21 October 2015

Newsletter Articles

“I can do things you cannot,
you can do things I cannot;
together we can do great things.”
Mother Teresa

From the Principal

Parents,

This week some staff at Holy Cross will again be undertaking EBA Protected Industrial Action, along with other educators across the state. This action will occur on Thursday 22nd October between 11.00 am and 1.00 pm. As previously organised, Arrangements will be in place to ensure a modified program during this time, so that there is as little disruption to families as possible, whilst maintaining appropriate duty of care requirements for all staff and students. See the link below for more information.

This week, we again congratulate the Holy Cross Opti-Minds Team who travelled to Brisbane this past weekend to take part in the Opti-Minds State Finals. This is the second year in a row that our students have successfully reached the state finals. It is a wonderful opportunity for our students and we congratulate them for their dedication and commitment during the lead up to this wonderful team challenge. We especially thank Mrs Stefanovic who has been guiding the students during their preparations and who also gave her time to accompany the children to the competition. Thank you also to the wonderfully supportive parents, who conducted some fundraising in the weeks prior to competition to assist with travel costs and to those who travelled with the group to provide important moral support. We also thank the P & F who contributed $50 towards the travel and accommodation costs for each student taking part in the competition.

This week our Junior School students commence swimming sessions. Thanks to the many parent helpers who will be volunteering to assist with walking the students across to the pool and with supervision during this important programme. If you are available to assist and have not yet contacted your child’s teacher to indicate your availability, please do so.

Term Four Fee Accounts which were emailed to all families last week are now due and require finalisation. As the end of the school year approaches, I ask parents and carers who have direct debit arrangements in place to re-check the balance on their fee account to ensure that this account will be paid in full by the end of the school year with the current arrangements. If families have not updated their direct debit this year, it is quite possible that there may be a shortfall in the total amount owing. Please check this information that has been emailed, so as to ensure your account will be paid in full. Please be aware that Semester 2 report cards will be withheld if fee accounts remain unpaid and communication regarding genuine financial difficulties or other influencing family circumstances has not been received. For those families returning next year who have direct debits in place, please plan to make a time early in the year to update this information and make adjustments as necessary.

As previously mentioned, class lists will soon be formulated. The process for compiling classes each year is a lengthy one which includes teachers seeking student input to identify a small number of special friends, considering overall student dynamics, taking into account student achievement and work habits and accommodating specific student learning needs and ensuring a gender balance. Parent requested teacher preferences are not considered within this process, and I ask that parents trust the careful judgements which are made during this lengthy process to consider the wide ranging criteria and aims to ensure a well-balanced classroom dynamic that will bring optimum learning outcomes. Any special requests that wish to be included in this process for consideration should be emailed to Margie Thorpe at Mthorpe@cns.catholic.edu.au

As you know, I will be heading off for 4 weeks at the end of this week and confidently leave you in the capable hands of Mr Henry who will be stepping in to the role of Acting Principal during my four week absence. Mr Henry will be wonderfully supported by Mrs Roberts and together they will remain available for ongoing support with any matters that require attention. Ms Jo Neil and Ms Dee Cois will also be stepping up to assist with necessary APA tasks while Mr Henry is in this Acting Role. I thank all staff for their willingness to assist during this time and I look forward to returning in Week 8 to celebrate the end of our school year with all of our wonderful students, staff and parents.

Other staffing arrangements for 2016 are being finalised this week and will be communicated in our next newsletter. Today our staff were informed who will be the new Principal at Holy Cross commencing January 2016. See correspondence in the link below about this announcement. The handover for this new Principal will commence once I return from leave late November.

Enjoy your week, and see you in Week 8.

Blessings,

Wendy Manners
PRINCIPAL

God, living within me, bring calm to my heart, mind, body and soul. Help me to see more clearly your direction for my life.

One day Jesus got into a boat with his disciples and said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they started out. As they were sailing, Jesus fell asleep. Suddenly, a strong wind blew down on the lake and the boat began to fill with water, so they were all in great danger. The disciples went to Jesus and woke him up, saying, “Master! Master! We are about to die!” Jesus got up and gave an order to the wind and the stormy water; they quietened down and there was a great calm. Then he said to the disciples, “Where is your faith?” But they were amazed and afraid and said to one another, “Who is this man? He gives orders to the winds and waves and they obey him!” Luke 8: 22-25.

“Unfortunately, it usually takes a raging storm to restore and reveal what is really important in life and gets us back in line with what God’s will is for our lives.”

Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles and pray at all times. Rom. 12: 12.

“God uses our storms to prepare us for the incredible blessings that he has planned for us. Each storm will bring with it, a new way for us to shed our worldly nature and prove our faith to God.”

Be joyful always, pray at all times, be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Jesus Christ.

“The peace that surpasses all understanding is a gift from God and is ours for the taking. Yet, we must pursue it. He wants us to find comfort in knowing that, if we allow him, he will help us rise above our storms.”

I will lie down in peace and sleep, for you, O lord, will keep me safe. Ps. 4: 8.

APRE News

LITURGICAL LIFE OF THE SCHOOL

Our Family Mass will be held on Sunday 1st of November, at 8:30am. Please come along to pray, sing and celebrate as Holy Cross community. There will be morning tea afterwards, including biscuits, cake, hot drinks and cordial. Sausages in bread will also be available, for purchase.

Dates for class Masses and liturgies have also been set and parents are very welcome to attend.

Upcoming Liturgies and Masses

• Years 2 & 4 Mass on Wednesday 21st October
• Year 5 Liturgy of the Word on Wednesday 28th October
• Family Mass on Sunday 1st November at 8.30am (Feast of All Saints)
• Year 3 & 6 Mass on Monday 2nd November (Feast of All Souls)
• Remembrance Day Liturgy on Wednesday 11th November at 9am in the multi-purpose area.
• Graduation Mass Year 6 Wednesday 2nd December at 6:30pm
• End of Year Whole School Mass on Friday the 4th December at 11:00am

SEL PROGRAM FOR TERM 4

This term in all year levels, students will focus in particular, on the key of Persistence.

Persistence means … trying hard and not giving up when something feels like it’s too hard to do.

Examples of Persistent Behaviour

• Continuing to try even when schoolwork is hard
• Not being distracted by others
• Checking my work when I am finished to make sure it’s correct
• Completing assignments on time

Teachers will use the “You Can Do It” program, combined with relevant material in the “Bounce Back” resources.

FUNDRAISING

Here at Holy Cross, this term is traditionally dedicated to supporting the work of missionaries in our country and around the world, as well as a big focus on the St Vincent De Paul Christmas Appeal.

Socktober

Socktober – wear your crazy, mismatched or funny socks on Friday 23rd of October.

October is World Mission Month. The theme for schools this year is based on the quote from Matthew 25:35, 'I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink'. There is a particular focus at Catholic Mission on helping to support communities such as those in Madagascar, with sanitation, food, education and clean water.

Each year, our school participates in a Crazy Sock Day, to raise awareness and much needed funds. Students are encouraged to bring in a gold coin and wear crazy socks with their normal school uniform. For $55, Catholic Mission could provide 60 school children with a hot nutritious meal for a day, for $325, 6 children could attend school for a year and for $824, one water pump could be installed in a school. Please help us to help those in need.

Mission Australia Safe Haven Program

“The purpose of the Safe Haven Program initiative is to provide culturally appropriate services to respond to the safety needs of children, young people and their families affected by domestic and family violence by providing family support and counselling, youth work (including responses to intoxication) community patrol, brokerage, coordination and community capacity building.”

Two wheelie bins have been set up outside the office for unwanted, out of size clothing and shoes. These items are then provided at a very low cost of $1, $2 or $3 back to families that are in need of such items. This initiative will be a way of supporting the youth of Mornington Island. Please ensure items are in a condition fit for donation and sale.

PRAYER FOCUS FOR THE WEEK:

Great God, you are our God, far greater than any of us. You sent Jesus into our world and he died on the cross for us because you thought we were worth it. Help us to see that the people around us are great too and worth serving like Jesus did.

Amen.

Taken from Gather, Break, Proclaim, Send website: www.gpbs.com.au

Parish Mass Times

Jacinta Roberts
APRE Holy Cross
jroberts1@cns.catholic.edu.au

APA News

Term 4 Week 3

Throughout 2015 staff, students and families have been invited to participate in a number of school surveys. The comments, feedback and data we have collected has been extremely valuable in gaining a perspective of strengths and weaknesses across the school. All of this has contributed to two major projects in 2015, that being the development of our new ‘School Wide Positive Behaviour Framework’ and a 2016-2018 Whole School Strategic Plan.

In various newsletters and other forums through the year we have begun to share key elements of our future direction. Survey’s and data collection form only a small part of the feedback process. Our most valuable feedback is often received through the foundations of strong relationships and the feedback received through teacher-student, teacher-parent, school-parent relationships. As Catholic educators relationships are our core business and the foundation of our teaching and Learning.

Over the next few weeks and into 2016, we will share with you the focus areas we are looking to strengthen and build on. One of our core goals is to continue to strengthen and maintain strong parent and school relationships. Below is some information in an article I was reading recently to support this conversation.

Building and maintaining a good parent-school relationship is one of the best ways to support your child’s education. Communicating with school staff and getting involved in the school environment are great ways to start.

Benefits of a strong parent-school relationship

As a parent, you know your child better than anyone else does. Your child’s teachers will want to get to know him/her too. When you have a strong and respectful relationship with your child’s school and teachers, you’re in a good position to give them the information they need to help your child get the most out of his/her education.

When everybody’s working together in the best interests of your child, he/she is likely to reap academic and social benefits, such as:

• attending school regularly
• achieving at school
• having a positive attitude towards school
• finishing school

How to build a strong parent-school relationship

You can go about building a parent-school relationship in several ways:

• Talk informally with teachers at school drop-off and pick-up times.
• Offer assistance in the classroom.
• Go to parent-teacher interviews.
• Do canteen duty.
• Go on class excursions.
• Help with school clubs, programs or coaching.
• Go to school concerts and other events.
• Go to school council or parent association meetings.

As well as everyday contact, you might also be able to learn more about the school through its annual report, school performances and other events – for example, barbeques, cultural or music events and school fairs. These are all opportunities to get involved in, and to respond, comment, ask questions and build on your relationship.

Establishing the relationship with your child’s school is a two-way process. For example, you can ask the school and teachers for any information or feedback you need. But you can also keep yourself up to date with what’s going on at school by reading school notes or emails, checking the school’s website and watching the school’s noticeboard.

Not all parents can be involved in school as much as they’d like, but you can still let your child know that school is important to your family. Talking about school with your child, being warm and friendly at school events, and being positive about the school and its staff sends the message that you value education and are interested in what’s happening for your child at school.

Getting involved at your child’s primary school

There are often lots of opportunities to be involved in primary schools. Some ways to get involved at your child’s primary school are:

• volunteering at the school – for example, reading activities or school canteen
• working in school governance – for example, school council, parents and citizens committee, building and maintenance sub-committees
• talking with your child’s classroom teacher, including visits to the classroom, or informal chats before and after school
• working on school fundraisers and events – for example, school fairs and raffles
• doing social activities with other parents and families, including fundraising and other school support activities
• using the school website or other online communication activities.

BY RAISING CHILDREN NETWORK, WITH THE CENTRE FOR ADOLESCENT HEALTH.

As a leadership team we encourage you at any time you wish to have a conversation to come and see us or make an appointment.

WALK FOR DANIEL – 30th OCTOBER

Day for Daniel is about educating children and adults about keeping kids safe through child safety and protection initiatives. It aims to help empower our children to ‘Recognise, React and Report’ if they feel something is not right.

THE OBJECTIVES OF DAY FOR DANIEL ARE:

• To raise awareness about child safety and protection and to promote a safer community for children.
• To educate children regarding their personal safety and empower them to ‘Recognise, React and Report’.
• To educate and equip individuals and communities with knowledge and skills to understand child safety
• and protection requirements and empower them to take action.
• To provide FREE safety and educational material.
• To honour the memory of Daniel Morcombe.
• To have over 1 million people Australia Wide to participate in Day for Daniel.

Day for Daniel is also an opportunity for Australians to make a statement that crimes against children are not acceptable in modern Australia. http://www.danielmorcombe.com.au/

HOLY CROSS SCHOOL SWIMMING TIMETABLE
TERM 4, 2015

• Swimming is under way this week with students from Prep to Year 3 already completing their first week. Swimming is a recognized part of the curriculum offered at Holy Cross. It is expected that all students in Years Prep-3 will participate in this program during Weeks 3-8 of Term 3. Inevitably any initial teething problem such as forgetting bathers, wrong day’s etc will all be ironed out this week. We always welcome any feedback you may have around such programs that is helpful for a smooth program.
• Students must wear hats and shoes when walking to the pool, and they must wear a shirt with sleeves when swimming. It would be great if students had sun-block at school so that they could apply it before walking to the pool.
• Long hair must be tied back.
• The instructors have asked that each child wears goggles for their lessons. These are available for $10 from the pool, as a ‘school special’.

Students who are well enough but are not swimming will walk to the pool and read quietly while the class is swimming. Those who are not well enough to walk over to the pool probably aren’t well enough to be at school either.

Parent helpers are required to walk to and from the pool with EVERY CLASS. If you’re available, could you please contact your class’ teacher as soon as possible. It would be greatly appreciated!

	MONDAY (3 instructors)	TUESDAY (3 instructors)	WEDNESDAY (3 instructors)	THURSDAY (3 instructors)
9:00 – 10:00	Year 2H	Year 1H	Prep 0H	Year 3S
10:00 – 11:00	Year 2C	Year 1C	Prep 0C	Year 3C
11:00 – 12:00	Year 2S	Year 1S	Prep 0S	Year 3H

Holy Cross Hero Design Competition

Entries for this competition were due today, however we have extended the deadline to give students more time. ENTRIES CLOSE NEXT MONDAY 26th OCTOBER.

KEY DATES
October 19th – November 27th	P – 3 Swimming Lessons
Friday 23rd October	Socktober Crazy Sock Day
Monday 26th October	Book Club Issue 7 Orders Due Back
Wednesday 11th November 9:00am	Remembrance Day Liturgy (multi-purpose area)
Thursday 12th November	Bump Up Day
Thursday 12th November	2016 Prep Orientation Afternoon
Saturday 14th November	Christmas Fair
Thursday 26th November	Christmas Concert
Wednesday 2nd December 6:30pm	Year 6 Graduation Mass
Friday 4th December 11:00am	End of Year Whole School Mass

Many blessings for the week

Brad Henry
Assistant Principal – Administration
bhenry2@cns.catholic.edu.au

Curriculum News

Semester 2 Report Cards

Dear Parents/Carers,

Please note that Semester 2 reports are aimed to be mailed out during Week 9 to those families who are financial or have a current payment plan in place.

Please notify the school office if you have changed your address details to ensure delivery.

We are happy to provide second copies of school reports, if requested by parents, in the case where parents live apart. If you wish to receive a second report, please fill out the request form below and hand in to the class teacher or the school office by Friday 6th November 2015.

2nd REPORT CARD REQUEST
Child’s name 1:	Class:
Child’s name 2:	Class:
Child’s name 3:	Class:
Name Parent/Carer 1:
Address:
Name Parent/Carer 2:
Address:

Jo Neil
Curriculum Support
jneil@cns.catholic.edu.au

School Notices

2015 Exiting Student Enrolments

Prep -Year 5 Exiting Enrolments – As we are beginning preparations for 2016 we ask that those families who are aware that they are relocating or moving your child to another school to please notify the office by Friday 30th October 2015. We understand families may be unsure at this stage but ask that when you have received notification that you advise the school. As we currently have a waitlist for most year levels for 2016, we want to confirm our existing enrolments.

Non State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme

The Non State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme (NSSTAS) is of great financial benefit to many school communities, providing financial assistance for students attending non-state schools within Queensland.

The Scheme comprises:

• Bus Fare Assistance Programme – assists families with the cost of transporting their student on an approved bus service to non-state schools located outside the Brisbane City Council boundary, and
• Students With Disabilities – assists families with the cost of transporting their student by means that takes account of their disability to a non-state school.

Apply at www.schooltransport.com.au by 31st October 2015.

Important Police Message Regarding Traffic Congestion on Reed Road

The school has been advised that the Police will no longer be giving warnings to the traffic lining up on Reed Road in the afternoon.

This term they will be monitoring the traffic and will issue a ticket of $47 without warning for any drivers who are not respecting the road rules.

GOTCHA Points

Congratulations to Petersen House who were the Overall Gotcha Point winners for Term 3.

TERM 3	DILLON	MALLON	PETERSEN	ROBINSON
	1593	1705	1729	1590

Surf Life Savers at Holy Cross

Holy Cross welcomed lifesaver Crystal and lifesaver Christie from the Gold Coast. They came to talk to students from Year 3-6 about what to do when you get into trouble at the beach and how to stay safe. They taught us what the flags and signs mean and all about jellyfish and what we need to remember when going to the beach in far North Queensland.

We are all familiar with the red and yellow flags at the beach. They are the ones we must all swim between. The black and white flags are put up to show where surf craft are to be used. The yellow flag means caution and the red flags means no swimming in the area. The red and white flags mean to evacuate the area as it appears a dangerous predator is present.

The signs that are located at the beach provide information of current and forecast conditions, and any information if the area is not safe.

In Far North Queensland between November and May jellyfish are present in the water and swimming in the nets is essential. Jellyfish can be very dangerous, such as the irukandji and the box jellyfish. Irukandji grow to the size of your pinkie fingernail and box jellyfish grow up to 3 metres in length.

Last weekend approximately twenty students from Holy Cross competed for their surf lifesaving clubs at the Branch Titles held at Port Douglas with some great results. Jorja and Jake received Age Champion and Trinity received Runner-Up Champion. Six students will now compete at the State Titles for Surf Lifesaving to be held on the Gold Coast in March 2016.

Remember to stay safe when swimming at the beach and always swim between the red and yellow flags.

Makayla (6H) and Jorja (5C)

Visiting lifesavers Christie & Crystal with Makayla, Jorja and Oliver

P & F News

Christmas Fair – 14th November 2015

Our Christmas Fair is the major P & F fundraiser for the year. We really need a lot of help getting this up and running. If you are reading this please do not think someone else will do it. You are that someone else! Every little bit helps from baking for the cake stall or trash and treasure donations. We really need volunteers to co-ordinate our stalls and volunteers to make sure they are manned on the day.

Cash for Christmas Raffle

This is a great fundraiser for our school so your assistance in selling the tickets is greatly appreciated. Thank you to the many families who have sold additional books. We have a great incentive for the student/family who sell the most raffle books.

1st - $100
2nd - $50
3rd - $25
4th & 5th – 10 Fair ride tickets
As usual, the 1st class to return all their tickets get a free pizza and drink lunch!!

Additional raffle books are available outside tuckshop on Monday, Wednesday & Friday mornings before school.

The P & F would like to thank our sponsors for this year’s raffle:

Blue Moon Grill, Custy’s Plumbing Services, Kids on Cove, Neptunes Palm Cove, Supply & Resources Earthmoving & Haulage, FNQ Hot Property, Chill Café.

Donations for Cent Sale / Silent Auction

Are you able to help with a donation for our Cent Sale or Silent Auction? If you have a business and are happy to donate, or work somewhere where you could approach your Boss for a donation, please get in touch with Karen Arthur at kazanne76@hotmail.com as she would love to hear from you.

Market Stall

We are having a “Market Stall” area at this years Christmas Fair. There will be a rental charge for the space to sell your items or display a stand.

If you are a parent of the school who may own a business and would be interested in renting a stall space then please email Tracey Cook at timtraceycook@bigpond.com to advise of your contact details and your stall.

Plants

Our plant stall is always well received so if you have a green thumb and love to propagate plants then we would love to hear from you. Please contact Tracey Cook on 0413 089 679.

Trash & Treasure (Donations Needed)

Do you have any goods we can sell on the day? Any items (new and used) in good and/or working condition will be warmly received and sold on the day.

Eg. Clean clothes – all ages, Household items, Toys (big and small), Books/DVD’s, Gardening equipment, Unwanted gifts, etc.

Please, no electrical items or large items that cannot be carried. Donations may be dropped off at the bottom of the stairs (right hand side of stage) to be collected.

Preserves and Jams

If you have a secret family recipe for that killer Tomato Chutney, Father’s Favourite Sauce or exotic marmalade, we need you! You can keep the recipe secret, but please contact tony Sheehan on tony@evolutionbites.com.au and let him know what magic you can weave with the stewing pot. Clean jars with lids are available.

“Interesting” fruit required (lemonade fruit, cumquats) – Do you have any that you can donate to the school for our Preserves Stall. About 2kg needed per batch of marmalade. Please contact Tony Sheehan at tony@evolutionbites.com.au

Stall Convenors List

Bottle Stall	Nikki Davies
Cakes / Slices	Susie Dobson
Bar	Tony Sheehan
Construction Stall	Sam Thackray
Plants	Convenor needed
Soft Drink	Rachel Bowe
Food – serving from tuckshop	Deb English
BBQ	Mark Freeman
Ham Wheel	Jenni Rigby
Lucky Dips & Glow Sticks	Jennifer Pett
Show Bags	Kymberlee Jackson
Silent Auction / Cent Sale	Karen Arthur
Stage Co-Ordination	Tracey Cook
Preserves	Vicki Sheehan
White Elephant – Trash & Treasure	Paulette Henderson & Crew
Choc Lotto	Clare Ryan
Face Painting / Coloured hairspray

Class allocations will be finalised by the end of the week and information will be sent home with students, so keep a look out! Please help out to make our Fair a successful one – Thank you.

Tuckshop News

TUCKSHOP ROSTER
TERM 4 WEEK 3		PARENT HELPERS	SLINKY HELPERS
WED	21/10/15	HELP REQUIRED	Matthew 4H
THU	22/10/15	HELP REQUIRED	Hannah C 5S, Chloe M 5s
FRI	23/10/15	Shae Miskin	Charleigh W 4H, Holly M 4H
		Lisa Ponds - cashier
TERM 4 WEEK 4
WED	28/10/15	HELP REQUIRED	HELP REQUIRED
THU	29/10/15	HELP REQUIRED	HELP REQUIRED
FRI	30/10/15	Jo Comper - cashier	HELP REQUIRED
		Shae Miskin

Secondhand Uniforms

Secondhand uniforms and green jumpers are available for purchase at the tuckshop for $5.00 each.

If you can assist in the tuckshop we would love to hear from you. Please contact the Tuckshop Convenor, Kylie Gowlett on 0439 933 980, email: kgowlett@cns.catholic.edu.au or leave your number at the office.

The Arts News

Dance Drama Music

Term 4 is here and that means the Arts Department is gearing up for the Christmas Fair (Saturday 14th November) and the Christmas Concert (Thursday 26th November). We are planning and preparing for these events already with the school band, the school choirs and teaching each class their Christmas Concert song. We will provide parents with a performance schedule soon.

CONGRATULATIONS!

• Congratulations to Kit (6S), Harry (6S), Tyler (5S), Liam (4S) and Julia Russell for their recent success in the state band companionships in Townsville in the holidays. Overall QLD Junior State Band champions! What a great achievement!
• Congratulations to Jazz Woodall for her recent dancing success during a competition in the holidays! Jazz was awarded "Highly Commended" for her Ballet Solo, "Highly Commended" for her Fast Jazz Solo, "Very Highly Commended" for her Slow Modern Improvisation Solo, 3rd place for her Tap Improvisation Solo & 3rd place for her Ballet Improvisation Solo.

Please let Mrs Wight know of any people in our community who are achieving in the Arts!

ARTS ALIVE!

This term in the Arts Alive profiles we are focusing on Visual Arts. Visual Arts is a huge area as in encompasses drawing, painting, sculpting, textiles and mixed media art just to name a few. Basically anything that creates a visual image for people to enjoy. This week we have profiles on Ashleigh (Year 1) and her teacher Ms Bernice Gubby! They both are great visual artists that use very different mediums to create their artwork. Please email me, cwight@cns.catholic.edu.au , if you know someone who would like to be interviewed for the school newsletter!

Ashleigh

Profile Questions:

1. What type of art do you enjoy creating the most?
   I really like doing animal art. Lately, I’ve been drawing snow leopards, goannas and different types of birds. I use felt pens a lot at home. At school, I really like painting.
2. Who / what has inspired you to continue to create?
   I love looking at pictures of animals and drawing them. Sometimes I just like to make things up in my head.
3. How long have you been creating your artworks?
   I’ve been drawing since I was one.
4. What places do you like to go that help you appreciate art?
   I have a creek near my house. It’s behind the back gate. I look at all the creatures. I like looking at the scrub turkeys and then I draw them. I also draw magical forests.
5. What things do you like the most about the art you do?
   I like how fun art is. I like looking at the art I do.
6. In three words, describe what creating art is to you.
   FUN! EXCITING! INTERESTING!

Bernice Gubby (1S)

Profile Questions:

1. What type of art do you enjoy creating the most?
   Painting! Painting! Painting! However, about five years ago I switched the paint brush for a sewing machine, a pair of seriously sharp scissors and metres and metres of fabulous silk!
2. Who/ what has inspired you to continue to create?
   Although I’ve dabbled in sewing all my life, I really caught the sewing bug about five years ago. I started out making a few things for my kids. Now I practically sew my whole wardrobe. I think making and creative soothes the soul. Getting lost in the creative journey is liberating. It is also a journey filled with little discoveries. You can discover new ways of doing things, new ways of looking at things and new things about yourself.
3. How long have you been creating your artworks?
   I was born to make and create. My mother is one of the greatest creators I know. I grew up in a house where everything was created from scratch. I spent hours of my childhood churning ice cream, kneading bread, bottling beer, baking biscuits, cutting pasta and fermenting yoghurt. My mother also sewed all my clothes (and those of my other 5 brothers and sister). I remember spending hours making stuff from her fabric scraps.
4. What places do you like to go that help you appreciate art?
   I see art in everything – pattern, colour and texture is everywhere you look. It’s in the smallest butterfly wing to the geometric shapes on the side of a skyscraper!
5. What things do you like the most about the art you do?
   I love the process and journey as much as the end result. Every stage is a surprise, a problem to solve and is really quite delightful. My sewing starts out as a tiny idea that niggles away and ends with an original wearable garment. There’s something pretty awesome about that!
6. In three words, describe what creating art is to you.
   CREATING IS ME. I wouldn’t be who I am, if I couldn’t make stuff.

CHOIR UPDATE!

The General and Liturgy choirs have been given their Christmas Fair and Christmas Concert songs to sing for this year. We have updated our choir folders and are ready to do some serious rehearsing. Choir folders are able to be borrowed so students can practise at home, however, they must be brought to rehearsals on Tuesday (General Choir) and Wednesday (Liturgy Choir). Some weeks we don’t have enough folders for everyone to share because students have forgotten to bring them to practice.

We will have more information for parents about the dates and times of these performances closer to the time. These events are outside school hours and will require parents to drop students off and pick them up at certain times.

The Liturgy Choir will also be involved in the Remembrance Day Liturgy and the End of Year Mass.

DDM LESSON UPDATE:

Prep- “Nursery Rhymes” – Students are completing their lessons with “Sally Goes Round the Moon” this week and moving onto the rhyme “Looby Loo.” They will learn how to sing and dance this song using variations in pitch, dynamics and tempo.

Years 1/2 - “Lonesome Boatman” – Students are completing their own version of a Lonesome Boatman Ocean Soundscape this week. Students will then rehearse and present their group compositions in class in the coming weeks. The soundscapes are going to tell a story with music and I can’t wait to hear them. We are hoping that the year 1 students can perform some of their soundscapes for the school community on assembly this term. Once we have set a date, we will let parents know.

Years 3/4 - “Calypso Rounds and Sounds.” - Students are completing their own version of the Calypso Song. They will have students who will sing the rounds and ostinatos, keep everyone in time with the beat on the drum, play a chord accompaniment using either the glockenspiels or Boomwhackers and play Calypso rhythms using tambourines, clave sticks or maracas. They will give the members in their groups different jobs and then rehearse their song until they are ready to perform it for their class. It’s going to sound awesome!

Years 5/6 – “Local Community Music” –Students are working towards their final project in our music lessons. The project involves them completing a webquest that asks them to mimic/ dress up as Cairns band and perform a song about Holy Cross that they had written to the tune of The Lion Sleeps Tonight. Our lessons have been both in the music classroom with the instruments and in the computer lab for research. There have been some technology issues but we have sorted them out now and all groups are all good to go. I am looking forward to receiving some great lyrics about Holy Cross and some fantastic renditions of the Lion Sleeps Tonight.

Thank you for all your support! God bless!

Christina Wight
Dance Drama Music Specialist Teacher

Music Tuition

Brass/Woodwind

If you are interested in learning a brass or woodwind instrument (including trumpet, trombone, flute, clarinet or saxophone), please contact Julia Russell via email: julia.russell@standrewscc.qld.edu.au

A reminder that instrumental tuition & hire contract agreements state a 4 week’s written notice period is required if your child wishes to cease lessons. In the event of cancellation the full amount of the term fee will remain due and payable for that notice period. All instrumental fees should remain paid in advance.

Drums/Percussion

Are you interested in playing the drums or learning a percussion instrument?

For more information contact our friendly drum/percussion instructor Jen Fengler on ph: 0431461812 or email: jenfengler@hotmail.com

Piano

If you are interested in piano lessons please contact: Paul Brimstone on ph: 40551105

Guitar

If you are interested in guitar lessons please contact: Peter Drazic on email: pjd.guitar@bigpond.com

Sports Notices

Term 4 Netball (NETFUN Program)

Cairns Netball Association will once again be offering this skill based netball program for 5 – 10 year olds commencing this Thursday 22nd October from 3.10pm-4.10pm.

Anyone interested in participating in this program please click on the link below and complete the registration form and return to netsetgo@cairnsnetball.net.au

Parent Seminars

Parent Seminars

Parents in Touch - An Evening with Sue Roffey, “Promoting Positive Relationships and Wellbeing”

Wednesday 28th October, Lennon Hall, St Augustine’s College, 7.30pm start. Cost $10 per person.

RSVP: By Friday 23 October, Telephone: 4051 5555 or email: reception@sac.qld.edu.au

Community Notices

TYC Super Summer Drama School 5yrs - 12yrs

Want some stage time these school holidays? Join us for our Summer Drama School and battle the evil Queen of Hearts in Hearts & Spades: Painting the Roses Red (7/12 – 10/12) or join the quest to save Christmas in Christmas Chaos: Operation Mrs Clause! (14/12 – 17/12). Check our our masterclass series from 21/12 - 23/12. Join the battle in Marvel Mayhem: Super Heroes vs Spies (4/1 – 7/1), become a Jedi knight in Galaxy Force: The Sage Continues (11/1 – 14/1) and get prepared for our Super Duper 5-Day Drama School, the frighteningly funny Spine-Tingling Goosebumps! (18/1 – 22/1). Special Guest costume artist Hayley Gillespie. Come along and explore acting, costumes, lighting, sound and multimedia elements, finishing with a creative performance on the final afternoon. Learn the essentials of stage performance through improvisation, role-play and characterization activities and then perform in front of a live audience with costumes, sets, props, sound effects, live projections and theatrical lighting!! For more information phone 40414066, email info@theyoungcompany.com.au or visit our website www.theyoungcompany.com.au. Book today to receive an early bird saving!

Well Women’s Clinics (available to Medicare eligible clients)

Service includes Pap Smears, Sexual Health Screening, Breast Awareness, also info on Contraception, Continence, Menopause, Lifestyle Issues, Bowel Health, Domestic Violence, etc. All services are provided by a specially trained Women’s Health Nurse.

Smithfield Community Health Friday 13th & 27th November Ph: 4226 4800

James Cook University (JCU) Thursday 5th & Monday 23rd November Ph: 4226 4812