Last week, our school celebrated Holy Spirit Day.  The day began with a whole school liturgy and was followed by a number of activities or games from the past across the year levels.  You may have already taken the time to find your children’s paper doll in the Office.  A student wrote a beautiful piece that he completed during the day that I believe encapsulates why we celebrate Holy Spirit Day and the good things at our school.  I thank Caleb from Year 4 for sharing his lovely thoughts with me and our school community.

It’s Holy Spirits 50^th birthday but it’s not about the cake or the fun activities, it’s about celebrating our education, school and teachers.  Sometimes the money for our education is spent for us to learn.  We thank our mum and dad. We should celebrate how good our school is and how lucky we are to have Jesus, God, parents or guardians and teachers for our education.  We also thank animals, not just pets but all the creatures who help our environment. - Caleb D 

On Sunday, we celebrated Pentecost Sunday – the birthday of the Church.  The reading in the Gospel of John tells of the coming of the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus had promised.  The Holy Spirit empowered the disciples to spread the message of Jesus.  He also gave them seven gifts:  joy, love patience, kindness, understanding, reverence (respect) and courage.  We receive the Holy Spirit in a special way at Baptism and it is then renewed in us at Confirmation.  The Bishop lays his hands upon each of us and says, ‘Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.’ The gifts of the Holy Spirit can help us follow the right path in our daily lives and fill us with God’s goodness.

O God, send forth your Holy Spirit into my heart 
that I may perceive, into my mind that I may remember, 
and into my soul that I may meditate. 
Inspire me to speak with piety, holiness, tenderness and mercy.
Teach, guide and direct my thoughts and senses from beginning to end.
May your grace ever help and correct me, 
and may I be strengthened now with wisdom from on high,
for the sake of your infinite mercy.
Amen.

by Saint Anthony of Padua

On Sunday, following the Pentecost Sunday Mass, people from the Holy Spirit Parish came together for a meal and entertainment.  Well done to our students who participated in a number of the cultural presentations.

This week at Holy Spirit, we value peacefulness.  Peacefulness brings out the good in life and is known as a state of being at one with oneself and their surroundings.  Peacefulness enables one to slow down and see what surrounds us.  St Teresa of Calcutta continued to remind us of the need for peace in the home stating that it begins within the family.  Let us pray this week for our families to be examples of peace that we can then share with others. 

God bless.

Caroline Fuller

(for Geraldine while she is on leave)

Congratulations to our Quest for Knowledge Team, Ann Jomon, Isaac Wood, Vienne Richardson and Melissa Simpson who competed against 15 other schools on Tuesday, 11 July. 

Our students won every match in their pool, an impressive effort.  

FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

Sunday, June 23rd, 2019

Holy Spirit School will be hosting a ‘Festival of the Arts’ afternoon on Sunday 23rd June in the Lynch Family Hall.

We would like to invite your child to take part in this Celebration of the Arts.

Throughout the afternoon children will have the opportunity to showcase their talents in the areas of Voice, Woodwind, Brass, Percussion, Guitar, Orchestral Strings and Drama.

The afternoon’s entertainment will commence at 2.00pm with Session 1 comprising children in the Vocal, Woodwind, Brass, Percussion and Drama Program.

Children in this session are to arrive at the hall at 1.45pm.

Session 2 will commence at 3.30 pm comprising students in the Guitar and Orchestral Strings Program.

Children in this session are to arrive at the hall at 3.15pm.

Entry forms are now due!   Spare forms are available at the office.

Forms may also be left at the school office.

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.

Dates for your diary

Thursday 27 June – Odyssey on The Strand from 10.30am – 12.00pm

Take time out for a coffee catch up with the girls before the school holiday rush. Where better to relax and unwind than the beautiful Strand overlooking Maggie Island.

This is a self-funded activity with attendees purchasing their own food and drinks. Children are welcome.

Click here to register

And don't forget you can Contact DCO at anytime for support........

 help, or advice, the Defence Family Helpline operates 24-7 and is staffed by qualified human services professionals including social workers and psychologists.

The best way to access any of these services is to contact the all-hours Defence Family Helpline on DefenceFamilyHelpline@defence.gov.au or 1800 624 608.

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

Flexischools

The Art of Contemplative Practice: exploring and practicing meditation in the Christian tradition

Take on this ‘spiritual boot camp’ and: Learn and experience the basics of meditation.

Establish (or renew) your practice and depth your knowledge of contemplative living.

Meditate and learn in the company of others who are also seeking to deepen their spirituality. Shape sustainable spiritual practice for everyday wholeness and wellbeing. A Six Week Challenge in attending to your spiritual life. Thursday evenings between 5.30pm and 6.30pm, June 6^th to July 11th at the House of Prayer, 17 Thomas Street, Pimlico. Each session will include meditation and teaching on meditation

and contemplative living. Together participants will form a co-learning community.

Flyer available - https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Ox_h7A7nc8ybXZLW6iq9OnoWS5oZSKvr

St Patrick’s College (The Strand) Past Students Assoc.

The annual Mass and luncheon for the St Patrick’s (The Strand) College Past Students Association will be held on Sunday 8 September. Mark this in your diary and more information will be available soon.

Hospital Admission  

Dedicated priests and trained volunteers visit as many of our sick parishioners as possible in all our hospitals. If you are admitted to hospital remember to ask staff to mark your religion as 'Catholic' if you would like the ministry of a priest or Catholic hospital visitor.

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.