Today was the official Opening and Blessing of our new classrooms and OSHC (Out of School Hour Care) facility.  Bishop Timothy Harris officially blessed the buildings and the Honourable Coralee O'Rourke, MP, Member for Mundingburra officiated at the ceremony.

Since 2016, planning and preparation have taken place for the construction of 13 new learning spaces (classrooms) and a modern OSHC (Out of School Hours Care) facility. 

One of the key groups to assist and provide support for the project is the Holy Spirit School Board. This group has visited other schools, discussed plans and provided input to ensure our students have facilities conducive for effective learning.

Chair of the Holy Spirit School Board, Mr Fred Nucifora, Board Member, Mr Damien Farrington,  and past Board Member, Mrs Tricia Clark have also been instrumental in advocating for funding for our students.  Facilities such as our modern classrooms can easily be taken for granted, our staff and students are appreciative of the effort of our School Board and I am sure you like I, value the work of these parents.

Thank you to the State Government for providing almost $3.2 million for this first stage. Schools do not have the financial resources for such resources, these wonderful facilities could not be built with out this level of funding. 

Thank you also to Townsville Catholic Education Office personnel,  Mr Ross Horner, Director of School Development  Services and Mr Tom Eldridge, Facilities Administrator for their support and input.

Finally thank you to our students, staff and parents for their patience throughout this building phase, it is not always easy to keep the eye on the prize.

I hope to see you at the Holy Spirit Fete this Friday evening. Our latest playground the Urban Warrior Course is the result of such fundraisers.

God bless,

Geraldine

Thank you to all parents for ensuring that our students were ready for Naplan.  Great to see the children were prepared to enable our first Naplan Online a success.

Congratulations to the White team who were the overall winners of the Athletics Carnival.  Well done to all who participated.  

Age Champions were: 12 Years: Beau McCarron (Red),  Hailey Foster  (Red)

                                11 Years: Matheus Irelandes-Mota (Blue), Sienna Hall (White) 

Age Champions for 9's and 10's will be decided upon the completion of the high jump.

Happy Days,

Paul Martin

This week at Holy Spirit, we value helpfulness.  Our students are encouraged this week to be aware of others and help them if and when needed.  Helping others shows our love for others and our willingness to assist those in need.  This Friday night is our fete.  What better way to show that the value of helpfulness is alive and well at Holy Spirit as we offer assistance.  Thank you to all our families and friends who will be helping in any way to make our fete a success this year.

This Sunday marks National Sorry Day and is the start of National Reconciliation Week.  The theme of the week this year is, 'Grounded in truth - Walk together with courage'.  The campaign this year calls for understanding the past so that we can build a future together.

 In the Gospel reading this week, Jesus tells his disciples, ‘If anyone loves me he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him and make our home with him.' 

There's a challenge there for Jesus' followers, to turn their love for Christ into action to keep Christ's message alive in the world.  Reconciliation Week is a reminder that if we are to keep Christ's word - if we are to make a home with God - then we need to reach out with love to our First Nations peoples. 

We keep all those students who will receive the Sacrament of First Eucharist this Sunday with the Holy Spirit Parish in our prayers this week.  Everyone is welcome to come along to support the children on their faith journey. 

God bless.

Caroline Fuller

Congratulations to our students 

Thank you to Coach Gus Logan, trainer Bruce Wootton and the staff and parents who supported the team.

Reminder Fete Friday 24 May – VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED

Volunteers

We are DESPERATELY NEEDING volunteers to assist on Fete night if you could please considering helping - ONE HOUR of your time would be greatly appreciated.

Please contact the office if you can help!

Dodgers – OUR MONSTER DODGER DRAW with prizes worth over $8,000 including $4,400 in cash

Thank you to all the families who have returned their dodgers!

For those that haven’t returned them they are now outstanding!  Please return them to school sold/unsold ASAP.

Plant Stall 

SOS Reminder for familes to bring in plant for the plant stall this week.  Could all donations be delivered to 4B classroom to Mrs Taylor, the Plant Stall Convenor.

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.

There will be NO TOAST on this Friday as it is Fete Day!

Once again, one of the P and F fundraisers is the 2019/20 Entertainment Book. This year, no hard copies will be sent home. Families are asked to use the following link to purchase a digital or hard copy of the Book. Books can still be collected from the school after you have purchased them online. The P and F thank everyone in advance for supporting this fundraiser.

Go to https://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/27151x3

Holy Spirit Catholic School uses Flexischools ordering system.  To register, login or to place orders, please click this link:  

Flexischools

Natalie Arnel

(School Psychologist)

narnel4@hsstsv.catholic.edu.au

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.

Free Holiday Activity

Townsville Shell Club will be hosting its 50^th annual Shell Show on the weekend of July 7th and 8th. We invite all students to come along to the Orchid Society Hall on the corner of Charles Street and Bamford Lane, Kirwan (opposite the Red Rooster) and be amazed at the wondrous world of shells in the displays and on the sales tables. Experts are available to answer any questions students may have about their own shells. The displays reinforce many STEM concepts taught in schools by providing concrete examples that will focus on improving performance of students of any age but are so interesting the kids will never know it’s learning!

There are age-appropriate activities organised for children. All children who attend will be given a free bag of shells. The Shell Show will also provide parents with a quiet sanctuary away from the roar of V8 engines while they view the exhibits.

Visitors are welcome on Saturday from 10am to 4pm and on Sunday from 10am to 2pm. Entry is FREE for students and adults only have to pay $2.00.

For further enquiries: call Marian on 4723 4925 or find The Townsville Shell Club on Facebook