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Dear Parents
Throughout the last few weeks, Miss Costello and the Year 6 leaders have organised the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal. Each class have been bringing in various food items and on Wednesday this week students came to school in mufti and were encouraged to bring in an item of warm clothing for the St Vincent de Paul Society to distribute. The generosity of the families has been amazing. The amount of food and clothing that has been donated again has made me extremely proud to be a part of this school community. I sincerely thank you, the parents for your support and the Gospel message you have shown your children through your generosity.
This Sunday, many of our Year Three students will make their First Holy Communion. Of all seven sacraments, the Holy Eucharist, or Holy Communion, is the most central and important to Catholicism. Holy Communion is offered at every Mass, and in fact, the ritual of the Mass is largely taken up with preparing the hosts and wine to become the body and blood of Christ and the congregation to receive the body of Christ. Transubstantiation is the act of changing the substances of bread and wine into the substances of the Body and Blood of Christ. We are excited for our students about to make this most precious sacrament and will keep them in our thoughts and prayers.
Today you will be able to access your child’s report on Compass. The teachers put a lot of time and thought into preparing these reports. A grade is awarded by the evidence a teacher has of a student’s learning and performance in a given Key Learning Area. Below is an explanation of the common grade scale. If you are still unsure of the grade scale process feel free to call the school office and one of the teachers or myself will happily answer any questions you may have. A reminder that Parent/Teacher interviews are being held next Monday and Wednesday afternoon/evening. Bookings are made using the Compass portal. The booking portal will close at midday on Monday. If there are any issues with making your appointment, please contact the school office.
What does my child's grade mean?
The Common Grade Scale describes performance at each of five grade levels.
A - The student has an extensive knowledge and understanding of the content and can readily apply this knowledge. In addition, the student has achieved a very high level of competence in the processes and skills and can apply these skills to new situations.
B - The student has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the content and a high level of competence in the processes and skills. In addition, the student is able to apply this knowledge and these skills to most situations.
C -The student has a sound knowledge and understanding of the main areas of content and has achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills.
D - The student has a basic knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved a limited level of competence in the processes and skills.
E - The student has an elementary knowledge and understanding in few areas of the content and has achieved very limited competence in some of the processes and skills.
Cross Country News
Congratulations to Luca in Year 6 and Ruby in Year 2 who competed at the CPS Cross Country at Eastern Creek last Friday 14 June. Both Ruby and Luca did an exceptional job and were highly competitive at this elite level. Luca only just missed out on a spot in the team to compete at the NSW PSSA Championships.
See-Saw and Teacher Contact
See-Saw is a wonderful way for our teachers to show you some of the great things that your children are doing throughout the day. Please ensure that all correspondence is made through the school office and not on See-Saw. If you need to contact your children’s teacher, please do so using the info@hchdow.catholic.edu.au or by phoning the school office.
Staff Development Day – Friday 5 July
Friday 5 July which is the last day of term, will be a staff development day and hence a pupil free day. All staff will participate in activities off site.
MBot Challenge
Today the Year 6 MBot team (Luca, Joshua, Coby, Hugo, Jacob, Emma, Elena, Sommer) competed in the Southern Wollongong Diocese MBot Challenge. This competition was held at Nazareth Catholic Primary School in Shellharbour. MBots are a coding robot and the challenge is to code a program in 30 minutes. Teams then place the Mbot in a wooden maze from 3 separate points to find the exit in the fastest time possible. The three combined times determines the MBot Champion Team for 2019. This opportunity was made possible through the support of our P&F funding the 15 MBots for our school Coding Program. I also thank Mr Jeff Bǒdy and Mrs Natalie Baker for preparing the children for this exciting event.
ICAS International Competitions and Assessments for Schools
Each year, we have a number of children who sit the ICAS International Competitions and Assessments for Schools Tests in Year 2- 6. They have been very popular and many students have participated in the past. This year, there have been a number of changes to these tests. Previously, all testing was in the form of a paper test. This year all tests will be online, with the exception of the writing test for Years 3 and 4. Students will use an iPad, provided by the school, or their own iPad to complete the test. The cost of the tests has also changed. All tests now cost $14.50 each.
One of the biggest changes is the timing of the tests. Previously they ran across the year. This year all six tests will occur across a three week period. As they are done online, there will be no make up tests. If your child is sick or away, they will be unable to sit the test. When considering if you would like your child to complete these tests, you may like to take into consideration that these tests are aimed at challenging and extending students.
Parent Payment System
The Parent Payment System is a simple and secure online payment service specifically for parents to purchase ICAS Assessments.
If you would like your child or children to participate in ICAS Assessments, please visit the new online Parent Payment System to make a direct payment to UNSW Global. Online payment will close on 31 July 2019.
Visit the link below to pay online and confirm your child’s participation.
Holy Cross Catholic Primary School’s unique access code is: de93eef301
Gymnastics Competition
Luna and Sharlet (Yr 3) entered a Gymnastics Competition on 1 June. The competition was held at South Coast Gymnastics Academy in Wollongong.
Sharlet came 1st in Level 3 vault, bar and floor beam. Luna came 2nd and 3rd in Level 3 vault, bar and floor beam. They had a fantastic day and had lots of fun.
Congratulations Luna and Sharlet!!
First Holy Communion
This Sunday, 23 June at 8:30am during the Parish Mass Year 3 students will receive the sacrament of First Holy Communion. We ask that you keep these students in your prayers.
Confirmation
On Tuesday, 2 July at 6pm, a Year 6 Parent Meeting will take place for those who wish to make their Confirmation. Confirmation will be taking place on Sunday 11 August at 8:30am. It is essential that at least one parent attends this meeting.
Vinnies Winter Appeal
Thank you to everyone for the many generous donations for the Vinnies Winter Appeal. Your donations will go a long way to help those in the local area who are doing it tough this winter.
Thank you also to the School Captains who coordinated the winter mufti day and organised guest speaker, Mrs White from the Helensburgh Vinnies. They also ran activities for the whole school explaining the great work of Vinnies.
Miss Emily Costello
Religious Education Coordinator
World Environment Day 2019 Liturgy - Clearing the Air
On 5 June we celebrated World Environment Day. This year’s theme was ‘Clearing the Air’. World Environment Day is a day for everyone around the world to take ownership of their environment and to actively engage in the protection of our earth. World Environment Day 2019 urges governments, industry, communities, and individuals to come together to explore renewable energy and green technologies, and improve air quality in cities and regions across the world.
The Stage 2 Prayer Leaders wore masks to stress the need for everyone to combat air pollution. Each class received a little pouch of seeds to plant at school or at home.
In Laudato Si, Pope Francis calls us to remember that we do not abuse or take for granted that which God has gifted us.
Now what will you do to help our Creator God who breathes life and love into all of creation, keep our world’s environment a healthy and life-giving place for all?
Holy Cross has been featured on Win News and in the Illawarra Mercury this week. Follow the links below to see what's been happening:
PHOTO GALLERY
P&F MEETING FEEDBACK
Thank you to those parents who were able to make the P&F meeting last week. The minutes from the meeting are now available on the P&F Facebook page for you all to catch up on the discussions that took place. Our next meeting will be held in Term 3, date to be advised.