8 June 2017

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

If I were to take the time to survey the parishioners of the Northern Beaches Parish, I suspect most would state that they have no recollection whatsoever of their Baptism, I myself being one such person. In most cases, this would be largely due to parents choosing to have their child baptised weeks or months after birth, making the child incapable of knowing what was going on, or of expressing an opinion about the baptism itself. Joined by carefully selected godparents, parents answer on behalf of their child promising to take on the responsibility of nurturing them in the faith and life of the Catholic Church.

When the time arrives to receive the sacrament of Confirmation, the time also arrives for children to finally begin speaking on their own behalf.

Last week was Pentecost Sunday - the Catholic Church’s birthday, fifty days after Easter Sunday, celebrating the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and their followers. We are told that the disciples were gathered together in the upper room of a house when the Holy Spirit first came. They were slowly recovering from the events of Good Friday, frightened and nervous about Jesus’ promise to them, “You will receive power when the Spirit has come upon you.”

The scriptures tell us that the Spirit arrived as a great wind, and that tongues of fire appeared above the disciples’ heads. The hearts of the disciples were said to be instantly filled with the power of the Spirit. As the Holy Spirit fell upon the disciples, the barriers of language and culture were broken down – not so that everyone thought and looked the same, but so that everyone understood each other in their own language and culture.

• They were able to speak about their faith with boldness and confidence and share with others what they had seen, experienced and learnt from seeing Jesus in action;
• They were able to bring healing to people who were hurting; and,
• They were able to work out disagreements by remembering what Jesus had taught them: Blessed are the poor in spirit, the meek and humble, the merciful, those who hunger and thirst for what is right, those who mourn and are able to enter into the sufferings of others, those who are persecuted in the cause of what is right.

Next Thursday, 15th June, a number of our students will be formally receiving the power of the Holy Spirit in Confirmation and begin speaking for themselves. As a community, we are encouraged to cast a timely glance over our own lives, to see how well we have spoken for ourselves:

• What are our reactions as the power of the Spirit continues to be revealed in our lives?
• Are the two greatest commandments alive and active?
• How blessed are we in living the inspiring words of Jesus about being humble and merciful, in contributing to the welfare of the disadvantaged, in standing up for Christian values?

And one of them, a doctor of the Law, putting him to the test, asked him, "Master, which is the great commandment in the Law?" Jesus said to him, "'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind.' This is the greatest and the first commandment. And the second is like it, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.' On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:35-40)

All of these gifts are encompassed in our charism, and everything we do as a school community.

If, as the first educators and therefore most significant people in the lives of our children, we are making a real effort to exercise the power of the Spirit within us, then, our children will really begin to “answer for themselves” and follow our example to reveal Jesus to others by engaging in Christian thinking and actions.

Wishing you God’s every blessing now and always,

Sarah Hamilton
Principal

APA News

SEMESTER 1 REPORTING – IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Teachers have recently been busy preparing the end of semester reports. End of semester reports are a summation on each child’s progress. Please remember to look at all the positives in your child’s report and to celebrate their achievements, however small. Here are some ideas to consider when you open your child’s report:

1. Focus on strengths. Do you look for strengths or weaknesses first? The challenge is to focus on strengths even if they are not in the traditional 3Rs or core subjects.
2. Take into account your child’s effort and attitude to learning. If the report indicates that effort is below standard, then you have something to work on. If your child is putting in the required effort, then you cannot ask any more than that, regardless of the grading.
3. Broaden your focus away from academic performance to form a picture of your child’s progress as a member of a social setting. How your child gets along with his or her peers will influence their happiness and well-being, as well as give an indicator to their future. The skills of independence and cooperation are highly valued by employers so don’t dismiss these as unimportant. Take note of student self-assessment. Students are generally very honest and will give a realistic assessment of their progress. They are generally very perceptive so take note of their opinions.
4. Discuss the report with your son or daughter talking about strengths first before looking at areas that need improvement. Ask for their opinion about how they performed and discuss their concerns.

There is not a single student not worthy of praise, and even though there may be areas requiring a little more attention and effort, set this as a positive goal for next term, and not a sticking point in your conversations with your child. Harsh words do not always create the desired effect with young children, and can sometimes be the cause of the creation of a lack of confidence and heartfelt sadness preventing their ability to bounce back and take up new challenges. As always, if you have any concerns regarding grades or comments made, please contact your child’s class teacher and arrange a convenient time to meet early next term.

Reports on Parent Portal

This semester Academic Reports will not be posted out to families. All Academic Reports will be uploaded to the parent portal under the ‘MyStudents’ tab.

Once the report upload has been completed, you will receive an email from Holy Cross advising the availability on the portal. We are expecting to have all reports uploaded by the end of week 10 (Friday 23rd June 2017).

Please see attached the ‘how to guide’ on accessing the parent portal.

Thank you for your commitment to your child’s education at Holy Cross. We remain committed to providing the best possible partnership with you as their parents and carers.

Withholding of Academic reports

As we approach the end of Semester One, please be advised that Holy Cross will, at the end of this semester, withhold academic reports for students where their family has an outstanding fee account and where an acceptable fee payment arrangement has not been made with Carolyn, our Finance Officer. Contact can be made via email accounts.trinitypk@cns.catholic.edu.au or by phoning on 4057 6920 and selecting the Accounts extension.

Holy Cross takes a proactive stance in respect of the collection of fees and levies. I take this opportunity to thank the majority of our families for their continued support through their contribution and commitment to the timely payment of their fees and levies.

Families that require a payment arrangement or wish to discuss alternative payment options in respect to fees and levies, are requested to contact our Finance Officer prior to the end of Week 9 – Friday 15 June, 2017. If no arrangements with the Finance Officer have been made by this date, unfortunately academic reports will be withheld until the fee matters are resolved.

Cairns Festival Float Entry

Expressions of Interest

Are you interested in participating in the Cairns Festival Grand Parade Float? Have you filled out your expression of interest? It’s not too late. If you are interested in participating, please complete the attached form to assist in planning and preparing. More information and details will follow in the coming newsletters.

Holy Cross Parent Portal Update

Over the coming weeks, more parent information will be directed to the Parent Portal. From Term 3 all correspondence home will be via email and the Parent Portal. No paper copies of notes or letters will be sent home. A weekly update will be emailed to keep you abreast of the latest news and letters added.

If you have yet to sign up to the parent portal or are unsure how to, please view the link below. If you do not have access or require further assistance please contact mthorpe@cns.catholic.edu.au or come in and see us.

Positive Behaviour Focus

Congratulations to Week 6 and 7 Holy Cross Heroes:

“We were caught THINKING POSITIVELY”

Below are a number of key dates for Term 2 2017 to consider:

Many blessings for the week

Brad Henry
Assistant Principal - Administration

APRE News

LITURGICAL LIFE OF THE SCHOOL

Upcoming liturgies and Masses:

• First Holy Communion Saturday 17th June at 6:00pm, Sunday 18th June at 8:30am (Holy Cross) and 5:00pm (St Andrews)

MEDITATION

As you know, here at Holy Cross we engage in daily meditation sessions. This is predominantly Christian Meditation, however, it can include such practices as guided meditation, relaxation and use of mandalas. Meditation allows our students to calm after second break, to engage with themselves and to build relationship with God.

Here are some reflections on Christian meditation (taken from http://www.resourcemelb.catholic.edu.au)

Meditation has always been part of the Christian tradition. In the world today there has been a renewed interest in the practice of meditation as a form of silent personal prayer. This could be due to the increased need for silence and stillness in the midst of our busy lives.

The Gospels tell us that Jesus himself spent long hours praying in the silence of the night or that he went up into the hills to pray before dawn. ‘His daily activity was closely bound up with prayer, and…flowed from it.’ His prayer was deep communion with the Father (his Abba). As disciples, we too are invited into this same loving communion with God. This is the essence and foundation of Christian life.

The tradition of meditation was particularly taken up by the earliest Christians who went to the desert to live a life of simplicity and prayer. They learnt to repeat a phrase from the psalms as they wove their baskets and did their other daily tasks. In this way they moved from saying words into silent contemplation. We can understand contemplation as a loving gaze or attention such as we would give to a beautiful view. We all have the capacity to pray in this contemplative way. If you have ever sat by the ocean in silent wonder, or reflected on the mystery of love, then you know the beginnings of contemplation.

Wordless meditation is suited to our hectic lifestyle which is overloaded with information. People want silence and stillness, and to find the mysterious, wonderful God.

There are some basic aspects to consider as you prepare to meditate. These include, making a regular time to meditate, choosing a suitable place, taking time to prepare the body and mind, adopting a good posture and attention to breathing. The practice of meditation in the Christian tradition has four basic components. Posture, Breath, Word and Blessing.

These are some words or phrases to use when engaging in Christian Meditation-a mantra:

Jesus; God; Spirit; Amen; Maranatha; Shalom; Love; Abba; Peace; Mercy; Listen; Silence; Stillness; Faith; Trust; Calm; Yes.
I trust in you; Let it be; Jesus my friend; Do not be afraid; Letting Go; Be still; Peace be with you; Help me; God is Love; Be Still and Know that I am God.

In classrooms, Christian Meditation takes many forms, but some key features you would notice are the use of candles and prayer cloths to set the space and occasion, periods of silence, closed eyes, the use of mantras and the use of music. From Prep, the children are able to sit in a circle and practise the skills of meditation. They do it so reverently, prayerfully and respectfully of others.

ANDREW CHINN VISIT

We are lucky to have Andrew Chinn vising our school on Wednesday 21st June. He is an Australian religious songwriter and singer. Andrew’s songs, such as “These Hands”, “Rainbow” and “An African Blessing” are used in classrooms and liturgies around Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada. Here at Holy Cross, we use a lot of his music as well. Parents, parishioners and toddlers are warmly invited to be a part of the celebration of faith and fun. There is no charge for adults and toddlers. The children have been paid for through the enrichment levy. Students will be involved in workshops throughout the day and then a concert will take place in the multi-purpose area at 1:40pm. We hope to see lots of families and friends there.

PARISH SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM

Families are welcome to come along and support our candidates when they receive their First Communion, on the weekend of the 17th and 18th June. Unfortunately, we cannot offer the same invitation for the evening of Confirmation, as the Cathedral will be full of candidates, their sponsors and their families. Please continue to pray for these children.

The Sacrament of First Reconciliation will occur in the Northern Beaches Parish, in September and is for students in Year 3 and above. The first meeting is not until July.

REFLECTION AND PRAYER FOCUS FOR THE WEEK

Reconciliation – taking the next step

There is a strange sentence in last Sunday’s Gospel. In the story of the giving of the Holy Spirit in John’s Gospel, the risen Jesus appears to his disciples, breathes on them and says, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit! Those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven them. Those whose sins you retain they are retained.’ What is this about retaining or rather not forgiving? Aren’t we as Christians to readily and freely forgive? Not necessarily. Sometimes situations are complex and therefore difficult and we need the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to work properly through the challenging process of reconciliation. God can forgive simply - we rarely can.

The 1967 referendum by which the Indigenous peoples of Australia were formally recognised was a great event but, rather than being the solution to the challenges facing indigenous and non-indigenous Australians, it was one necessary step in a long journey of Reconciliation. More have been made, more need to be made. It seems that the decision made last week by indigenous leaders at Uluru to push for a treaty instead of constitutional recognition has thrown some politicians and commentators. I don’t understand it but to continue my personal transformation in my country’s Reconciliation, I have to listen. We go forward one step at a time – only one step.

And we have different steps to take. Experience of Reconciliation will be different for those living in the cities, where one rarely encounters indigenous Australians, than for those to living in some regional areas. It can seem like a large, almost insurmountable challenge but one person, one step at a time we can make the journey. With the inspiration and wisdom of the Spirit, we can change what seem like entrenched opinions and situations – one step at a time. This week, pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in discovering the next step that you are called to take.

Loving God, send me your wise Spirit to understand what step I need to take to bring about Reconciliation in my country. May the example I give be a source of inspiration to my child/ren. I ask this in Jesus’ name, confident that you will hear me.

Sr Kym Harris osb

Jacinta Roberts
APRE Holy Cross

Look What’s Going On …

Justice Squad Winter Appeal

It’s getting cold outside and people are sleeping in the cold air which can cause them to get sick. The Justice Squad is organising a winter appeal and would love it if you have any clothes or blankets at your home that you don’t use any more. We would like you to bring them into school for the winter appeal. Even though you may think that you don’t need these items any more, there is someone out there who would appreciate your donation more than you would believe. So help keep the less fortunate warm during winter.

Trolleys will be placed in the Year 1 -2 eating area along with outside the office in the mornings for weeks 7 to 10. Please help us help those in need. Rosies will be collecting the items every Thursday.

By Makenzie S (6S)

Student Council

On Tuesday 13th June the Student Council will be holding a Money Line fundraiser to raise money to go towards a gift back to the school. Students are asked to bring in a donation of coins to try and create the longest line for their house. Gotcha points are awarded to winning teams.

Holy Cross Shining Stars

Holy Cross Shining Stars is a new initiative being introduced to provide a forum to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of our students. We encourage parents, carers and members of the wider community to complete the Shining Stars Template when there is exciting news regarding one of our students. A photograph would be a wonderful addition if possible. We look forward to filling our newsletter with many “Shining Stars” in the weeks that follow. Please click on the link below and forward completed forms and attached photos to mthorpe@cns.catholic.edu.au

Administration News

Term 2 School Fees

Term 2 school fees are now overdue and reminder notices were emailed on Monday 22nd May. Please treat this matter with the utmost urgency.

If you currently have a direct debit/credit 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 as soon as possible.

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 present your card to the school office for verification. The school will make a copy of your card and provide a Health Care Card Tuition Fee Discount Scheme Form for you to complete. The fee discount will then be applied to tuition fees on future term invoices.

The discount arrangement will expire on the expiry date of the card or at the end of the school year. Parents and carers receiving the discount have a duty to inform the school of any renewal or change in eligibility for the card.

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

P and F Starry Night Cinema Event

A reminder that the P and F Holy Cross Starry Night Cinema Event is being held tomorrow night, Friday 9th June. The Flexischools payment system has now been extended until 4.45pm today for pre-purchase of tickets and pizza. Families may also pay for entry at the gate, however if families are wishing to have the pizza deal, this must be paid through the Flexischool system to allow for the ordering of the pizzas. There will also be a sausage sizzle, popcorn, drinks, Sno Cones and some fantastic raffles available for purchase on the night.

Look forward to a great family night out and make sure that you rug up for the night!

P & F Meeting

The next P & F Meeting will be held on Wednesday 14th June at 6.30pm in the school library. Please click on the link below to view the Agenda for the meeting. We look forward to seeing you there. If you have any items that you wish to discuss at a P & F meeting, please complete the Agenda Item Request form and email to the P & F President or Secretary indicated on the form, or leave at the school office at least two days prior to the meeting.

Entertainment Book Fundraising

Help support our school by buying the NEW 2017 / 2018 Entertainment Membership. Entertainment Membership provides access to hundreds of valuable offers for everything you love to do, and you’ll be helping our school fundraise at the same time.

Click on the link below to order your book or digital membership now. Books are also available for purchase at the school office for $60 (cash only).

Tuckshop News

Orders for Athletics Carnival

Please note that the Tuckshop will be offering a limited menu for the Athletics Carnival. This will be adjusted on Flexischools for online ordering, and will also be put up on the chalkboard on Thursday afternoon prior to the carnival. For parent/visitor orders, if house team is not specified, please collect orders from the Tuckshop.

Change to Monday Tuckshop Operating Hours

A reminder that the Tuckshop now offers a meal service and over the counter snack purchases for first break only on Mondays. Regular meal services will continue as per normal Tuesday to Friday.

Volunteers required

Always on the lookout for an extra set of hands in Tuckshop! At the moment though I am in particular need of volunteers who may be available Fridays from 11am until approximately 1pm, to assist with order preparation. If you think you can assist, pop into the Tuckshop and let me know. Or contact Belinda via Mob: 0422 712 461 or email bpatmore@cns.catholic.edu.au

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 or directly at the Flexischools website below.

The Term 2 menu is available on the link below and hard copies may be collected from the Tuckshop if required.

Music News

Instrumental Lessons

Do you want to join the Holy Cross Band? We have Trumpets, Trombones, Saxophones, Flutes and Clarinets waiting for some keen young musicians. If you are interested in learning to play one of these instruments and to join the Holy Cross Band, then collect a green “Instrumental Lesson Request” form from the main school office and we can start the ball rolling with your enrolment. If you are unsure which instrument is for you, come and see us on Friday mornings in the French room and we can help.

Mr Hurdley and Mrs Mcintyre

French News

Families needed!

Host a French student from CEI - Centre d’Echanges Internationaux

A great opportunity to host French students aged 15-19 is available to families for 5 weeks from 12/7/17 to 13/8/17. The French students attend local schools such as Smithfield High School during their stay and families are paid a fee to cover expenses. It is a great way for families to make international friends and share cultural experiences.

If you would like more information about hosting a French student contact:

Jo Cawood: M: 0417 330 045 E: cawoodsmith@gmail.com

Sports News

Netball

Term 3 NetFun Program

Cairns Netball’s School based NetFun program is designed for boys and girls aged 5-10 years. The program offers an opportunity for children to increase their social and motor skills in a friendly and fun environment. The program creates a positive and fun experience of netball for each participant and builds a pathway into the Cairns Netball Association to encourage continued involvement in the sport.

This program will be offered again after school in Term 3 from 3.05pm to 4.05pm at the Multipurpose Court. Sessions commence on Thursday 27th July through to Thursday 7th September 2017.

Please click on the link below for further information and registration form. Registration forms may also be collected from the school office.

School Holiday Netball Clinics

Cairns Netball Association will be holding School Holiday Netball Clinics for boys and girls aged 8 to 12 years on Tuesday 27th June, Thursday 29th June and Monday 3rd July from 9:00am to 3:00pm. Cost is $20 per person per day, BYO lunch. Click on the link below for further information and registration form.

Parent Engagement

Influenza Vaccination and Prevention Measures

The Queensland Department of Health has issued a request to disseminate information to schools so that staff and parents/guardians are informed, prepared and proactive as we enter the influenza season. The Department of Health advises:

With the influenza season just around the corner it is an opportune time to actively encourage influenza vaccination. This year the vaccine covers two strains of Influenza A and two strains of Influenza B. The inclusion of a second Influenza B strain provides additional protection for staff, students and the school community as it is Influenza B that particularly affects younger age groups.

As you are aware, the sustained and close learning environment and boarding accommodation (when applicable) in schools increases the likelihood of infections spreading. We know that once influenza has been introduced to a school it spreads easily and can result in a significant number of affected students and staff. Increased awareness and ongoing attention to prevention and control measures, such as vaccination and good hygiene, are steps that we can all promote to reduce the impact of influenza.

Queensland Health is encouraging staff and students to be vaccinated for influenza as well as promoting other prevention and control measures, such as using tissues for coughs and sneezes and handwashing. Resources and information on seasonal flu can be found on the Queensland Health website.

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 website below for more information.

Children’s Playtime Group

Speech Plus Speech Pathology

Kath Bruno has re-opened her speech pathology practice with 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.

TYC’s Winter Holiday Drama Camps

Participating in TYCs action packed Winter School Holiday Programs engage our regions young performers to discover their electrifying creative abilities, develop their super charged social confidence and define their magnetic idea generation skills. Participants make lots of new friends while also improving on their acting abilities, self-confidence, communication and presentation skills, as well as their creativity. Throughout each program students can explore either scripted & improvised acting processes, costumes, lighting, sound & multimedia elements, finishing with a creative performance on the final afternoon in front of a live audience with costumes, sets, props, sound effects, live projections and theatrical lighting!! So dive right in to TYC for our Winter 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 Friday 17 June!

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.