A Visit from Our Cowboy & Sporting Wheelies

What a treat it was to have our Cowboy, Zac Herdegen, visit us this week! Zac jumped right into the action, joining one of our Year 5 teachers' favourite childhood games—a high-energy mix involving a tennis racquet, tennis balls, hoops, two competing teams, and plenty of laughter all around.

The highlight of Zac's visit was joining 4D for their PE lesson with Sporting Wheelies. Alongside our students, he discovered the incredible skill, strength, and determination required to play sports in a wheelchair. It was a powerful learning experience for everyone involved.

Sporting Wheelies' inclusive school sports program, "Raising the Bar," gives both students and teachers hands-on experience with inclusive sport. These sessions welcome all students, regardless of ability, creating meaningful connections while building awareness and understanding of life with a disability. Judging by the smiles and engagement we witnessed, they achieved their goal of delivering an enjoyable and eye-opening experience.

Let's Talk About Lunch Waste

First, let me celebrate the fantastic lunchboxes I see daily—so many of you are packing healthy, nutritious, and delicious meals for your children and what about those treats? However, Miss Fuller, our Eco Bin chooks, and I have made some concerning discoveries during our daily rounds.

We're finding unopened packets of Tiny Teddies, Shapes, chips, cheese and crackers, yoghurts, muesli bars, chocolate custards, and juice boxes every single day. We've even discovered entire untouched snack boxes and unopened tins of Glee from the tuckshop. Don't get me started on the sandwiches, fruit pieces, and sausage rolls with just one bite missing!

Beyond the environmental impact of food heading to landfill, this represents a significant cost to your family budget and time spent preparing meals. Could you have a gentle conversation with your child about food waste? Perhaps remind them it's perfectly fine to bring home what they don't finish.

While Miss Fuller and Mrs Moores' chickens are certainly well-fed from our Bibi Goo bin investigations, I can only imagine what treasures await in the Prep, Year 4, 5, and 6 areas!

Enjoy Your Well-Deserved Break

What a wonderfully busy term it's been! Our students have worked incredibly hard and deserve to close those school books for a well-earned rest.

For those lucky enough to be travelling during the holidays, safe journeys to you and your families. We look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for another exciting term ahead.

In this Gospel passage (Mt 16:13-19), Jesus asks his disciples a personal question: “But who do you say that I am?” Peter responds with faith: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus praises Peter, calling him the rock on which He will build His Church. At our Catholic school, this reminds us that faith is more than tradition—it’s a personal relationship with Jesus. We are each called to answer that same question in our own hearts and to live out our faith with courage, love and truth. As we grow in
knowledge and faith, may we help our students do the same, recognising Jesus not just as a figure from history, but as a living presence in their lives today.

This week at Holy Spirit we value courage. Courage doesn’t always feel like courage. For children, it often feels like fear, anxiety, or doubt—but that’s exactly when courage matters most. True courage means acting even when you feel scared or unsure. It doesn’t need to last long, just long enough to take one brave step. And while brave actions might not bring instant results or recognition, they always make a difference in time. This week, we pray for our students to be courageous, especially when faced with challenges, and to trust that their brave choices help shape a better world.  

Sacramental Programme: A Compass message was sent to all families who would like their child to participate in this year’s programme through the Parish. Enrolment Paperwork required for the programme can be obtained by the Parish Office or by emailing mackillopparish@tsv.catholic.org.au . All paperwork needs to be returned by Wednesday, 16th July. Please include your Baptism Certificate with your application if required. The first date to note is Monday 21st July - Information Session for Parents
and Children - Holy Family Church 6pm - Parents and Sacramental Students. 

A PRAYER FOR THE END OF TERM….
We thank you Lord, for this term.
For the challenges, the successes,
and the mistakes from which we have learnt.
Be with us as we spend our time with family and friends.
Guide us to be peacemakers in our family,
and to always be conscious of You in our lives.
Keep us safe in our activities;
give us good rest and good fun.
Bring us back refreshed and ready for a new term.

Amen

I hope you all have a relaxing and safe holiday!
God bless.
Caroline Fuller

Reports

Report Cards will be available on Thursday, 26th June, after 3:30 pm. You can access your child’s Report Card from the ‘Compass Parent Portal’ (if you haven’t accessed Compass in a while, it might be worth logging in beforehand to ensure everything is up and running!). 

Please see the instructions below to access your child’s Report Card. If you require any assistance, please contact the front office. You can access your child’s report card by going to “The Compass App > Your child’s profile > Reports.”

School Holiday Guide

Mark your calendars – the school holidays are here again!

The best way to keep the kids entertained during these school holidays is to use the Council’s School Holiday Guide which is back for the June-July edition.

Kristy Bates

Assistant Principal Pedagogy and Learning  (APPL)

Athletics Carnival:

Our annual athletics carnival was a huge success. All the students had a fabulous day with some amazing weather. Congratulations to Branagan Blues who took out the win this year. We also celebrated our age champions who competed in a range of events throughout the day, earning the most points in their age group. 

9 years: Isaac and Isla

10 years: Riley and Tia

11 years: Levii and Matilda

12 years: Mason, Jaxon and Nathalie

Thank You:

A huge thank you to all parents who volunteered to help at our athletics carnival this year. The success of a whole school event is reliant on the assistance of additional adults. Your support is truly appreciated.

Sporting Wheelies:

Sporting Wheelies visited our school this week for grade 3&4 PE lessons. Their visits are always well liked by students and students get to participate in a wheelchair sport or school experience where students' views, morals and physical capabilities are challenged. Students are also encouraged to build empathy in a positive way by making them aware of accessibility issues. These opportunities enhance inclusion and social integration for all students.

Interschool Athletics Training:

Information went home to students today who have been invited to train for our upcoming Interschool Athletics Carnival. This is an amazing opportunity for students to go back to the Townsville Sports Reserve and represent Holy Spirit at athletics.

League Stars:

League Stars is coming to Holy Spirit in Term 3. See the flyer for more information. 

Spotlight on Sport:

Has your child accomplished something amazing in their sport? Share a photo with us and we would love to help celebrate their achievements.

Our playground for Year 3 and 4 is coming along nicely and is expected to be ready for the start of term 3. Thank you to the students for their input into the design, safety and accessibility for our new playground. This project has been in the wings for a couple of years but we have success finally.

3 Ways to Shift Discipline from "Carrots & Sticks" to Something Better...

Here are a few simple steps to help you respond positively:

1. Manage Expectations

Is your child struggling because they don't want to do something, or because they can't? It's really unfair to punish them for something they're not yet able to do. And offering a reward isn't much better. Always think about your child's individual needs and their stage of development.

2. Look After Yourself

You won't be able to help your child effectively if you're exhausted, stressed, or feeling overwhelmed. We often become more controlling (by using punishments or rewards) when we're not feeling our best. Make self-care a priority so you can be there for your child.

3. Stay Balanced

Remember: high emotions = low intelligence. If you can keep your own emotions in check, you'll always do a better job handling challenging behaviours and talking effectively with your child.

Carrots & Sticks

Better Ways to Build Boundaries with Your Kids

Wednesday 18 June
7pm AEST

Individual Access $49 each (also included in the Happy Families Membership)

Well Being

 Self-Compassion & Grounding 

• Hand on heart and deep breath while waiting for the kettle to boil.

• Look in the mirror and say one kind thing to yourself.

• Stretch or roll your shoulders for 30 seconds between tasks.

• Sip your tea/coffee mindfully—focus on the warmth and taste for one quiet moment.

• Gratitude whisper: name one thing you're grateful for (even in chaos).

We are open Tuesday and Thursday 8am-8.25am in the hall.

Your support with donations of spreads (not nut based) and bread are needed and appreciated, particularly honey and golden syrup, due to the increase in children accessing the program.

Donations can be dropped off at Tuckshop.

Just a reminder: The toasters will be turned off at 8.15am, so bread with spreads will be the choice once the toast runs out.  This allows both students and staff enough time to be ready for the start of the school day. 

A big shout out to all the student volunteers who consistently show up to help out with toast on  Tuesday and Thursday mornings....THANK YOU!  Happy Holidays and see you next term!

Keep up to date with our events!

DMFS Townsville has an Eventbrite page. Tickets for all DMFS events are only available through Eventbrite. Events are uploaded at different times throughout the month.

To avoid missing out on tickets, follow the page to receive an instant notification when events are released.

To opt-in to receive notifications directly from our Eventbrite page, all you need to do is:

• Follow the DMFS Townsville Eventbrite page
• Register your details
• Download the Eventbrite app
• Enable push notifications

Save the Dates: July 2025

Keep an eye out some upcoming activities being run by DMFS Townsville in July. 

• Saturday 12 July – Weekend Coffee Connections (at own cost)
• Wednesday 16 July – Lateral Families Morning Tea
• Friday 18 July – Pizza and Welcome Home Banners

Battlefields to Footy Fields - Kids NRL School Holiday Coaching Clinic - 11 July 2025

Battlefields to Footy Fields in conjunction with DMFS Townsville are excited to announce our NRL coaching clinic for the July School Holidays. Bring the kids for a fun day of rugby league at our Come and Try Day! All skill levels welcome—learn to pass, kick and score with friendly coaches. Plus, enjoy a free BBQ and awesome giveaways. Come along, get active, and join the footy fun!

The session will run from 8.30am-13.00pm for 6-12yrs.

Lunch will be provided from 12.00pm-12.30pm and all participants will receive a certificate & goodie bag with some NRL Merchandise.

Registration is essential.

Please ensure participants arrive with sunscreen, hat, water and appropriate clothing and footwear for playing football.

Date: Saturday 11 July 2025

Time: 8.30-1.00 pm

Venue: Joe Baker Field at James Cook University, 1 Buchan drive, Douglas

Tickets: via Eventbrite

Defence Member And Family Helpline

For advice, support or local community information, contact our all-hours Defence Member and Family Helpline. Run by Defence Member and Family Support, the helpline is the best way to access the programs and services that we offer to help Defence families manage the military way of life.

The helpline is available 24/7 and is staffed by qualified human services professionals, including social workers and psychologists.

If your child is going to be absent, please enter the details through Compass, as this is the most efficient way to inform the school.