Words fall short to describe the many heartbreakng situations we have all witnessed for our fellow Townsvillians over the past days.

Thank you our staff and family members who assisted on Tuesday in preparing the classrooms and grounds for the students to return. By 9 am Wednesday they were ensuring our Prep rooms would be safe from the next deluge!

Instrumental lessons, will commence in week 3.  Could all children wishing to participate in the instrumental program please return forms to the office.  If this is not possible please email Mrs Laing at slaing@hsstsv.catholic.edu.au

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

Flexischools

Fruit and Cake Rosters will be out as soon as possible, in the meantime if you would like to donate any fruit or cake please email Gayle, thanks. 

Natalie Arnel

(School Psychologist)

narnel4@hsstsv.catholic.edu.au

For any  family that is concerned about how their child/children are coping following the recent flooding to contact me immediately on narnel4@hsstsv.catholic.edu.au to arrange a meeting. 

Tips for parents on how to help their child cope following a severe weather event

- Answer questions honestly and age appropriately.

- Reassure your child that what has happened is not their fault and that adults will always do their best to keep children safe.

- Normalise feelings and encourage them to continue to share their feelings with words or pictures.

- Minimise distressing images or verbal media reports that children are exposed to.

Following a severe weather event there will be numerous media reports and distressing images shown on TV and in print. In order to minimize the impact of this on children parents may like to:

- have a TV in a shared area so you know what your child is watching. Be aware that radio reports can also upset children.

- try not to leave newspapers with upsetting photographs where young people can look at them. Discuss them with older children if they wish to and then put them away.

- Don’t forget that children pass on news to each other when adults are not around even from preschool age. Check what children have heard when they come home from school to ensure that the information is not distorted.

- Children may report the following feelings following a cyclone or severe storm: scared, angry, sad, afraid, tired, guilty, relieved, panicked, hopeful.

-All of these feelings are normal to some extent but should be monitored carefully. Try to avoid dismissing your child’s issues as trivial – as this can create a belief that the events were too awful to talk about.

Source: Kidsmatter, Headspace

PRIORITIZED KIDS HELPLINE CONTACTS FROM YOUR AREA

We have prioritized Kids Helpline counselling support (phone & web) for young people contacting from flood affected areas of Central, North & Far North QLD.  If any students need individualized support, they are most welcome to contact us for free, 24/7 on 1800 55 1800 or access webchat or email counselling via our website: www.kidshelpline.com.au

Parents, it is essential that you advise the office if your child is going to be absent. This can be done by emailing absent@hsstsv.catholic.edu.au or via the skoolbag app.

Lenten Meditation

Holy Family Parish will be holding a Lenten Meditation program at the Holy Family Centre.  This year’s programme is entitled Compassion – Reflecting and Sharing – Living the Good News. It will commence on Ash Wednesday 6^th March and continue each Wednesday for the duration of Lent. There will be two sessions, 10m and 7pm. Join in and help start a revolution of Compassion. For more information contact the Parish on 4779 3145

Charismatic Healing Mass

Catholic Charismatic Renewal invites you to a Healing Mass on Monday 18^th February, 7pm at Ryan Community Centre Kirwan.  Praise and Worship at 6.30pm. Celebrant Fr Steve Fletcher mgl.  Experience the healing love of God through the Eucharist, prayer, laying of hands, and beautiful worship music. Enquiries Donna 0411 689 471