15th August 2025
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Executive Principal News
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Catholic School Maitland-Newcastle Policies
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Assistant Principal News Abermain
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Assistant Principal News Kurri Kurri
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Faith Life at Holy Spirit Schools
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Sport News
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The Protectors Show Incursion
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National Science Week Abermain
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Gifted Education at Holy Spirit Primary
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NAIDOC WEEK 2025 Holy Spirit Primary Celebrations
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Kinder 2026 Playgroup Dates
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Book Parade and Book Fair Holy Spirit Primary
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Book Parade Abermain
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Dates for Your Diary Abermain
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Dates for Your Diary Kurri Kurri
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Awards Abermain
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Awards Kurri Kurri
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Community News
Executive Principal News
Saint Mary MacKillop,
You showed us how to live with faith, courage, and kindness.
Help us to care for others, especially those in need.
Teach us to be strong when things are hard,
and to trust in God’s love every day.
Pray for us, that we may follow your example
and make a difference in the lives of others.
Amen.
Dear Families,
On Friday 8th August we celebrated the Feast of Saint Mary MacKillop. Saint Mary MacKillop, born in 1842, was Australia’s first saint. She co-founded the Sisters of St Joseph to educate poor children. Despite challenges, including excommunication, she remained devoted to her mission. Canonised in 2010, her legacy of compassion, courage, and service continues to inspire communities across Australia and beyond. Our school was originally called St Joseph's and the Sisters of St Joseph were the first teachers at Abermain and Kurri, both schools established in 1908 and so we have a close affinity with St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. Our schools are proudly founded in the rich Josephite tradition.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our K–6 celebration of the Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop at Kurri Church last Friday . It was a wonderful opportunity for our Holy Spirit School communities to come together in reflection and prayer. A special thank you to Ms. Spencer and Mr Redgrove for their thoughtful planning and coordination. Thank you to our students who learn more about St Mary of the Cross each year and who can be proud of their reverence and singing. Thank you everyone!
Throughout the week, we acknowledged National Bullying No Way Week, continuing our commitment to fostering a safe and respectful environment for all students. On Friday, our Abermain students, and on Monday, our Kurri Kurri students, attended a powerful performance titled "The Protectors", which focused on the importance of standing up against bullying. The students learnt about the role of bystanders and being brave to stand up to bullying and so "No Way!" Each class followed up with meaningful activities such as discussions, role plays, drawings, and writing to reinforce our message of zero tolerance for bullying.
At Abermain, we also celebrated National Science Week as our K-2 focus is promoting curiosity, creativity and fun when learning! Students took part in a special science-themed event led by Professor Flynn and Professor Elborne, where they explored exciting experiments that sparked excitement and wonder.
On Wednesday, our Year 5 Kurri Kurri students headed off to the Great Aussie Bush Camp for a great opportunity to challenge themselves, grow together and learn to collaborate through the experiences each day! We look forward to hearing all about their adventures in our next newsletter. Our sincere thanks to our dedicated staff who attended to support the students -Mrs Kuterovac, Mrs Korsman, Mrs Peek, Mrs Lynch, Mrs Warby and in my place as I am unwell, Miss Spencer. Thank you to our staff and their families for enabling this special camp experience for our Year 5 students who will, next year, be the leaders of our school. We hope everyone returns full of great stories of their adventures and their own personal challenges they have overcome at camp.
Celebrating Our Super Sporting Stars at Holy Spirit Kurri!
We are incredibly proud of our talented students who have represented Polding in various sports. Congratulations to:
- Xanthie and Kade for their outstanding efforts representing the Polding Netball teams.
- Kade and Sophie M for their achievements representing the Polding Touch team.
- Sophie M and Sophie P for proudly representing Polding at the recent AFL Girls School Sport Australia Championship.
As a school community, we are extremely proud of these outstanding young competitors who are representing Polding which is the Northern NSW Region for Catholic Schools, which includes the dioceses of Maitland-Newcastle, Armidale, Bathurst, Broken Bay and Lismore which is, an incredible feat! Some of these students have been selected in more than one of these Polding Teams!
Holy Spirit Schools are thriving communities! We thank parents and carers for their ongoing support.
Diane Murphy
Executive Principal
Catholic School Maitland-Newcastle Policies
The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle provides a comprehensive Policy Library that guides how our schools operate and support student wellbeing. Key policies include:
- Anti-Bullying Policy – Promotes respectful relationships and outlines strategies to prevent and respond to bullying, including online behaviour.
- Attendance Policy – Sets expectations for regular school attendance and outlines procedures for managing absences.
- Behaviour Management Policy – Encourages positive behaviour through proactive strategies and consistent responses.
- Privacy Policy – Ensures responsible handling of personal information in line with Australian Privacy Principles.
- Enrolment Policy – Details the process and priorities for student enrolment in Catholic schools.
- Complaints Resolution Policy – Provides a clear and fair process for addressing concerns.
Families are encouraged to visit the Diocese’s Policy Library for more information. These policies help ensure our schools remain safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environments for all students.
Assistant Principal News Abermain
Attendance – Why Every Day at School Counts
Planning a holiday during the school term might seem like a great opportunity for family time, but even one extended trip—such as a four-week holiday—can have a lasting impact on your child’s education. Over the course of their schooling, these absences can add up to nearly a full year of missed learning.
Every day at school is important. When children are away, they miss out on key learning experiences, structured routines, and valuable social interactions with their peers. These moments help build academic confidence, friendships, and a strong sense of belonging.
We understand that family time is precious, and travel can be enriching. However, we kindly encourage families to plan holidays during school breaks whenever possible to ensure students stay connected, engaged, and on track with their learning.
Thank you for your continued support in prioritising your child’s education.


Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L) Focus: "I Am Safe – I Use My ABC"
In Weeks 5 and 6 of Term 3, our PB4L focus comes from the domain “I am safe”, with the key message: “I use my ABC.”
This focus supports our school’s commitment to anti-bullying by equipping students with practical strategies to manage conflict and respond to social challenges in a safe and respectful way. Whether it’s a disagreement, feeling left out, or being treated unfairly, we want our students to feel confident in taking positive action.
ABC stands for:
- A – Avoid the situation
- B – Be assertive
- C – Call for help
We teach students to first avoid the situation by walking away, ignoring, or choosing a different activity. This can often defuse tension and show that they’re not affected by unkind behaviour.
If that doesn’t work, they can be assertive—using respectful language to ask the other person to stop and trying to find a solution together.
If the issue continues, it’s time to call for help by speaking to a teacher or trusted adult.
This approach empowers students to try solving problems independently while still recognising that adult support is available when needed. It also reinforces our school’s message that bullying is never acceptable, and that every student has the right to feel safe, respected, and supported.
Here are some practical and positive tips for parents to use the ABC strategy at home when managing sibling conflicts:
Using the ABC Strategy at Home: Supporting Positive Behaviour Between Siblings
Sibling disagreements are a normal part of growing up, but they can also be great opportunities to teach problem-solving and respectful communication. Our current PB4L focus, “I use my ABC”, is not just for school—it can be a helpful tool at home too!
Here’s how you can support your child in using the ABC strategy during sibling conflicts:
🅰️ Avoid the Situation
- Encourage your child to walk away, take a break, or choose a different activity when tensions rise.
- Remind them that not every disagreement needs a reaction—sometimes stepping away is the best first step.
🅱️ Be Assertive
- Help your child practice using calm, clear language to express how they feel. For example:
“I don’t like it when you take my things without asking. Please stop.” - Reinforce that being assertive means standing up for themselves respectfully—not yelling or being aggressive.
🅲️ Call for Help
- Let your children know it’s okay to ask for help when they’ve tried to solve the problem themselves but it’s not working.
- When stepping in, model calm problem-solving and guide them through finding a fair solution.
Tip for Parents:
After a conflict, talk through what happened and ask your child, “Did you use your ABC?” This helps reinforce the strategy and builds their confidence in handling future challenges.
By using the ABC approach consistently at home and school, children learn to manage conflict in a safe, respectful, and empowering way.
Rebecca Kearns
Assistant Principal
Assistant Principal News Kurri Kurri
Dear Parents and Carers
Over the last couple of weeks, there has been lots of conversations in our classrooms around online gaming, the time spent on gaming and the effects of too much time spent gaming.
As digital games become a staple in children's entertainment, many parents and educators are asking: how much is too much? For children aged 8–12, long hours of gaming can have significant impacts on their sleep, emotional wellbeing, learning, physical health, and overall development.
Impact on Learning
· Reduced attention span
· Lower academic performance
· Displacement of homework and reading time
· Decreased motivation for learning
Children who game excessively may struggle with self-regulation and focus, both of which are essential for classroom success.
Emotional Dysregulation and Mental Health
· Increased irritability, anxiety, and aggression
· Low self-esteem and withdrawal from real-world relationships
· Use of gaming as a coping mechanism for stress or social anxiety
Associate Professor Michael Nagel from the University of the Sunshine Coast warns that excessive screen time can mimic symptoms of autism, such as poor eye contact, difficulty understanding others' emotions, and low empathy. He refers to this phenomenon as “virtual autism”, highlighting the displacement effect of screens on real-world social interaction6.
From a psychological perspective, gaming can become a coping mechanism for children dealing with stress or social anxiety. While games may offer a sense of mastery or escape, they can also displace opportunities for emotional growth, physical activity, and face-to-face relationships. Australian research shows that children with problematic gaming habits often experience emotional distress and may even show signs of addiction-like behaviours. Experts warn that excessive screen time can mimic symptoms of autism, such as poor eye contact and difficulty understanding others' emotions.
Sleep Disruption: A Growing Concern
· Suppressing melatonin due to screen light
· Keeping the brain alert with fast-paced content
· Encouraging late-night play that reduces total sleep time
Poor sleep affects memory, mood, and learning capacity. A University of Sydney review found that screen time was associated with shorter and later sleep in 90% of studies.
Physical Health Impacts
· Sedentary behaviour contributes to weight gain and obesity
· Musculoskeletal issues such as back pain, neck strain, and repetitive stress injuries
· Reduced physical activity, which is essential for healthy growth and development
Children who spend excessive time gaming often miss out on outdoor play and physical exercise, which are vital for cardiovascular health, bone strength, and motor skill development. Over time, this can lead to poor posture, reduced fitness, and even early signs of metabolic issues.
National Guidelines and Reality
The Australian 24-hour movement guidelines recommend no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time per day for children aged 5–17. However, only 15% of children aged 5–12 meet these recommendations.
Tips for Families
· No screens in the hour before bed
· Keep devices out of bedrooms
· Encourage outdoor play and physical activity
· Set clear screen time limits and content rules
· Model healthy tech habits as adults
For more practical advice, visit Unplugged Play: https://www.unpluggedplay.com.au/blog/wide-awake-and-wired-tackling-tech-induced-sleep-problems-in-kids
Further Reading · eSafety Commissioner: Gaming Report - https://www.esafety.gov.au/research/the-risks-and-benefits-of-online-gaming-for-children-and-young-people · SchoolNews: Gaming and Learning - https://www.school-news.com.au/news/the-effect-of-electronic-games-on-learning
· BMC Public Health: Emotional Distress and Gaming - https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-016-3058-1
· ABC News: Screen Time and Emotional Development - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-22/research-finds-screen-time-video-games-linked-social-problems/103606100
· Current Psychology: IGD and Physical Health - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12144-025-07975-w
· Raising Children Network: Gaming and Health - https://raisingchildren.net.au/teens/entertainment-technology/gaming-gambling/video-gaming-problems-addiction-pre-teens-teenagers
Angela Waters
AP Kurri Kurri
Faith Life at Holy Spirit Schools
Dear Parents and Carers,
The past fortnight has been a busy one in the space of Religious Education. It has been amazing to see Staff, Students and our wider community come together for Prayer, Mass and some new learning on Mary of the Cross Mackillop, and Mary, the Mother of Jesus.
Students have been learning about these two amazing women from our Catholic history and stories, as well as our other Religious Education units. We encourage parents to ask their children about them to start a conversation what they have been learning about in this space.
Mary MacKillop Mass
Friday, 8th August marked the feast day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. Mary MacKillop, Australia’s first Saint, was pivotal in founding numerous schools around our country, especially in our local area through founding the Sister’s of St Joseph. With our schools being founded in 1908, the Year before Mary MacKillop died, students spent time in Religious Education lessons learning about Mary, what she achieved and what she stood for. The quote “Never see a need without something about it” was addressed at both schools and is a major cornerstone into our school’s vision, mission and Josephite Charism. Along with history and formation lessons, students completed artworks which are on display in our classrooms as well as our foyers. Well done to all of our students for their participation in these lessons. An extra big thank you to our teachers for putting together some quality Religion lessons during this special week for both of our schools.
Abermain Foyer







Students from Abermain travelled by Bus on Friday morning to join the rest of our school community at Kurri to celebrate the life of Mary MacKillop through a Mass celebration. Well done to all of our students who participated, especially those that read, set our sacred spaces, ran our slide show, presented the gifts and did other jobs to help our mass be the sacred celebration it was. We would like to thank Father Solomon for presiding on the day and Lorraine from our Parish for her assistance with the Church organisation and Ministry. We would like to extend a thank you to all of the parents, relatives and friends that helped us celebrate the Feast Day of Mary of the Cross MacKillop. We are very proud of our students and the way they conducted themselves with respect and reverence during our mass.
Mary Mackillop Mass






Assumption of Mary
Friday, 15th August marks the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Students have been learning about the meaning of the Assumption and what it means to be like Mary today through a range of different teaching techniques in our classrooms. Thank you to our Kurri and Abermain schools for their prayer services with the students and staff that were held in honor of this holy day on our Catholic calendar.
Celebrating Father’s Day and the Special Men in Our Lives
Father’s Day is a special time to celebrate and thank the dads, grandads, uncles, and all the important men who care for us and make us feel loved. It’s a chance to show our appreciation for the big and small things they do every day.
Abermain Father’s Day celebrations
As previously communicated on compass, we welcome all Father’s, Grandfather’s and Father figures of our students of Holy Spirit, Abermain for Breakfast, games with Dad and a liturgy to follow. Breakfast is from 7:30am with the Liturgy commencing at 9:15am. Please RSVP via our QKR App so that we can arrange our catering. We hope to see our Fathers there for a fun morning!

We have special events planned to honour the amazing dads and father figures in our lives:
🎁 Father’s Day Stall
Tuesday, 2nd September
Students will have the opportunity to purchase a gift for their dad or a special father figure.
- Gift vouchers are available on the Qkr app for $7 each
- Maximum two vouchers per student
- Orders close Monday, 1st September
🍳 Father’s Day Breakfast
Wednesday, 3rd September – from 7:30 AM
Join us for a delicious breakfast to celebrate our wonderful dads!
- Dads eat free!
- Additional breakfasts for other family members: $6 each
- Includes: bacon & egg roll + popper juice
- Orders must be placed via Qkr by Tuesday, 26th August
- Please note: No late orders can be accepted.
✨ Special Liturgy – 9:15 AM
Following breakfast, we will hold a special liturgy to celebrate and honour the incredible contributions that dads and father figures make in our lives.
We look forward to celebrating this special occasion with our school community!
Kurri Kurri Father’s Day celebrations- Doughnuts with Dads!
Calling all fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers and special men in our students’ lives. Holy Spirit Primary warmly invite you to celebrate Father’s Day with us on Wednesday the 3rd September in the afternoon.
We will be having a liturgy at 1:15pm followed by doughnuts and a games afternoon. Looking forward to celebrating with you!

Liturgy Symposium- REC assembly day:
On Wednesday, Miss Spencer and Mr Redgrove attended the first Liturgy Symposium held at the Catholic School’s office. This day was based on a number of Religious Education aspects such as Children’s Liturgy, faith formation and the innovative pedagogy of encounter, where students facilitate their own learning through individual and collaborative inquiry, whilst developing their own personal faith. We look forward to sharing aspects of our day with staff and implementing the into our classrooms K-6.
Year 5 Camp Prayer
Year 5 students and teachers have been at the Great Aussie Bush Camp this week. We hope they had a wonderful time and enjoyed embracing all the activities and any challenges they may have faced.
Dear God,
Thank You for this exciting time at the Great Aussie Bush Camp.
We are grateful for the chance to explore Your amazing creation,
to challenge ourselves, and to grow in courage and friendship.
Please watch over every student, teacher, and guide.
Keep us safe in all our adventures especially if we are learning new things.
Help us to be brave when things feel hard, kind when others need support,
and thankful for every moment we share.
Let this camp be a time of fun, laughter, and great memories.
May we return home with stronger hearts, deeper friendships,
and a new appreciation for nature and each other.
Amen.
Sacraments Update Confirmation- 2025
Preparations for the Sacrament of Confirmation are well underway for those students in Holy Spirit Primary. 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).
Final Details of Confirmation 2025:
- Lesson on Sunday 17th August
- Sacrament of Confirmation – Bishop’s Office has confirmed- Wednesday 27th August at 7pm at Holy Spirit Kurri Kurri Church.
If you have any questions in regards to Sacrament of Confirmation, please contact Monique either via email- monique.mesina@mn.catholic.org.au or via the Parish phone number- 49901551.
St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal Collection
This winter, Holy Spirit Schools are supporting the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal to help people in our community who are doing it tough. Some families don’t have warm clothes, enough food, or even a safe place to sleep. By donating items like jackets, blankets, or non-perishable food, we can show kindness and make a real difference.
Let’s work together to bring warmth, hope, and care to those who need it most this winter! Students are able to bring these items to.
At Abermain -each class will have a donation basket/tub for toiletries and non-perishable food items.
At Kurri- students are able to hand in at the office or to their class teacher.
We sincerely thank all families for their generosity and support already during this winter season. Every contribution helps make a difference. Have a lovely fortnight!
Ms Spencer and Mr Redgrove
REC Kurri Kurri and Abermain


Sport News

Highlights in Sport
School Sports Australia Primary Girls AFL

On Friday of Week 2, Sophie M and Sophie P proudly received their NSW jerseys for the upcoming AFL Girls School Sport Australia Championships, presented by none other than Sydney Swans AFL star Isaac Heeney at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground. A special congratulations to Sophie M, who was also named co-captain for the tournament – an incredible achievement and a testament to her leadership and dedication.
The championships were held in Maroochydore, Queensland, where both girls represented NSW with pride. After an outstanding week of competition, the NSWPSSA Girls AFL Team made history, taking home silver 🥈 – just the second medal ever for NSW in Australian Football at this level! The team secured five wins, including a thrilling two-point victory over WA to claim the medal.
🌟 Sophie M was awarded Best on Ground vs VIC
🌟 Sophie P was awarded Best on Ground vs SA
Both girls consistently ranked among the top three players, as voted by their coaches after each game. To cap off an incredible week, Sophie M also received the prestigious Sapphire Brownlow Award, recognising her as the team’s best overall player across the tournament.
We are incredibly proud of Sophie M and Sophie P for their hard work, skill, and sportsmanship. Congratulations girls on these incredible achievements!
Diocesan Athletics Representatives
Last Wednesday, a team of talented HSPS athletes travelled to Glendale to compete in the Diocesan Athletics Carnival. Congratulations to Macy B, Jude B, Aymon L, and Xanthie for their outstanding efforts on the day.
It is an achievement in itself to qualify for this carnival and compete at such a high level. Each of our athletes represented the school with determination, skill, and a positive team spirit.
Well done, Macy, Jude, Aymon, and Xanthie!

Representative Sports Pathways
Over the next two weeks, we wish the very best of luck to the following students as they compete at the next stage of their representative sports pathways:
- Polding Netball – Xanthie S
- Boys Primary Netball – Kade P
- Polding Touch – Kade P and Sophie M
We are proud of their dedication and achievement in reaching this level of competition and know they will represent HSPS with determination and pride.
Full reports on these events will be included in our next newsletter article.

Upcoming Primary Gala Days
A friendly reminder about our upcoming gala days this term. These events rely on the number of students attending from our school. To help us create teams, it’s important that we have the correct parent permissions.
Please check Compass for the following:
- Permission for Soccer Gala Days – via Compass
- Permission for Touch Football Gala Days – via Compass
If your child is not attending these events, please decline the permission request on Compass so we can finalise team lists.
CSNSW Sport
For those parents interested in the representative sporting pathways that are available to students and current information on Regional and Diocesan representative sports events, I encourage you to look at the following website. This website is updated on a regular basis. https://csnsw.sport/maitland-newcastle/primary/home.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding sport or representative pathways, please do not hesitate to contact by calling the office via email amy.williams@mn.catholic.edu.au
Miss Williams
Holy Spirit Primary
Sport Co-Ordinator
The Protectors Show Incursion
Last week, students at Holy Spirit Schools attended The Protectors, a dynamic theatre-in-education performance focused on bullying prevention, online safety, and emotional wellbeing.
The story followed Leo and Serena—two students facing challenges with peer relationships. Serena was engaging in bullying both at school and online, while Leo struggled to manage his emotions and stand up for himself. Their journey through Protector School helped them discover that empathy, assertiveness, and resilience are powerful tools for handling conflict and building positive relationships. Developed by educators and a clinical psychologist, the performance delivered important wellbeing messages in a creative and engaging way. Students were inspired to speak up, seek help, and support one another.
Follow-up classroom activities, including discussions, role plays, and creative responses, helped reinforce the show’s key messages. The performance supported our school’s commitment to a safe and respectful environment and aligned with our wellbeing, cyber safety, and anti-bullying strategies.
Following the show, both Kindergarten classes came together and students brainstormed ideas, role-played scenarios, and created posters to display in the classroom, reinforcing the importance of empathy, assertiveness, and standing up for others.
Here is a snapshot of what some of our Kindergarten students learnt:
“When you get bullied by someone you can always ask a teacher for help”. – Levi C
“It’s not a kind thing to do and if someone is bullying you, you should tell a teacher and not be a bully back”. – Adelaide J
“If you see someone getting bullied, do something about it don’t just walk past and ignore”. – Finley E
“If I’m playing a game on the internet and someone sends me strange messages, I should tell my parents”. – Elsie W
Kindergarten Brainstorming Ideas


The Protectors Performance
Anti bullying Infants





Anti bullying Primary








National Science Week Abermain
🧪 National Science Week at Holy Spirit Infants
This week, our infants classes came alive with excitement as we celebrated National Science Week.
Students rotated through two engaging, 30-minute activities where they became scientists themselves. In the invisible ink experiment, young chemists wrote secret messages using baking soda “ink” and then revealed them with a special turmeric decoder. The other hands-on activity was our paper harmonica workshop, where students built their own musical instruments and explored how vibrations create sound.
Students also gathered for some exciting science demonstrations. There were gasps and cheers as we built a colourful density tower with honey, water, and oil, each layer holding a different object. The film canister rocket blasted into the air, powered by fizzy bubbles of carbon dioxide. Laughter filled the room when our puffer fish balloons inflated all on their own after a vinegar-and-baking-soda “wake up.” We also wowed the crowd with unpoppable bubbles, made strong enough to bounce on gloved hands.
It was a day full of curiosity, discovery, and fun — a celebration of how science is not just something we learn, but something we do. A big thank you to all our enthusiastic students, teachers, and helpers who made National Science Week an unforgettable success.
Want to try the experiments at home? Here are the videos to guide you through each one:
Homemade Harmonicas:
https://iview.abc.net.au/video/CK2505H004S00
Invisible Ink:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/45wTc1OsjLA
Self Inflating Balloons:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/eqpRR7USYcg
Unpoppable Bubbles:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjBBWqeB5ko&t=138s
Film Canister Rockets:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpOaURDl7s0
Experimenting with Liquid Density:
https://iview.abc.net.au/video/CK2368H006S00
Professor Flynn (AKA Mr Flynn)
Classroom Teacher




















Gifted Education at Holy Spirit Primary
Newcastle Permanent Mathematics Competition
On Thursday 31st July students in Year 5 and Year 6 participated in the Newcastle Mathematics Competition. We are proud of how they persevered and kept going despite the challenges they faced within the test. Congratulations to all Stage 3 students for trying their best and using their problem-solving strategies to assist them.




ICAS English
On Monday, 11th August enthusiastic students took part in the ICAS English competition, showcasing their skills in reading, comprehension, and critical thinking. The event was described by participants as both challenging and enjoyable, offering a valuable opportunity to stretch their academic abilities.
Congratulations to all students who embraced the challenge and gave it their best effort!
Looking ahead, the ICAS Mathematics competition is scheduled for Monday, 25th August. We wish all participants the very best as they prepare to tackle the next academic adventure.
Maree Pittaway
Gifted Education Mentor

NAIDOC WEEK 2025 Holy Spirit Primary Celebrations
Kinder 2026 Playgroup Dates

Book Parade and Book Fair Holy Spirit Primary
Book Parade Abermain

Dear Parents/Carers,
We cordially invite one and all to celebrate Book Week at Holy Spirit Infants School on Wednesday 27th August 2025 at 12 pm.
Scholastic Book Fair is also coming back to Holy Spirit. This is a great opportunity to purchase the very latest releases and help the library fundraise to keep our collection current and relevant for the students.
The Book Fair will be open in the library on Wednesday 27th August 2025 8:30 am to 9:00 am and in the hall 1:00 – 2:30 pm.
Looking forward to seeing all the amazing book characters that help bring a little magic into our lives.
Miss Covita, Teacher Librarian.
Dates for Your Diary Abermain

Dates for Your Diary Kurri Kurri
Awards Abermain
Week 2 and 3 AWARDS



Week 4 AWARDS




Awards Kurri Kurri
Community News

Come along to learn more about Autism and grow your understanding of neurodiversity. To register for your free ticket, click on the link or visit the Eventbrite page and search for Strive for Autism: Supporting the Spectrum Seminar.