Welcome to Term 1, 2024  

It's great to see our school community come together as we kick off the new school year. The mix of emotions on the first day, from excitement to nervousness, is not just limited to the students – parents feel it too! As we all adjust to the routines and expectations of the new term, it's important to be patient with ourselves and each other and allow time to embrace the fresh experiences.

Looking ahead, we have some exciting events planned, including speeches for House Captains from our nominated Year 6 students. These students will present their speech to the Year 4-6 students in their House group on Tuesday. Weather permitting we will finalise our Student Leadership team by the end of Week 2.

I'd like to extend a big thank you to all our parents for their understanding during drop-off and pick-up times, especially with the added challenge of ongoing roadworks. For new families, there are several available parking spaces on Albert Street, and we have teacher supervision at the back gate for students exiting in that area. It's important to note that the Admin carpark is reserved for staff and visitors, while the designated Disabled park must remain accessible for those who require it daily.

I'm eager to visit the classrooms and witness how our students are settling into the new term. I also look forward to engaging with families as we progress through the coming weeks.

Nicole

Welcome back to the 2024 school year. It was lovely to see so many smiling faces yesterday as our families returned to school. A special welcome to all our families and students new to our school. Each year, our school focuses on a Holy Spirit Mercy Value – Compassion, Justice, Respect, Hospitality, Service and Courage. We also have an additional value – Excellence. The Founder of the Sisters of Mercy, The Venerable Mother Catherine McAuley, is displayed prominently on the side of the Lynch Family Hall as you enter our school. 

She was a guiding light with her testimony of faith, holiness and hope as she ministered to the poor and disadvantaged.  Our school was joined by the Sisters of Mercy in 1971 and their charism of mercy and justice is just as important to us today.  Pope Francis said:  ‘People today…need us to bear witness to the mercy and tenderness of the Lord which warms the heart, rekindles hope, and attracts people towards the good.’ 

This week at Holy Spirit we value compassion. What does this mean? It means
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 willpower to do what is necessary to make the world a more caring place. This week we pray our students show others compassion in and out of the classroom. 

SAINT JOHN BOSCO is the patron saint of apprentices, editors and publishers, school children, magicians, and juvenile delinquents. His feast day is next Wednesday – January 31. He was born in Piedmont, Italy and grew up in extreme poverty. After ordination, he devoted his whole life to educating young people, especially the
poor. He founded the Salesians, men and women who continue this work with youth throughout the world.

As we go about our work O God,
As we strive to walk with Jesus
Remind us that we are the face of Christ,
Who is with us always.
May your grace, mercy and peace,
Bless us, protect us and transform us all,
This day, now and forever. Amen

I hope you all have a lovely start to the school year.

God bless
Caroline Fuller

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME – HOLY SPIRIT CHURCH, 2024:

Registration for this year’s Sacramental Programme commences on 24th January. If you are intending your child/ren to participate in this year’s programme, please go to the Parish Office to collect the necessary forms to register. Enrolment forms are to be returned completed to the Holy Spirit Parish Office. Registration is open until 5th February.

Due to popular demand, we are once again taking orders for our HSCS Indigenous shirt.

Ordered shirts will be delivered to the school.

Click on the below link to order before May 2.

https://blackchrome.com.au/shop/holy-spirit-catholic-school/

Gates to our school open just before 8am as supervision for students on our school grounds begins at 8am. Students in Years 1 -3 sit in Bibi Goo Yumba from 8am to 8.15am while the students from Years 4-6 sit in the Hall..

Gates will be closed at 8.45 am and any visitors to our school are then required to sign in through the school office. It is all about keeping everyone safe.

The gates open again in the afternoon at 2.30 for those parents wishing to pick students up from the classroom.

We are open Tuesday and Thursday 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.

Safer Internet Day is a global initiative to raise awareness of online safety issues.

The eSafety Commissioner leads the initiative in Australia. We educate people about online safety risks, like online abuse, how to be safe online and where to go for help.

This Safer Internet Day we're encouraging you to take three simple actions when approaching online safety: Connect. Reflect. Protect.  

Connect safely by keeping apps and devices secure and reviewing your privacy settings regularly. 

Reflect on how your actions online may affect others or your safety. 

Protect yourself and others by visiting eSafety.gov.au to find out how to stay safe online and report online abuse.

By doing these things and sharing the Connect. Reflect. Protect message, we can work towards making every day a Safer Internet Day. 

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

Flexischools

HELPERS WANTED!   HELPERS WANTED!   HELPERS WANTED!  

We are looking for volunteers in the tuckshop and helpers with the fruit and cake roster.

If you are considering volunteering in our tuckshop, please feel free to drop in and see Gayle and Linda to have a chat or email at tuckshoporders@hsstsv.catholic.edu.au

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.