Last Wednesday at assembly, sixty four (64) Year 6 Mini Vinnies students made a pledge to “make a difference in the world”.  This was followed by thirty five (35) of those students participating in the school’s annual sleepout for St Vincent de Paul on Friday night.

The School Sleepout allows students to connect on a personal level with the issue of homelessness by sleeping out as a school community, whilst raising awareness to support the work of the St Vincent de Paul Society Qld.

This event is designed to break open the issue of homelessness by giving students a  simulated homeless experience by ‘sleeping out’ in a controlled environment monitored by staff.  There are also a number activities during the evening including a presentation by a representative of St Vincent de Paul and an opportunity for reflection through prayer circle.

As a school community let’s support these students with this challenge by donating a new pillow and pillow case either to the school or directly to the St Vincent de Paul office in West End.

Sunday, November 11^th, 2018

Holy Spirit School will be hosting a ‘Festival of the Arts’ afternoon on Sunday 11^th November in the Lynch Family Hall.

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

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

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

An invitation is extended to all students in years 4, 5 & 6 to enter the above competition.

1. Students entering the unison section and the duet section (choral) must choose a song that they have worked on in choir. This includes Eisteddfod songs, Easter songs, Christmas songs or Graduation songs. Please see Mrs Laing if your song selection does not fit the criteria.
2. Students entering the unison section (instrumental) may select their own music.
3. Students entering the duet section (instrumental) may select their own music.

The competition will be held in the Music Room on Friday 16th November.

Entries close on Monday 12th November.

A copy of the song or instrumental piece being performed must accompany the ENTRY FORM. 

Teach boys the process of independence

by Michael Grose

If you want your kids to become independent, first you need to teach them the necessary skills. Being able to dress themselves, make a snack, look up a bus timetable and make a CV are examples of self-sufficiency skills that are important at different stages of their lives.

But they won’t just learn these on their own. Awareness, teaching and opportunity are the main requirements that motivate kids to develop their skills.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Parenting Boys Online Course

Parenting Boys is an online course which delves into the minds of boys; exploring topics like emotions, behaviour, education, organisation, communication and sexuality. From pre-school through to teens, the course empowers parents to be one step ahead with tools and strategies to assist in raising happy sons to become fine young men.Boys are awesome. They're also exhausting, challenging and can be difficult to manage at times. The key to raising a happy, confident and balanced boy is to understand what makes him tick.
 

VIEW COURSE DETAILS

Skill-Builder Pack

Our Skill-Builder Pack contains easy-to-read electronic guides that outline 76 skills parents can develop in children.

Help your kids cope better with stress; relate well to others; be better organised and increase their confidence.

VIEW COURSE DETAILS

Geckos Christmas Party and Carols – Saturday 24 November

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Take the family along to the annual Geckos Christmas party. This popular event has something for everyone but it  books out very quickly. Numbers are capped at 300 and spaces are filling fast, RSVP today.

Where: Geckos Family Centre, Lavarack Barracks

When: Saturday 24 November from 4.30 – 8.30pm

Sunbus would like to make Parents/Guardians aware that Year 6 students are removed from the Sunbus and Department of Transport and Main Roads database at the end of the school year.

 It would be appreciated if your school could insert the following notice into your newsletter prior to the end of the school year.

BUS PASSES for Year 6 students in 2019

 Sunbus would like to remind parents/guardians that the Department of Transport and Main Roads and Sunbus remove all Year 6 students from their database at the end of the school year and will therefore not automatically receive a 2019 bus pass.

 To re-register students graduating from Grade 6 to Grade 7 in 2019 please either:

• Contact Sunbus – 4771 9802
• Download an application from the website – http://www.sunbus.com.au/townsville/school-bus/#application-information
• Ask your school bus driver for an application form
• Come into the Sunbus depot at 451-459 Woolcock Street – take the service road to the left of the Welcome to Townsville sign (heading into town). Just past Hastings Deering, take the first long driveway on the left

 Forms can be returned as follows:

• Sunbus PO Box 546 Aitkenvale  QLD 4814
• Handed to school bus driver
• Scanned or photographed (pages 1-3 only) and emailed: tsvschoolsadmin@tagroup.net.au
• Safety Net forms must have copy of CURRENT signed Health Care, Pension, Veterans Affairs Card – front and back attached.

 All students currently registered with Sunbus, except for Grade 6 (2018) will automatically receive their 2019 bus pass providing no details have changed e.g. change of school or address.

 CHANGED ADDRESS OR SCHOOL?

 If during the year you have moved address, or a student has changed schools a new application will need to be completed as they will no longer be on our database.

NOT DISTANCE ELIGIBLE?

 If your address is ineligible for a distance bus and you have either a Health Care, Pension or Veterans Affairs Pensioner card you may be eligible under the Safety Net scheme. Please contact Sunbus to discuss.

Don’t have a concession card? Students can still be issued with a part bus pass – just download a bus Travel Assistance form as above.

PREPAYING PART PASSES

For students who pay a fare to travel to and from school Parents/Guardians can now prepay fares for a minimum of ten weeks. Only weekly fares are eligible as this is not a tap and go system.

Parents are advised that should a student misplace a topped-up bus pass Sunbus are unable to provide a replacement card or refund any outstanding monies loaded onto the bus pass, unless the student is either changing schools, address or leaving Townsville. In which case, the card must be returned to Sunbus.

A full calendar of events is available for viewing on the school’s website.

Holy Spirit Catholic School Calendar

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.

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

Flexischools

Please look out for the new price list there has been a slight increase in prices.

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.

Natalie Arnel

(Provisional Psychologist)

narnel4@hsstsv.catholic.edu.au

Townsville Listening and Dialogue Sessions with Bishop Tim Harris

Bishop Tim Harris will be hosting two Plenary Council Listening and Dialogue sessions in Townsville. These will be held on Saturday 3^rd November at the Ryan Community Centre between 1pm and 3pm and Wednesday 7^th November at St Joseph’s Mundingburra Catholic School between 6pm and 8pm. All are invited to attend and participate in this import process leading to the Plenary Council in 2020. During the session you will be able to have your say and held shape the agenda.

Session 1 – Saturday 3^rd November 1pm to 3pm, Ryan Community Centre

Session 2 – Wednesday 7^th November 6pm to 8pm, St Joseph’s Mundingburra Catholic School

All are invited to attend.

Celebrate 20 Years of St Teresa’s, Garbutt

Everyone is invited to celebrate 20 years of St Teresa’s in Garbutt will Mass on Monday 5^th November commencing at 6pm. Light refreshments provided afterwards. Contact Kristen Harvey 0447 777 543 or Gladys Sailor 0413 973 469 for more information

Melbourne Cup Function

Everyone is invited to join in the Melbourne Cup Day fun with the parishioners, family and friends of the Holy Family Parish. This will be held at the Holy Family Hall from 11am with lunch and a bit of fun. Bring a Pot Luck dish to share. There will be a $2 Lucky Door, $2 Raffle and $2 Sweeps available.  For details please ring 4779 3145 or email gulliverparish@tsv.catholic.org.au

Learn to sail - Australian Sailing's TACKERS program is specifically designed for primary aged children, the course is fun and challenging.  Tackers 1 through to level 3, starts Saturday, November 10th, running for 4 consecutive Saturdays 8am-1pm.  For more information please visit:  www.townsvillesailing.com.au/events/ or contact Townsville Sailing Club  Ph: (07) 4772 1105, townsvillesailingclub@gmail.com