What a fantastic Cross Country we had last Friday! I would like to thank the team of staff and parent volunteers that assisted in mapping out the track, the obstacles and of course helping to create this opportunity for our students. 

Preps through to Year 6 were a sea of red, white and blue as they cheered on their House teams.  I was fortunate to have the job of pinning the ribbons of 1st, 2nd and 3rd on our fastest runners on the day.  The sweat, the smiles and sometimes the tears told me how much effort went into their achievement. We are all proud of these placegetters for showing Our SPIRIT Way, their persistence was certainly inspiring. What a lot of people may not have seen nor heard were the words of encouragement from the top 10 runners as they supported their teammates, yet to make it to the finish line, or the words of congratulations and pats on the back as they did. 

I was particularly proud of the students who showed resilience and crossed that finish line, despite the distance and despite their physical challenges. I was also thankful to be a teacher at Holy Spirit and proud of the students who participated in our Cross Country and showed OUR SPIRIT WAY.

Regards

Nicole Lennox

The Ascension of our Lord into heaven (Matthew 28:16-20) is celebrated at Masses this Sunday. The time had come for Jesus to say goodbye to his disciples and return to his Father in heaven. They had work to do when He was gone, but through the Holy Spirit they would never feel alone again or afraid. Each one of us in our own way can do our best to share God’s Words and faith with those around us in our words and actions. We encourage our students to follow Our SPIRIT Way at home or in the community to reflect God’s Words and faith.

This week at Holy Spirit we value compassion, meaning sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others. Compassion gives us the ability to understand someone else's situation and the desire to take action to improve their lives. It is the quality that allows us to step outside of ourselves and see the circumstances of others. It supplies the will power to do what is necessary to make the world a more caring place. This week, we pray our students show compassion to those around them.

This Saturday, students will conclude their Sacramental Programme with a combined Mass. Over the last couple of months, we have worked closely with the children in preparing them for this special occasion. We keep all those students who will receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist this Sunday with the Holy Spirit Parish in our prayers this week.

Next Friday, we celebrate Holy Spirit Day. Our day begins with a Liturgy that will be led by our Term 2 School Captains.
Everyone is welcome to join us for the Liturgy and stay on for SPIRIT Steps.

The Feast of Mary, Help of Christians is May 24th . Mary Help of Christians is the Patron Saint of Australia and also of the Townsville Diocese. When the Bishops of Australia met for their first synod, in 1844, they decided that under the title “Help of Christians”, Our Lady should become the Patroness of the Australian Church. Mary has long been recognised for her powerful role as intercessor to her Son, Jesus, for the needs of the faithful and their protection.

Mary Help of Christians 

Patroness of Australia & Townsville Diocese
Almighty God, deepen in our hearts our love of Mary Help of Christians. Through her prayers and under her protection, may the light of Christ shine over our land.

May Australia be granted harmony, justice and peace.

Grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens.

Bless especially the men and women of the Australian Defence Force and their families.

We ask this through Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us.

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!

CONNECTING WITH YOUR DEFENCE COMMUNITY

Geckos Family Centre

In term 2, Geckos be bringing back their popular wellness events. Check out the links below for more details and to book your spot!

Yoga on Mondays:

https://www.trybooking.com/CGAFA

Pilates on Wednesdays:

https://www.trybooking.com/CGAFE

Bootcamp on Tuesdays and Thursdays:

https://www.trybooking.com/CCLDW

Legacy Torch Relay presented by Defence Health, Saturday May 27

To commemorate Legacy Australia’s Centenary in 2023, Legacy invite you to attend the Community Day in Townsville. The event will bring together veterans’ families to connect and create relationships within Legacy as well as the broader community.

The Community Day will include:

For the kids: Face painting, balloon twisting, craft corner, roving entertainment.

Food and drink: Food trucks, coffee and hot drinks.

Entertainment: Key speakers and entertainment including ADF Band, local community acts.

Marketplace stalls: Legacy club, corporate partners, community marketplace stalls.

Where: Jezzine Park

When: Saturday 27 May, 10:00am-2:00pm

NQ Reeling Veterans

NQ Reeling Veterans Vision: To enhance the well-being, resilience, confidence and self-worth of current and ex serving members and first responders through fishing and mateship.

NQ Reeling Veterans Core Values: Trust - Respect - Integrity - Mateship

What NQ Reeling Veterans Do: Meaningful engagement through fishing and skill based development to assist Current, Ex-serving A.D.F / First Responders and their families.

E: northqld@reelingveterans.com.au  

W: reelingveterans.com.au   

F: Reeling veterans fishing for therapy North Queensland  

M: 0417 917 472     

Defence Member and Family Helpline

For advice, support or local community information, contact our all-hours Defence Member and Family Helpline. Run by Defence Member and Family Support, the helpline is the best way to access the programs and services that we offer to help Defence families manage the military way of life.

The helpline is available 24/7 and is staffed by qualified human services professionals, including social workers and psychologists.

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

Flexischools

ROSTER
18.05.23	Jillian Reddy, Rose McSherry
19.05.23	Sue Viviers, Virginia Novinetz
22.05.23	Kerri Player
23.05.23	Sifa Ayinkamiye
24.05.23	Rebecca McLennan
25.05.23	Anne Fisher
26.05.23	Sue Viviers, Virginia Novinetz
29.05.23	Nicole Boon, Margaret Vaughan
30.05.23	Sarah Myles
31.05.23	Jillian Reddy

CAKE    (We are kindly accepting donations of packet cakes only at this time)
19.05.23	Jessican Mannion, Therese Lynch
22.05.23	Allyce Rawnsley, Sam Connor
23.05.23	Petrece Dwyer-Sayers, Sarah Flanagan
25.05.23	Kerri Lovatt
29.05.23	Kathryn Cripps, Lanie Hedger
31.05.23	Samantha Adame
17.05.23	Samantha Adame
FRUIT
18.05.23	Jo Leviston
19.05.23	Jessica Mannion
22.05.23	Allyce Rawnsley, Jinomon Thomas, Sam Connor, Vicki Darr
23.05.23	Petrece Dwyer-Sayers

Each year, thousands of people and hundreds of organisations around the country come together for Australia’s annual celebration of families National Families Week (15-21 May).

National Families Week is a time to celebrate with your family, connect with your extended family and friends, and share in the enjoyment of family activities within the wider community.   No matter where you live – in our major cities or a remote community in the country – all Australians, including community organisations, schools, councils, companies and individuals are invited to participate in National Families Week each year.

The aim of National Families Week is to not only celebrate the vital role that families play in Australian society, but to also reflect on the critical role that families play in teaching, supporting and nurturing children as they grow.

In this edition of SchoolTV - MANAGING SCREEN TIME

As a result of the global pandemic, there has been a noticeable shift in the amount of time people spend on screen-based devices. Families are transitioning back to pre-COVID routines but many are still struggling to re-establish the boundaries and rules around screen use. Some continue to deal with digital conflict and tech-tantrums on a daily basis. The latest research found that 77% of teenagers spend more than five hours on screens per day, but it is important to note that not all screen time is considered equal.

Parents play a crucial role in modelling a positive and healthy approach to using screens and assisting children to navigate the content they watch. It is better to model and mentor screen use, rather than monitor it. Children tend to do more of what they see us do, and less of what we tell them to do. However, it is still important to outline the risks and highlight the benefits of screen use to ensure you keep a balanced attitude. Encourage discussions around the issues that people experience in monitoring their screen time and be honest about your own difficulties.

Parents need to remain firm in their approach to managing screen time. Excessive screen time can be detrimental to a child’s overall wellbeing. Ensuring the correct privacy settings are in place is vital to prevent children from being inadvertently exposed to inappropriate content or online predators. Parents need to also be mindful of the potential impact screen time can have on a child’s social, emotional, educational, behavioural, and even physical domains.

In this edition of SchoolTV, care-givers will be provided with a range of guidelines and strategies to help manage screen time at home.

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 Managing Screen Time edition of SchoolTV
https://hsstsv.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/managing-screen-time

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.

A big THANK YOU  to all the families who have kindly donated to our breakfast program.

No Breakfast club next Friday 26th May due to Spirit Steps!

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