A fortnight ago, we held our Term 3 Parent Teacher interviews in the new format. Thank you to those who could attend and I encourage you, if you could not and want to see the class teacher, please make an appointment directly with the teacher. This is encouraged throughout the year if you would like to know more about their academics or wish to raise a concern. I would like to thank those families that provided feedback on the new format. We received an overwhelming positive response with some suggestions to make it run smoother in the future. Thank you also for the positive feedback on what works so we can continue to provide quality time with our families to discuss their child's education.

Next Term, Nicole Lennox, our APA, is taking some leave and Ms Begona Bengoa will replace her for the first 2 weeks. We wish Nicole an enjoyable break as she spends some time for herself and family.

What a massive term 3 we have had at our school. I also want to thank our many families who have volunteered in any capacity to assist in the smooth running of our school. Your generous donation of time and energy is greatly appreciated. To the many families that find it hard with work commitments, thank you for getting your 'little person' to school and choosing a catholic education. As we continue to work together, we seek new ways to assist families to deal with the ever increasing demands on time.

Have a safe and enjoyable break, take time to laugh and spend time with the children and we look forward to Term 4, on October 8....Tuesday October 7 is a Pupil Free day for our Catholic schools.

Happy Days

Paul Martin 

What a fantastic and busy Term 3 it has been! As we prepare for our well-deserved holiday break, I'm filled with immense pride reflecting on the incredible spirit and dedication shown by our students and staff.

This term has been a whirlwind of activity, showcasing the diverse talents within our Holy Spirit community. We celebrated our athletic prowess at the Interschool Athletics Carnival, where our students gave their all. We saw amazing achievements in our interschool sports teams, with our students competing fiercely in soccer, rugby union, and touch football. A special shout-out goes to our Les Stagg Rugby League team, who have truly excelled, knocking out competitors from across Townsville and earning their place in the grand final against Bowen SS. What a tremendous achievement!

Our students' talents shone brightly on stage and in the community as well. Our Year 4 choir took home first place at the Eisteddfod, while the Year 5/6 choir earned a well-deserved second place. Our budding linguists excelled at the Young Language Ambassadors conference and the Italian Speech competition, representing our school with confidence and skill.

One of the most heartwarming moments of the term was the Challenge Games. Our students returned to school after two days of competition with beaming faces and hats full of ribbons. They were met with a special Guard of Honour from the rest of the school, a beautiful testament to our community spirit and a moment they will surely never forget.

Community and faith have also been central to our term. We celebrated NAIDOC in true Holy Spirit style, with our hall filled with festivities and families coming together to honour our First Nations community. Many of our students participated in the Sacramental Program, celebrating their Confirmation and First Eucharist—a beautiful and significant milestone in their faith journey.

From our Preppies celebrating 100 days of school with their delightful "elderly" costumes to the joy on our Year 3 and 4 students' faces as they played on the new playground, every day has been filled with special moments. The dazzling costumes at our Book Parade showed us that the love for reading is alive and well, not just with our students, but with our staff too.

Beyond the special events, our students have been hard at work, from classroom learning and attending Mass to receiving well-earned Student of the Week and Holy Spirit awards. It has been a term packed with growth, challenge, and countless moments of success.

To our incredible students, you have earned this break! I hope you all enjoy two weeks of rest, fun, and quality time with your families. To our dedicated staff, thank you for your unwavering commitment—you truly deserve this time off. And to our families, I hope you enjoy a holiday free from packing school bags and lunchboxes!

Have a safe and happy holiday. We look forward to seeing you all back for another exciting term!

Nicole Lennox

In this week’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us of just how deep God’s love truly is. He tells Nicodemus that God’s love is so great that He gave His only Son—not to judge or condemn, but to bring life, hope, and salvation. As parents, we get a small glimpse of that love in the way we care for our children, wanting only what is best for them. This reading invites us to pause and remember that we, too, are God’s beloved children, held in His care. When life feels heavy or uncertain, we can rest in the promise that God’s love is steady, saving, and always for us.

This week, we value justice. Jesus shows us that God’s love is fair and meant for everyone—not just a few people. God sent His Son so that the whole world could be saved, which teaches us that real justice means ensuring all people are treated with love and respect. For children, this can look like standing up for a friend who is being left out, sharing fairly, or speaking the truth even when it’s hard. When we practice justice, we are helping to make the world more like the one God dreams of—where everyone is cared for and no one is forgotten. We pray that our students show a sense of justice to those around them in our school and community.

A reminder for those wishing to donate for the homeless, you can help by donating much-needed items for people in our community. This year we encourage donations of toiletry products. Donations can be sent into the office to be part of our donation to St Vincient de Paul. Your compassion and generosity will be very much appreciated.

Congratulations to all our students who participated in the Sacramental Programme this year. Last weekend, a number of our students celebrated their First Holy Communion at the Holy Spirit Church. In addition, the same children were confirmed by Bishop Tim last Tuesday night. We thank all our families and friends for keeping these children in their prayers at this special time. Thank you to all our families and friends who attended the celebrations with the students. 

A PRAYER FOR THE END OF TERM….

We thank you Lord, for this term.
For the challenges, the successes,
and the mistakes from which we have learnt.
Be with us as we spend our time with family and friends.
Guide us to be peacemakers in our family,
and to always be conscious of You in our lives.
Keep us safe in our activities;
give us good rest and good fun.
Bring us back refreshed and ready for a new term.

Amen

I hope you all have a relaxing and safe holiday!

God bless.
Caroline Fuller

Pupil Free Day

Friday, 5 September, was a pupil-free day. All staff participated in professional development focused on curriculum and planning to enhance teaching and learning across the school, providing valuable opportunities 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.

✨ Townsville Eisteddfod – Writing, Arts & Choir✨

Congratulations to all our talented students who represented Holy Spirit at the Townsville Eisteddfod in Writing and Arts. We are incredibly proud of the creativity and effort shown by every participant. A special congratulations to the many students who placed 1st, 2nd, 3rd or received a Highly Commended award. We are also thrilled to celebrate our Choir, who achieved outstanding results, placing 1st and 2nd in their sections.  

Kristy Bates

Assistant Principal Pedagogy and Learning  (APPL)

Les Stagg Rugby League:

Our Holy Spirit team has delivered an outstanding performance in this year’s Les Stagg knockout competition. On Monday night, they faced Kirwan in the Townsville grand final and emerged victorious with a 22–12 win. The match was a true showcase of resilience, determination, skill, and sportsmanship. The spirit of our community was on full display, with incredible support from staff, families, and friends. The phrase “Strength in the Spirit” came to life, making the night a memorable and uplifting experience for everyone involved. Holy Spirit now advances to the next stage and will take on Bowen State School at the Townsville Sports Reserve this Wednesday afternoon for the title of Regional Champions. We wish our team the very best of luck as they continue to represent our school with pride and passion!

Blackhawks Challenge:

This Friday, our Year 4 and 5 students will step up to the field to compete in the Blackhawks Challenge, facing off against a variety of schools from across the Northern region. It promises to be a fantastic day of teamwork, skill, and spirited competition. We’re confident our Holy Spirit team, supported by their dedicated coaches, will represent our school with pride, sportsmanship, and determination. Best of luck to all our students and staff involved. We’ll be cheering you on!

Club Sport:

Is your child interested in trying a new club sport? Townsville has a range of sports on offer to children. See the flyers below for opportunities with touch football and softball/teeball. 

Spotlight on Sport:

Has your child accomplished something amazing in their sport? Share a photo with us and we would love to help celebrate their achievements.

Congratulations to Ashley  who recently received a response to his letter to the Prime Minister. Ashley wrote to the Prime Minister, Mr Albanese, about care for God's creation and how we need to continue to be advocates for caring for this beautiful creation that is our environment. Mr Albanese was impressed enough to respond to Ashley's letter, which he wrote as part of his work in 4A in English.

Well done Ashley and frame that letter.

Thank you to those who have paid their school fees in full. 

A reminder that if you are not on a payment plan, the school fees are now due.

eSafetyparents

Online safety basics – what you need to know

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. 

NRL School Holidays Coaching Clinic – 1^st October 2025

We are excited to announce our NRL coaching clinic for the October School Holidays – with a special guest attending – Jason Tamou!

James Tamou is a FORMER Cowboy, now a current player of the Townsville Blackhawks.

We will be running the session on Joe Baker Field at James Cook University on Wednesday 1st October.

Bring the kids for a fun day of rugby league at our come and try day! All skill levels welcome—learn to pass, kick and score with friendly coaches. Plus, enjoy a free BBQ and awesome giveaways. Come along, get active, and join the footy fun!

The session will run from 8.30am-13.00pm for 6-12yrs.

Lunch will be provided from 12.00pm-12.30pm and all participants will receive a certificate & goodie bag with some NRL Merchandise.

Registration is essential. Don’t forget to bring hats, sunscreen and water bottles on the day! 

Date: Wed, 1 October 2025

Time: 8.30 – 13.00

Venue: James Baker Field at James Cook University

Tickets: To register visit Eventbrite

Child of the ADF Medallion Ceremony – Friday 19 September

The Child of the ADF Medallion is a small but important way of recognising the children who go through the emotional, and at times, difficult experience of having a loved one serve in the ADF.

The presentation ceremony will take place at Wirraway Club, RAAF base, Townsville so you will need to be able to access RAAF Base, Townsville (DCAC required).

A complimentary sausage sizzle will follow.

Date: 19 September 2025

Time: 5pm-6.30pm

Venue: Wirraway Club, RAAF Base Townsville

Register: Eventbrite – Child of the ADF Medallions Ceremony

My Dad & Me: Silly Scientists - 27 September 

ADF Dads and father figures join us as we garner our inner ‘Silly Scientist’. Come along and take part in science experiments for children.

For outside play, don’t forget your hat, sunscreen and water bottle.

We’ll provide morning tea, however, feel free to bring a healthy snack for your children if preferred. As always, this is a mum free zone, please give her the morning off.

Date: Saturday 27 September 2025

Time: 0930-1130

Venue: Geckos Family Centre, Lavarack Barracks

Register: Eventbrite – My Dad & Me: Silly Scientists

DMFS & Battlefield to Footy Fields – NRL Kids Coaching Clinic –

1 October

Bring the kids for a fun day of rugby league at our NRL Coaching Clinic for kids aged 6-12 years old.

All skill levels welcome - learn to pass, kick and score with friendly coaches. Plus, enjoy a free BBQ and awesome giveaways.

Come along, get active, and join the footy fun with other Defence kids!

Date: Wednesday 1^st October 2025

Time: 8.30am – 1.00pm

Venue: Joe Baker field, James cook University

Register: Eventbrite: NRL Kids Coaching Clinic

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.