In this week’s Gospel, Jesus says:  ‘The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me’ (John 10:27-30).  In Jesus’ time, a good shepherd knew each one of his sheep and immediately was able to tell if any were needing help or missing.  Jesus used this metaphor so the people would know that He knew and loved each one of them and that he would guide and look after them.  We have to be prepared to listen and be open to Jesus’ message.  Listening skills are so important in everyday and in particular for our students here at school.  To be able to follow a series of instructions to successfully carry out tasks or just to be a friend and take the time to listen to someone else.  Sometimes we ask a child; did you listen?  The response is generally a quick, yes!   Maybe we should say instead; how did you listen, what actions will show me you were listening? 

This week at Holy Spirit, we value gratitude.  Gratitude is one of many positive emotions. It's about focusing on what's good in our lives and being thankful for the things we have.  There are many ways that we can show gratitude to those around us.  It could be in the simplest form of smiling at someone to show gratitude in something they have said or done.  This week we pray that our students think of a way to show gratitude to those around them to show they appreciate the nice things that are done for them.  There are many people in our school community who are continually working to ensure a number of events happen and we thank everyone for their ongoing support of our school.  

MAY, THE MONTH OF MARY:  By tradition, the Catholic Church dedicates each month of the year to a certain devotion.  In May, it is the Blessed Virgin Mary.  This devotion arose among Jesuits in Rome in the late 18th century and quickly spread throughout the Western Church.  By the time of Pope Pius IX's declaration of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854, it had become universal.  There are several Marian feast days in May in honour of Mary, including Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament (13th May), and Feast of Mary Help of Christians (24th May) and Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (31st May).  

God bless.

Caroline Fuller

Just a reminder that our Holy Spirit Cross Country is on Friday, May 6th from 8.30am-10.30am.

Location: Holy Spirit Oval (easy access available via Albert Street)

Start Time: 8.30am

Prep to Year 2 - 8:45am - 9:15am,

8-12 Years - 9:15 - 9:50am

Please note that times of events are a guide (approximations only), we may run ahead of or behind schedule.

TRACK: Prep, Yr 1 & Yr 2 will run in their Year Levels and remain on the oval. The Prep to Year 2 course is a participation event and will include fun obstacles along the way. All other students will run in their age groups accordingly.

UNIFORMS: Students are to wear their Sports Uniform. Students may choose to wear a coloured t-shirt to represent their House colour. It is also an expectation that students wear their hat and sandshoes. Coloured zinc and/or House team accessories are permitted.

SPECTATORS: AII parents/guardians are welcome to attend our carnival to cheer on and support the students. If you are not a volunteer on the day, we do ask that you please remain in the designated spectator areas. Students will sit in their House team's tent.

We look forward to a great day of fun and participation.

In this edition of SchoolTV - EXAM JITTERS

Every year, more and more emphasis is placed on achieving good results in exams causing many students to feel extraordinary pressure and having unrealistic expectations. This month on SchoolTV, parents will find advice on how to help students cope with the pressure and how students can work smarter to achieve the results they desire.

Exams are like a game. Once you know how to play the game, your chances of achieving great results rapidly increase. Parents can learn how to assist their kids to maintain perspective and keep their sanity intact during exam time.

Diet, exercise and sleep all play an important part in helping a student balance a busy schedule and study smarter. Keeping stress levels to a minimum and reducing anxiety can be easily achieved through careful planning and having a supportive environment.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact your child’s teacher for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to the Exam Jitters edition of SchoolTV

https://hsstsv.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/exam-jitters

eSafety:  Term 2 webinars for parents and carers

Parental controls (May)

For parents and carers of young people aged 4 to 13 years old

Find out how to set up devices and apps to help keep young people safe online.  This webinar will cover:

• The benefits and limitations of parental controls
• How to safely set up popular games and apps, like IOS and Android devices
• How to safely set up popular games and apps, like YouTube, Roblox and more.

Register now

Parental controls (May)

For parents and carers of young people aged 4 to 13 years old

Help your kids stay safe by learning about the benefits and risks of online gaming. This webinar will cover:

• The games young people are using and how they are engaging with them

• The benefits of gaming and how to mitigate the risks

• Practical strategies to use at home and where to find help and support if things go wrong.

Register now

Gratitude is the focus this week!

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

Flexischools

We are open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8am-8.25am at the hall.

Your support with donations of spreads (not nut based) and bread are needed and appreciated, due to the increase in children accessing the program.

Donations can be dropped off at Tuckshop.

There will be no Breakfast Program this Friday due to the Cross Country!

DMFS Family Fun Day - Saturday 14 May

Townsville ADF members and families – you are exclusively invited to our Family Fun Day at Melville’s Farm.

Entry to our Family Fun Day is FREE to all local ADF Members, partners & families.

Meet new Defence families, catch-up with old friends and mingle with the staff from DMFS Townsville.

Food and drinks will be available to purchase on the day or pack a picnic and snacks.

Where: Melville’s Farm, Alligator Creek.

When: Saturday 14 May, 3-6pm.

Registration: Eventbrite – Melville’s Family Fun Day

STRENGTHS Workshop - Saturday 21 May

The STRENGTHS team will be facilitating a practical workshop for Defence dads in Townsville.

The workshop is designed to provide fathers/father figures with practical skills and mentoring to empower them to be strong role models, and to help them feel more connected and engaged within their family unit.

Where: Harry Cobby Centre, RAAF Base Townsville

When: Saturday 21 May, 8:45am-1pm.

Registration: Eventbrite – STRENGTHS Workshop

Dogs Day Out - Sunday 22 May

Calling ADF families in Townsville with 4-legged fur-babies, we’d love to meet your dogs at our ‘Dogs day out’ event. Join us for morning tea and enjoy the company of other dog lovers while your furry mates actively socialise.

Where: Riverside Off Leash Dog Park, Cranbrook.

When: Sunday 22 May, 9:00am-10:30am.

Registration: Eventbrite – Dogs Day Out

Get to know us before you need us: Meet Megan

This is Megan. She’s one of our fantastic Defence Social Workers.

Megan supports serving members, their partners, and children. She provides counselling, welfare planning, crisis support, and helps families explore options to address family concerns.

Megan loves working with children, helping them navigate the challenges of Defence life, and supporting families through difficult times.

Path to Wellbeing - Tuesday 17 May

RSL Queensland and Defence Member and Family Support are proud to invite you to our first Path to Wellbeing free online event for 2022.

Jonathan Steedman, nutritionist and owner of Bite Me Nutrition, will share practical strategies for creating healthy eating habits and helpful hints on maintaining good nutrition in times of disruption.
 
This online event is a great opportunity for current serving members and their families to learn helpful tools from a practicing dietician, with recognition of the Defence lifestyle. 

Where: Online Event

When: Tuesday 17 May, 7:30pm-9:00pm

Registration: To request access, please contact partnerships@rslqld.org or register your interest here.

Mates 4 Mates - Online Trivia Night - Monday 30 May

On the last Monday of every month, join Mates4Mates for a fun game of trivia! Test your general knowledge in a friendly competition against your Mates. Learn, laugh and connect with other Mates. Family members are welcome to join as your team. The night will be themed with a special trivia category each month.

This activity will have a limited capacity, so if you would like to take part, you must RSVP.

If you are not an inducted Mates4Mates member and would like to take part, simply complete your Mates4Mates application online and our team will be in touch soon.

Where: Online

When: Monday 30 May 6:30pm-7:30pm

Registration: onlineactivity@mates4mates.org

Geckos Family Centre

Geckos is excited to announce that large renovations will occur to the internal facility from 5 May - 30 June 2022.

What does this mean for Geckos events and services?

·         The internal facility will be closed for this set period over this time

·         All weekly groups, school holiday activities and special events will continue (at various locations)

·         The playground will remain open for families to utilise throughout this period.

The ‘Crew in Blue’ look forward to showcasing various locations in North Queensland throughout this time.

Our school is taking part in the Wonder Recycling Rewards campaign.

Help us collect bread bags so we can earn points to redeem on new Sports equipment.  Bread bags can be dropped off to Prep B, see Mrs Connor.

For all further information needed, please see the attached flyer below.

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.