As we come to the end of a very busy term, we reflect on what we have achieved. Over the last week, I have presented to the School Board and our C.A.F.E. the report on what we have achieved during Term 3. I invite you to read what a busy term we have had around our school during Covid times…..and the term is not over. Please click HERE to view this term's Principal's report.  

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our families for embracing the challenge of restrictions, car park issues, cancellations, uniforms, requests to do surveys and the many tasks associated with parenting in today’s society. The continued support and kind words we receive in passing on the path is much appreciated and valued. I would also like to congratulate our staff who have supported the many challenges and changes thrown at them this term. Hard to believe this is our first full term for 2020. A job well done.

We look forward to Ms Egelton returning in the early part of Term 4. Thank you to Mr Brenton Place for his assistance in the APA role for this term. Champion!

Please stay safe these holidays and we look forward to a successful final term of 2020.

Lord, the holidays are long awaited gifts. For the gift of rest and renewal, we give you thanks. Send us your Holy Spirit to use this time wisely. Help us not to overload this time with too many activities. Create peace within us and within our families. Amen.

Wishing everyone the time to re-charge and re-energise. 

Holy Spirit July Awardees

Congratulations to the following students for displaying ‘The Spirit Way’ for the month of August:

This will be my last newsletter piece as Acting Assistant Principal and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the community of Holy Spirit for your ongoing support. Thank you to Paul Martin for his generosity and dedication to Holy Spirit Catholic School. You don’t truly appreciate someone and what they do until you have walked in their shoes for a day, or a term. Thank you to Caroline Fuller for her collaboration and support. Finally, thank you to Linda Stringini for her efforts in teaching HPE.

Happy Holidays

Wishing all our students and families a happy and safe holiday. We look forward to seeing you all again when Term 4 resumes on Tuesday, 6 October.

Strength in the Spirit,

Brenton Place

Acting Assistant to the Principal – Admin

Jesus taught us that if we wanted God to forgive us, then we must first learn to forgive each other.  In Sunday’s Gospel, he tells a parable about a forgiving King and his unforgiving servant.  The important point in this story is not that the servant earned forgiveness, but rather his master granted it spontaneously despite the servant’s unworthiness and then the servant refused to reflect the master’s generosity in dealing with his fellow servant.  When we forgive others who have hurt us, we don’t do it to earn forgiveness from God but to manifest God’s implacably forgiving love.  If we refuse to forgive others, even their smallest transgressions, will we be any better than the unrepentant servant?  The moral of the story is clear:  as the Lord always forgives us from the inner depths of his heart, we, too, must forgive others.

This week at Holy Spirit we value friendliness.  Friendliness is a quality of openness and warmth that makes you feel welcome and at ease.  Your friendliness is evident in your facial expressions, body language and, most importantly, in the way you treat other people.  The story from Sunday is a good reminder of God’s love and forgiveness and how we should treat other people.  While we don’t have to be ‘best’ friends with everyone, we should always try to be friendly to those we meet or interact with.  We can look at how we can spread God’s love and mercy to others.  This week we pray that our students show the value of being friendly towards others by making everyone feel welcome and try to recognise everyone’s special gifts and talents to help them feel valued.  We also pray they try to do what is right and to share God’s love for everyone they meet, particularly those people who seem lonely or sad.

Congratulations to our Year 6 students who participated in the Mini Vinnies homelessness experience.  We welcomed Mary McAuliffe to our school, the Youth Engagement and Development Officer for the Townsville Diocese St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland.  Mary spoke to the students, sharing information on the number of people experiencing homelessness across Australia and how we can help.  The children also participated in a number of activities to raise awareness of homelessness.  

Thank you to our families who sent in cleaning products as this year’s donation to assist those in need moving into accommodation.  You can still be part of this worthy cause by sending cleaning products in to our school.  These will be passed on to Mary at the end of this week.  Donations can be given to the class teacher or handed in to the office.

Congratulations to our second group of students who received the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist on Sunday with the Holy Spirit Parish.  Despite being restricted by COVID-19 regulations, it was once again lovely to see families and friends support the children on their faith journey. 

God bless.

Caroline Fuller

Many Queensland parents are looking for advice and support when it comes to cyberbullying and other online social issues, and while monitoring and supervision are crucial, at some point children and teenagers also need to be able to make good decisions on their own.

Free and convenient (video-conference) Triple P - Positive Parenting Program Seminars are now available, to help parents raise children who are able to navigate challenges in real life and online.

The Raising Resilient Children (Focus on Cyberbullying) seminars have tips on how to raise emotionally resilient children, using cyberbullying scenarios as examples. 

To see upcoming seminars and register, visit the Triple P parent site calendar:

https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/qld-uken/find-help/check-our-calendar/

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

Flexischools

We are open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8am in the Hall.

Your support with donations of spreads (not nut based) would be appreciated.  

Dogs Day Out - Sunday 18 October

Save the date for our first Dogs Day Out event for 2020. ADF members their families and their precious pooches are invited to join us for a morning of furry play. Enjoy the company of other dog lovers while your furry mates are socialising.

The Townsville District Police and Neighbourhood Watch will be providing a free "Dogs on Patrol" engraved dog tag.

Come and talk to Angel-Paws Inc who will have information on animal fostering and adoption. Doggy treats will be provided.

Registrations will open soon. Follow our Eventbrite page so you never miss an event!

Save the Date: The (almost) Amazing Race - Friday 30 October

It is almost that time of year again! Our annual "Almost Amazing Race" will be bigger & better this year. As part of Veteran's Health Week, we will be opening up categories for Units, families and School students (must be accompanied by an adult). Teams are invited to jog, walk or sprint their way through a series of checkpoints and challenges in a race against the clock to find the most clues.  Enter a team (2-5 people), test your skill and have some fun. We will be looking for the most original team name and the best dressed team. The event is suitable for everyone from families with prams through to teens, couples and single members.

MWD(U) Webinar: Making a home in two locations

Due to the popularity of this webinar, we are offering it on a second evening.

If your ADF family is currently Married With Dependants (Unaccompanied), or thinking about that option, our repeat webinar—MWD (U): Making home in two locations­—might be of interest to you. Register through Eventbrite

Thursday 1 October 2020

8:00 pm – 9:00 pm AEST

Be sure to register by 30 September 2020.

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.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT eSAFETY.GOV.AU

Cyber-safety is EVERYONE’S BUSINESS!

Suburban Parks Junior Cricket club sign on is now available online!

To sign on online please click HERE

Junior grades Under 11, Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17’s.

We play and train out of Riverway so it doesn’t get much better, training will commence the week of the 21st of September.

Any questions please call Ben Payne on 0407 748 837 or email; benpayne_1@hotmail.com

New and existing players welcome, have fun playing with a wonderful family club.

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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.

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.