Dear parents and friends of Holy Cross,

Tomorrow morning, our school community will gather to honour our Fathers, Grandfathers and father figures with a breakfast BBQ, Assembly and Open Classrooms in recognition of Father’s Day this Sunday. This will be a special event where we recognise the importance of positive male role models in the life of our students and to express our gratitude for Fathers or those men who are significant in the lives of our students. I wish all of the Fathers and Grandfathers and the special men in the lives of the students of Holy Cross a very happy Fathers Day. I hope you are able to spend quality time with your family and your children on Sunday 4 September.. Thank you for all that you bring to the life of our school community.

Staff Development Day

This coming Monday, 5 September, is a Pupil Free Day. Our Staff will be involved in a Staff Development Day focusing on developing shared understandings and beliefs of the K-2 NSW English and Mathematics Syllabuses that are mandatory to be taught in 2023. 

FOOD ALLERGIES AT SCHOOL

We have a number of students who are severely allergic to certain foods. To ensure all students are kept safe, we ask that you DO NOT send any of the following food items to school with your child:

• Any foods with nuts - this includes, but is not limited to, any bars that contain nuts, nutella, peanut butter. 
• Whole eggs
• Fish products

Thank you for your support of our school

God Bless,

Kaylene

Kaylene Duffin
Principal

Scripture Focus

This fortnight our school scripture focus comes from Mathew’s gospel and is a reminder to be responsible with what God has gifted us with. The passage is a parable, a parable is a story told by Jesus used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. This parable is called the ‘Bags of Gold’ and reminds us to be responsible with our gifts and not hide them away. Each of us has been graced with amazing gifts and if we use our gifts they will continue to develop. We are responsible for how we use our gifts just like in the parable the servants were responsible with bags of gold. 

Matthew 24:14-30

A man gave his wealth to his servants: To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 

The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. The one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

After a long time the master of those servants returned and listened to what they had done with his money. He was pleased with the two servants who had increased the money but disappointed that the third servant had not been responsible with it and had hidden it.

For whoever has, will be given more, and they will have an abundance.

Season of Creation and World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation

Today is World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation and the beginning of the Season of creation. On this day Catholics all around the world stop to pray for the care for our common home. Thank you to Year Three and Four for leading us all in prayer today. 

The theme for the Season of Creation this year is “Listen to the Voice of Creation”. Pope Francis calls us to use the season to "cultivate our ecological conversion” and to pray together in “the great cathedral of Creation”. He warns that we are reaching “a breaking point" and must act decisively so that "we and future generations can continue to rejoice in creation’s sweet song of life and hope."

During the season students will continue to learn about how we can care for creation and our common home. I encourage all families to discuss creation and ways you can make small changes to care for our earth. This may be having waste free lunchboxes,  recycling more or having shorter showers to save water. 

Emily Costello

Religious Education Coordinator

Calmsley Farm

On Thursday 11th August, Kindergarten, Year One and Year Two went to Calmsley Farm for an excursion.   There were many native and farmyard animals to see and interact with.  A highlight of the day was milking cows and petting the nursery animals.  We also saw a whipping show and a dog show.  It was a busy  fun-filled day for all of the students.  

• My favourite thing was when I got to milk a cow and when we watched the dog rounding up the sheep. - Elise A
• I loved the baby pigs because they were little and running around.  They were also making snorting noises and had little bits of hair on them.  - Taeya S
• I liked Calmsley Farm because there were so many beautiful animals.  I was really surprised to see the peacock and the dancing cockatoo. - Zoe C
• At Calmsley Farm, there were sheep, cows, horses, baby bunnies, baby goats, baby chicks and baby mice.  - Cooper M
• My favourite part was when the dog was rounding up the sheep because I haven’t seen a dog do that before.  It was very interesting to watch.  - Dylan M
• There was a dog at Calmsley Farm that was jumping over the sheep and a high gate.  - Emerson C
• The sheep dog jumped into the water tank where the cows drink.  He stayed in for a little while to have a bit of fun and he splashed around.  Everyone laughed. - Lyla N
• I saw a rainbow lorikeet.  It was eating something brown on the tree and it looked old.  - Bobby M
• I liked milking the cow.  I liked pushing milk out of the cow into the bucket.  - Aiden J
• I liked seeing the piglets because they were cute.  - Marley A 
• I liked milking the cow because milk came out of it.  It was the first time I have ever milked a cow.  - Noah M
• I liked when we saw and petting the sheep because they were cute and Evie and I named one Winter.  - Emily D
• I liked when one of the farmers was whipping in the show and when the man was telling the dog what to do.  The dog listened to him and was getting the sheep to go into the closed gate.  - Leni M
• I really liked milking the cow even though it was kind of hard to do.  - Buddy S
• There were heaps of animals and I thought the red foxes were cute.  - Alyssa E
• We got to milk cows and we saw a baby chicken, which is called a chick.  A baby bunny is called a kitten.  - Travis R

Year Five Nan Tien Temple Visit

By Pippa and Bella, Year Five students 

The excitement built as the day of meditation, mindful eating and calligraphy finally  arrived when Year Five hopped on the bus, unsure of the relaxment the Nan Tien Temple will bring them. From 15 minutes of pure relaxment and quietness (which no one knew we could be so quiet) to learning Chinese!

On the 24th of August, Year Five went on an exhilarating adventure to the buddhist temple in Wollongong. Their tour guide, Julie, taught the class new words, Buddhist religion, and compassion. Everyone learnt something new. When the students arrived, the teachers led them towards a beautiful Lotus Pond. It was wonderful to see and it was so calming and peaceful. The vibe immediately affected everyone…and that was just the start. 

Julie first walked Year 5 round the temple grounds, showing the students their god of compassion, Avalokiteshvara. After the tour, Julie took them for meditation in the Meditation Room where miraculously Year Five students stayed quiet! The only sounds were breathing and Julie guiding us through the meditation. After that light cling, cling of the bell to end the meditation, everyone felt calmer and in the zone. Many of these  children struggled with the exercise but at the same time enjoyed it. It was challenging to keep still for 15 minutes but all did so. Meditation was all the Year Five Beehive needed to help settle themselves and yet still it was only the morning. 

Next, Year Five had lunch in the Dining Hall. Everyone was so excited for the lunch the Nan Tien Temple provided. But, as they read the signs they realised something. Mindful Eating, Keep Silence. That meant no one was allowed to talk during their delicious eating time! It was unusual for the kids and most struggled to keep the quiet scene but all did well and all finished their plates!

At around the end of our fantastic day, students did Calligraphy in the Harmony Room. Their teacher Zheng told us about ancient China and how their brushes were made. He said they carved Bamboo to be used as the stick and different animal fur for the tip. Later, we got to trace over Chinese letters and repeat them as a class. Then it was the end of our amazing day.

The excursion made Year Five see Buddhist culture from a different perspective. Meditation, Mindful Eating and Calligraphy were the three most important aspects of their day. There wasn’t one thing these intelligent students didn’t learn at the Nan Tien Temple. 

Premier’s Reading Challenge – WE DID IT!

That’s right, as of last Friday, EVERY student at Holy Cross has completed the Premier’s Reading Challenge. Once again, our wonderful teachers and students stepped up to the challenge and have completed it within the timeframe (certificates are sent to the school in November).

Every student should be very proud of what they have accomplished – we certainly are of them! Well Done Holy Cross!

Scholastic Book Fair: 12-16 September (WEEK 9)

Our students are VERY excited about the upcoming Book Fair, our last one was three years ago and is well overdue! Book Fairs are a great way to foster interest in reading (not to mention ideas for a sneaky Christmas Pressie).

Students will get a “SNEAK PEAK” in their Library Lesson on Friday, 9 September and complete their “Wish List” – this will be sent home with them. There is NO obligation to buy, this just gives an indication of the interest of your child if you choose to get them something.

The Book Fair will be open:

Overdue Notices Now Automated!

As of last week, Overdue Book Notices will now be sent directly to the parent/carer via email. These notices are just a friendly reminder that your childs book/s have now become overdue and need to be returned. The benefit of emailing the parent/carer instead of receiving a paper copy is that the notices do not get 'lost' between school and home, administration is more time efficient, and above all saves paper which is good for the environment.

Happy Reading!

Mrs Sue Murray

Library Coordinator

Managing stubborn emotions.

 It's normal and natural for children to feel sad sometimes, but it's important for them to be able to identify what the feeling is. Sometimes talking about their feelings and experience can help to shift a negative thinking pattern, or to problem-solve the issue.

Tips for parents:

• Encourage children to talk about all of their feelings. Let them know that sad feelings are okay sometimes, but that they have some power to help themselves feel better. 
• Teach your child to ask for help.
• Talk to them about who else they can reach out to in their community.
• Your children learn by watching you, so be aware of how you respond to life's stresses.

Tips for kids:

• Do mindful things that require your full concentration, you will STOP THINKING about it. Try colouring books, drawing, craft, reading. Anything that requires full attention.
• Keep a feelings diary.
• Write a gratitude list of all the things you are grateful for and look back at it whenever you're feeling sad.
• Keep busy, see friends, get active.
• Plan fun outings and activities so you have lots to look forward to.
• Set small goals and try to achieve them every day. 
• Routines are healthy, so wake up and go to sleep at the same time every day.
• Stay active to keep those endorphins pumping and eat nutrient-rich food like fresh fruit and veggies. 

Things to look out for:

• Irritability or sadness that seems to go on too long
• loss of pleasure from things they used to enjoy
• change of appetite, change of sleep habits, tiredness
• feelings of worthlessness or any talk about death or dying.

What if it doesn't go away?

Sometimes sadness won't budge, no matter what we do. When this happens ,you might want chat to your School Counsellor, or seek out your GP for advice.

Doreen

If you have a spare hour on Friday’s from 10am to 11am and would love to help out in the canteen whilst getting paid, I would love to hear from you.

Your help would really be appreciated.

Thanks Jo