Sponsors Wanted!

Please click HERE for sponsorship for our fete. 

All businesses will be advertised in our school newsletter and on our Facebook page.

Jesus said, “My Father’s house is a house of prayer.”  Jesus was angry when he came to the temple to find his Father’s house had become a market place, filled with people buying and selling, instead of being a place of prayer and respect.  When we visit friends or someone else’s house we are friendly and respect their property.  In the same way, we encourage our students to be friendly and respect other’s feeling so that our school is a peaceful place to grow and learn. 

This week at Holy Spirit, we value stewardship.  The earth and all life on it are part of God’s creation and we are called to respect this gift.  We are responsible for taking care of the world we live in and for sharing all the wonders and resources the earth gives us.  Our changing environment prompts us to stop and think about how we live on our planet.  As stewards of God’s creation, we are called to respond and to adopt new ways of living as Pope Francis highlights in his encyclical, ‘Laudato Si':  On the Care of our Common Home’.  Project Compassion is Caritas Australia's annual Lenten fundraising and awareness-raising appeal.  Millions of Australians come together in solidarity with the world's poor to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.  

This week our Project Compassion feature story is Oliva from Tanzania.  Twenty-two-year-old Oliva lives in Tanzania with her farmer husband, two young sons and an adopted niece and nephew.

She didn’t have the opportunity to go to school growing up - and was embarrassed that she couldn’t read, write or count. Around 25 percent of Tanzanian girls and women over 15 years cannot read or write, with many families unable to afford school fees or uniforms.  Now, as an adult, Oliva runs a kiosk and works as a farm labourer - but her business was losing money because she couldn’t add up.  Then Oliva enrolled in Caritas Australia-supported literacy and numeracy classes. She also set up a classroom at home to teach her neighbours, for free, because they were too shy to attend larger classes.  Oliva has now graduated, as have some of her students. Attendance at her classes is growing, her kiosk is thriving and she can help her children with their homework. She aims to become a pastor and run for leadership in the next local election.  Oliva aspires to “Be More’ and wants to help her community to achieve its vision of a better life for all.  “I am proud to be a teacher who helps others to achieve their dream,” Oliva says.  For more information on Oliva, please visit https://lent.caritas.org.au/week-3 

International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social,

economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.  The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality.  IWD has occurred for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people.  Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere.  The UN Women announced the theme for International Women’s Day, 8 March 2021 (IWD 2021) as, “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world.”  The theme celebrates the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Have a great week.

God bless

Caroline Fuller

Caring for Country is one of the Actions in our school's Reconciliation Action Plan.  This Friday 5^th March our students will participate in the Clean up Australia campaign at school.  We invite students to wear their Indigenous shirts this Friday to acknowledge the Wulgurukaba as the traditional custodians of this land for which we care.

Our first Indigenous Reference Group of parents met to discuss ideas to enhance our indigenous education in 2021. The 20 parents who gathered assisted by our leading students, brainstormed brilliant activity ideas for our indigenous celebrations this year. The suggestions and discussions were amazing.

A 2021 overview will now incorporate much of what was suggested  from these wonderful parents who ventured in the rainy weather to join in this meeting. New friendships have been formed during a shared dinner. The students enjoyed the evening by participating in discussions, colouring in and jigsaws.

Some of the leaders lead us with the Acknowledgement to Country and prayer. Thankyou Anne Mendiolea for organising a great meeting and thank you to all parents who attended. We look forward to our next meeting early next term.

Mulkadee is back! We are picking up where we left off and will be presenting

 "The Wizard of Oz" in July. 

Mulkadee will be held at the Townsville Entertainment & Convention Center (TECC) from 19-23 July 2021. 

The student google registration form will go live on Monday 8th March and registrations will close on Thursday 1st April, giving students 4 weeks to apply. 

Please note, due to the popularity of the Mulkadee that not everyone who applies will be accepted into Mulkadee. 

All students are encouraged to fill in the experience question and also have the opportunity to explain why they would like to be a part of Mulkadee 2021. 

CCC Meeting will be held this Friday 5th March at 8.35am

                 in Mrs Donlan's room.

Holy Spirit Catholic School uses Flexischools ordering system.  To register, login or to place orders, please click this link:  

Flexischools

The Heart of Generosity

At Holy Spirit School, the generosity within our school community is a constant source of inspiration for me. While there are many who contribute to this generosity by giving their time, energy and resources; staff, families and students alike, I would like to share with you one recent example of this kindness. 

As you may or may not realise, the Breakfast program is designed to enhance the social and emotional wellbeing opportunities for all students, prior to classroom learning and has been established at the school for close to 10 years. Sometimes, parents are embarrassed and apologise when their child partakes, while others I believe, may not be aware of this morning routine at school.  But for whatever the reason and on those odd occasions when I do get to see parents, they are reassured there is no negative reflection. The social aspect of the program is relating to others and filling a need, with the expectation of greetings and manners an extension of teachable moments, outside the classroom context.  While there are many benefits, it more importantly ensures that students are aware that relationships are central to a safe and welcoming environment, which relate to positive social and learning outcomes.

Now while we advertise for donations in the newsletter, the outgoings are greater than what we receive.  So, when a parent approached me last week to ask what we needed, it was welcomed, as not only was it  filling a need but strengthening the school and family connection. Not to forget that we have become quite adept at remembering each student by name and knowing how they like their toast i.e. spreads, butter no butter, outside of the home environment.  It matters to them and matters to us! 

Anyway getting back to the story, this parent had asked the question because her young daughter was having a birthday and as a family, they had obviously discussed the concept of generosity and possessions.  So I answered the question and was amazed with the response that resulted in two big bags of bread and spreads, which I was told had been purchased with birthday money!  So, it was with gratitude that I accepted the donation,  which will be shared by the multitude of students who come for toast each Tuesday, Thursday and Friday morning. 

We also give thanks to the school, who generously support the Breakfast program, with  spreads and bread that is purchased from Coles, with 5c from each loaf supporting the Red Kite Foundation, Australia’s leading childhood cancer support organisation.  Two of many examples at the heart of generosity, in the Holy Spirit School community and seeing the opportunity  to “pay it forward”.

We are open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8am in the Hall.

Your support with donations of bread, spreads, vegemite, jam etc. (excluding peanut based spreads) would be appreciated.  

All uniform supplies are available at The School Locker, Domain Central (close to Bunnings).

Phone 1800 826 155

The School Locker

Uniform days for students:

Monday and Wednesday - Formal uniform
Tuesday and Thursday - Sports uniform
Friday - own choice
Senior shirts may be worn on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

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.