Paul Martin 

In the upcoming weeks, grade 5 students will be provided the opportunity to attend our camp in Gumburu, Paluma. School camps provide students with unique opportunities for learning and personal growth outside the confines of the classroom.  One of the driving forces behind the success of these endeavours is the unwavering generosity of our teachers, at Holy Spirit, who dedicate their time, energy, and resources to make this an enriching experience.

School camps are more than just fun-filled trips; they hold immense educational value. By taking students out of their comfort zones and into the great outdoors, camps offer a plethora of learning opportunities that cannot be replicated within four walls. Our camp at Gumburu Environmental Centre encourages our students to become experiential learners, where they engage in hands-on activities, immersing them in the rainforest biome. Moreover, school camps provide a unique setting for character development. Away from the support of their families, students learn to be independent, self-reliant, and adaptable. They develop resilience and the ability to overcome challenges, as well as empathy and cooperation when working together in teams. All the qualities of being a SPIRIT kid!

Let's not forget though, that behind every successful school camp, are our teachers who go above and beyond their usual duties to ensure its success. We are fortunate that we have generous teachers who take time away from family and our camp parent volunteers who not only take time away from family but often work commitments as well. We appreciate all who contribute to a positive camp experience.

As we celebrate the opportunity of school camps, let us also wish our grade 5 campers safe travels and the best of fun. Stay tuned for photos and anecdotes on their return.

Kind regards

Nicole Lennox

In Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 13:44-46), Jesus tells us a story about a man who found a box of treasure in a field, and another about a merchant who found the most perfect, beautiful pearl. Jesus wanted us to understand that God’s love for us is like a priceless treasure, worth more than all our worldly possessions. We can share in God’s kingdom now on earth, through the way we live with love, forgiveness, kindness, generosity, honesty and truthfulness, all things we value in our friends.

This week at Holy Spirit we value justice. Justice, for many people, refers to fairness. We should always be looking to discover ways in which we are called to be people for others. We are called to: show dignity to others; help those in need with the essentials required for a decent life (food, clothing and shelter); pay special attention to the needs of those who are poor; care for one another; care for all that God has made. This week, during Catholic Education Week, we pray that our students pay attention to those around them and be examples of showing justice to others.

July 26th is the day to remember the parents of Mary, the mother of Jesus. While they are not mentioned in the Gospels, tradition holds, on the grounds of very old testimonies, that Saints Joachim and Ann were the father and mother of Mary, the Mother of God.

Catholic Education Week is a lovely time to reflect on the importance of being in one of the 313 Catholic Schools in Queensland with their distinctive mission and ethos. It is a great opportunity to look at what makes Holy Spirit a great school. Yesterday, our Term 3 school captains, Madison and Abnel, attended the Catholic Education Week Mass at the Cathedral. We also had Cameron and Mia who were members of the choir. The Mass was celebrated with schools from across the Diocese and presided by Bishop Tim.

God bless.

Caroline Fuller 

3D had a wonderful time when Uncle Les visited last Tuesday! The students had hands-on experience creating art and learning local traditional stories.

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

Donations can be dropped off at Tuckshop.

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

Flexischools

ROSTER
27.07.23	Rose McSherry, Jillian Reddy
28.07.23	Virginia Novinetz
31.07.23	Margaret Vaughan, Kerri Player
01.08.23	Shelley Connor, Sifa Ayinkamiye
02.08.23	Rebecca McLennan, Anita Coggiola
03.08.23	Anne Fisher
04.08.23	Virginia Novinetz
07.08.23	Nicole Boon
08.08.23	Sarah Myles, Shelley Connor
09.08.23	Christine Nash

CAKE    (We are kindly accepting donations of packet cakes only at this time)
28.07.23	Therese Lynch
31.07.23	Allyce Rawnsley
01.08.23	Sarah Flanagan
03.08.23	Jo Leviston, Kerri Lovatt
07.08.23	Kathryn Cripps, Lanie Hedger, Loren Parker, Sandra Greenway
09.08.23	Samantha Adame
FRUIT
31.07.23	Allyce Rawnsley, Jinomon Thomas, Vicki Darr
07.08.23	Kathryn Cripps, Loren Parker

Sharing the human spirit through friendship

Our world faces many challenges, crises and forces of division — such as poverty, violence, and human rights abuses — among many others — that undermine peace, security, development and social harmony among the world's peoples.

To confront those crises and challenges, their root causes must be addressed by promoting and defending a shared spirit of human solidarity that takes many forms — the simplest of which is friendship.

Through friendship — by accumulating bonds of camaraderie and developing strong ties of trust — we can contribute to the fundamental shifts that are urgently needed to achieve lasting stability, weave a safety net that will protect us all, and generate passion for a better world where all are united for the greater good.

A SPECIAL REPORT: Respectful Language

In today’s world, it is common to hear socially offensive language on the streets, on social media channels, streaming services and in some forms of modern music. While swearing is becoming more common and less taboo, the use of derogatory language or the act of swearing at someone, or about someone, is a form of verbal violence. It transgresses the usual rules of social interaction by impinging on an individual’s self-image and sense of dignity.

It is becoming apparent that some young people are being influenced by the language they hear. Proliferating the use of swear words can sometimes normalise, glamorise and desensitise their impact for kids who may misunderstand the true meaning of some derogatory terms. Whilst some students may use swearing or derogatory terms as a misguided attempt at belonging, others may use it simply because they are still learning how to moderate their language and are not accustomed to making adjustments to suit different situations.

Although many schools enforce a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to swearing and derogatory language, parents need to also play an important part in enforcing this approach. Parents and carers can be proactive in monitoring what their children are viewing or being exposed to. Discussing the use of words or the origin of some derogatory terms and gaining insight into the reason behind their child’s use of such language can help prevent inappropriate or disrespectful language filtering into the classroom or the school yard, which is turn helps to build more tolerant, safe and connected communities.

This Special Report offers a number of guidelines to help manage a suitable approach when discussing the importance of respectful language.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report:
https://hsstsv.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-respectful-language

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:
Deployment | ADF Members & Families | Defence

Defence and Veteran Carers Network

New resource for ADF and veteran carers!
Do you provide care for a friend or family member who is in the ADF or a
veteran? Or are you a current or former ADF member who cares for a friend
or family member?
Check out the new Defence and Veteran Carers Network. Run by
@CarersAus with funding from the Department of Defence, it provides
support, resources and an advocacy platform just for you!
Carers Australia is also collecting stories of Defence and veteran carers to
help raise awareness of their important role and unique challenges.
Find out more at Carers Australia

  “The Holy Spirit Church RCIA Course will commence on Sunday, 6^th August 2023 at 10.00am in the Holy Spirit Church Meeting room.  If you are interested in attending this course, would you please, phone the Holy Spirit Parish office on 4779 1404 and leave your details and someone will contact you back, or come along on Sunday, 6^th August 2023 at 10.00am.”

The Queensland Government service that offers Free Vision Screening to all children enrolled in Prep. 
If your child is in Prep and you would like their vision screened, please complete a consent form using the below link or QR code.
The following video explains the benefits of having your Prep child’s vision screened – “What is Prep Vision Screening?”

Screening date: Monday, 4 September, 2023
Link and QR code will close on Sunday, 20 August, 2023

https://visionscreening.health.qld.gov.au/ParentalConsent/0405qhlZ  

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

The School Locker

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.