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I trust the first week of our final term for 2020 was successful and everyone is back into their routines. I recently took part in a webinar around behaviour management and how to best accommodate student behaviour, particularly in these ‘tricky’ times. One of the presenters talks about routine being our students best friend. If we as the parents and teachers can get this right, we set our students up for success. Even the little things such as time to go to bed, getting ready for school, waiting areas, preparing at school for the start of the day etc. All these patterns assist in having a successful day. However, what also goes with this is how we teach our young people how to handle change. This is the resilience part we talk about and need to teach, particularly when we as adults have to deal with change in our routines. These are the teachable moments in our day that we need to embrace and show our students that we can be like NIKE and ‘Just Do It’. Embrace the challenge!
Speaking of challenges, we as a school community love the next chapter of our building project which is expected to start sometime next week. Last week’s newsletter showed the architect's view of the front of the school. Here is what our new front office will look like:
With this building project comes some challenges. We already know that this will impact on the entrance to the school on Hatchett Street. Further details still to come. However, this may lead to a slight change in drop off and pick ups. It is again that I ask for your assistance with all our pick up areas. Please, can you place a sign with your family name in the windscreen / on the sun visor to assist those staff members on duty. This will allow us to have your family member in the safe pick up zone for a quick ‘get away’. Thank you to the many families who are already assisting with this. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed. A small lucky draw prize is up for grabs for the consistent families with their sign on display.
In the next 2 weeks, we have a multitude of events happening at Holy Spirit. We currently have Tropical Friday this Friday for Missions Month, Book Week next week and World Teachers Day on Friday 23rd October. And that is just the next 2 weeks. Please see your child’s class teacher for any further details or if you have any questions.
Have a fantastic week everyone
Happy Days
Paul Martin
Acting Principal.
Book Week
Students will be able to come dressed as their favourite book character on Wednesday 21st October. Unfortunately there will be no parade this year due Covid restrictions.
Book Week reminds us that one of the most important foundations for building a child’s potential as a learner is by building the skills associated with understanding and using oral language. One of the easiest ways to do this is by reading to or with your child. Mem Fox, one of Australia’s favourite children’s authors offers her top ten read-aloud commandments for parents:
- Spend at least ten wildly happy minutes every single day reading aloud. From birth!
- Read at least three stories a day: it may be the same story three times. Children need to hear a thousand stories before they can begin to learn to read or the same story a thousand times!
- Read aloud with animation. Listen to your own voice and don't be dull, or flat, or boring. Hang loose and be loud, have fun and laugh a lot.
- Read with joy and enjoyment: real enjoyment for yourself and great joy for the listeners.
- Read the stories that the kids love, over and over and over again, and always read in the same 'tune' for each book: i.e. with the same intonations and volume and speed on each page, each time.
- Let children hear lots of language by talking to them constantly about the pictures, or anything else connected to the book; or sing any old song that you can remember; or say nursery rhymes in a bouncy way; or be noisy together doing clapping games.
- Look for rhyme, rhythm or repetition in books for young children, and make sure the books are really short.
- Play games with the things that you and the child can see on the page, such as kids finishing rhymes, and finding the letters that start the child's name and yours, remembering that it's never work, it's always a fabulous game.
- Never ever teach reading, or get tense around books.
- Read aloud every day because you just love being with your child, not because it's the right thing to do.
Have a great week.
Kristy Bates
Acting Assistant to the Principal - Admin
The Pharisees were jealous of Jesus in Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 22:15-21) and were trying desperately to get rid of him. So they tried to trap him by asking, “Tell us then, is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” They were expecting him to tell people to give their money to God and not to the Romans which the Pharisees knew would get him arrested and punished for treason. Jesus’ answer was not just clever, it had a very basic message that we often forget: God is in control! We don't need to try to manipulate God or others. If we are faithful to God, we will give him the gift of ourselves and live the values we are taught. For our students being honest and admitting we have made a mistake allows reconciliation and mending of relationships to happen so our school is a peaceful place.
This week at Holy Spirit we value service. Service is giving to others, or to a larger purpose, or to life. You serve with a giving attitude, without selfishness and self-interest. The attitude and virtue of service is motivated by love, caring, and goodwill. It is when we have an unselfish desire to help others or to help in a larger purpose. This week we pray for our students and family members to continue their kind acts towards others to have a positive influence on those around them.
As you all know, October is Missions Month which is a time when we can teach our children to respect people from other cultures and reach out to those people, particularly children who live in poverty. During October, children are encouraged to participate in two coloured clothes days. On these days, children are asked to make a gold coin donation. All money raised will support Catholic Missions and the wonderful work they do. This Friday, children can go tropical to support Missions. We thank all our families in advance for supporting Catholic Missions.
From the Diocese…
St Vincent De Paul Christmas Appeal Launch: St Vincent de Paul Society QLD invite you to the launch of their Christmas Appeal on Thursday 12th November from 1:30pm at St Anthony’s Church, Veales Road, Deeragun. RSVP at 4430 4002 or Townsville.office@svdpqld.org.au
Please contact us if you would like a supporter box to collect donations in your workplace or community group for our Christmas appeal to help families in the Townsville region. Donations of non-perishable food items, gifts, or money would be appreciated.
Furniture Donations: St Vincent de Paul Society Townsville are urgently seeking your donations of good quality second-hand furniture for local families in crisis. Items such as bed bases and mattresses, dining tables & chairs, Lounge suites, wardrobes & chests of drawers are in high demand and our stocks are low. If you would like to donate please contact Vinnies on 4430 4002 or Townsville.office@svdpqld.org.au to arrange collection.
Mothers Prayers: The Mothers Prayers Annual Mass will be celebrated on Saturday 24th October, 9am, at the Ryan Community Centre. The theme for this year is “Faith gives you the ability to handle the storm”. Please join us as we celebrate our Annual Mass. Children and Families welcome. Morning tea afterwards. For further information please contact Janice Boscacci on 0401 581 925.
God bless.
Caroline Fuller
Holy Spirit Catholic School uses Flexischools ordering system. To register, login or to place orders, please click this link:
ROSTER |
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15.10.20 |
John Edwards, Andrea Sprott, Rose McSherry |
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16.10.20 |
Jeena Philips-Koshy, Tim Marrinan, Virginia Novinetz |
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19.10.20 |
Brook Vass, Paula Luke | ||
20.10.20 |
Sue Viviers, Thiru Sasi Emmanuel, Tina McDonough | ||
21.10.20 |
Christine Nash, Felicity Leon, Natalie Neucom | ||
CAKE (We are kindly accepting donations of packet cakes only at this time) | |||
15.10.20 |
Kathryn Cripps | ||
16.10.20 |
Mayleen Nona |
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19.10.20 |
Heather D'Mello, Kat Harrington |
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20.10.20 |
Helen Spagnol |
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FRUIT |
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19.10.20 |
Emily Lyons, Kat Harrington | ||
20.10.20 |
Bernadette Bryant |
We are open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8am in the Hall.
Your support with donations of spreads, vegemite, jam etc. (excluding peanut based spreads) would be appreciated.
Registrations are open: 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 (2-6 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.
Dogs Day Out: Sunday 18 October
ADF members, their families and their precious pooches are invited to join us for a morning of furry play at Solaris Recreation Reserve in Burdell. 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. Bookings are essential
Geckos Family Centre: More spaces for CAMKids
Great news! The team @ Geckos has opened up extra spots for CAMKids on Fridays. To ensure Geckos continues to operate within COVID-safe guidelines, bookings are essential. Register through Try Booking.
Date |
Event |
October |
16.10.20 |
Tropical Friday - Coloured Clothes, gold coin donation for Missions |
21.10.20 |
Book Week - come dressed as your favourite character from a book. NO PARADE due to Covid restrictions. |
23.10.20 |
Soctober - gold coin donation for Missions |
23.10.20 |
World Teacher's Day |
Date |
Event |
November |
10.11.20 |
Prep Orientation Day for 2021 |
Term Dates 2020 |
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Term 4 |
Tuesday 6 October 2020 |
Friday 4 December 2020 |
Term Dates 2021 |
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Term 1 |
Wednesday 27 January 2021 |
Thursday 1 April 2021 |
Term 2 |
Monday 19 April 2021 |
Friday 25 June 2021 |
Term 3 |
Monday 12 July 2021 |
Friday 17 September 2021 |
Term 4 |
Tuesday 5 October 2021 |
Friday 3 December 2021 |
Pupil Free Day: Friday 3 September 2021 |
All uniform supplies are available at The School Locker, Domain Central (close to Bunnings).
Phone 1800 826 155
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.
Wednesday Assemblies |
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Prep – Year 2 |
8.40am |
Years 3 – 6 |
2.10pm |
Whole School Assemblies |
8.45am |
Daily Bell Times |
|
8.15 am |
Students are allowed to move to class |
8.30 am |
School day commences |
10.30 am |
Morning tea bell |
10.55 am |
Five minute warning bell |
11.00 am |
School day resumes |
1.00 pm |
Lunch bell |
1.30 pm |
Five minute warning bell |
1.35 pm |
School day resumes. |
2.50 pm |
School day concludes |
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.