Dear Parents and Carers,

Thank you so much for ensuring your children are well prepared for the 2021 school year. We have had a very smooth and productive start to the new year and are looking forward to working in partnership with you throughout the year.

A special welcome to our new staff members, Mrs Tami Hennock, teaching Year One and Mrs Jenny Mitrevski as Learning Support teacher.

We are being updated regularly on the COVID-19 restrictions in schools and will be sure to keep you updated on any easing of restrictions. Until then, we appreciate your understanding and cooperation with the measures that are in place to ensure the safety of our students and community.

Kaylene Duffin
Principal

Welcome School Liturgy 

Current restrictions continue to not allow the attendance of parents at school masses (either in the Church or on the school site), or school celebrations. To formally welcome our Kindergarten students to Holy Cross and so that our Yr 6 leaders can begin their leadership responsibilities in a formal capacity as soon as possible, we will be holding a Whole School Liturgy on Thursday, 4 February, under the COLA. All Year 6 students will be presented with their leadership badges during the liturgy. The liturgy will begin at 1.45pm and will be live Zoomed to parents.

As soon as we are able to have parents attend Mass we will hold a Whole School Mass and invite Fr Paul to bless our Year 6 leaders and Kindergarten students in the manner in which we are accustomed at Holy Cross. 

Meet and Greets

The opportunity for parents and class teachers to meet will be offered from 3 February. This is also an opportunity for parents to pass on pertinent information about their child to their child's teacher. Bookings will be made through the Compass Parent Portal and will be open for bookings early next week. We will let you know via Compass once these have opened. Current restrictions allow parents to be onsite to attend meetings with teachers, however social distancing must be observed.

Kindergarten 2021

We are very excited to welcome our new Kindergarten students to school on Thursday 4 February. Parents are invited to attend an Orientation meeting at 8.50am after they drop their children into the Kindergarten classroom. At this meeting, parents will have the opportunity to meet with our school counsellor, Doreen, as well as ask any questions over a cuppa.

Swimming Carnival

Our Swimming Carnival will be held on Monday 8 February at Helensburgh Pool for all students in Years 3-6 and students in Year 2 who turn 8 years old this year, and who can competitively swim 50 metres. Further information will be sent out in a separate letter.

Uniform Reminders

We are aware that during the school holidays students are able to relax and have a variety of hair cuts, nail polish colours and wear a range of jewellery, however as the school year has resumed please remember to follow our Uniform Policy which states:

HAIR 

All students are required to wear their hair in a neat and tidy manner. Hair is to be its natural colour, no added colour or dye. Shaved heads, pattern cuts into hair, mullets etc are not acceptable. Shoulder length or longer hair or hair that hangs across students’ faces is to be tied back using a blue or yellow hair elastic or ribbon. Blue clips may be worn. 

JEWELLERY 

Jewellery should be kept to a minimum – watches, chains with religious symbols are to be worn under the uniform, one pair small earrings (studs or sleepers) in each ear lobe – no multiple earrings to be worn.

Please also ensure coloured nail polish is removed.

Our Uniform Policy is due for review during 2021 so we will communicate any changes to this policy when the review occurs.

School Second-Hand Uniform Shop

Current restrictions allow parents on site to purchase uniforms for their children. Our Second Hand Uniform Shop will open on Monday 8 February, 8.45am-9.30am, adjacent to the Canteen. Please observe 1.5m social distancing at all times.