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- Principal's Corner
- FROM THE APA
- APRE News
- Congratulations
- Townsville Eisteddfod
- INSTRUMENTAL PROGRAM TERM 4
- Parent Engagement Day
- Father's Day Stall
- Book Week Experience from Prep D
- School Transport Bus Fare Threshold Increase for Semester 1 2022
- Tuckshop News
- Pastoral Chaplain's Chat
- Breakfast Program
- Mini Vinnies making a difference.
- Defence
- Date Claimers
- Term Dates
- Uniform Supplies
- Assembly and Bell Times
- Absent from School
- Our Mission Statement
How often have you googled or used the internet in the past twelve hours? The internet is a great place to learn a variety of new skills and information. As adults, we have the advantage of life experience to help us detect the ‘dodgy’ internet sites, but how do we protect children from such sites?
As part of National eSmart Week, yesterday, Brett Lee, former detective in cyber crime, spent time educating our Year 3 to Year 6 students, staff members, parents and carers on internet safety.
Brett’s key messages for students to remember are:
The internet is public and permanent;
I protect my personal details online;
People I know only on the internet are strangers;
We all have rules on the computer and internet;
I talk to a trusted adult if I have an online problem. Online problems only get solved offline.
Some great strategies for parents to give children should they be affected by online bullying are: block, delete, ignore, report. For more tips from Brett click HERE.
Please take some time to revisit these important messages with your child.
Figuratively speaking, the drought is over! Not only have we welcomed some winter rain, our Holy Spirit Rugby League Team won the Les Stagg Cup on Monday night. The last time we won this competition was in 1997??? On Tuesday, a number of students competed in the NQ Athletics Trials. There are many areas in which our students excel, our students are equally impressive in The Arts and academics.
Year 4 students Charlotte Hammond and Deona Emmanuel were recognised for their art work in the Soroptimist Art Competition. Next week the Holy Spirit Flames will compete against other catholic schools in the annual Quest for Knowledge. There are many gifts but the one Spirit!
This Sunday is Father's Day, children have a huge head start in life when they are surrounded by love. Thank you to the many fathers and men who undertake the 'fathering role', we appreciate your contribution to the students in our school.
Have a wonderful Father's Day.
God bless,
Geraldine
The last 3 weeks of our school term is jam packed with events for all. We have Whole School Assembly, Fathers Day Stall, Pupil Free Day ( and professional development for staff) through to our Resilience Project presentations next week. The Eisteddfod is nearly upon us as well as some classes participating in an ACARA trial for Naplan. In the last week, we will have bronze medallist from the Tokyo Games, Ash Maloney visiting as interschool sport for season 3 gets underway.
Next Monday, our staff will be involved in a webinar with Hugh from the Resilience project. This will be the second webinar this year which looks at gratitude, mindfulness and empathy and how we can instill this in the students we teach. A parent night will be held on Wednesday night at the Ryan Catholic College Hall at 6.30pm. All families are welcome to join us to hear from Hugh van Cuylenburg. See you there.
Christian Meditation is an integral part of the prayer life of teachers and students in schools throughout the Diocese of Townsville. Christian Meditation is a way of becoming present to God and entering into a prayer of the heart. Christian meditation helps us enter into the actual experience of praying and enables us to fully attend to God while we pray. When we pray through meditation, we move from mental prayer (prayer of the mind) to a deeper level, the heart (the prayer of the heart). The word recommended to use is: ma-ra-na-tha, which means “Come Lord” or “Come Lord Jesus”. Repetition of the sacred word allows us to quiet our minds to make our hearts available to God. Above all, one can be assured that Christian Meditation is a meaningful and authentic way to pray.
Take the time to talk to your children about their experience with Christian Meditation in the classroom. You may like to make time in your day to meditate as a family. It involves:
1) Sit still and upright with your back straight.
2) Place both your feet flat on the floor or legs crossed if sitting on the floor.
3) Place your hands in your lap facing either upwards or downwards.
4) Gently close your eyes.
5) Be aware of your normal breathing pattern for a minute or two as you clear your mind.
6) Silently, interiorly, begin to say your sacred prayer word or mantra
“ma-ra-na-tha” in four equal syllables.
7) Listen to the sound of your sacred word as you say it, slowly, intently and continuously.
8) If thoughts come, keep returning to simply saying the word.
9) Maintain this stillness for the entire period of the meditation.
In the Spirit,
Evon Downie
Rugby League Night Comp – Les Stagg Trophy
Holy Spirit Townsville Champions!
After defeating Mundingburra SS, Southern Cross and Marian, ‘SPIRIT’ versed The Willows State School in the Townsville Final in very wet conditions on Monday evening. Despite the rain, our students showed their strength as a team to defeat The Willows 22-8. A further highlight was both teams, at the end of the game, swan diving into the puddles on the edge of the field before posing together for group photo.
HSCS tries achieved by: 2x Blaize, A-Tai, Ashtyn
HSCS conversions achieved by: Logan, Eli, Blaize
The team consists of the following students who should be commended for both their sportsmanship and rugby league skills on the field:
A-Tai 6B, Andrew 6A, Lucas 6C, Callum 6C, Zachary 6C, Logan 6B, Eli 6B, Harry 6B, Tyrese 6D, Blaize 6B, Bryce 6C, Giann 6D, Bosse 6C, Mia 6A, Bailey 6A, Zayd 6A, Oliver 5A and Ashtyn 5C. We are proud of the team for their outstanding performances and excellent behavior. This is the first time in 24 years since Holy Spirit has reached the final.
Thank you to Mr Martin, Mr Clem and Mr Hull for their assistance throughout the competition and to our parents for supporting the team. The strength of our Holy Spirit community has been on display with so many staff, families and friends coming to watch each game to cheer on our students. Well done Team SPIRIT.
SPIRIT will now play in the North Queensland Final against Proserpine SS next Wednesday, 8 September at 11:30am for the Les Stagg Trophy at Brothers Leagues Club.
Yours faithfully, and in Sport
Mr Brenton Place
Rugby League Coach
Bookings are now open with the Townsville Civic Theatre Ticket Shop. Either in person or on-line.
We will be holding the annual Father’s Day Stall on Thursday, 2nd September between 8:30 - 12:30pm.
If you can assist with the stall even for an hour please contact Kristy Bates, kbates@hsstsv.catholic.edu.au.
This is a great opportunity for children to select that special present.
Prices range from $1 - $6
School Transport Bus Fare Threshold Increase for Semester 1 2022
The Non State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme (NSSTAS) administered by QCEC, provides financial assistance to families transporting children to non-state schools in Queensland.
The Scheme’s Bus Fare Assistance Program (BFAP) provides a rebate above a threshold amount to eligible families whose students attend a non-state school outside the Brisbane City Council boundary.
The NSSTAS Reference Committee have now set the Semester 1 2022 weekly family threshold as follows:
• $45 (up from $40 in Semester 2 2021)
• $35 concession* (up from $30 in Semester 2 2021)
* applicants who hold a current Health Care, Pensioner or Veterans’ Affairs card
Funding for the program is capped with the threshold necessary to manage program funding. Recent increased demand on the Scheme, predominately from enrolment growth but also from new routes and schools joining the Scheme and increased bus fares, has necessitated an increase to the threshold.
Further information about the Scheme is available at SchoolTransport.com.au. Applications can be made online at the website in May (for Semester 1 travel) and October (for Semester 2 travel).
Holy Spirit Catholic School uses Flexischools ordering system. To register, login or to place orders, please click this link:
ROSTER |
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02.09.21 |
John Edwards, Rose McSherry |
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03.09.21 |
Tim Marrinan, Sue Viviers, Virginia Novinetz |
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06.09.21 |
Brook Vass, Nicole Boon | ||
07.09.21 |
Anne Fisher, Sue Viviers, Tina McDonough |
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08.09.21 |
Christine Nash | ||
CAKE (We are kindly accepting donations of packet cakes only at this time) | |||
03.09.21 |
Mayleen Nona | ||
06.09.21 |
Belinda Tuckett, Majella Purcell, Petrece Dwyer-Sayers | ||
08.09.21 |
Kat Harrington, Taane Morris | ||
FRUIT |
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06.09.21 |
Martina Mylrea, Petrece Dwyer-Sayers | ||
07.09.21 |
Bernadette Bryant |
NATIONAL CHILD PROTECTION WEEK
5-11 SEPTEMBER 2021
Theme: Every child, in every community, needs a fair go.
To treat all of Australia’s children fairly, we need to make sure every family and community has what kids need to thrive and be healthy.
The 2021 theme for National Child Protection Week is all about the importance of the ‘bigger picture’ in addressing child abuse and neglect.
Children can thrive and be healthy when they have what they need to develop well.
But not every family has these resources.
This is why we need to support every child, family and community according to their needs.
This will create a healthier, fairer Australia for all children.
A lot of great research is helping us understand more and more about what children need to thrive.
Child Protection Week 2021 will be an opportunity to translate this knowledge into action. All skillsets, all people, and all communities are assets in this important endeavour.
Let’s make sure our neighbourhoods have strong foundations for families and children – jobs, safe places, libraries, parks, playgrounds, schools, child care, affordable housing, health services, social activities, clubs, friendly neighbours, businesses and more.
Many of you are already playing your part every day – as individuals, as community members, as volunteers and as workers – to help create these great communities for children.
When we do this together we can give
‘every child, in every neighbourhood, a fair go’.
Note: This year’s theme is based on the framing research for the Core Story for Early Childhood Development and Learning.
Why environment matters … toxic stress
Minor, everyday stresses are a healthy part of child development, but major stressors can have a long-term effect on children’s brain development and even on their physical health. Severe adversity that lasts over long periods of time can send the body’s stress systems into permanent high alert, flooding the body’s vital organs and the brain with stress hormones. This ‘toxic stress’ response can derail healthy development and has even been linked to adult health problems like heart disease and diabetes.
The environment in which a child lives can be the source of significant stress or support for children. For instance, living in a community with not enough jobs, with poverty, or with high rates of abuse and violence creates stress that can stop children from getting a strong foundation for life.
When we address these root causes of stress, we create healthier communities for everyone, particularly children.
Further, research tells us there is a powerful source of protection against the long-term negative effects of adversity on children. What is it? Stable, supportive relationships with caring adults. These relationships actually buffer them from toxic stress, softening and moderating the biological stress response.
Providing every family and community with the robust system of supports they need, has tremendous power to build these critical relationships between children and caring adults.
This is one of the most important investments we can make.
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.
Mini Vinnies making a difference.
Mini Vinnies and Year 3 Recorder Students Making a Difference at Brooklea Retirement Village
Mini Vinnies Prayer
Lord, open our eyes that we may see the deepest needs of your people.
Move our hands that we may feed the hungry.
Touch our hearts that they may bring warmth to those who are sad.
Let us share our time and possessions with those in need.
Give us the care that strengthens the sick.
May we all be a source of support and encouragement for each other as we strive to build a more loving society.
Amen.
Do you have any older children aged 15years or older who would like to do work experience?
The Defence Work Experience Program provides opportunities for young Australians who have an interest in a Defence career to gain exposure to job roles that are available in the Australian Defence Force and Australian Public Service.
Work experience opportunities are available for both secondary and tertiary students.
Students participating in Defence work experience placements must be at least 15 years of age at the time of the placement.
If you are interested you can apply on-line at defence.gov.au/workexperience
Defence Member and Family Services have advised that some members are unable to get through to them in times of need as they are ringing the old number. Please note that there is NO redirection from the old number.
Defence Member and Family Helpline 1800 624 608
or alternatively 4430 3879.
Women’s Wellness Day – Wednesday 8th September *only a few spots left!*
As part of Women’s Health week, ADF female members, spouses and adult family members are invited to our Women’s Wellness Day being held at the Lachlan Wilson Centre, Lavarack Barracks.
Come and enjoy a mix of active and wellbeing activities as we explore self-care, therapeutic and resilience-building strategies.
The day will include a mix of craft activities as well as Zumba and Yoga so please arrive in closed in sports shoes and comfortable clothing suitable for these activities. You’re welcome to bring a change of clothes if you’d like.
Morning tea and lunch will be provided but please bring a water bottle for when we get our active on!
Child minding is now full.
Tickets are strictly limited, so register now to avoid disappointment!
Where: Lachlan Wilson Centre, Le Hamel Rd, Lavarack Barracks
When: 9.00am-2.00pm Wednesday 8th September
Register: Womens' Wellness Day Eventbrite
Term Dates 2021 |
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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 |
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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.