Holy Spirit Infants School Abermain eNewsletter

Principal News

Holy Father, God of Love, You are the Creator of all things.

Give us the courage to accept the realities of our history so that we may build a better

future for our Nation.

Teach us to respect all cultures.

Teach us to care for our land and waters.

Help us to share justly the resources of this land. Help us to bring about spiritual and social change to improve the quality of life for all groups in our communities, especially the disadvantaged.

Help young people to find true dignity and self-esteem by your Spirit.

May your power and love be the foundations on which we build our families, our communities and our Nation, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

(Wontulp Bi-Buya Indigenous Theology Working Group 13 March 1997 Brisbane, Qld).

Dear Parents and Carers

This is National Reconciliation Week and the theme for this year is "Now more than ever". Reconciliation Week is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians. On Wednesday our Aboriginal Students travelled with siblings and friends from Holy Spirit Kurri Kurri to attend a special event "The Elders Morning Tea" at Bridge Park at Cessnock. These students were excited to gather to listen to the speeches of the Elders about the importance of Reconciliation for all Australians as well as watch performances by school groups who danced traditional Aboriginal dances and other school performances of music and singing. This was indeed a great opportunity for our students to join with students from local schools, coming together to participate actively in Reconciliation Week. Mrs Gray accompanied the students and was very proud of everyone's behaviour when representing our school. We asked the students what they enjoyed the most:

Havanna - "I liked the singing. The kids were dressed up with white paint."

Mayson - "I liked the speeches about the land and the country."

Kru - "I liked the didgeridoo because it sounded good."

Ellie - "I Liked the singing with the guitar. We liked going on the bus."

We will have a Reconciliation Week prayer at our Friday morning awards assembly.

Catholic Schools Week and Pentecost Celebrations

The combined Athletics carnival with Holy Spirit Kurri was a great way for our communities to come together to celebrate all that is makes our Catholic Schools great places to learn. The carnival provided every student with an opportunity to engage in activities; to try their best; to cheer one another on and to "never give up". It was apt that the carnival was in Catholic Schools Week as the coming together as community is what our schools are all about.

The invitation to "Follow Me" (Matthew 4:19) continues to this day as Catholic schools help to fulfill the mission given by Jesus, to "follow me!" and work alongside our parishes and other agencies to love and serve those in our communities. This attitude of service and caring for the whole person, flavours our Catholic schools' approach to everything! Classes reflected on "I am thankful for my Catholic school Community because..." and we have included some examples of the students' reflections in this newsletter.

Our school also celebrated the school feast day, Pentecost on Friday with a whole school liturgy celebrated in the church with wonderful singing and great involvement. As our school is called Holy Spirit, this is known as our feast day for we celebrate that event long ago when the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus' Disciples took place as they gathered around the Mother of the Lord (Acts chapter 2). The feast is celebrated on the 50th and final day of the Easter season. It is known as the Church's Birthday and pour students always enjoy a school birthday cake! Various learning and craft activities themed around Pentecost took place in each classroom during learning time.

Thank you for trusting our Catholic school with the care and education of your child.

Diane Murphy

Principal

Tell Them from Me Parent Survey

We are seeking parent and carer feedback so we can make our school the best school it can be. Parents and carers are asked to please use the QR code below and share your responses with us.

The last TTFM survey provided us with data which we have responded to by introducing the Student Led Conferences as a part of the Reporting Cycle at our school. This is so that students are placed at the centre of the conference and in fact lead the conference sharing their learning goal; their effort so far; something they are proud of and something they'd like to improve in.

The last teacher TTFM survey provided us with data that our teachers wanted to embrace the use of technology in their lessons across the day, not just using smart tv's (or smartboards as we used to have). In response to this data, staff have engaged in Professional Learning and set their own professional goals. The school has continued to invest in laptops, ipads, new smart Tv's in each classroom so that our students can access technology daily in their learning.

And so we ask again, please share with us what we are doing well and where we might improve. A gentle reminder that if a parent/carer has any concern, big or small, that we encourage you to come and speak with us about it so we can address an issue before it escalates.

We do appreciate your time completing the 2024 survey. Come on Holy Spirit, lets hear from you!

Semester One Reporting Cycle

Our teachers are preparing your child's Semester One progress report which will be shared online via Compass on Friday 28th June 2024. Parents will be able to book a Parent Teacher Conference if you would like to via Compass for the final week of this term. We will again have a Student Led Conference in term 3 where students will invite their parent/carer to attend as every student will "check in" regarding their learning goals and their learning effort and set new goals for Semester two. Then another formal written report for Semester Two outcomes shared at the end of term 4. The Early Stage One report is different to the Stage One report. If parents would like to speak with their child's teacher prior to the release of the report, please email or call the school to make an appointment. Open communication is important to us.

Family and Community Engagement Gathering

We are trying something new this term with the F.A.C.E. gathering for this term. We have decided to try a daytime meeting rather than an evening meeting. All carers and parents are warmly invited to attend our term 2 F.A.C.E meeting which will be held on:

Tuesday 25th June at 1.45pm for a 2pm start. We will conclude by 2.45pm.

Please join us in the hall as we have both exec teams from Abermain and Kurri ready to meet with you. Our educational focus will be our work in teaching Mathematics K-6 with Abermain sharing our partnership with Fiona Foley (Education Officer from Mathematics Association of NSW) and Kurri's engagement with Peter Sullivan (Partner to the Diocese for the LIFT project).

So, if you are coming to pick up your child/children please come a little earlier and join us and have a cuppa and a chat. Your ideas and feedback are important to us.

Technology Focus

This week Year One received another bank of ten brand new laptops into their classrooms. This means now that each Stage One class has access to twenty recent model laptops each day to use when learning. We have also invested in a laptop for each teacher's use given that so much of a teacher's preparation, reporting, assessment, and recording happens digitally. It is vital that our students and staff are well equipped to do the best that they can do. Our Year 1 and Year 2 classes now have a 1 to 1 ratio for laptops.

Our next purchase will be twenty additional iPads to build up our existing iPad bank. Our thanks to the IT Team of the Diocese, Jeremey Newton for his efforts to ensure the technology was in the hands of our early learners quickly.

1W focused and engaged using the new laptops.

Farewell and thank you

This week will be the final week for Maxi Rae, as her family is relocating, and she will attend a new school. We wish Maxi all the very best and thank her family for their ongoing contribution to Holy Spirit over many years and for their support of our events and activities. We will miss you Maxi and Evie and family.

Enrolments for 2025

We ask that any families who would like to make an application for enrolment for 2025 to please complete the new online enrolment form asap. Please contact our school office if you need any support as Dot or Bonney can send you the link. Offers for a place for 2025 will be sent out in the first round on June 14th and on acceptance flyers regarding our planned Playgroup sessions and Transition Sessions will be shared.

Thank you to all the current families for seeing to this process and attending an interview. It was wonderful to meet your child.

Cola Maintenance

When you next come into the school, please take a moment to look at the new roof and wall lining of our cola. We are almost bird free, and the work is expected to be completed this week. We have upgraded the speaker system under the cola and the new lining has been laid over the sound proofing that was installed in January 2024 - so our cola will soon be once again our valued gathering and play space for shade and shelter. The temporary fencing will be removed at the end of this week. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Winter Uniform

Sincere thanks to all our parents and carers for sending your children looking so smart in their winter uniform. A gentle reminder that both the boy's uniform and the girls uniform has a tie and these are needed to be worn. We are aware of shortages in some sizes of long sleeve shirts at Flannagan's but hope everyone will be in full uniform very soon. A reminder that girls may prefer to wear navy slacks, peter pan collared shirt and the tie in place of the winter tunic. Navy stockings please and hair ties need to be royal blue, navy or white. Thank you again for following our uniform policy.

Assistant Principal News

Attendance

Every day counts, as regular attendance helps students to:

- develop a sense of belonging
- develop and maintain friendships
- be more engaged at school
- progress with their learning.

Positive Behaviour for Learning 

Our PB4L focus for the next two weeks of this term will be from the domain “I am a learner”

“I listen carefully.”

Listening carefully in school is important because it helps students:

Understand instructions.
Achieve higher results.
Take part actively in class.
Show respect to others.
Avoid misunderstandings.
Become better at communicating.
Build good relationships with teachers and peers.

Listening carefully is important at Holy Spirit Infants School because it will help us to do well in school, be respectful, and getting along with others.

Rebecca Kearns

Assistant Principal

Sharing Our Faith

God of all creation, as we journey together in this Great Southern Land, we pray for healing, forgiveness and unity, creating a path of good will, with justice and compassion.

Jesus, through the power of your love, you have given us the courage, wisdom and strength to share our gifts and talents in humility.

In peace and understanding we reconcile with each other.

Creator Spirit, we come together in prayer and thanksgiving for the many blessings we have received. Allow your Spirit to wash over us and give us strength to walk together as one.

Pentecost and Catholic Schools Week celebrations!

Last Friday we gathered to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost and Catholic Schools week. During our Liturgy a representative from each class spoke about what they are thankful for at Holy Spirit Infants.

George KW- I am thankful for my Catholic school because we learn about Jesus and I love my friends. It is a caring place.

Elijah KB- I am thankful for my Catholic school because I love my friends and I love my teacher.

Caleb 1W-I am thankful for my Catholic school because we learn, we play, we discover and we do fun activities.

Noah 1B- I am thankful for our school because I get to play with my friends and for school celebrations like this.

Charlotte 2W- I am thankful for my Catholic school because of my friends, they are kind to me. I am thankful for my teacher because she is kind.

Macy 2B- I am thankful for our Catholic school because of all the fun we have and our great Principal.

Foyer Art

Social Justice- Make a Difference Appeal

This year our school will be partnering with CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning.

CatholicCare does incredible work in our community through their various programs. It’s anything from supporting students from refugee backgrounds at their Refugee Hub to

feeding people going without through their Food Programs. But, sadly, these programs receive no government funding.

On Friday 5th July Holy Spirit Infants will be having a Pyjama Day. Please bring a gold coin donation to help raise money for those who are struggling.

Term 2 Family Mass

On Sunday 23rd June we will be having a family mass at St Francis Xavier Church, Abermain at 4.30pm. If you would like to assist with a job or reading please contact the office.

Vineyards Parish Mass Times

Elders Morning Tea at Cessnock

On Wednesday, as part of Reconciliation Week, our Aboriginal students went on an excursion to Cessnock Park where they joined by elders and students from many other primary and high schools in our area to watch performances including dances and singing. They listened to speeches on this year’s theme, ‘Now More Than Ever’ which remembered the journey towards reconciliation and considered how we can work towards a better, more inclusive future. Students then had a morning tea and played at the park before returning to school.

What have we been learning in Year 1?

Focus on Learning Maths in Year 1

Our Year 1 students have been diligently developing their mathematical skills, particularly in manipulating and partitioning 2D shapes. Through a variety of hands-on activities, we've seen a significant increase in engagement and curiosity during our Maths lessons.

We have been delving into the fascinating world of geometry, exploring concepts such as halves, lines of symmetry, reflections, translations, and the partitioning of 2D shapes. These activities not only build foundational geometry skills but also encourage creative thinking and problem-solving.

This week, our focus has shifted to understanding equivalence and mastering number bonds to 20. Through interactive games and exercises, students are developing a strong number sense, which is crucial for their future mathematical learning. In our investigations into the concept of mass, Year 1 students have been using equal arm balances to compare and measure the weight of various objects. These experiments help them understand and articulate why objects are equal in mass, reinforcing their analytical and reasoning skills.

Collaboration is at the heart of our approach. Working in pairs and groups, our students are honing their teamwork skills, learning to discuss and solve problems together. This cooperative approach not only deepens their understanding of mathematical concepts but also fosters a sense of community and shared learning.

We are incredibly proud of the progress our Year 1 students are making in Mathematics and look forward to seeing their continued growth and enthusiasm.

Mrs Elbourne and Miss Elias

This year, we have begun our weekly Music lessons with Mrs. Matthews! All students have been exploring beat and rhythm and have recently started singing and learning about the instruments of the orchestra. In Kindergarten, we have explored the difference between beat and rhythm and have used body percussion to demonstrate our understanding. We have also examined patterns in music, drawing connections to what we've learned in mathematics, and arranged various images representing rhythmic values to create our own patterns. Kindergarten students have enjoyed learning new songs, with our current favorite being "Boom De Ah Da".

In Years 1 and 2, students have done an amazing job learning rhythmic notation. We use the 'Kodaly' method to identify symbols such as "ta," "ti ti," and "sh." You could ask your child to demonstrate these! We have also learned the actions to new songs like "Chey Chey Coolay" and songs in our Mother's Day Liturgy. We have explored body percussion and can now use instruments to demonstrate our understanding of rhythm and beat. During Term 2, we will be learning Solfege and listening to some orchestral music.

In the pictures, you can see Kindergarten learning our Mother's Day song, Year 1 exploring pitch with pieces of string and Year 2 composing rhythmic compositions.

National Simultaneous Storytime

On Wednesday 22nd May, Holy Spirit Infants took part in the National Simultaneous Storytime. All students listened to the live reading of ‘The Bowerbird Blues’ by author Aura Parker. Over two million students from around the nation stopped at 12:00 pm and joined in this live event and short drawing demonstration.

To prepare for the story, during library lessons, we learnt some amazing facts about the protagonist of the story: The Satin Bowerbird, a native Australian bird with a unique way of attracting a mate. Ask your child to share a fact they learnt.

Afterwards, students were encouraged to become Satin Bowerbirds, find and tally all the different blue items in their classrooms. Year 2 created picture graphs from their findings linking this simple task with a Mathematics unit.

Perhaps there is a cheeky Satin Bowerbird near your home.

Have you ever had any blue items go missing from your backyard? A Satin Bowerbird could be responsible.

Happy Reading

Evelyn Covita

Teacher Librarian

Combined Athletics Carnival

On Thursday 23rd May, Holy Spirit Infants joined with Holy Spirit Kurri Kurri for their Combined Athletics Carnival. We had an incredible time running in 70m and 100m races and had a go at novelty games and events. Our school enjoyed cheering on friends, brothers, and sisters. Thank you to all our wonderful and positive students for their effort to not give up and to "have a go". Thank you also to Miss Elias and Miss Pryor for their amazing organisation and for coordinating our day with Miss Williams from Kurri School. Thank you to the Kurri parent volunteers for their organisation of the lunch orders - which was no easy feat! We do hope parents and carers enjoyed the combined day as much as the children did. It sure was a lot of fun!

Parking and Driving Safely

The beginning and end of the school day are busy times for pedestrians and drivers outside school. Drive and park responsibly even if it means you have to walk further to the school gate.

The do’s and dont's of Parking in a school zone.

Do:

Drop off and pick up on the school side of the road
Follow all parking signs as these help keep our students safe
Ensure children enter and exit the car through the safety door
Ensure your child's restraint is done up

Dont's

Never call out to your child from across the road, it's dangerous
Never double park - its illegal and put our students at risk
Never do a U turn or three point turn in the school zone
Never park in Church Carpark as it is unsafe for student pedestrians

Safety Door

Ensure your child always gets in and out of the car through the Safety Door. This is the rear kerb-side door of the car. Never allow your child to get in and out of the car on the traffic side. Note: For more information see Transport for NSW Keeping kids safe around schools- Fact Sheet.