Do you have an instinctive approach to decision making?  Those who are overly cautious may consider the risks or adverse effects, while those who are naturally optimistic don't always consider the potential pitfalls.

Dr. Edward de Bono is a Maltese physician, psychologist, author, inventor and consultant. He originated the term lateral thinking.  If you were at school in the late 80s and early 90s, your teachers may have introduced you to thinking tools, known as the Six Thinking Hats. De Bono has dedicated his life to help people improve their thinking abilities.

A particularly useful thinking skill, is a PMI. In a PMI, you consider the plus, minus and point of interest; this may be a pattern of thinking which is familiar to you.  

During Covid-19, there has been much discussion around the new normal. What will the new normal be for your family and our school community? Improved hygiene practices surely will benefit everyone. The drop in the 2020 flu statistics compared with 2019 is impressive, this is certainly a plus and perhaps fewer people in the doctor's surgery could be a point of interest!

As we are on the cusp of returning to life as we knew it, what are the pluses, the minuses and the points of interest?  For many adults it may just be the gift of time. A PMI is a great way to review the personal impact of Covid-19 and to assist each of us in future decision making.

God bless

Geraldine

This week saw the arrival of all our Prep and Year 1 students back into the classroom. It was such an awesome sight to see those smiling faces arrive at their classrooms excited to see their classmates and teacher. Thank you to the many families utilising the stop drop and go sections and not gathering in the school as directed by government authorities.

We continue to be proactive in our cleaning procedures to help stop the spread of Covid 19. Classes continue to use soap and sanitiser with staff and students. Safe cleaning products are used in classrooms to wipe down desks, benches, door handles and other high contact areas on a daily basis. 

We have introduced a system of daily spraying of our playgrounds to make sure we are following correct procedures and keeping our students safe. It is not uncommon to hear our students using the 'social distancing' language in the playground. 

Hope all our Mothers had a fantastic day last Sunday for Mother's Day. I am sure all the mothers were spoilt by the students from Holy Spirit School.  Thank you to the many families that supported the Mother's Day stall last week. Whether students were at school or were remote learners, many families took the opportunity to purchase something special for Mum.

Our online portal for Year  2-6 continues this week as we build towards the day we can welcome them all back. If you are having any troubles with your online learning, please contact the class teacher.  Online learning for Prep and Year 1 has now ceased.

Happy Days

Paul Martin 

In Sunday’s Gospel reading, Jesus says to us “I am the way the truth and the life.  No one can come to the Father except through me.”  When we are born, we are baptised and our godparents promise to help us follow Jesus who shows us the way.  At Confirmation, we confirm our promise to share Jesus’ love with others in the way we live and work.  Our signposts which guide us as we travel through the good times and hard times are God’s commandments and the way Jesus showed us how to live, the messages which we hear each week at Mass in the Sunday readings.  We encourage our students to think about how they can live out the Gospel through the actions they take.

This week at Holy Spirit, we value consideration.  Consideration is when we are being thoughtful of other people and their feelings.  It may involve simply thinking about how our actions affect others.  We can pay careful attention to what others like and don't like, and do things that give them happiness.  This week we pray our students show consideration to those around them at school and at home.  Let us take the time to talk to them and see if their words to others are kind and how they can make others have a better day.

Families are the foundation of society.  Some of the most formative years of our lives are spent growing up with our families, so they should be celebrated!

Founded by the United Nations in 1994, The International Day of Families is observed on May 15 every year to celebrate the importance of families, people, societies and cultures around the world and has been around since 1994.  

In 2020, the 18th National Families Week theme is 'Stronger Families, Stronger Communities ', with the aim of National Families Week 2020 being to celebrate the vital role that families play in community wellbeing.  Due to the current situation around COVID-19 and the importance of physical distancing to ongoing community wellbeing, a decision was made to celebrate National Families Week twice this year, with physical gatherings postponed but at home activities encouraged and shared through social media.  Organisations, families and individuals are encouraged to celebrate National Families Week@HOME.

This pandemic highlights the importance of the theme of National Families Week – ‘Stronger Families, Stronger Communities‘ and the role families play by working together to support each other and provide care for those in the broader community.  It is a time to show kindness and help protect the health and wellbeing of everyone in the community.  For more information and activities, please https://nfw.org.au/national-families-week-postponement/

God bless.

Caroline Fuller

Our Monster Dodger Draw!!

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

For those that haven't returned them please do so ASAP.

We understand dodger sales may be difficult in this current situation but will still require the tickets returned sold or unsold to comply with the Gaming and Licensing Act. 

As we commence the 'new normal', for the safety of our students, their families and the staff, please exercise patience and courtesy in the 'Kiss n Go zones.

We appreciate the effort of many parents who are following the current guidelines on minimizing the number of parents in the school grounds before and after school. Children are supervised until 3.15 pm so please consider arriving at 3pm or a little later to alleviate the congestion on Ross River Road and in Hatchett Street.

The Queensland Police Service has contacted the school and asked parents to adhere to the road rules for the protection of children. This includes parking in prohibited places on Ross River Road. For the safety of our students please drive safely.

Please join us for Mass every Sunday. The Mass is live streamed through the Holy Spirit Parish Facebook page.

Thank you to our parents and carers for keeping social contact to a minimum while in our school grounds.

We appreciate your effort! 

Good news, our tuckshop is now back to our normal tuckshop menu. 

There will still be no counter sales at this stage. 

Dear Parents,

We are participating in the Redgum Book Club virtual catalogue this term. Every order will earn resources and books for our school. To view the current catalogue open link Redgum Catalogue

•  The catalogue will consist of new releases, bestsellers and discount titles.
•  Every parent order will earn Redgum credits for your school to purchase books and resources.
•  All orders will be delivered to the parents/carers home address.  
•  Free delivery on all orders over $40. For orders under $40, there is a delivery charge of $6.50.
•  Orders will be despatched from our warehouse within 2 days of placing the order.

If you have any questions, email Lesley on schools@redgumbookclub.com.au

Closes on Monday 25th May  

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.

“One picture is worth a thousand words” 

 Albert Einstein

Sure we're still a little off balance, 

but we're close to being back on track! 

- Dewit 

Celebrate What’s Right With The World

https://dewittjones.com/

Breakfast program is postponed until further notice.

Stay Connected with DCO

Gather my crew is an Australian based charity that helps bring people together to coordinate the right kind of help from friends, family and neighbours. In 3 easy steps you can coordinate support and help each other.

1. Select the help needed from a list of common tasks
2. Invite family and friends to be your support crew
3. Crew members check the list and select things they can help with

FREE parking in CBD

All Council-controlled (including on-street) parking will be free in the CBD for the period of 25 March until 30 June 2020.

Free parking is a great way to bring visitors into the CBD and encourage them to shop local.

Applicable to all Council pay and display areas, however time restrictions still apply and will be enforced.

Defence Family Helpline

For advice, support or local community information, contact our all-hours Defence Family Helpline. Run by the Defence Community Organisation, the Helpline is the best way to access the programs and services that we offer to help Defence families manage the military way of life.

The helpline is available 24-7 and is staffed by qualified human services professionals including social workers and psychologists.

All uniform supplies are available at The School Locker, Domain Central (close to Bunnings).

Phone 1800 826 155

The School Locker

Uniform days for students:

Monday and Wednesday - Formal uniform
Tuesday and Thursday - Sports uniform
Friday - own choice
Senior shirts may be worn on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.