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- Principal's Corner
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- Tuckshop News
- School Savvy NQ
- Christmas Message From Fr John
- Christmas Mass Times
- Term Dates
- Reminder
- Uniform Supplies
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- Stable on the Streets
- Gecko Sports
- Absent from School
- Assembly and Bell Times
- Our Mission Statement
As the year draws to a close, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the whole school community for making me feel welcome in my first year as Principal at Holy Spirit School. I feel truly blessed to work alongside my colleagues, Paul Martin and Caroline Fuller, as together we lead our wonderful school. We have been blessed with leading a dedicated staff who do their best and care for one another and the students in their care. We have many talented educators who go the extra mile, and the work that goes on behind the scenes does not go unnoticed.
It is important to acknowledge the special relationship we have with Fr John and the Holy Spirit Parish. Not every school is lucky enough to have such a lovely and meaningful connection and we don’t take that for granted. Fr John, thank you for your pastoral guidance and your commitment to our school. We are well supported by you and look forward to continuing to strengthen the work we do together.
The work of our School Board has continued to be a forum for shared wisdom and has provided opportunities to strengthen our structures, procedures and policies. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the Chair of our Board, Michael Catt, who has been extremely supportive of me and our school’s direction for the coming years. We farewell Sian Yewdall from the Board at the end of this year. Sian has provided wonderful insights and I thank her for her contributions.
Finally, to our Year 6 students. I would like to share my wish for your future. I wish you success in your high school years and love and peace in your relationships with others. I hope you look back at the friendships and memories that you have made over the course of your time with us and reflect on them as being happy and exciting times.
Holy Spirit Catholic School really is a special place and a school I am very proud to be part of. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!
Staff Farewells
Thank you and farewell to the following staff who will be leaving our school at the end of this year. Your contributions to the learning and well-being of our students has been very much valued and appreciated.
Mrs Trish Petrie
Mrs Janet Bishop
Mrs Paula-Jo Fellows
Mr Brenton Place
Mrs Nic Beltramelli
Mrs Sonia Foster
We would also like to wish Michelle Escuriale all the best as she takes 12 months leave.
Prep A |
Simona Longson |
Prep B |
Glennis Weatherstone |
Prep C |
Patrice Figg |
Prep D |
Cortnee Devney |
1A |
Louise Sutton |
1B |
Katrina Hartmann |
1C |
Angela Lone |
1D |
Suzanne Dunlop |
2B |
Jane Aylward |
2C |
Cara McConochie |
2D | Nicole Lindgren |
3A |
Ursula Ferguson |
3B |
Bruce Wootton |
3C |
Kate Hanran |
3D |
Kim Williamson and Sherry Evans |
4A |
Sharon McLean and Louise Wood |
4B |
Emma Yearwood |
4C |
Phil Clem |
4D |
Melanie Albress and Louise Wood |
5A |
John Roberts |
5C |
Rebecca Nieminen and Melissa Taylor |
5D |
Nicole Lennox |
6A |
Amelia Davis |
6B |
Begona Bengoa |
6C |
Amber Church and Rebecca Lobley |
6D |
Melanie McBow |
Specialist Staff:
End of Year Student Awards:
Christian Leadership
PA: Charlotte Albress PB: Marica Martin PC: Lucy Flowers
1A: Sonny McDaniel 1B: Madeleine Kelly 1C: Nate Irish 1D: Ellie Matthews
2A: Isla Pascoe 2B: Lara Leon 2C: Archie Reimers 2D: Harriet Borellini
3A: Austin Anoop 3B: Annabel Ambrose 3C: Jasmine Parker 3D: Kayla Downes
4B: Alexis Barnes 4C: Alaissa Juriz Gonzales 4D: Charlotte Cassidy
5A: David Greenway 5B: Teslin Thomas 5C: Serenity Rupena-Norway 5D: Amber Cashmore
6A: Shaniqua Ahwang 6B: Kaden Robertson 6C: Jenna Donald 6D: Zoe Leon
Academic Award
5A: Casey Boon 5B: Marcus Snelling 5C: Madison Long 5D: Lucas Cowie
6A: Ben Whalan 6B: Ella Brown 6C: Reuben Bryant 6D: Abbie Flynn
Diligence Award
5A: Lucy Reimers 5B: Alysha Kant 5C: Asha Lyons 5D: Tiarna Martin
6A: Kynan Lilley 6B: Jorja Cornick 6C: Stephanie Longson 6D: Joshua Doyle
Music Award
Instrumental Solo: Abbey Spratling
Instrumental Duet: Amelie Edwards/Isla Edwards
Vocal Solo: Amelie Edwards
Vocal Duet: Mia Stapleton/Thea Griffiths
Year 4 Encouragement: Ethan Heagney
Year 5 Encouragement: Elliot Lazaredes
Year 6 Encouragement: Josivel Ventura
LOTE Award
Zaide Bauer
Indigenous Leadership Award
Mila Finn
Sportsman
Lachlan Hunter
Kaden Robertson
Sportswoman
Jemma Corcoran
Building Project
Unfortunately, I am unable to share the plans until early in the new year. As soon as the go ahead is given, we will provide the building details.
UNIFORMS
As part of our uniform policy, black shoes are required for all days including sports days. Black joggers are the way to go as they can be worn every day. Some examples of acceptable shoes are pictured below.
Some of the shoes that will not be acceptable are the following.
Please consider this when purchasing for 2023.
All uniform supplies are available at The School Locker, Domain Central (close to Bunnings).
LAST DAY
Students are permitted to wear coloured clothes on the last day of school but must wear their school hats, sun-safe clothing and closed in shoes. Students will be dismissed at 12.00pm.
Wishing all of our families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
May you all enjoy your holidays and be renewed for another year of learning in 2023.
Get in the Spirit!
Paul Martin
As we busily prepare for Christmas: planning, cleaning, spending, giving, attending breakups and various events, it is important we take a moment and reflect on what it all means for us and our families. The first Sunday of Advent marked the beginning of a period of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Christ, our Saviour, at Christmas. We are advised to make ourselves ready, to be on the alert, to turn aside from our errant ways, and give more time to God in our lives. The season of Advent encourages us to reflect and prepare for the coming of Jesus who came to show us a new way of being with God, ourselves and each other.
This week at Holy Spirit we value excellence. Excellence often refers to greatness, the very best. Achieving excellence is a very difficult thing to do at times. It is a quality that people really appreciate, because it is so hard to find. Striving for excellence is trying to do our best at whatever task we set our minds to do. At Holy Spirit, staff are always looking for ways to help students achieve excellence. This week, as we end the school year and enter the season of Advent, we pray our students and families show excellence across many areas, especially towards others and be on the lookout to help those in need.
ST WENCELAUS: Legend surrounds the brief life of Saint Wenceslaus 1, Duke of Bohemia (907-935), originally venerated because of his martyrdom but most remembered today because of a Christmas carol from the 16th century that celebrated him as a model of generosity. Separating fact from fiction may be difficult after 1000 years, but your own track record with regard to generosity should be easier to tally. Will anyone sing praises of your generosity a millennium from now? A hundred years? Ten minutes after you are gone? If not, what can you do today to start building your own lasting legacy as a disciple of Christ? from Take Five for Faith
ST VINCENT DE PAUL HAMPER: A BIG THANK YOU to all who generously donated
items for our annual Christmas Hamper that was given to St Vincent de Paul on Tuesday morning during our liturgy. What a wonderful way to start the Christmas season by showing care and mercy for those less fortunate in our community.
THE ADVENT WREATH: The Advent wreath is a traditional centrepiece of the Christmas season. A candle is lit on each of the four Sundays preceding Christmas.
The first candle (violet) represents hope, the second (violet) peace, the third (rose)
joy and the fourth (violet) love. The central white candle is lit on Christmas Day and represents Christ. The word ‘advent’ means ‘coming’; lighting the candles on the Advent wreath symbolises the coming of Light (Jesus) into the world. The Advent Wreath teaches us about Christian preparation for celebrating Jesus’ birth and making our hearts truly ready to receive Him. Making an advent wreath and praying a blessing each week with your children is a wonderful way to countdown to Christmas.
Blessing for the Advent Wreath
Lord God, Your Church joyfully awaits the coming of its Saviour,
who enlightens our hearts and dispels the darkness of ignorance and sin.
Pour forth your blessings upon us as we light the candles of this wreath;
may their light reflect the splendour of Christ,
who is Lord, for ever and ever. Amen.
I hope you all an enjoyable holiday and I look forward to seeing you all next year in 2023 to start the year again. Best of luck to our Grade 6 senior students moving into High School and future endeavours. Your contribution to Holy Spirit Catholic School will be remembered.
Have a safe and happy holiday.
God bless.
Caroline Fuller
The school office will be open Monday 05 December to Thursday 08 December - 8am to 3pm.
January 2023 -
The office will be open from 9th January 2023 – 8am to 3pm.
Office will be closed Thursday 19th & Friday 20th January for training.
Normal office hours resume from 23th January 2023 – 8am to 3.30pm.
Any enquiries can be emailed to crnbrk@tsv.catholic.edu.au
Please be aware that all medicine held at the school needs to be collected by the end of the school year.
Anyone requiring medicine in 2023 needs to bring it in next year, with a new Consent to Administer Medication form. Please click HERE for new form.
Please note: All ongoing medicine except ventolin requires the signature of a doctor on page 2 of the form.
Lost Property will be cleared out over the holidays so please come in to check for anything you have lost.
Severe Weather Event Advice to Parents
In the event of a cyclone or severe weather impacting on our Catholic schools, regularly updated information will be available on the following:
* Townsville Catholic Education website www.tsv.catholic.edu.au LATEST NEWS section on homepage.
* Twitter - you can follow us on www.twitter.com/tceo
* Facebook - you can follow us on www.facebook.com/TownsvilleCEO
* Listen to local readio stations (ABC in all regions) plus various local commercial stations for updates.
* Instagram - townsville_catholic_education
Please make sure your compass details are up to date as this is the avenue the school will use to contact parents directly.
If a decision is made overnight to close schools, this message will be broadcast from 7am, earlier if possible.
Parents should be advised that on occasion it is difficult to call through to radio stations, so patience is appreciated if message broadcasts are delayed in any way.
Please refrain from calling schools before 7am as this causes disruption to vital communication networks.
Please refer to the above methods of communication as your first source of information. Please use your best discretion in the interests of safety at all times.
Happy holidays and safe travels to all defence families.
We would like to thank everyone who answered the call for donations of
breakfast spreads this year.
In this edition of SchoolTV - MINDFULNESS
Over the last decade, mindfulness has been slowly rising in popularity with many individuals practising it on a regular basis. Evidence based research has found that there are many benefits to mindfulness which has prompted schools across the nation to implement this practice into their daily routines.
Mindfulness can be described as attention training for your brain, enabling you to focus on something without judgement and to stimulate curiosity. Mindfulness can be practised in a number of ways and is something that can be done by everyone - no matter what your age! It has been practised by many cultures around the world, but it is not exclusively affiliated to any particular philosophy or religion.
Mindfulness helps improve memory, engagement and performance. Its positive effect on the brain can improve immunity, mental wellbeing, learning ability, emotional health and even, time management. It is especially important in this era of information overload as our attention is constantly being pulled in many directions making us more distracted.
In this edition of SchoolTV, parents can learn the best way to introduce this mindfulness to their children, implementing into their daily lives to have an overall positive impact on family relationships.
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 Mindfulness edition of SchoolTV
The Tuckshop will be closed for Friday 2 December, the last day of the school year.
A special thank you to all of our volunteers who have supported the tuckshop all year - and for all the donations, your help is very much appreciated.
Merry Christmas from Gayle and Linda
Christmas Message From Fr John
We have come to the end of another remarkable and memorable school year. How anxious and uncertain we were at the start of this school year and we were unable even to come to the school to attend classes. But the good Lord had been so gracious to us and everything turned out for the best. Let us be grateful to God for all the blessings He showered upon us during this school year in one way or another, for helping us to grow in knowledge and wisdom, in the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit and to be Spirit-filled and better persons. Let us also gratefully remember all those who have helped us in one way or another to make our journey this year safe, secure and fruitful, particularly our teachers and parents.
As you begin your summer holidays, first of all I wish you all safe and happy holidays. But more importantly, I would like to remind you of the importance of the festive season of Christmas. I am pretty sure you will be giving and receiving so many beautiful gifts at Christmas and you will be more excited about Santa who brings you gifts. But please remember that Santa is not the reason for this season, rather Jesus is the reason for this season and the birth of Baby Jesus is the most precious gift we receive at Christmas.
I encourage you please to come to church at this Christmas to celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus. We have Masses at 6.00 pm and 9.00 pm on the 24th and at 8.30 am on 25th in our Holy Spirit Parish. I would love to welcome you to our parish Christmas celebrations. As St. Augustine says, “To fall in love with God is the greatest romance. To seek him is the greatest adventure. To find him is the greatest human achievement.” This is a time to seek and find Jesus.
May you have a wonderful Christmas and happy holidays.
In His Love, Your Fr. John
CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES for HOLY SPIRIT PARISH...CRANBROOK
Term Dates 2022 |
||
Term 4 |
Tuesday 4 October 2022 |
Friday 2 December 2022 |
Term Dates 2023 |
||
Term 1 |
Monday 23 January 2023 |
Friday 31 March 2023 |
Term 2 |
Tuesday 17 April 2023 |
Friday 23 June 2023 |
Term 3 |
Monday 10 July 2023 |
Friday 15 September 2023 |
Term 4 |
Tuesday 3 October 2023 |
Friday 1 December 2023 |
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.
Every year, eSafety publishes a Gift Guide to support parents and carers with insights and advice on the latest trends and technology. The guide helps you make smart, safe and secure tech gift choices for children and young people.
This year’s Gift Guide focuses on new immersive technology and the practical things we can do to minimise harm for the excited young recipients of tech gifts.
Technology can impact family dynamics, personal safety and wellbeing. So gift thoughtfully and safely these holidays and introduce any new device alongside healthy and safe online habits.
Buckle up! Immersive technology has landed
Virtual reality headsets that immerse children in 360-degree worlds where they swim with sharks, whales and mermaids. Technology that transports them to the sights, sounds and sensations of ancient Rome. Multi-player gaming where they touch and feel their opponents.
This isn’t future tech, it’s today’s tech – and it’s all waiting at a retail store near you this holiday season.
Get up to speed on immersive tech in the latest blog from the eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant.
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.
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 |
1.25 pm |
Five minute warning bell |
1.30 pm |
School day resumes. |
2.50 pm |
School day concludes |