8 September 2017

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

With all the fun, excitement and joyful reminiscing surrounding our upcoming 30th anniversary celebrations, I have found myself in the highly privileged position of spectating the reunion of past students and staff, and the sharing of fond memories and hilarious schoolyard antics. It truly has been a joy to behold, but my observations have also prompted many a moment of reflection and contemplation on the imbalanced way we now view life compared to 30 years ago.

In today’s society, constant exposure to social media and advertising, encourages and goads our minds into making comparisons, and in making these comparisons, we are drawn to make judgements as to whether we are content or dissatisfied with our own lives. Advertisers take advantage of the way our minds work, so constantly promote perfect images of people, houses, cars, partners, body images, and even perfect children. We are seduced into believing that whatever is being advertised, is all that is required to create a happy and content life.

It makes me smile to think that playwright and poet, William Shakespeare, must have been making similar observations back in the 1500s promoting him to write:

“Oh, how bitter a thing it is, to look into happiness through another man’s eyes.”

Curtin University School of Psychology carried out a survey to investigate grandma’s advice that money can’t buy happiness. The results were very interesting:

“It has been studied and shown that a fairly small percentage of your happiness is about material things, such as your wealth or your situation in life. At the most, it is responsible for about 10%, and even questions are being asked about how long-lasting this bit is. The rest of the happiness formula is split between the two big players: 50% genetic – generally how you are wired from birth to worry and be neurotic – and the remaining 40% intentional activity – the choices you make and what you do. ..... Taking responsibility for your own happiness, that’s what is proving to be important in the long run. Certainly, not hoping your new outfit, new house or new city is going to make it all suddenly better.”
Associate Professor Clare Rees. West Australian 23:02:11

It would seem from the findings of the Curtin Study that we would do well to heed the advice in the following words:

“I pray daily; not for more riches, but for more wisdom with which to recognise, embrace and enjoy the great abundance of riches I already possess.”
Author Unknown

Wisdom and thankfulness seem to be the rich soil in which true happiness and contentment take root. But happiness and contentment can only take root when the ‘different parts’ of ourselves make friends with each other. When there is discord between what we want and what we have, there is little chance that we will advance in happiness and contentment.

When our children were in their infant years, we could observe them playing contentedly with whatever we gave to them. It was only when we plonked them in front of the T.V. that they had comparisons to make, and so wanted what they saw instead of what they had.

As parents, it is an act of love on our part to limit the exposure our children have to the things that will harm rather than nourish their sense of personal contentment. It is an act of self-love if we do the same for ourselves. St Paul, on occasion, had a companion and assistant named Timothy, as he went about his missionary work. In the first of the two letters Paul wrote to Timothy he said:

“Now there is great gain in godliness through contentment, for we brought nothing into the world and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.”
1 Tim 6:6-8

With so much to be thankful for in the relatively short history of Holy Cross School, and so many more joyous moments to come in the years that follow, I thank you each for the gift of your child, and the happiness that their presence brings with each day spent in our community. I pray that ‘the Holy Cross Way’ continues to live and grow, so that it can disseminate into every facet of our students’ lives as they mature, develop and ultimately move to pastures new.

So let us continue to thank God for our blessings and enjoy the week of celebrations ahead.

With fond regards,

Sarah Hamilton
Principal

APA News

HOLY CROSS SWIMMING TIMETABLE – Term 3, 2017

Dear Parent/Guardian,

In Weeks 9 and 10, September 4th to September 13th students in Years 4 to 6 will participate in their swimming program for 2017. In Weeks 2, 3 and 4, October 9th to October 25th students in Prep to Year 3 will participate in their swimming program. Please read the information below to assist with preparation for the program.

Swimming is a recognised part of the curriculum offered at Holy Cross. It is expected that all students will participate in this program. We have worked closely with the Smithfield Pool Swimming Instructors to create a course which includes essential ‘Swim and Survive’ skills. It is not simply swimming laps. Those students who are not well enough to walk over to the pool probably aren’t well enough to be at school either.

• Students must wear hats and shoes when walking to the pool, and they must wear a shirt/rashie with sleeves whilst at the pool and when swimming. Girls are asked to wear a one-piece swim suit.
• It would be great if students had sun-block at school so that they could apply it before walking to the pool.
• Students are expected to be in school uniform for the commencement of the day and completion, except the first class timetabled.
• Long hair must be tied back as per school policy.
• The instructors have asked that each child wears goggles for their lessons. These are available for $10 from the pool, as a ‘school special’.
• Lesson will be primarily in the undercover heated pool to assist with sun safety.

Parent helpers are required to walk to and from the pool with EVERY CLASS. If you’re available for a particular day, could you please contact your child’s class teacher as soon as possible. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

Note: NO swimming THURSDAY 14th September (Week 10)
NO swimming FRIDAY 15th September (Week 10).

Should you have any questions about the Holy Cross swimming program please speak with your classroom teacher or contact myself.

HOLY CROSS PARENT SATISFACTION SURVEY 2017

As part of our ongoing commitment to continuously improving the school, we believe it is critical to seek each parent and guardian’s opinion on a range of issues relating to Holy Cross. Your feedback is very important to us as we continue to build a successful school and strengthen our reputation as an ‘educator of choice’.

As such, we have engaged the professional services of MYB to undertake a strictly private and confidential School Results Survey on our behalf. The survey should take approximately 10 - 15 minutes and will need to be completed online between Monday 28th August and Monday 11th September. There are no right or wrong answers and we ask that you respond honestly to each statement.

Please note that this survey will be confidential. No member of the leadership team at Holy Cross will have access to your individual responses. We will be provided with a summary of collated results only.

MYP Corp undertake the following process to ensure anonymity:

1. Parents and guardians have been emailed individual survey logins.
2. Results will be collated externally.
3. A summary of collated results will be provided to the school leadership team.

The survey instructions and a personalised login link has been emailed to all parents. You will continue to send friendly reminders during the survey period until you have submitted the survey.

If you have not received your survey instructions, please check your spam and junk email folders before contacting mthorpe@cns.catholic.edu.au or administration on 07 40576920.

While we strongly encourage you to participate, the survey is not compulsory. If you decide that you do not want to complete the survey, simply click ‘Unsubscribe’ in the instruction or reminder email.

Thank you for your assistance in helping to shape the future direction of Holy Cross.

EARN AND LEARN – TIME RUNNING OUT

This year we are participating in the Woolworths Earn & Learn program. Through this program we will be able to get new educational resources for our school– and all we need you to do is shop for your groceries at Woolworths.

From Wednesday 26th July to Tuesday 19th September or while stock lasts, we are collecting Woolworths Earn & Learn Stickers. You will get one Woolworths Earn & Learn Sticker for every $10 spent (excluding liquor, tobacco and gift cards). Place the Woolworths Earn & Learn Sticker onto a Woolworths Earn & Learn Sticker Sheet and when it’s complete, the Sticker Sheet can be dropped into the Collection Box here at the school or at your local Woolworths. Please remember to write our school name on the sticker sheet.

At the end of the promotion, we’ll be able to get some great new equipment. The range is extensive and offers lots of items ideal for our students – including resources for Maths, English, Science and some fantastic fun supplies for Arts & Craft, Sport and for our library. If you’d like to know more visit the link below:

POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR FOCUS

Holy Cross Heroes

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

LITURGICAL LIFE OF THE SCHOOL

Upcoming liturgies and Masses:

• 30th Anniversary Parish Mass Sunday 10th September at 8.30am
• Exaltation of the Cross (Feast Day) Mass Thursday 14th September at 9.00am
• Class Masses and Liturgies
     -  Tuesday 3rd October 9:30am Year 6
     -  Tuesday 17th October 9:30am Year 3
     -  Tuesday 24th October Prep time TBC
     -  Tuesday 31st October Year 1 time TBC
     -  Tuesday 7th November Year 2 time TBC
     -  Tuesday 14th November 9:30am Year 4
     -  Tuesday 21st November 9:30am Year 5

PARISH SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM

Congratulations to the students who received their First Reconciliation on Tuesday evening, or those who will next Tuesday at All Saints Chapel. It is a special time. It is a time for focus on God’s mercy, how we forgive among our family, friends, and community, and how we celebrate forgiveness.

Pope Francis says that Reconciliation is, “…about mercy and grace and love—as opposed to shame or fear.”

Well done to Olivia, Dixie, Clodagh, Isabella, Ethan, Kristen, Shannon, Annabell, Simon, Chloe, Steve, Bella, Andrew, Leo, Chloe, Matthew, Eva, Meika, Ruby, Natallie, Lachlan, Makaide, Mason, Ryan, Makayla, Beau, Maygan, Logan, Atalia, Owen and all the other children from the parish.

30TH ANNIVERSARY EVENTS

At the moment at Holy Cross, we are celebrating all things “COMMUNITY”. We have already highlighted being the “Pearl of the Northern Beaches” with our float in the parade. We will continue to celebrate with our Bush Dance on Saturday, Parish Mass on Sunday and then a number of activities next week including our memorabilia/history display in the library, Art Show, Holy Cross Day Mass and activities and culminating assembly. On Holy Cross Day, we traditionally have the Colour Run. This is our annual parish fundraiser and goes towards things like the projectors and screens in the church. It is a time to get colourful and wet and the parents have just as much fun spraying the children, as the children do getting sprayed! Please see below for more information on all these events and we look forward to seeing you next week at one or more of them.

REFLECTION AND PRAYER FOCUS FOR THE WEEK

Protecting children is Everybody’s Business

I saw a lion last night. I woke during the night and saw the silhouette of a lion at the front door protecting the house. My mind flitted to the image of Jesus, as the Lion of Judah and I felt safe. Of course there wasn’t a lion there – it was the moon shadow playing on the palms at the front of the house. You may have thought my response strange for being pious. I thought it strange for being positive. You see I wasn’t like that as a child. I was fearful, an oddball and had a negative reaction in most situations. I’m not like that now and largely that is due to the many people, in so many different ways that encouraged me to be different, to be positive, to look on the good side of life.

How many knew they were doing this? Hardly anyone at all. You see anyone can take a part in building up the children around them and you can never underestimate the influence of the passing word, the kind gesture or the interest shown in a child’s life. I can think of a shopkeeper that said the right word, a teacher who defended me when I was badly treated by another teacher (knowing what I know now that was powerful), of family members who showed love and a grandfather who was always interested. It was a long journey and I am so grateful to so many people.

As we celebrate Child Protection Week, let us recognise that each of us can have a powerful influence on the minds and hearts of the children around us. Most of the time, we will have no idea what that influence may be but it will be there. By kindness, by interest, by sharing we each can offer the protection that encourages them to grow into their best selves.

Loving Father, I thank you for all the many people who have had a good influence on my life. Inspired by them, may I show to all children the love and protection that encourages them to go into the fullness of life. I ask this in Jesus’ name, confident that you will hear me.

Sr Kym Harris osb

Jacinta Roberts
APRE Holy Cross

Administration News

Term 3 School Fees

Term 3 school fees were due for payment by the 1st August and are now overdue. Your prompt attention to the outstanding payment would be much appreciated.

If you currently have alternative payment arrangements in place (eg. Periodic Direct Debits, approved repayment plans etc) please ensure your 2017 fees have been updated and are sufficient to finalise your account by 24th November 2017.

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.

2017 Exiting Student Enrolments

As we are beginning preparations for our 2018 year levels we kindly ask that families who are aware that they are relocating to another school to please notify the school office on 4057 6920 or via email to mthorpe@cns.catholic.edu.au. We understand families may be unsure at this stage but ask that when you have received notification that you advise the school as quickly as possible.

As we currently have a waitlist for most year levels for 2018, we would like to confirm our existing enrolments for next year before making offers to new families. Your prompt attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.

Please note a formal exit notification form is required to be completed and an exit interview organised with the School Principal in order to finalise student enrolments.

Should you require an Exit form, they are available for collection from the school office, via email upon request, or click on the link below to download a copy.

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.

School Dental Van Service

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.

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. (Additionally, we are also happy to see high school siblings from Smithfield High school due to the close proximity)

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

Regards,
Oral Health Services
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service

Look What’s Been Going On…

Congratulations

Congratulations to Lily D-C from Prep 0C who is a member of the Freshwater Pony Club. Lily rode on behalf of Holy Cross School last weekend and came second. Well Done Lily on your fantastic achievement!

Gotcha Points

Congratulations to Petersen our Week 7 winners and Class 1H who received the most Gotcha points for Week 6.

P and F News

Holy Cross Christmas Fair

Christmas Fair Plant Stall

This year the Tuckshop Co-ordinator, Belinda Patmore, will be assisting with the convening of the Plant Stall for our annual Christmas Fair, and it is time to start getting organised!! If you have any spare pots/plants/cuttings etc. that you are happy to donate, they can be left at the Tuckshop for collection.

P & F Meeting

The next P & F Meeting will be held on Wednesday 13th September at 6.30pm in the school library. We look forward to seeing you there. Please see the Agenda for the meeting below. 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.

Tuckshop News

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.

Menu/Price Changes

Please note as of week 1 this term a new menu was released. The changes effect the pricing of some items, as well as changes to the Sushi Menu offered on Tuesdays each week. The new menu is available on the school website; newsletter and hard copies are available from the Tuckshop on request.

EFTPOS Available

Eftpos is now available for the convenience of families and staff to utilise for purchases/payments of $10 and above.

Flexischools

Many thanks to the families and staff utilising the Flexischools Online Ordering Service. Flexischools can be accessed by clicking on the link at the bottom of the School Website via the first link or directly via the second link below.

Note: In regards to student absences and orders – If your student is absent or going home unwell, it is necessary to inform the office staff or the Tuckshop directly ASAP so the order can be cancelled and credited back to your online account. In the event that we are not advised, or advised too late and the order has already been prepared – the credit will be forfeited or partially forfeited for the items that must be disposed of. Please advise of order cancellations by contacting the office on 40576920 or directly to the Tuckshop via mobile 0422 712 461.

Volunteers required

As always I am on the lookout for extra hands in the Tuckshop. If you can offer some of your time to help out, please contact me on 0422 712 461.

Also if anyone is a keen baker and would be willing to help out with baking some menu items (can be baked at home, ingredients supplied or reimbursed) please contact me on the mobile number supplied above.

Term 3 Tuckshop Menu

Please click on the link below for the Term 3 Tuckshop Menu.

Many thanks,

Belinda Patmore
Convenor - Holy Cross Tuckshop

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

Rugby

Netball

Cairns Netball Association is holding September school holiday clinics on Wednesday 20th September and Thursday 28th September at the Little Street courts from 9.00am-3.00pm. Click on the link below for further information and registration form.

A junior netball clinic is also being conducted with Geva Mentor, the Sunshine Lightning Captain, MVP and International Superstar netball player at Cairns Netball Association, Little Street, Cairns during the school holidays. Please see the flyer for more information on how to book.

Cricket

Barron River Cricket Club are holding their sign on, September 9th September at the Bluewater Bar n Grill, Trinity Park, 10.00am to 12.00pm. Please click on the flyer for additional information.

Community Notices

St Francis Xavier’s Cent Sale

The Feast of our Lady of the Chain

Drama Classes

TYC Drama Classes for 5yrs+ (Every Monday from 330pm – 430pm at Trinity Beach State School, New Enrolments Welcome)

Looking for engaging, creative and educational after-school activities? Then come and tread the boards at The Young Company Theatre this term! Your young performer will discover their electrifying creative abilities, super charged social confidence and magnetic idea generation skills as they are nurtured through our powerful youth theatre framework. For more information phone 40414066, email admin@theyoungcompany.com.au, visit our website below, visit us at 169 Bunda St, Cairns City. Classes across the Cairns region.