Dear Parents and Carers,

P&F Contributions to student playtime

A few weeks ago, at our Term 2 P&F meeting, funding towards some new playground equipment, markings and new basketball/ netball towers on the lower playground was approved. This will further enhance the variety of play options your children have during their breaks, including lunchtime library clubs, the open grass areas for soccer, ball and running games, basketball, and Thursday garden club.  We are especially grateful to our hard working P&F for this additional boost which will benefit all of our children directly. Student voice in what they would like to play with will be sought over the next few weeks. Our Year Six student leaders will visit classes to share and gather students’ ideas around a range of play equipment, before we place orders.

I have also requested consideration under minor capital works for next year, for a resurfacing of the lower playground synthetic grass area, where we will install the two new inground reversible basketball/ netball towers in the coming months.

Our Faith Life at Holy Cross

“Our schools are to be places of prayer, where the Eucharist is celebrated, and the

rich devotional life of the Church forms part of the fabric of the school environment. It is in this context that a young person’s faith will be enhanced.”  Bearers of Christ’s Love - Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Wollongong

Term 2 Monday Morning Prayer 8:50-9am - We warmly welcome you, our parents, to join us on Monday mornings, 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 mass, as well as whole school masses for important Feast days. Parents are always welcome to attend. The last of these this term is on Thursday 20th June - Year 1 and 6 @ the 9am Parish Mass.

Sunday Parish Mass - On Sunday 2nd June, some of our Year 1 and 6 families

joined together with our Holy Cross Parish community to celebrate the mass. Our Year 1 and 6 teachers, Miss Facci and Mr Whitehall, along with Mrs Turton and myself were also present. Some of our students also engaged with the ministries of reading and offertory procession. It would be of course wonderful to see even more families in the future!  Dates for K and Year 5, and Years 2,3 and 4 will be shared soon!

“Recognise the integral connection between schools and parishes and so develop relationships of active collaboration between schools, parish clergy and the wider Catholic community. They actively seek to develop students’ and families’ involvement in the life of the parish, especially that of Sunday Eucharist.”  Bearers of Christ’s Love - Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Wollongong

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 are honoured this year to be also 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.

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. This week, we share the links to the Mathematics guides: 

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

Professional Learning

STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY

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 fortnight includes:

CEDoW Mental Health Services Review – Invitation to Feedback and Validation Forum

The CEDoW ILW Wellbeing and Student Support Team has been collaborating with Shawn van der Linden of Altum Consulting Pty Ltd to review the mental health supports available for CEDoW students.

Mental Health Services Review - Invitation to Feedback and Validation Forum: We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who has participated in this review through written surveys or semi-structured online interviews.

Next Steps - Feedback and Validation Forum: We are now entering the final stage of this process, which involves a critical feedback and validation forum. We are inviting key stakeholders, including parents, school staff, CatholicCare counsellors, and CEO staff, to join us for a face-to-face group discussion.

These three forums will be held on Thursday 27 June 2024, at the Marian Centre Wollongong.

Event Details

Date: Thursday 27 June 2024

Location: Marian Centre Wollongong

Time: 3-hour session with a half-hour break (three forum sessions available to choose from)

Refreshments: Morning and afternoon tea provided

The forum will focus on reflecting on the preliminary findings of the review and will provide an opportunity for participants to contribute to the emerging recommendations.

Session Booking: Participants are requested to book one session from the available time slots via  this Google form. 

Every Blessing,

This week we have been focussing on the Catholic value of, “Hope.” At Monday

morning's assembly, we discussed the importance of having a positive and resilient approach to life and embracing the future with an absolute faith in our God. The students were challenged to reflect on ways that they can demonstrate Hope in their hearts, in their school with their friends and at home with their family. 

First Holy Communion

Tonight, 13 June, the students who are receiving the Sacrament of First Holy Communion will have their second communion workshop with Father Paul at 6pm in the parish hall. 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. I echo Fr. Paul’s words when I strongly encourage all students who are receiving this important sacrament to attend our Parish Mass on Sunday at 8:30am, especially in these remaining weeks of preparation for First Holy Communion. It is an essential and integral part of your child’s preparation. 

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. 

In preparation for our Mufti Day, Paul Morahan came to meet with our Mini Vinnies today to explain how their work to promote the day will help those in our community in need. The Mini Vinnies are very excited to be planning this special event for our school and also understanding how their work supports those in need this winter. 

Our Pyjama Day will also coincide with our NAIDOC WEEK Activity Day. Students can wear red, yellow or black PJ’s…. Or just simply add a touch of red, yellow or black to their PJs with a hat, socks, scarf, ribbons or beanie!

Grade Masses

We have our final grade Mass for this Term for Years 1 and 6 on Thursday 20 June at 9am. As always, you are most welcome to join us at this Parish Mass. 

In Peace,

Mrs Debbie Turton
Religious Education Coordinator

ASSEMBLIES

Term 2

Week 8 - Monday 17 June  - from 2:25pm in the Library (Year 1 Sharing)

Week 10 - Monday 1 July from 2:30pm in the Library (Principal Awards)

LIBRARY NEWS

PREMIER’S READING CHALLENGE (PRC)

Our PRC Champions for this fortnight are:

Year 5 – Sophie A, Indigo

Year 6 – Elise P., Evie, Macie, Evelyn K., Olivia, Evelyn T.

CONGRATULATIONS for completing the challenge!

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.

NEW BOOKS NOW AVAILABLE

As a ‘small school’ in our Diocese, WCEO have arranged with Lamont Books to send us a selection of 10-12 books each term. Here are some that are ready for our students to borrow.

“How To Build LEGO Dinosaurs” (Non Fiction)

“The Wild Guide To Starting School” (Junior Non Fiction)

“The Wheelbarrow Express” (Junior Fiction)

“Hello Twigs” (Graphic Novel)

As always, I would like to express my sincere thanks to our wonderful parents who cover the books!

Stayed tuned for more titles next newsletter…

An Interview With…Lyla (Year 2)

 

Note from Mrs Murray: Lyla is one of our new Library Warriors who has picked up very quickly where the books need to go. Lyla quietly goes about her tasks and is always ready to help other Warriors if needed. Welcome to the team Lyla!

What section are you responsible for?

I have been helping with Junior Fiction.

What is your favourite book?

Do Not Open This Book by Andy Lee.

What do you love about being a Library Warrior?

I think that it is fun and I love helping out.

What is your favourite Library task?

My favourite task is sorting the books – especially Junior Fiction. Once all the books are put away, we get to sort the shelves or help other Library Warriors.

Happy reading everyone!

Sue Murray
Library Coordinator

Kinder Fire Truck Visit

Yesterday Kindergarten had four fire-fighters and a fire truck visit them at school. This visit is linked to their science discovery health unit, they have been learning about emergency services and how we can keep our community and ourselves safe.

From the students -

I liked seeing the fire truck and learning that the hose ours water on safely - Alex

I liked hearing the loud siren and learning that the siren is for rescues - Ryan

I liked sitting in the fire truck - Marley

I learned how heavy the hose is -

I liked to go in the fire truck and learning about how heavy the hose is - Nora

I learned that you have to get into the fire truck carefully and my favourite part was holding the hose - Ashton

Year 5’s Stem Mad EXPO

Lee and Zeike designed “Golden Rice”, which is a healthy alternative to regular rice. Instead of being grown, it would be genetically engineered. This would make an even healthier and cheaper rice for people to eat and buy, especially in third world countries, as additional vitamins can be added.

Emma created a prototype called the “Horse Handle” for
people to stop falling off a horse.

Indigo, Vida and Sophie created a SPF lipgloss. We decided on this because many Australians get lip cancer and may not know, so we wanted to create something that would protect their lips from being burnt. 

Luca created a “Rain bucket”. The design has multiple buckets to collect rain, especially in poorer places of the world where rain is scarce. He made the prototype using ice cream containers, wood, rope and screws to attach the parts. I When he trialled it at home, it was successful in filling all the buckets to the top. The downside was that leaves also came in, so the next challenge would be to improve on this. 

Sadie created a drain cover, so that only water could be filtered into the drains, and to prevent rubbish and other non organic matter from ending up in our waterways and oceans.

Spotlight on Learning Year 2

The students in Year 2 have been busy acting as authors, composing hybrid texts about, “Bowerbirds” inspired by the author Claire Saxbury. Our hybrid texts contain both informative and imaginative texts about the unique Bowerbird and how the male bird collects blue items found in the environment to construct a Bower in order to attract a female who becomes his lifelong companion.

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.