Trinity’ means something made up of three, and on Sunday, which is the Feast of the

Holy Trinity, we give thanks for the three persons of God.  God the Father created the world and everything in it.  He loves us so much he sent his only son Jesus to rescue us from sin.  God the Son is Jesus, made human.  He taught us how we should live and spread God’s love to others.  God the Holy Spirit fills us with God’s life and warms our hearts with the fire of God’s love and courage.

We profess our belief in the Holy Trinity each time we make the sign of the Cross, ‘In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’ when we pray.   In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus gave his disciples the command to go, to teach, and to baptise in the name of God:  the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Finally, he insured their success by promising his presence; when they spoke or acted, the disciples did it with the power of God.

This week our Holy Spirit Value is ‘Mercy’.  Mercy is all about a combination of compassion and forgiveness, even when it’s possible to harm someone else.  In fact, being merciful involves being compassionate and forgiving when someone else does not deserve it.  It is easy to be angry with someone and to treat that individual badly.  It is very important to discuss with children what mercy is so they can show it to those around them.  This week we pray our students be merciful towards other by encouraging them to show compassion and take the time to show kindness to others. 

National Reconciliation Week is held from 27 May to 3 June each year.   It is a time to celebrate and build on the respectful relationships shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians.  National Reconciliation Week is about joining the reconciliation conversation and reflecting on our shared histories, contributions and achievements.  Read more at the National Reconciliation Week website at https://nrw.reconciliation.org.au/ 

Catholic Education is celebrating 200 years in Australia, marking the bicentenary of the first Catholic school established in Parramatta in October 1820.  Over 200 years, Catholic schools have grown to become the largest provider of schooling in Australia (outside government) with one in five school age students attending a Catholic school.  Nearly 40 per cent of Catholic schools are located outside of metropolitan cities in regional, rural and remote communities.

A National Mass was celebrated in states and dioceses on the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians on Monday, 24 May 2021.  Our Term 2 School Captains, Emily and Callum, attended the Mass as well as having 2 of our students, Olexia and Josivel, be altar servers.

God bless

Caroline Fuller

Interschool Cross Country

Yesterday, Holy Spirit students competed in the Townsville Interschool Cross Country at Bicentennial Park. This is a very challenging race with all schools sending students and each race having approximately 150 competitors. Our students ran well and demonstrated our school motto “Strength in the Spirit”. Some highlights for our team were Brigitte R (6A) 1st place and Jemma C (5B) 2nd place – 11 Year Girls and Mala B (6A) 1st place – 12 Years Girls. Brigitte, Jemma and Mala will now trial for the Northern Region School Cross Country Team next week. Thank you to Mrs Downie, Mr Wootton and Mr Martin for their assistance.

Finally, congratulations to all students involved!

Thuringowa Rugby Union Selection

Congratulations to Lachlan R (6C), Giann MM (6D), Harper H (6D) and Daniel P (6D) for their selection in the U12 Thuringowa School Rugby Union Team. The boys will now trial for the Northern Region Rugby Union Team on the 8th June in Townsville. 

The Mulkadee Choral Workshop is on Saturday 29th May, 2021 at Southern Cross Catholic College from 9 am to 1 pm. 

This workshop will be led by the Mulkadee Choral Specialist, Rachel Cairns, and students will be introduced to some of the music they will be singing as part of The Wizard of Oz. 

Workshop Details: 

Date: 29th May, 2021

Time: 9 am to 1 pm

Venue: Southern Cross Catholic College, Gartrell Drive, Annandale. 

Can all students please bring the following to the rehearsal:

*Pencil 

*Water Bottle

*A snack for morning tea.

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  to Mrs Laing by Friday 11th June.

Forms may also be left at the school office.

Maggie Dent, one of Australia's leading 'boy' experts has a free webinar Wednesday 26 May at 7.30 pm. Please register by using the link.

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.

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

Mini Vinnies Making a Difference

The Holy Spirit Year 6 Mini Vinnies group have been busy making a difference in their school community.

Tuesdays are reading with the Year 1 and 2 students at big lunch, Wednesdays are reading with the Preppies and Fridays are for the Prep disco where everyone loves to dance!

We are not short of volunteers, with many students putting their name down to help out with activities in the lower school.  For the older students it is great for self-confidence and the younger students simply enjoy having the older students spend time with them.  It’s a win-win situation for everyone!

This week our first group of volunteers will be extending their outreach to Brooklea Retirement Village, which Holy Spirit students have been visiting for over 10 years!

MINI VINNIES

ENJOY BEING ME

USING MY TALENTS

REACHING OUT TO OTHERS

RESPECTING THE DIGNITY OF OTHERS

Last week at our weekly Wednesday morning tea activities our defence students and their friends made crazy pom pom creatures.....lots of fun with lots of glue and googly eyes!!  This club is run weekly at morning tea on Wednesdays in the spare 3A classroom.  All defence students are welcome and they are able to bring a friend to share the fun, so don't forget to remind them on the way out the door on Wednesdays. 

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 

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.