9th September 2024

Principals News

Dear Parents and Carers 

I shared the news of the tragic loss of Mrs Loralee Bliss  in a car accident early last week. Loralee was mother to both Adelaide and Archie and wife to Trent. When Adelaide was here at Holy Spirit Infants Loralee supported our canteen as a volunteer and has continued her association with St Nic's OOSH. Our small community is interconnected and together we grieve for Loralee's family and I ask that you continue to pray for the repose of Loralee's soul; for her family struggling with what has happened and for all friends of the family. They will need our ongoing prayers and support. 

We also pray for the families who live along that road who have also been impacted by this tragedy. For the family in the other vehicle and for those brave first responders on the scene. For the staff at Holy Spirit Kurri who wrapped their arms around the family and for our staff here who have known the family too. Counsellors were on site at Kurri school last week over several days. If your child is experiencing grief due to being impacted by what happened,  please reach out as our school counsellor may be able to assist. 

We have a beautiful community here, go gently everyone. 

Diane Murphy

Principal 

Assistant Principals News

Attendance

Consistent school attendance is crucial for your child's well-being and academic progress. However, missing just one significant holiday each year can accumulate to a full year of missed schooling over their academic career.

Planning a family holiday outside of school holidays might appear to be a cost-effective choice for quality family time. However, it's worth considering that during school breaks, you'll still need to budget for activities and entertainment for your child. In many cases, taking holidays outside of school holidays might not be as economical as it seems.

Avoiding holidays during the school term is crucial for several reasons. It ensures academic continuity, as lessons build on each other and missed classes can create gaps in understanding. Regular attendance supports social development by keeping children engaged with their peers and participating in group activities. It also maintains a consistent daily routine, which is beneficial for focus and overall well-being.

Overall, keeping family holidays to school holidays helps children stay on track academically, socially, and emotionally.

Positive Behaviour for Learning

Our PB4L focus for the next two weeks of this term will be from the domain, I am a Learner:

This positive behaviour emphasises the importance of adhering to instructions and directions provided by both educators and parents.

1. Respect: As a learner, it is crucial to show respect for the instructions given by teachers, parents, or carers. These instructions are designed to support learning and ensure a structured, productive environment.
2. Following Guidance: This rule highlights the importance of listening carefully and following the guidance provided, whether it's related to academic tasks or expected classroom behaviour. By doing so, learners contribute to their own success and the smooth functioning of the educational environment.
3. Responsibility: It also signifies that learners are responsible for their actions and decisions in response to instructions. This includes asking questions if something is unclear and trying to understand and implement the given directions.

Overall, this rule helps create a positive, respectful, and effective learning environment by ensuring that learners follow the necessary directions and work collaboratively with their teachers and peers.

Rebecca Kearns

Assistant Principal

Sharing Our Faith

Term 3 Family Mass change of date 

Sunday 22nd of September at 4.30pm is now our Term 3 Family Mass.  If you or child is interested in reading, carrying the gifts or singing please contact the office as the date has now changed. Bishop Michael will be presiding at this mass, so we would like as many families as can come along to please do so. 

After Mass we offer light refreshments and a chance to chat with one another and our parishioners in our Parish community. 

Highlights in Kinder Blue Religious Education Lessons 

This term, Kindergarten students have been exploring their understanding of and experiences with the Holy Spirit.

Recently Kinder Blue spent time outside reflecting on the mystery of the Holy Spirit. They were able to feel the Holy Spirit when out in nature, letting colourful scarves blow in the wind. Seeing the beauty of trees, animals, and the sky helps them sense something special and divine. These experiences make them feel closer to the Spirit and teach them about wonder and connection in a simple, joyful way.

Kindergarten have learnt that God’s Holy Spirit comes to us at Baptism and Confirmation to give us his life and love. The Holy Spirit is often symbolised by a dove. Other signs include wind and fire. 

Vineyards Parish Mass Times     

Father’s Day

Our Father’s Day Liturgy was truly special this year. Thank you to Year 2 for leading this and to each grade for learning and performing a special song for Dad’s. Each grade performance was very well rehearsed, and the children sung the Father’s Day songs so wonderfully, their voices filled the room with warmth and joy.

It was great to see so many dads and father figures in attendance. Their presence really showed how important they are to our families and our community. Gathering together gave us a chance to say thank you and celebrate all the love and hard work they put into being great fathers. It was a beautiful reminder of the strong and supportive role they play in our lives. Our Fathers filled the entire altar to receive a special blessing from Father James and from all of us. Having you come along to be part of our liturgy was just so heart warming and it meant so much to the children. 

Father’s Day Breakfast

The Father’s Day breakfast was fantastic, featuring our annual paper plane challenge that had everyone laughing. The bacon and egg rolls were a delicious hit, enjoyed by all. It was a heartwarming morning filled with laughter, great food, and special moments, making it a memorable way to celebrate our Dads. Thank you to the parent helpers and staff who made this day a success! Ms Murphy was in the canteen with the volunteers and staff all morning making up the E&B rolls, so whilst not being out and about to welcome you all, she hopes you did enjoy your breakfast!  She said she doesn't think she will open a cafe any time soon though! 

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 25

Next

Staff Formation Day

Last Friday, the staff participated in a formation day led by Erin McCort Education Officer from the Religious Education & Spirituality Team at the Catholic Schools Office, exploring various ways to pray. We explored music as prayer and understanding ecology as a form of spiritual connection. It was an enriching experience that broadened our perspective on prayer. The staff had the opportunity to reflect on the role of prayer in our lives and we spent time discussing and planning how we can incorporate this into the daily experiences of our students. A very valuable experience for all. 

Catholic Mission- Socktober

Next Tuesday 17^th September our school leaders and some members of our mini vinnies team will join Bishop Kennedy and celebrate World Mission Month with the official launch of Socktober at McDonald Jones Stadium with Mrs Edwards. The day will include prayer,  on-field activities and lunch. This year we are raising awareness and funds for the Caring Center in Mongolia. The Caring Center provides a home for children who have no where else to call home.

On the 24^th October, Holy Spirit Infants will engage in a Socktober fundraising event at school. More details will be provided closer to the date.

Holy Spirit Infants Public Speaking

This term our classrooms have been filled with students learning persuasive language to deliver a speech on a familiar and then a given topic. Some parents reading this may think that their child does not need any more help with being persuasive, however this is a life skill and we want every student to become a confident speaker. Public speaking skills are useful to express an opinion respectfully; to share our needs; to advocate for ourselves or for someone else. These skills are useful in class discussions and later in Year 6, debating. 

After students participated in learning how to write speeches and then delivered them to their class audience, they then had a class competition. Those children who represented their class then created a speech and shared that with their grade. From that event five finalists from each grade were chosen.  These students were our finalists who then participated in the School Public Speaking event on Thursday 5th September and were supported by their teachers, class mates and parents/grandparents. 

Congratulations to: 

Daisy Williams KB; Stevie Perry KW; Kinsley Wilkinson KW; Freyja Kinsley-Enright KW; Charlotte Reed KW

Caleb Hernandez 1W; Josiah Cowling 1W; Amity O'Neill 1W; Zow Percival 1B; Carter Williams 1W

Amelia Teuma 2B; Myla Cussen 2W  , Victoria Doyle 2B, Charlotte Chapple 2W; Piper Ford 2B 

Early Stage One spoke on the topic  "Love" and congratulations to Stevie Perry First Place and Freyja Kinsley-Enright 2nd Place 

Stage One spoke on the topic "Joy" and congratulations to Myla Cussen 2W First Place and to Charlotte Chappel 2nd Place. 

Thanks to each of the competitors and to our adjudicators Mrs Edwards and Mrs Dickson who had the hardest job of all. Well done Holy Spirit! 

Myla will now proceed forward to the Lower Hunter Regional Public Speaking event on Thursday 19th September at St Aloysius Chisholm where she will represent our school in the Stage One competition. Best of luck Myla! 

Public Speaking 2024

Parent Engagement Meeting PEG Thursday

The next PEG (Parent Engagement Meeting) will be postponed from tonight 9th September and will now happen via Zoom at 6.30pm - 7.30pm on Thursday 12th September.  We apologise for the late notice however last week was challenging. 

We ask that participants please contact the school office 49304361 and a zoom link will be shared with you via email on Wednesday morning so you can join.

We hope that we can have more families engaged in this way. We will share with you the initial plans for additional uniform items for summer and the jacket and then look at the longer term which will involve a  full change to our current sport uniform.   As previously mentioned, these items are an addition so we can offer girls an alternate option than the summer tunic. Everything will be on a phased in approach over time, so no one needs to be concerned about being expected to purchase new items. We will also run through the professional development both schools are engaging in in the area of teaching mathematics. 

Come on and join in!

 We will share the Zoom Meeting etiquette with you as well so that we aren't all speaking at once.

Wellbeing Week

Last week we celebrated Wellbeing Week with the students. Wellbeing week is about engaging in some activities that are fun and creative or playing games with our friends. We had an ice cream treat with sprinkles on Tuesday we painted a rock on Wednesday and we played Board games with friends on Thursday and Friday was pupil free. Thank you to all our wonderful staff for facilitating these fun activities. 

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 18

Next

National Child Protection Week

National Child Protection Week invites all Australians to play their part to promote the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.

National Child Protection Week (NCPW) takes place from 1-7 September in 2024.  Each class has a Child Protection Unit of work that they cover through the PDH syllabus and the content builds as they grow through the stages of schooling. 

Library News

Book Week Parade Wow!

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 24

Next

Showcase Drama "In the Zone" 19th September 6pm Weston Civic Centre

It sounded kind of crazy at first to let the children create their own drama script and to let the children create lyrics for their own original songs and to put it altogether as our Showcase for 2024. However working with the support of the incredibly talented Aspire Team, Holy Spirit Infants has done just that!  Our focus is the Zones of Regulation and sharing this with our families in an original and novel way! We talk about the zones all the time at Holy Spirit and now we want to show you what they are all about! Every student has a line to say; a song to sing and actions to do. We need every student in attendance on the night - their class performance depends upon it. 

Our thanks to Anna Kerrigan Artistic Director of Aspire; Jess Lopez Music Director of Aspire; Lauren Harvey Dance and Drama specialist; Lara Crockett - Costume and Set designer; Sophie who is on her cadetship with Aspire. These incredibly creative people have supported, encouraged and assisted our students to participate in this upcoming drama showcase. 

Parents, every child requires a costume and support staff have been busily creating those costumes that seemed a bit tricky. If you haven't sorted your child's costume yet, please do so by Friday 13th September as the dress rehearsal and concert is next week. Reach out to your child's teacher tomorrow if you are unsure what is required. 

Tickets are on sale via Qkr from today. We will only do one performance this year and the capacity for the venue is limited to 400 people. Families may purchase up to four tickets. Please do not try to exceed this as then every child can have someone attend. Thank you in advance for your support. 

Playgroup Kinder 2025

We have held two playgroups for our 2025 Kindergarten students. It's a great opportunity for the students to become familiar with their new school environment and to enjoy playing. They are delighted when they meet preschool friends or make a new friend they've not met before. Its also a time for our parents to meet and chat. We have two more sessions to go and we hope that all our incoming families can attend at least one. Please encourage your preschooler to wear their coloured Holy Spirit Tshirt. 

The transition to Kindergarten flyer was shared via email on Friday. If you did not receive it, please contact the office 49304361. The four transition visits are compulsory to attend. We look forward to seeing you! 

Fee Clearance Reminder

Fee Clearance (for Year 3) - As students in Year 2 complete their schooling here at Holy Spirit Infants, they will require a fee clearance prior to being accepted for enrolment into Holy Spirit Primary at Kurri. This is bringing both schools in line with the Diocesan Policy that requires students who transition to another Catholic School eg Year 2 to Year 3;  Yr 6 to Yr 7;  Yr 10 to Yr 11 to have a fee clearance.  We appreciate all that families do to honour their fee responsibilities. 

If you have set up a periodic payment arrangement, we are appreciative of your ongoing commitment and ask that you please check the amount remaining and adjust your payments as needed.  As always, families who are having difficulty with meeting their fee responsibilities are encouraged to make an appointment with the principal Diane Murphy as soon as possible please. 

QKR

We currently have 2 additional QKR items for your attention.

• The Drama Showcase "In the Zone" tickets for the evening performance on 19th Sept available under the "Events" tab and;
• The canteen meal deal on 20th Sept available under the Canteen tab.

Please make sure you make your purchases before the deadlines.

Dates for your Diary

Our school has proudly entered a choir to perform in this Diocesan event called Celebrate.  The rehearsal day is at the Civic Theatre in Newcastle at 11.00 am on 5th November.  Parents of children in the choir will be notified to provide permission via Compass.  The final performance is at 6:00pm on 5th November.   Tickets need to be purchased directly through the Civic Theatre website.

Community News

Valley Aquatic is a local swim club that also provides a competitive pathway to swimming in the Maitland region. We run club nights through Term 4 and Term 1 on a Friday night from Maitland Aquatic Centre indoor pool. Minimum age for club nights is 5 or 6 six years old, but we ask that swimmers can competently swim a minimum of 12 meters before joining. There is no maximum age limit and all ages and abilities are welcome.