Kicking Goals for Good: Our School Supports Socktober 2025

Here at Holy Cross, I am proud to say that our staff and students not only articulate how to Live and Learn in the Way of the Cross but regularly demonstrate it in our word and action.  This October, our school proudly joins thousands of students across Australia in supporting Socktober 2025, Catholic Mission’s annual initiative that blends faith, sport, and social justice. Socktober invites students to “kick goals for good” by engaging in fun sock and soccer-themed activities while raising awareness and funds for children in vulnerable communities around the world.

This year, the focus of Socktober is on Zambia, where Catholic Mission is helping to establish a maize mill to combat food insecurity. The project will provide a sustainable source of food for families affected by drought and economic hardship. Through our fundraising efforts, we are helping to ensure that children in Zambia have access to nutritious food and education, giving them the opportunity to build a brighter future.

Our students will embrace the Socktober spirit by wearing crazy socks and/or crazy hair and bring a gold coin donation on Thursday 23rd OCTOBER. During this week classes will also be creating sockballs—handmade soccer balls crafted from recycled materials, symbolising solidarity with children in developing countries. These sockballs will be used in classroom activities and soccer shootouts, all while learning about global mission and the importance of compassion and action.

Living the Mission: Catholic Mission’s Work in 2025

Socktober is just one part of Catholic Mission’s broader work in 2025. Inspired by Pope Francis’ theme for World Mission Sunday— “Missionaries of Hope Among All Peoples”—Catholic Mission is supporting life-giving projects around the world, including:

• Maternal health programs in Zambia, helping mothers access vital healthcare closer to home.
• Emergency relief in Ukraine, responding to humanitarian crises.
• Water and sanitation projects in Myanmar.
• Support for seminarians in Timor-Leste, nurturing future Church leaders.

These projects reflect Catholic Mission’s commitment to turning faith into action and building a world where every person can live with dignity and hope.

Thank You for Your Support

At Holy Cross. we are deeply grateful to our students, families, and staff for their enthusiastic support of Socktober initiatives each year. Your generosity and participation are helping to transform lives and bring hope to communities in need. Together, we are living out our call to be missionaries of hope, making a real difference in the world.

Let us continue to pray for the children and families in Zambia and all those supported by Catholic Mission. May our actions this Mission Month be a reflection of our faith, compassion, and commitment to justice.

Stephanie Travers
Assistant Principal
Catholic Identity & Wellbeing

Dear Parents & Carers,

It’s that time of year again when we commence preparations for student class placements for 2026.

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. The Leadership Team 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.

And don’t forget, positive conversations at home about the inevitable changes ahead, support a smooth and seamless transition.

To assist with the process of student class placements for 2026, we kindly ask families (Prep to Year 5) who are aware that they will not be returning to Holy Cross School next year to please notify the school as soon as possible and complete the attached exit notification form (if you have not done so already). Please return the form to the school office or via email to enrolments.trinitypk@cns.catholic.edu.au . Should you require a hard copy of the Exit Form, these are available for collection from the School Office.

As we currently have waitlists in place for all year levels for 2026, 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.

Thank you.

The Holy Cross Connect Executive Committee would like to sincerely thank the Holy Cross Connect Team, Holy Cross School Leadership Team, and School Parent Volunteers for their support in 2025.

DYSLEXIA AWARENESS MONTH

Understanding Dyslexia Free Webinar

2025

TERM 4

OCT 19 - Holy Cross Connect - Community Event - Roller Skating

OCT 23 - Crazy Sock / Crazy Hair Day - Gold Coin Donation

OCT 24 - Year 4 Excursion - Fitzroy Island

OCT 31 - World Teacher's Day

NOV 4 - All Saints Liturgy - 9:00am - Multi-Purpose Area

NOV 10 - Spark Awards

NOV 11 - Rememberance Day Liturgy - 9:00am - Multi-Purpose Area

NOV 20 - Bump Up Day & Prep 2026 Orientation Group Sessions

NOV 28 - Christmas Concert

DEC 1 - Assembly of Excellence

DEC 3 - Year 6 Excursion - Sugarworld

DEC 4 - Final Assembly

DEC 5 - Thanks Giving Mass - 9:00am - Multi-Purpose Area

DEC 5 - Last Day of Term 4 (Students Finish at 12.30pm)

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.

CB Football Term 4

Total Football Academy Term 4

Cairns BMX

Registration Link:  https://www.revolutionise.com.au/cairnsbmxc/events/319276

Works Notification - Smithfield Library Refurbishment

Cairns Regional Council is undertaking a complete refurbishment of Smithfield Library to provide library services to the community. Works will be ongoing from early October 2025. The library is closed and is now a construction site, with the exception of a book drop off bin which is available at the rear loading dock. The Smithfield Library is expected to reopen in May 2026.

Socktober Prayer – Inspired by 1 Peter 4:10

Loving God,

You call us to serve one another with the gifts You have given us.
As we take part in Socktober, help us to open our hearts to those in need.
May we use our hands to help, our voices to speak kindness,
and our actions to bring hope to children around the world.

Teach us to be generous and joyful in giving,
remembering that “each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others.” (1 Peter 4:10)

Amen.