North Queensland Cowboy Visits Our School

A Special Morning with Maddox Goodwin

Last week, our school had the exciting opportunity to welcome Maddox Goodwin, an emerging North Queensland Cowboy, for a visit that brought smiles to students and staff alike.

Maddox spent part of his morning in the 3A classroom, where he rolled up his sleeves and joined our Year 3 students in small group activities. The young footballer showed his versatility by participating in maths games and helping students practice counting money – proving that mathematical skills are just as important on the field as they are in the classroom.

Maddox finished his visit with a game of cricket with 3A. Students were thrilled to play alongside a professional athlete, and Maddox's enthusiasm was infectious as he encouraged every child to give their best effort.

This visit was part of the North Queensland Cowboys' Adopt-a-Cowboy program, a wonderful community initiative that connects students with professional players. The program beautifully demonstrates to our young learners how hard work and persistence can lead to achieving their dreams.

Maddox, who was schooled in Brisbane before moving to Townsville late last year, reflected that it may have been the first time he'd set foot in a primary school since he was a student himself, making the experience meaningful for both him and our children.

Our school community is already looking forward to Maddox's next visit, and we're all crossing our fingers that we might get to celebrate with him if he makes his NRL debut. Thank you to the North Queensland Cowboys and Maddox for showing our students that with dedication and hard work, big dreams can become reality.

We look forward to continuing this inspiring partnership with the Cowboys' Adopt-a-Cowboy program.

Nicole Lennox

In this week’s Gospel (Luke 14: 25-33), Jesus reminds us that following Him means putting God first. Just like we plan carefully before starting a big project, being a disciple takes commitment and courage. For families, this can mean choosing kindness, forgiveness, and love, even when it’s hard. When we carry our challenges with faith, we show that Jesus is at the centre of our lives. This week, let’s remember that being a disciple starts in the small things—sharing, helping and caring for one another at home, at school, and in our community. 

This week we value excellence and Jesus reminds us that following Him takes commitment. He talks about planning carefully before building a tower. In the same way, when we choose to follow Jesus, we are called to give our best, not just do things halfway. Excellence means setting high standards for ourselves and taking pride in everything we do. At school, this could be students finishing their work carefully, practising until they improve, or trying again when something is hard. Excellence isn’t about being perfect—it’s about giving our best effort with a good attitude. When we show excellence, we do that by living with faith, kindness and determination. Each time we give our best, we are showing that we want to be true disciples of Jesus. 

The Season of Creation is a time for Christians across the world to come together in prayer and action for the care of Creation and is celebrated from 1 September through to the feast of St. Francis on 4 October. In recent decades, Christians have increasingly focused on the plight of our Earth under the threat of climate change. In 1989, Orthodox Christians proclaimed the Day of Prayer for Creation, an urgency reflected soon after by the World Council of Churches. In 2015, Pope Francis declared the Season of Creation. An annual time of “prayer and action for our common home”, the Season of Creation begins on September 1, the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, continuing through to October 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, who
is the patron saint of the Environment. This initiative has evolved into an annual ecumenical event to encourage Christians and other interested groups to work together through prayer, practical action on sustainability, and advocacy, making a positive impact on the Earth. Peace Within Creation has been chosen as the theme for 2025. 

God bless

Caroline Fuller

Pupil Free Day

Please note that Friday, 5th September, will be a pupil-free day. On this day, all staff will participate in professional development focused on curriculum and planning to enhance teaching and learning across the school, providing a valuable opportunity for staff learning and collaboration. 

The second pupil-free day, Tuesday 7th October, will allow staff to engage with the Revised Education Guideline for Educational Programs for Non-State Schools, recently released by the Non-State Schools Accreditation Board (NSSAB). This important guideline places a strong focus on English and Mathematics to further strengthen literacy and numeracy outcomes for all students. Our teachers will be preparing for the implementation of these changes, which will come into effect from the start of Term 1, 2026.

These days are a valuable opportunity for staff to work together to ensure our school continues to provide the very best education for our students - academically, socially, and spiritually.

Reading

The Book Week Australian Authors and Illustrators - winners for 2025

Reading with your child every day is one of the most valuable ways you can support their learning and development. Just a few minutes of shared reading help build vocabulary, strengthen listening and comprehension skills, and foster a love of stories and learning. It also creates a special time for connection, where children feel supported and encouraged in their journey as readers. Consistent daily reading sets the foundation for academic success and nurtures a lifelong habit of curiosity and imagination.

Kristy Bates

Assistant Principal Pedagogy and Learning  (APPL)

Sporting Wheelies:

Sporting Wheelies visited our school this week for grade 2, 5 & 6 PE lessons. Their visits are always well liked by students and students get to participate in a wheelchair sport or school experience where students' views, morals and physical capabilities are challenged. Students are also encouraged to build empathy in a positive way by making them aware of accessibility issues. These opportunities enhance inclusion and social integration for all students.

Northern Athletics Trials:

Congratulations to the students who represented Holy Spirit at the recent NQ trials. What an amazing accomplishment. Mason M finished 7th in Long Jump, Isaac D finished 4th in Shot Put and Thea G finished 4th in the 100m sprint. Thea has also been selected in the Northern team who will represent our region at the State Championships here in Townsville in the second week of next term. 

Interschool Sport:

Season 2 Interschool Sport has just finished. Congratulations to our grade 6 boys who won the Thuringowa competition. Season 3 will commence in Week 1, Term 4. The sports on offer this season are basketball, AFL, teeball and stay at school. Permission slips will be sent to families early next week via Compass. 

Cricket:

Mini Vinnies 

“Making a Difference”

Friday 12th September 2025 

Each year, the Year 6 Mini Vinnies students are given the opportunity to participate in activities that highlight the fact of homelessness in the community. 

To ensure this event retains its significance, students will be given the opportunity to engage their individual perspective from a position of opportunity.  They will be invited to consider the issues of homelessness and associated stigma, as they participate in practical activities that prompt discernible conversation around possible scenarios and thinking laterally, outside of their own personal experience and what is considered the norm in society.

While this event will not require students to stay overnight, it will create an experience that will inform and direct learning, outside the classroom context.  There will be a representative from St. Vincent De Paul directing activities that provoke students to consider homelessness as a reality.   Raising awareness is a tangible voice for homelessness and generates compassion and understanding towards those who are less fortunate in society.

In previous years, children have been asked to donate items that are needed in our own community.  In response to this need, we ask that students donate at least one toiletry item and would also like to extend this invitation to the wider school community, as an action of collective outreach to others. To support this event, please place your donations into the blue box, which can be located in the administration office or alternatively bring them to the classroom for collection.

Thank you in advance for supporting the collective outreach efforts of the Year 6 students and the Holy Spirit school community.

eSafetyparents

Online safety basics – what you need to know

Thank you to the parents and carers who make the time to bring their babies and toddlers to Playgroup each week.  Playgroup will be closed for the remainder of the term however we will catch up again in Term 4 on the 8th October.

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 and golden syrup, 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. 

A big thank you to all the Year 4, 5 & 6 students who come to school early to help out...thanks parents and carers for making this happen!  Another big thank you to Jai from 2B and his family for the donation of jam!

Keep up to date with our events!

DMFS Townsville has an Eventbrite page. Tickets for all DMFS events are only available through Eventbrite. Events are uploaded at different times throughout the month.

To avoid missing the release of tickets, follow the page to receive an instant notification when our events are released.

To opt-in to receive notifications directly from our Eventbrite page, all you need to do is:

• Follow the DMFS Townsville Eventbrite page
• Register your details
• Download the Eventbrite app
• Enable push notifications

Connect & Support – 10 September

Join us for Connect and Support - where defence families meet, share and grow!

Meet fellow Defence partners and DMFS staff, share a cuppa, and enjoy seeing other Defence partners. Whether you are new to Townsville or have been here for a while, everyone’s welcome!

Find out about the support services and programs DMFS offers.

Date: Wednesday 10 September 2025

Time: 9:30-11:00

Venue: Café Bambini Fairfield Waters Shopping Centre, Idalia

Register: Eventbrite – Coffee Connections

Save the Date – October activities

1^st – NRL Kids Coaching Clinic

Register: Eventbrite: NRL Kids Coaching Clinic

11^th – My Dad & Me: Fishing Fun

(tickets not available until 05/09/2025 from 9am)

Register: Eventbrite: My Dad & Me: Fishing Fun

15th – Coffee Connections

Register: tickets not released yet

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.