25th February 2021

Principal News

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we are about to begin the second week of Lent and your children are learning about this season of the Church I’ve included a short 3 minute clip which gives an overview of the Lenten Season of the Catholic Church. Next week our students will learn about the work of Caritas through the Project Compassion launch for 2021. Every family will receive a mission box which they can take home and are encouraged to donate some pocket money towards helping others. In our pandemic ravaged world it is even more important that we reach out to our neighbours and help them. Financial support is the key to providing children in poor countries with the opportunity for an education. Our students are still young but with your guidance and that of their teachers and school, they quickly learn about the need for social justice and our calling to help others as Christian people, people of Christ.

https://bustedhalo.com/video/watch-lent-3-minutes

As a child my family would often go without meat on a Friday during lent; we were encouraged to give alms to the poor; we also spent time in family prayer. When you can, ask your child about what they are learning about Lent and anything they’d like to do during this time of prayer, almsgiving and fasting.

Kinder Meet the Teacher Evening

On Tuesday evening, we were delighted to be able to welcome our Kinder parents to our Meet the Teacher evening held in our beautiful Kinder learning spaces. Ms Scott, Mrs Porter, Ms Orrett, Mrs Blake (learning Support), Ms Fredsall (EALD) and myself enjoyed being able to share with some of our new parents what the year ahead in Kinder should look like!  Our teachers spoke about the role of play and the key role it has in fostering a child’s wellbeing. This is our school’s third year of the Successful Foundations Project and our teachers are thrilled with the benefits it has for all the new Kindergarten children who are settled, happy and growing in confidence each day. My thanks to everyone who was able to attend and to our staff for their preparation and presentation. We have a beautiful wooden tree which now holds some leaves on which parents wrote an aspiration for their child as they begin school. If you didn’t get to write one, please contact your child’s Kinder teacher.

Our Year 1 and Year 2 Teachers sent home their presentations to parents via Compass on Monday. If you were unable to access this important information, kindly contact Dot or Lesley in the office for support.

We are looking forward to a great year ahead and hope to be able to gather again as a community very soon. My thanks to our teachers for their efforts to share with parents the outline of the year ahead.

Please discourage Toys at School

As we are heading into our 5^th week of school next week it’s time to request that parents please discourage the bringing of toys, teddies and other items from home to school please. Toys are great to play with at home, but at our school we have so many things to play with and toys from home can (and often do) cause arguments and our students to become upset. The owner of the toy may become distressed if they misplace it or it gets damaged in some way and the other children may feel jealous and behave inappropriately. If one child brings a toy, then soon everyone wants to bring one and that isn’t manageable. If you child is still having difficulty in the mornings, please contact their teacher so we can support your child even more. We thank you for your attention to this.

School Uniform

A reminder that at Holy Spirit Infants School students wear a uniform each day inclusive of the correct coloured socks-white for girls and grey for boys and their polishable black shoes. Hair ribbons must be royal, navy or white only please.

We strongly request parents to ensure their child does not have dyed hair or a radical haircut. A uniform is about creating a sense of pride and belonging, whilst fashionable hairstyles or hair accessories have no place at school.

A reminder about jewellery as well. Please ensure your child does not wear coloured bangles or necklaces to school -please keep these lovely items for wearing on a weekend. Earrings need to be sleepers or studs, dangly earrings are too dangerous to be worn when playing at school and are not appropriate.

Our students look terrific when in their correct uniform and parents, it is your job to ensure that your child follows our school uniform guidelines at all times. Thank you in advance.

With blessings, Diane Murphy, Principal

Sporting News

Recently four of our very best confident swimmers represented Holy Spirit Abermain in the Regional Swimming Carnival held at East Maitland Pool. Here’s what they had to say about their experience:

'I liked being with my friends who also like swimming' Hudson

'It was fun to be around kids from other schools' Henry

'I like swimming because it is great exercise and so much fun' Scarlett

'It was nice to be at the pool all day with friends' Xanthie

Well done to all our swimmers especially those representing our school in a regional event, at such a young age! The Diocesan Carnival will be held next week.

AEDC Data Collection

Every three years’ Government, Catholic and Independent schools across Australia participate in the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC). The AEDC is a population measure of how children have developed by the time they start their first year of full-time school, and provides evidence to support health, education and community policy and planning.  

The next AEDC data collection will take place between 3 May and 25 June 2021. 

To learn more about the AEDC visit the national website. Click here to watch the video ‘Introduction to the AEDC’. To find out about privacy and the AEDC click here*.

Our school's participation in 2021 is vital to ensure we understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's development. Your time and effort make a significant contribution to the nation. It ensures every child is visible and provides rich and robust data that supports high quality planning to improve the lives of children. 

Acting Assistant Principal News

My role this year is Acting Assistant Principal and Kindergarten teacher. If at any time you wish to discuss any aspect of school life with me, my executive office day is every Wednesday which I will be available for appointment. You can arrange a time to meet via phone call to the school or alternatively my email courtney.porter@mn.catholic.edu.au

PBL

Our school is a Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) School. PBL brings together the whole-school community to contribute to developing a positive, safe and supportive learning culture.

The framework assists schools to improve social, emotional, behavioural and academic outcomes for children and young people.

When PBL is implemented well, teachers and students have more time to focus on relationships and classroom instruction. Students and staff benefit from:

• reduced problem behaviour
• increased time focused on instruction
• improved social-emotional wellbeing
• positive and respectful relationships among students and staff
• support for teachers to teach, model and respond effectively to student need
• a predictable learning environment where staff and students know what is expected to deliver effective practices that can be sustained over time.

Our Positive Behaviour for learning focus for weeks 5 and 6 is ‘I wait my turn!’ This focus contributes to becoming a respectful positive learner.

Each Monday the teachers introduce the PBL at morning assembly. In class time we talk about what this focus looks like and how we can wait our turn in different situations across the school. The following Monday a class reinforces this message by role playing the PBL focus.

When children are seen or heard saying please and thank you they receive Gotcha’s and select children who consistently follow this PBL focus are awarded with merit certificates at assembly.

Acting REC News

Shrove Tuesday

Last Tuesday students enjoyed pancakes cooked by Ms Murphy, Mrs Porter and Mrs Williams. The day before lent begins is Shrove Tuesday or pancake Tuesday.

So why is it called Pancake Tuesday? Eggs and fat were once forbidden during the 40-day Lenten fast, so on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent, Irish bakers would make pancakes to use up their stores of those ingredients.

Ash Wednesday

Last Wednesday classes gathered to celebrate the commencement of Lent with a class prayer. Traditionally we receive ashes on our forehead in the shape of the cross. This year due to COVID it was recommended that the ashes not be distributed in schools. Students drew the symbolic cross and added it to their classes sacred space.

Lent

Lent is a time of reflection and preparation. It’s a time when we get ready for the events of Holy week. A season of reflection and preparation before the celebrations of Easter. By observing the 40 days of Lent, Christians replicate Jesus Christ's sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days. 

Project Compassion Launch

The theme for Project Compassion 2021 is: BE MORE. Inspired by the quote from Oscar Romero, “Aspire not to have more, but to be more.” Instead of aspiring to have more, we can focus on how we can BE more. Be more kind, more giving, more aware. This lent, let us consider how we can ‘BE MORE’ for our neighbours around the world. Next week donation boxes will be sent home via the eldest child in the family.

Fruit of the Spirit

For the next fortnight, our focus is self-control. This means to be in control of what you say and do. At our morning assembly, students were able to recall times when it is important to show this Fruit of the Spirit and are encouraged to stop, pray, think and make a plan.

Try praying this short prayer at home with your child/children.

God, I love you. Thank you for giving me self-control. Help me to be in control of what I say and do. –Amen

Many blessings,

Meagan Scott

Office News

SCHOOL FEES

School fees were distributed to all fee payers last week.  Thank you to those families who have returned their Frequency Payment Form in relation to the payment of school fees.  If you require assistance with calculating a regular payment plan or setting up a direct debit arrangement with the Catholic Development Fund, please come and see Dot or Lesley in the office.   

SCHOOL ACCESSORIES

Hats ($12), library bags ($10) and school backpacks ($45) are all available from the office.   These items are also available for sale on the QKR app.

CHANGE OF DETAILS

If your change your address, mobile number or email address could you please let us know so we can update your details.

COMPASS ACCESS

Compass access is vital so you can stay informed of happenings at our school.   If you are having difficulty with the app, please contact the school and we will assist you.

Kinder Enrolments 2022

Do you have a child ready to start school in 2022?   The official enrolment period for Kindergarten 2022 will be from Monday 1st March to the end of May 2021. Please contact Holy Spirit Infants School within this time frame for your enrolment information pack.  Office hours are  8:30am – 3:30pm Monday to Friday.   If you are unsure if your child is ready for school, please talk to your preschool director and teachers.  If you think, your child has a disability please discuss this openly with your child’s preschool professionals and see your doctor for the appropriate health professional referral.  This information will assist us to have the necessary measures in place at time of enrolment. Early intervention is vital to give your child the support they need to succeed at school.   Families will be contacted regarding tours, interview times; playgroup opportunities and Transition to School session dates. Consider starting your child's educational journey with us!

Play at Holy Spirit Abermain

‘Play is the way!’

Kindergarten students in our school are taking part in ‘Successful Foundations’ a transition to school program that incorporates play throughout the day. 

Successful Foundations is a positive, play-based action research project that transitions early learners to school and helps establish collaborative relationships between children, families, teachers and the community.

Successful Foundations supports the diocese's early learning policy and strengthens classroom practices.

In the first five weeks of school, kindergarten students are given a learning block at the start of each day to engage with a variety of open-ended, play-based provocations.

The hour of play-based learning provides students with the opportunity to actively demonstrate their funds of knowledge, build relationships and become familiar with the context of the school.

It also provides teachers with the chance to become familiar with students and their families.

The Kindergarten classrooms have set up meaningful provocations such as a travel agency, shop, home corner, construction zone and more which are all designed to engage the students and provides teachers with a pedagogy of listening and observation.

We have witnessed so many valuable experiences and are incredibly grateful to be on this learning journey with your children.

Courtney, Meagan and Kristen

Learning Support News

A guide for parents by parents to support children and young people with diverse learning needs enrolled in Catholic schools.   Please click on the link below for information.

Aboriginal Education News

It is with great pleasure to be in the role of Aboriginal Education Teacher again this year with Mr Steven Ozimek assisting me as our schools Aboriginal Education Worker. The roles Mr Ozimek and I have within our school will see us support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in the areas of curriculum, culture, spirituality and welfare. We will be liaising with parents, students and our local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to promote cultural perspectives within the school. Later in the school Term I will be sending a letter home to all our Indigenous families to let you know how we will be supporting your child/ren and the school community.

During 2020 our school applied for a council grant to create a yarning circle space within our school. At the end of 2020 we were told that we were successful with this grant and one of our goals this year is to create this space, making it special and unique to Holy Spirit Infants. Mrs Collingwood and her family kindly donated some sandstone blocks to begin the construction of this space. Mr Ozimek and I have created a beautiful design and we are extremely excited for it come to fruition; watch this space!

Last week the Indigenous students at Holy Spirit gathered together with Mr Ozimek and I in our new yarning circle space. Yarning circles were traditionally used to preserve and pass on cultural knowledge. They are a safe place to be heard where everyone can build respectful relationships and speak from the heart. Everyone sits in a circle so they can be seen and a ‘talking stick’ is used to create respectful relationships.

We are looking forward to the year ahead; building connections and sharing our love of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture with our families and the local community.

If you have any questions or connections to Aboriginal community you would like to share with us, please come and see me or send me an email: rebecca.cook@mn.catholic.edu.au

May we walk with care and respect upon this land. 

Rebecca Cook

My New Gallery

Harmony Day

The theme for Harmony day 2021 is "Harmony - Everyone Belongs". Holy Spirit will commence our celebrations with a Poster competition that the students will complete in class on Thursday the 25th of February. For all of those artists out there, you can start to think of a design for your poster using the theme for 2021.
On Tuesday the 16th of March we will have our main Harmony Day Celebrations. All students will participate in a range of activities including crafts, games, songs and stories that celebrate the wonderful cultural diversity we have in Australia and at Holy Spirit.  This day will be an out of uniform day where students are encouraged to wear cultural dress, orange or rainbow colours. More information to come.

Nikki Fredsall  EALD Teacher 

Awards Weeks 3 & 4

Library News

The Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC) is an initiative of the NSW State government and is available for all NSW students in Kindergarten –Year 9. The Challenge aims to encourage in students a love of reading for leisure and pleasure, and to enable students to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read and to read more widely.  At Holy Spirit Infants School all classes take part in the Premiers Reading Challenge. Each class has 30 quality books which the teachers read to the students over a period of time. The online Student Reading Record will be completed by the Library staff. Happy Reading!

Lyn Jones (Teacher Librarian)

Dates for your Diary

Canteen News

Thank you for the wonderful response to ordering your childs lunch through the QKR app.   I'm sure you will all agree how quick, easy and convenient it is to order your childs lunch this way.   If you haven't yet downloaded the app, see the instructions below for guidance.

Term Dates 2021

Traffic Rules around Schools

Community News