12 August 2016

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Dear Parents, Carers and friends of Holy Cross,

I had the very great priviledge of driving my car up the mountain last Thursday afternoon, and spending the afternoon and evening at Camp Paterson with our Year 5 students and staff. I was greeted with a barrage of happy faces, and instantly invited to inspect all the sleeping quarters. Despite the smell not always being as sweet as it could be, and the usual array of socks and undies hiding in a variety of interesting places, I am very happy to report that the entire camp site was remarkably spick and span. The excitement of the inspection was quickly followed by a complete tour of the area, with dramatic re-enactments of the various activities the students had been taking part in during their stay. If I had had the means of linking the incredible energy being generated by our students into the National Grid, I believe we could have claimed a substantial rebate – the students were buzzing!

It was such a joy to spend time with the Year 5 cohort. The support and care they showered over each other, and their ability to embrace anything that was thrown at them was quite exceptional. It highlighted once more what an amazing school we have, with an intensely strong heart-beat pulsing to the rhythm of compassion, inclusion, and an overwhelming desire to embrace any challenge no matter how scary it might be.

Watching the students and listening to their conversations reminded me of a story I was once told. The story unfolds as follows:

A blind man had been waiting a while at a busy road for someone to offer to guide him across, when he felt a tap on his shoulder. “Excuse me,” said the tapper, “I’m blind; would you mind guiding me across the road?”

The first blind man took the arm of the second blind man and they both crossed the road. After the event the first blind man, who was George Shearing the famous Jazz Pianist, commented: “What could I do? I took him across and it was the biggest thrill of my life!”

This incident illustrates that sometimes taking a risk can help reduce our dependency on others and lead to the discovery of new capabilities and personal satisfaction. When it comes to our children and risk taking, we would not want them to step out “blindly” when someone taps them on the shoulder and offer them a “dare”. Part of raising our children is to help them to define boundaries. It’s a balancing act that requires knowing when to let children take risks in safe environments, as against taking risks in situations where they would endanger themselves or others.

Taking risks allows children to understand the concept of trial and error. Success will certainly build self-confidence within our children and, inevitably, failure will not only make them acknowledge their boundaries, but will provide them with opportunities to cope with the negative emotions that accompany failure. Self-confident children have the inner fortitude to try new things, even if there is a possibility of failure. So, if we can control our urge to step in and provide solutions, we may witness our children engage in creative thinking; also, we might witness our children explore their own abilities and rejoice in their own accomplishments as I observed at camp.

It is a fact of life that adults often guide children away from challenging situations, so we won't be inconvenienced in some way. It is important to remember that children’s development involves taking risks and operating outside of their comfort zone. If we constantly prevent our children from taking risks, they may stagnate within their own comfort zone which will impede their own development.

Positive risk-taking behaviour can be most beneficial to our children and the more practice they have with identifying risks and acting accordingly, the better prepared they will be to handle potentially dangerous situations and to solve problems in the future. Of course, our children need to know how to differentiate between good, healthy risks, such as bush walking and bad destructive risks, such as sitting endlessly with computer games and being a possible candidate for childhood obesity.

Risk-taking allows our children to try new physical activities, test the limits of their physical, intellectual and emotional development and gain mastery over their bodies. Risk-taking prepares our children for interaction with the real world beyond what might be our over-protective homes. If our children are not exposed to risk-taking, they could become fearful and timid children who lack confidence and decision- making skills.

I look forward with great anticipation to the Year 6 Camp which takes place next week at Lake Tinaroo. They’ve certainly got a hard act to follow!

Back at school, the fun continued with Book Week. Book Week was outstanding – Holy Cross at its best once more. For those who missed our Book Week Parade, click on the link to see our staff at their best!

Wishing you God’s blessings now and always,

Sarah Hamilton
Principal

APRE News

PARISH 50 YEARS JUBILEE

This year, the Northern Beaches Parish, is celebrating its 50 Years Jubilee. One key activity will be a Parish day of celebration at Holy Cross, on Saturday 22nd October. There will be food, music and Mass. Please mark it in your diaries.

As part of the celebrations, members of the parish are gathering and recording stories from all moments in the history of the parish. If any Holy Cross families have any photos or stories to add, or know of someone who may have, please leave them with a member of the planning team, of which Mrs Hamilton is a member, or at the school office and it will be passed on.

The Northern Beaches Parish has the Holy Cross Church as its main Mass Centre, however, St Augustine’s at Stratford, Sacred Heart at Freshwater and All Saints’ Chapel at St Andrew’s are all part of the one parish, of which Father Neil Muir is the Parish Priest. The parish has had three other priests in 50 years; Father John Butcher, Father Michael Bonner and Father Miah McSweeny.

Each newsletter leading up to the 22nd October, I will give you another little snapshot into the history of the parish.

NET Team Visit

Last week the Year 3 and 5 students had a visit from the NET (National Evangelisation) Team, a dynamic youth group. They assisted the students to further unpack the theme ‘Opening Doors in the Year of Mercy’.

WEEK 4 OF OUR PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM

Last week in the Peer Support sessions, students from across the school created some wonderful art work in preparation for Book Week. Students worked together and shared their creativity and skills. If you get a chance, come into the library to see the result of their great work.

Session 3 – Including others

Our session this week in Stronger Together - our Peer Support module for our students, considers the relationships that students develop and how they can change over time. It looks at the role they play in contributing to these relationships and how the use of power, trust and honesty can change a relationship. Parents of participating students might like to talk about the different relationships that you have or their relationships with family and other friends outside school.

Session 4 – Make the change

Our session next week encourages students to identify any behaviours or actions they feel are unhealthy in self and others. Skill building in identifying behaviours, inclusive practice and developing empathy assist students to transition into making positive decisions to change. This might be an opportunity for parents of participating students to remind your child about when they have handled change well and their skills they could use.

LITURGICAL LIFE OF THE SCHOOL

Upcoming liturgies and Masses:

• Feast of the Assumption of Mary: Monday August 15th at 9:00am
• Years 1, 2 & 5 Mass: Tuesday August 30th at 9:00am
• Reconciliation: Tuesday 6th September, at 6pm
• Exaltation of the Cross-Feast Day: Wednesday September 14th at 9:00am

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM

Please pray for the students preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This is the third week of the Parish family-based program.

CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK 2016

Thank you for helping us celebrate Catholic Education Week in Week 3. Being the Year of Mercy, the theme of, ‘Opening the Doors of Mercy’ will continue to be relevant. As a school we will continue to explore ways to show mercy to others and perhaps our families could talk about ways they could be welcoming, supportive or forgiving. We can all make a difference, starting with small acts.

PRAYER FOCUS FOR THE WEEK

Monday 8th of August is recognised as the Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross. Here is a little background taken from Creative Ministry Resources (link below):

“Mary MacKillop, known also as St Mary of the Cross, was born in Fitzroy, Melbourne, in 1842 – the eldest child of Scottish immigrants. In 1861 she moved to the small town of Penola in South Australia, where she met Fr. Julian Tenison Woods. Together they established Australia’s first free Catholic school. In 1866 she co-founded Australia’s first religious order, the Sisters of St Joseph, and took a vow of poverty. Soon there were 17 schools under her care, but Mary’s refusal to abide by the rules of the Bishop in Adelaide led to her excommunication from the church. She was accepted back a year later and eventually shown respect by the Bishops for her work with the poor. Mary was canonised by Pope Benedict XVI on 17 October 2010, becoming the first Australian to be recognised by the Catholic Church as a saint.”

Mary is special to us here at Holy Cross for a number of reasons. Firstly, she is the first Australian saint. Secondly, she fought and worked hard for a Catholic school education for children and also her symbol is the cross, just as ours is here at Holy Cross. The bell at the front of our church was blessed and named after St. Mary MacKillop, so she has another special connection to our school.

Loving God, you create everything that is good. Through St Mary MacKillop you have shown us how to live trusting in the power of the cross, praying to you and working always for the good of all. Help us to be your face to those who are in need so that all people have faith in you.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

(Artwork by Dorothy Woodward rsi)

PARISH NEWS

Parish Mass Times

Jacinta Roberts
APRE Holy Cross

APA News

WHAT TO PACK IN YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL BAG EACH DAY

One of the best possible ways to start your child’s day is to ensure they come to school prepared. It gets them ‘into the zone’ right away.

A lot of time can be lost trying to hunt down supplies that are missing from a school bag; and if items are missing it might mean they spend lunch time hungry or sitting in the shade because they don’t have a hat. They could also get into trouble for not having their homework or miss a special activity because they didn’t return the note.

Here’s an easy list of things to pack in your child’s school bag each day:

• Jumper
• School hat
• Esky / lunch box packed with morning tea, lunch and fruit break OR lunch order
• Drink of water
• Homework Pouch with homework, home reader, any notes that need returning, signed diary (if applicable)

Additional items might include:

• Library bag on the right library day (with book inside)
• Show and Tell on the right day
• Perhaps a hidden note telling your child how much you love them
• Bunch of flowers for the teacher or maybe a massage voucher– you decide

What to leave out:

• Toys
• iPods
• Mobile phones
• Anything you don’t want lost or stolen
• Anything that will distract from learning

Teachers will often explain to students that upon arrival at school most of the items in their bags would be unpacked for the day’s learning. If homework items are unpacked, notes handed in, eskies stacked and hat is on head, then students’ bags are being left empty for the day. With an empty bag items are unlikely to go missing, or be broken. Teachers also strongly encourage students to hand any expensive items in for safe keeping preventing heartache or better still, expensive items should remain at home.

POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR FOCUS

Congratulations to Week 4 Holy Cross Heroes

“We were caught demonstrating being in the Right Place at the Right Time.”

Many blessings for the week

Brad Henry
Assistant Principal - Administration

School News

2017 School Tuition Fees

Term 3 Fees

Term 3 fees were due for payment by Wednesday, 3rd August. Unless alternative payment arrangements are currently in place (eg. Periodic Direct Debits, approved repayment plans etc), your prompt attention to payment is appreciated.

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 / children. In situations where there is genuine 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.

2016 Fee Concessions

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. If you have previously 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.

Please note that tuition fee discounts have already been applied to Term 3 fees. Any Health Care Discount Scheme forms received from now can only be applied to future invoices.

Dental Van Services

Cairns and Hinterland Oral Health Services wishes to advise families that our District is able to continue to offer FREE dental treatment to all children and young people from 0 – 17 years old.

The dental van will be arriving at the school very soon.

The dental van will be staffed on Mondays and Thursdays for the rest of term 3. Appointments will need to be arranged by contacting our Central Booking Service on 1300 300 850. Appointments for examination can also be made at the Smithfield clinic.

Please note that ALL students will need to have a parent or legal guardian present at the time of the appointment.

Further treatment required will be carried out at the Smithfield Community Centre, Danbulan Street, Smithfield.

Oral Health Services
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service

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

Host Families Wanted

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

20th August 2016 – 26th August 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.

P and F News

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 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 the link below or in our front office at the school.

Thank you for your support.

Tuckshop News

Please email the Tuckshop Co-ordinator, Mrs Belinda Patmore at:- tuckshop.trinitypk@cns.catholic.edu.au if you are able to help in the tuckshop.

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

TUCKSHOP SPECIALS (available while stocks last!)

Traditional Fried Rice $4.50 (contains bacon) - $4.50
Chicken Fried Rice - $5.00

Library News

Book Week and Book Fair

The next couple of weeks will be a really busy time in the Holy Cross Library. This week combined the Book Week with our Book Fair which was a huge success.

The students were busy last week creating colourful displays for the library based around the Book Week theme, “Australia! Story Country”. All sorts of Australian animals and objects were displayed in the library this week.

Premiers Readers Challenge

Just a reminder that the Premiers Readers Challenge still has about a month to run and Challenge Recording Sheets are due back to Holy Cross by Friday the 26th August, which is also the last day for the reading to take place.

Those of you who would still like to get involved can go to for more information and to download extra recording sheets.

Michael Doherty
District Teacher-Librarian

The Arts News

Dance Drama Music (DDM)

Morning Melodies

Thank you to all students who have been able to perform for our Morning Melodies sessions this week. The lower school students especially have been very enthusiastic in listening to their older peers play their instruments. We have had pianists, drummers, trumpets, an euphonium, saxophones, clarinets and singers. This is a great way for all students who play or sing to share their talent with our school community. It is not only for those students who learn their music in our school instrumental program but for those who are learning outside the school either through private lessons or are teaching themselves. People learn music in many different ways and Morning Melodies is an opportunity for the school community to recognise and appreciate all students for their music playing. Well done everybody who has been involved!

Seniors’ Day Tuesday 16th August – General Choir and Instrumental Students

Holy Cross has again enthusiastically accepted an invitation to entertain our senior citizens this year at the Marlin Coast Neighbourhood Centre, next door to Holy Cross. Our General Choir and some instrumental students will perform at 1:15pm at the Neighbourhood Centre. Information sheets and permission notes have gone home this week to those students who are involved. Parental helpers warmly received, thank you!

God bless!

Christina Wight
Dance Drama Music Teacher

Instrumental Music News

Best of Brass

Congratulations to Year 5 trumpet player Liam S. who attended the “Best of Brass” winter school, held at Cairns State High School over the weekend. Liam was one of around 40 brass musicians who attended this weekend workshop, with students from all over the region, aged from 8 to 18 attending. The weekend was run by the “Best of Brass” quintet from Brisbane, who are made up of 5 professional musicians including Greg Aitken, who is the head of Brass at the QLD Conservatorium of Music. Well done Liam!

The Gift of Music

The Holy Cross Band will be involved in The Gift of Music community concert later this term. The Gift of Music is certainly turning out to be a momentous and poignant showcase of diversity and unity through music. Please log onto The Gift of Music website to find out more details, and how you can be involved.

The event will run on the 24th and 25th of August at the Tanks Arts Centre, with three different concerts involving around 15 school and community groups. The Holy Cross band will be performing in the matinee on the 24th of August (11am). Tickets are on sale now, and can be purchased from the link below. All funds raised will be donated to various charities around Cairns.

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 News

Barron River Round Up!

“Go Holy Cross!” The chants and war cries rang out all day at the annual Barron River Athletics Carnival. The school spirit was evident in what could be only described as perfect weather conditions.

Our 40 plus squad of athletes were a credit to our school in the way they performed and in their attitude and sportsmanship. Every school present knew who Holy Cross was because of our enthusiasm, our chanting and our war cries that reverberated around Smithfield High School all day.

There were many outstanding performances but it was our school spirit that I am so proud to be a part of. And I am sure it was our team spirit that elevated our students to produce such quality performances. I would like to especially mention Charlie Y-R and Isabelle Mc from Year 6, who without prompting, led our war cries and engaged all members of our team when they weren’t competing. Their leadership was outstanding and I salute them. Great work girls, we were so proud of your attitude and school spirit.

Congratulations to these students on outstanding performances….

The events ended with the exciting relays! Congratulations to these two champion teams!

• 1st 2006 BOYS – Harry C, Flynn Mc, Shannon T, and Jaedyn W
• 2nd 2004 BOYS – Matthew T, Kyden M, Kai Mc, Finn B

Overall with 10 schools competing Holy Cross placed 3rd in the district.

Congratulations to Harry C who tied for 2006 BOY CHAMPION.

Finally, special congratulations to our students who have secured a place on the Barron River Team to compete at the Peninsula Trials in August –

Darcy F, Jaedyn W, Harry C, Kai Mc, Jake T, Matthew T, Kyden M, Trinity W, Jorja A and Kiara

We are so proud of our 2016 Holy Cross Athletics Team!

Marg J and Ayton R

Barron River District 10-12 Years School Sport Trial Notices

To access Barron River trial dates and regional information for Queensland School Sports please click on the following link below 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.

Barron River Cricket Trial Notice (students born 2004, 2005 & 2006)

Trial dates: Wednesday 17th August 2016 at Freshwater State School cricket nets (meet in undercover area), Corkill Street, Freshwater. Time: 4:00pm -5:00pm

Click on the link below for more information and Cricket consent form.

Parenting Programs

Triple P – Positive Parenting Program

Queensland parents can now get free parenting support. The State Government is giving parents and carers of children up to the age of 16 free access to the evidence-based Triple P – Positive Parenting Program. Triple P helps parents use positive feedback and encouragement to guide behaviour and give children the best start in life.

Families can sign up for as much or as little support as they like by going to www.triplep-parenting.net. New sessions are added regularly.

Bringing Up Great Kids Parenting Program

This free 4 Week workshop commences on Tuesday 16th August through to the 6th September and is aimed at promoting positive and nurturing parent-child relationships. Please click on the link for more information.

Community Notices

St Augustine’s College Open Night

Tuesday 23rd August 2016 from 5.00pm to 7.30pm, 251 Draper Street, Cairns.

St Vinnies Corporate and Community Sleepout

Speech Pathology Week

This week is Speech Pathology Week. Find out more at:

Cairns Youth Orchestra

Cairns Youth Orchestra has recommenced for the third term and is open for enrolments. If a student is currently learning any musical instrument and would like to find out what it is like to be part of an orchestra, please contact the secretary via email telston@bigpond.net.au for more information. Cairns Youth Orchestra consists of three orchestras, (CYO 2 junior), (CYO 1 for more experienced students) and our Chamber orchestra (for advanced players) and practises every Friday afternoon at the Darts Hall, McNamara Street, Manunda.

Cairns Regional Council Community Survey – ‘Our Cairns’

Cairns Regional Council is conducting a wide-ranging community survey called Our Cairns.

This is your opportunity to tell Council what sort of Cairns you want to live in and what’s important to you. Go online via the link below in August and fill out the survey.

You can also go into the draw to win some prizes if you leave your name and email address.

The survey will be available from 1 – 31 August. Be Heard! Do the Survey!

St Anthony’s School Dimbulah 50th Anniversary

All past teachers, teacher aides, administration staff, parents, students and community members are invited to attend the weekend of festivities on Saturday 27th August and Sunday 28th August 2016. Click on the flyer below for more information.

St Joseph’s School Parramatta Park 90th Anniversary 2017

In 2017, St Joseph’s School, Parramatta Park will celebrate 90 years of Catholic Education in Cairns. Various events will be held to celebrate this important occasion from the 18th August to the 20th August 2017. All current and former staff, students and families are requested to save these dates in your calendar for next year’s celebrations.

Queensland Government Well Women’s Clinics

Well Women’s Clinics (available to Medicare eligible clients) will be held at:-

Smithfield Community Health, Monday 15th August, phone 4226 4800 James Cook University (JCU) Tuesday 16th August, phone 4226 4812.

TYC Drama Classes for 5yrs+

Looking for fun, creative and educational after-school activities? Then come and tread the boards at The Young Company Theatre this semester! Develop confidence, explore your creativity, make new friends and learn the essentials of stage performance through improvisation, role-play, scripts, musical theatre and characterization activities and then perform in front of a live audience with costumes, sets, props, sound effects, live projections and theatrical lighting!! For more information phone 40414066, email info@theyoungcompany.com.au , visit our website www.theyoungcompany.com.au , visit us at 169 Bunda St, Cairns City. Classes across the Cairns region.

Ready Steady Go Kids (RSGK)

Multi-sport and exercise program for school kids aged 4 to 6 years. Click on the link below for more information.

The Blue Honour Line at the Cairns Festival 2016 Grand Parade!

Cairns Festival is fast approaching with a wonderful program of events running from 26 August – 4 September. The Grand Parade is a Festival highlight, with its long procession of floats, presenting a colourful spectacle that will wind its way along the Esplanade from 5.30 pm on Saturday 27 August.

This year we’re asking you to keep your eye out for the ‘True Blue Line Brigade’ who will introduce the new ‘Blue Honour Line’ system designed to keep you safe whilst enjoying this wonderful community celebration.

The Blue Honour Line is a thin blue line placed on each side of the road along the Parade route that creates a boundary between the audience and the Grand Parade Floats. Staying behind it will ensure your safety and give the Parade performers plenty of room to do what they do best.

15 Officers of the ‘Friendly Enforcement Brigade’ who make up the ‘True Blue Line Brigade’ will be dressed in full blue brigade costume and ready for duty along the Parade route from 4:30pm.

Come along and enjoy the Cairns Festival 2016 Grand Parade behind the safety of the new ‘Blue Honour Line’.

Piano Lessons