This week, we had our Adopt a Cowboy, Javid Bowen, pop in to do some science with 4B during National Science Week. Javid worked with our students on a variety of activities throughout the morning. Thanks to Mrs Walsh and the students of 4B for their welcoming nature shown to Javid. It was a pleasure to see Javid interact with our young people and discuss the various activities he is also involved in.

As our temperatures drop, it is a timely reminder about red jumpers being part of the school uniform. It is always a pleasure to hear the positive comments coming from members of the community about how well our students present themselves. This is due to the parents ensuring correct uniform. Thank you for your assistance with this.

Next week is Book Week. The staff cannot wait to dive into this week and reveal their super powers with reading. We look forward to all who can attend our parade on Wednesday next week. We even have some special guests....

Prep Vision screening will be happening next week through Queensland Health. This will happen during the first half of the week at Holy Spirit with the assistance of our school officers.

Year 5 Camp

Happy Days!

Paul Martin

See that you are prepared is the message from Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 12:32-48).  Jesus tells the parable of the master who trusted his servants to be standing ready and trusted to complete their usual tasks while waiting for him to return.  Just as Jesus trusted his disciples to carry on his work when he left, we are trusted to carry on sharing the good news of Gospel, opening the doors of our hearts in our words and actions.

This week we value determination – to make a decision to do something and then follow through with little or no change.  Our students are encouraged to respect themselves and do their best in everything they do, showing determination to be the best they can be by setting and achieving goals, not only in schoolwork but in relationships with others.  We see examples of this in the simple daily interactions of our students when they help each other, cooperate in activities, games and competitions, encourage each other in sports activities and reach out to others in service through activities such as Mini Vinnies to help those less fortunate.  

Tomorrow, August 15, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast Day of the Assumption of Our Lady when according to our faith, the Holy Mother, “having completed her course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory”.  Although defined as an article of faith by Pope Pius XII just over half a century ago, the Assumption of Our Lady into heaven has been accepted from back to the earliest of Christian times.

The Assumption signals the end of Mary’s earthly life and marks her return to heaven to be reunited with Jesus.   The Feast of the Assumption gives each of us great hope as we contemplate this one facet of the beautiful woman of faith, our Blessed Mother.  Mary moves us by example and prayer to grow in God’s grace, to be receptive to His will, to convert our lives through sacrifice and penance, and seek that everlasting union in the Heavenly Kingdom. 

God bless.

Caroline Fuller

19-23 August, 2019

8:15am - 3:30pm

Monday - Friday in the Library

The Opti-MINDS Challenge is an opportunity for all those with a passion for learning & problem solving to showcase their skills & talents in an exciting, vibrant & public way.

Year 5 and 6 students spent Sunday morning under the supervision of ICT teacher Mrs Tricia  Lonergan  preparing for the upcoming Opti-MINDS challenge.  Thanks also to Mr Sean Morgan who also assisted on the 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

One of our 50 Years projects will be to place memorial pavers towards the entrance of the school. Order forms are attached to the newsletter or available from the office.

The below glasses have been handed in to the office, please come in to collect if they are yours.

Attention Parents/Carers

We have been informed of a virus circulating that has bad pains in the belly, vomitting and headaches.  If your child is experiencing these symptons, we ask that you keep them home.   

Please see below the exclusion guidelines.

Artie’s Music is looking for a Junior Entertainer of the year for 2019. The competition is open to solo instrumental students only. It is a great way to showcase your child’s talents, build his/her confidence and encourage his/her love of music.

This competition will be held in the Lynch Family Hall at 3.30pm on Tuesday 17^th September.

There will be a $50 voucher for 1^st place, and a medal for 2^nd and 3^rd place.

The 1^st place winner will represent their school at the finals against other schools. The finals will be held at Stockland in October. The prize for the finals held at Stockland will be a $500 Stockland gift voucher. There will also be a prize for 2^nd and 3^rd place.

Entertainer of the year rules

1. Performance is not to go over 3 minutes.
2. Entrant can only perform 1 song.
3. Entrant can perform only once throughout the competition and can only use one instrument.
4. Backing CD is okay if supplied by entrant.
5. Performer is to supply own music and equipment if needed.
6. All parts of the entry form are to be filled out.

All entry forms must be completed and returned to the school office or Mrs Laing on or before Friday 30^th August.

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.

Contact DCO

If you need support, help, or advice at any time, 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.

Useful Contacts

Open Arms- Veterans & Families Counselling  (formerly VVCS)
Free and Confidential counselling for all current and ex-serving ADF members and their families

1800 011 046 or   www.openarms.gov.au

Defence Families of Australia (DFA)
A Ministerially appointed advocacy group for Defence families.
1800 100 509 or   www.dfa.org.au

Defence Special Needs Support Group (DSNSG)
A network of peer support for Defence families with special needs. 

1800 037 674

Looking for a JP – needs some documents signed

If you are searching for JP’s or Cdecs to witness documents , please see the attached flyer for information about those closest to Lavarack Barracks.

For other locations around Townsville, click here

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

Plenary Council 2020

The National Centre for Pastoral Research has just published Listen to what the Spirit is saying, the final report of the Listening and Dialogue stage of the Plenary Council. The report captures the voices of the more than 222,000 people who shared their submissions, questions and stories of faith during the 10-month process. Access the report at: www.plenarycouncil.catholic.org.au/resources/reports

National Vocations Awareness Week

Vocations come from families, communities and parishes.  Strong families and communities are the place where vocations are first nurtured.  In this National Vocations Awareness Week, let us pray for all families in our parish, and for those preparing for marriage.  Let us also pray that our parish community may always be welcoming and encouraging of vocations to marriage, priesthood and consecrated life. 

Catholic Women's League Townsville Branch 

The next meeting of the CWL Townsville Branch will be held in The Spirit Centre, Holy Spirit Parish, Cranbrook on Tuesday 13 August following 9.00am Mass and morning tea.  All are invited to come and join us even if it is just to see what we discuss and to be aware of the areas of focus for our prayers and work.

Items needed by Vinnies

Do you have old towels in your linen cupboard taking up much needed space? Vinnies is in need of good disused towels. There is a massive demand for businesses for towelling material. Please drop your donations to a Vinnies store. 

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.

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.