This Sunday is the hundred year anniversary since armistice at the end of World War I.  Two years ago, I visited Tyne Cot, near Ypres in Belgium. Tyne Cot is the largest Commonwealth War Cemetery on the Western Front with almost 12 000 burials.

When the guns on the Western Front fell silent after four years of continuous warfare, it is difficult to imagine the relief which must have been felt by those in the battle of war, and those whose countries were invaded.  

 

Living in a country such as ours, it is easy to take peace for granted. We are fortunate that the sound of a Super Hornet does not instil fear but rather interest to see what type of aircraft is traversing the sky above.  

 

On Friday, our students will gather to pray for peace in our world as we remember those who sacrificed their lives for others. One way we can honour the fallen is to continue to work for peace in our families and wider communities.

 

Lest we forget.

 

Geraldine

Thank you to all who assisted at the Mini Fete. Our photos show why this is such a highlight in Term 4. Even our 2019 preppies enjoyed the fun.

Funds raised  will go to support St John’s school in Myanmar. Education is a major key to breaking the poverty cycle. St. James reminds us ‘faith without good works is dead’.

Well done to Mr Martin and Mrs Noye for their organisation.

There is a Remembrance Day Liturgy at 8.45am this Friday in the hall. 
It is the anniversary of Armistace.

All welcome.

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. 

For the safety of our students when dropping off and collecting students in the Hatchett Street area, please use  the kiss and go zone or the angle parking off Hatchett Street. The Admin area is not a drop off zone.  Thank you.

Remembrance Day has a special significance in 2018.

Sunday, 11 November 2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the Armistice which ended the First World War (1914–18).

One hundred years ago, on 11 November 1918, the guns of the Western Front fell silent after four years of continuous warfare. With their armies retreating and close to collapse, German leaders signed an Armistice, bringing to an end the First World War. From the summer of 1918, the five divisions of the Australian Corps had been at the forefront of the allied advance to victory. Beginning with their stunning success at the battle of Hamel in July, they helped to turn the tide of the war at Amiens in August, followed by the capture of Mont St Quentin and Pèronne, and the breaching of German defences at the Hindenburg Line in September. By early October the exhausted Australians were withdrawn from battle. They had achieved a fighting reputation out of proportion to their numbers, but victory had come at a heavy cost. They suffered almost 48,000 casualties during 1918, including more than 12,000 dead.

In the four years of the war more than 330,000 Australians had served overseas, and more than 60,000 of them had died. The social effects of these losses cast a long shadow over the postwar decades.

Each year on this day Australians observe one minute’s silence at 11am, in memory of those who died or suffered in all wars and armed conflicts.

https://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/remembrance-day

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.

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

Make your compliments count

by Michael Grose

Ever notice how small hinges can swing really big doors? It's a reminder that it's the smallest things we do in our families that often have the biggest impact. One way you can maximise your impact on your family's wellbeing and your children's self-esteem is to make your compliments count.

Here's a story about how a few well-chosen words had a huge impact on a child, with an explanation of how you can do the same.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Developing Emotional Intelligence in Children Webinar

This webinar will explore the nature of emotional intelligence and how parents can act in ways to help their child manage big emotions. It will be presented by Michael Hawton, MAPS, a registered Psychologist and a full member of the Australian Psychological Society.

Michael is a former, trained primary school teacher and the author of Talk Less Listen More - solutions for children's difficult behaviour(2013) and Engaging Adolescents - holding tough conversations with teenagers (2017)

VIEW WEBINAR DETAILS

21 Days to a Happier Family Webinar

This webinar equips parents with a fresh way of proactively developing the habits that will strengthen their family.

Presented by Dr Justin Coulson, one of very few people in Australia with a PhD in Positive Psychology - and the only person in the country whose PhD includes a careful look at the intersection of Positive Psychology and relationships, particularly in family life.

VIEW WEBINAR DETAILS

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

Flexischools

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.

Natalie Arnel

(Provisional Psychologist)

narnel4@hsstsv.catholic.edu.au

Formation for Hospital Visitors and Ministers of Communion

The following formation sessions are being offered for those who are part of the Hospital Visitors program or Ministers of Communion.

Ministers of Communion - session 1 Monday 12 November 5-6.30 pm

Ministers of Communion - session 2 Wednesday 14 November 5-6.30 pm

(two different sessions)

Ministry to the Sick session - 1 Monday 19 November 5-6.30 pm

Ministry to the Sick session - 2 Monday 3 December 5-6.30 pm

(two different sessions)

Further information: jfoster@tsv.catholic.org.au  4726 3254

Volunteers Wanted

Do you have some spare time and looking for opportunities to help the community? St Vincent de Paul are looking for new members and volunteers to assist with those in our community in need. For more information contact Ray O’Brien on 0438 016 672 or ray.obrien@svdpqld.org.au

Position Vacant

The Ministerial Region of the Good Shepherd is seeking a new Parish Secretary.  This is a full-time position and encompasses providing effective and efficient clerical and administrative support to Father Dave and other Pastoral staff in the conduct of their pastoral mission.

The successful applicant should have good communication skills and be computer literate with a sound knowledge of Microsoft programs such as word and excel.  The role also requires financial administration and a sound understanding of MYOB software is preferable.   It is desirable that the person be an active member of their Catholic Parish.

A full detail of the Position Description is available from the Parish Office.  Mary McGee can be contacted on 4723 9844 Monday to Wednesday and Friday during office hours if you have any question regarding the role. If you are interested in this position please forward your resume to the Parish Office by 31 October 2018.  The email address is goodshepkirwan@tsv.catholic.org.au  and the postal address is: P.O. Box 203, Thuringowa  QLD 4817.

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.