Welcome to the 2025 Jubilee Year at Holy Cross: 'Pilgrims of Hope'

After three active weeks at Holy Cross, I am excited to say that the new school year is now in full swing. In my new role as AP Religious Identity and Wellbeing, it has been a privilege to spend time working with many students across the school. I have had the opportunity to visit classrooms during learning and break times, attend school events, and take students to represent our school at the St Andrew’s Opening Mass. I have happily reconnected with many former students and have also had the chance to make new friends along the way.

Just like the students starting a new grade, or even a new school, this year has brought changes for me as an educator. As I adjust to new routines and navigate my diverse role, I am immensely thankful for the encouragement, kind words, and smiles shared by students, staff, and families as I embark on my new journey at Holy Cross. In my travels around the school, speaking with new families, I have been reminded of the importance of community. The feeling of being welcomed and knowing you belong plays an important part in our connection to others and in turn, our general happiness and wellbeing. At Holy Cross, I believe that our community is strong, and I am confident in the knowledge that as we continue into this Jubilee Year of Hope, here at Holy Cross there is always someone we can turn to when we have a question, are in need of support or simply want to chat. I look forward to the year ahead and the upcoming opportunities to work with you all. Please do not hesitate to reach out if I can help your families in any way as the year progresses.

Happenings Around the School

After a wet few days, the students have finally enjoyed some outside playtimes. It has been great to see the activity on the playgrounds, basketball court, library, and STEM room. In the coming week, we look forward to reinstating the loose parts and bush play areas in the playground. On Tuesday this week, we opened our school year with our 'Opening of School Mass'. We thank Father Dariusz and Deacon Tony for celebrating this special Mass with our community. Thank you to all of the students who contributed to the reverence of our celebration, especially those who sang in the choir, shared a reading, or participated in the processions.  It was so nice to hear the buzz of excitement around the school on Wednesday night at the annual meet and greet event. Thank you to everyone who stopped by the drinks station to say hello. The teachers have shared how lovely it was to meet so many families across the evening. Thank you to everyone who was able to join us and share in the fun.

The Jubilee Year: Pilgrims of Hope

Finally, this year the Church celebrates the Jubilee year. This takes place every 25 years in our Catholic Church. This year, Pope Francis has called us to be Pilgrims of Hope. Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on December 25th, 2024. He declared it a wonderful opportunity to restore a climate of hope and trust. We are all on a journey; as such, we are all pilgrims. We journey towards Jesus with hope and love in our hearts. This beautiful theme offers all people an opportunity to focus intentionally on the notion of hope. We at Holy Cross recognise that we can share the gift of hope with those in our community through living out our school values in actions demonstrated in our service and outreach programs and Year 6 Leadership groups. In these areas, we will work together to build a better world.

Stephanie Travers
Assistant Principal - Catholic Identity and Wellbeing

At Holy Cross School, staff and students work extremely hard to truly embed our school charism, ‘The Holy Cross Way’, into every facet of our learning and lives, both at school and beyond.

In 2018, whilst unpacking Relationships and Community, we introduced a before -school initiative entitled, ‘The Zones’ providing a daily opportunity to embrace both important components.

As a quick refresher for families, and information for those who are new, arrangements for student supervision before school is as follows:

• • NO SUPERVISION is available prior to 8:10am;
  • Students arriving at school before 8:10am MUST be enrolled in Before School Care (Contact OSHC: Mobile: 0410 629 096), email: oshc.trinitypk@ccelc.catholic.org.au; 
  • Between the 8:10am bell and the bell to mark the start of the school day, students should first drop their belongings off at their class bag rack, then proceed to a ‘ZONE’ of their choice where they will remain until school begins; and,
  • Students are NOT permitted to play tiggy or other games that involve running around during this time.

Zones and activities are as follows:

All zones are multi-age and multi-ability to promote respect, inclusion, acceptance, and tolerance. Teachers actively supervise the students in each zone, and assist with the strengthening of leadership and friendships across all year levels.

Our students benefit immensely from this program, setting them up in a positive and appropriate manner to commence learning upon entering their classroom. It is the expectation that all our students follow rules and procedures whilst at school. Students deemed not to be following the school rule, 'Right Place Right Time' or behaving in a disrespectful manner whilst in their zone, will receive a consequence.

If you have any concerns or queries, please do not hesitate to contact myself or any other member of the Leadership Team.

Holy Cross School tuckshop operates Monday to Friday for both Morning tea, at 10:30 am (1st break) & Lunch at 1:20pm (2nd break).

Food Safety

Please note that due to Food Safety Regulations, the staff in the school tuckshop are unable to cook or microwave students food brought in from home.

Flexischools

Flexischools https://www.flexischools.com.au/ is our main form of ordering. We strongly encourage all families ordering morning tea or lunch, to please use the Flexi Schools App/Website. Should you require any assistance with setting up a new account, please give Manfa, our Tuckshop Coordinator a call. Lunch orders must be submitted prior to a 8:45am cut off each day. There is a Late Orders menu offering limited items for those that have missed the 8:45am cut off, please use this option if you have missed the cut off time.

A small selection of items can be purchased over the counter at first breaks, including icy poles.

There are some menu items that are offered online only e.g. Sushi, and from time to time there may be alternate items featured on Flexischools.

If you are new to Flexischools please see the attached flyer or click on the link below for step by step instructions for registering an account.

If you are a previous user please ensure that you update your student’s 2025 year level class.

NEW Menu

Click on the link below to view the Term 1 Tuckshop Menu. A copy is also available via the Parent Portal at any time.

Volunteers

Any volunteers who may like to lend a hand in the Tuckshop are always appreciated, please email tuckshop.trinitypk@cns.catholic.edu.au to register your interest.

Breakfast Club

I am pleased to share that, we will be offering a Breakfast Club for all students, once again. We are able to offer a breakfast service for students and families in need. Between 8:10am and 8:30am, students will be able to come to the canteen for toast, cereal or fruit. All breakfast is to be consumed in the breakfast club area.

Should you require further information please contact the Tuckshop via email at tuckshop.trinitypk@cns.catholic.edu.au .

We’re excited to announce that Holy Cross School will once again be offering the highly popular Circle of Security® Parenting™ program in 2025!

This relationship-based program is designed to support parents in building strong, secure connections with their children. Through the program, you will:

• Learn to understand your child’s emotional world by recognising and responding to their needs.
• Support your child in managing their emotions more effectively.
• Enhance their self-esteem and confidence through secure attachment.
• Gain insights into fostering a secure and trusting parent-child relationship.

Backed by decades of research, the Circle of Security® Parenting™ program provides practical tools to help parents navigate the challenges of raising children. Parenting can be deeply rewarding, but it also comes with its fair share of frustrations and uncertainties. Children often express their emotions through behaviour, and it’s not always easy to understand what they need. This program helps parents decode their child’s signals and respond in ways that promote security and emotional well-being.

Why Join?

Children who experience secure relationships with their caregivers are more likely to:

• Develop strong self-esteem and confidence
• Form positive relationships with parents, teachers, and peers
• Cope better with school learning demands
• Handle big emotions in a healthy way
• Build friendly and respectful friendships

Program Details

Four consecutive sessions (Each session builds on the last, so full attendance is required.)
Session Options:

• Term 2: Group 1 - Daytime sessions commencing at 9am
• Term 3: Group 2 - After-school sessions commencing at 5pm

More details coming soon! If you're interested, send us an expression of interest, and we’ll contact you directly once the dates and times are confirmed.

For more information, visit the Circle of Security® Parenting™ website to explore helpful resources.

We look forward to supporting you on this parenting journey!

Jo Cordwell
Holy Cross School Counsellor

2025

2025 TERM 1

FEB 19 - 2025 Sacramental Program Information Evening - 6.00pm - Church

FEB 20 - Volunteer Induction Session 1

FEB 24-28 - Student Led Conference Week

FEB 26 - Volunteer Induction Session 2

FEB 27 - Year 6 Leadership Retreat - Seville Mercy Centre

MAR 4 - Shrove Tuesday

MAR 5 - Ash Wednesday Liturgy (Years 2-6) - 9.00am

MAR 12-14 - Year 3 & 5 NAPLAN

MAR 17-21 - Harmony Week

MAR 18 - Volunteer Induction Session 3

MAR 19 - School Photos 2025

APR 4 - LAST DAY TERM 1

Next Meeting

The next Holy Cross Connect Meeting will be held in Term 2 on Wednesday, 30th April, commencing at 6.00pm in the Staffroom. All parents welcome.

LAUNCH OF 2025 SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM FOR THE NORTHERN BEACHES PARISH

The Northern Beaches Parish warmly invites families and carers of children who are at least in Year 3 to attend our Information Evening on Wednesday, 19 February at 6pm, to launch the 2025 Sacramental Program.

WHAT:  Information Evening – Sacramental Program

WHEN:  Wednesday, 19 February 2025 at 6PM

WHERE:  Holy Cross Church – Reed Road, Trinity Park

WHAT TO BRING:  ORIGINAL of the candidate’s baptismal certificate (for sighting purposes only).

RSVP:  Friday, 14 February via https://forms.office.com/r/58A0EEukw0

To access more information and complete the online enrolment form, please click this link:  https://forms.office.com/r/DNVWEK0nym

Thank you very much!

Take care and God bless,

Anna Jimenez
Sacramental Program Coordinator
Northern Beaches Parish
Catholic Diocese of Cairns
M:  0450 213 042

Loving God,

Thank you for our Holy Cross family.

Help us to treat each other with love and respect, celebrating our diversity.

Thank you for our community, a family that works, plays, learns, and prays together.

Help us to be one inclusive community in this love.

Thank you for the gift of those who serve.

Help us to be kind, compassionate and forgiving.

Thank you for all creation and Country – for the reef, rivers, mountains, creeks, and animals.

Help us to be stewards of our Earth, living in harmony.

We call upon Your Holy Spirit to help us to make a difference, using our gifts and following in the footsteps of Your Son, Jesus.

Amen.