Dear parents and carers,

With this being the final newsletter for the Term and before the Easter break, it is worth reflecting on what has been an extremely busy term. It is so wonderful to see the continual growth in our students and the significant commitment by our staff, who, together with the support and encouragement from our parents, carers, parish and wider community, make up the vibrant community that is Holy Cross. I wish to express how grateful I am to all who have contributed to ensuring Holy Cross continues to thrive throughout what has been a very challenging yet rewarding Term.

Throughout Lent and indeed during this coming Holy Week, we prepare ourselves for Easter Sunday – the ultimate high point on the Christian calendar. The Easter story is about the hope that we can begin to see the world as God intended. The hope that the Easter story gives to people, especially those struggling, is what Easter is all about. The risen Christ’s story is just as relevant today as it was to the first women and men who found the empty tomb.

I wish everyone a Happy Easter where the message of Jesus and His suffering and eventual rising is central to our thoughts and actions as we enjoy some time for reflection on what is truly important in our busy lives.

School Uniform Updates

I would like to update you on the position we are in regarding our uniform provider and uniform options.

Our contract with our current uniform provider, Claudine’s, is up for renewal and as such we are following a process for securing a new contract. This process comes under Section 83C of the NSW Education Act 1990 and requires undergoing a tender process to various uniform providers, including Claudine’s. The process involves the support of CEDoW personnel, representatives from the P&F Executive and staff. The new contract will begin in the 2023 school year and therefore Claudine’s will remain our uniform provider for 2022.

There is no intention to introduce a new uniform, however we are keen to provide options for girls to wear trousers in winter and shorts in summer if they wish. However, due to the current state of our uniform contract, we will be providing the following temporary options in 2022:

• Long grey trousers, long sleeve blue shirt and school tie will be made available for all students (winter)
• Grey shorts and short sleeve shirt will be made available for all students (summer)

Once we have secured our uniform provider for 2023 we will consult with our student voice and parents for more permanent options.

We are very interested in your thoughts around options for uniform and welcome any feedback or ideas and would encourage you to send these via email to the school office.

Attached is our interim School Uniform Policy (inclusive of the options above). A reminder that our official change to mandatory winter uniform is Monday, Week 4, Term 2, 16 May 2022. Students are able to wear either winter or summer uniform, depending on the weather, for the first three weeks of Term 2.  

Mrs Kaylene Duffin
Principal

Reconciliation

Over the last two weeks our Year Three students have been making their First Reconciliation with Father Paul. We would like to thank Father Paul and Mrs Rowles for their guidance and support of these students. Additionally, we would like to congratulate all of our Reconciliation candidates on their commitment to their Catholic faith. 

Stations of the Cross

Today in small stage groups we journeyed together through 14 Stations of the Cross. These 14 stations remind us of the trials and struggles Jesus had during his last days on Earth leading up to his passing on the Cross on Good Friday. Though Good Friday is not a joyful day, we are reminded that we all go through struggles, however, in time we will get through these hard times and we too will have our joyful moments like Christ did on Easter.

Next week the Catholic Church journeys through Holy Week. This begins with Palm Sunday. I encourage you to make time this Holy Week to attend the Holy Cross Parish Holy Week and Easter celebrations;

Palm Sunday Mass 10 April 8:30am  

Holy Thursday 14 April 2022 7pm - Mass of the Lord’s Supper  

Good Friday 15 April 2022 - Stations of the Cross 9am and Passion of the Lord 3pm

Easter Saturday 16 April 2022 6pm - Easter Vigil  

Easter Sunday Mass 17 April 2022 8:30am

Easter 

On Easter Sunday we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus, which is a joyous time of celebration. The season of Easter lasts for 50 days and during this time we remember and reconnect with all Jesus taught us during his time on earth. 

On returning to school in Term Two, the school will come together to celebrate Easter. We will hold an Easter Mass on Thursday April 28 at 11am in the Church. All family and friends are invited to join in this celebration.

Miss Emily Costello
Religious Education Coordinator

Condolences - Mr Ray Phillips

It is with much sadness that we announce the passing last week of Mr Ray Phillips, father of Mrs Cathy Astill who is well known as our Traffic Crossing Officer. Ray was a Holy Cross Catholic Primary school parent, grandparent and a long standing parishioner who contributed to parish life over many years.

We convey our sincere condolences and prayers in support of Cathy and her family and to all of Ray's many family and friends.

The Funeral Mass for Ray will be celebrated on Friday, 8 April at the Holy Cross Catholic Church at 10am.

We pray that Ray is now at peaceful rest in the eternal joy of the risen Christ.

RECORDING OF ABSENCES ON COMPASS

The NSW Education Act (1990) and Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) require Parents/Carers to ensure that children of compulsory school age attend school on each day that the school is open for instruction. If children are absent from school, Parents/Carers are required to provide the school with an acceptable explanation, within seven days of the absence. 

During the next school holiday vacation period the settings in compass will be adjusted to reflect the requirements of the Education Act (1990). After seven days, unexplained absences will automatically be recorded as Absent - unexplained / unjustified if the school has not been provided with an acceptable explanation from Parents/Carers within that seven day period. Parents wishing to provide the school with an acceptable explanation after the seven day period, will need to contact the school and the school will adjust the attendance register. Parents will no longer be able to enter the absence through the parental portal in Compass after the seven day period. 

In addition to this change, we wish to provide a reminder of the process for Applying for Extended Leave. From the beginning of 2015, Family holidays and travel are no longer considered under the Exemption from School-Procedures. Travel outside of vacation period is now counted as an absence for statistical purposes. 

For this reason, an Application for Extended Leave form must be completed prior to leave, including leave for Travel or Holiday.

Process for applying for Extended Leave:

• Application For Extended Leave form is collected from the school office prior to the intended  leave
• Principal will review the application for leave and will either grant the leave or contact parents for further consultation
• If the Application for Extended Leave is granted, parents will receive a Certificate For Extended Leave. This document will provide evidence of the child’s approved leave.
• On approval from the Principal, School Support Staff will enter the student’s absences in Compass under the Travel option.  Parents should not use this option. 

Examples of these letters:

The school will continue to support Parents/Carers and frequently send home letters giving Parents/Carers the opportunity to provide the school with an explanation for absences.

Please do not hesitate to contact the school should you require further information regarding the change.

Holy Cross Open Twilight Event

Last Thursday we hosted a very successful Open Twilight session for prospective Holy Cross families. A huge thank you to the staff who stayed and met these families, our wonderful P&F representatives Jenny and Kathy and our incredible Year 5 students who volunteered their time to share their connection and love of Holy Cross with these children and their families. 

Assemblies in Term 2

Each term we change the day and time of our fortnightly school assemblies. This is to provide more opportunities for parents to hopefully be able to attend. 

In Term 2, our assemblies will be held fortnightly on Tuesday afternoons at 2.30pm.

Bishop’s Flood Relief Appeal 2022

We will be holding a Mufti Day tomorrow whereby students are encouraged to wear casual clothing for a gold coin donation. This money will go towards Bishop Brian’s Flood Relief Appeal 2022 in direct response to calls for support from the Lismore Diocese and from parts of our own diocese.

Enrolling Now For 2023

Enrolment forms are available at the school office or on school Website.

Parent Calendar and School Dates

All pertinent school dates and events can be viewed on our School Website under the News and Events tab https://www.hchdow.catholic.edu.au/news-and-events/

To view the 2022 School Calendar, please click on View Our School Calendar under the Upcoming Events section. From here, events can be added to your own calendar.

Upcoming Term 2 Events

These are all included on the School website and Holy Cross Parent Calendar:

Wednesday 27 April

Students return to Term 2

School ANZAC Service - 2.30pm

Thursday 28 April

Easter Mass @ 11am

Tuesday 3 May

Diocesan Cross Country Carnival

Friday 6 May from 9.00am

Mother’s Day Celebrations

• Assembly
• Open Classrooms
• High Tea
• Mother’s Day Stall

Tuesday 10 May

P&F Meeting - 7pm

NAPLAN

Tuesday 10 May

Wednesday 11 May

Thursday 12 May

Thursday 19 May

Holy Communion Parent Meeting - 6pm in Church

Friday 27 May

Activate - Year 6

Friday 3 June

Dance-a-Thon

Sunday 19 June

First Holy Communion - 10.30am

Disco

Friday 24 June 

ICAS

Canteen

The Canteen is open Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays.

PSSA Swimming

Calling all volunteers

Do you have a spare hour or two to assist at the Holy Cross Cake Stall at the Lions Club Easter Bunny Buzz on 16 April from 9am – 3pm in Charles Harper Park.

Please contact Kinya Donnan 0404 059 067 or Jenny Amadio 0404 471 550 for more information or to check available timeslots.

Thank you to all those wonderful families who have offered to bake for the stall or have donated money.

Save the Date

The P&F meeting for Term 2 will be held on Tuesday 10 May at 7pm.