Principal's Message
Welcome to Week 4,
I'm delighted to introduce myself to everyone in the Holy Spirit community! I'm Josh Gaynor, and I'll be serving as your acting principal for a short time.
I want to express my gratitude to Fr. Byrnes, the wonderful staff, and all the fantastic students for making me feel so welcome. I'm really looking forward to working with you all and helping our amazing teachers continue to do what they do best.
In Sunday’s gospel we explored the moment Jesus gave his disciples a new commandment: to love one another, just as I have loved you. Jesus said that everyone will know we are his followers if we love each other. This love isn’t just a feeling; it’s about how we treat others with kindness, respect, and care. Just like we are taught to be inclusive and help our friends, Jesus wants us to show love in everything we do.
Throughout our schools, showing love means being kind to all, helping those who need it, and treating everyone with respect. When we follow Jesus’s commandment to love one another, we make our school a happier and kinder place for everyone. As educators we lean on Jesus’ word each day and this passage is always a popular choice.
"I've really enjoyed seeing how focused and engaged all the classes have been since I arrived. The classrooms are buzzing with activity, and it's wonderful to see the children so involved in their learning and trying new things! It's clear that the teachers and students have built great relationships, and that makes such a difference.
I also want to give a special shout-out to our Kindergarten team! Their trip to Chiltern yesterday was a big success. The children had a fantastic time, and we even received a lovely phone call from the bus company praising the behavior of our students and staff. What a fantastic effort, Kindergarten!"
Joshua Gaynor
Acting Principal
National Simultaneous Storytime
The Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel is a heartwarming picture book about a stray cat who finds an unexpected home on the road. The story follows the bond that forms between a solitary truck driver and a curious cat who stows away in his rig. As they travel together across the country, the cat slowly becomes part of the trucker’s life, showing how companionship can arrive when you least expect it. It's a gentle, uplifting tale about connection, kindness, and finding home in surprising places.
Today, the whole school soaked up the sunshine and participated in National Simultaneous Storytime-a day when students across the nation enjoy the same book on the same day! This year's beautiful book is The Truck Cat, by Deborah Frenkel & Danny Snell was a delightful reminder of how stories connect us and spark curiosity in readers of all ages. We love to promote reading at Holy Spirit.
It was wonderful to see both students and teachers so engaged with The Truck Cat. The story sparked genuine curiosity, laughter, and thoughtful discussion across classrooms, with students eagerly connecting to the characters and themes. It was clear that the book resonated with many—whether through the cat’s adventurous spirit or the unexpected friendship it formed.
Reading at home and at school helps children develop strong literacy foundations. We encourage families to read regularly with their children—whether it's bedtime stories, weekend library visits, or shared reading time after dinner. These small moments make a big difference.
Thank you for supporting a culture of reading. Together, we’re building confident, thoughtful learners who are ready to learn, lead, and grow.
STUDENT ACTION LEADERSHIP TEAMS
At Holy Spirit School, our Year 6 students are all part of a Student Action Leadership Team. The purpose of these teams is for all Year 6 students to develop leadership skills and contribute to our community at Holy Spirit School. Through their involvement in an action team, students will have the opportunity to demonstrate the Catholic faith and model our school values.
On Monday morning, our Year 6 Sustainability Team shared an important reminder this week about using the correct bins at school: green for green waste, yellow for recycling, and red for rubbish. They encouraged us all to make sure we’re putting the right things in the right bins—especially aiming to have the least amount of waste in the red bin. Every small choice helps reduce our impact and keep our school clean and sustainable!
Another important message was delivered to students from our Library Monitors. The Year 6 Library Team would like to see more people from Years 3-6 borrowing books and bringing their library bags. Being organised for all lessons is really important. To get students motivated we are going to challenge you! If you bring your Library bags to your weekly lesson, 10 times in a row, you will go into the draw to win a $30 Book Club voucher! You will be excused if you forget one week. The names of the next 5 people drawn out, after the voucher winner, will get the choice to do Activity Time for 1 whole lesson. They get to choose which week this will happen. So Holy Spirit kids, get organised and you could be a WINNER!
MOTHERS DAY BREAKFAST - A Huge Thank You!
We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the Dads and staff who helped cook the BBQ or assisted with preparing the breakfast.
Your time and support made the morning extra special — we truly appreciate it!
Religious Education
Sacrament of Confirmation - May 31st @6pm
- Monday May 26th Confirmation reflection day with all Year 6 student.
- Tuesday 27th May - Bishop Mark to visit the Year 6 students at Holy Spirit School.
- Thursday 29th May - Reconciliation for Confirmands
- Friday 30th May - Sacrament of Confirmation Assembly @2:30pm.
Saturday Mass
Thank you to the students who helped at the last school Mass on 10th May. Skylar W, Tony P, Lavie P, Rylee F, Sophia V, Jasper T, Amelia K and Evelyn V
Pope Leo XIV
- Pope Leo XIV - birth name is Robert Francis Prevost
- Age: 69
- He is the first American pope.
- Background: He was born in Chicago to parents of Spanish and Franco-Italian descent.
- Education: He studied at the Minor Seminary of the Augustinian Fathers, Villanova University (mathematics degree), and the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.
- Career: He served as a missionary in Peru, Bishop of Chiclayo (2015-2023), Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops (2023-2025), and was made a cardinal in 2023.
- Papal Name: He chose the name Leo XIV, the 14th pope to bear that name.
- First Act: His first act after being elected was to choose a papal name, signifying a second birth.
- First Words: He spoke from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, saying "Peace be with you all" in fluent Italian and Spanish.
- Expectations: He is expected to continue the reforms and focus on poverty and marginalized people initiated by Pope Francis.
- Naturalized Peruvian Citizen: While born in Chicago, he is a naturalized citizen of Peru.
Mary Help Of Christians - Mass this Friday 23rd May @9:15am
Mary, Help of Christians, is a title for the Virgin Mary, emphasising her role as an intercessor who helps Christians in their lives. She's considered a powerful helper because of her closeness to Jesus and her ability to pray for us.
Mary Help of Christians is the Patroness of Australia and is often depicted with a crown and holding a staff or globe, symbolising her role as the Queen of Heaven.
On Friday we will attend Mass for the Feast of Mary Help of Christians at 9:15am. You are most welcome to attend. Year 4 will lead us in the Mass.
Sacrament dates
- Year 6 - Sacrament of Confirmation - May 31st at 6pm Mass
- Year 3 - Sacrament of First Communion - 14th September at 10am Mass
- Year 2 - Sacrament of First Reconciliation - To be confirmed.
Kind regards
Jo Davies
Religious Education Coordinator
2025 HSS Family Fun Fair Meeting
We will be holding another open fete meeting on Monday 26th May at 5:30pm in the school Library. This is for anyone who wishes to come along and sign up to assist in the lead up to or on the evening of the school fete, 24 October 2025. We will be discussing the progression of activities and other key items we are planning for the event. If you can’t make it and wish to volunteer please feel free to let one of our council members or the school office staff know, or email us at hsschooladvisorycouncil@gmail.com
Key Dates
- Year 2 Excursion (Madagascar JR): Thursday 22nd May, 11am-12:15pm
- School Assembly (Hosted by Year 2 Red): Friday 23rd May
- Mary Help of Christians Mass: Friday 23rd May
- School Fun Fair Meeting (All welcome): Monday 26th May 5:30pm-6:30pm
- MacKillop Football/Soccer: Friday 30th May
- Confirmation: Saturday 31st May, 6pm
- Year 6 Waste Management Tour: Wednesday 4th June, 9am-1pm
- Student Free Day (Staff Spirituality Day): Friday 6th June (Students do not attend school on this day)
- Student Free Day (King's Birthday Public holiday): Monday 9th June (Students do not attend school on this day)
- MacKillop Cross Country: Wednesday 11th June
- Deanery Athletics: Friday 13th June
- Hot Bake Pie Orders due: Monday 16th June
- Last Day of Term 2: Thursday 3rd July
- Student Free Day (Staff Curriculum Planning): Friday 4th July (Students do not attend school on this day)
HSS Walk to School Day (Years 3-6 only)
Physical activity supports a healthy lifestyle and helps students stay focused and ready to learn. At Holy Spirit School, we want to encourage a positive start to the day – and what better way than a walk to school!
Our SRC is excited to host our first-ever Walk to School Day. This is a non-compulsory, free event and a great opportunity for students to be active and social.
Event Details:
- 📅 Friday, 30th May
- 📍 Meet at Melrose Park, Lavington
- 🕢 7:50am – Arrival
- 🚶 8:00am – Depart
- 🏫 8:30am – Arrive at School
- 👨👩👧👦 Parents and carers are warmly encouraged to join the walk!
Please RSVP on Compass by Thursday, 29th May so we can keep track of participant numbers.
We look forward to a fun and and active start to the day!
CEDWW Sports for 2025
All CEDWW Sports for 2025 have been added to the School Calendar. Click here to view the School Calendar. We will notify students when they are selected to represent our school at the respective trials.
Kinder Chiltern Excursion
Kinders had such a great day on Tuesday for their first excursion. They caught a bus to the train station and went on a long walk over the Dean St bridges. The children loved waving to the cars and trucks when they were on the bridge. They caught the train to Chiltern and had a picnic lunch at the park before catching the bus back to school.
Bunnings BBQ - Volunteers needed
We’re excited to announce that Holy Spirit School has been given the opportunity to run a BBQ outside Bunnings Albury on Saturday, 21st June, from 8:00am to 4:00pm.
To make this a successful fundraiser, we need volunteers from our school community to help throughout the day. If you’re able to assist, please fill in a form here. Thank you in advance for your support!
Hot Bake Pie Drive
We’re accepting orders for our Hot Bake Pie Drive, a delicious way to support our school community. Orders can be placed online via the QKR! app (the same app used for canteen orders), or, you can order with cash using this order form, also available at the school office. Thank you for supporting this great fundraiser!
Bingo Roster
Canteen Roster
Please contact Janelle on 0414270918 if you are able to help out for either the morning shift (9am-11:30am) or afternoon shift (11am-1:30pm) at any stage on a Thursday or Friday.
Merit Awards
Sport News
- Chayse (6 Red) last week participated in the NSW PSSA Boys Basketball Championships in Sydney. His team did quite well against many Sydney and NSW schools. Well done Chayse!
- Well done to the Year 6 girls who competed in the Albury Netball Cup last Monday — your hard work has paid off as you've progressed to the next level. We’re so proud of you!
School Wellbeing Program
Click here to view the School Wellbeing Program from Centacare that our School Counsellor, Emma, delivers at our school.
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