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- Principal's Corner
- FROM THE APA
- APRE News
- Scholastic Book Fair
- Story Box Library
- Transport System Planning Program
- Mini Vinnies Alternative to the SleepOut August 2021
- Eisteddfod 2021
- House of Prayer
- Defence
- Tuckshop News
- Pastoral Chaplain's Chat
- Breakfast Program
- Date Claimers
- TRL Junior Touch Rugby League
- Community News
- Term Dates
- Uniform Supplies
- Assembly and Bell Times
- Absent from School
- Our Mission Statement
This week the principals from across the Townsville Diocese gathered for meetings and presentations. One presentation focused on the strategic directions for the Catholic Education Office over the next five years. Part of the presentation included reflecting on the needs of our students and school communities.
Looking forward is key for any organisation, it is however, not always easy to predict the next five years. Many of us would not have predicted the current pandemic. So while we don’t know what the future holds we can still plan.
Last year, many families benefited from the sharing of our school resources - the chromebooks. Having purchased four hundred brand new laptops for our students, it required quite a leap of faith to distribute these to families during Remote Home Learning. I was particularly grateful to our families that these devices were looked after and returned, ready for ongoing use. Little did we know at the time of purchase that these devices would head into the homes of our families. Providing these devices meant more children could access the curriculum at home and parents weren’t burdened with the cost of a laptop!
At this week’s School Board Meeting, our Board Members too, had the opportunity to provide feedback on future strategic directions for Townsville Catholic Education.
The School Board discussion centred on the following:
What will our school community look like in five years?
What will be the future needs of our students and our staff?
What does Townsville Catholic Education need to do as a system to meet future challenges?
Key areas of feedback included: Student and staff wellbeing; support staff to meet the learning needs of students; professional learning for staff to become proficient with the changes in technology and support from allied health professionals just to name a few.
Our school, too, is planning for the next five years. In future newsletters I will share with you some areas of improvement over the past five years. Some reflection helps us to look forward to planning for our school.
On a personal note, I would also like to inform you that after completing more than twenty enjoyable years in school administration at Holy Spirit, and almost eight of those years as principal, I will be retiring at the end of this year. A letter has been attached for your perusal.
God bless,
Geraldine
Today parents face a multitude of modern day challenges in raising happy, well and resilient young people. Whilst there is a great deal of information available, this can often be confusing and overwhelming for parents looking for guidance.
SchoolTV addresses this as a new online resource designed to empower you as parents with credible and sound information with realistic, practical ongoing support strategies.
I encourage you to have a look.
Get in the Spirit
Paul Martin
This Sunday, 15th August, is the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Along with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8), the Assumption is a principal feast of the Blessed Virgin and a Holy Day of Obligation – one of the most important feasts of the Church year. On November 1, 1950, Pope Pius XII declared as a dogma revealed by God that ‘Mary, the Mother of God, after the completion of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into the glory of Heaven’. Likewise, the Second Vatican Council taught in the Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium that ‘the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, when her earthly life was over, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things (n. 59)’.
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.
God bless.
Caroline Fuller
Each Book Fair is designed to give students access to more books they want to read, from relevant new-releases to classic award winners. As your children grow, book fairs make it easy to be sure their home libraries grow with them. And since all proceeds benefit your child’s school, parents can rest assured that their kids’ school libraries will be growing as well.
Dear Parent,
We are delighted to let you know about an education resource that is available to your child at home as part of our school subscription – Story Box Library.
Your child can watch favourite stories, read aloud by fabulous storytellers, at home as well as in the classroom.
Reading aloud to children, in particular by diverse and engaging storytellers, greatly improves language and literacy skills, especially in the early years of a child’s development. Story Box Library is committed to supporting and engaging the practice of storytelling. It is intended for use as a complementary form of delivering the precious experience of being read aloud to, in order to improve children’s lives. Connecting children with literature through the complementary medium of film, providing a vibrant, interactive experience via a diverse range of storytellers sharing the best of our local children’s picture books.
To access Story Box Library at home:
1) Visit www.storyboxlibrary.com.au
2) Choose Log In from the top right corner of the screen
3) Log in using the username and password provided below
4) Enjoy the library of stories on any device with internet connection
Please note the following features:
- Story Box Library regularly adds new stories, so is an ever-growing library
- Content is aimed at Prep/Foundation through to Year 6 students
- Includes a range of short films to inspired by our stories, creators and storytellers
- Resources are provided for each story, including Classroom Ideas, Activity Time and Student Task Sheets – all designed to assist at-home learning
- Captions can be turned on or off for each story
- Story Box Library is a safe online space free from advertising
Mini Vinnies Alternative to the SleepOut August 2021
Mini Vinnies - “Making a Difference”
Friday 20th August 2021
Each year, the Year 6 Mini Vinnies students are given the opportunity to participate in activities that highlight the fact of homelessness in the community. This year, to comply with COVID-19 regulations and ensure this event retains its significance, students will be given the opportunity to engage their individual perspective from a position of opportunity. They will be invited to consider the issues of homelessness and associated stigma, as they participate in practical activities that prompt discernible conversation around possible scenarios and thinking laterally, outside of their own personal experience and what is considered the ‘norm’ in society.
While this event will not require students to stay overnight, it will create an experience that will inform and direct learning, outside the classroom context. There will be a representative from St. Vincent De Paul directing activities that provoke students to consider homelessness as a reality. Raising awareness is a tangible voice for homelessness and generates compassion and understanding towards those who are less fortunate in society.
In previous years, children have been asked to donate items that are needed in our own community. This year, we have been advised that personal care products such as deodorant, soap, razors, toothpaste, tooth brush, small nail clippers, short comb hair brushes, as well as cleaning products are in demand at present.
In response to this need, we ask that students donate at least one product and would also like to extend this invitation to the wider school community, as an action of collective outreach to others. To support this event, please place your donations into the blue box, which can be located in the administration office or alternatively bring them to the classroom for collection.
Please note that the pictures below are only examples of what is needed. Thank you in advance for supporting the collective outreach efforts of the Year 6 students and the Holy Spirit school community.
Children from Holy Spirit School will compete in the Townsville Eisteddfod in September.
The program schedule is listed below.
Please note that start times are approximate.
Parents & friends are able to watch performances. Under the current Covid restrictions, the theatre is allowed 100% ticketed audience capacity.
Tickets will be available to purchase on-line or in person from the Townsville Civic Theatre Ticket Shop.
Cost for Day or Evening Session is $11 per adult, $5.50 per Concession, $2 per child age 3 to Year 12.
The Eisteddfod committee strongly advise pre-booking to ensure a seat and will advise as soon as bookings are open.
Couple’s Connecting - Relationship Workshop – Wednesday 25th August
The Defence lifestyle can present unique challenges and opportunities for couple’s throughout a member’s career; navigating absence and mobility while moving through various life stages.
Changes can mean, at times, that couples may need to dedicate time to re-connect and re-establish their relationship.
DMFS Townsville social workers are offering a two hour interactive relationship workshop that will provide Defence members and their partners an opportunity to learn new skills and strategies to maintain a healthy relationship. This session may be particularly useful to couple’s who are looking to re-connect following a period of service related absence. However, all couples may benefit from time to connect with their partner in a supportive environment.
Start time is 6pm however light refreshments will be provided from 5.30pm, so arrive a little earlier if you’re feeling peckish!
When: Wednesday 25 August 2021
Time: 5:30pm-6pm refreshments; 6pm-8pm Workshop
Where: DMFS Townsville Office – 340 Ross River Rd
RSVP: Eventbrite to come, you can register your interest at DFMS.townsville@defence.gov.au
*New* (DMFS) Book Club – Expressions of Interest
After receiving a few new enquiries, and as our original after-hours book club is full, we’re considering running a second book-club during school/business hours here at the DCO Townsville office, located in Aitkenvale.
To gauge a 2nd book-club’s viability, if it’s something you’d be interested in, could you please complete our Mentimeter survey online or via the below QR code: https://www.menti.com/596n2f7q8c
The survey will close in 2 weeks (Friday 13/08/2021).
From this feedback, we’ll be in touch with you individually to provide the details – so be sure to include your contact details within the survey!
Geckos’ Mums, Bumps & Bubs – with Mum2You – Tuesday 24th August
Join us for Mums, Bumps and Bubs with a special visit from Mum2You.
Krystle is a qualified and experienced child health nurse that will discuss sleep, nutrition and answer any questions you may have. Krystle will discuss how to "speak baby" and this private session will allow your individual concerns or questions to be addressed.
Morning tea will be provided.
Tickets are normally $42 each, but Geckos is able to subsidise these to $5 per adult.
When: Tuesday 24th August
Time: 10am-12pm
Where: Geckos Family Centre, Lavarack Barracks
Register: Geckos Mum2You-TryBooking
Geckos’ Sunset Cruise – 16th October – tickets on sale
Geckos is calling you aboard to enjoy a night of great company whilst Sealink spoils you with a private function admiring the sunset on the water, overlooking the night lights of Townsville City, The Strand & Magnetic Island.
This event is for persons over the age of 18yrs only.
What is included in your $50 ticket (usually $95)?
- 2-hour sunset cruise: 16th of October, 5pm - 7pm
- 1 x welcome drink for each guest
- Antipasto platters
- Live entertainment
Tickets open on Thursday the 5th August via the link below (Please note this event is for persons over the age of 18yrs only.)
https://www.trybooking.com/BTGPA
Departure Location:
SeaLink Ferry Terminal
Sir Leslie Thiess Dr, TOWNSVILLE, QLD 4810
If required, more information is available from the friendly team at Geckos Family Centre, Lavarack Barracks ph 07 4446 1238.
Lavarack Barracks Legacy Open Day – Saturday August 28th
3rd Brigade will be hosting their annual Lavarack Barracks Legacy Open Day on Saturday 28th August from 10:00am – 2:00pm.
This is a fundraising events with all proceeds from the day going directly to Legacy.
Your attendance and support will be greatly appreciated.
*Free* Veteran Workshops – August to November 2021
Life Skills Queensland are running free workshops for Veterans and their partner/spouse/family from August through to November.
There are workshops covering woodwork, resin, pyrography, wood-turning and
small-engine rebuilding.
The workshop dates are:
Monday |
09/08/2021 |
Friday |
27/08/2021 |
Monday |
13/09/2021 |
Friday |
24/09/2021 |
Monday |
11/10/2021 |
Friday |
29/10/2021 |
Monday |
08/11/2021 |
Friday |
26/11/2021 |
Bookings are essential by scrolling down on the “Group Workshops” page of the Life Skills Queensland website.
For any further information you can call Matt on 0421 184 418.
Holy Spirit Catholic School uses Flexischools ordering system. To register, login or to place orders, please click this link:
ROSTER |
|||
12.08.21 |
John Edwards |
||
13.08.21 |
Virginia Novinetz |
||
16.08.21 |
Amanda Bell, Anita Coggiola, Kate Smith | ||
17.08.21 |
Anne Fisher, Leigh Robertson, Tina McDonough |
||
18.08.21 |
Christine Nash, Kerri Player | ||
CAKE (We are kindly accepting donations of packet cakes only at this time) | |||
12.08.21 |
Cathy Duvel | ||
16.08.21 |
Heather D'Mello, Jordana Ferrara, Kathryn Cripps, Lanie Hedger | ||
17.08.21 |
Leigh Robertson | ||
FRUIT |
|||
16.08.21 |
Allyce Rawnsley, Emily Lyons, Kathryn Cripps, Penny Lange | ||
17.08.21 |
Bernadette Bryant |
Boys can be a mystery, especially for mothers brought up in all-girl households. Research shows that parents are frequently challenged by three main issues when parenting boys – their poor behaviour, lack of confidence and poor learning outcomes.
We believe that some of this frustration comes from lack of developmental understanding of boys’ physiology and psychology. The more parents understand what makes boys tick, the better placed we are to assist them and the less frustrated we feel.
Maggie Dent presents: Communicating with teenage boys
Adolescence has a way of transforming children’s brains that can make communication challenging, especially with teenage boys who often start articulating in monosyllabic grunts. These brain changes also make them more sensitive, volatile and critical of themselves, making the tween/teen years a high-risk window.
In this webinar, Maggie Dent shows how using compassionate, empowering communication with teenage boys can better guide them across the bridge to healthy manhood to a place where they feel worthwhile and engaged in respectful relationships.
Online course: Parenting boys
Our Parenting Boys online course delves into the minds of boys. Hear and learn from six parenting experts on a variety of fascinating topics like emotions, behaviour, education, organisation, communication and sexuality.
Each of the 12 sessions contains some written resources, a video with an interview or short presentation, and an accompanying summary with a short learning activity to help you reflect on and embed your learning.
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.
Date |
Event |
August |
18.08.21 |
Assembly 6A/2D |
19.08.21 |
B Schools Athletics Carnival |
23.08.21-27.08.21 |
Book Week and Book Fair |
25.08.21 |
Book Week Parade |
27.08.21 |
Mini Vinnies Sleepout |
Term Dates 2021 |
||
Term 3 |
Monday 12 July 2021 |
Friday 17 September 2021 |
Term 4 |
Tuesday 5 October 2021 |
Friday 3 December 2021 |
Pupil Free Day: Friday 3 September 2021 |
All uniform supplies are available at The School Locker, Domain Central (close to Bunnings).
Phone 1800 826 155
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.
Wednesday Assemblies |
|
Prep – Year 2 |
8.40am |
Years 3 – 6 |
2.10pm |
Whole School Assemblies |
8.45am |
Daily Bell Times |
|
8.15 am |
Students are allowed to move to class |
8.30 am |
School day commences |
10.30 am |
Morning tea bell |
10.55 am |
Five minute warning bell |
11.00 am |
School day resumes |
1.00 pm |
Lunch bell |
1.30 pm |
Five minute warning bell |
1.35 pm |
School day resumes. |
2.50 pm |
School day concludes |
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.