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Dear parents and friends,
Last Sunday, our parish and school community celebrated the Sacrament of First Holy Communion. This was a beautiful celebration of the next step in these students’ journey of faith. I would like to thank Father Paul for his leadership in the preparation of this Sacrament for these students and their families, and to all of those who ensured this occasion to be reverent and memorable. The Eucharist is the source and summit of our Christian life and as such in receiving the Eucharist these young parishioners become one with Christ and will share in His eternal life.
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We are thrilled to announce that Uncle Kevin Butler will be working with our school community during Semester 2 to produce a series of Aboriginal artworks. Uncle Kevin will be with us each Wednesday during Terms 3 and 4 and will work with our students to design and create four large murals, each depicting one of our core values: Hope, Justice, Compassion, Integrity.
Uncle Kevin has previously worked with our school in 2016 creating our current Yulunga sign and mural on the outside of our Year 5 classroom. We are extremely fortunate to have Uncle Kevin join our community on a number of levels. We will officially welcome him back to Holy Cross and introduce our art project when we celebrate NAIDOC Week on Wednesday 19 July.
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With this being the final newsletter for Term 2, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all families for their support in what has been a busy but productive term. Our students have applied themselves to their learning and we are proud of their achievements. I encourage all parents to make a booking to meet with their child’s teacher through the compass parent portal booking system to discuss their Report and progress this year.
Thank you for your continued support,
Kaylene Duffin
Principal
2023 ANNUAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN Update
Goal 1
Improve students’ relationship with Jesus through the values of compassion, justice, hope and integrity.
Students and teachers were surveyed to gauge the impact of this goal at the end of Semester One. Results indicate there has been improvement in students’ knowledge and awareness of scripture, their use of the Bible within Religious Education lessons and greater engagement in Religious Education lessons.
Goal 2
By the end of 2023, all students will have increased their confidence and engagement in Mathematics so that all students achieve growth.
Students and teachers were surveyed to gauge the impact the adjustments made to the
teaching of Maths has had on students’ confidence and engagement.
Scripture Focus
This week, our Scripture focus derives from the Gospel of Matthew, reminding us of the imperative to aid the less fortunate. This directly aligns with our Vinnies Winter Appeal. Your generous donations over the next week would be greatly appreciated. Additionally, we have designated next Wednesday as a Pyjama and Winter Warmth day. Students can wear their PJs in exchange for donations towards the appeal. Thank you for your support in making a difference.
Matthew 25: 35-36
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
By Matea - Yr 5
Semester One Reports
Semester One Academic Reports for students in Years 1-6 are now available through the Compass Parent Portal. Parents of students K-6 are able to book an interview with their child’s teacher to discuss this Report and their child’s progress via the Compass Parent Portal. Parent-Teacher Interviews will be held during Week 10.
NAIDOC Week Celebrations
NAIDOC Week 2023 will be held nationally from Sunday 2 July 2023 and continue through to Sunday 9 July 2023 which is during the school holidays and so we will celebrate NAIDOC Week when we return to school on Wednesday 19 July.
This year's NAIDOC 2023 theme is For Our Elders.
Across every generation, our Elders have played, and continue to play, an important role, and hold a prominent place, in our community and families. They are cultural knowledge holders, trailblazers, nurturers, advocates, teachers, survivors, leaders, hard workers and our loved ones. They guide our generations and pave the way for us to take the paths that we can take today. They influence and inspire us to work for the equality and hope that they fought for.
During NAIDOC, we remember the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of our country and celebrate their rich cultures and inspiring contributions to Australia.
To reflect this year’s theme, FOR OUR ELDERS, we are inviting all elders in our community to our Liturgy at 9.15am followed by Morning Tea in the Library. Our students will then participate in a range of activities for the remainder of the day. We are inviting our students to wear Mufti - Indigenous clothing or clothes in the colours Red, Black, Yellow.
Assemblies in Term 3
School Assemblies in Term 3 will be held fortnightly (even weeks) on Thursday afternoons from 2.35pm.
Week 2 - Thursday 27 July
Week 4 - Thursday 10 August
Week 6 - Thursday 24 August (Principal Awards & Stage 3 sharing learning)
Week 8 - Thursday 7 September
Week 10 - Thursday 21 September (Principal Awards & Kindergarten sharing learning)
Professional Learning
Recent Staff Professional Learning
Research tells us that the quality of the teacher is the greatest in-school influence on student achievement. Therefore high quality professional learning for teachers must be a priority to ensure improved teacher practice that leads to improved student growth. Recent professional learning undertaken by our staff this fortnight includes:
9 June 2023 - K-2 Revised Curriculum Professional Learning - Mathematics
Mrs McEntee and Miss Facci
15 June 2023 - K-2 Revised Curriculum Planning Day- Mathematics
Mrs McEntee, Miss Facci, Mrs Hennock
19 June 2023 - School Cyclic Inquiry Preparation 12pm-3pm
Mrs Duffin, Mrs Jennett, Miss Costello, Mr Bõdy
Indigenous Voice to Parliament – One Journey, Together
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) has launched a new website called One Journey, Together for Catholics to learn about the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
The website hosts messages from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and community members, Bishops and other religious leaders and statements from Catholic organisations on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament to support the Catholic community to vote in a way that aligns with their Catholic values.
As part of the launch of the One Journey, Together website, Darwin Bishop Charles Gauci stated:
“As Australians, we are at a very important time reflecting on the Voice to Parliament. I will not tell anyone how to vote, but it is my responsibility as Bishop to encourage you all to be reflective in the light of our faith and Catholic Social Teachings: the common good and the dignity of all people.
“We need the ongoing journey of reconciliation and healing. Whatever happens with the Voice will not solve all the issues, we are all on the journey together. Let’s make sure we are informed, and to see which is the best way forward for dignity and respect for all.”
TERM 3 Dates
Below are some of the pertinent dates in Term 3. For all dates, please see the parent calendar https://www.hchdow.catholic.edu.au/news-and-events/events/
Monday 17 July - Students return to school in Term 3
Wednesday 19 July - NAIDOC Celebrations & Mufti Day
Friday 28 July - Soccer Gala Day
Thursday 10 August - Kindergarten Excursion
Monday 14 August - Years 3, 4, 5 Excursion
Friday 18 August - Pupil Free Day
Friday 25 August - Book Week and Literacy & Numeracy Week Celebrations
Friday 1 September - Father’s Day Breakfast & Celebration
Friday 8 September - Aboriginal Incursion & Mufti Day
Thursday 14 September - Feast of Holy Cross & Grandparents Day
Friday 22 September - Last Day of Term 3
Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) on School Students with disability
What is the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data?
Schools must complete the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) every year in August. It counts the number of students who receive additional adjustments or “help” at school because of a disability. The NCCD helps governments plan for the needs of students with disability.
Where can I find out more?
The National NCCD portal – www.nccd.edu.au has a specific section for parents regarding information about the NCCD.
Library News
Premier's Reading Challenge (PRC)
Our PRC Champions for this fortnight are:
Year 3 – Charlie H., Dylan, Charlotte W.
Year 5 – Emma B., Isabella, Elise, Indiana
Year 6 – Oliver R.
CONGRATULATIONS to you all for completing the challenge!
New Books Now Available…
As soccer fever sweeps Holy Cross with the up and coming FIFA Women’s World Cup, I have been able to acquire from Scholastic a few more texts to add to our collection to help satisfy the demand from our students! These books have all been student requests and we have been able to use our Scholastic Rewards to purchase them. They are:
We Are The Matildas (Junior Fiction)
The Amazing Sam Kerr (Non Fiction)
FIFA Women's World Cup Australia/New Zealand 2023. The Official Guide (Non Fiction)
Ronaldo Rules (Non Fiction)
Messi Rules (Non Fiction)
Mbappe Rules (Non Fiction)
I would like to express my sincere thanks to all our parents who buy from Scholastic Book Club – our school receives reward points with each order which I use to purchase titles requested by our students. And of course thank you to our wonderful parents who cover the books!
Stayed tuned for more titles…
Book Covering Call!
If you enjoy covering books in contact (or find it therapeutic), we have some covering which needs to be done. If you are able to assist, please see the Office Staff who can give you a bag.
LIBRARY WARRIOR
Introducing…Indi (Year 5)
What section are you responsible for?
I am responsible for any section I get put with and I help in other areas with Evie.
What is your favourite book?
My favourite books are the Harry Potter series but my favourite one is ‘The Chamber Of Secrets’.
What do you love about being a Library Warrior?
I love how I get to sort the books and I have lots of fun.
What is your favourite Library task?
Mt favourite Library task is sorting the books into their sections.
Happy reading everyone!
Sue Murray
Library Coordinator
Our school canteen run by Mrs Donovan, is opened three days each week, Wednesday & Thursday breakfast & lunch 1 and Friday Breakfast lunch 1 & 2 serving yummy treats and hot food. And don't forget homemade pizza's on
Wednesday's!
Netball Gala Day 2023
On 20 June, our primary students attended a Netball Gala Day in Berkeley and competed against a variety of Catholic schools, while representing Holy Cross. Our teams competed in a fun atmosphere alongside others with great enthusiasm and sportsmanship. Confidently, we can say that all who participated experienced a day of a lifetime and were all satisfied with their skills and cooperations with each other.
Tom and Oliver Marks striking once again across the field!
Girls getting pumped up!
School Sport Australia Cricket Champion!
2023 NSWCPS Cross Country Championships
