31st July 2025

Executive Principal News

Dear Parents and Carers 

We pray for peace in our troubled world.

As we begin the second semester of learning our teachers have planned and are focused on the learning that is ahead. All teachers have offered the opportunity for you to come to either Holy Spirit Infants or Holy Spirit Primary for an interview to discuss your child's semester one academic report  as this is a very important opportunity to 'touch base' and 'check in' with your child's teacher. I thank all those parents who availed themselves of this opportunity and if you missed the chance, please email your child's teacher directly as we value communication with all parents.

Across K-6 we have had a very settled start to Term Three. Our celebrations for Grandparents Day last Friday at both schools were extra -special, just like our grandparents! Blessed with a beautiful day we hosted a prayerful liturgy at Kurri church with heartfelt reflections and a song for our grandparents. This was followed by a visit to our classrooms and time in the sunshine with a hot drink and a scone with jam and cream! Our school had a fabulous community feel where we welcomed everyone to come together! Thank you to Ms Spencer and all our staff for their support to make the morning so special. At Abermain a liturgy was held and again the church was filled to capacity. This was followed by each grade sharing a delightful song about grandparents and then a relaxed and fun picnic in the playground. The children were so happy to have their beloved grandparents at their school. Thanks to Mrs Haines and Mr Redgrove and all the staff for their support to make the celebration truly memorable. We ask God's blessing on all grandparents who are so important in the lives of their grandchildren. 

This term we have several exciting experiences planned - academic, cultural, developmental, social-emotional and sport based. K-6 will view professional performances onsite and offsite; 100 days of Kinder celebration; we have a focus on Anti Bullying in August; our annual Book Week events; Science Week focus at Abermain; Year 5 head off to Great Aussie Bush Camp; the primary grades have the opportunity to participate in various Gala Days; both schools will have a focus on developing Public Speaking Skills; Abermain Choir is rehearsing for the local eisteddfod and the Primary are already rehearsing for the upcoming and exciting Showcase 2025!  Our schools aim to provide enriching opportunities for students across a range of interests and to promote positive engagement. Keep your eye on Compass for permission notes being shared. 

Over the recent holiday break the building works at Kurri School continued and are now almost completed. Our stage 3 classes have moved back into their newly refurbished classrooms which now have glass soundproof sliding doors; additional sound proofing; new autex and carpet in 6B to match the other three rooms upgraded in January. I wish to acknowledge the flexibility, adaptability and resilience of our Stage 3 teachers and students who have managed to accept the changes needed to free up the rooms for the building project and who have continued to engage in their learning despite being displaced. Great job everyone!  Other improvements at Kurri included the installation of synthetic grass to create a green space; the installation of bag rack and hooks along the Year 6 verandah (and soon Year 3 as well); upgrade to the fencing around the field; fixing the shed so equipment can be left there for students to access easily when at the field;  and the installation of our stunning "Pitalba" sign which looks great in the garden space. Thanks to Mrs Lynch, Mr Waters and Ms Johnson for their contributions to creating the eye catching signage. There were also several other maintenance projects completed across both sites. 

Tricky Talks Parent/Child evening on 19th August is fast approaching

The evening has two sessions and parents may decide which sessions they wish to attend- one or both. Tricky Talks are facilitated by a skilled and highly trained educator who will share information, answer questions and dispel any myths about puberty that a child may have. The company is called Interrelate and they are excellent presenters. This is a family evening and we will host everyone in our Year 6 rooms where we can now open up to create a meeting space. There is no cost to families, our Primary School is offering this talk to Years 3-6.  

Tricky Talks guides students and their trusted adults to kickstart open, honest communication about the years ahead. It is an engaging and interactive program, it encourages open dialogue about the reproductive system, foetal development including the birth process, puberty and the physical and emotional changes that come with it.

Safety, consent and protective behaviours are also covered, helping to develop a shared understanding of how to navigate this period of development together.

Students and their trusted adults will:

• feel better connected thanks to shared learning about the experience of puberty and the changes it brings
• be confident to have open and honest conversations, helping to develop a deep and trusted relationship
• see students empowered to keep safe and manage developmental changes confidently with the knowledge that they have the support of a trusted adult

If you have not yet returned the attendance form, we urge you to do so as we need to know final numbers. If babysitting for younger students is a concern, please contact the school as we could open the library for them whilst the presentations are happening in Year 6 if that helps our families. 

NAPLAN Results and Data 

NAPLAN results have been shared with parents of students in Years 3 and 5 at Kurri. Our next step as a staff is to analyse the data we have from the results and next week we will come together as a staff to review the data and to plan our response. Data informs schools of where our student learning excels and is strong and also highlights area where we can purposefully focus and make changes as needed. In Maths this may be around students working more with problem solving to develop their skills and in English it may be around consistency in approaches to teaching Spelling (which was identified in 2024 as a school and acted upon). So whilst the results reflect the work of each student on the particular testing days, the information for schools is very useful for rich discussions about teaching and learning. We will share some of the learning with you in our next newsletter. 

Changes to Dismissal Procedures at Kurri are coming 

Kurri staff are currently reviewing the afternoon dismissal procedures as we are concerned about ensuring the safe delivery of every child to the person designated to collect them after school. We have battled on whilst the temporary fencing has blocked access at the front of the school, however now with that removed, we plan to review where parents wait; how Infants students safely get off one bus and enter the school grounds to wait for another bus and for students to leave in smaller, allocated groups for dismissal. We will communicate the new process clearly to all parents and carers via Compass and in the next newsletter. We ask for parent cooperation with this change please.

Year 5 and 6 BYOD Process for 2026

We are currently in planning with the Diocese regarding our BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) program for 2026. Next year we will streamline the process and parents will be able to make a purchase of a standardised laptop, likely from the one suggested provider. This enables better value for money and assists the school to streamline the loading of necessary programs in readiness for classroom use. On reflection this year we have found that having so many devices with so many differing specifications, required an incredible amount of staff time to set the laptops up when parents/carers experienced difficulties and this can likely be done better. We hope to share further details this term as we continue to work with the DIAL Team at Catholic Schools. 

 Coffee and Chat Catch Ups 

We hosted our first Parent Coffee and Chat Sessions today at both Holy Spirit Schools. The purpose of the gatherings is to catch up with parents/carers and seek some feedback around our communication in 2025; our changes as we seek to better align our two schools; shared event scheduling and any parent ideas.

Everyone is welcome!  Thanks to those able to come along! I look forward to listening to you! 

Have a terrific fortnight! 

Diane Murphy

Executive Principal

Assistant Principal News Abermain

Attendance - Is it ok to be late?

⏰ Is It Okay to Be Late?

The short answer is — no, it’s not!

At Holy Spirit Infants School, morning supervision begins at 8:25 am, and this is a wonderful time for our early learners to build social connections with their peers. These moments of interaction are not only joyful but also play a vital role in promoting wellbeing and a sense of belonging at school.

Of course, some students arrive by bus, which also provides a valuable opportunity to engage socially before the school day begins.

When the bell rings at 8:55 am, students gather for morning assembly, where important announcements and daily information are shared. Shortly after, they head into their classrooms to begin the day — starting with roll marking, followed immediately by their English lesson.

English lessons at our infants’ school begin with phonics (“sounds”), which are the building blocks of reading and writing. These foundational skills are essential for future success in literacy and learning.

Given the importance of these early morning routines — both socially and academically — we kindly ask families to ensure students arrive on time. Every minute counts and being present from the start of the day sets your child up for success.

🏡 Tips for Supporting Punctuality at Home

Here are a few simple strategies to help your child arrive at school on time:

• Establish a consistent bedtime routine to ensure your child gets enough sleep and wakes up refreshed.
• Prepare school bags, uniforms, and lunches the night before to reduce morning stress.
• Set a morning schedule with enough time for breakfast, getting dressed, and travel.
• If driving your child to school, aim to arrive by 8:25 am so they can enjoy social time before the bell.
• Talk positively about school to build excitement and motivation for the day ahead.

💬 Need Help with Morning Drop-Off? We’re Here for You!

If your child is feeling a little hesitant or anxious about coming to school in the morning, please don’t hesitate to speak with their teacher. We’re here to support both you and your child.

There are a few gentle strategies we can put in place to help make the transition before school smoother, For example:

• The Learning Centre is a calm and welcoming space where your child can play before school in a relaxed environment.
• Kiss and Ride Drop-Off: You can drop your child off at Kiss and Ride, where a friendly teacher will be there to greet them and help them settle in.

Small adjustments, like these, can make a big difference and help ease the separation from mum or dad.

Please reach out — we’re here to work with you to make mornings feel positive and calm for everyone.

Positive Behaviour for Learning

🌟 New PB4L Token Boxes 

This term, we’ve introduced new PB4L Token Boxes to celebrate and encourage positive behaviour across our school.The boxes are located between the two Kindergarten classrooms. When a student earns a token for demonstrating positive behaviour, they proudly place it in their class’s token box.It’s a fun and visual way for students to see their efforts adding up — and it builds excitement for what’s to come!🎉 Stay tuned for the end-of-term reward for the class with the most tokens!

🚌 PB4L Focus – Bus Safety 

As part of our Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) program, Weeks 3 and 4 of Term 2 will focus on the “I am Safe” expectation, with a special emphasis on bus safety.

“I sit calmly on the bus.”

We know that travelling with friends can be exciting for our younger students, which sometimes leads to unsafe behaviour. To help keep everyone safe, we’ll be reinforcing important bus safety habits during this time.

✅ Students will be encouraged to:

• Sit calmly while on the bus
• Wear their seatbelt at all times
• Use an inside voice when talking with friends
• Stay seated until the bus reaches their stop

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 How You Can Help:

If your child travels to or from school by bus or is about to go on a school excursion, please take a moment to talk with them about these safety expectations. Your support helps reinforce these important messages and keeps our students safe.

Thank you for your continued partnership in promoting safe and respectful behaviour!

Rebecca Kearns

Assistant Principal

Assistant Principal News Kurri Kurri

Why Every Minute Counts: The Importance of Regular School Attendance

In NSW, regular school attendance is not just a legal requirement—it’s a cornerstone of a child’s educational success and wellbeing. When children attend school consistently, they build strong foundations in literacy, numeracy, and social development. These early years are critical, and everyday matters.

Why Attendance Matters

According to the NSW Department of Education, regular attendance helps students:

• Maximise learning opportunities and academic achievement
• Develop social skills and a sense of belonging
• Establish positive routines that support lifelong learning
• Build resilience and confidence through consistent engagement with peers and teachers

Even occasional absences can disrupt learning. Patterns of low attendance often begin in primary school and can persist throughout a student’s education, impacting long-term outcomes.

The Hidden Impact of Being Late or Leaving Early

While full-day absences are more noticeable, arriving late or being picked up early can also significantly affect a child’s learning:

• Lost instructional time: Even missing 10–15 minutes each day adds up to hours of lost learning over a term.
• Disrupted routines: Late arrivals can make it harder for children to settle into the day, affecting focus and participation.
• Missed social interactions: Morning and afternoon periods often include important social and emotional learning activities.
• Reduced continuity: Leaving early can mean missing out on key lessons, group work, or teacher feedback.

These disruptions can compound over time, making it harder for children to keep up academically and socially.

Partnering for Success

Schools and families share the responsibility of promoting regular attendance. Here’s how you can help:

• Establish consistent routines at home to support timely arrivals.
• Schedule appointments outside school hours whenever possible.
• Communicate with the school if your child is unwell or facing challenges that affect attendance.
• Celebrate attendance milestones to reinforce the value of being present.

By working together, we can ensure every child has the best chance to make the most of their primary school education.

Angela Waters

AP Kurri Kurri

Faith Life at Holy Spirit Schools

Dear Parents and Carers,

I’m delighted to introduce myself as the new Acting Religious Education Coordinator here at Holy Spirit, Abermain as the amazing Mrs Haines begins her maternity leave. We wish her all the best as she becomes a Mum again. It is a privilege to take on this role, and I look forward to supporting the faith development of our school community.

There will be continued opportunities for children to take part in assemblies, liturgies, masses, and charitable activities linked to our school values and mission of our Church.

I look forward to working with you all to continue making RE a meaningful and enriching part of school life. Please do get in touch if you have any questions or would like to be involved in supporting our RE activities.

Grandparent's Day:

“A grandparent is a little bit parent, a little bit teacher, and a little bit best friend.”

We all have or have had a grandparent figure at some point in our lives that have made a special impact on us. This was truly evident at both of our Holy Spirit schools last Friday when our grandparents joined our community to celebrate our annual grandparent’s day celebrations. 

Our amazing day was blessed with perfect weather and smiles all round. Our day commenced with Holy Spirit Kurri Kurri hosting a liturgy led by our students with a morning tea and open classrooms to follow. The students enjoyed having their loved ones present in their playground and learning spaces for the morning. 

Holy spirit Abermain then held a special liturgy in our Church, again led primarily by our students. The students then closed our liturgy beautifully with some performances, statements about our grandparents and then exiting our Church with their special visitors. From here, Grandparents, students and our wider community shared a playground picnic with some games and a photobooth as a way of capturing a special memory for our students and their grandparents.

On behalf our Holy Spirit community, I sincerely thank all of those that were in attendance. It is events such as these that make our Catholic community what it is and adds an extra special layer of belonging for our students when these days are attended by those they love.  

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St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal and Pyjama Day:

Starting today, Friday 1st August 2025, we launch our Term 3 Mission Initiative in support of the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal, aligned with the Catholic Social Teaching of “Dignity of the Human Person.”

To raise funds and awareness, students and staff from Kindergarten to Year 6 have come to school in their pyjamas and are invited to make a gold coin donation. Families also have the option to donate electronically via the Qkr App, where receipts will be provided.

As part of the initiative:

• Students will enjoy a movie afternoon with popcorn.
• Our wonderful Kurri Kurri Mini Vinnies leaders will be selling warm milo and fairy bread.
• Each class will have a donation basket/tub for toiletries and non-perishable food items, which will be collected and donated to St Vincent de Paul.

We sincerely thank all families for their generosity and support during this winter season. Every contribution helps make a difference.

Nicholas Redgrove

Acting REC Abermain

RE News 

Welcome to Term 3! 

I hope that the students, staff and parents (who are lucky enough to have some time off with their children) have had a nice holiday and taken some time to rest up for the rest of the year.  

Prayer for a new term 

Dear Lord 

As we begin a new term, we pray that our school will continue to be a place of learning, happiness, and creativity. 

A place where everyone is respected and are deeply valued. 

May you guide our students to return with open hearts and minds eager to learn.  

Help us to learn that we are all loved and are called to share this love with others. 

We ask all this through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Amen. 

Mary MacKillop Feast Day Mass

Holy Spirit Schools will be celebrating the feast of Mary MacKillop (St Mary of the Cross) with a combined mass on Friday the 8th of August at 10:15am in Kurri Kurri Church.

We warmly invite Families to come along to Mass and celebrate the feast of Mary MacKillop with us.

Who is Mary MacKillop? 

Mary MacKillop was born on January 15th, 1842 and was the eldest of eight children. After leaving school, she became a governess and looked after children to support her family. She met Fr Julian Tenison Woods in Penola and in 1866 they opened the first Josephite school. Mary wanted everyone to receive a good education, especially those who were less fortunate in life. She became a nun in 1867 and dedicated her life to doing God’s work. More young women joined Mary as Sisters and started mores schools- Josephite schools. All children were welcome at the Josephite schools. In her later years, Mary travelled and opened orphanages, schools, and hospitals to help those in need. She passed away on August 8th, 1909. 

On January 9th, 1995, Pope John Paul II announced that she would become Australia’s first saint. 

Why do we celebrate Mary MacKillop? 

Mary MacKillop was an advocate for providing education to all children. Together with Fr Julian Tenison Woods they opened their first school in Penola, on the feast of St Joseph, marking the beginning of– the Sisters of St Joseph. These schools were run by the Sisters of St Joseph and are known as Josephite Schools.  

 Holy Spirit Primary School began in 1908 and originally was under the patronage of St Joseph and led by the Sisters of St Joseph. In 1991, the name of the school was changed to Holy Spirit Primary School. We will always celebrate and live out our Josephite heritage. We treasure our history and the contribution made by the Sisters of St Joseph. 

We will continue to celebrate Mary MacKillop and her role in paving the way for Catholic education. The feast day of Mary MacKillop is always celebrated on the 8th August each year. 

What are our values as a Josephite school?

 We are called to continue Mary MacKillop’s work. Being a Josephite school means we are a welcoming, inclusive and compassionate community. We strive to promote compassion and empathy amongst our children and be the living presence of God. As a Josephite school we promote a community which values dignity of all and service.  

Values of Josephite Charism 

• Inclusive – to seek and include every person, even those who are neglected or isolated 

• Education for all- every child deserves education 

• Dignity – we must be the face of God’s compassionate love by treating each person with respect  

• Compassion- awareness of other people’s emotions and taking action to help 

• Humility- modest and humble 

• Hospitality- welcoming and generous 

• Service – helping others, selfless and leading by our example 

• Courage- having the strength to carry out Jesus’ mission 

• Presence- be an example God’s loving presence through actions and words 

Sacramental News 

Some students from Holy Spirit Primary School have begun their preparations for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Confirmation- 2025 

Some students from Holy Spirit Primary School have begun their preparations for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Confirmation is a Sacrament of Initiation in which you receive and are strengthened by the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In this sacrament, children will select a saint’s name and on the day of the Sacrament will be supported by a sponsor (someone who assists them and presents them to the Bishop or delegate).   

Details of Confirmation 2025:  

If you have any questions in regard to Sacrament of Confirmation, please contact Monique either via email- monique.mesina@mn.catholic.org.au or via the Parish phone number- 49901551 

Have a lovely fortnight,  

Phoebe Spencer 

REC Kurri Kurri

New Staff for Term 3 - Abermain

We’re excited to welcome three new teachers to our teaching team this term:

• Mr Nick Redgrove joins us as the Acting Religious Education Coordinator and Year 1W teacher, replacing Mrs Haines.
• Miss Madeline James will be teaching KW on Thursdays and Fridays, replacing Mrs Edwards.
• Mrs Caitlin Brown steps into the role of Learning Support Teacher on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and alternate Fridays, replacing Mrs Clements.

We’re sure you’ll join us in giving them a warm welcome to our school community!

Gifted Education Mentor Ms Pittaway

🎲 Maths Differentiation in Stage One – Learning Through Play!

Stage One students in Year One and Two have been diving into a new and exciting way to explore mathematics, thanks to our creative teachers and Ms Pittaway, our Gifted Education Mentor. The game? Maths Bingo – a fun and flexible activity designed to strengthen students’ understanding of key mathematical concepts like multiplication, addition, subtraction, and mental strategies.

What makes Maths Bingo so special is its adaptability. Students can play at their own level, making it a perfect example of differentiated learning in action. Whether they’re just starting out or ready for more advanced challenges, everyone gets to participate, learn, and enjoy the process.

A huge shout-out to our incredible staff and students for embracing the challenge and stepping into the learning pit, that space where real growth happens. By pushing beyond their comfort zones, our learners have discovered that taking on new challenges can be both rewarding and fun.

👏 Well done, Stage One! Your enthusiasm and resilience are inspiring. Keep up the fantastic work! Please see below some pictures of the students learning in action.

Maree Pittaway

Gifted Education Mentor

Kinder News

Kindergarten’s First Grade Sharing Assembly – A Celebration of Learning.

On the final Friday of Term 2, our Kindergarten students proudly took the stage for their very first Grade Sharing Assembly. It was a joyful celebration of their learning journey so far, filled with music, movement, creativity, and storytelling.

In Religious Education, the children beautifully reenacted the Bible story Jesus and the Blind Man, accompanied by a heartfelt group song that reflected their understanding of compassion and faith.

During English, students showcased their growing phonemic awareness through cued articulation songs and actions. Their writing skills were on display with vibrant work samples and catchy songs about verbs. They also explored the concept of characters, bringing their imaginative creations to life through both writing and artwork.

Mathematics came alive with a lively “Friends of Ten” song and dance, helping students demonstrate their understanding of number combinations that make ten in a fun and memorable way.

In STEM, the classic tale of The Three Little Pigs was reimagined as a hands-on engineering challenge. Using Lego, straws, and toothpicks, students-built houses designed to withstand the huffing and puffing of the Big Bad Wolf—showing off their knowledge of materials and structural design.

Geography lessons this semester focused on maps. Students proudly presented their own map creations and shared how they used Google Maps to explore points of interest in our local area, connecting classroom learning to the world around them.

The assembly was a wonderful opportunity for families to see the enthusiasm and creativity their children bring to learning each day. Our Kindergarten students had a fantastic time preparing and performing, and their excitement was truly infectious. We are so proud of all they have achieved this semester!

Mrs Nicole Elbourne and Mrs. Ashlee Gossip

Classroom Teachers

100 Days of Kindergarten

To celebrate 100 days of kindergarten, the children arrived at school dressed as 100-year-olds, complete with walking sticks, curlers, cardigans, braces, and plenty of giggles. The transformation was delightful, and it set the tone for a day full of imagination and fun. Each child wrote a sentence about what they might do when they turn 100 - answers ranged from relaxing on the lounge and staying in bed all day to playing on their phones and racing around on mobility scooters. Their creativity and humor truly shone through!

The day was packed with engaging activities designed around the number 100. Students were challenged to write 100 words, count out 100 Fruit Loops, and thread them onto string to make colourful necklaces. They also crafted crowns to wear home, proudly showing off their achievement. To wrap up the celebration, each child received a special party bag and decorated biscuits shaped like the number 100. It was a joyful and memorable day that celebrated both learning and laughter, marking a wonderful milestone in their Kindergarten journey.

Mrs. Gossip and Mrs Elbourne,
Kindergarten Teachers

Kinder 2026 Playgroup Dates

Year 1 Excursion - Tocal Homestead

On Thursday 24th July, Year 1 travelled to Tocal Homestead to learn about the past. This was a focused in our history unit last semester. Our students participated in tours around the venue, water carrying, dress up, washing, setting the table, old fashioned games and learning about the kitchen.

Here is what our students thought about the day:

We enjoyed Dressing up. – Willow L

I like the little newborn piglets. – Charlotte R & Nixon C

I like carrying the buckets of water. – Hallie B & Henry L

I liked learning about the kitchen. – Levi M & Nate S

Seeing Thunderbolts’ Cottage – Riley D & Elijah K

I liked seeing the Blacksmith’s workshop. – Daisy W

Seeing the 400 year old tree. – Tommy W

I liked going into the house. – Noah M

I liked setting the dining table. – Jack

Year 1 had an incredible day!

Regards,

Year 1 teachers

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NAIDOC Week

Last week, students at Abermain engaged in a variety of activities during the week to mark NAIDOC Week. The theme was ‘The Next Generation’, and we focused our activities around this, and the importance of passing on the knowledge and heritage of the Aboriginal people so it will be here for years to come.

At lunchtimes, students were able to join us in the yarning circle to listen to an Indigenous story, we had a lovely turn out and it the students enjoyed learning about stories from different mobs around Australia while they had their lunch.

We had our final music lessons during Week 1, in which we had a special NAIDOC Week lesson with Ricky from Amplify. We heard the different ways that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people share their history and stories, and the importance of music to do so. We learnt a Torres Strait Islander song using traditional language called ‘Waku - Minaral A Minalay’ By Christine Anu, which talks about the significance of the mat to their culture.

In our classes we explored a local dreaming story for the Wonnarua People about Biame, The Creator God who made the Hunter Valley, and a group of students joined us on Friday lunch to do an artwork for the Wonnarua Totem, the Wedge-Tailed Eagle.

You will also see we were out of uniform on Tuesday, in colours that represent the Aboriginal Flag. We were very ambitious and attempted to create our own flag with students wearing the colours, and I think we did a pretty good job, check it out in the pictures below!

We had such a fun week learning about and celebrating Aboriginal Culture! 😊

Miss Jessica Laczkowski

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Teacher

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Book Parade Abermain

Dates for Your Diary Abermain

Dates for Your Diary Kurri Kurri

Awards Abermain

Community News

The library are running a FREE program around ‘Designing Your Best Life After Work’.

This program is aimed at people who are about to retire and who want to design their life post paid work.

 The Workshop

Date: Thursday 4 September

Time: 10.30am-12pm

Location: Kurri Kurri Library

 To find out more information or register your attendance, please click here.