Last week was certainly one of the busiest weeks in our school calendar. Our Year 3 and Year 5 students participated in NAPLAN and students, staff members, parents and family members contributed to the success of the Holy Spirit Fete.

The excitement and delight on the faces of many children told the story of the night. Those of you who have attended many Holy Spirit Fetes, know that rain often threatens and delivers on Fete Night. We were blessed with great weather, wonderful organisation from Mrs Cherrie Pierce and her supportive assistant, Mrs Kristy Bates, the generosity of staff (past and present), students (past and present) and their families to accomplish a successful night. 

I would like to acknowledge the many parents and staff members who attended the fete without the enjoyment of seeing the stalls. Our P & F President, Mrs Rebecca Cassidy with our office staff spent the evening money counting and entering data, staff members, parents and past students saw a need when it looked like a stall would fold and stepped in to work with great gusto - special thanks to those students from St. Margaret Mary’s and Ignatius Park College. 

Last Sunday, was the feast of the Ascension. Fr. John reminded us at Sunday Mass that Jesus’ Mission was accomplished on the day of the Ascension and it’s our mission to continue His work. Seeing the goodwill of others who are generous without counting the cost, is a great reminder of the continuation of Jesus’ mission. Thank you to our sponsors, all who donated prizes, worked the stalls and attended our fete.

While we are yet to finalise the funds raised by the fete, our current estimation is $32, 000! Thank you again to all who supported the Holy Spirit Fete.

God bless,

Geraldine

With the cooler weather starting to roll in, now is a great time to dig out the red school jumper and give it a quick wash to freshen it up. The school's uniform code of dress states a red pullover or jacket can be worn. School Locker has plenty in stock for your purchase should you require one.

Uniform - Code of Dress 2021

Our staff and students continue to work through the Resilience Project as part of their class lessons. Next term we see a visit from members of the Resilience Project Team present to our students as well to staff and our families. This will happen in the week of July 19-23. If you would like to know more about this project and how this can be implemented at home, visit The Resilience Project @ Home

Get in the Spirit!

Paul Martin 

Pentecost Sunday marks the end of the Easter Season on the Church Calendar.  In John’s Gospel, Jesus comes to his small group of terrified disciples, hiding in a locked room and offers peace with the gift of the Holy Spirit.  This peace transforms the disciples into a community of believers who go forth to preach to the world the very mission that had led to the crucifixion of Jesus!  Pentecost is a good time to stop and acknowledge the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, to take stock of how we are using our gifts and talents to the very best of our ability.  

This week at Holy Spirit we value courage.  I recently read an online article that focused on how to build courage in children and thought the information is too good not to share.  For kids and teens, one of the most important things for them to know is that courage doesn’t always feel like courage.  From the outside, courage often looks impressive and powerful and self-assured.  Sometimes it might look reckless or thrilling. From the inside though, it can feel frightening and unpredictable.  It can feel like anxiety, or fear, or rolling self-doubt.  Courage can be a trickster like that – it often looks different from the outside to the way you would expect it to feel on the inside.  This is because courage and fear always exist together.  It can’t be any other way.  If there is no fear, there is no need for courage.  Courage isn’t about something magical that happens inside us to make us ‘not scared’.  It’s about something magical that happens inside us to make us push through fear, self-doubt, anxiety, and do the things that feel hard or risky or frightening.  Sometimes, courage only has to happen for seconds at a time – just long enough to be brave enough.  There’s something else that kids need to know about courage – you don’t always see the effects of it straight away. Courage might mean being kind to the new kid in class, trying something new, speaking up for something they believe in.  Often, these things don’t come with fireworks or applause.  In fact, they rarely do.  The differences they make can take time to reveal, but when actions are driven by courage, the differences those actions make will always be there, gently taking shape and changing their very important corners of the world in some way.  This week we pray for our students to be courageous, especially in challenging situations.

Sunday was the last Sacramental Programme Workshop for all participating students.  The students have worked very well together learning about the importance of the Sacraments they will be receiving.  This Sunday is a very significant day for the Holy Spirit Parish as it is Pentecost.  They are having their Feast Day celebrations with a special Holy Mass at 10am with Bishop Tim Harris as the main celebrant.  After the Mass, in Bibi Goo Yumba, there will be lunch and some cultural activities.  Everyone is invited to attend.  If you would like to attend, can you please let the Parish know so that they can cater for families. 

The Feast of Mary, Help of Christians is May 24th . Mary Help of Christians is the Patron Saint of Australia and also of the Townsville Diocese. When the Bishops of Australia met for their first synod, in 1844, they decided that under the title “Help of Christians”, Our Lady should become the Patroness of the Australian Church. Mary has long been recognised for her powerful role as intercessor to her Son, Jesus, for the needs of the faithful and their protection.

Mary Help of Christians
Patroness of Australia & Townsville Diocese 

Almighty God, deepen in our hearts
our love of Mary Help of Christians.
Through her prayers and under her protection,
may the light of Christ shine over our land.
May Australia be granted harmony, justice and peace.
Grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens.
Bless especially the men and women
of the Australian Defence Force and their families.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Mary Help of Christians, pray for us.

God bless,

Caroline Fuller

All Dodger prize winners were contacted after the fete.  Please collect your prizes from the office and thank you for your support.

Dodger Prize Winners 2021

Thank you once again to all who volunteered their time to contribute to the success of our fete.

We have a few containers without names that have been left from the fete.  

We also have a child's purse that has been found.

If you are missing any of these items please contact the office.

On Friday 28^th May, Australian religious songwriter and singer, Andrew Chinn, will be visiting our school to share his songs with our children for Holy Spirit Day.  Andrew’s songs, such as “These Hands”, “Rainbow”, “An African Blessing” and “Rise Up!” are used in classrooms and liturgies around Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada. The concert will take place in Hall, at 2:00pm.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Sunday, June 20th , 2021

Dear Parents/Caregiver’s,

Holy Spirit School will be hosting a ‘Festival of the Arts’ morning on Sunday 20th June in the Lynch Family Hall. 

We would like to invite all instrumental, vocal and drama students to take part in this ‘Celebration of the Arts’. 

Throughout the morning children will have the opportunity to showcase their talents in the areas of Woodwind, Brass, Percussion, Guitar, Orchestral Strings, Voice and Drama.

The morning’s entertainment will commence at 10.00am with Session 1 comprising children in the Woodwind, Brass, Percussion, Vocal and Drama Program.

Children in this session are to arrive at the hall at 9.45am.

Session 2 will commence at 11.30 am comprising students in the Guitar and Orchestral Strings Program.

Childen in this session are to arrive at the hall at 11.15am.

Can you please complete and return the form which was distributed to students this week to Mrs Laing by Friday 11th June.

Forms may also be left at the school office.

We meet again Monday 24th May!

Schools, Teachers and Students - This is for you

Come be part of the Sports Festivities 

Don't miss your chance to be part of history with the inaugural Festival of Athletics - one of the largest and premier community athletics event in Australia. With so much to do and see there is something for everyone. 

The Festival of Athletics will involve three events all located at the Townsville Sports Reserve. This includes the 5km and 9km Fun Run, the Team Challenge for schools and corporate bodies, and an athletics championship targeting regional to Olympic athletes.

To provide further enticement, the day will include entertainment on the fun run course, sponsor activations and a range of innovative attractions and stalls that promote healthy living and increases community engagement. 

All of this and more. Lock in your calendars now the 18-20 June 2021. 

Latest News 

Entries are now open for the Community Fun Run. Run, walk or roll around a course that showcases the best of North Ward. There is a range of courses, including a team run, that is perfect for all fitness levels. Make sure you register early so you can get a limited edition participation medal. This event is perfect to end the school terms Cross Country program. 

Team Challenge entry portal is now live. Sign your team up now to compete in a fun, innovative challenge to see who will be rewarded with the golden cup. 

• School Challenge – compete with your classmates, teachers and/or family members to see which school comes out on top. We want to know who will be the champion school for 2021. 

Track and Field event portal is now live. Students, parents and teachers can sign up to compete in a range of track and field events - open to all ages and abilities. No membership requirements required - reducing the barriers to compete in sport. We have confirmed that over 20 Olympic / Olympic hopefuls will be present - how cool would it be to watch and compete with them.

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

Flexischools

It can be tempting to allow children to continue to behave badly or to perform chores, homework or sports practice poorly when they argue or resist feedback. Parents need to be part coach, teacher and counsellor so that kids learn how to behave well, develop healthy attitudes to learning and know how to get the best out of themselves. Feedback is one of the most effective tools we have to achieve this. Give it poorly and it will at best be ignored and at worst, rupture relationships and damage self-worth. If you provide feedback effectively, you’ll see improvement in behaviour, attitudes and learning, even among feedback resistant teens.

Here’s how to deliver feedback to make sure it sticks.

Make it specific

It’s absolutely essential to give feedback about one behaviour, skill or attitude at a time, if you want improvement. “Jai, if you make eye contact with your brother when you talk to him, he’s more likely to listen to you.”

The feedback needs to be specific rather generalised so that a child or teen knows exactly how to do better. It also needs to be delivered in a non-judgemental way.

Ensure it’s descriptive

“That’s not the way to behave inside” doesn’t help much. “Use your quiet voice when you play inside the house” cues a child into how to behave. Use phrases and terms that have real meaning for kids rather than vague, non-descriptive language such as ‘be a good girl’, so kids not only know what’s expected but they understand how to meet your expectations.

It’s got to be timely

Providing feedback to a toddler half an hour after they’ve thrown a tantrum in public will ensure there’s no impact. On the other hand, providing behavioural feedback when a teenager is angry will ensure one thing – you’ll have an argument on your hands. Feedback needs to be fairly immediate for young children and if possible, provided before an event or activity. “When you set the table put the fork on this side and the knife on the other.” Choose the time and place to provide feedback to older children, remembering that angry tweens and teens generally don’t listen.

Give from a place of calm

Angry parents generally deliver feedback poorly to kids. Regardless of how well you choose your words and how accurate your feedback may be, feedback delivered angrily will prompt the flight/fight response from a child or young person. They will ignore you or start an argument, but they won’t take your message on board when you’re mad at them.

Give sparingly

When children require approval for every scribble, homework problem and picture they draw, it’s probably because they have always been offered feedback on every scribble, homework problem and picture they draw. It’s vital that children develop their own internal sense of validation and honest self-assessment, because as they grow up and face hardship, they need to be able to look to themselves for strength and approval. If they can’t, they will be much more vulnerable to superficial external approval that comes their way in the form of peer pressure, bullying and the usual social jostling. As you wean them off of your feedback, turn their “Mummy, is this picture good?” or “Dad, did I do a good job?” back on them, and ask them how they feel about their work.

Feedback is a wonderful parenting tool that requires attention to detail, sensitivity and a willingness to respect the dignity of the child or young person who is receiving it. It’s also most effective when given sparingly, rather than like a nervous tic, which keeps kids anchored to you for approval.

"Cuppa and Cake" for Defence parents on Friday 21st May, at 2pm in

Mercy Place.

We’re changing our name!

On 1 July we will change our name from Defence Community Organisation (DCO) to Defence Member and Family Support (DMFS).

Our new name reflects our vision, what we do and who we do it for. While we are changing our name, there will be no changes to any of the services or programs offered to ADF members and their families.

Find out more about our name change www.defence.gov.au/dco 

Saturday May 29th  - My Dad & Me

ADF dads and their kids are invited to a morning that's all about dad and the kids. Each month offers different themed activities that allow dads and their kids to connect through fun. Keep an eye out on DCO social media for the monthly group details and remember, this is a mum free zone, please let her enjoy the morning off!

Where             Geckos Family Centre, Lavarack Barracks

When              9.30am - 11.00am Saturday 29th May

Registrations open soon @ DCO Townsville Eventbrite

Keep an eye out for an e-Newsflash with more details and the ticket registration link!

DCO Townsville’s Book Club

Starting this month!

Love to read? Want to meet some new friends? Why not join our new book club!

Our first month’s book will be available for collection from the Aitkenvale Library between May 23rd and 29th, and our first book club meeting will be a social meet and greet at Juliette’s from 5pm – 6pm on Thursday May 27th.

Registrations are essential as places are strictly limited!

Email Michelle for more information or to register.

Defence Family Helpline

For advice, support or local community information, contact our all-hours Defence Family Helpline. Run by the Defence Community Organisation, 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.

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.