holy spirit school newsletter Term 4, Week 7, 27th November 2024

Principal's Message

"The best thing parents can do for their children is give them roots and wings." Dr. Jonas Salk Physician, Discovered Eponymous Vaccine For Polio

It is at this time of the year that we look at the contribution our current Year 6 class have made to our learning community during their time at Holy Spirit. We also look to the future as we undertake the Kinder Snapshot/Orientation process for our new students for 2025.

Our aim as a learning community is to provide an environment that allows our Year 6 leavers to be adaptable life long resilient learners not just provide them with a skill set. The home/school relationship is imperative in reaching this goal. I say this, not only as an educator, but as the parent of two daughters, with one finishing her 13 year schooling journey this month.

We want to give our children more than survival skills—we want to give them soaring skills as well. Both "ROOTS" and "WINGS" are important if our children are to develop to their full potential. When we think of "ROOTS", we may think of providing a foundation of security and stability for our children. Just as the nourishment and stability of a plant depends on its root system, so human life is sustained and stabilised by its roots.

"WINGS" lift our children above the routine and the mundane. From this altitude they gain a fresh outlook on life, seeing above their circumstances and being sensitive to the delights of life that have been given to them.

Our children allow us to share their wings when they call us to the window to see a spectacular sunset, or share an unusual twist of plot from the book they are reading, or go one step farther when setting the dinner table by lighting it up with candles.

When we think of giving our children wings, we think of doing "extras" beyond meeting their basic needs. We want to enrich and surprise them, stimulate and refresh them, delight and enchant them. We want them to see their home, school and community as full of life because God is there and so are they.

There is a mix of excitement and trepidation for the students & parents of our Year 6 students and Kinders of 2025. As a school/home partnership, how are we giving our children the stability they need as well as encouraging and supporting them to try new things, to think beyond the square and to be daring?

CYBER-SAFETY

We live in a new age of technology. Being cyber-aware is one thing, but being cyber-safe is paramount. There is no doubt that technology has made our world more accessible, especially with the many platforms of social media. But this has its pitfalls. Cyber-bullying has become a worldwide phenomenon and unfortunately, Holy Spirit hasn’t escaped this. This will not be tolerated here at Holy Spirit, but we can’t monitor what is happening out of school. This is where we need YOUR help.

The vast majority of social media platforms have age restrictions that begin at 13 years of age and for very good reason. The Australian Government is looking at extending this out to 16 years of age. I plead with you to monitor what your children do on the internet. I highly recommend you take the time to access https://www.esafety.gov.au/.

Matt Kean

Principal

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

2024 - St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal

The time has come to think about the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal. As in previous years, Holy Spirit School have been invited to participate. If anyone would like to donate new unwrapped toys up to 12 years of age, or “in date’ non perishable food items, please leave these in the front office. Boxes are available in the front office that items can be placed in.

• Gifts should remain unwrapped with appropriate age and gender details attached or written on the packaging.
• Should food items be donated it is important that they are well inside the ‘best by’ and particularly the ‘use by’ dates (a legal requirement).

Some ideas for food items include Christmas pudding, tea, coffee, milo, fruit cake, jam, pancake mix, cereal, dried fruit, biscuits, pasta, pasta sauce and vegemite.

The boxes will be collected at school by St Vincent de Paul on Monday 9th December to be distributed by St Vincent de Paul.

Thanks for your support.

Catholic Mission

Wea have received a letter of thanks from Mrs Jane Plum from Catholic Mission. Please see the note below:

Thank you for your support that enables missionaries in places like The Caring Centre in Ulaanbaatar, to invite more children to the table. When you follow the call to “Go and invite everyone to the banquet” you follow God's loving rule. As we approach the Season of Advent take time to reflect on your own participation in God’s kingdom and the particular ways you are striving to foster Christ’s peace.

God bless you all,

Jane Plum, Diocesan Director for Catholic Mission - Wagga Wagga.

Advent

The 1st December is the first day of Advent. Advent is the season in the Catholic Church that prepares for the celebration of Christmas, the birth of Jesus. It begins four Sundays before Christmas and lasts until Christmas Eve. The word "Advent" means "coming," and it’s a time of waiting and preparing for Jesus' arrival, both as a baby in Bethlehem and in our hearts today.

Our students can understand and celebrate Advent:

1. The Advent Wreath:

• An Advent wreath has four candles (three purple and one pink) on a circular wreath of greenery.
• Each candle is lit on the Sundays leading up to Christmas.
• The purple candles represent hope, peace, and love, while the pink candle symbolizes joy.

2. Advent Calendar:

• Kids can use an Advent calendar to count down the days to Christmas.
• Each day, they open a door or box to reveal a picture, Bible verse, or treat, teaching patience and anticipation.

3. Acts of Kindness:

• Kids can participate in acts of kindness, like donating toys or helping those in need, as a way to prepare their hearts for Jesus.

Advent helps children focus on the true meaning of Christmas—celebrating Jesus' birth and sharing His love with others.

Kind regards,

Jo Davies

Religious Education Coordinator

IMPORTANT DATES

• Leadership Speeches: Wednesday 4th December - 9:15am
• Year 6 Graduation: Monday 16th December - 5:00pm

Key Dates

2024

• Kindergarten 2025 Snapshots: Thurs 28th Nov 9:30-11am
• 2024 School fees to be paid in full and accounts settled: 1st December
• Leadership Speeches: Wednesday 4th December, 9:15am
• Kindergarten Orientation Day/Parent Information Session: Thursday 5th December, 9:30-11am
• Year 1-6 Orientation/Transition Day: Monday 16th December, 9:15-11am
• Year 6 Graduation: Monday 16th December, 5pm
• Last day of Term 4: Wednesday 18th December

2025 Dates

• Staff return: Friday 31st January
• Student Free Day: Monday 3rd February
• MAI (Years 1-6): Tuesday 4th February & Wednesday 5th February
• Best Start Interviews for Kinder students: Tuesday 4th February-Monday 10th February
• Years 1-6 start school: Thursday 6th February
• Kinders commence school: Tuesday 11th February

PACER (Parliament and Civics Education Rebate)

Year 6 students from our school have recently undertaken an education tour of the national capital. Students were given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage, and democracy. The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government contributed funding to our school in the amount of $30 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate was already applied to the excursion cost.

Bingo Roster

Bingo Volunteers Needed for 2025

Click here to view google form.

Canteen Roster

ATTENTION: WE NEED A VOLUNTEER FOR THIS FRIDAY MORNING

**** Please contact Janelle (Canteen Manager) on 0414270918 if you are able to help for the required dates/times highlighted in red below.****

Merit Awards

Year 6 Canberra Excursion