13 July 2017

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

A very warm welcome to Semester Two. It was an absolute joy to be reunited with our students on Monday. Holy Cross certainly missed their energy, laughter and spirit during the two-week break. The school grounds feel very empty without their presence.

Always keen for a challenge, I took up Ms Neil’s suggestion and spent as much time as possible curled up with a little something to read over the holiday. It was both refreshing and rewarding, especially when one of my children choose to join me. Whilst pawing through one particular book, I stumbled across a short story entitled, The Wise Donkey. Upon reading the tale, it not only incited a smile, but also provoked a moment of reflection on the last twenty weeks of school. The story went as follows:

“One day a farmer’s donkey fell into a well. The animal cried miserably for hours as the farmer tried to work out what to do. Finally, the farmer decided that the donkey was old and the well had to be filled in anyway; it just wasn’t worth the effort to retrieve the old donkey. The farmer invited his neighbours to come over and help him. Each grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. When the donkey realised what was happening, it cried horribly, then, to everyone’s amazement it quietened down. When the farmer looked into the well, he was astonished to see the donkey shake each shovel of dirt off its back and take a step upwards. This sequence continued until the donkey began to appear. Before long, it stepped over the edge of the well and trotted off.”

As I pondered on the message embedded within the story, my thoughts turned to the many conversations I have with our students regarding the ups and downs of life. These discussions are frequently filled with a hearty debate about the vast array of struggles they face, all of which are - in their eyes - both unique and of considerable consequence. It occurred to me that if I used the moral of this story (and others like it) as a guide, I could utilise these conversations and turn them into ‘teachable moments’ encouraging our students to be wise and positive in the decisions and choices they make.

At Holy Cross we teach our students that as Christians, we believe in a positive outcome in life by our faith in a loving God. Through prayer, Christians believe that we can make use of what Jesus called, “the Kingdom of God within you,” Luke 17:21. A favourite saying is:

“Act as if everything depended on you, pray as if everything depended on God.”

No wonder Christians are such a positive lot, and if we are not, we should be!

So let us all encourage our children to venture out into the world like the wise donkey, only maybe with the addition of a horn to be in-keeping with our 2017 unicorn theme.

Wishing you God’s every blessing now and always,

Sarah Hamilton
Principal

APA News

Parent Portal

Throughout Term 2 we continued to increase the use of the Parent Portal as our ONE-STOP-SHOP for all your needs. We will continue to build its capacity throughout this semester and provide information on how the Parent Portal can assist you.

The current version of the Parent Portal provides limited access from MOBILE DEVICES. Whilst you can view basic information, some aspects of the portal at this stage require access to a computer or laptop. We have been advised, in the very near future, an upgrade to the system will provide better access from mobile devices.

Some of the things you can now do through the PARENT PORTAL include:

• Accessing your child’s Academic Reports
• Accessing your child’s Attendance Records
• Report student absences
• View the Holy Cross School Calendar for all upcoming events
• Access copies of all Notes/Forms/Communication home
• Locate information on various aspects of Holy Cross School.

In order to continue to provide the best possible home communication and to avoid phone calls and appointments when you could easily access vital information, we invite feedback and suggestion on the types of information you would like to see on the Parent Portal. Whilst the technical aspects are centrally configured through Catholic Education Brisbane, we are able to work on other aspects of the portal. Any feedback can be passed on through mthorpe@cns.catholic.edu.au.

WEEKLY UPDATE

This week we will begin to email a Parent Portal Weekly Update. This will be a simple A4 email document with the latest additions to the portal in case you’ve missed them. Please keep an eye on your email for the first instalment coming soon.

Cairns Festival Float Entry

INCASE YOU MISSED IT

Expressions of Interest

Positive Behaviour Focus

Below are a number of key dates for Term 3 2017 to consider:

Many blessings for the week

Brad Henry
Assistant Principal - Administration

APRE News

Welcome to a new term! This term will prove to be one of celebration, with our 30 Year Anniversary in September. We also have Catholic Education Week in Week 3. This year, the Queensland launch for this event, is being held at St Andrew’s Catholic College. Dignitaries from across the state will be there, including Archbishop Mark Coleridge. Our twelve school leaders have been invited to take part in the Mass and proceedings on 26th July. Here at Holy Cross, we will start the week with Mass on Monday 24th at 9:00am, in the church. Families and friends are welcome to attend. Our instrumental students will be busking throughout the school in the mornings of Week 3 and other activities will take place in classrooms. This year’s theme is, “Sharing the Journey”.

LITURGICAL LIFE OF THE SCHOOL

Upcoming liturgies and Masses:

• Catholic Education Week Mass Monday 24th July at 9am
• Feast of the Assumption Tuesday 15th August at 9am
• First Reconciliation Holy Cross Tuesday 5th September at 6pm
• Exaltation of the Cross (Feast Day) Mass Thursday 14th September at 9am
• Class Masses and Liturgies T.B.A.

PARISH SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM

The Program for the Sacrament of First Reconciliation will begin in the week of 25th July. This is a parish-based family program. Children can work through their booklets with their families at home. Sessions will be held at Holy Cross and St Andrew’s, for those who want to prepare in a group environment. Children from Grade Three and above can prepare for the Sacrament. The booklets are now available from the school office for $15.

ANDREW CHINN CONCERT

In the Wednesday of Week 10 last term, children from all grades enjoyed working with Andrew Chinn in some music workshops, and then joining in with our whole school concert in the afternoon. Not only did we have students show off their cool dance moves and voices, but we also had a back-up choir who supported Andrew by singing on the microphones, with only a little practice. They were amazing! Andrew is a talented songwriter and performer who has a way of enabling students to shine. He has also created a lot of the engaging music that we use regularly in Masses and lessons.

Andrew Chinn Concert

VIEW GALLERY

Andrew Chinn Concert

Click images to enlarge

MJR PROGRAM

In addition to the Religious Education and Social and Emotional Learning curricula, Year Six students participate in the MJR Program-Making Jesus Real. It empowers students to discover the values, qualities and attitudes necessary for a faith filled, positive life. The activities help students to identify their own strengths and values and build their compassion for others. They are encouraged to use journaling and look for the ‘God moments’ in the everyday. It is said that MJR is not just a program, but a way of living and connecting with the Spirit of Jesus.

Some reflections on MJR from Year Six students Riley, Anais and Jordan:

“The book is cool-not like other books.”
“Keeps it fun.”
“Teaches you how to be persistent, to encourage others, to be welcoming and to say thank you and sorry.”

Pete Mitchell (Mitch) is the author of the Making Jesus Real text. He will be coming out to work with the Year Six students in Week 3 of this term.

REFLECTION AND PRAYER FOCUS FOR THE WEEK

Over the holidays there were many NAIDOC celebrations in and around Cairns. Here at Holy Cross, we celebrated in Week 10 with a liturgy and activities creatively led by Mr Norman Miller. If you haven’t had a chance to see the shields created with the students, please have a look in the office this week for a couple of great examples. This week’s reflection from Sr Kym is based on the NAIDOC theme.

Being the Peoples of the Great South Land of the Holy Spirit

Celebrating NAIDOC week in our schools, we recall that this year is the 50th anniversary of the 1967 referendum and the 25th anniversary of the Mabo decision. At this time the Referendum Council is working towards a proposal to put to the Australian public that will recognise the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution. This is no small challenge. Not only are the people who have come to Australia over the last 229 years an ethically and racially different lot…so too are the first inhabitants of this land and its islands. Yet recently 250 of their representatives met at Uluru, shared and discussed, and came to a resolution about how they wished to be recognised within the Constitution: they wanted a First Nations Voice.

This was a different direction to which the Referendum Council was working. Will this become an impasse; will the issue be put into the too hard basket? I hope not. Rather this is a profound opportunity for our development as a nation. We often discover who we are in conversation with others, especially in those challenging discussions where we have to face, recognise and resolve differences. Strangely when we respect difference, we come to appreciate what we share in common and that becomes the bond holding the deepened relationship together. So too will it be for us a nation if we stay with this conversation, but it won’t be easy.

One of the first names given to our country by a European was The South Land of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is shown in the Scriptures as the power of God bringing life out of chaos, unity out of a mixture of peoples and languages, and love and reconciliation amongst those who are estranged. May this Holy Spirit be with us all as a nation that we may respect and listen to the vastly diverse peoples who make up our land, from our First Nations with their 60,000 year history to the latest migrant or refugee seeking a new life in our land.

Loving God, send your gracious Spirit into our midst that we may listen to each other with respect and discover that this is the basis on which we can celebrate our differences. In the coming months, may your Spirit guide the recognition of our First Nations in our Australian constitution.

Sr Kym Harris osb

Jacinta Roberts
APRE Holy Cross

Administration News

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 & F Minutes

Please click on the link to view the minutes from the June P & F Meeting.

P & F Meeting

The next P & F Meeting will be held on Wednesday 9th August at 7.00pm in the school library. 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 Booklet. 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

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 at the links below:

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

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.