In the reading for the Second Sunday of Lent, we read of the Transfiguration:  Peter, James and John accompanied Jesus to pray in a quiet, peaceful place at the top of a mountain.  While they were there, Jesus appeared to change, becoming radiant in God’s glory.  His face and clothes shone with a brilliant light as dazzling as the rays of the sun and Moses and Elijah appeared on either side of Jesus, talking to him.  We can see that glory and light reflected in everything around us, the whole of creation and we can feel the warmth of God’s love in our lives if we open ourselves to the possibilities.  We can glory in the gifts he has given us and use them to be positive and see the possibilities in everyone we meet.

This week at Holy Spirit, we value gratitude which is the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.  When we feel gratitude, we are pleased by what someone has done for us and also pleased by the results.  It is also about focusing on what is good in our lives and being thankful for the things we have.  How often do we pause to notice and appreciate the things that we often take for granted, like having a place to live, food, clean water, friends, family, even computer access?  One of the ways we can teach our students to show gratitude is to simply have them learn to say “Thank you”.  It is a lovely habit to have and a way to show someone they have done something nice for us.  Thank you to all our parents and friends for your ongoing support of our school.

This week’s feature story for the Project Compassion theme, ‘Be More’, is about Margret who is a teacher at a vocational school for deaf students in the Solomon Islands.  She was born deaf, so she knows the challenges it poses to education and employment.

The school faced water shortages for about half the year.  Staff and students would walk for up to half an hour to collect water for drinking, cooking, washing and growing vegetables.  Then in April 2020, amidst the threat of COVID-19, Tropical Cyclone Harold struck, damaging school buildings and its vegetable garden.

With Caritas Australia’s support, Margret’s school installed eight large water tanks and provided cyclone-proof materials to repair the damage.  It also helped the school to implement COVID-19 prevention measures, providing fabric for students to make face masks.

Margret’s school now has enough safe water to supply the school’s population of 150 and has the capacity to cater for more students.  It plans to boost food security, by increasing its agricultural production.  This will improve nutrition and boost the school’s income, while building resilience to future disasters.  Margret hopes that the school can aspire to ‘Be More’.  “I am proud that our school community works together with Caritas Australia as our partner in ensuring that we live in a healthier environment,” Margret says.

REGISTRATION FOR THE SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME for children in Grade 4 and above will close on Friday 26 February.  Registration forms are available from the Parish Office. 

God bless.

Caroline Fuller

Parent Teacher Conferences will take place from Monday 1 March until Friday 12 March.

With just five weeks into the school year, the Parent Teacher Conference is not a progress report, it is an opportunity to form a partnership with your child’s teacher for the remainder of the year.  I encourage you to meet with your child’s teacher to discuss how together, you can support your child’s learning. 

Conference times can be booked through Compass.

Bookings for Monday 1 March to Friday 5 March will close this Saturday 27 February. Bookings for Monday 8 March to Friday 12 March will reopen on Sunday 28 February.

Attached is the information on How to Access Parent Teacher Conferences using the School Manager App. Should you experience any difficulty booking a time, please email your child’s teacher.

One of the most important things about being a Catholic school in the 21st century is knowing who we are and what purpose we serve.  We need to have a clear understanding of our role as a Catholic school.  To assist with this and as an important part of our School Improvement process, Holy Spirit School will shortly participate in a Catholic Identity survey which is conducted by Leuven University in Belgium.  The research project is aimed at assisting us with understanding how our Catholic identity is expressed in work and practice as well as supporting plans to further enhance our Catholic Identity for the future.  

All staff and students in Years 5 and 6 will participate in the survey at school.  We would also like to give parents a voice by inviting and encouraging you to take part in the survey, which will be conducted online and will remain strictly confidential.

Please keep an eye out for further information through the school newsletter.

March 6 - Open Day for Prep 2022 

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

Flexischools

Holy Spirit Catholic School runs a breakfast program for students from 8am on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays every week.  It is a great opportunity to meet other parents dropping off their children and to share a piece of warm toast.  We are always looking for donations of bread, jam, vegemite and honey.... please no peanut paste or nutella as we are a NUT FREE SCHOOL.  Looking forward to sharing toast with you all.

February 15^th to August 15^th  - DCO’s Virtual Welcome

This year our welcome events will be a little different. For the first time we will be providing ADF members and families all over Australia with the opportunity to join us for a virtual welcome event through our new online platform.

At your convenience and from the comfort of home you can access a range of information about our services and programs, as well as local community information. Register for your ticket and we’ll email you the link and instructions on how to log in to the virtual platform, which opens on 15 February 2021.

Register            Eventbrite DCO Virtual Welcome

When               live from 7am 15^th February 2021 

March 3^rd – weekly for 4 weeks – FamilySMART/KidSMART

DCO Townsville will be facilitating a combined FamilySMART/KidSMART four week absence support program commencing on Wednesday 3^rd of March. This is an after hours program at Geckos, running from 5.30pm-7.30pm.

KidSMART is a program for children aged 5 and up.

Adults can attend FamilySMART without children attending KidSMART and vice versa.

KidSMART mascot Tyler Turtle will help children learn how to manage change, stay connected with friends, meet new people, cope when feeling stressed or anxious (particularly during times of parental absence and deployment), handle emotions, and learn relaxation strategies. This is a four week program facilitated in conjunction with FamilySMART.

FamilySMART will help you identify your strengths and become more resilient, self-reliant, and proactive, particularly during challenging times when your partner is away.

Please RSVP as numbers are strictly limited. This is a free event for Defence families and refreshments will be provided.

Register           DCO Townsville's FamilySMART Eventbrite link

                            DCO Townsville’s KidSMART Eventbrite link

Where             Geckos Family Centre, Lavarack Barracks

When               5.30pm-7.30pm Wednesday 3^rd, 10^th, 17^th & 24^th March

March - Coffee Connections  

Coffee Connections for Thursday March 4^th sold out in a flash – with so many people obviously keen for another catch up over coffee, we’ve lined up a second coffee morning for Tuesday the 2nd of March! Registered for Thursday but Tuesday suits you better? Send us an email to let us know, and we can switch your day and free up a Thursday slot for somebody else.

Numbers are limited so secure your ticket through Eventbrite!

*ADDITIONAL* Tuesday Coffee Connections – 2^nd March

Where                  Vitti Café on Gregory (3/42 Mitchell St, North Ward)                 

When                  9.30am Tuesday 2nd March

Register              DCO Townsville Tuesday Coffee Connections Eventbrite link

Being so close to the Easter long weekend, and knowing the Easter Bunny needs time to prepare, we’ve changed April’s Coffee Connections to the Tuesday instead of Thursday this week.

Tuesday Coffee Connections – 30^th March – EASTER!

Where                 Otto’s at The Precinct – mezzanine level

When                   9.30am Tuesday 30^th March

Register               DCO Townsville Eventbrite – bookings for this event not yet open – will be sent via e-Newsflash

March 10th - Walk & Talk

Our Walk & Talk walking-fitness group will take off again in March!

Meeting on the footpath in front of the Fish Inn at the Rockpool, we’ll walk to Tobruk Pool and back so make sure you wear a sturdy pair of walking shoes and bring a water bottle.

There’s plenty of parking available along Howitt St, and in the Jezzine carpark.

And while there’s a lot to love about our tropical climate, no-one enjoys sunburn and insect bites, so bring a hat, sunscreen, and insect repellent.

In the event of adverse weather, our walk that day will be cancelled.

Where             Footpath outside the Fish Inn @ the Rockpool, the Strand

When              5.30pm Wednesday 10th March

Register          DCO Townsville Eventbrite – bookings for this event not yet open – will be sent via e-Newsflash

March 13th – Tropical Pool Party

Cool down with us at our Tropical Pool Party ! Grab your togs, towel, sunscreen and energy for an afternoon of swimming, splashing and sliding at the Northern Beaches Leisure Centre.

With free entry, enjoy a free sausage sizzle and drink and an afternoon out with friends and family.

Bring a picnic too if you’d like or the Centre’s kiosk will be open for you to purchase other food and drinks (coffee!) as well.

It’s sure to be a fun-filled afternoon!

Numbers are limited and RSVPs close Sunday 7th of March.

Where                 Northern Beaches Leisure Centre, Burdell

When                  4.00pm-6.00pm Saturday 13^th March

Register              DCO Townsville Tropical Pool Party Eventbrite link

March 26th ‘Tropical Fridays’ – Adults Only Dinner Night Out

Fancy an adults-only night out? Then meet us for dinner on the deck at the Townsville Yacht Club! Our Tropical Friday themed dinner is sure to be lots of fun so get in the spirit by wearing your tropical-Friday threads – the brighter the better!!

Tickets are essential and are limited to two per registration.

Where                 Townsville Yacht Club (1 Plume St, South Townsville)

When                  7.00pm Friday 26^th March

Register              DCO Townsville Eventbrite – bookings for this event not yet open – will be sent via e-Newsflash

Other

PEAP – Partner Employment Assistance Program – changes and eligibility extended

PEAP provides funding for initiatives to assist ADF partners with employment when they are relocated on posting, or if their ADF member is medically transitioning.

Check out the newly updated guidelines which includes extended eligibility to support

families impacted by COVID-19.

More information can be found on our website DCO's Partner Employment Assistance Program or for general enquiries, contact the DCO Townsville team on 4753 6539 or email dco.townsville@defence.gov.au

WHAT ARE YOU 

GRATEFUL FOR TODAY?

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

Your support with donations of bread, spreads, vegemite, jam etc. (excluding peanut based spreads) would be appreciated.  

Queensland families can now put ‘emotional wellbeing’ on the priority list for this term, for parents as well as kids!

We all know last year was rough, so it’s important to ensure children and teenagers are feeling optimistic and positive about the year ahead. It’s a great way to look after yourself and your relationship, too.

Triple P’s positive parenting tips and strategies can help families re-establish stability and routines and more enjoyable family time. There’s no need to ‘go it alone’ when it comes to parenting – help that really works is available now, free for families in Queensland through a State Government initiative.

To register for free Triple P Online or Triple P seminars and sessions, visit www.triplep- parenting.net

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.