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Principal's Message - Paul O'Heir
Dear Families
We have now completed the third week of the term and it is pleasing to see how students have settled back into school life. Congratulations to our Year 3 students who have transitioned successfully to our school and are eager to learn. It is also very heartening to see how our Year 6 have set a calm and positive tone.
Our school has five goals that lay the foundation for student expectations.
They are:
I am Safe |
I am a Learner |
I am Respectful |
I am Responsible |
I am a disciple of Jesus |
These goals are regularly discussed at school and are positive expectations, which will ensure a happy and productive school environment. Students will receive Gotcha's from teachers when they meet these expectations. At the fortnightly assembly, Gotcha's will be drawn out and students will receive a prize for their positive behaviour. When students do not meet these expectations, they may be issued with a yellow card to remind them of our expectations. Students will be reminded again should misbehaviour continue and on the third occasion, parents will be contacted for a meeting. Our behaviour management focuses on discipline and consequences using a restorative justice approach which seeks to restore relationships constructively. Of course, if you wish to discuss a school incident or issue don’t hesitate to contact the class teacher or the office.
School Uniform
A great start to the year! It's lovely to see the pride in students when wearing their uniforms. Please ensure students have black polishable school schools. We have a “no hat no play” policy to encourage students to wear their hats. Please ensure your child has a hat every day. For hygiene, long hair is to be tied back.
Mobile Phones/Smart Watches
A reminder that mobile phones and smart watches are to be handed in at the Office each morning where they will be stored securely until the end of the day. Students are not to have devices in their school bag during the day. All contact is to be via the school office. 49372165
Meet & Greet Morning
Thank you to those families who were able to come to our Meet & Greet Morning held last Wednesday. I would encourage you to contact your child’s teacher if you ever have questions about classroom matters.
Cyber Safety
At the commencement of the new year, it is timely to be reminded that we all need to be vigilant about our children’s safety online. The https://www.esafety.gov.au site has many valuable resources for parents to access.
Opening School Mass
Our Opening School Mass will be held this Thursday 22 February at 9.30 am in the parish church. Please note the change of date. During Mass, our 2024 school leaders will be commissioned and there will be a cuppa back at school afterwards. Everyone is Welcome.
Parent Engagement Group (PEG)
The next PEG meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 12 at Holy Spirit Infants School Abermain at 6.00 pm. PEG is an opportunity for parents and community members to meet and discuss school matters. All are welcome to attend.
Early Arrivals
A reminder that student supervision commences at 8.30 am. There are students arriving well before this time. Please contact the office if you need to discuss.
Morning Drop off/Afternoon Pick-up
Thank you to those who are adhering to the traffic regulations when dropping off or collecting their child from school. The morning/afternoon are very busy times and with young children about we need to exercise great care. The disabled parking area is strictly for those with a current permit. Note the traffic ranger makes regular visits to our school and penalties include fines and loss of demerit points.
Calendar Dates
February |
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22nd |
Opening School Mass/Leaders Commissioning 9.30 am |
27th | Diocesan Swimming Carnival |
March |
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12th | Parent Engagement Group (PEG) 6 pm @ Abermain |
13th-22nd | NAPLAN (Year 3 and 5) |
25th | Holy Week |
29th | Good Friday |
April |
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1st | Easter Monday |
12th | End of Term 1 |
29th | Term 2 Commences |
Peace and Best Wishes
Mr. Paul O'Heir
Principal
Religious Education - Phoebe Spencer
RE NEWS:
Welcome to a new school year at Holy Spirit Primary School! I would also like to welcome our new staff and new families!
I hope that all staff, students, and everyone in our community had the time to relax and catch up with loved ones over the Christmas season.
We thank God:
- for the energy we have gained during the Summer holidays.
- for our families and being able to be present and spend quality time with one another.
- for new colleagues whom we welcome into our school community today.
- for our students who we welcome and will support throughout this school year.
Foyer Display
Throughout the term, each grade takes a turn in decorating our foyer display about different events and to showcase their artwork.
Our first display is an all about our staff to welcome you to our Holy Spirit Primary community.
Thank you to Year Three for their display about Lent.
Opening School Mass
On Thursday 22nd February, Holy Spirit Primary School will be holding our Opening School Mass in the Church at 9:30 am. The commissioning and blessing of our School and Sports leaders will also take place towards the end of the Mass. Parents and Carers of our leaders will be called upon to pin the badge on their child’s shirt/tunic.
All students are to wear full school summer uniform on Thursday 22nd February and can wear their sports uniform on Friday 23rd February.
All parents and carers are welcome, especially those of our leaders.
About our School- Holy Spirit Primary Kurri Kurri
Catholic schools offer a unique educational experience that forms the whole child (head, heart, and hands). Holy Spirit Primary School provides an environment that integrates the gospel values and example of Jesus in our everyday life and the culture of our school.
At Holy Spirit Primary, we acknowledge our role in the Catholic mission to proclaim the Good News and to be the living presence of Jesus through our words and actions. Religious Education is a Key Learning Area that assists students in nurturing their relationship with God. We provide opportunities for students to learn about and experience the traditions, rituals, and customs of the Catholic Faith. These include Religion lessons, formation experiences, Church experiences, prayer and liturgy experiences, sacramental programs, and social justice initiatives. We recognise our role, together with families and the local Parish in developing the faith life of each child.
Students are provided with an environment where dialogue about faith and religious plurality is valued. In our ever-changing society, we want to ensure our students feel welcomed and included in our school community.
Our Mission Statement
We are called to draw our inspiration and strength from the Gospel as we seek to give witness to the living presence of Jesus Christ.
Our School Vision
Holy Spirit Kurri Kurri, as a culturally diverse and inclusive Catholic faith community, witnesses gospel values of tolerance, respect, and equity in every aspect of the life of the school. We provide a rich, progressive curriculum that encourages excellence and lifelong learning. As we strengthen relationships within our local community, we strive to create resilient and active global citizens of the future.
Our School Charism
Holy Spirit Primary School is grounded in the traditions of Mary MacKillop and the Sisters of Saint Joseph who were instrumental in the foundation of Catholic education in the Kurri Kurri community. We strive to honour our Josephite heritage and ensure our students respond to social justice issues in the community.
Being a Josephite school means we value:
- Inclusivity
- Dignity of all respect for everyone
- Supporting the poor
- Serving others (servant leadership) – promoting a selfless attitude
- Courage
- Perseverance
- Striving for excellence and making a positive difference to others
Our role is to be the face of God’s love by promoting the dignity of all with justice, equity, and respect.
Shrove Tuesday
On Tuesday 13th February, we celebrated Shrove Tuesday. The students learned about the significance of Shrove Tuesday and enjoyed a pancake.
Shrove Tuesday is a Christian festival celebrated in many countries across the world. It falls on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. The exact date of Shrove Tuesday changes from year to year. However, it’s always 47 days before Easter Sunday and on a Tuesday.
The name shrove comes from the old word ‘shriving’, which means to listen to someone’s sins and forgive them. Traditionally, Christians would go to church on Shrove Tuesday to confess their sins before Lent. In Australia, Shrove Tuesday can be also called Pancake Day! Traditionally during Lent, Christians would give up rich, tasty foods such as butter, eggs, sugar, and fat. Shrove Tuesday was the last chance to eat them – and what better way to do so than with a delicious pancake!
Lent and Ash Wednesday
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at Easter. It is a time in which Christians are supposed to be quiet and thoughtful, preparing themselves for Easter. During Lent, we often pray, donate to charities and fast from food, or give up some of the things we like to do. This is in memory of Jesus who fasted in the desert for 40 days. 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 colour associated with lent is purple and is represented in our sacred spaces in the classroom. During Lent, people often create Lenten promises which they hope to keep for 40 days. This can include choosing to give something up or including acts of kindness.
On Wednesday 14th February we celebrated Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent by joining the Parish at Mass in the Church.
Project Compassion Launch
On Tuesday 13th of February, our school leaders attended the Maitland-Newcastle Schools launch of Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Hamilton.
Project Compassion 2024- ‘For All Future Generations’
Caritas Australia is the international aid and development organisation of the Catholic Church in Australia and is part of one of the largest aid networks in the world – working in over 200 countries and territories. It mobilises Australians to raise much-needed funds to help alleviate poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity in the most vulnerable and marginalised communities in the world.
Project Compassion is held throughout Lent as a timely reminder of the importance of solidarity and how a single act of kindness – whether big or small, can make a life-changing impact in the lives of those who need it most.
This year the theme of Project Compassion is ‘For All Future Generations’. This phrase is a powerful affirmation that the good that we do today will extend and impact the lives of generations to come. It is also a call for all of us to play our part in making the world a better place by working together.
Each year, Project Compassion runs during the Church season of Lent. Holy Spirit Primary will again be participating in Project Compassion. We invite you to help us raise funds and stand in solidarity with the millions of people across the world.
We ask you to join us in building a more just and fairer world: a world in balance, at peace, and free of poverty.
Project Compassion boxes will be sent home with one box per family. Please return boxes labelled with your child's name and class by the end of Term 1 to the front office. Thank you in advance to all those who 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.
Sacraments
I previously posted on Compass about the Sacramental program for 2024. This year we invite any student in Year 4 and above who has been baptised into the Catholic Church to participate in the sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation, and Communion.
Our students who made their Reconciliation last year are invited to complete Confirmation and Communion this year.
Reconciliation is the first Sacrament the students will make this year.
This year our Reconciliation program will be run on a Sunday morning in the Parish Hall (next to Holy Spirit Church Kurri Kurri). Mrs Catherine Crowley will be leading these sessions on the weekend.
During these sessions, the students will complete work in a workbook in the Parish Hall and will then join their families back in the church.
We ask that a copy of their Baptismal certificate be brought on the first session- Sunday 25th February. Parents will also need to complete some paperwork. Payment for the program can be given on the first session.
Details of Reconciliation 2024:
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If you would like your child to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation this year, please contact Monique Messina by the 23rd February either at Parish office Tuesday- Friday 49 901 551 or email
monique.mesina@mn.catholic.org.au
If for any reason you can not make a date you will need to let Catherine know at the session or contact Monique at the Parish Office.
Have a great fortnight,
Miss Phoebe Spencer
Religious Co-ordinator
School Fees
School Fees comprise of a Resource, Tuition, and Diocesan School Building Levy and are the responsibility of parent/guardians of students enrolled at the school. The collection of all school fees is to ensure the best possible learning environment for your child.
2024 payments can be made from now however, all payments must commence by 31st March 2024.
Statements will be emailed at the beginning of March.
Fee Concession/Financial Hardship
The Catholic Schools Office declares that genuine inability to meet tuition and other fees does not exclude access to a school within the system for a child of a family genuinely committed to Catholic faith and practice.
For families experiencing financial hardship please contact the school to arrange a meeting with Mr O'Heir.
A Fee Concession form needs to be completed and returned with supporting documents.
These arrangements and concessions are only valid for each calendar year and should be arranged as early as possible to ensure the School Fee Management Process does not action unnecessarily.
Statements
Changes have occurred for the 2024 school fee statements. Fee statements are becoming an automatic process being actioned at the beginning of each month. Statements will come from a no-reply email address. Please check your junk mail folders in case this is missed in early March.
All school fee payments are to commence by 31st March 2024 and finalised by 30th November 2024 if paying by instalments and annual payments are to be paid in full by 30th June 2024.
BPAY is the preferred method of payment, however, payment can be made via Cash, Credit/Debit Card or Centrepay.
Please DO NOT pay school fee payments via COMPASS.
Regards,
Jodie Jordan
Canteen Volunteers
We would love to be able to open our canteen again this year on a Friday.
Unfortunately at this stage, we do not have enough volunteers to be able to operate the canteen.
If there are any parents or grandparents that would be willing to volunteer their time please complete the below Volunteer registration. Once you have been cleared by the Catholic schools Office please contact the school to advise your availability.