It was wonderful to see the enthusiasm of our students participating in the Holy Spirit School Clean Up Australia Day event.  Thank you to our teachers and students for looking after our environment and making our grounds look schmick.

Happy Days,

Paul Martin

This week our Holy Spirit value is forgiveness.  Lent begins today – Ash Wednesday – and is a season to ask for forgiveness and search our heart to also show mercy to those who have hurt or offended us.  God shares his mercy and forgiveness with us so that we may share it with others.  Today, our students from Prep-2 attended an Ash Wednesday Prayer and our Year 3-6 students Mass in the Church.  During the Mass, the students were marked with ashes as a symbol of being sorry for the things we do wrong and how we can change to live the Gospel values as God wants us to.

Yesterday, the Year 6 Student Leaders for Term One as well as our Events and Service Leaders attended the Diocesan Launch of Project Compassion St Joseph the Worker Church, Stuart Drive, Wulguru.

This week our Project Compassion feature story is Tati from Indonesia.  Tati is a Dayak woman, living in a remote forest of West Kalimantan, Indonesia, with her husband and two of her three children.  Her two youngest children go to school nearby while her 19 year old son lives in a rented room close his school 60 kilometres away. The family pays for his living-away-from-home expenses, in addition to providing for school expenses.  Tati’s Dayak culture is deeply linked to the rainforest and her family has relied on it for sustenance for generations.

Over the last few years, communities which depend on the native forests have seen them shrink, along with vital habitats for endangered orangutans, rhinos and tigers.  Caritas Australia, with its partners Caritas Indonesia – KARINA and the Diocesan Caritas are working with local communities to develop alternative sustainable livelihoods, by training them in ecotourism activities.  Before Tati joined the Caritas program, she and her husband mainly earned their income from rubber tapping and raising chickens.

Now, Tati has increased her family income ten times over by cooking for tourists and making souvenirs. Her community is also developing a strong financial base so that it can manage its own land.  Around 600 people have directly benefited from the program so far – with hopes it can be expanded to other districts.  “I hope to continue living with fresh air, clear water,protected forest,and to be able to pay for my children’s education and that my grandchildren can still enjoy the forest.”

PROJECT COMPASSION BOXES:  This week each family received a Project Compassion box.  We encourage our students to give up some of foods they enjoy such as MacDonald’s, lollies, soft drink etc. or spend time doing jobs for family and placing the money saved into the boxes to help others in need.  Boxes can be returned to the Office at the end of Lent.  For more information about CARITAS and its work go to www.caritas.org.au

Have a great week.

God bless.

Caroline Fuller

On Shrove Tuesday, five of our student leaders attended the official launch for Project Compassion.  Our students celebrated the beginning of this Lenten journey with Bishop Tim and representatives from other schools within the Townsville diocese.  Lilly, Ethan, Myles, Riley and Ann had a great time.  

The Holy Spirit Parish Sacramental Program commenced with the rite of enrolment last weekend.  Congratulations to our families who have made this commitment to the program. 

8.15am - 3.15pm in the Library!

Last week we sent home a request for sponsorship for our upcoming fete, which is being held on Friday 24 May. When considering sponsorship, 30% of our dodgers will be donated to the Townsville Flood Appeal. So your support will not only assist our students but also our Townsville community.

Natalie Arnel

(School Psychologist)

narnel4@hsstsv.catholic.edu.au

How to Increase Self-Control in Children - And Why It's So Important for Their Success 

Link: https://www.heysigmund.com/how-to-increase-self-control-in-children/?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=email_this&utm_source=email

Prep Enrolments are now being accepted for 2020 – Application forms are available on the school website or the link below.

Families who have a sibling entering Prep in 2020, please submit your enrolment form to the office as soon as possible as offers will be made shortly.

We are open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8am at Tuckshop.

Your support with donations of spreads (not nut based) would be appreciated.  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

Parents, it is essential that you advise the office if your child is going to be absent. This can be done by emailing absent@hsstsv.catholic.edu.au or via the skoolbag app.

Project Compassion Launch

Will you give Lent 100%? As we commence Lent, you are invited to attend the Diocesan Launch of Project Compassion at St Joseph the Worker Church, Stuart Drive, Wulguru – Tuesday 5^th March commencing at 11.30pm. Join with students from Catholic Schools and Bishop Tim Harris to kick start this important Lenten fundraising campaign. Please contact Neil Helmore 4726 3251 or nhelmore@tsv.catholic.org.au for more information.