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Dear parents and friends of Holy Cross,
A warm welcome back to the start of Term. I hope the break enabled all students and their families the time to rest and prepare for the final term of the school year. Thank you for your part in ensuring students presented at school in the correct school uniform and with everything they need for a successful start to the term.
Celebrating the success of our students and staff is important in building a culture of belonging and connectedness. At our morning assemblies held twice per week in the undercroft area, it has become commonplace for our students to stand in front of the school and share a medal, certificate or an anecdote of a recent accomplishment or experience. On Monday, two students came to school wearing a medallion around their neck. Mrs Jennett spotted them and asked them to come to the front and share their awards. Little did she know that almost one third of the school also had their medals in their pocket, bag or at home! Nonetheless all of these students came out the front and we celebrated their achievements. At this week’s award assembly we acknowledged Anthony (Yr 5) on his recent violin exam and Ruben (Yr 5) for his latest ad. Please let us know if your child has achieved or participated in something that we could share with the school. It is a wonderful way for all of us to come to know more about each other and to continue to build a sense of belonging and connectedness.
I would like to congratulate Mrs Natalie Baker and Mr Jeff Bõdy on becoming certified Apple Learning Coaches. After a rigorous combination of self-paced learning and virtual workshops, they’ve gained a deep understanding of how to support teachers as they integrate Apple technology into learning. Their commitment to completing this course will be of great benefit to our students’ learning.
I am very pleased to announce that Melissa McEntee, who is currently on a temporary transfer swap with Tiana Cardamone, will become a permanent member of Holy Cross from 2023. Tiana will remain at St John's, Dapto on a permanent basis. I would like to thank both Tiana and Melissa for everything they have contributed towards the learning and faith development of the students at Holy Cross. Both are exemplary teachers who have had an enormous impact on the Holy Cross community. On behalf of the staff, I wish Tiana all the very best for the future.
I would also like to take this opportunity to announce Melissa McEntee as the 2023 Kindergarten teacher at Holy Cross.
Thank you for your support of our school
God Bless,
Kaylene
Scripture Focus
This term we continue to have a fortnightly scripture focus that helps us to learn how our faith supports us to be the best people we can be. This fortnight's scripture focus comes from the book of Ephesians and reminds us to be humble, gentle, patient, loving, compassionate and kind. When we act in a way that shows one of these qualities we are being people of mission and we can call these acts "mission moments".
Ephesians 4:2-7, 32
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Christmas Art Competition
A huge congratulations to Ruby from Year Five who made it through to the Wollongong Diocesan Christmas Art Competition. Ruby attended the official opening last night. Her artwork, along with 40 others from across the diocese, will be displayed at Wollongong City Art Gallery until 30 October. All are welcome to visit the gallery. Congratulations again to Ruby for her dedication and her meaningful artwork and reflection.
October The Month of the Rosary
October is the month within the Catholic Church that is dedicated to Mary and the Rosary. The Rosary is a prayer to remind us that Jesus loved us so much that he died on the cross for us. The rosary tells the story of Jesus’ life in four parts: The Joyful Mysteries, The Sorrowful Mysteries, The Glorious Mysteries and The Luminous Mysteries. Catholics have been given a very special gift in the rosary. Each time we pray the rosary we should focus on Jesus’ life as well as a special person or intention that we want to pray for. This month I encourage you and your family to spend some time praying the Rosary. Students will also spend time in the school day praying the Rosary this October.
Miss Emily Costello
Religious Education Coordinator
COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP IMPROVING LEARNING @ HOLY CROSS
Co-Teaching Cycle
In my role as the Instructional Coach, to build on our culture of Collaborative Professionalism, I work with the teachers in Years 3-6 on a Collaborative Practice known as the Co-Teaching Cycle. Each week, during the term, myself and the classroom teacher come together to work through the four stages of the cycle (explained below) to plan and teach a lesson with a focus on syllabus expectations, student needs and improving our own practice as teachers:
1. Co-Planning- We come together to plan a lesson discussing research-based, high impact instructional strategies to meet the needs of our students, and focus on rich tasks that promote engagement and student growth. We also set ourselves a goals in regards to what we want to improve about our practice.
2. Co-Teaching- We teach side by side, with a focus on what the students are thinking and saying (our lesson is recorded).
3. Co- Debriefing- We examine the lesson video, with a focus on what worked and didn't work, listening to what the students are saying and what they are doing.
4. Co- Reflecting- We engage in open and honest communication about our teaching practice, where to go from there and planning next steps.
In my experience, the co-teaching cycle is one of the most powerful ways to improve our teaching practice and implement the changes in instruction that we've discussed, studied, and observed.
Natalie Baker
Instructional Coach
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 with this to ensure the safety of all students.
Assemblies
School assemblies in Term 4 will be held fortnightly on Tuesday mornings beginning at 8.50am. Any change to the time will be communicated to parents via Compass. Our first school assembly for Term 4 will be held on Tuesday 11 October at 8.50am.
School Uniform Update
We received news from Claudine’s School Wear this week that the grey culottes we are offering for girls to wear as an option to the Summer Dress, are now in stock. These were not expected to be available until the end of the year. Claudine’s currently have sizes 4 -16 available at a cost of $34.50. Girls may wear the culottes this term if purchased. The blue short sleeve, pointed collar shirt (exactly the same shirt the boys wear) must be worn, along with grey socks. We are hoping to have a range of sizes in the culotte available for sizing in the office in the very near future. Sizes over 16 may be ordered from Claudine’s with a 6 week waiting period.
A reminder orders over $30 can be delivered to the school free of charge. Weekly order cut off for this service is Tuesday COB with delivery to school on Thursday of the same week.
The annaul promotion of 10% off retail price on all uniforms is taking place from 1st November 2022 - 31st December 2022.
On day one of this term, we officially moved to wearing Summer Uniform, however on colder days during Weeks 1 & 2 of this term, students also have the option of wearing Winter Uniform if they wish.
We thank you for your support in ensuring students wear polishable black, leather school shoes with the regular uniform. Please find the Uniform Policy attached
Drink Bottles
We encourage all students to bring drink bottles to school each day. We do have bubblers, however drink bottles are encouraged.
Gardening Club
Gardening Club has been a long standing feature of Holy Cross. With the support of Peabody Mines we are able to employ an ecologist to spend three hours with our students each week as well as funding for a School Support Officer, Mrs Attenborough, to support this initiative. Suze, our resident ecologist for 2022 has worked alongside our teachers to plan and teach Science units of work as well as introduce our students to irrigation systems and composting with subpods.
A significant outcome of our Gardening Club initiative is the leadership skills that our students develop. At present we have 12 Garden Club leaders. These students give their own time during lunch breaks to work with Suze and Mrs Attemborough to ensure our gardens and environmental sustainability programs thrive. We asked our newest Garden Club Leaders, Zoe and Jenna, what makes them so passionate about their role as Garden Club leaders:
I like Gardening Club because it encourages you to help nature by growing and looking after plants. I have now planted a garden in my backyard because Gardening Club has encouraged me to plant and take care of plants during the last two terms. During the last two years, I have learnt so much about plants, that I have become a Gardening Club Leader. Our school garden looks very pretty because our gardeners have kept it very clean and healthy. My favourite thing to do on a Thursday is go to Gardening Club at lunch 1 and 2 because we help take care of plants. Our Gardening Club teacher is called Suze and she is such a kind and caring person. She helps us in different and unique ways because she knows we’re all different. I love Gardening Club for all different reasons and one of them is that anyone can do it. Jenna, Year 2
I like Gardening Club because you get to learn about nature and how to help the environment. In the term at Gardening Club, I have learnt to look after the school’s garden and keep it clean, healthy and safe for others. In Term 3, I became a leader and that means I help those who do not know how to look after a garden. On each Thursday at Lunch 1 and Lunch 2 we go to Gardening Club and we learn more things each week. When we go up to Gardening Club we always see Suze who teaches us each Thursday. Zoe, Year 2
Yulunga Garden
We have begun the process of re-developing Yulunga Garden. Yulunga Garden is situated on the Northern end of the top playground and is a very popular area for students to meet, sit and yarn. It is also a space teachers can bring students to yarn and be mindful. Currently, the timber edging and table are rotting and as such this will need to be pulled out with a new structure for meeting and yarning. We very much want to invite our students to give input into the design of the redeveloped Yulunga Garden and have begun this process this week. We hope to share our ideas at the upcoming P&F Meeting on 8 November 2022.
2023 school travel applications are now open
Important Term 4 Dates
All pertinent school dates can be found on the HCH Parent Calendar https://www.hchdow.catholic.edu.au/news-and-events/. Some of these dates for Term 4 include:
Tuesday 25 October - Oz Tag Gala Day
Wednesday 26 October - Crazy Sock Day - Gold Coin Donation for Socktober for Mission Month
Monday 28th November 8:50am - Year Five and Six leading Advent Liturgy
Tuesday 8 November - P&F AGM Meeting
Wednesday 30 November - 2023 Kindergarten Orientation day
Monday 5th December 8:50am - Infants (K, 1, 2) leading Advent Liturgy
Friday 9 December - Students’ Academic Reports released to parents via Compass
Monday 12th December 8:50am - Year Three and Four leading Advent Liturgy
Wednesday 14 December - End of Year Whole School Mass and Year 6 Graduation
Friday 16 December - Students’ Last day of School and Christmas Concert
Tentative Date Friday 9 Dec - Swimming Carnival 2023
Term 4 P&F General Meeting
Our next P&F meeting will be held on Tuesday 8 November at 7pm at Helensburgh Hotel in the upstairs meeting room. If you have an item you’d like to add to the agenda please contact a member of the P&F Executive Committee (Jenny Amadio, Kathy Godfrey, Karen Gander or Mel McCallum).
Scholastic Book Fair A Huge Success!
Thank you to everyone in our Holy Cross community who came and supported our Book Fair last term – we made a record $8200 in sales which was phenomenal! AND we had 53 books generously donated to our Library covering all Library collections – there is literally something for everyone. I know we have some very excited students who can’t wait to get their hands on them and well they should be - here is just a sample of some of our generously donated books:
“Egyptian Myths” by Jean Menzies (Non-Fiction)
“Llamas In Pyjamas” by Matt Cosgrove (Junior Fiction)
“The Other Side Of Tomorrow” by Hayley Lawrence (Senior Fiction)
“Cat Kid Comic Club” by Dav Pilkey (Graphic Novel)
“Mega Monster” by David Wallaims (Fiction)
“Ninja Fish” by Anh Do (Popular Fiction)
PLEASE NOTE: If your child is waiting for a book that was placed on backorder, I have confirmed with Scholastic that they are definitely on their way and we should be receiving them within the week.
Library Borrowing For Term 4
Just a reminder that Library is on tomorrow and all students will need to bring their Library bag (if your child has lost their Holy Cross Library bag, a waterproof bag can be used).
Happy Reading Everyone!
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
Gel Blasters in NSW
Please find important information from NSW Police regarding Gel Guns:
Helensburgh Library - Seeking Feedback
Wollongong City Council Libraries and Community Services team are looking at ways to increase the access that the community has to the Helensburgh Library. They've heard that the community would like to be able to visit the library at times more convenient to them and are now looking at how they can make that happen. The Wollongong City Council Libraries and Community Services team are proposing changes to the opening hours of Helensburgh Library, and also thinking about different ways that the community may be able to access the library after hours.
Wollongong City Council Libraries and Community Services team are now seeking feedback from Helensburgh Library and customers and community through their webpage. Hard copy feedback forms are also available at the Helensburgh Library.
Road Safety
