Holy Family Newsletter (Week 6 Term 4, 2023)

Messages from the Principal

Dear Parents, Students and Parishioners,

 FINISHING STRONG - BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT POLICY

At last week’s School Assembly, in the Principal’s address to the students, I spoke to the students about the importance of finishing strong in regard to the end of the school year.  In addition, making good choices was highlighted to all the students in relation to the school’s Behaviour Management Policy.  I emphasised to all the students the need to remain focused and not drop their high standards just because we have only a few weeks of the current school year left.  Now is not the time to be silly and put down others, especially if we have been making very good choices all year; it is important to finish strong.  I asked the students the following: “All students at Holy Family School have the right to be…” And the whole assembly replied,” Happy and Safe!” I then went on to tell the students that it is everyone’s responsibility to make sure that every single student at Holy Family is Happy and Safe. Also, I stressed to the students the importance of showing respect to their peers, other students, their teachers, their parents, their Learning Support Aides, the office staff and all adults. As well, I asked all the students, “It is okay to make a…” The students replied…” mistake.” I then replied to the students and said, “As long as you learn from it and do not keep repeating that mistake.”

 I then stated to the students that it would be a good idea to sit down with mum and dad to make sure that they remembered and were fully aware of the school’s Behaviour Management Policy, in particular the section on Students’ Behaviour Expectations.  Please take the time to sit with your child/ren and go through the school’s Behaviour Management Policy.  Overall, the students at Holy Family do make good and responsible choices. However, this area of their development is also very important and we all need to work in partnership to make sure the students continue to adhere to making good choices in the classroom and on the playground.  Below is Holy Family School’s Behaviour Management Policy:

REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE

Last week, Holy Family’s two School Captains, Lilly Matthews and Harley Murphy accompanied me in representing Holy Family School at the Remembrance Day Service at Crowley Village. Both Lilly and Harley represented Holy Family School with distinction and laid a wreath, as well as reading out a poem. Harley read the poem, “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae and Lilly recited the poem, “We Shall Keep the Faith” by Moina Michael. It is interesting to note that in November 1918 Moina Michael came across the poem “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae written at War in 1915.  She was so moved that she made a personal pledge to “keep the faith.”  She felt compelled to make a note of this pledge and wrote the poem entitled “We Shall Keep the Faith.”  Remembrance Day is one of the most important days on our commemorative calendar. It's a day when we acknowledge those who died while serving in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. Remembrance Day is held on the 11th of November each year.  Remembrance Day commemorates the sacrifices made by the service personnel who died while serving. It began over a century ago when at the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month the guns fell silent on the Western Front, ending the fighting with Germany in World War I. Since then, this special moment has been adopted across the globe as a time to remember those who served and sacrificed in all wars and conflicts.

THANKING OUR STAFF

In an increasingly fast-moving society, we sometimes forget to acknowledge our teachers, Learning Support Aides (LSAs), Office staff and ancillary staff for their tireless hours of work with students, which involves teaching a complex curriculum, supporting mental and physical health and doing all of this and more in a world that is becoming very data-driven. This adds to the complexities of teaching students.

 Each day, our teachers, LSAs, Office staff and ancillary staff interact with students and guide them in making life-long connections and sometimes they are the only witness to the amazing achievements of these young people. Only five years ago, the world of teaching was less data-driven. Now teachers, LSAs, Office staff and ancillary staff support learning, not always through the use of traditional textbooks but using their capabilities within a curriculum that allows for 21st-century learners to collaborate, problem-solve and use critical thinking and creativity. Our schools and the work teachers, LSAs, Office staff and ancillary staff do today is very different now. It is impossible to compare teaching today to how it was yesterday. The environment changes so quickly and teachers, LSAs, Office staff and ancillary staff do an incredible job of keeping up with student’s likes and dislikes, changing family circumstances and challenging learning difficulties and behaviours they often face.

We applaud and thank all our teachers, Learning Support Aides, Office staff and ancillary staff at Holy Family School for the exceptional work they do each and every day at  Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Skennars Head for the betterment of all our students.

SCHOOL FEES

Please make sure your School fees are paid and are up to date. If you are unsure, please contact the School Office immediately.  Failure to do so, as outlined in the Parish Enrolment Policy, can result in jeopardising your child/ren’s enrolment at Holy Family.

2024 ENROLMENTS

The school is preparing for 2024. As part of the process, it is imperative that you inform the school immediately if your child/ren will be leaving at the end of the 2023 School year, as we have a very large number of students on our Waiting lists. Thank you for your cooperation with this matter.

 Please remember to be kind – no act of kindness is ever wasted and it may just change someone’s day for the better.

God Bless,

Murray

Principal

Catholic Life

Mini Fete Update

Despite the wet conditions, our Holy Family school community enjoyed a fun Mini Fete at the end of last month to raise money for Catholic Mission and specifically to support communities in need in Timor Leste. 

A record fundraising total of $4235 was raised.  Thank you to all those who supported our Mini Fete.

Prayer Cards: Peace in the Middle East

As a school community, we pray for our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land and hold them and their suffering in our hearts.  To continue to pray for peace, respect, and dignity for people in the Middle East, a prayer card will come home with your child for your family to use.

Parish Schools Day

Parish School’s Day is a special opportunity each year for our three parish schools, Xavier Catholic College, St Francis Xavier and Holy Family to come together and celebrate as one parish faith community. 

When: Wednesday 29th November - Week 8:  Children will arrive at Holy Family as normal on the day and then walk to Xavier for the event.  Children will return to Holy Family for normal after school departure.

Where: Xavier Catholic College

Dress: School Uniform

What to Bring: Hat, drink bottle, a small backpack to carry with them during the day if they wish. Please ensure your child has sunscreen on at the start of the day.

Food:  Children will require lunch and afternoon tea.  The school canteen will be open for online orders and canteen orders will be distributed to students during the day.  

What Will Happen: There will be a variety of amusement rides and indoor and outdoor activities for students to look forward to.  At the same time there will be various stalls and displays for all to enjoy.

Cost: $16.50 per child. Covers rides and ice-block and all activities.  This will be sent out as a Compass Event.

Parents:  Parents and families are welcome to visit Parish School’s Day.  Please remember to sign in at Xavier College Office on arrival at the school. Pets are not permitted on the day. 

If you have any questions about the day, please contact Adam Sullivan or Emma McFadden. 

Holy Family / Parish Mass: Saturday 9th of December: 5:30pm

To celebrate the beginning of Advent, all families are warmly invited to attend a special Holy Family parish Mass. This Mass will include a special blessing for all our Year 6 students, an invitation to bring the infant Jesus from the family Nativity set for a special blessing and an invitation to join other families at Cherry Street Bowling Club after Mass for a social dinner.

Parish Blessing for our Year 6 Leaders

During this mass there will be a special blessing for all our Year 6 students as they conclude their primary school journey and begin their secondary schooling.  Year 6 families are warmly invited to support this celebration by attending as a family. 

Blessing of the Infant Jesus

During this Mass, we also invite all families to bring their baby Jesus from their family Nativity set to our Holy Family Parish Advent Mass for a special blessing.  While the baby Jesus traditionally gets placed in the Nativity Scene on Christmas Day, having the baby Jesus at this Mass will be a special way of remembering what we are truly preparing for during this Season of Advent and then into the celebration of Christmas.

This tradition of blessing the infant Jesus was first instituted by St. John Paul II for the children of Rome when he encouraged families to bring their baby Jesus (Bambinelli) from each of their home nativity sets.  It became a special way for children to connect to their nativity scene at home to the celebration of Christmas at their church. 

Preparing for and remembering the true meaning of Christmas is important during this holy and joyful season. 

For families who don’t have a nativity set, you may consider purchasing or even making your own.

Family Social Gathering: Cherry Street Bowling Club

Any families attending our Holy Family Parish Mass are invited to head to Cherry Street Bowling Club after Mass for a social dinner.  Families may like to contact Cherry Street Bowling Club and book a table.

Save the Dates

• Monday 4th December:  Holy Family Christmas Concert Dress Rehearsal (students only)
• Tuesday 5th December: Holy Family Christmas Concert: Infants 6:30pm: Primary 7:15pm

Learning and Teaching

2023 Maths Olympiad Results

A group of year 5 and 6 students were identified as strong mathematicians and were invited to participate in the Australian Maths Olympiad Competition. These students sat 5 tests about 6 weeks apart, consisting of 5 problem solving questions. We would like to congratulate the following students on participating in our 2023 Holy Family Team. Eddie, Monte,Harry, Lucas, Alison, Elwood, Milliani, Mikey, Lilly, Tommy, Mackenzie and Harry. 

We would like to acknowledge Tommy and Mackenzie who received the top 25% award and Harry who was our highest scorer, solving 19 out of the 20 questions correctly. He received a result in the top 10% of the country. Congratulations to all our Maths superstars.

Young Designers Award- Making Art Wearable 

The 2023 Holy Family Young Designer Award - Making Art Wearable Showcase provided students with an exciting and valuable learning opportunity to explore  the design process of both art and fashion.  The Young Designer Award was an optional extra-curricular activity for all students at Holy Family to enjoy and take part in.

Sport

Holy Family Swimming Carnival 2023

Our annual Holy Family Swimming Carnival will be held on Friday 1st December at the Ballina Memorial Pool. The day is split into two parts. 

Competitive Swimming Carnival - is for students turning 8 years and older in 2024. Races begin at 8:30am for students that would like to try and qualify for the Richmond Zone Carnival in early Term 1 2024. Parents must nominate their child/ren for events using the link that has been sent out via Compass New Alerts and emails. Nominations close on Wednesday 22nd November. A program will be shared via Compass prior to the carnival. Students attending this carnival will be transported to the pool via private transport. 

Fun Swimming Carnival - is for all students at Holy Family. This carnival has two sections. Years 2-6 will catch buses to the pool at 9:45am and begin their carnival in the outdoor 50m pool at around 10:30am. Students participate in novelty events until 2:30pm and then catch the bus back to Holy Family for usual afternoon activities. Kindergarten- Year 1 go to school as normal and catch the bus to the pool at 11am. They compete in novelty races in the 25m indoor pool from 11:30am - 1:30pm. They then catch buses back to school for usual afternoon routines. All students must wear a rash shirt or t-shirt and swimmers/board shorts during their fun races for sun safety purposes. 

Please contact ben.crawford@lism.catholic.edu.au if you have any questions

School Events

Chess

Congratulations to the 22 Holy Family students who represented the school at the Gardiner Interschool Chess Tournament at St Joseph’s, Alstonville last Thursday. The children acquitted themselves well. This tournament is more suited to the demographic of our participants as the students play against same-age peers. Hence, a number of our players managed to win a medal. The students were beautifully behaved which is a wonderful thing to say when they are out and about in the Holy Family uniform. A big thanks to Hermien Mellick and Abbey Tancred for supervising on the day. That is the final tournament for the year but Chess Club will continue whenever possible on Thursdays at lunchtimes.

Library

As the end of year fast approaches, we only have two more weeks of students borrowing from the library for 2023. WEEK 8 will be the final week for students to borrow books from the Holy Family Library. Please ensure that all of your child/children’s books are returned in Week 9. 

The Ballina Shire libraries are open and there are many sites on the internet where you can access quality reading material.

Thank you for your support with this.

Trish Parsons

Kindergarten Excursion

On the 8th November, K Blue and K Green journeyed on a bus to Cape Byron Headland Reserve for our Kindergarten excursion. The children participated in activities around the Byron Bay Lighthouse and were lucky enough to take a tour inside the lighthouse. We then participated in Jarjum School with Aunty Delta, who shared her deep knowledge and understanding of traditional Aboriginal culture. All Kindergarten students displayed wonderful behaviour and maturity throughout the day and we are so proud of their efforts on their first excursion at Holy Family. 

Matilda Regan and Kristina Viel

Canteen Corner

Canteen Roster - Term 4, 2023

Reminders

YEAR 7 - XCC -2024 Requirements List for Year 7 2024

Your Access Key: 2VS6Q

Home delivery

Delivery Fees

Free Delivery: for orders placed on or before 8th December 2023;

$16.95 delivery: for orders placed after 8th December 2023.

Community Events and Notices