The school camp, a unique and exciting highlight of the academic year, offers our students experiences that go beyond the classroom. In weeks 4 & 5, our year 5 students will head up to Gumburu, Paluma, for a memorable camp experience.

While most of our students (and parents) are super keen to hit the road, some of our families are navigating their way through some quiet anxiety & polishing a few skills in personal hygiene, dressing, etc. Being away from home allows our students to develop a sense of independence. They learn to take care of their belongings, manage their time, and make decisions, fostering a sense of responsibility that is crucial as they grow. 

Camp provides a unique environment for students to learn to navigate social interactions, resolve conflicts, and build friendships, enhancing their social skills and emotional intelligence. Teachers and parent volunteers play crucial roles in guiding these activities and fostering our SPIRIT way among students.

Teachers and parent volunteers instil a sense of wonder and respect for the environment through their own appreciation of our surroundings.  We often talk to the students about being Stewards of Creation, and at Gumburu they can put this into action.

Facing new challenges helps our students build confidence. Overcoming fears and achieving personal goals contribute to their overall self-esteem and personal growth. The school camp experience is not only fun and full of adventure; it equips our students with valuable life skills, enhances their personal development, and creates unforgettable memories.

Of course, none of this could happen without our teachers. The success of the school camp relies heavily on the commitment of teachers who organise the event. They invest countless hours in planning activities, ensuring safety, and preparing students for the experience. Their willingness to give up personal time to supervise and mentor students demonstrates their dedication to fostering a positive learning environment for them. I can’t forget to thank our Parent Volunteers who also take leave from their jobs and their families to ensure all our students have the opportunity to enjoy Gumburu and all its beauty.

Nicole Lennox

Sunday’s Gospel tells a story of compassion and generosity when Jesus takes care of the needs of His followers who had walked many miles to listen to Him. Jesus asked His disciples where He could buy some bread to feed the crowd but He and his disciples did not have enough money to feed them. Through the generosity of a small boy with five loaves and two fish, Jesus was able to transform the food to feed everybody. He took the bread and gave thanks to God, blessed the food before sharing it, just as the priest does every week with the Eucharist at Sunday Mass.

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 312 Catholic Schools in Queensland with their distinctive mission and ethos. It is a great opportunity to examine what makes Holy Spirit a great school. Yesterday, our Term 3 school captains, Michael and Emma, attended the Catholic Education Week Mass at the Cathedral. The Mass was celebrated with schools from across the Diocese and presided by Bishop Tim.

God bless.
Caroline Fuller

What’s happening around our school

It has been a busy start to the term at our school. We have had NAIDOC celebrations, Pyjama Day, and Gymnastics Townsville visiting our Preps and Year 1 students during HPE lessons.

NAIDOC activities with buddies

Pyjama Day

Prep and Year 1 participated in Gymnastics during HPE lessons.

NAPLAN Results

Individual Student Reports for NAPLAN 2024 will be sent home soon. These will be sent home with your child. Please keep these safe as there is a cost to get a replacement, and Year 5 reports will be required for High School applications.

Please see the attached document that outlines information about levels.

FAQ-individual student report 

There is also some further information on the ACARA website, which provides more detail on each level for the different year levels.

Kristy Bates

Assistant Principal Pedagogy and Learning 

Join one of our free webinars for parents and carers.  

These live webinars give parents and carers the knowledge, skills and tools to support their children to have safe online experiences.

Consent and online boundaries: how to support your primary-aged child

Defence Member and Family Helpline

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, particularly honey, 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.