Last Saturday, our School Board joined Townsville Catholic Education and other diocesan schools in the annual Board Formation. It was a great chance to come together as the Holy Spirit Catholic School Board and discuss our role in the school community. One of the major discussions was the fact that the Board plays an advisory and pastoral role not managerial and operational decision making. I would like to thank our members for giving their time on a Saturday for our school and its future. We welcome Paula Drummond, Stacey Brennan and Andrew Glover as they begin their tenure on the Board with Claire Parker, Andrew Harwin, Louise Sutton (teacher rep) and the Leadership Team. Father Joshy will join us in 2025 with a parish representative as well.

Part of the work completed with the Board last year was the review of school policy. Please see the reviewed policies below - Sunsafe Policy at Holy Spirit , Closed Circuit TV Policy and Addressing Student Bullying Policy.

This week, parents will receive information on how to assist our school with the initial stages of our school renewal. This formal process is next year but we start with the "Enhancing Catholic School Identity" surveys. This information will be shared with families and I encourage you to participate so we can continue our Catholic mission in the school.

Thank you for your continued support of our school as we journey together in this Jubilee Year of Hope.

Strength in the Spirit

Paul Martin

What a busy few weeks of term it has been.  

Many of you who have attended school in Queensland have likely met Healthy Harold, the lovable giraffe who visits schools in the Life Education Van. Holy Spirit covers the costs for each of our students to benefit from the programs offered by this valuable resource. Did you know that, as parents, you can access the Life Education website? They have developed resources in collaboration with experts and educators to help parents navigate difficult conversations with their children. Please visit https://lifeeducationqld.org.au/parenting-guides/.

Parenting can often feel overwhelming with the amount of information and advice available. After hearing Brett Lee speak about online safety, I highly recommend attending his session. We will be hosting Brett Lee next week, where he will present to staff, students, and most importantly, parents. The parent session will take place in our Hall on Thursday, February 27, at 6 PM. Everyone is welcome—parents, carers, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. You will leave with simple strategies to help protect your children online. Please see Brett’s bio and parent session information for more details.

This Friday, 49 students from Years 4 to 6 will represent our school at the Ruth Young Hockey Gala Day. They will compete at various levels against schools from across Townsville and the surrounding areas. We wish all our students the best of luck!

Have a great week!

Nicole

In Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 6:27-38), Jesus teaches us that loving one another, even people we don’t get along with, is important. God wants us to love others with the same love He has for us. It might seem challenging to consider being kind to those who mistreat us, and it is challenging. However, we do not do this on our own merit or power. As we pray and care for other people in the same way we wish to be cared for, we recognise that we are demonstrating Christ’s love. None of us is deserving of grace, but God cares for us despite our wrong doings. We should pass on the love and mercy that we have been shown to others at every opportunity we can.

This week at Holy Spirit we value hospitality. Hospitality is about people welcoming others into spaces where they spend their time. It is making sure everyone is comfortable and offering help or guidance to those who need it. Therefore, our hospitality to others is a sign of our love for God, for God is always present when guests are present at the table. May the value of hospitality shine this term through the many opportunities to connect and spend time with others. 

Tuesday, 4th March (Week 6), is Shrove Tuesday. In ancient times, this was a day of celebration, when there were processions and people feasted together before they entered a time of fasting and prayer during Lent. Today, many still follow this tradition by eating pancakes. This is associated with the ancient custom of eating the last supplies of milk, flour and eggs before the beginning of Lent. 

Lent also begins with Ash Wednesday on the 5th March (Week 6). Our Grade 3 to 6 students will attend Mass in the Church with Fr Joshy at 9am and our P-2 students will have a Liturgy in the Lynch Family Hall at 8:40am. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Project Compassion is Caritas Australia's annual Lenten fundraising and awareness-raising appeal. Millions of Australians come together in solidarity with the world's poor to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity. This year’s theme is “Unite Against Poverty”. Each family will receive a Project Compassion box and/or a set of envelopes for their donations or you can donate online via their website at https://www.caritas.org.au/ More information will be provided in the next newsletter. 

God of our journey,
We are all travellers on a path of hope, brought together by Your love,
And Your wish for us to be united as one family.

In this Year of Jubilee, help us stand for justice
And care for our world, our common home.
Teach us to work together to end poverty,
To bring freedom to those in need,
And to help renew and protect Your creation.
May our kind hearts and helping hands
Make the world a place of peace for everyone.
We ask this through Jesus, our guide and friend.
Amen.

God bless.
Caroline Fuller – APRE

Year 3 and Year 5 NAPLAN

When is NAPLAN?

The NAPLAN testing window begins in Week 7 of Term 1. Our school schedule is as follows:

• Wednesday 12th March - Writing at 9 am
• Thursday 13th March - Reading at 9 am
• Friday 14th March - Conventions of Language at 11 am
• Tuesday 18th March - Numeracy at 9 am

Curious (or worried) about NAPLAN? NAPLAN is a point-in time-test for Years 3,5,7 & 9. 

In this webinar - designed by parents, for parents - you'll hear from experts from the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority about what NAPLAN is, what it's used for and get a chance to ask questions about the test. Webinar Link

6 Great Reasons to read aloud to your child 

1. Reading aloud to children creates a lifetime interest in reading
2. Reading to young children extends their attention spans
3. Reading aloud to children aids in language development
4. As you read aloud, the power of a child’s imagination is strengthened
5. Reading aloud helps a child's comprehension
6. Reading aloud is a great one-on-one bonding time

Kristy Bates

Assistant Principal Pedagogy and Learning  (APPL)

The Book Fair is coming to Holy Spirit Catholic School! It will arrive on Monday 24th February and be here until Friday 28th February. Come by and support our school whilst getting your hands on the best new children’s books!

Please click HERE for further information.

We are open Tuesday and Thursday 8am-8.25am in the hall.

Your support with donations of spreads (not nut based) and bread are needed and appreciated, particularly honey and golden syrup, due to the increase in children accessing the program.

Donations can be dropped off at Tuckshop.

Just a reminder: The toasters will be turned off at 8.15am, so bread with spreads will be the choice once the toast runs out.  This allows both students and staff enough time to be ready for the start of the school day. 

Hello to all of our Defence families old and new.  We have made it to week 4 and hopefully you are all dried out and settling into the school week routines. 

Next Monday, 24th February, we commemorate ‘War Animal Day’ by wearing purple poppies to honour and give thanks to animals that have served and died in times of conflict.  The kids thought it was really special that we pay tribute to our four legged friends and I got to listen to lots of stories about your pets at home. 

We have had some fun with Defence Club kicking off again.  Years 4-6 on Mondays at second break, and our 1-3’s on Thursday at second break.  Our big kids loved the karaoke machine and had a great time signing with friends.  They also said that they would love to do some cooking, so I will endevour to make this happen over the term.

Our little friends suggested we make a big snake puzzle, with everyone getting a section to decorate and then putting it back together.  What a lovely way of showing our sense of belonging. This will be a project over the next few weeks. 

Please find below some information that may be of assistance to you. 

DMFS – Programs and Services Absence from Home If you are preparing for time apart from your ADF member due to deployment or other service reasons, we can assist you in preparing emotionally and practically, including resources for children. We can also provide advice on managing reunions. To access our support services, contact the Townsville DMFS team on 07 4430 3879 Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.00pm, or outside these hours on 1800 624 608. Posting and Relocating Navigate your next posting with confidence by knowing about, and accessing DMFS support services before, during and after you move. Whether you need useful tools for organising the move, would like to learn practical tips for coping, are seeking ways to reduce barriers for your children changing schools, are wanting to connect to your new community or just need to talk to someone about your relocation, call the Townsville team on 07 4430 3879 or our 24/7 Defence Member and Family Helpline on 1800 624 608 and ask us about posting and relocation support. A handy tool that you might like to work through is our Posting and Relocating Worksheet. For more information, visit   www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families 

Save the Date - Barra Fun Park Family Day – 22 Mar 2025 

ADF members and families, save the date and come along to our Family Fun Day at the Barra Fun Park! Make a splash on the Aqua Park, maybe catch a Barra, and enjoy a relaxing afternoon. When: Saturday 22 March 2025 Time: 4.00pm-7:00pm Where: Townsville Barra Fun Park Tickets: Tickets will be available soon via Eventbrite.

Invictus – Women in Fitness HIIT Program Townsville 

The Women in Fitness HIIT program in Townsville is up and running for those who would like to join in! We are kicking off the program on Thursday 6th February and it will run for 10 weeks (5.30pm – 6.30pm). FREE for current serving, ex-serving Defence Force Members and their immediate family. Bookings through Eventbrite: Women In Fitness - Invictus Spots are limited, so ladies, book in asap for the weeks you wish to attend ? For further details, please contact Justine Lugg, Veteran Engagement Regional Manager on 0407 241 283 or by emailing her at jlugg@invictusaustralia.org 

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.