I want to express my gratitude to the families for their warm support of my time as Acting Assistant Principal so far this term. 

As the weather cools down, it's an ideal time to encourage our students to stay active. We're preparing for our Cross Country event and our Run Club has been meeting at 8am to practice. Our classes have also been spending time on the back oval to get familiar with the track. The Cross Country, also known as the Fun Run, is a great opportunity for families to come and cheer on the students, while they compete for House points towards the McAuley Shield.

Our Year 5 & 6 students have been participating in Interschool Sport for three weeks now. They've been competing in Netball, Rugby League, and Hockey against local schools. Our students have been showing Our SPIRIT way through excellent sportsmanship and learning new skills. For many, these sports are entirely new, and they've been enjoying making new friends and creating wonderful memories.

I'm excited about the upcoming Cross Country and look forward to seeing everyone on Friday 12 May!

Regards

Nicole Lennox

In Sunday’s Gospel reading, Jesus says to us – “I am the way the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” When we are born, we are baptised and our godparents promise to help us follow Jesus who shows us the way to heaven. At Confirmation, we confirm our promise to share Jesus’ love with others in the way we live and work. Our signposts which guide us as we travel through the good times and hard times, are God’s commandments and the way Jesus showed us how to live, the messages which we hear each week at Mass in the Sunday readings. We encourage our students to listen to the readings each Monday morning at prayer and think about how they can action our Mercy Value of the Week.

This week at Holy Spirit, we value courage. Most often, we associate courage with physical prowess or bravery. Courage can also be seen in the form of being honest, fair, not giving up, being a peacemaker. This type of courage often requires us to sometimes step out of our comfort zone and do something we might not usually do, but know we must as it is the right thing. This week we encourage our students to think how they can be courageous and help others.

Last Tuesday was ANZAC Day, a day to remember the many courageous men and women who have served our nation during war, those who have died, those who have returned from war, those who are still in peacekeeping teams and those who have died while helping with humanitarian aid in war torn countries.

Thank you once again to the many students, staff and families who joined us for the parade. 

Monday 1 May - FEAST OF SAINT JOSEPH THE WORKER 

We celebrate two feast days for Joseph: March 19 for Joseph the Husband of Mary and May 1 for Joseph the Worker. Saint Joseph is the model for all who work, because in his humble and simple work as a carpenter, he cared for the holy family and provided for the needs of Mary and Jesus. Through Saint Joseph, we can learn the importance of diligence and faithfulness in our daily life and work. 

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. There are several Marian feast days in May in Honour of Mary including; Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament (13 th May), Feast of Mary Help of Christians (24 th May) and Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (31 st May).

Next Sunday, we celebrate Mother’s Day. The history of Mother's Day is centuries old and goes back to the times of ancient Greeks, who held festivities to honour Rhea, ‘the mother of the gods,’ by offering honey-cakes, flowers and drinks. Mother’s Day has evolved and developed over the years in different countries to the celebration it is today. On this day, we show our appreciation for the achievements and efforts of our mothers and or mother figures. I hope all our mums have a wonderful day surrounded by loved ones.

Loving God, we give You thanks and praise for all mothers. 

We pray for young mothers, who give life and tend to the needs of their children;
May they be blessed with patience and tenderness to care for their families and
themselves with great joy.
We pray for our own mothers who have nurtured and cared for us;
May they continue to guide us in strong and gentle ways.
We remember mothers who are separated from their children because of war,
poverty, or conflict;
May they feel the loving embrace of our God.
We pray for women who are not mothers but still love and shape us with motherly care and compassion.
We remember mothers, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers who are no longer with us but who live forever in our
memory and nourish us with their love.
Amen.

God bless.
Caroline Fuller

Holy Spirit Day is May 26th

The day of celebrations will include:

*   Liturgy

*   Spirit Steps

*   Family Picnic

*   Buddy activities 

All money raised will be going to the resources and furnishings in the new Library which we hope to have back this July.

Students can create their online profile at www.australianfundraising.com.au

You can also share in $200k of extra prize credit, win a PlayStation 5 Gaming Bundle and become a Fundraising MonSTAR!

Congratulations to Dean E (Year 5) and Aidan H (Year 6) on participating in the Northern Schools Hockey Trials. Aidan was selected in the Northern Boys Team and will travel to Rockhampton to compete in the Queensland School Sport Carnival. Well done Dean and Aidan. 

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

Flexischools

ROSTER
04.05.23	Rose McSherry
05.05.23	Sue Viviers, Virginia Novinetz
08.05.23	Brooke Vass, Kerri Player
09.05.23	Sifa Ayinkamiye
10.05.23	Christine Nash, Rebecca McLennan
11.05.23	Anne Fisher
12.05.23	Sue Viviers, Virginia Novinetz
15.05.23	Nicole Boon
16.05.23	Sarah Myles
17.05.23	Helpers Wanted!

CAKE    (We are kindly accepting donations of packet cakes only at this time)
04.05.23	Jo Leviston
05.05.23	Therese Lynch
08.05.23	Allyce Rawnsley, Melissa Smith
09.05.23	Sarah Flanagan
11.05.23	Cathy Duvel, Kerri Lovatt
15.05.23	Emma Philippa, Kathryn Cripps, Lanie Hedger
16.05.23	Leigh Robertson
17.05.23	Samantha Adame
FRUIT
08.05.23	Allyce Rawnsley, Emily Lyons, Jinomon Thomas, Vicki Darr
12.05.23	Kate Smith
15.05.23	Kathryn Cripps, Preshy Sikhosana, Loren Parker

In this edition of SchoolTV - ONLINE GAMING

Games are an integral part of human behaviour. It is normal and healthy for young people to engage in play as a part of their daily lives, including playing games online. And like most activities, online gaming can have both positive and negative outcomes. It can be intimidating and confusing for carers trying to understand a young person’s online experiences with many considering that staring at a screen is an unhealthy habit. However, the World Health Organisation does believe that as well as the risks, there are also many positive benefits associated with online gaming and these could be key in nurturing bonds with others.

During the pandemic, there was an explosive growth of gaming as people sought much needed connection during isolation. In the media, gaming often gets bad publicity because most coverage tends to concentrate on the minority of gamers who play to such an extent that it compromises all other areas of their life. However, online gaming can teach young people many skills including teamwork, concentration, communication and problem-solving. It requires a level of interaction and skill from the player; unlike watching television, which is more passive.

Online communities provide opportunities for young people to feel socially connected and have a sense of belonging. At healthy levels, gaming can increase their self-esteem and social acceptance. However, any behaviour, when taken to extreme, can also have a negative impact on a young person’s everyday life. Understanding what your young person experiences online and knowing the warning signs if they are at risk, will help nurture a more positive relationship with online gaming and help your family find the right balance.

If you are concerned about your young person’s online gaming habits, it’s important to consider a number of factors. This edition will provide strategies in how to deal with any issues you may be experiencing.

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 Online Gaming edition of SchoolTV
https://hsstsv.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/online-gaming

We are open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8am-8.25am in 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.

National Families Week 2023 celebrates families in all their diversity and promotes the capacities and resilience of families in creating strong, safe and connected communities. The theme for 2023 is ‘living real, dreaming BIG’.

The DMFS Townsville team have arranged a variety of events and activities for Defence families in Townsville to enjoy. Married, single, MWDU or empty nesters. No matter what you family make up is, there’s something for everyone.

Coffee Connections. First coffee on us.

When: Tuesday 16 May 9:30-11:30am

Where: BH Café (formerly Bakehouse on Eyre)

Registration: Eventbrite - NFW Coffee Connections

RAAF Base Townsville. ADF Members Meet & Greet. First 10 get coffee on us.

When: Tuesday 16 May 9:30-10:30am

Where: AAFCANS RAAF Base Townsville

Registration: No registration required, drop in for a cuppa

Barefoot Bowling and Dinner. Child free event.

When: Friday 19 May 6:00pm-8:30pm

Where: Cutheringa Bowls Club

Registration: Eventbrite - NFW Barefoot Bowling and Dinner

Dogs Day Out.

When: Saturday 20 May 9:00am-11:00am

Where: Kirwan Dog Park

Registration: Eventbrite - NFW Dogs Day Out

Defence Family Sunday Funday.

When: Sunday 21 May 12:30pm-2:30pm

Where: Townsville Tenpin & Fun Centre

Registration: Eventbrite - Defence Family Sunday Funday

My Dad & Me: Picnic and Planes, Saturday 27 May

ADF Dads, Father figures and kids in Townsville are invited to join us at Pallarenda Park (northern end) for a BYO picnic and glider flying along the beach.

DMFS will be providing a glider for each child to use, they will also be able to take these home with them at the end of the event.

All you have to do is pack a picnic and head on down to the park where you will enjoy a morning of flying fun with your little ones.

Where: Pallarenda Park, Pallarenda

When: Saturday 27 May, 9:00am-11:00am

Registration: Eventbrite - My Dad & Me

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.

All uniform supplies are available at The School Locker, Domain Central (close to Bunnings).  Phone 1800 826 155

The School Locker