Getting Ready for School Camp

At Holy Cross School, we’re approaching that exciting time of year when our Grade 5 and Grade 6 students head off to school camp. It’s a fantastic opportunity for them to learn, grow, and explore in a fun and supportive environment away from home.

Why camp is such a great experience?

Camp offers so much more than just fun and games. It also helps students develop important life skills, such as:

• Making new friends and working as a team, students connect across their whole year level.
• Developing independence as they take more responsibility for their own self-care.
• Trying new things and learning practical skills as they engage in a range new of activities.
• Building resilience and self-confidence, as they face new challenges.

However, as the camp date gets closer, some students may start to feel nervous about being away from home, even those who usually seem quite confident. Some common worries that students have talked about include:

• Who will I share a dormitory or cabin with?
• What happens if I don’t get teamed with my friends?
• What if I feel homesick?
• Will I like the food there?
• What if I can't do the activities?

What we do know is that with a bit of preparation, and extra support for those who need it, you can help your child feel more confident, comfortable, and ready for the adventure ahead.

Here are some tips to help your child feel camp-ready:

Involve them in packing

When you get the list of what to pack, ask them to help you find (or shop for) what they need. Then label everything together so they know what belongs to them. It's good for them to help prepare and pack, but this also helps them be aware of all the things that need to come back home!

Pack a little comfort

For some students, taking something that they find comforting and will help them settle at night can be very beneficial e.g., packing a favourite small soft toy from home can help ease anxious thoughts. The toy can be placed at the bottom of a sleeping bag, so your child has the comfort of knowing it is there, without having to let the rest of the camp know! Some children also like to wear a parent’s t-shirt or jumper to sleep in.

Write a short note

A short letter or a funny bedtime note from you can make them feel special and supported while they’re away.

Explore the camp together online

Visit the camp websites with your child to help them picture what the place looks like. Seeing the cabins, dining areas, and bathrooms ahead of time can ease worries.

• • Grade 5 Camp: Camp Paterson
  • Grade 6 Camp: Barron River Campus

Talk with their teacher
If your child has specific worries, reach out to their teacher so we can plan any extra support they may need.

Be positive and encouraging
Let your child know you believe they’ll have a great time. Tell them you’re looking forward to hearing all about it when they get back!

Listen to their worries
If your child shares a worry, focus on listening and letting them know their feelings are valid. Sometimes, just feeling heard is all they need.

Camp is a wonderful chance for your child to discover new strengths, build confidence, and grow in ways that aren’t always possible in the classroom. Many children come home full of stories, new friendships, and a renewed sense of independence, ready to take on even bigger adventures ahead.

OMG DONUT FUNDRAISER

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

The Year 6 leaders are raising money to support our Stephanie Alexander Garden Program. This program aims to help students learn through the fun of gardening and caring for the environment. To raise money we are selling OMG donuts through Flexischools and the school tuckshop. As donuts are a ‘Red Food’ item, we are only selling these donuts for a limited time so make sure you get in ASAP to secure your order. Orders for the single sale OMG donuts will go up on Flexischools on Monday the 28th of July for distribution on Friday in weeks 5 and 6. There are a plethora of fantastic flavours for you to choose from so feel free to order more than one! We look forward to raising money for this wonderful program and to providing delicious treats for the students at Holy Cross.

Sincerely,
Year 6, 6C

UPCYCLING OLD SCHOOL UNIFORMS - (UPPAREL)

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

As part of the stewardship charism that we practice at Holy Cross, the year 6 leadersare looking to upcycle old school uniforms. We have teamed up with the recycling company Upparel to help us repurpose and reuse our old school uniforms. Upparel is a company who supports schools with less opportunity to have uniforms. By collecting all these uniforms, we’ll be sustainable and working as a community to reuse, repurpose and recycle. Upparel reuse clothes for Australian charities and not-for-profits, they also breakdown old materials to create new fibre used in packaging, homewares and more. The year 6 leaders are hosting this donation and we urge you to gather any old uniforms and drop them off to the school office for collection.

There is one super talented Year 3 student shining brightly in our school community pushing themselves to be ‘the best version of you’ outside of school hours.

• Suri S (3S) is shining in ‘ANIMAL GROOMING’ having successfully competed in the Cairns Show with her three guinea pigs, Messi, Kiki and Milo. Awarded 3 x first place, 2 x second place, 3 x third place AND Reserve Show Champion is testament to her hard work caring for her pets. A phenomenal achievement; we are super proud of her (and her guinea pigs)!

Please keep sharing news regarding your children’s achievements outside of school. We love sharing good news stories. Email:  principal.trinitypk@cns.catholic.edu.au

Click on the link below to access to view the videos:

https://cspqld.schoolzineplus.com/newsletter/article/52

Click on the link below to register:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1F2ru7CCQy-Ey1hGpbn-vw#/registration

Click on the link below for more information or to register:

https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars 

Position vacant
Casual School Crossing Supervisor

A position exists for a Casual School Crossing Supervisor at Holy Cross School.

• A School Crossing Supervisor must be able to work in all-weather conditions.
• Morning and afternoon shifts (on a rostered basis).
• Relief opportunities on your rostered days off.
• Pay Rate $37.10 per hour.

Commencement of employment for the successful applicant is dependent on:

• The favourable outcome of a health assessment.
• A Positive Notice Blue Card (you do not need to have a blue card to apply for the position).

Please call Kim at Transport and Main Roads for an application package on 0428 964 745.

2025

TERM 3

JUL 28 - AUG 1 - Catholic Education Week / NAIDOC Celebrations

JUL 28 - Futsal 9's

JUL 29 - Catholic Education Week / NAIDOC Week Mass - 9:00am

JUL 29 - Futsal Girls

JUL 29 - Eucharist Session 3 - Holy Cross Church - 5:00pm

JUL 30 - Holy Cross Connect Meeting - Staffroom - 6:00pm

JUL 30 - OSHC Re-enrolments for 2026 Open (existing families + siblings)

JUL 30 - Futsal 10's

JUL 31 - Futsal 11's

AUG 1 - Futsal 12's

AUG 5-6 - TCN Track & Field

AUG 6-8 - Year 5 Camp - Camp Paterson, Mareeba

AUG 11-15 - Student Led Conference Week

AUG 25-29 - Book Week

AUG 29 - Book Week Assembly

AUG 29 - OSHC Re-enrolments close (existing families + siblings)

SEP 1 - OSHC Enrolments open (New families 2026)

A Prayer for Resilience, Courage and Curious Minds

Heavenly Father,
You are our refuge and strength, a constant presence in times of challenge and change.
As we journey through this term, we ask for Your grace to face new experiences with courage, open hearts, and curious minds.

Grant us resilience when we stumble—
the strength to rise again,
the wisdom to learn from our trials,
and the patience to grow through adversity.

May we welcome each opportunity,
each person we meet,
and each lesson we learn
with compassion, humility, and faith.

Fill our hearts with hope and our spirits with joy,
so that we may shine Your light in all we do.
Bless our school community with unity, purpose, and love,
as we walk hand in hand toward the future You have prepared for us.

Through Christ our Lord, Amen.