16 March 2017

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Dear Parents / Carers,

Whilst at university, my Grandmother took great delight in cutting out and then sharing an article from a newspaper that caught her eye. The article shared the findings of a survey commissioned by the Disney Entertainment Group to mark the release of a new DVD edition of Beauty and the Beast. It stated that three out of four parents at the time of survey thought that children were less well-mannered than in previous generations. I remember laughing and loudly declaring the survey to be flawed, having no doubt been conducted in Hollywood. Upon reflection all these years later, I question whether I now agree.

Having good manners and being polite is all about respecting others and yourself. It involves considering their feelings, and being the kind of person they would like and will respect. By being respectful, it is more likely that you will be treated respectfully in return. And if you show good manners everywhere you go, then you will encourage others to behave in the same way towards you. My Grandmother used to refer to this as, ‘the Golden Rule’:

"Do unto others in the way you would wish them to do unto you."

There is no doubt that our earliest relationships provide a model for all our future associations. Learning to trust other people as feeling, thoughtful human beings, will form the basis for having happy, satisfying relationships in the years that follow. Being polite, kind, honest and cooperative, helps to develop our character, and the social skills that assist others in feeling comfortable. These relationship-building skills, also help with our ability to get along with friends and neighbours, and, if the occasion arises, to resolve differences of opinion in a courteous and healthy way. And in order to develop happy, satisfying relationships, good manners and basic courtesy is essential.

It is for this reason, that we have been turning our attention to our manners at Holy Cross. Our charism, the Holy Cross Way, lists relationships as being a major component.

Something as simple as saying please and thank you, checking that someone is ok, offering help, or smiling and saying hello, can turn someone’s world around.

Father Neil informed me only this week that he was stopped whilst shopping and told that Holy Cross was an excellent school. Father Neil thanked the informer for her kind words and enquired as to whether she had a child in attendance at the school. She replied that she did not, and that her judgement was based upon the actions of two young Holy Cross students who had stopped and offered assistance as she struggled with her shopping whilst crossing the road. So, to the two young gentlemen whose names I do not have to share, thank you for bringing the ‘Holy Cross Way’ into our community. The saying, ‘actions speak louder than words’, springs to mind.

Following Father Neil’s report, I asked some of our students if they could share some examples of how they display respect and good manners. As always, their ideas were very worthy of sharing:

Good Manners at Home:

• being helpful
• saying 'please' and 'thank you'
• sharing and not grabbing or keeping the good things for yourself
• respecting other people's property and their rooms
• helping the family by doing your chores
• cleaning up after yourself.

Good Manners at Holy Cross:

• saying good morning/afternoon
• asking if you can borrow something, not just taking
• returning things that you have borrowed
• waiting your turn before you speak
• saying 'excuse me,' rather than pushing past someone
• holding the door open for the person coming in
• respecting your own and other people's property
• saying 'please' and 'thank you'

Good Manners in the Community:

• be polite to others
• let an older person have your seat on buses, trains and trams if there is nowhere for them to sit
• line up quietly and don't push
• put your rubbish into bins
• have fun but don't be too loud
• respect property
• don't make fun of people - everyone has feelings
• don't run in shopping centres or where there are other people
• introduce any friends you meet to the people you are with
• say 'please' and 'thank you'
• don't be a 'canna' ("canna have this?" and "canna have that?")

Good Manners at the Table

• use your knife to cut and your fork to put the food in your mouth
• chew food with your mouth closed
• ask for things to be passed to you, don't lean over the table
• if you need to blow your nose, excuse yourself and go out of the room first
• don't grab everything you want first - help others to get their food and be prepared to share
• don't talk with your mouth full. It is not a good look!

In a society that rarely offers example or support for parents, teaching manners to our children can be lonely and tedious. However, by working together, we will see our children grow in respect and consideration for themselves and others which will be a rich reward for our combined efforts.

Wishing you God’s every blessing,

Sarah

NOTE: further to drafting my newsletter article, I stumbled across two reports in the latest issue of PAKMAG: The Importance of Etiquette, p 13 -14; and, Learning Manners the Fun Way, p17. My Grandmother might be right after all!

APA News

Parent Teacher Interviews

Parent Teacher Interviews have been taking place this week (March 13th -17th). You should have received an email from Parent Teacher Online explaining what you needed to do last week, this system has now closed. Please contact your classroom teacher directly if you have not yet made a booking. We encourage you to make the most of this opportunity with your child’s teacher and make contact if you have not already booked a time. These meetings will assist greatly to ensure a smooth and productive end of year for all students and families.

National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence

The seventh National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence is being held on Friday, 17 March 2017. This annual day is Australia's key anti-bullying event for schools, and encourages all students to 'take a stand together' against bullying and violence in schools, the classroom and beyond. A Holy Cross this event coincides with our Cross Country. On Friday Assembly we will recognise this day with special messages promoting the day. Throughout this week, and the coming weeks teachers and classes will work on various activities in classrooms. Help deliver a powerful message that bullying and violence is never okay.

Harmony Day 21st March

Orange Accessories Day – Monday 21st March

To help raise awareness of both of these days, all students are invited to have some fun by wearing orange accessories (orange socks, headbands, ties, wristbands etc) over their uniforms. No donation required.

Holy Cross Parent Portal

Holy Cross Parent Portal has arrived. We are excited to launch our Parent Portal this week. We hope that this exciting new tool will become a one-stop-shop for all your needs. Through the portal you will be able to access child information and student’s reports, access flexi schools, update important information, view calendars, Facebook and retrieve notes and forms at home from teachers as well as other vital pieces of information.

We will be making increasing use of the Parent Portal to provide a range of information to parents and carers in the future. Attached is a letter to explain ‘How to’ set up your login and accounts. This has also been emailed home. Should you experience any difficulty please contact us.

Congratulations to Week 6 and 7 Holy Cross Heroes:

“We were caught being READY To LEARN.”

Below are a number of key dates for Term 1 2017 to consider:

Items for Sale

The school has a number of items for sale that are no longer required. Please click on the link below for more information and photos of items.

Many blessings for the week

Brad Henry
Assistant Principal - Administration

APRE News

HOLY CROSS CHARISM

The third aspect is all about Service:

• Showing compassion to the less fortunate and serving as Jesus would want us to.
• Gathering as one to make a difference.
• Following in Jesus’ footsteps and treating others as we’d like to be treated.

“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23

There are many things that happen at Holy Cross that sit under this umbrella. A variety of giving campaigns such as Project Compassion, St Vincent De Paul and Crazy Sock Day for Catholic Mission. The staff also contribute weekly by making sandwiches for Rosie’s. The various committees that our school leaders sit on, also allow all of these Year 6s (and some 5s) to serve others.

LITURGICAL LIFE OF THE SCHOOL

Lent

How are your Lenten promises going?

• Fasting-making space for God’s love
• Prayer-spending time with God who is love
• Giving/sharing-giving of our time and talents to show love for others

Upcoming liturgies and Masses:

• Weekend Family Mass Years 3 & 4 Sunday 19th March at 8:30am
• ANZAC Day Liturgy Monday 24th April at 9:00am
• Years 3, 5 & 6 Mass Tuesday 28th March at 9:00am
• Mothers’ Day Liturgy Friday 5th May at 9:30am T.B.C.
• Weekend Family Mass Years 1 & 2 Sunday 28th May at 8:30am
• First Holy Communion Saturday 17th June at 6:00pm, Sunday 18th June at 8:30am (H.C.) and 5:00pm (St.A.)

PARISH SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM

Baptised students in Year Four and above are eligible to enrol for Confirmation and First Holy Communion. The first parent information night is Wednesday 15th March, at Holy Cross Church, at 6:00pm. The group sessions commence in April. The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on Thursday 15th June and First Holy Communion on the weekend of the 17th and 18th of June.

The Sacrament of First Reconciliation will occur in the Northern Beaches Parish, in September and is for students in Year Three and above. The first meeting is not until July.

2017 SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN CONFERENCE

This year Catholic Education Services is excited to announce that their annual Safeguarding Children Conference theme is Every Child Matters.

We hope that you are able to join us on Saturday, 6 May 2017 at the Pullman Cairns International.

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

REFLECTION AND PRAYER FOCUS FOR THE WEEK

St Patrick: Slave to Saviour

‘Abducted by pirates at the age of thirteen, sold into slavery, works for years, escapes only to return decades later to conquer his oppressors.’ While this sounds like a blurb for a Game of Thrones style series, in this story, the hero returns to conquer with love…and that love being love of Jesus Christ. When Patrick was abducted in the fifth century from Britain and taken to Ireland he was a fairly typical adolescent. While his parents were religious, he wasn’t...nor was he particularly interested in the studies that were offered him as the child of an established family. But things changed for him when slaving in Ireland: his faith carried him through the dark and difficult times – so much so that when he had to opportunity to escape, he went and studied his faith, was ordained and returned to preach to his former oppressors

At the heart of Christianity is the capacity to turn bad experiences into good. Even when treated appallingly, we can respond with creativity and love. In the grace of God, we can become channels for love and peace to the very people who have hurt us. No, this isn’t easy and often it takes time but this grace transforms our attitude to life.

And not only does this change bad times…it makes the good even better. The St Patrick’s Day celebrations are more than a party – they are a celebration of what God could do through one person…and could do through us as well. What better to celebrate!

Sr Kym Harris osb

Prayer of St Patrick…

Christ be with me, Christ within me
Christ behind me, Christ before me
Christ beside me, Christ to win me
Christ to comfort me and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger
Christ in hearts of all that love me
Christ in mouth of friend or stranger.

(390-461 A.D.)

Jacinta Roberts
APRE Holy Cross

Parish News

Gospel for the First Sunday of Lent

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

Dear Brothers and Sisters

We have begun our Lenten journey of faith by being marked with Ashes, and this week in the Gospel of Matthew we enter into the wilderness with the Lord Jesus.

In the lonely deserted wilderness the Lord is not alone but embraced in the love and immanence of God the Father, and empowered through the love of the Holy Spirit. From there Jesus witnesses to the Kingdom of God.

Lent is not a time of being alone, it is a time of being with God and with each other as a Christian community. It is a time to face up to the truth, the pain, and the reality of sin. The sin not only in our lives, but in the life of the Church, and in the life of the World we live in. It is a time to be immersed into the gift of God’s mercy, and to witness to the life of Christ, and to proclaim His Good News!

I wish you all a joy filled and Holy Lent

Neil Muir PP

Northern Beaches Parish
Mass Times

eLearning @ Holy Cross

Look What’s Been Going On …

Technology

Mr Ayton Russell sharing his knowledge of drones with Year 6 students.

Recently four of our young aspiring women attended a “Sheflies because she can” learning session run by several scientists at Smithfield High School. The program “Sheflies” has been designed to engage girls in the exciting world of drone technology. The girls were trained in how to pilot an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV or drone) and all confidently and successfully demonstrated their new skills by navigating their UAV through a tricky obstacle course.

Guided Reading

Parents are coming in to assist with Guided Reading in Year 5. We are very grateful for their assistance.

Eddie is enjoying reading Inspire – the education supplement in Guided Reading time.

GOTCHA Points

Congratulations to DILLON House who were our Gotcha Point winners for three weeks in a row! Go Dillon!

Library News

Donations

We are looking to create some fun spaces in the library for our Lunch Time Launchers and need your help with some resources that your child may have grown out of. We would love donations for the following:

• Lego
• Duplo
• Hand puppets
• Matchbox cars or Hotrod cars
• Plastic farm animals, dinosaurs, jungle animals etc.

Donations can be left with Luci or Jo in the Library or at the office.

Call for volunteers

• Please take this short quiz.
• Do you love books and reading?
• Do you like organisation and order?
• Do you like covering books?
• Do you like labeling?
• Do you are creative and like making displays?
• Would you like to help the whole Holy Cross community?

If you answered yes to one or more of these, then we need you. We are putting the call out for volunteers to help in the library.

Perks of the job

• We will work around your availability Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday between 8.30 and 1.30 p.m.
• We are flexible and would be appreciative of your time, even if you can only volunteer for one day.
• Your work environment is air conditioned and usually quiet.
• You could volunteer during your child’s Library time.

Please email or chat to Jo Neil, Teacher Librarian jneil@cns.catholic.edu.au

Administration News

2018 Prep Enrolments

If you currently have children attending Holy Cross School and are seeking to enrol a sibling in Prep for 2018, and HAVE NOT submitted an enrolment application, please contact our Enrolments Officer, Margie Thorpe on 4057 6920 as a matter of urgency. 2018 Prep interviews are currently underway with placement offers due to go out by the end of term.

High School Enrolments

Dear Parents, a reminder that many high schools have commenced interviews for the Year 7 intake for 2018. If you currently have a child in Year 6 and have not yet applied for them to attend a high school, it would be advised to think about doing this as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Holy Cross Uniforms

Lowes Smithfield have advised that all sizes of the school polo shirts are now back in stock.

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 School 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 sometimes cannot be made outside of school hours. If a student is required to leave school during the day, a listed adult contact 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.

2017 Term 1 School Fees and Levies

Term 1 School Fees

Term 1 school fee invoices were sent via email. Payment is due this Friday 3rd March 2017 unless you have a direct debit or payment plan in place.

If you currently have a direct debit arrangement in place continuing from 2016 and have not already made contact with our Finance Officer, Carolyn Mealing, to update the amount for 2017, please do so at your earliest convenience.

2017 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, please complete an application form and present your card to the school office for verification. If you have previously supplied the school with a copy of your card in 2016 you will still need to complete a new application form and bring your existing/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.

Unfortunately, due to system requirements we are unable to backdate concession card discounts, so all applications and cards must be presented to the school office prior to the fees being issued for the discount to apply to that term.

P and F News

The Holy Cross Annual General Meeting will be held next Wednesday, 22nd March commencing at 7.00pm in the school library. All parents welcome and invited to attend. Nomination forms and committee position descriptions have been emailed and are also available at the school office.

P & F Disco

A school disco will be held on Friday 24th March from 5.30pm to 8.00pm in the Multi Purpose Area. Theme for the evening is come dressed as your favourite sporting hero. Entry $5. Food, drinks and glowsticks available for purchase.

Please note as this is a P & F function held outside of school hours, parents are required to supervise their children.

Tuckshop

A big thankyou to those families currently utilising the Flexischools online ordering service, your support is very much appreciated! For those who may be unsure of how to set up an account, please pop into the tuckshop during opening hours and I will be happy to set up your registration for you. Flexischools can be accessed by clicking on the link at the bottom of the School Website below or directly at the link below.

Please ensure you update your student/s year level & class in your online accounts so lunches are being distributed to the correct class basket. This can be done by logging on to your account, select “my students”, then select “change class or school” and choose current class from drop down options.

The Term 1 menu is available on the link below and hard copies may be collected from the Tuckshop if required.

I am always on the lookout for extra sets of hands willing to volunteer their time to assist in the tuckshop. Any and all offers of help would be welcomed.

Please contact Belinda Patmore on 0422 712 461, email to tuckshop.trinitypk@cns.catholic.edu.au or pop into the Tuckshop if you think you may be able to assist.

Tuckshop Roster

Sport Notices

Barron River Selections

Congratulations to Charlie B, Jack R and Jace Mc in their selections to represent Barron River in Rugby League.

Barron River District School Sport Trial Notices

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

Girls Hockey Trial Notice (students born 2005, 2006 & 2007)

Trial dates: Thursday March 9th and Thursday March 16th at Cairns Hockey Association, Rutherford Street, Cairns North. Time: 4.00pm-5.00pm. Click on the link below for more information and Parent Consent forms.

Boys Hockey Trial Notice (students born 2005, 2006 & 2007)

Trial dates: Thursday March 9th and Thursday March 16th at Cairns Hockey Association, Rutherford Street, Cairns North. Time: 4.00pm-5.00pm. Click on the link below for more information and Parent Consent forms.

Marlin Coast Athletics Club

Marlin Coast Little A’s are a fun, family orientated community, who welcome children of any ability, to participate and strive to improve their personal best, every week.

A ‘Come and Try’ day is being held on Sunday 2nd April.

Sign-on from 8.45am, Smithfield High School, O’Brien Road, Smithfield.

For more information see attached flyer or contact:

Jenny on 0410 601 436 or visit the link below.

Hockey

Parents and students are invited to an info and come and try hockey session every Wednesday in March from 2.50pm-3.15pm at the Holy Cross Multipurpose Court. Please note Parents/Carers must accompany children. Contact president@stingershockey.com.au or see attached flyer for more information.

Hockey Holiday Camp

Cairns Hockey Association will be holding a school holiday program, Wednesday 5th and Thursday 6th April. Please see the flyer for additional information and contact details.

Surf Life Saving

Cairns Surf Life Saving Club 2017 Sign On Day will be held on Saturday 6th May from 10am to 2pm.

NetSetGO

Missed the Sign On Day for Cairns Netball? Registrations are still being taken for the NetSetGO program, now offered on Tuesdays and Saturdays for boys and girls aged 4-8 years. See flyer for additional information and contact details.

Parent Engagement

Triple P – Positive Parenting Program

Queensland parents and carers can now get free parenting support through the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program. This initiative is funded by the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services.

Depending on where they live and what practitioners are offering in their area (new sessions are added all the time), parents and carers can attend free individual or group parenting support sessions in-person or sign up for Triple P online. Families also have the option of a self-help workbook if Internet access is a problem.

Triple P is an evidence-based parenting program developed by Professor Matt Sanders at The University of Queensland more than 30 years ago. Professor Sanders is also Director of UQ’s Parenting and Family Support Centre and continues to lead Triple P’s extensive and ongoing global research program.

Triple P is proven to encourage positive behaviour in children and significantly improve parent wellbeing, which is why we’re offering all parents and carers the opportunity to access evidence-based support if and when they need it.

If you have any questions please visit the link below for more information.

Relationships Australia

Relationships Australia offer free 6 week group programs to help support children following parent separation. The Poppers program is aimed at children 7 to 9 years of age and the Popstars program is aimed at children 10 to 13 years. Please click on the following flyers for more information regarding these support programs.

Community Notices

Great Wheel Barrow Race

Request for Support

Dear Holy Cross School Community,

I am one of ten mum’s participating in a team for “The Great Wheelbarrow Race” pushing a wheelbarrow for 3 days from Chillagoe QLD to Mareeba QLD = 140klm’s. The race is held from Friday the 19th May until Sunday the 21st of May 2017.

Our team name is “MILF for Muscles” (“Mums I’d like to Finance” for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy). We are hoping to raise money through support from local schools and community events.

Our purpose is to raise awareness for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy; a severe degenerative muscle disorder for which there is no cure currently and raise funds for Jack (pictured below) who is affected by Duchenne.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy mainly occurs in young boys. Our aim is to raise as much money as we can, as well as have a whole load of fun along the way. One of our team members has a nephew, ‘Jack’, who has Duchenne, he is pictured above. In 2015 the MILF team raised money to assist him in getting to/from Melbourne to participate in Clinical trials, this is vital research that ‘Jack’ and other children in Australia are currently engaged in. Ongoing funds are required to support the quality and quantity of life for young boys, young men and their families living with Duchenne, and to celebrate the hope that there will one day be a cure.

If you are able to support our team and this great cause, please let me know by way of a phone call or email, my details are below.

Yours sincerely,

Hayley Hope on behalf of the “MILF for Muscles”– (MUMS I’d LIKE TO FINANCE) FOR DUCHENNE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY

Hayley Hope
M 0448 368 805
E hayley.hope@ergon.com.au

School Holiday Drama Program

TYCs Easter School Holiday Drama Activities 5yrs – 12yrs

Step into the spotlight these school holidays with TYC’s Autumn Holiday Drama Camps with special Guest Artists, Hayley Gillespie (Design) and Yasmin Lancini (Musical Theatre). Participate in our one-day boot camp program Operation Spotlight: It’s Time To Shine (3/4) and take on the role of Producer, Director AND Performer and hone your theatrical skills. Dance like no one’s watching with our 4-day program Shake, Rattle & Roar: Return To Buster’s Theatre (4/4 – 7/4) and help Buster’s Theatre survive against a new rival or grab your masks and power up for Legion of Superheroes: Master Builders Assemble (10/4 – 14/4) and join the ranks of the worlds most heroic Master Builders! So spin along to TYC for our Autumn Holiday Drama Camps (5yrs - 12yrs) these school holidays. For more information or to book today visit our website, phone 40414066 or email admin@theyoungcompany.com.au. Book early to receive your early bird saving before Fri 25 March!

St Monica’s/St Augustine’s Musical

St Monica’s College and St Augustine’s College will be performing a new musical comedy ‘The Adams Family’, Thursday 4th May until Saturday 6th May. See the flyer below for times and booking information.

Children’s Playtime Group

Cairns Young Voices

Enrolments currently being taken for 2017. Classes offered on Thursday afternoons at Cairns Choral Society Hall, Greenslopes Street. Please see flyer for additional information.

Cairns Youth Orchestra

The Cairns Youth Orchestra is inviting any current instrumental music students who would be interested in being part of an orchestra to come along to one of our rehearsals. We have three orchestras, CYO 2 (our junior orchestra) who rehearse from 4pm – 5.30pm Fridays, CYO 1 (more experienced group) from 5.30pm to 7pm Fridays, and the Cairns Chamber Ensemble from 7pm – 9pm, Fridays. We would welcome anyone who wishes to join, but particularly brass players, eg. Trombones, trumpets. For more enquiries, please contact Leesa Cooke, one of our Musical Directors on 0422368620 (TEXT PREFERRED

Tanks Arts Centre Screen Play Club

The Tanks Arts Centre are inviting children up to 12 years of age to make a film and have it shown on the Big Screen at the 2017 Cairns Children’s Festival, Sunday 21st May. It’s a great opportunity for kids to share their stories with the Cairns community and have them screened to a large audience.

Speech Plus Speech Pathology

After 12 months away, Kathy Bruno is re-opening her speech pathology practice in term 1, 2017. New for next year are small group programs targeting:

1. School readiness for children in the year before Prep.
2. Literacy development for children Prep – Year 6.

Places are limited so email or phone now for further information about individual or small group programs in 2017. Further information is also available on our website.

E. speechplus@bigpond.com
M. 0419390668

Children’s Eyesight Screening

Let’s detect vision problems before it affects a child’s learning

Catholic Education has teamed with Optometry Queensland to promote the screening of children’s eyesight before entering school and in the early years. Smart Eye Start is an initiative of Optometry Queensland that provides comprehensive eye examinations by member optometrists, for children entering the Catholic school system.

Without early detection, eye conditions can negatively impact on a child’s social and educational development, and in some cases, increase the risk of total blindness in adulthood. This comprehensive eye examination will ensure the one in four children with significant eye conditions do not go undetected.

Parents/carers, you are encouraged to take your child to an optometrist, either listed on the form or one of your choice, and return the form to the school office when your child starts Prep. Children who have already started school without screening are also encouraged to participate in the program, as soon as possible in the Early Years.

Girl Guides

For fun, friendship and adventure, join Girl Guides. Click on the link below for more information on how to join.

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.