19 May 2016

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

To our wonderful Holy Cross Parents, Carers and members of the wider community,

We are all, I am certain, very familiar with the concept of birthdays, and look forward with great excitement to the rapturous celebrations that acknowledge the momentous day upon which we entered into this life. Last Sunday we celebrated Pentecost, the Church's birthday, and like any birthday, it was worthy of great celebration.

The word Pentecost is derived from the Greek word ‘Pentekostos’, meaning ’50’. Fifty days after Easter Sunday we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and their followers, and the beginning of their Earthly ministry to make disciples of all nations. Pentecost is also a Jewish holiday, which the Jews use to celebrate the end of Passover. Jews celebrate the gift of the law given to Moses at Mount Sinai on this day, but we, as Catholics, celebrate the birth of our Church as an official, meaningful movement.

While it may not be as widely known or celebrated as Christmas and Easter, Pentecost is one of the most significant dates of the Christian calendar. It was therefore highly fitting that Mrs Roberts, our wonderful APRE, invited our youngest students and their families to join our Parish on the morning of Pentecost at Holy Cross Church. Watching the faces of our parishioners, especially the elderly members of our congregation, as our Preppies and their teachers led in the congregation in song was absolutely priceless. A big thank you to all the families who hopped out of bed that little bit earlier on Sunday morning to ensure they arrived bright and early at church by 8:30am. Your efforts did not go unnoticed.

Since our last newsletter, there have been many other members of our community whose tremendous efforts and contributions to our community have not gone unnoticed:

• the many helpers who wrapped presents and/or ran the Mother’s Day Stall ensuring every Mummy received a special something hand-picked by their child on Mother’s Day morning. A particular mention must of course be made of Mrs Kymberlee Jackson who coordinated the event, we thank you;
• Mr Andrew Smith, a parent volunteer, who is busily redeveloping the garden beds outside of the office, we thank you;
• our Tuckshop helpers without whom, the volume of students seeking Tuckshop treats would not be manageable, we thank you;
• our regular attendees at our P&F Meetings who assist with the ongoing development and vision of our amazing school, we thank you;
• to our Year 3 and 5 staff and students who coped admirably throughout NAPLAN Week with record attendance and a positive attitude throughout. We thank and congratulate you;
• to all the families who have replaced inappropriate footwear to ensure their child’s school shoes align with school policy, we thank you; and,
• to all our parents and carers, who deliver their children to school every day following a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast in their tummies so they are recharged and ready to learn, we thank you also.

This list is by no means conclusive, rather a snap-shot of recent activities in our school community. We are always seeking new ways to strengthen connections with our parent body and the wider community. Additional suggestions and ideas on how to develop this further would be warmly received.

Mr Henry, Mrs Roberts and I have been busily interviewing potential 2017 Preppies since the start of Term 2. It fills us each with immense pleasure and a glowing heart when able to show off our fine school. The conversations we have with students when wandering around the school are priceless, and the welcome we receive upon entering classrooms is truly wonderful. We will be offering our first round of places at the end of this month, but the interviewing process will not conclude until the end of the year (and beyond). This year, we have decided to host an Open Afternoon on Thursday 2nd June between 3 and 4pm so that families considering a Holy Cross education can be given a guided tour around our grounds prior to completing Enrolment Forms. Please spread the word, and feel free to join us if you would like to remind yourself of all the things Holy Cross has to offer.

Before I conclude, a quick invitation to our first Working Bee of the year which is scheduled for Saturday 28th May commencing at 3pm. We have a long list of jobs for families to choose from, one of which being a gurney-fest for the Dads. It would be so lovely to have a large ensemble to smarten up our school grounds, please do consider coming along. And don’t forget to bring your children. A school is not a school without their presence, and they will certainly enjoy the pizza party which tradition dictates takes part upon completion of the tasks.

Don’t forget to keep checking the Holy Cross calendar for upcoming events.

Wishing you God’s blessings now and always,

Sarah Hamilton

APRE News

Thank you to the small number of families who came along last Sunday for the Prep Family Mass. The preps helped lead the parish in an Andrew Chinn song called, “One Holy Spirit”. The chorus has been displayed around the school this week:

We are one heart, one mind, one Holy Spirit,
Walking hand in hand, together in love
With God in our minds, Jesus in hearts,
in the Spirit of love, together as one

It tells, in a simple way, of who we are as people of Jesus. The preps also illustrated the ways that the Holy Spirit helps them to do good things for others and to make good choices.

Andrew’s song also highlights some key qualities or features of being people of God, or the types of things we would hope to see in a Catholic School.

Welcoming
People of peace
Children of love
Filled with the Spirit
Called to serve others.

LITURGICAL LIFE OF THE SCHOOL

Upcoming Liturgies and Masses

• Confirmation: Tuesday 7th June at 6pm St Monica’s Cathedral
• First Eucharist: Saturday 11th June at 6:00 pm Holy Cross Church, OR Sunday 12th June at 8:30 am
• Reconciliation: Tuesday 6th September, at 6pm

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM

Please keep the candidates for Confirmation and First Holy Communion in your prayers as they prepare to complete their Sacraments of Initiation. Upcoming important dates:

1. Confirmation meeting at the Cathedral: Tuesday 24th May 6pm

Final preparations for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation & First Holy Communion:

• Complete Confirmation card
• Seating plan
• Examination of Conscience
• Collection of Student books
• Review of the order of the Masses
• Review and reflection of the program (Parent / children feedback)

2. Reconciliation for Confirmation candidates – during school hours 9am Tuesday 31st May

3. Receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation: Tuesday 7th June, 6pm

4. Receiving the Sacrament of First Holy Communion: Saturday 11th June or Sunday 12th June

SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING (SEL) PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM

Next term, we will be running our Peer Support Program. This is a great opportunity for students to learn, in a multi-age environment, facilitated by Year 6 leaders and guided by teachers. We have planned to implement a program called, “Speaking Up”. There will be more information to come about his program, however, this is taken from the website:

Speaking Up

• This 8 session module supports students to develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to make a positive contribution to the creation and maintenance of a safe school environment.
• Speaking Up is an experiential, skills based learning module designed to engage students as it addresses the issues of bullying behaviours in a whole school context.
• Speaking Up recognises all members of the school community can play a role in reducing the incidence of bullying behaviours.
• Students are given an opportunity to develop strategies for dealing effectively with bullying behaviours through 2 models:
  • the bullying triangle
  • turn, talk and tell triangle.

PRAYER FOCUS FOR THE WEEK

Taken from http://www.gpbs.com.au

Peace be with you … Now I am sending you to help others … I give you the Holy Spirit to help you.

God promises to give us the Holy Spirit too. The Holy Spirit helps us tell others about Jesus.

What gift do you hope to receive from the Holy Spirit? How could you use it to serve others?

Dear God, thank you for sending us your Holy Spirit. Help us to tell others about Jesus. Amen.

NORTHERN BEACHES CATHOLIC PARISH NEWSLETTER

Please click on the link below to view the latest monthly Northern Beaches Catholic Parish Newsletter.

Parish Mass Times

Jacinta Roberts
APRE Holy Cross
jroberts1@cns.catholic.edu.au

APA News

The Visible Learning Journey

Schools in the Cairns Catholic Education Diocese have this year begun the ‘Visible Learning Journey’. Here at Holy Cross our staff has attended three PD days this year and begun using the research of Professor John Hattie in unpacking what works at Holy Cross and what could be improved. This week Holy Cross Leadership will participate in the next instalment of the journey.

Professor John Hattie discusses in his latest book, Visible Learning: A synthesis of over 800 meta-analyses relating to achievement. His book is a culmination of 15 years of research incorporating more than 50,000 studies and over 800 meta-analyses involving millions of students and represents the largest collection of evidence-based research into what actually works in schools to improve learning.

The overall message in this book is the importance of “visible teaching” and “visible learning”. Hattie suggests that visible teaching and learning occurs when learning is the explicit goal: when there is feedback given and sought and when there are active, passionate, and engaging people, including teachers, students, and peers participating in the act of learning.

This term at Holy Cross teachers have begun Literacy Coaching with each other and with CES trained Teaching Coaches. Through watching and observing each other, teachers will participate in professional dialogue with each other around improving practice. At the student level teachers have focused on, through our positive behaviour approach the concepts of “being ready to learn” and “having pride in our learning environment”. Teachers are unpacking these concepts with students and exploring what “being ready to learn” means.

We look forward to sharing the journey with the community as we progress. If you have any questions please feel free to make contact with your classroom teacher or one of the administration staff.

Positive Behaviour Focus

Congratulations to Week 3 Holy Cross Heroes:

“We were caught being focused in our Learning.”

Well-done Year 2 for a great effort last week keeping your learning environment ready to learn.

Many blessings for the week

Brad Henry
Assistant Principal - Administration

Curriculum News

EVERY DAY COUNTS

Student attendance is absolutely vital to the attainment of the best possible learning outcomes. When your child is absent or late they miss schoolwork and regular absences or lateness can have an extremely detrimental impact upon their progress. It is a school requirement to have every student absence explained. Therefore, we ask that you contact the school and inform us if your child is going to be away from school for any reason. If your child is genuinely ill they should not be at school.

STUDENT ABSENCES

When students are absent from school it is a requirement that parents contact the school to communicate the reason for absence either via email to:  secretary.trinitypk@cns.catholic.edu.au , by phone 4057 6920 (message may be left if after hours) or via the Skoolbag App. It is important that this information is received early on the day of absence so that students who are not at school can be accounted for.

If after the class rolls have been marked and the school has not been informed of a student absence, the child’s main contact will be alerted via text message and be prompted to contact the school to explain the absence.

Absences longer than ten days must be submitted formally in writing to our Principal, Sarah Hamilton, prior to students leaving. The information will be passed onto your child’s teacher.

LATE ARRIVAL

The bell to start class rings at 8.25 a.m. Students should arrive at school from 8.10 a.m. so that they are adequately prepared to commence learning at 8.30 a.m.

Late arrival for all students is processed through the school office. Students arriving late to school are required to come to the office with an adult who is to sign them in, giving the reason for the late arrival. A late pass will be issued to students for presentation to their classroom teacher.

EARLY DEPARTURE

We understand that specialist and medical appointments cannot be made outside of school hours. If a student is required to leave school during the day, a listed contact adult must present at the school office to sign the child out. The office staff will then telephone the classroom and request that the child come to the office with their belongings ready for collection. For legal and safety reasons, adults not listed as an emergency contact do not have authority to collect students. In the event of an unlisted adult needing to collect your child, written notification is required from the parent/carer clearly stating the adult’s name, and the presentation of photo ID to office staff upon collection. It is important to ensure that your emergency contacts are current.

RECORD OF PARTIAL DAYS ABSENT

Arrival to school after 10.30 a.m. and departure before 1.00 p.m., is considered a half day absence and will be recorded as such on a student’s report card.

Holy Cross Walk to School Day

School News

Holy Cross Bike Bus

The Holy Cross Bike Bus runs every Wednesday (weather permitting) from Trinity Park Boat Ramp to school and back each week.. The route is particularly suited to younger riders because it is flat and there is a very wide shoulder on the road. Please note, however, that younger riders must be competent riders who are able to stop and start with ease. Parents are encouraged to accompany younger riders. Students can be collected and dropped off along the route.

Age Suitability:  - Prep to Year 6
Morning Departure:  - 8am
Location:  - Trinity Park Boat Ramp, Reed Rd
Afternoon Departure:  - 3pm (ETA at boat ramp is 3:15pm)
Location:  - Holy Cross Bike Rack

PLEASE NOTE: The Bike Bus will not run if it is wet, or if it looks like it is about to rain.

For concerns or queries, please email Jo Van Ewyk jvanewyk@cns.catholic.edu.au

Library Volunteers Required

Host Families Wanted

Holy Cross School is looking forward to hosting Japanese students from Josei Primary School, Osaka, Japan.

20th Aug 2016 – 26th Aug 2016 (Holy Cross School)

Would you like to give your child/ren the opportunity to share in a wonderful cultural and educational experience?

• Host international students
• Japanese Primary aged children
• Remuneration: $200/week

For more information or to register your interest, please contact Jack at Sun Pacific College on (07) 4057 2100 or email accommodation@sunpacificcollege.com.au

2016 School Fees and Levies

Term 2 School Fees Reminder

The Term 2 School fees and levies have now been issued and are due for payment by the 23rd May, unless alternative arrangements are in place (e.g. periodic Direct Debits, approved repayment plans etc.).

If you are currently paying your fees via Electronic Funds Transfer, please update your amount for 2016. Please ensure that you are using your reference number and school bank account details as it appears on your Term Invoice, for example: 963_ _ _ _ _ _ _

If you currently have a direct debit arrangement in place continuing from 2015 and have not already made contact with our Bursar, Carolyn Mealing, to update the amount for 2016, please do so at your earliest convenience.

The payment of school fees and levies is an important component of the income of the School. The School relies on these payments, in order to provide the high quality education enjoyed by your child/ren. In situations where there is genuine family financial hardship and if you are struggling to pay school fees, you are encouraged to contact the School for an appointment with the Principal and your circumstances will be treated with the utmost confidence.

Tuition Fee Discount Scheme for eligible Means-Tested Health Care Cards/Pension Cards

If you are a holder of an eligible Means-Tested Health Care Card or Pension Concession Card as outlined on the following attachment, please complete an application form below and present your card to the school office for verification. Please note Term 2 discounts have already closed on the 29th April and HCC Tuition Fee Discount Scheme forms received after this date, can only be applied to future invoices.

If you have supplied the school with a copy of your card and it is due to expire please complete a new application form and bring your new card to the school office for copying and verification. If your circumstances change throughout the year and you are no longer eligible to receive the tuition discount, it is the parent/carers responsibility to advise the school of the change in eligibility.

Semester 1 Report Cards

Please note that Semester 1 reports are aimed to be mailed out on Friday 24th June to those families who are financial or have a current payment plan in place.

Please notify the school office if you have changed your address details to ensure delivery.

We are happy to provide second copies of school reports, if requested by parents, in the case where parents live apart. If you wish to receive a second report, please fill out the request form below and hand in to the class teacher or the school office by Friday 3rd June 2015.

Tuckshop News

Second hand uniforms available from the Tuckshop.
Plenty of stock, all sizes from 4 to 16 – only $5 per item!

St Monica’s College Open Day

St Monica's College will be open to prospective students and their families on Thursday June 2 2016, between 4.00pm - 6.00pm.

Please call the College to register the number of people attending, Ph 40424800. Please use the Abbott St entrance on the day. Thank you.

P and F News

Mothers’ Day Thank you

A big thank you to our valued volunteers who assisted in the wrapping of gifts for the Mothers’ Day stall. We couldn’t do it without you! Thank you to:

SASCHA, RACHEL, RENAE, DEB, JEN, LEANNE, SUSIE, KYLIE, ENZA
AND ENZA’S MUM.

Further thanks to the lovely ladies who assisted at the stall on Friday. Your help is appreciated more than you know. Thank you to:

LEANNE, SASCHA, SUSIE, SHARON, MAVIS AND KYLIE.

P & F Fundraising

Entertainment Books

Holy Cross School is very excited to announce that we will be fundraising through the Entertainment Memberships this year! The popular Entertainment™ Books contain hundreds of up to 50% off and 2-for-1 offers from top local restaurants, cafés, take-away chains, attractions, activities and hotel accommodation.

Entertainment™ Memberships contain over $20,000 in valuable offers that you and your family can use from until 1st June 2017. In fact, you only need to use your membership twice throughout the year and it will have paid for itself!

These memberships can be purchased as either a book or a digital membership that is loaded to your smart phone. They are great value at only $55, with $1000 of savings inside and something for the whole family. The best part is that we receive 20% from each sale which goes directly to our school.

These can be purchased via: www.entbook.com.au/2703t24 or in our front office at the school.

Thank you for your support.

The Arts News

Music Tuition

Drums/Percussion

Are you interested in playing the drums or learning a percussion instrument?

For more information contact our friendly drum/percussion instructor Jen Fengler on ph: 0431461812 or email: jenfengler@hotmail.com

Piano

If you are interested in piano lessons please contact: Paul Brimstone on ph: 40551105

Guitar

If you are interested in guitar lessons please contact: Peter Drazic on email: pjd.guitar@bigpond.com

Sports Notices

Rebel Sports Modified School Tennis Challenge 2016

If your child is interested in representing the school as part of the Rebel Sports Modified School Tennis Challenge, please click on the link below for further information and to download a nomination form.

All students representing the school at these events are required to wear their school uniform.

The first challenge will be held on Saturday 28th May at the Freshwater Tennis Club, Kamerunga Road. Start time: 10.00am and expected finish time: 1.00pm.

Nomination closing date for Challenge 1 is Thursday 26th May. Please send completed forms to the school office.

Barron River District School Sport Trial Notices

To access Barron River trial dates and regional information for Queensland School Sports please click on the following link at: www.pensport.eq.edu.au and go to District Information / Barron River to view the latest calendar of events.

Please note: For students wishing to trial for Barron River in any sport, parents are required to complete the Parent Consent Form which is found in the sport’s trial notice link for that particular sport, as well as the following Peninsula Region Paperwork and bring these with them to the trials.

Parenting Workshops

2016 Safeguarding Children Conference

This year Catholic Education Services is excited to announce that their annual Safeguarding Children Conference includes presentations specifically for parents.

This year’s theme is Our Children, Our Communities, Our Future.

We hope that you are able to join us on Saturday, 11 June 2016 at the Pullman Cairns International. Specific parent sessions include:

• Keynote speaker: Andrea Musulin (Safeguarding Project Officer – Archdiocese of Perth)
• Protective Behaviours: everyday teaching moments that encourage safety not fear
• Mental Health: Early warning signs of depression and anxiety, school responses and when should I be worried?
• Social Media: the world our children live in doesn’t have to be all digital, but it sure feels that way!
• Help! My child is a teenager!

Please note that there is no registration cost but places are limited.

Conference information and registration details can be accessed via the conference website:

If you have any further queries please contact Professional Standards:

Ms Heidi Williams
hwilliams5@cns.catholic.edu.au

Community Notices

AICE CLUB

After school Environmental Activity Program for children aged between 7 – 13 years of age.

Fun filled educational activities exploring beautiful places and ecosystems with in our local area.

Runs for 8 consecutive Monday afternoons from 3:00 – 3:15 pm drop off - 5:00pm pick up & 1 full Saturday over each school term.

Enrol your child on a casual basis and come any time or enrol for the term. Afternoon tea is provided & term members get a hat & t-shirt.

Visit www.childrenforchange.org.au for detailed information on activities, fees, dates, times & contact information. Feel free to register your child any time by downloading and returning an enrolment form.

Click on the link below for a copy of the AICE Brochure for more information.

St Monica’s College Musical - Aquatique

Marriage Encounter Weekend

Worldwide Marriage Encounter: A weekend away for married couples in peaceful, picturesque surroundings – away from the distractions of everyday living. Take time out of your busy schedule, to invest in your most precious asset . . . your marriage! This is a unique opportunity to recharge your relationship batteries, refocus on each other and fall in love all over again!

Weekend date: 3 – 5 June 2016

Venue: Santa Teresa Spirituality Centre, Ormiston QLD (on Brisbane’s bayside)
For bookings/details contact: Maria and David Murphy, ph (07) 3342 1456, dandmmurphy@optusnet.com.au Information website:

Host Families required for French High School Students

CEI Centre d’Echanges Internationaux, 1 Rue Gozlin, Paris, France

REQUIRES HOST FAMILIESFOR FRENCH STUDENTS

Students will be attending Smithfield SHS or St Andrews Catholic College

Dates: 11th July – 10th August

We are looking for families to host French students visiting Cairns in Term Three.

This is an ‘immersion’ program where students attend a local school and live with an Australian family, hopefully with children at the same school or one close by.

Students are in years 9, 10 and 11 and are very motivated to improve their English and experience everyday life with an Australian family. In return they are keen to share their French culture with you and help your children if they are learning French.

This is a wonderful opportunity to possibly make a French friend for life and maybe even receive an invitation back to France one day!

For more information, please contact your school representative

Samantha Weterkamp, sweterkamp@cns.catholic.edu.au or
Joanne Cawood-Smith (Australian Manager CEI) Phone : AH – 03 98573547 Mobile : 0417330045
Email: cawoodsmith@gmail.com