How fast do holidays go? It only seems like yesterday we were eating damper and learning all about the First Nations culture as part of NAIDOC Week at Holy Spirit in the last week of the term. Yet here we are ready to power through Term 3. So, welcome back and here is to a successful term for all.

When teachers begin a new term, they take the time to revisit rules, expectations and set the standards high for our students. I would like to take this opportunity to revisit some procedures as a reminder for our students and families. If your child is going to be away, please ring through to the office to explain their absence or enter this through the Compass app. If you need a refresher on how to do this, please ask our friendly office staff or see the photo below.

Before School procedures:

If children/families arrive before 8am, they are to wait outside the Hall as supervision at HSCS does not start until 8am. 

From 8am to 8.15, all children and families are to wait in Bibi Goo Yumba (Year 1 to Yr 3) or the Hall ( Yr 4 to Yr 6).  No one is to be going to classrooms as staff are preparing for the day. The only exception is if a meeting has been scheduled.

At 8.15am, students move to unpack bags and can play in the classrooms, Bibi Goo Yumba ( Yr 1-3) and the Hall (Yr 4-6) with staff on duty for supervision.

After School Procedures:

Students can be collected from classrooms at the end of the day. Please ensure you are parked in a designated car park (not in the pick up line or illegally in a no standing zone).

Staff are on duty in 3 areas for student collection. Hatchett Street pick up zone, Albert Street and the Church carpark until 3.15pm. If you are arriving early, please park your car and not start filling the pick up zone. Please be aware this has major ramifications in the Church carpark and does not allow people access to park if this pick zone blocks the entrance. Thank you to the many families that are patient and considerate of all users of the pick up zones.

This term, we welcome 9 new students to our school community and some of these families are past students returning to see our new buildings. Welcome everyone to the family.

Our building project is progressing well. We hope to have a definitive date of taking possession in the coming weeks. Fingers crossed.

Happy days,

Paul Martin 

Welcome back to Term Three.  I trust that the school holiday break provided you with an opportunity to spend time with your family and to have a break from alarms and packing lunchboxes.  I know I certainly appreciated and enjoyed this time. This glorious weather cries out for picnics on the Strand, fortunately, we still have weekends to enjoy these!

Every term here at HSCS provides our students with worthwhile and engaging opportunities in addition to the learning that takes place in our classrooms. Term 3, is no exception. This term has our school sharing some exciting experiences with our students.  With Mulkadee nearly upon us, we have some 60 very excited years 4, 5 and 6 students working at the Entertainment Centre next week. Our students are fortunate enough to work with teachers and students from across our Diocese as they practice for the culminating presentation of Robin Hood. A sell-out show, not to be missed.

Our training for Interschool Athletics has commenced today with some of our dedicated teachers organising our students for running practice before school.  Thank you, parents, for your extra early start to your Tuesdays and Fridays over the coming weeks. Teachers will also be training our field events, during morning tea and lunch breaks so that our students are ready to compete against the B Schools in Long Jump, Shot Put and High Jump.  A schedule for these training sessions will be made available to the squad as it comes to hand.

Our grade 5 students are beginning preparations for camp for the annual trip to Gumburu.  Gumburu is nestled in the heart of the Heritage World Listed Paluma Rainforest and we are extremely fortunate that Townsville Catholic Education has established a purpose-built facility for students across the diocese to learn in an outdoor environment.  Our students will continue their learning about adaptations of flora and fauna and have first-hand experiences with how humans can impact the environment in which we live.

I look forward to recounting the adventures our students have, in just some of the events this term.

Best Wishes,

Nicole Lennox

Welcome back for Term 3. It was lovely to see so many smiling faces on Monday as our students returned to school. A special welcome to those families and students that are new to our school this term.

On Sunday, Jesus tells us the Parable of the farmer who went out to sow some seeds in his field. In Jesus’ day when the farmer wanted to plant seed, he walked up and down the field, scattering the seed by hand from a large open basket. The seed that fell on the rich soil grew healthy and strong but the seed that fell on rocky ground or amongst weeds was eaten by birds, shrivelled or was choked by weeds and died. Jesus was encouraging his listeners to listen to God’s word (the seeds) and follow his example to live with love in their hearts so they could grow like healthy plants.

As we begin a new term, this week at Holy Spirit we value excellence. Striving for excellence is trying to do your best. At Holy Spirit, staff are always looking for ways to help students achieve excellence by doing their best to produce excellent work. This week as we commence a new term, we pray that our students draw upon their many skills and show excellence where they can. 

Celebrated annually in Week 3 of Term 3, Catholic Education Week is an opportunity for all 313 Catholic schools in Queensland to celebrate and promote their distinctive mission and ethos. Catholic education strives to make a difference in the lives of those in our schools and in the wider community by challenging young people to live out the message of Jesus and to reach their full potential as compassionate, contributing, life-giving members of society. This year our Term 3 Captains and a number of students will be attending the Catholic Education Week Mass on Tuesday 25 th July. Our whole school assembly will also commence with our Catholic Education Week Liturgy. The theme for this year is ‘Communities of Faith, Hope and Love.’

Welcome back to the new term.
God bless
Caroline Fuller – APRE

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

Flexischools

ROSTER
13.07.23	Rose McSherry
14.07.23	Virginia Novinetz
17.07.23	Brooke Vass, Kerri Player
18.07.23	Shelley Connor, Sifa Ayinkamiye
19.07.23	Rebecca McLennan
20.07.23	Anne Fisher, Jillian Reddy
21.07.23	Virginia Novinetz
24.07.23	Nicole Boon
25.07.23	Sarah Myles, Shelley Connor
26.07.23	Jillian Reddy

CAKE    (We are kindly accepting donations of packet cakes only at this time)
13.07.23	Cathy Duvel
14.07.23	Therese Lynch
17.07.23	Allyce Rawnsley, Emma Philippa
18.07.23	Leigh Robertson, Sarah Flanagan
20.07.23	Kerri Lovatt
21.07.23	Jessica Mannion
24.07.23	Kathryn Cripps, Lanie Hedger, Sam Connor
25.07.23	Petrece Dwyer-Sayers
26.07.23	Samantha Adame
FRUIT
14.07.23	Kate Smith
17.07.23	Allyce Rawnsley, Jinomon Thomas, Loren Parker, Preshy Sikhosana, Vicki Darr
20.07.23	Jo Leviston
21.07.23	Jessican Mannion
24.07.23	Kathryn Cripps, Sam Connor
25.07.23	Petrece Dwyer-Sayers

In this edition of SchoolTV - INTERNET ADDICTION

In today’s digital environment, the internet can be viewed as a valuable tool for education, research and entertainment. Young people today tend to go from one screen to another, but how much is too much? Time spent in the ‘screen world’ has parents concerned that their kids may be missing out on real life experiences. Therefore, it is vitally important to a child’s wellbeing for parents to regulate a child’s internet use.

Internet addiction can cause significant psychological and social problems for children in years to come. The true effects on future generations is not yet known, but there are strategies that parents can implement now.

In this edition, Dr Michael Carr-Gregg discusses what causes internet addiction, who is most at risk and what parents can do to regulate the amount of time their kids spend online each day.

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 Internet Addiction edition of SchoolTV
https://hsstsv.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/internet-addiction

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.

Thank you to students who continue to help with toasting and service to the community

Thank you for donations received from families and more recently the Coral Sea Outrigging Canoe Club!

Donations can be dropped off at Tuckshop.

Welcome back to term 3 everyone, hope everyone enjoyed the holidays.  Just a quick reminder that Defence Club is on Wednesdays at morning tea break, defence students are allowed to bring one friend if they wish. 

Family Welfare Evening -  Thursday 13 July

With Exercise Talisman Sabre approaching, Commander 3rd Brigade has an important message to share with the families of those members who are expecting to be away from home.

In support of this message, the 3rd Brigade will be hosting Family Welfare Evenings. This evening will be a platform to share information on support mechanisms available to families while members are away, including contact details for Unit and Brigade welfare teams. Families are encouraged to drop in during this session to speak with Unit and support agency representatives, ask questions and network in an informal setting. Please feel free to bring the kids along to this session!  The Family Welfare Evening will be catered and free for all attendees. Session details are as follows:

Session 2: Thursday 13 July, 6:00pm-7:30pm, Geckos Family Centre

Defence Common Access Card (DCAC) Family Application

Do you have a Defence Common Access (family) Card? Please note, the member will need to access and complete the below details: 

 Web Form: AE294 (member to complete on the DRN)
 Choose: Applicants delegate (Sponsors of the ADF Family (Purple
banded) DCAC should select this option)
 Ensure family details match family member, not serving member
details
 ADF: Attach a copy of serving member PMKeys
beneficiary/dependant details
 Non ADF: Attach copy of emergency contacts

Member and Family Care Plan

Defence can help ADF members develop a member and family care plan
before they deploy, ensuring all important family information is in one
reference document. The plan includes:
 financial arrangements
 home maintenance
 medical needs
 emergency plans
 legal considerations.
For access to a hard copy of the Member and Family Care Plan, simply call
into the DMFS Townsville office in Aitkenvale or phone 4430 3879 to request
a copy. Alternatively, you can access the PDF version via the below link:

ADF Family Health Program

More funds and services will soon be available under the ADF Family Health
Program!
Defence Australia is continuing to expand the eligible benefits under the ADF
Family Health Program.
From 1 July:
 The ADF Family Health annual benefit will double from $400 to $800
per dependant.
 Families will have access to a greater range of preventative and wellbeing services to support an active and healthy lifestyle. Families will be able to claim eligible services that support:
o healthy diets
o increasing physical activity and
o cancer screening.

Learn more on how this will benefit you and your family at
www.adffamilyhealth.com.

Open Arms Group Program

Recovery from Trauma - A program to help understand and manage the
impact of trauma on you and your family.
 Identify and reduce heightened physical responses to trauma.
 Manage avoidance behaviours and develop a strategy to safely
confront fearful situations.
 Learn how to modify unhelpful thinking.
 Develop skills to improve relationships and meet healthy lifestyle goals.
When: Fridays 21 July - 25 August (6 x 21⁄2 hr sessions) 9am – 11.30am
Registration: Online by 7 July
Doing Anger Differently - A program to help you understand anger and
aggression.
 Manage thoughts and feelings that contribute to anger.
 Learn how problematic anger develops and how to prevent aggressive
behaviours.
 Understand the warning signs of anger.
 Develop skills to reduce heightened physical responses and anger.
 Manage unhelpful thinking and develop skills to communicate more
effectively to improve relationships.
When: Mondays 24 July - 25 Aug (6 x 2 1⁄2 hr sessions) 9am – 11.30am
Registration: Online by 10 July

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