24 November 2017
Newsletter Articles
From the Principal
Dear Parents
Throughout time, storytelling has recorded the oral history of people, conveying both traditions and values. The following story has dropped its pen into both these aspects, and with advent just around the corner, I thought very topical:
“Years ago a wealthy widower and his son shared a passion for art collecting; priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned the walls of their family mansion. However, a war engulfed the nation and the young man left home to serve his country. A few short weeks later, his father received a telegram telling him that his beloved son had died whilst carrying a fellow soldier to a medic.
Five months later, the old man responded to the house bell and upon opening the door, was greeted by a soldier with a package in his hand. The soldier introduced himself saying that he was a friend of the old man’s son, and that he was the one being rescued when his son lost his life. ‘I am an artist,’ said the soldier, ‘and I want to give you this.’ When the old man unrolled the package there, before him, was a portrait of his son. It was no work of art but did accurately define the son’s face and seemed to capture his personality.
The following spring the old man became ill and passed away. The art world was in a frenzy and collectors from around the world arrived for the auction. The auctioneer began with a painting not listed in the catalogue; it was the painting of the man’s son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid. The room was silent. The auctioneer asked, ‘Who will open the bidding with $100?’ The response was unanimous and almost unruly: ‘We didn’t come for this rubbish! Get on with the masterpieces!’ The auctioneer remained firm until a friend of the old man spoke, ‘I knew the boy. So I will have it. I bid $100.’ There were no other bids so the auctioneer’s gavel fell to ‘Sold!’ Cheers filled the room and someone called out, ‘At last we can get on with it.’ In response to this, the auctioneer looked at the audience and announced that the auction was over. Stunned disbelief quietened the room. Then came the question, ‘What do you mean it’s over? There are millions of dollars worth of art here. We demand to know what’s going on!’ The auctioneer replied, ‘It’s very simple. According to the will of the father, whoever takes the son, gets it all’.”
The story contains the essence of the Advent-Christmas story: whoever takes the Son – Jesus - gets it all.
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“God has given us
eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has
life,” |
Advent promises new life in Christ. Christ’s coming gives us a living picture of God; and through Christ we get to know God. Advent fosters in us feelings of hope and expectation, looking forward to life in fullness with God. Each Advent we renew our expectation, and each Christmas we celebrate Christ’s coming and God’s redemption.
Be sure to embrace the festive season, and encourage your children to spread love and hope upon others, in particular those in need.
Year 5 could not wait for the commencement of advent to leap into the season of hope and expectation – with the 2018 Student Leadership well and truly underway, they have been hoping to be selected as one of the 2018 Student Leaders; and, showering love upon those who were unsuccessful, and also to those that were.
Our charism, the Holy Cross Way, speaks of our commitment to both community and relationships, and I was beyond delighted to witness the united strength of our Year 5 cohort, hearing words of encouragement, kindness and confidence. Great job, Year 5, what outstanding role models you are for the rest of our school community!
Each year we try our best to make the Student Leadership election process as positive an experience as possible, but despite our efforts, it can still be a gruelling process for students so young, involving nomination, short listing, writing and presenting a speech, closely followed by an interview. It was fascinating discussing the reasons for seeking a leadership position, and listening to their ponderings on their hopes and dreams for Holy Cross if selected. I congratulate all of the 2018 applicants, and announce the successful candidates with immense pleasure:
Please join me in congratulating Olivia, Jack, Zara and Thomas on this outstanding achievement.
It seems shameful to follow a celebration with the sharing of sad news, but with only two weeks of this year remaining, it seems timely. After nine years of service, Mrs Christie Vinter and Mr Terry Whouley have tendered their resignation and will be departing Holy Cross School at the completion of the 2017 academic year. Mrs Vinter has accepted a teaching position in Mossman, which is where she and her husband reside, and Mr Whouley is entering the happy world of retirement. We will miss them both immensely as they have contributed so much to the growth of our school, and we wish them every happiness for their future. We look forward to hearing news of their adventures to come.
In addition, we farewell Mrs Alison Williams (6S) who will be returning to Canada in January, Miss Ella Bicknell (0C) who is relocating to Townsville, and Mrs Sarah Green (1C) who commenced her maternity leave two weeks earlier than planned. We thank them each for their passion and energy, and remind them that their love will forever remain in the fabric of our school community. I will share the 2018 teaching team in the final newsletter of this year, published in the first week of the school holidays.
I look forward to seeing you at our annual Christmas Concert this Friday, 24th November at 9am.
Wishing you God’s every blessing,
Sarah Hamilton
Principal
Big congratulations to Sara and Craig Hovell on the safe arrival of Ayla Grace, born Thursday 16th November. Mum and Ayla are doing really well. A wonderful early Christmas present for the Hovell family.
APA News
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SCHOOL OFFICE - HOLIDAY OPENING HOURS |
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FRI 1st December |
OPEN 10.00am to 12.30pm ONLY |
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MON 4th December to THU 7th December 2017 |
OPEN 8.30am to 12.00pm ONLY |
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FRI 8th December |
CLOSED |
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MON 15th January 2018 to FRI 19th January 2018 |
OFFICE RE-OPENS 8.00am – 3.30pm |
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.
SEMESTER 2 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
We are hoping that the collection of your child’s End of Semester Two Report will fill you with smiles also. 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 9 (Friday 1st December 2017).
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.
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.
POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR FOCUS
POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR FOCUS
Term 4
Week 8 – Greet others, smile, say “Hi”
Holy Cross Heroes
Congratulations to Week 7 Holy Cross Heroes:
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Prep - |
Isla, Amelia B, Saxon |
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Year 1 - |
Jack CB, Payton Mc, Alec |
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Year 2 - |
Harmony, Tia W, Mike |
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Year 3 - |
Jemma T, Katelyn, Jaya P |
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Year 4 - |
Reuben VD, Lachlan C, Ebony D |
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Year 5 - |
Kate C, Thomas C, Zane |
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Year 6 - |
Grace S, Ryder S, Shannon T |
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“We were caught BEING HOLY CROSS STAYING FOCUSED” |
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Below are a number of key dates for Term 4 2017 to consider:
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2017 KEY DATES |
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TERM 4 |
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November 27th |
Year 3 Excursion – Paradise Palms |
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November 29th |
Year 6 Excursion – Paradise Palms |
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November 30th |
Year 6 Graduation Evening |
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December 1st |
Last Day of Term
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Below are a number of key dates for Term 1 2018 to consider:
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2018 KEY DATES |
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TERM 1 |
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January 15th |
Office opens for enquiries |
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January 22nd |
Term 1 commences |
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January 22nd |
Prep Group A commences 8.30am – 11.00am |
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January 22nd |
Prep Group B commences 11.30am – 2.00pm |
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January 22nd |
Welcome cuppa in library 8.30am – 9.30am |
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January 23rd |
Prep Group C commences 8.30am – 11.00am |
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January 25th |
P & F Welcome 3.00pm – 3.45pm |
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January 26th |
Australia Day Public Holiday |
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January 30th |
Welcoming Mass 9.00am |
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February 6th |
Parent Meet and Greet |
MAY JOY AND HAPPINESS SNOW ON YOU, MAY THE BELLS JINGLE FOR YOU AND MAY SANTA BE EXTRA GOOD TO YOU!
MAY YOU TAKE SOME TIME THIS CHRISTMAS TO REFLECT ON ITS TRUE MEANING!
MERRY CHRISTMAS! SEE YOU IN 2018
Many blessings for the week
Brad Henry
Assistant Principal – Administration
APRE News
As we come to the end of the school year (already!), it is a chance to reflect on the joy that has been 2017, as well as the joy that is to come, in Christmas. There has been much to celebrate this year; our school turned 30 which was a big one! We have had a visit from the Bishop and the Director for Catholic Education, we have our new Harmony Suite, there are new staff, new families, sporting achievements, academic achievements, new initiatives, support programs, new babies and so many other things to be proud of. This year has been a year of COMMUNITY in so many ways.
Christmas brings about spiritual joy and hope through the birth of Jesus. "I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: To you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11). For many it is a time for families to unite and celebrate, but for others it might be a time of physical, emotional or financial challenge. My hope is for all our Holy Cross families to experience joy and hope in some way this Christmas. Whatever this time looks like for you, may the love of God be with you and with your family. May you find comfort and peace.
LITURGICAL LIFE OF THE SCHOOL
Upcoming liturgies and Masses:
- Whole School
- Friday 1st December 9:00am End of Year Mass - Class Masses and Liturgies
- Thursday 30th November 6:00pm Year 6 Graduation Liturgy
ST VINCENT DE PAUL CHRISTMAS HAMPERS
As is tradition at Holy Cross, we will be collecting for St Vincent De Paul in the form of hampers. Part of our mission as a Catholic school is to reach out and serve, and to help those in need. Each class has a basket with targeted age ranges to buy for. These baskets will be given to families in our Far North region. We ask that families who are able, donate Christmas food items or gifts for the hampers. If you have more than one child at school, please choose which class basket to donate to. The hampers will be given to St Vincent De Paul representatives on the last day of school. Please click on the link below to see the list for donation ideas.¬¬ If your own family is in need of support this Christmas, please let me know and I can help facilitate a support link with St Vinnies.
TRANSITION INTO HIGH SCHOOL
For many of our students and parents, the end of primary school can be an anxious time. Will I have any friends? Will I know where to go? Will my child be okay in a new environment? How will they keep up with the workload? Change can be difficult to manage. Sharon Witt has shared some of her wisdom on the Parenting Ideas website. Please read the attached document for some helpful tips, if you have a child heading off from Holy Cross to their new school.
REFLECTION AND PRAYER FOCUS FOR THE WEEK
It was like a text from Jesus…
When I read this line early last week, it set me thinking. If I received a text from Jesus what would it say? I haven’t yet worked out what he would say in a pithy manner but I know there would be things in it that I truly need. It would definitely include support. I know I beat myself up too much for not meeting unrealistic expectations. Which leads me to ask what are these expectations and are they really what God wants of me? Quite often not. I think Jesus would tell me to be myself – the unique person he wants to dance with in the crazy music of life. I think he would tell me to dampen the negative voices, enter into myself, be the person he wants me to be…and love and serve others as that person.
And what would I send in reply? It has to be ‘Thank you!’, in one of the myriad of ways in which ‘thank you’ can be said. But what else would I say? I think ‘joy’ should be in there and maybe a commitment to be creative with the person he calls me to be.
And, you know what, unique as I may be, I think the things he would say to me would not be much different to what he would say to most of you. God wants to delight in the person he has made and who is making in you. When we realise that, a lot of the rubbish in our lives can be dealt with, even falls away, and we have the capacity to say ‘Thank You’ and let joy loose in our lives. So what text would you like to receive and how would you reply?
Loving God, my life gets cluttered with all sorts of unrealistic expectations. Give me the wisdom to listen to what you truly want to say to me and the insight and courage to respond from the depths of my heart. I ask this in Jesus’ name confident that you will hear me.
Sr Kym Harris osb
Northern Beaches Catholic Parish
Mass Times
Saturday
Holy Cross, Trinity Park 6:00pm
Sunday
Sacred Heart, Freshwater 7:00am
Holy Cross, Trinity Park 8:30am
St Augustine’s, Stratford 10:30am
All Saints Chapel, St Andrew’s Redlynch 5:30pm
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 the link below. 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.
http://www.holycross.qld.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.
Look What’s Been Going On…
Remembrance Day
GOTCHA Points
Congratulations Petersen for collecting the most points for Weeks 4 to 7 and to Year 2C and Mrs Burnett for the class with the most number of GOTCHA Points collected. Keep up the great work!
Only 2 weeks to go before we announce the winning house for 2017. Keep working hard to get those points for your house.
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TERM 4 |
DILLON |
MALLON |
PETERSEN |
ROBINSON |
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Weeks 4 to 7 |
1278 |
1481 |
1532 |
1303 |
P and F News
P & F Minutes
Click on the link below to view the minutes from the last P & F Meeting held on 8th November.
Tuckshop News
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TUCKSHOP ROSTER |
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TERM 4 WEEK 8 |
PARENT HELPER |
STUDENT HELPERS |
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THU |
23/11/17 |
HELP REQUIRED |
Angelina K, Rose V 5C |
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FRI |
24/11/17 |
Susie Dobson |
Zoe O, Layla G, Zara S 5S |
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TERM 4 WEEK 9 |
PARENT HELPER |
STUDENT HELPERS |
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MON |
27/11/17 |
NOT REQUIRED |
NOT REQUIRED |
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TUE |
28/11/17 |
Susie Dobson |
Layla G, Zara S 5S |
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WED |
29/11/17 |
HELP REQUIRED |
Rachel K, Maddison P 4S |
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THU |
30/11/17 |
Cindy Holiday |
Layla G, Zara S 5S |
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FRI |
01/12/17 |
NO LUNCHES TODAY (Over the counter snacks only) |
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Many thanks,
Belinda Patmore
Convenor - Holy Cross Tuckshop
Music News
2018 New Instrumental Music Teachers
As well as the return of our 2017 private music tutors as listed below, we are excited to have two new Instrumental Music Teachers join our 2018 music program; Violin and Vocal. Please see information below.
Guitar
Mr Peter Drazic email pjd.guitar@bigpond.com
Piano
Mr Paul Brimstone email paul.brimstone70@gmail.com or phone 4055 1105
Drums
Ms Jennifer Fengler - email jenfengler@hotmail.com or phone 0431 461 812
Violin
Want to learn violin in 2018? Mr Wittgens will be coming to Holy Cross in 2018 to give group or individual lessons to interested students. Contact: Michael Wittgens Phone: 4057 8945 email: rowhedge@hotmail.com
Please see the attached flyer for more information.
Vocal Lessons
Leslie McGinty will be coming to Holy Cross next year offering singing lessons and performance coaching. Contact: Leslie McGinty Phone: 0409 530 066 email: lesliemcg5@gmail.com
Please click on the flyer for additional details.
Sports News
Holy Cross Shining Star
Congratulations to Keely 6C on her recent Martial Arts Black Belt Grading. To successfully gain your black belt you must grade higher than 80%. Keely graded at 94% which is an amazing achievement.
Grading consisted of over 173 individual moves, including fitness components of - 80 each of push ups, sit ups, thrust squats and roll backs, kicking, hand skills, fight simulations, ground skills, sparring - submission, kicking and boxing and the 2-inch punch board break. Well done Keely!
Soccer
Jamie Gosling Football Academy will be running School Holiday Football Clinics during the Christmas and New Year break. Please see flyers for information.
Netball
Cairns Netball Association are hosting a fun-filled Sign On and Market Day, Saturday 2nd December from 9.00am – 11.30am at the Martyn Street Netball Courts. See flyers for additional information.
Community Notices
Marlin Coast Girl Guides
Did you know that Girl Guides abseil, canoe, camp and participate in a number of other adventurous activities like archery and high ropes*?
Well we do!!
Marlin Coast Girl Guides will be taking expressions of interest on a first come-first served basis for our three Units for 2018; Rainbow Guides (ages 5-7), Junior Guides (ages 7-10) and Senior Guides (ages 7-14).
Located in Smithfield we provide a Guiding experience that teaches self-confidence, self-reliance, empathy, empowerment and a love of activity in nature.
If you want to see your daughter learn the skills today that she’ll need to become tomorrow’s leader, get in touch now!
Marlin Coast District Girl
Guides
Rachelle Cooper, District Manager: 0448 260 873
*activities depend on age of Girl Guide
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, phone 40414066 or email admin@theyoungcompany.com.au.
http://www.theyoungcompany.com.au/