm and the 3rd workshop will be Thursday evening, 27 June, 6pm. 

We will also be having a First Holy Communion retreat day in the Parish hall on 28 June. (More information to follow at the information night). Please keep these students in your prayers as they prepare for this special Sacrament.

First Holy Communion Mass will be on Sunday 30 June, 10.00am

Pyjama Day (Week 10)

On 4 July (last day of term), all students are invited to participate in the Pyjama Day by wearing their warm winter pyjamas to school and making a gold coin donation. The funds raised will be donated to the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal to assist needy families in our local community this winter. More information regarding this fundraiser organised by the Mini Vinnies team will be sent via Compass. 

A REMINDER that this weekend, 2 June students in Years 1 and 6 are joining our Parish Mass at 8:30am and will take responsibility for special ministries during the Mass.

In Peace,

Mrs Debbie Turton

Religious Education Coordinator

ASSEMBLIES

Term 2

Our fortnightly school assemblies during Term 2 will be held on Monday afternoons at 2.35pm. 

Week 6 - Monday 3 June (Principal Awards)

Week 8 - Monday 17 June (Kindergarten Sharing)

Week 10 - Monday 1 July (Principal Awards)

LIBRARY NEWS

PREMIER’S READING CHALLENGE (PRC)

Our PRC Champions for this fortnight are:

Year 4 – Zoe, Jenna

Year 5 – Lachlan, Nate

Year 6 – Bella, Elise

CONGRATULATIONS for completing the challenge!

NATIONAL SIMULTANEOUS STORYTIME – 22 May 2024

Last Wednesday, Holy Cross participated in National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. See photos on our school's facebook page.

Bowerbird Blues by Aura Parker was chosen as this year’s text. Our students were read the text and immersed themselves in bowerbird-related activities. This book was enjoyed so much, we now have a lengthy reservation list to borrow it out!

SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB ISSUE 3 & 4

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 orders have been processed and will be sent home once we receive them.

Book Club Issue 4 catalogues will be sent home soon. These orders will be due by 21 June 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.

An Interview With…Zoe (Year 4)

 Note from Mrs Murray: Zoe has been a Library Warrior since it started in 2022 and has never missed a Friday. She collects books in the morning before school and even though she has choir commitments at Lunch 2, Zoe always makes sure her section is done before going to choir. Zoe takes her role very seriously, which makes her an invaluable member of our team.

 What section are you responsible for?

Junior Fiction and anyone who needs help in their sections.

 What is your favourite book?

 The Puppy Place series and Puppy series by Holly Webb

 What do you love about being a Library Warrior?

That I can help put other and any books away but most importantly I can hang out with Mrs Murray and the other Library Warriors at lunchtime.

 What is your favourite Library task?

Putting away books.

Happy reading everyone!

Sue Murray

Library Coordinator

Diocesan Cross Country Championships 2024 

We had an amazing day at Nowra today, competing at the Diocesan Cross Country Carnival. Every member of our cross country team competed with determination, sportsmanship and showed great team spirit. We were very proud!

Our school came away with 2024 Champion Boys School and 2nd Place in the Overall Champion School Category. Absolutely incredible!!

Congratulations to the following students who placed in the top 8 of their race today and who will now go on to compete at the NSWCPS Cross Country Championships next Wednesday at the Sydney Equestrian Centre. We wish them the best of luck! 

Thank you to our amazing parents, for the support and encouragement you showed leading up to and at the carnival today!

Go team!  

FROM OUR CATHOLIC CARE COUNSELLOR

Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is a disorder which a child becomes excessively anxious when separated from their parents/caregivers. Children with separation anxiety struggle to think about anything but the present fear of separation. They may be reluctant to go to school, parties, other places, or even experience nightmares or regular physical complaints. A new environment, with new people and new routines can be challenging for your child. For more reading, and great tips- 

Separation_Anxiety_Newsletter.pdf

Separation_Anxiety_Newsletter _pdf 353.10 KB

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.

Exciting News for Camp Australia Families! 

 Join us from 3 June to 14 June 2024 for our 10 Day Giveaway and stand a chance to win amazing daily prizes! 

 Simply book your child into Before or After School Care to be in the draw for our $100 daily prize! ? PLUS, you'll also be in the chance to WIN a $500 major prize! 

 Let's make this a fun and rewarding time for everyone! Ts and Cs apply. For more details,  visit www.campaustralia.com.au  and for more information about the giveaway https://www.campaustralia.com.au/10-day-giveaway 

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.