Dear Parents and Carers,

As we come to the end of the first semester of 2020, I would like once again to express my deep and sincere gratitude to you. The manner in which parents and staff worked in partnership for the benefit of our students’ learning and wellbeing was so evident amid the challenges presented by COVID-19. Thank you for the lunch provided to the staff during the week on your behalf, and the P&F executive for organising this. This was an incredibly kind gesture and was greatly appreciated by all of us.

Along with the challenges the Semester has presented, we have had many opportunities to learn and to celebrate. One of the greatest celebrations for the staff was welcoming your children back to face to face learning. The period of remote learning actually became an unexpected opportunity for the staff to be reminded just how much we love and appreciate our vocation and how energising the company of children really is.

I pray the student vacation break with your children is a time of relaxation and renewal. I especially hope your children enjoy their break from school routines and have time to rejuvenate over this period.

Take care and stay safe,

Mrs Kaylene Duffin 
Principal

CONFIRMATION

Confirmation will take place in Term Four for Year Six students. Details about this sacrament will be given next term.

RECONCILIATION AND FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

The celebration of First Reconciliation will be in mid-August for Year Three students. Before the sacrament takes place parents need to complete a ‘Nomination for Preparation for the Sacrament of Penance and First Holy Communion’ and return to either school or the parish office by Friday 24 July. Forms have been given to all Year Three students today or can be collected from the Parish office.

For the sacrament of Reconciliation there will be an evening meeting for parents and children together, which will be an integral part of this time of preparation. The meeting will be held at Holy Cross Parish Church, 4 McMillan St, Helensburgh Wednesday 29 July at 6.00pm.

More details of the celebration of First Holy Communion will be given to you in Term Three however, save the date for Sunday 13^th September for this celebration.

Miss Costello
Religious Education Co-ordinator

EXCURSIONS

Due to the continued restraints imposed by COVID-19, we have had to cancel all upcoming class excursions for the remainder of the year. CEDoW will refund all monies that have already been paid. 

NATIONALLY CONSISTENT COLLECTION OF DATA ON SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH DISABILITY (NCCD) 

Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability. These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD guidelines (2020). 

STUDENT LEAVE

If students are taken out of school for a holiday, extended sport or family leave  (apart from illness) this leave must be requested in writing to the Principal prior to the event.  Please contact the office for a form.

PUPIL FREE DAYS

Friday 25 September (last day of Term 3)

Monday 12 October (first day of Term 4)

SCHOOL PHOTOS

Whole school photos will take place on Thursday 13 August 2020.  Flyers have been sent home with students and all orders are to be completed on line, refer to the flyer below for instructions.  If you would like your own children to have a sibling photograph, please collect a form from the school office.  Please note, sibling photographs are only for siblings who attend Holy Cross, no other 'group' photos will be permitted.

CANTEEN - TERM 3

TECHNOLOGY

WRITING AT HOLY CROSS

This year, one of our strategic goals is to improve students’ Writing, with particular emphasis on grammar and sentence structure. This term teachers have engaged in professional collaboration to develop high impact learning strategies. Teachers have worked together to co-plan writing lessons incorporating the ‘Think-Aloud’ strategy. The purpose of this strategy is to make clear to students how competent writers think and make decisions as they compose texts.

Enjoy reading some samples from Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4.

On the rocky moon the astronaut took his first steps effortlessly. Seconds later on the surface he realised he had stepped into a deep crater unexpectedly yet in the pit he noticed that he was surrounded by aliens jumping on him. Oliver - Year 3

In the wondrous depths of space a shimmering shooting star was gliding through the sky at a colossal speed. The next day in space once again it was still zooming around impressively and back on Earth the people were gazing at it in complete awe. Mia - Year 3

In the dark corners of Pluto the Kupier probe created muffled beeps carefully. At ground control, the anxious crew received the incoming call frantically and they quickly sent out a new command worriedly. Ripley - Year 4

In the iron black galaxy the gold stars glistened magically. Back on Earth the colossal rocket was ready to be launched into space quickly and suddenly it passed Earth’s atmosphere flying in the direction of the moon powerfully. Madeleine - Year 4

Beans to Chocolate - The last step to make delicious chocolate involves selling the dried beans to factories. The co-co beans are a brown crispy colour and they also look shiny. - Xavier - Year 2

GARDENING CLUB MEETS MASTERCHEF!

As a thank you to our amazing Gardening Club Leaders for all their hard work this term, Week 10 saw them treated to a Masterchef activity. Angus, Eddie, Jake, Charlotte, Claire, Macie, James, Flynn, Kai and Keira were tasked with making the ‘hero of the dish’ fresh produce that they had grown in The Patch – and they had a wonderful selection to choose from. Radishes, nasturtiums, chives, mint, cherry tomatoes, baby carrots, micro greens, lettuce, calendula flowers, rosemary, parsley, snowpeas, french sorrel, fennel and lavender flowers were all available – not bad for a winter garden! They were allowed to choose five ‘pantry items’ provided by Rod and Mrs Murray including items like corn chips, mini tortillas, corn, dip, salad dressing, cheese, berries, sultanas and dried apples. Our leaders worked hard selecting beautiful produce, met all the challenges set within the task and made some amazing creations with some very thoughtful plating up!

The best part voted by all was of course in the EATING! Well done to all our leaders – you did a fantastic job!

Mrs Murray
Gardening Club Coordinator

SLOPE REPAIRS AT LAWRENCE HARGRAVE DRIVE, STANWELL PARK