9 November 2017

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Dear Parents / Carers

Have a guess as to the title of this verse:

“Sometimes in life it’s hard to tell,
What we should or should not do.
Just because my friends do something,
Does that mean I should do it too?
I want so much to be accepted,
I want so bad to just fit in,
Should I join in and just follow the crowd,
Although, what they do might be a sin?”

If you guessed “Peer Pressure”, you were spot-on; the author was a young adult named Calvin Hart. The sharing of this poem was prompted following a number of intense conversations I have had with some of our older students who are desperately grappling with the fast approaching teenage years and the prospect of starting High School. I listened with great interest to their struggles, and tried desperately to draw comparisons with my own playground experiences in an attempt to offer guidance and advice. I have cherished every conversation, each highlighting the importance of a strong moral grounding in the formative years of primary schooling.

Peer pressure can start when we are as young as two years old and continue well into our twilight years, but it does seem to have its most intense influence during the adolescent years. This is the time when our children are striking out on their own and trying to identify who they really are. Childhood guidance and rules no longer suit their needs. They might try to give the impression that they can now stand on their own two feet, but those legs above their feet are rather shaky and they need us to be there for them as never before.

Facing peer pressure is a natural part of growing up and whether or not our children give in to its negative aspects, will have a lot to do with the kind of relationship they share with the adults in their lives, particularly their parents. Establishing a good relationship takes time and so needs to commence when our children are infants. The pillar of our relationship should be the continued message that they are always loved and accepted for who they are, no matter what.

The forging of a loving bond that makes our children feel accepted for who they are, will instil a sense of security. This security will provide the strength they need to stand up for their values and beliefs. We might not always be in agreement with the views and opinions of our children, but providing opportunities to share their opinions will ensure our children know they have an unconditional support system.

From an early age, it is important that we encourage our children to make their own decisions – even if we don’t agree with them. We can guide them towards the right thing to do when dealing with a friend who is teasing, or what stance to take in a disagreement amongst peers, but the final decision should be theirs; accepting and dealing with any consequences should also be theirs. Young people want to make their own decisions and if they have good information, self-confidence and our love to back it up, they will mostly make the best choices.

The more our children know about dangerous behaviours the less likely they will engage in them. Often, the reason adolescents take part in self-destructive behaviour, is because their friends glorify it and do not talk about the risks associated with it. If parents provide this information, children may be less inclined to adopt the poor behaviour of others.

At Holy Cross School, we place immense value on the creation of strong self-esteem in our students. Good self-esteem will help them to realise that if another person does not respect them and tries to “ride right over them”, then, that person is not worthy of their friendship.

Adolescence is a worrying time for parents, but if we always keep the lines of communication open, know when to give advice and when to just listen, and be there for them, then our ride through this period can be on the “merry-go-round” rather than on the “ghost train”.

Wishing you God’s every blessing,

Sarah Hamilton
Principal

APA News

TERM 4 SCHOOL FEES

Reminder notices have been issued to finalise the fees for 2017. If you have received a reminder notice prompt payment would be much appreciated, as the end of term fast approaches and all school fees should now have been finalised.

If you have alternative payment arrangements in place (eg. Periodic Direct Debits, approved repayment plans etc) please ensure your 2017 fees are paid in full by 24th November 2017. Your prompt attention to payment is appreciated.

The payment of school fees and levies is an important component of the income of the school. The school relies on these payments in order to provide the high quality education enjoyed by your child / children. In situations where there is genuine financial hardship and if you are struggling to pay school fees, you are encouraged to contact the school for an appointment with the Principal and your circumstances will be treated with the utmost confidence.

ACADEMIC REPORTS

Withholding of Academic reports

As we approach the end of Semester 2, 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 the school. Please contact Carolyn Mealing, our Finance Officer, via email accounts.trinitypk@cns.catholic.edu.au or by phoning on 4057 6920 and selecting the Accounts extension 3 should you have any queries.

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.

2017 EXITING STUDENT ENROLMENTS

Class preparations are now underway for our 2018 year levels, we kindly ask that families who are aware that they are relocating or will be attending 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.

2018 CLASS PREPARATIONS

As we commence the preparations for student placement for 2018, parents are requested to trust the staff at Holy Cross with the process of class allocation. Our practice at Holy Cross is very transparent – we invite every child to trace around their hand and, after some helpful tips from their teacher, the children write the names of friends they work well with inside each of the five fingers. Staff then work through these lists and endeavour to place the children with at least one of their selection. This first draft is then shared with previous teachers and specialist staff to ensure that past experiences can be taken into consideration. Mrs Hamilton, Mrs Roberts and I then cross reference these lists with any other information we might have, and the lists continue to be circulated until we are satisfied with the combination.

Parents are welcome to contribute to this conversation, but please do NOT request a specific teacher for your child. Requests such as these cannot be met. If you do have any concerns or queries, please book a time for a chat with your child’s current class teacher who will be more than happy to put your mind at rest, or put your request in writing to the Principal. And don’t forget, positive conversations at home about the inevitable changes ahead ensure a happy transition.

POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR FOCUS

Holy Cross Heroes

Congratulations to Week 5 Holy Cross Heroes:

Below are a number of key dates for Term 4 2017 to consider:

Many blessings for the week

Brad Henry
Assistant Principal - Administration

APRE News

LITURGICAL LIFE OF THE SCHOOL

Upcoming liturgies and Masses:

• Whole School
  - Friday 10th November 9:00am Remembrance Day Liturgy in place of assembly
  - Friday 1st December 9:00am End of Year Mass
• Class Masses and Liturgies
  - Tuesday 14th November 9:30am Year 4
  - Tuesday 21st November 9:30am Year 5
  - Thursday 30th November 6:00pm Year 6 Graduation Liturgy

ALL SOULS MASS

REFLECTION AND PRAYER FOCUS FOR THE WEEK

Practise what you preach

I was recently sounding off about people who take drugs. My niece’s boyfriend quietly brought me down to earth with a simple observation on the type of families that some of these people come from. Without attacking me or condoning drug use, he challenged me to be more understanding and realistic. He didn’t preach, but he sure did practise compassion.

In last Sunday’s Gospel, which contained a number of challenging sayings, Jesus said ‘Call no-one on earth your Teacher as you have only one teacher, the Christ’. (I wonder how ‘teachers’ felt about that!) It made me think about the way I had been taught by the young man above. It was so subtle I could have missed it, but obviously God thought the time was ripe and was able to get through my thick skin.

We so often are ‘giving out’ our views on many things. Every time we criticise we make value judgements on others and ourselves. But are we right? Isn’t life more complex and messier than we realise? What we can be certain of is that God is waiting in the wings trying to teach us, trying to crack open the shell of our certainty. What we need to do is be ready to listen to the lessons that will most likely come from the most unlikely people and situations.

Loving God, let me listen to what I say and see if it aligns with what I do. Let me be open to the many situations in which you are trying to teach me to be compassionate and wise as you are. I ask this in Jesus’ name, confident that you will hear me.

Sr Kym Harris osb

Jacinta Roberts
APRE Holy Cross

Administration News

2019 Prep Enrolments

If you currently have children attending Holy Cross School and wish to enrol a sibling in Prep for 2019, please complete an enrolment application as soon as possible. Enrolment application forms may be collected from the school office in print form or may be submitted using the online enrolment application located on the school website at www.holycross.qld.edu.au. Should you have any further questions or wish to have an application emailed instead, please contact our Enrolments Officer, Margie Thorpe on 4057 6920 or email mthorpe@cns.catholic.edu.au

2019 Prep interviews will be conducted early in the year with offers expected to be released during Term 2.

2018 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 prior to recommencement in January 2018. 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 News

The dental van is now in full operation at Holy Cross School and being utilised extremely well. Dental staff is available every Thursday and we have managed to open up some Mondays and Wednesdays for dental examinations in the van for this term.

Please don’t miss this opportunity for a free dental examination. Parents must attend with their child.

Everyone is eligible from 0-18 years of age. We are happy to see any secondary students at the van as well.

An appointment at the Holy Cross Dental van can be made by phoning 1 300 300 850.

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

Look What’s Been Going On…

Day For Daniel

Heli Hit Squad – Nautilus Aviation

On Tuesday 7th November Noah, Harrison, Ms Judd and Mrs Vincent were lucky to be selected to experience an amazing opportunity of travelling to school for the day in a helicopter. Thank you to Nautilus Aviation for the wonderful opportunity.

P and F News

2017 Holy Cross Christmas Fair – Saturday 18th November

Dear Parents and Friends

Thank you very much to those who have already signed up to volunteer at the Christmas Fair this year.

However, there are still lots of empty slots, we need more people to give just one hour of their time to help make the fair a success.

We have received positive feedback regarding ‘Sign Up Genius’, people obviously prefer to pick whatever activity that suits them – Just be quick before all the FUN slots are taken! (Like Choc Lotto / Confectionery!)

It is a fantastic community event, but it cannot exist without the help and support of our school families.

To SIGN up, click the link below. It’s THAT easy!

On behalf of the P&F, thank you we truly appreciate your support.

Kind regards
Mellie Emmerick
P&F President – Holy Cross School

Raffle Tickets

1st Prize - $2000 cash for Christmas
2nd Prize- $500 cash for Christmas
3rd Prize - $250 cash for Christmas

Hundreds of raffle ticket books remain outstanding, please finalise the selling of tickets and return together with the money to the school as soon as possible. As all raffle books must be accounted for please return both sold and unsold tickets.

The free pizza lunch prize for the first class to return all their raffle tickets is still up for grabs, so get in quick!

To be eligible for the student prize for the most tickets sold, tickets need to be returned to the school by Wednesday 15th November.

Thanks to our wonderful raffle sponsors: Cairns Beaches Accountants, Cairns Beaches Flashpackers, Chill Café, Custy’s Plumbing Services, EDMS Australia, Fred and Dot Boutique and North Queensland Podiatry.

White Elephant – Trash & Treasure Stall Donations

Our Trash and Treasure Stall is in urgent need of donations. Any items (new or used) in good condition will be gratefully received.

Eg. Clothing, toys, books, DVD’s, household items etc. Please no electrical items.

Cent Sale/Auction Donations

Are you able to help with a donation for our Cent Sale or Silent Auction? If you have a business or service and would like to donate a prize to our Christmas Fair efforts please contact Karen Arthur on 0409 749 569 or email kazanne76@hotmail.com

Cakes, Sweets & Slices

Are you able to bake for our Cake Stall? All donations of Cakes, cupcakes, muffins, slices, fudge, rum/choc balls, choc crackles, biscuits, brownies etc. all gratefully received. Due to health and safety issues we are not able to sell “high risk” foods such as cream, raw eggs, meat, custards etc. Please securely wrap (airtight) and clearly label all items.

“All things FAIR” booth

A P&F delegate and myself will be pitching up outside the Tuck-shop each Friday before assembly from 7.45 – 8.45am. Here you can return and collect raffle books, donate bric-a-brac for the white elephant stall, enquire about sponsorship opportunities, give monetary donations or vouchers from your business, plus someone will be there to answer any questions or queries you may have regarding the Fair.

Ride Ticket Sales

Early Bird Ride Tickets are currently on sale through Flexi-schools which allows $10 discount. This offer closes on 10th November at 5pm after which tickets will only be available for purchase at full value on the day of the fair (4pm - 7pm.) You may collect your ride tickets at the “All things Fair” booth each Friday morning as stated above. Please note we will not send tickets home with students unless confirmed arrangement with parents have been made. Once your tickets have been collected and signed for, please ensure you keep them safe until fair day as they are non-refundable. Contact pandf@holycross.qld.edu.au or Susie Dobson (0414 801 412) if you are unable to collect tickets on Friday mornings.

For more information please join our P&F Facebook Group and stay tuned for more exciting announcements. I look forward to seeing you over the coming weeks. Thank you in advance for your support and generosity.

Kind regards
Mel Emmerick
P&F President – Holy Cross School

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.

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 at the link below, or directly:

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.

Tuckshop Menu

Please click on the link below for the Term 4 Tuckshop Menu.

Many thanks,
Belinda Patmore
Convenor - Holy Cross Tuckshop

Music News

The date and time for this year’s end of year Christmas Concert is Friday, 24th November, at 9:00am. We are centring our concert around the Nativity story. The beginning play features Year 1S and some Year 5 students as our star actors. This is setting up to be a wonderful community event with lots of singing, acting and emotionally moving scenes such as the Preps singing a lullaby to baby Jesus.

Thank you for once again supporting our annual Christmas Concert by organising a costume for your child/ren. If you don’t have the requested items at home, don’t worry, just make do with what you have.

Below is a list of clothing colours that teachers have asked students to wear to fit within the theme of their song. Many classes will add to the costumes by creating their own props to decorate their clothes at school. Eg: halos and masks.

• Students can wear shirts inside out to avoid modern signage/images showing in the play.
• All students to wear their normal black school shoes.
• Students can wear Christmas coloured socks or their normal school socks.
• Any props from home (hats, sunnies, etc..) need to be clearly labelled with students’ names on them.
• Students will change into their full school uniform after the concert.

Sports News

Exciting News!

It's... the School of Origin 2017

This coming Thursday (16th November) is the 2nd annual School of Origin where Holy Cross and Trinity Beach State School face off in fierce but friendly exhibition games of Rugby League. Much like its big brother (the State of Origin) both teams battle it out to claim supremacy and bragging rights on being 'the best at footy' (the Rugby League variety, that is).

Holy Cross is out to get its name on the boys' shield (the 'Ivanhoes Trophy') for the first time and also to be the only school on the girls' trophy (the 'Marg Judd Shield') - having had to have shared it with Trinity Beach in 2016 when the game ended in a nail-biting draw.

We would love to see as many supporters as possible down at Ivanhoes Football Grounds supporting Holy Cross as it aims to take out both School of Origin Shields in 2017. Girls kick off at 4pm and the Boys at 5pm.

Thanks and 'see you at the footy!'

Ms Judd, Mr Russell and the 2017 Holy Cross School of Origin Team

Community Notices

Drama Classes

TYCs Surreal Summer Holiday Drama Program (5yrs – 12yrs)

Get set for a season of mind-blowing theatrics these school holidays with TYC’s Surreal Summer Holiday Drama Program (5yrs – 12yrs). Participate in our 4-day programs and get set for a wild ride! Solve the mysteries of Sherwood Forest in Enchanted Escapades (4/12–7/12), discover the thrills of space exploration in Galaxy Defenders (12/12–15/12), laugh away the silly season with ‘Twas the Night Before Xmas (18/12–21/12), gather your heroic forces in Super Squad Assemble (2/1–5/1), sharpen your wits for Faraway Fiasco (9/1–12/1) and hang ten with Surf Universe Wipeout (16/1-19/1). Don’t forget to check out our awesome array of One-Day Drama Boot Camp programs as well. Special Guest Artists include Hayley Gillespie (costumes), Amelia Pegrum (Circus), Yasmin Lancini (Musical Theatre). So step into the spotlight with TYC’s Surreal Summer Holiday Drama Programs these school holidays and grab your Early Bird Discount before Dec 5. Limited Availability. For more information or to book today visit our website at the link below, phone 40414066 or email admin@theyoungcompany.com.au.

Cairns Barrier Reef Lyons

Cairns Barrier Reef Lyons are hosting a fundraising movie night, ‘Goodbye Christopher Robin’ at Smithfield Cinemas on Thursday, November 23rd at 6.00pm. Tickets are $25.00 each with all proceeds going to Lions Prostate Cancer Research. Bookings essential. Please click on the link below for more information and contact details.