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Assistant Principal- Angela Waters
Important Dates
10/04 |
Rugby League Gala Day – Stage 3 (Thornton) |
11/04 |
School Cross Country – 9:30 am – Booth Park |
12/04 | Last Day of Term |
TERM 2 |
|
25th April |
Anzac Day Students are to meet Mrs Waters at Mitre 10 in Kurri Kurri at 9.15 am. The students will then march to the Cenotaph for the Anzac service that will commence at 10.00 am. |
29/04 | First Day of Term 2 |
30/04 | ANZAC Day Liturgy - 2.30 pm |
01/05 | Rugby League Gala Day – Stage 2 (Kurri) |
10/05 |
Mother’s Day Liturgy and Morning Tea |
13-17th May |
4 Blue Parent- teacher interviews (Miss Williams) |
15/05 | Diocesan Cross Country |
23/05 | School Athletics Carnival - Maitland |
25/05 | Pentecost/Catholic Schools Week Liturgy 9:30 am |
27/05 | Winter Uniform begins |
28/05 | PUPIL FREE DAY – Staff at Catholic Schools Office |
10/06 | King’s Birthday Holiday |
26/06 |
Semester 1 reports published to Compass |
01/07-05/07 |
Parent Teacher Interviews |
02/07 |
Regional Athletics Carnival - Maitland |
Dear Parents and Carers I trust you all had a happy and holy Easter time, our most important event as a Christian community. We reflect on the Easter triduum from the chant of ‘Hosanna!’ on Palm Sunday to Good Friday when those chants change to ‘Crucify Him, Crucify Him!’ It is a reflection on our humanness of being both saint and sinner. Held in tension as we look to do better and be more the saint but noting that sometimes we get some things wrong. Jesus dies to help us tip our balance for goodness. Our prayer from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday should always be one of gratitude, for strength, for grace, for forgiveness and for the transformation only Jesus can bring. I hope that this Easter season was able to bring this to you . |
THANK YOU
On behalf of the staff of Holy Spirit, I would like to sincerely thank you all for the support you have shown to us, and Mrs Cotten and her family, during the past few weeks. Your support of our school enabled all staff who wished to attend Mr Cotten’s funeral to do so. It was a service filled with love, memories and truly reflected the wonderful man Mr Cotten was, and the everlasting legacy he leaves through his family. We are privileged to be part of such a supportive and generous community.
I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of Miss Spencer, the staff and students in preparing and leading the Holy Week Liturgies. The way in which our children participated with reverence and sincerity reflects the strength of our Catholic community. These liturgies help to develop an understanding of the events leading up to the death and resurrection of Jesus, and the importance that these events have on us as Christians.
RACISM
Our school embraces diversity, tolerance, and acceptance of all, and rejects all forms of racism, prejudice and discrimination. Racist behaviour occurs when someone is belittled, mocked, intimidated, or shamed because of their physical appearance, ethnic background, religious or cultural practices or for the way they speak. Racism can range from casual but hurtful remarks, to deliberate physical and verbal attacks. Racism has damaging effects on individuals, school communities and society. The American Academy of Paediatrics released its first ever policy statement on how racism affects the health and development of children. It states that racism is a core social determinant of health that has a profound impact on the health status of children and their families.
We acknowledge that our school plays a critical role in developing understandings of racism, responding to incidents of racism and preparing students for responsible and effective citizenship in Australian society. If you or your child experiences or witnesses racism at school, please inform your child's teacher, or Mr O’Heir or Mrs Waters. Together we can help create a positive, inclusive culture - one that values diversity and does not tolerate racism.
Unfortunately, over the last few weeks, we have had a number of verbal racial slurs directed at students within our school, by their peers. This type of behaviour will not be accepted nor tolerated in any form. If a student engages in racism towards another member of our community, this will result in an immediate 2-day internal suspension, in line with our Positive Behaviour for Learning matrix.
One of the pillars of our school is “I am respectful”. Being respectful is shown through words and actions. We are working actively with our children to help them understand how their words can have a profound impact on other students. Often children are using words they hear in music, film or on social media, with little understanding of the background, meaning or impact of the word. If you hear your child using words that are racially motivated, please have a discussion with them about the inappropriateness of the word and the impact using those words can have on others.
We are also encouraging students to be brave and speak up when they hear or see racism within our school and community. Below are some resources you can access to help support your child.
https://itstopswithme.humanrights.gov.au/
https://alltogethernow.org.au/racism/racism-in-schools/
Period Positivity
Period poverty is the lack of access to sanitary products, menstrual hygiene education and inadequate toilet facilities. It is also the stigma and feelings of shame and embarrassment of a normal bodily function, and subsequent impacts on mental health.
In 2022 students from St Paul’s Catholic College Booragul advocated for female hygiene products to be made available in school toilets to provide access, equity and dignity to students who menstruate.
A Diocese-wide working group was formed to investigate the impact of period poverty in our schools and lead the way in addressing the issues by exploring the feasibility of:
- Installing free period products in dispensing machines in our schools, aligned with the placement of the sanitary bins.
- Developing an awareness education program for schools in conjunction with the syllabus.
- Developing a policy that will help reinforce the promotion of dignity, gender equality and reproductive health.
The working group soon developed an initiative called Period Positivity. The initiative is about making periods normal. From free period care products to more informative discussions, the initiative aims to promote greater accessibility, equity and dignity for all.
In Term 4, 2022 a pilot program was conducted at St Paul’s Booragul, trialling the installation of sanitary dispensing machines with the provision of free sanitary products at the school.
Due to the success of the trial, dispensers have been rolled out across all Secondary Schools in the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, with the Period Positivity initiative to commence at Holy Spirit in coming months.
- Sanitary products will be available to students for free, via dispensers in the toilet blocks.
- If students find themselves needing pads or tampons, they will be available from the dispensers.
- Students will still be able to use their own products, but there will be the option to use the free products provided in the female toilets for those who need them.
The product roll-out will be complemented by an educational awareness program that will be deployed to students. Professional Learning resources will enable teachers to be competent and confident to deliver the educational materials such as Menstrual health; information about periods and anatomy, dispelling myths, products, accessibility, gender equity and promoting dignity.
For more information, please visit https://www.mn.catholic.edu.au/students/period-positivity
Mrs. Angela Waters
Assistant Principal
Religious Education - Phoebe Spencer
RE NEWS:
Foyer Display
Thank you to Year Five for their foyer display on St Joseph.
On 19th March we recognised the feast of St Joseph.
Thank you to Year 6 for their foyer display on Holy Week.
Lent
We are nearing the end of the church season of Lent. Throughout Lent we are encouraged to reflect upon our lives and our actions. We are called to fast from qualities of anger, selfishness and insincerity but to instead feast on being patient, compassionate and truthful.The season of Lent ends on Easter Sunday where we acknowledge and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.
Project Compassion
Throughout Lent we participate in the almsgiving initiative of Project Compassion run by charity organisation Caritas Australia.
The funds raised in Project Compassion is utilised by Caritas Australia to help alleviate poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity in the most vulnerable and marginalised communities in the world.
This is a friendly reminder to all families of this year’s Project Compassion initiative that occurs during Lent. The theme is “For All Future Generations”. One box per family was sent home the first week of Lent. There’s plenty of information on the Caritas Australia website if you would like to read up about the feel-good case studies that our money goes to help. Read their inspiring tales and see how your generosity makes a difference.
Thank you in advance to all those that generously give what they can to this great cause. The Caritas website has more information about Project Compassion and stories of people living in vulnerable communities.
Project Compassion boxes may be returned to the office labelled with the student’s name and class by the last week of term one.
Here's a link to have a look at some of the faces of the people who are helped through Project Compassion. This story is about Leaia from Samoa. Not having access to a reliable source of clean water was very difficult for Leaia and her family. But with the support of Caritas Australia, a water tank was installed at their home, improving their health and living conditions. https://www.caritas.org.au/project-compassion/leaia-story/
Mini Vinnies Bake Sale
In support of the Project Compassion almsgiving initiative, our Mini Vinnies members have decided to host a bake sale on Thursday 11th April.
Mini-Vinnies members are asked to please bring in cupcakes, brownies, slices, individual bags of chips/popcorn, cookies or other baked goods for our stall. Each item will be sold for 50c-$1 with all proceeds going to Project Compassion.
Homemade goods to include ingredient list please. Thank you from Miss Spencer and Mrs Lynch.
Sacramental News- Reconciliation
Congratulations to the following students who made their First Reconciliation on the night of Wednesday 20th March:
Ella Radford, Emma Dow, Chloe Theron, Hannah Myers, Ethan Dale, Riley Neale, Adelaide Bliss.
Thank you to Mrs Catherine Crowley, Miss Abby O’Conner, Mrs Kelly Pearson and Mrs Katherine Gayler for their time and efforts in running the sessions for Reconciliation.
Thank you to Fr James for presiding over the sacrament on Wednesday night.
Holy Week
During Week 9 (25th to 28th March), students celebrated Holy Week. Each day we gathered to recall the events of Holy Week including Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, the Garden of Gethsemane and Good Friday. Holy Week is the time to stop and remember Jesus. We gathered together in memory of Jesus to share again the story of His life and death.
Thank you to all teachers and classes for their dramatisations of the important events and days of Holy Week.
Year 3 presented Palm Sunday
Year 4 presented Holy Thursday
Year 5 presented Garden of Gethsemane
Year 6 presented Good Friday
Easter Sunday
Thank you to Year 6 for their liturgy celebrating Easter Sunday on Tuesday 2nd April.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter.
Anzac Day Commemoration
Year 6 will be holding an Anzac Day Liturgy on Tuesday 30th April at 2:30 pm in honour of Anzac Day near the flag pole. All parents and carers are welcome to attend.
Have a great fortnight,
Miss Phoebe Spencer
Religious Co-ordinator
3B- Mr Collingwood/Mrs Cotten |
Eli Kekevski Ruby Martin Jake Neale Paityn Skinner Athen Paul |
3W- Mrs Walters |
Phoebe Gayler Kensie Magyar Evelyn Wilesmith Connor Wilkinson Cooper Wilkinson Emily Zaichenko |
4B- Miss Williams |
Lucas Byrne Ruby Dodds Lewie Kidd Astrid Kinsley-Cook Grace Sharpe |
4W- Mrs York/Mr Lannen |
Jude Berry Rylan Cole Marlie McBlane Bodhi Yim Estelle Palmer |
5B- Mrs Kuterovac |
Chloe Dela Gente Sophie Donnan Isabelle Mahomet Isabel Rhodes Zayne Mueller |
5W - Mrs Korsman |
Eve Roberts Poppy Hogan Lillian Bull Rhyleigh Cockerill Aiden Paul |
6B - Mrs McFarlane |
Malia Collingwood Dakota Simmons Eugene Han Levi Currie Ethan Dale |
6W- Miss Spencer/ Miss Hughes |
Lachlan Thomas Cohen Jenkins Jesse Wile Haddie Cook Molly Hunt |
For all the special women in our student's lives our Mother's Day gifts will be done a little differently this year. All gift orders will need to be placed via the QKR APP.
The students will need to ask a parent/carer/sibling preferably not the person they are buying for to help them choose their gift/s for the special women in their lives.
There will be NO CASH purchases ALL gifts need to be purchased via the QKR APP by 6th May 2024.
The gifts will be given to the students on Friday 10th May for them to take home.
Year 6 Thompson's Bakery Fundraiser
Our Year 6 students are having a Thompson's Bakery Fundraiser. You can order pies, sausage rolls, cakes etc.
All orders need to be placed via the QKR APP and orders need to be finalised by the 9th June 2024.
The items will be delivered on Friday 21st June 2024 to school and a Compass notification will be sent out advising what time they can be collected.
Dear Parents and Carers
Thank you to those families that have commenced regular school fee payments.
There are still some families that have not started making payments towards the school fees.
As per the School Fee Payment Policy, parents/carers are required to commence regular payments by 31st March 2024 and all fees are to be finalised by 30th November 2024.
If you haven't started making payments please do so ASAP.
Please contact the school if you need to discuss the school fee payments 49 372165.
Regards,
Jodie
Year 5 and Year 6 Camp Deposits DUE 12th April 2024
Dear Parents and Carers
Thank you to those families that have paid the deposit for their child to attend the 2024 School Camp/s.
If your child is attending the Year 5 Aussie Bush Camp OR the Year 6 Canberra Camp a $100.00 deposit is required to be paid to the office by Cash or Eftpos by NO LATER than 12th April 2024.
The balance of the school camp/s is to be finalised by 30th June 2024.
Year 6 Camp $450.00 - $100.00 deposit = $350.00
Year 5 Camp $390.00 - $100.00 deposit = $290.00
If your child is not attending their camp, please notify the school in writing via email to
admin@kurri.catholic.edu.au.
Year 7 enrolments 2025 All Saint's College St Peter's Campus
Dear Parents and Carers
If it is your intention to enrol your child at All Saint's College St Peter's Campus for Year 7 2025 please collect the enrolment pack from the administration office at St Peter's Campus before the end of term 12th April 2024.
All enrolments need to be returned NO LATER than Friday 24th May 2024. Applications that are returned after the 24th May 2024 cannot be guaranteed a position at All Saint's College St Peter's Campus.