23rd May 2025

Executive Principal News

Dear Parents and Carers, 

The weather events of this past week have been declared a natural disaster in many parts of our state and have impacted so many of our families and friends both here in the Hunter, Raymond Terrace and The Bay as well as north and south of us. No doubt you have been affected in some way or the children have given everything changed so much for them last week. As I write this, my own brother and his young family are totally cut off by floodwaters, and whilst they are resilient and stoic, it is the huge clean up ahead once the water resides that is hard to face. As Bishop Michael's prayer above highlights for us, the disruptions to our normal lives and the sense of anxiety or loss that may have impacted us, can lead us to feel overwhelmed and deflated or even defeated. What we do have is hope and wherever there is hope, is the belief that we can begin again and that we can overcome these challenges in life. We can show compassion to one another and offer help to those in need. At our schools, our beautiful staff are ready to listen to the stories the children may share about their own experiences last week or about something they have seen or heard in relation to the floods. We are very aware that for many children, the wild weather and changes to routine was likely anxiety provoking, whilst for others, it was their greatest moment being able to 'stay home from school'.  Our thanks to the SES Teams across the area for the incredible work that they do! 

If your family is affected by flooding or any other incident that has resulted from the weather event, please reach out to the schools if we can support you and your children in any way.  Our school communities are generous communities with people ready to help one another, so please let us know if you do need some help.  We are your schools and we are here for each other. 

National Reconciliation Week  (27 May-3 June 2025)   

This week is National Reconciliation Week in Australia and the theme this year is "Bridging now to next". National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from both Holy Spirit Schools will be guests at the Cessnock City Council event on Wednesday morning where they will listen to local elders and see local cultural events. 

All students will engage in awareness activities in their classes across the week. 

Building Works in Stage 3 building at Kurri to commence soon

In a few weeks the long awaited building works at Kurri will begin. The scope of work involves the installation of three floor to ceiling glass concertina fold dividers in the current Stage 3 classrooms. This will cause some disruption for Year 6 classes who will initially move to hold classes in the library across week 9 and 10 this term. The flooring in Year 6 end of the building is to be lowered and made level with the existing floor level; the glass panels and concertina doors installed; new ceiling fans installed; new whiteboards to be installed as well as smart tvs. I am appreciative of the impact on both students and staff over those two weeks, however the outcome will give our school an indoor space where we can gather - something we currently don't have. The work is planned to be completed with the installation of the glass panels into Year 5 rooms happening during the break. All library lessons will happen in classrooms and we will sort out a library borrowing process so the students can still access books to continue their great reading habits. There will be an upgrade to the current bubblers with the installation of sinks to facilitate cleaning of art materials etc. Our school leaders with the help of Mrs Lynch, have applied for a grant to totally upgrade the bubblers to include a chiller, and we are really hoping to be successful. The students who wrote it were very persuasive! 

Athletics Carnival 

Our sincere thanks to Miss Amy Williams (Kurri) and Mrs Helena Elias (Abermain) for their careful planning for a fabulous Combined Athletics Carnival which was unfortunately was unable to proceed in the manner it was planned. Thanks to Mrs Waters and Mrs Kearns for supporting the necessary changes on the day. We congratulate the competitors who were able to complete track events. Miss Williams will communicate the date when we may eb able to attend the venue in the afternoon to complete outstanding events so we can submit our team for the Regional Athletics Carnival in July. In our region and across the diocese many school carnivals have been impacted and we do appreciate parents' understanding that there are some difficulties that we will do our best to work out. Thank you to Mrs Freeman and Mrs Green for ensuring everyone got their lunch order -whether at Abermain, at Kurri or at the venue!  A ceremony to give out ribbons will be organised at a suitable time once all events have been held. 

Please see Compass Alerts for the latest updates regarding Carnival Update. 

Pedagogical Mentor Role at both schools 

Alison Smith is our PM across both schools and she is leading our teachers in professional learning teams meetings at both schools. Alison meets and works alongside our teachers in small groups. Her work is aligned to our school improvement goal of  "Analysing and responding effectively to data"  and teachers K-6 are all working collaboratively toward building on their professional knowledge; building their collective knowledge and skills as together we set targets for student growth and improvement at both schools. Her experience as an Education Officer and a Leading Teacher has value added to our great team. 

 Association of Catholic School Principals NSW

Last week over 350 Catholic School Principals came together for the biannual Conference held in the Hunter Valley this year and hosted by our diocese.  I was on the liturgy team and had the honour of working with the Religious Education and Spirituality Team as we prepared the liturgies, prayers and mass for the conference attendees. Students from the Aboriginal Group at St Catherine's Singleton welcomed everyone to Country through language and dance. The Aspire students danced carrying blue fabric symbolic of the water, the water being the Holy Spirit who flows from the new life created by Christ's Resurrection. It was very moving. Being a Catholic School Principal is very much about "a Calling" and coming together in prayer is a powerful experience that unites us no matter the context of the schools where we minister and encourages us to reflect on our calling for it brings with it, many demands and challenges, as well as many wonderful moments with students, staff and our parent community. The theme for this conference was "Living waters: Living with Hope. Inspiring Faith conversations"  The keynote speakers spoke about topics such as Our future and AI; Pope Francis' papal legacy and Pope Leo's upcoming papacy and the direction for a more inclusive church; a keynote speaker on Teacher Wellbeing was exceptional and a speaker sharing a successful model from New Zealand for Principals to further explore.  The opportunity to network and learn from other principals across the state is a blessing and whilst it was a challenging time for Principals to be away, I was in communication with our Assistant Principals, who both did a great job with consistent messaging across both schools and keeping families updated. 

Pentecost Celebrations and Catholic Schools Week 

Our next combined celebration will be celebrating The Feast of Pentecost on Thursday 5th June with Abermain students travelling by bus to Kurri where we will have mass. This is our school's feast day as we are called "Holy Spirit Schools" and we invite the students to come out of uniform. Abermain- wear red/yellow/orange clothing eg flame colours and at Kurri - wear red. Further details in this newsletter. 

Next week we celebrate Catholic Schools Week in our diocese and we look forward to inviting parents to join us by visiting open classrooms and joining us at mass on 5th June.  A flyer will be shared via Compass. 

Go gently this week and remember we are here to support our families in need, 

Diane Murphy

Executive Principal

Assistant Principal News Abermain

Positive Behaviour for Learning 

Our Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) focus for weeks 3 and 4 of Term 2 is part of the "I am respectful" domain:  

"I am a kind and honest friend!" 

At Holy Spirit Infants School, Abermain, the rule "I am a kind and honest friend" is essential in shaping our early learners into compassionate and trustworthy individuals. Kindness fosters a positive and inclusive environment where children feel safe, valued, and supported. By practicing kindness, students learn empathy, build strong friendships, and contribute to a respectful school community. 

Honesty is equally important, as it teaches children integrity and responsibility. When students are honest, they develop trust with their peers and teachers, creating a foundation for meaningful relationships. Honesty also encourages accountability, helping children understand the importance of owning their actions and making thoughtful choices. 

Together, kindness and honesty promote emotional well-being, reduce conflicts, and create a nurturing space for learning and growth. These values extend beyond the classroom, preparing students for future interactions in their personal and social lives. Parents play a crucial role in reinforcing these principles at home, helping their children understand that being a kind and honest friend is not just a school rule—it’s a lifelong value that shapes their character and strengthens their connections with others. By embracing this rule, students contribute to a supportive and respectful school community where everyone thrives. 

 Walk Safely to School 

On Friday, 16th May, students at Holy Spirit Infants School, Abermain, braved the wet weather as they took part in Walk Safely to School Day 2025. The event highlighted road safety, health, and environmental awareness, encouraging children to adopt safe pedestrian habits while benefiting from walking. A big thank you to our families and staff for their support in promoting active travel, the importance of holding hands and strengthening community connections. It was great to see some Dad's attend as well! 

Assistant Principal News Kurri Kurri

Over the past few days, our school community has been tested by some very wild weather! With heavy rain, flooding, and sudden changes to routines, it hasn’t exactly been “business as usual” — but our students have absolutely risen to the challenge.

From Years 3 to 6, students have shown incredible flexibility. Whether it was moving classrooms, staying indoors during breaks, or switching to alternative activities when outdoor plans were washed out, everyone adapted with a smile. We saw students taking change in their stride, showing patience and understanding even when things were uncertain.

What really stood out was the positive behaviour across the board. We watched as students helped each other with wet jackets, took turns calmly, and stayed cheerful even when the rain just wouldn’t stop! Teachers and staff were so impressed by how respectful and caring everyone was — a true reflection of our school values.

And let’s not forget the support everyone showed, not just for each other, but for staff as well. We had students offering to help clean up, checking in on friends who might’ve felt a little unsettled by the weather, and spreading positivity with kind words and good humour.

We’d also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our wonderful parents and caregivers. Your flexibility with last-minute changes, your patience during tricky pick-ups and drop-offs, and your ongoing encouragement at home have made a big difference. Your support helped keep everything running smoothly and reminded us how lucky we are to have such a caring school community.

These past few days have reminded us that even when the skies are grey, our students shine brightly. Thank you for being such a wonderful example of resilience and community spirit. We are proud of each and every one of you!

Let’s hope for some sunshine soon — but in the meantime, stay safe, warm and dry.

Angela Waters 

AP Kurri Kurri

Faith Life at Holy Spirit Schools

Kurri Kurri Holy Week 

At the end of last term, students celebrated Holy week with a dramatisation of Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Garden of Gethsemane and Good Friday. Thank you to our students and teachers for all their efforts.  

Palm Sunday- Year 3

Holy Thursday- Last Supper and Washing of the Feet- Year 4

Garden of Gethsemane- Year 5

Good Friday- Year 6

 Mother’s Day

On Friday the 9^th May, Holy Spirit Schools celebrated Mother’s Day. This special day allows us to honour the women in our lives who care, nurture, and guide our students with love and wisdom.

Mother’s Day is more than flowers and gifts. It’s a time to give thanks to God for the blessing of mothers, grandmothers, and carers who reflect His love through their kindness, patience, and strength.

We acknowledge how mothers are dedicated, faithful and loving just like Mary, the mother of Jesus.

As we celebrate, let us pray for all mothers—those with us and those we remember—and thank God for their endless love and devotion.

Mother’s Day @ Abermain 

Mother's Day was a wonderful celebration of the special loved ones in our lives who hold the role of Mother’s. We welcomed our very special guests with a hot drink and pancake breakfast at Abermain. Students and their VIPs then explored a range of activities that involved pampering, crown making and much more all celebrating our love for Mums!  

As we concluded these activities we moved into the church and enjoyed a beautiful and joy fillled Mass led by Fr. Solomon. There were some tears of joy and a lot of very full hearts at the conclusion of our Mass.  

We truly hope that all the Mums and Mum figures felt the love the Holy Spirit Infants community holds for you through our celebration and across the weekend celebrating all mothers! 

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Kurri Kurri Mother’s Day Celebrations- Thank you to all those special women who could attend our Liturgy on Friday 9^th May. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t ideal for a picnic lunch but we loved celebrating with you despite it. A special thank you to Year 4 students and teachers for their assistance and preparations and for Fr Solomon being able to preside over the liturgy.

Mini Vinnies and Werekata Leaders and Labyrinth Space at Kurri

On the 15^th May, we proudly celebrated a very special moment in our school community as our Mini Vinnies and Werekata leaders were presented with their badges and received a blessing to guide them in their service.

Our Mini Vinnies will lead the way in social justice and outreach, following the example of St Vincent de Paul with hearts full of compassion. Our Werekata leaders help us to deepen our understanding and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, walking with wisdom, pride, and connection to Country.

We also marked the official opening of our new labyrinth space—a peaceful and reflective area created to encourage prayer, mindfulness, and quiet time with God. It will be a place where all students can walk, think, and grow in faith and understanding.

We give thanks for the gifts of leadership, culture, and community, and pray that the Holy Spirit continues to guide our students in their journey of faith and action.

What is Pentecost? – The Birthday of the Church

On the 8^th June, the Catholic Church celebrates Pentecost, one of the most important days in the Catholic Church calendar. It marks the official end of the Easter season. The word Pentecost is rooted in Greek for “fiftieth.” You might observe the similarity in a word like “pentagon” which is a five-sided shape. 

 Pentecost marks the moment when the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles—fifty days after Easter. On that day, the disciples were gathered in a room when a mighty wind filled the house, and flames like tongues of fire appeared above their heads. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, sharing the message of Jesus with people from many nations.

Pentecost reminds us that the Church is alive and guided by the Holy Spirit. It’s often called the “birthday of the Church” because it was the start of the Apostles going out to share the Good News with the world.

As Catholics, we celebrate Pentecost by asking the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with courage, wisdom, and love, just as He did for the first followers of Jesus.

Pentecost is an extra special feast day for us as our school is named Holy Spirit.  

Catholic Schools Week 1 June

Catholic Schools Week is a cherished time to reflect on the profound gift of Catholic education. It's more than a celebration; it's a reminder that Catholic education goes beyond books and exams to something sacred. 

This year, the Jubilee Year theme, Pilgrims of Hope, resonates deeply. We are all on a journey—teachers, students, and families. Hope is what propels us forward, even when the path is unclear. It's active and gritty, showing up in everyday acts like a teacher helping a student, a class supporting a friend, or a parent assisting in the canteen. It’s also in the quiet moments that don’t make headlines. 

Pope Francis described hope as a flame that needs tending. In our schools, we keep this flame alive by showing up, listening, and creating safe spaces for students to ask big questions and live out the answers. Catholic schools prepare students to be beacons of hope, bringing light into dark places and carrying hope for others. 

As we celebrate Catholic education this week, let’s recommit to building schools where Christ is known, loved, and followed, and where every student feels seen, heard, and valued. We are pilgrims, moving forward with hope, faith, and open hearts. 

Pilgrimage of Faith: Diocese Walks Together on a Journey of Spirit and Connection - Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle 

https://youtu.be/pfMj7r7UP1o 

Pentecost and Catholic Schools Week Celebrations 

Holy Spirit schools are combining our celebrations for Catholic Schools Week and Pentecost. Parents and Carers are invited to come along to a Mass in Kurri Kurri Church at 10am on Thursday 5^th June.

To recognise Pentecost students at both schools are invited to wear Red or flame colours. Please ensure students wear appropriate clothing and enclosed shoes. 

At Holy Spirit Primary our Mini Vinnies leaders will be selling red treats such as red jelly cups for $1 with the proceeds going towards our Term 2 Catholic mission- St Vincent de Paul Winter appeal.  

Kurri Kurri Parish Pentecost Celebrations

On behalf of the Parish:  Families are warmly invited to celebrate Pentecost with the Parish on Sunday 8^th June at 8:30am Mass at Kurri Kurri Church. Following mass, there will be a cake and tea/coffee. You are encouraged to wear red in the spirit of Pentecost.

Sarah Haines and Phoebe Spencer RECs

The Virtual Academy – Meet Astrid Year 5

We would like to let you know a bit about Astrid Kinsley-Cook's first term in the Virtual Academy. She has had many highlights including the recent Virtual Academy – INNOVATE event, held at the Q Building, Newcastle Business School. Astrid’s energy helped to make the day an inspiring and memorable experience for all involved.

INNOVATE was designed to immerse our high potential and gifted learners in the world of entrepreneurship, AI, and future-focused thinking—and Astrid’s engagement with the activities, discussions, and presenters truly brought the event to life.

🌟 Event Highlights:

· Mentor Walks: Students explored the Honeysuckle precinct alongside HPGE staff, sharing their innovative ideas and discussing the future of their Virtual Academy projects.

· University-Led Workshops:

o Professor Shah J Miah challenged us to think critically about Business Analytics and AI

o Dr Timothy Hor inspired curiosity with a deep dive into Innovation and Entrepreneurial Mindsets

o Bert Verhoeven explored how AI-first frameworks can support ethical, human-centered design

· Guided Q Building Tour: Students experienced firsthand the University of Newcastle’s dynamic learning spaces, sparking ideas for their own future pathways.

The passion, curiosity, and creativity displayed by Astrid this term has been exceptional. It is a privilege to witness her ideas grow and take shape in such a vibrant, real-world setting of enterprise. Astrid says the highlight for her was the connect day as she got to meet all the people across the Diocese in her group and get to know them better in person.

On behalf of the Holy Spirit Community, we would all like to congratulate Astrid for a great term of learning and cannot wait to see what she comes up with for her shark tank next term.

Maree Pittaway, Gifted Education Mentor Project Officer.

Children's University

Children’s University

Children’s University is a program offered by the University of Newcastle to schools across NSW. The aim is to develop free-thinking, inquisitive children who enjoy learning. The learning is led by the child to create greater motivation and engagement. Students are encouraged to seek new learning experiences outside of the classroom building their own learning program by engaging in extracurricular activities throughout the year. It is an opportunity to recognise that learning happens everywhere and doesn’t have to be constrained to school.

At the end of Term 2, students travel to the University of Newcastle for a Discovery Day where they participate in multiple hands-on workshops across a range of areas within the University such as, Animation, Music, Building and Construction, Drama and much more.

Every participating student is recognised and rewarded with an authentic graduation ceremony, complete with graduating gowns, hats, certificates and photo opportunities in Term 4, giving them a true sense of pride in their accomplishments.

At school, we support participating students with activity ideas, keeping a check on their progress and reporting back to the University of Newcastle in preparation for their graduation. 

 Jessica Kuterovac and Kerrie Korsman  Yr 5 teachers and Children's University Engagement 

Kinder Excursion - Oakvale Farm

Thursday the 8th of May was a very exciting day for Kindergarten as we caught the bus from school and headed to Oakvale Farm for our very first excursion. 

We started our day at Oakvale Farm with a tractor ride. The students showed our group leader Laura, excellent manners as they listened carefully and followed the rules to keep safe on the tractor.

We were then lucky enough to feed baby goats! We were instructed to hold the bottle down low and tip it up so the goat didn’t jump on our uniform or get a belly ache from sucking in too much air. The children soon realised they were very, very thirsty goats and drank the milk very quickly. 

Some students were even brave enough to milk a cow!! 

Throughout the day we shared our knowledge with our group leader about what living things need to survive, where different animal products come from and had the opportunity to pat a chicken and a very cute bunny! 

Thank you to our parent helpers for braving the rain and coming on our first excursion! 

Meagan Edwards and Nicole Elbourne 

Kindergarten Teachers 

Teacher / Librarian Day

In Week 2 of this term the Teacher Librarians of the diocese gathered together at Holy Spirit Kurri Kurri for their annual Assembly Day. This day is a great day of collaboration, learning and sharing for all. Together we learnt about Shadow Judging from the Children's Book Council of Australia. We shared what is happening in each of our own libraries, sharing ideas for lessons in literature, technology and even tips for administrative tasks. 

Kasey Gibbs and Evelyn Covita, Teacher Librarians

Dates For Your Diary Abermain

Dates for Your Diary Kurri Kurri

Awards Abermain

Congratulations to...

Awards Kurri Kurri

Congratulations to...

Office News - Abermain and Kurri Kurri

Monthly Fee Statements: Issued by the Diocese. If you haven't started making payments yet, please do so as soon as possible. Check your statements carefully and let us know if you have any questions.

2025 School Fees: These cover the entire school year, including all excursions and incursions.

Payment Options:

• Instalments: Payments should have started by now and need to be completed by 30 November 2025.
• Full Payment: If paying in one go, please do so by 30 June 2025.

Preferred Payment Method: We prefer BPay (details are on the top right of your fee statement). Please avoid using Compass Pay due to high administration costs.

Financial Hardship: If you're experiencing financial difficulties or need to discuss other payment options, please contact the school office to arrange a meeting with our Principal, Ms Murphy.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. If you have any questions or need assistance, we're here to help!

Enrolments 2026

Kindergarten Enrolments for 2026 

Do you have a child starting school in 2026? The official enrolment period for kindergarten 2026 is closed!

• Round 1 application close: Friday, May 23
• Round 2 applications open: Saturday, May 24
• Apply online here: https://www.mn.catholic.edu.au/enrolment/enrol-online/

If you're unsure whether your child is ready for school, please speak with your preschool director or teachers. If you have any concerns about your child’s development or think they may have a disability, we encourage you to have an open and supportive conversation with your child’s preschool educators. They can help guide you, and your doctor can assist with referrals to the appropriate health professionals.

Sharing this information early allows us to put the right supports in place from the very beginning. With early intervention, we can work together to give your child the best possible start to their school journey.

Start your child’s learning journey with us!

Year 2 Families – Important Notice

If your child is currently in Year 2 and will be attending Holy Spirit Kurri for Year 3 in 2026, their enrolment will be automatically progressed through the Compass system — no new application is required.

If your child will not be attending Holy Spirit Kurri, please notify the Abermain School Office as soon as possible.

Community News