Dear parents and carers,

Happy Father’s Day to the fathers, grandfathers and father figures in our school community. However you are able to connect with family this Father's Day, either face to face or virtually, we hope it is special. Celebrating Father’s Day can often bring many emotions to the fore and we are mindful of those in our community who have had fathers and grandfathers passed away. Our thoughts, prayers and love are extended to you.

To all of the fathers and grandfathers and father figures of Holy Cross, we are grateful for your support of our school. Enjoy your special day.

Stay Safe and Stay Well

Mrs Kaylene Duffin
Principal

Praise Those Fathers

Let us praise those fathers who have striven to balance the demands of work, marriage, and children with an honest awareness of both joy and sacrifice.

Let us praise those fathers who, lacking a good model for a father, have worked to become a worthy and virtuous father.

Let us praise those fathers who, despite marital discord, have remained in their children's lives.

Let us praise those fathers whose children are adopted, and whose love and support has nurtured a thriving life.

Let us praise those fathers who, as stepfathers, freely choose the obligation of fatherhood and earned their step children's love and respect.

Let us praise those fathers who have lost a child to death, and continue to hold the child in their heart.

Let us praise those men who have no children, but cherish the next generation as if they were their own.

Let us praise those men who are about to become fathers; may they openly delight in their children.

And let us praise those fathers who have died, but live on in our memory and whose love continues to nurture us.

- Prayer of Kirk Loadman adapted by Debra Mooney, PhD

RU OK Day? A Conversation can Change a Life 

Thursday 9 September

R U OK? Day is a reminder that every day is a day to empower people to meaningfully connect, start a conversation, and lend support. More than ever the message of RU OK Day is particularly relevant. As a school we will be acknowledging this day with our classes and as a staff on Thursday 9 September. I encourage you to take the mark of this day to reach out to someone who you have been thinking about, or have a family conversation around the dinner table or have a face time with your parents / grandparents.

Please know the school is only a phone call away if we are able to support you in anyway. https://www.ruok.org.au/

Ripples Podcast - A Life-Changing Conversation with Matthew Ames  - Part 2

Matthew Ames (Part 2)

In this Second Episode, Matthew Ames speaks about some of the practices that have sustained him over the years since surviving streptococcal toxic shock and the loss of his four limbs. He speaks about the value of gratitude, mindfulness, prayer and acceptance. 

Matthew reminds us all that a journey such as this is, is not entered into alone. That behind any story like his are remarkable people like his wife Diane offering love, practical support and positive encouragement every step of the way. Following times of deep reflection Matthew has a perspective on life that is both refreshing and unique.

“Gratitude just brought me back to this moment and made me realise that everything would be OK.”
Matthew Ames

Back Story shared in Part 1: Matthew Ames was 39 years old in 2012 when what started as a sore throat developed into streptococcal resulting in toxic shock. Matthew was placed into an induced coma and it was Matthew’s wife Diane who needed to make the heart-wrenching decision to remove Matthew’s four limbs in order to save his life. In the first Episode Matthew shared the challenges, the breakthroughs and the insights that he has gained over the years as he has adjusted to this new reality.

Catholic Care Counselling 

In case you missed viewing the video clips Doreen has been making for students, they can be found here.

Understanding Our Emotions During Lockdown  https://youtu.be/cn0r61B8bdc

Self Compassion and Positive Self-Talk    https://youtu.be/dt_XsrgyCU0

​​Understanding Sadness  https://youtu.be/85KnJXFugiQ

Sibling Rivalry In Lockdown      https://youtu.be/FstfjgXamlg

A reminder that Doreen, our Catholic Care Counsellor, is available to support students and parents during remote learning. Please contact the school office.

Resource for parents/carers: Butterfly Foundation

Body Kind Families is a Butterfly Foundation initiative for parents of teenagers. It provides free resources and important tips on supporting positive body image. It also encourages everyone in a family to be kind to their own body and to others.

It includes resources for parents on:

• Building resilience to social media pressures
• Healthy eating and exercise behaviours
• Talking about appearance and weight
• Boys’ body image
• Body acceptance & compassion
• Warning signs and what to do if concerned

For more information and to receive free resources (videos, tips sheets, family activities, and more) see here.

Summer Uniform

Students are to wear their summer uniform from the first day back in Week 1, Term 4. Due to current restrictions, our school uniform store is not able to function. We will let you know of any changes to this directive.

Medical Plans - Update

If your child is on an Asthma or Anaphylaxis Action Plan please make sure that the school has an updated copy of their plan.  Copies can be scanned and emailed through to info@hchdow.catholic.edu.au.  Due to remote learning a number of Action Plans have lapsed. 

Timeline for the COVID-safe return to face-to-face learning

Library News

BOOK CLUB ISSUE 6 IS NOW ONLINE!

Great news! Scholastic Book Club can provide families with the temporary option to order books and then have them delivered to their home.

Reading 10 minutes a day not only benefits children academically, but it also allows children the time to quieten their minds and provides perfect screen-free entertainment!

The Digital Link for the catalogue is:

https://www.scholastic.com.au/media/6421/bc621web.pdf 

To order: with a credit card go to www.scholastic.com.au/LOOP - you will need to register your details (if you haven’t already) and then you can start ordering. Please ensure that you select our school and your child’s class in the “Child Details” section. You do not need to send anything in or notify the school.

All orders for this issue must have the Home Delivery option selected (not the school address) - home delivery incurs a small charge of $7.50 per order.

Orders close 3 September 2021.