This Sunday is the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, Corpus Christi, and in the gospel of Mark, we listen again to the story of the Last Supper.  When we come together at Mass to share the Eucharist, which means “thanksgiving”, we remember the meal Jesus shared with his friends the night before he died when he broke bread and shared it with his disciples.   We are nourished and strengthened to go out and live good lives.  We encourage our students to do the best they can in everything they do. 

This Sunday is the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, Corpus Christi, and in the gospel of Mark, we listen again to the story of the Last Supper.  When we come together at Mass to share the Eucharist, which means “thanksgiving”, we remember the meal Jesus shared with his friends the night before he died when he broke bread and shared it with his disciples.   We are nourished and strengthened to go out and live good lives.  We encourage our students to do the best they can in everything they do. 

This week at Holy Spirit Catholic School, we value respect.  Having respect for someone means you think good things about who a person is or how he or she acts.  Respect also means that you accept somebody for who they are, even when they are different from you or you don’t agree with them.  We often use the value of respect in schools when we are speaking with children and how they treat others.  We reinforce that showing respect to someone means they act in a way that shows they care about their feelings and well-being.  

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 Church in our prayers this week.  

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.  The dates for NRW remain the same each year; 27 May to 3 June.  These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.  Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  This year’s theme is More Than Ever.  The theme is a reminder to all of us that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will —and must —continue.  For more information, please visit https://www.reconciliation.org.au/

Prayer 

God of yesterday, today and tomorrow, 

we call to mind your presence within us and around us.

Open our ears that we may hear Your Word.
Open our hearts that we may understand Your Word.
Open our mouths that we may speak Your World.

Inspire us with the Gospel message,            
that we may celebrate all that is life-giving,
restore hope where it has been lost, and work to bring about change where it is needed.

May we live the Gospel with courage, constancy and love.
May we be open to the challenge of Your call to true freedom.
May we be faithful to You in our daily choices and decisions.
May we make Your love known through our words and actions.

May the triune God reign in our hearts, now and forever.

Amen

God bless.

Caroline Fuller

What’s been happening in the Classrooms

Spelling Bee

Last week, Marian hosted the Townsville Catholic School Spelling Bee. Two students from each grade, 3 to 6, represented Holy Spirit. 

All students should be very proud of their efforts; there were some very difficult words to spell. They demonstrated Our Spirit Way on the night. 

A big congratulations to Maria, who won the Grade 3 Spelling Bee.

Writing

In 4B, we've been working on writing traits and the writing process. Today, the students created sculptures, improved through revision, and gave specific feedback to their peers.

Questacon Science Circus

Next Monday and Tuesday, we will host the Questacon Science Circus for all Prep—Year 6 students. Questacon brings lively science shows to schools across Australia.

Townsville Eisteddfod

Holy Spirit Catholic School has participated in the Townsville Juvenile Eisteddfod for many years. This year, we are excited to announce our participation again. Each class can submit up to five students for the creative writing competition, fostering their creativity and love for writing.

Parents can nominate their children in various sections through the Townsville Juvenile Eisteddfod website. Entries close on June 3rd. 

Reports

The Semester One reports will be available through COMPASS on Thursday, June 20th, after 3 p.m. If you have difficulty accessing COMPASS, please contact our office staff, who will gladly assist you with any queries. 

Kristy Bates

Assistant Principal Pedagogy and Learning

An amazing 5 students from Holy Spirit were nominated for selection in this year’s Townsville 12 Years Softball trials. Congratulations to Emma, Sophie, Keeley, Kayleigh and Caitlin who participated in the Townsville Trials and displayed excellent skills and teamwork.  

Congratulations to Year 6 student Caitlin and Year 5 student Sophie who were selected in this year’s Townsville 12 years side. The girls will represent Townsville in Charters Towers on Sunday 2nd and Monday 3rd June.

Holy Spirit Interhouse Athletics Carnival – Monday, 17 June

This year the Holy Spirit School Athletics Carnival will be held at the Sports Reserve in Bourke Street, North Ward on Tuesday, 17 June 2024 for Prep - Year 6 students. Children may be taken directly to the Sports Reserve from 8am onwards; the entry point will be through the Bourke Street gate. Students will need to sign in on arrival to avoid being marked not present for the day.

When: Monday, 17 June 2022 from 8.30am - 2pm  

Transport:  Children will be transported to and from the carnival by bus. 

Should a student arrive late to school, parents will be required to transport their child to the Sports Reserve. 

What to wear:  Students are to wear their Sports Uniform. Students may choose to wear a coloured t-shirt to represent their House colour. Students must wear a school hat and covered footwear to and from school.

What to bring: Sufficient water and food for the day, there is no access to the canteen or school tuck-shop. For convenience, some students may prefer to bring their own sunscreen.

Tuckshop: Students are not permitted to access the canteen and there is no school tuck-shop. 

Volunteers: We are seeking parents to assist on the day with tasks such as judging, long jump, shot put and tabloid sports. Please email rlobley@hsstsv.catholic.edu.au if you are able to help.

Please see the program below for approximate event times:

In this edition of School TV – Mindfulness

Recent studies have shown that one in seven primary school children have significant mental health disorders. Every year, in the last five years, that number has increased. Mindfulness is a practice that helps us focus on the present moment and be more aware of our thoughts, feelings and surroundings. It’s a tool that can help children and adolescents develop resilience, manage stress and anxiety, and improve their overall wellbeing.

Mindfulness is not about having a clear or quiet mind, but rather it’s about paying attention to what is happening in the present moment, with an open and non-judgemental attitude. By practicing mindfulness regularly, young people can learn to be more in touch with their thoughts, feelings and emotions and respond to them in a healthy and balanced way. It is not a replacement for therapy or medication for mental health issues, but will hopefully reduce the need for it later on.

Research has proven that mindfulness has endless benefits for children. This school taught activity is on the rise, and many experts are wanting it to be a compulsory component of the national curriculum. Not only does mindfulness calm a child’s mind, but it has also been proven to reduce disruptive and bullying behaviour in schools.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of School TV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the school counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to the Screen Time edition of School TV

https://hsstsv.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/mindfulness

National Sorry Day, officially the National Day of Healing, is an event held annually in Australia on 26 May commemorating the Stolen Generations. It is part of the ongoing efforts towards reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. 

National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

The National Reconciliation Week theme for 2024, Now More Than Ever, is a reminder to all of us that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will —and must —continue.

There have been many moments in Australia’s reconciliation journey that make us want to turn away. But when things are hard, the worst thing we can do is give up.

Now more than ever, we need to tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation. We know that the 6.2 million Australians who voted YES are committed to better outcomes for First Nations people, and are with us.

Reconciliation supporters must stand up to defend and uphold the rights of First Nations peoples. To call out racism wherever we encounter it, and to actively reinforce the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across this continent.

Now more than ever, the work continues. In treaty making, in truth-telling, in understanding our history, in education, and in tackling racism. We need connection. We need respect. We need action. And we need change.  

Now more than ever, we need reconciliation.

 Cyberbullying

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.

Just a reminder: The toasters will be turned off at 8.15am, so bread with spreads will be the choice once the toast runs out.  This allows both students and staff enough time to be ready for the start of the school day. 

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.