Dear Families

In the 1980’s there was a push to get computers into classrooms and in the years that followed, researchers found that academic software and games have positive effects on children’s academic skills. Over the same period, video games moved into homes and children began playing these games for increasing amounts of time and the games themselves became more graphically violent over time.

Computer games are natural teachers and have been shown to teach children healthy skills such as self-care for asthma; also, they have been successful in imparting the attitudes, skills and behaviours that they were designed to teach. Given the fact that computer games are able to have positive effects, it is no surprise that they can have negative effects as well. Some of the health negatives are obesity and muscular and skeletal disorders. This means that parents should be concerned about the amount of time that children play and the content of the games they play.

Looking across the dozens of studies that have been conducted on violent computer games, there appear to be five major effects. Playing violent games leads to increased psychological arousal, increased aggressive thoughts, increased aggressive feelings, increased aggressive behaviours, and decreased pro-social helping. In a study of over 400 years three to five students, those students who played more violent video games early in the school year changed to become more aggressive later in the school year.

It is important that parents control the amount of time children play video games; the recommended time is 2 hours including T.V., videos, video games, and computers. With regard to the content of the games, look for games involving multiple players to encourage group play and choose games that come up with strategies and decision-making in a game environment, that is more complex than punch, steal and kill. Many computer games are fun and appropriate, provide practice in the use of problem-solving and logic and introduce new information technology, but many require no independent thought or creativity and often confuse reality with fantasy.

It is only common sense to require homework to be done well, along with any other responsibilities, before game playing. Likewise, it is only common sense not to put computer game consoles or computers into children’s bedrooms. More important for the development of social skills, good physical condition and use of imagination, is for children to play with friends or engage in other activities away from the computer game set.

“Lord, so many things to think about and to do!

However busy my schedule, please guide my life so that my priority focus is upon my family.

May the Spirit’s gifts of knowledge and right judgement be strong and active within me.  Amen.”

Mother's Day Stall 

On behalf of the Holy Spirit Primary School Community, I would like to say thank you to our wonderful staff that assisted on the day with the set-up and helped the students purchase some beautiful gifts for the special women in their lives. I would also like to say a huge thank you to:

Beautiful Blooms of Kurri

and

Peaceful Brew

For their donation of gifts for the Mother's Day Stall.

School Camps

For many years our students have enjoyed an annual camp in Year 5 (Great Aussie Bush Camp) and Year 6 (Canberra).  These camps have an educational focus as well as providing students with a unique social experience with peers and staff. Students often recall these camps among their favourite memories of school.

The planning of such camps has already commenced, and we need to finalise numbers in the next week.  The deposit ($100) was due in early May.  To avoid disappointment please finalise your deposit in the coming week.  If your finances are an issue please contact Mr O’Heir to discuss your situation.

Pupil Free Day

A reminder that there will be a pupil-free day on Tuesday 30th May. Staff will be participating in a Diocesan-led professional learning day on the teaching of Literacy. The date of this course is set by the CSO and unfortunately doesn’t coincide with Abermain’s pupil-free day.

Bishop Visit

Bishop Michael Kennedy will be visiting our school on Friday 2 June.  The bishop will meet staff and students as part of his parish visit.  Bishop Michael will celebrate Confirmation on Sunday 4 June. 

Peace and Best Wishes.

Mr. Paul O'Heir

Principal 

In week two, I attended the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Teacher Expert Networks (TENs) conference in Sydney. The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) is the lead government agency responsible for implementation of the curriculum reforms which were announced in 2020. A key vehicle for teacher engagement in this reform is the teacher expert networks (TENs) comprised of practising classroom teachers from across NSW.

• provide feedback on curriculum, support materials and professional learning in schools.
• share knowledge about the new curriculum with our school, region and sector.
• facilitate cross-sectoral engagement that meets the timeframe and scale of reform implementation.

We were excited to be addressed by Prue Car, the Deputy Premier of NSW who announced the changes to the Curriculum Reform timeline. The new schedule aims to give teachers more time to focus on plans for a new Years 3 to 10 Maths and English curriculum next year, by delaying the rollout of new and draft syllabuses.    

A new timeline will be published on The NESA website once available.

Mrs. Angela Waters

Assistant Principal

RE News

Foyer Display

Thank you to Year 3 for their foyer display about Mother’s Day.

Mother’s Day

Thank you to all the special women who could attend our liturgy and picnic lunch on Friday 12th May. It was so wonderful celebrating this special day with you. We appreciate all that you do!

Catholic Schools Week (CSW)

Monday 15^th May to Friday 19^th May is Catholic Schools Week (CSW). During this time, we show our appreciation and love of Catholic education. Catholic Schools Week celebrates and acknowledges how our schools are places that aim to journey with every student, nurturing their gifts and talents. We accompany our students in a process that listens, discerns, and responds. We walk together in faith and love and are inspired by the Holy Spirit to live more deeply in the freedom of God. Throughout the school journey, we provide opportunities for students to encounter the Mystery and love of God: through our relationships with students, our work, and our liturgical celebrations.

This year’s theme is Encounter: Journeying Together. It reminds us of our role, together with parents to accompany and support our students along their schooling journey. It invites us to consider how we can live a life that is modelled on Jesus. To walk alongside our students and listen deeply. To meet students where they are at and guide them throughout their journey.

Jesus interacted with all people. Jesus was someone who fostered and promoted the growth of every individual person. He built joy-filled communities, He promoted unity and peace, He walked alongside all people, and made every individual feel like they truly belonged - that all had a place at the table. In our current world we are called to respond and give witness to the example of Christ: to journey with all our sisters and brothers, inviting each other to follow the pathway of love and joy that leads us, deeply and truly, to become the persons God creates us to be.

May we embrace the invitation to encounter the love of Jesus in our lives.

Pentecost

Pentecost is a feast day celebrated 50 days after Easter. 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.

When we think of Pentecost we are often reminded of the story of the Holy Spirit visiting the Apostles in a room. Pentecost not only commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit but it also marks the beginning of the Christian church’s mission to the world. Essentially, the Holy Spirit gave the apostles the courage to speak out and spread the Good News about God and His son Jesus.

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

Holy Spirit Primary School CSW and Pentecost celebrations

Holy Spirit Primary School is combining our celebrations for Catholic Schools Week and Pentecost. Parents and Carers are invited to come along and see what we have been up to with open classrooms from 8:30 am- 9:20 am on Friday 26^th May. Following the open classrooms, we will be holding a small liturgy at 9:30 am.

To recognise Pentecost students at Holy Spirit Primary are invited to wear RED accessories alongside their normal school uniform to celebrate Pentecost. This can include red scrunchies, caps, hats, ribbons, scarf, hair, socks, shoelaces, and shoes.

Our Mini Vinnies team will be selling red treats such as red jelly cups for $1 with the proceeds going towards our upcoming St Vincent de Paul Winter appeal.

Project Compassion and Bake Sale

Thank you to all our families for generously giving what you can to this great cause. Your donations and support enable Caritas Australia to work alongside vulnerable communities in Australia and overseas to address the challenges of poverty today, and to drive lasting change for a better tomorrow. 

I am overwhelmed by your generosity and am pleased to announce we have raised $851.75

Thank you and congratulations to Kaitlin Taggart for individually raising the most money.

Congratulations to Year 5 and Year 4 for raising the most amount of money.

Important Dates for Sacraments

Our families and students involved in last year’s Reconciliation are invited to participate in Confirmation and Communion this year.

Those students in Years 4, 5, and 6 only who have made their Reconciliation this year may also participate in Confirmation and Communion this year.
 

Details for Confirmation

• Preparation/Training day-  Sunday 21st May starting with Mass at 8.30 am at Holy Spirit Church in Kurri Kurri followed by sessions at the school. The sessions will help students in understanding the Sacrament and the process. Morning tea and lunch will be provided. They are hoping to be finished by 1 pm.
• Practice- Sunday 28^th May- Mass at 8:30 am followed by a practice
• Confirmation Sacrament-    Sunday 4^th June at 8.30 am Mass at Holy Spirit Church in Kurri Kurri. Followed by a morning tea.

Holy Spirit Primary students and families are welcome to come along to Mass on Sunday 4^th June at 8:30 am with the local parish to celebrate our students receiving their Sacrament of Confirmation. It is a great way for our school to connect with members of our community and share the Blessed Sacrament together.

Details for Communion

Preparation for Communion will be 4 weekly sessions. These will be on a Sunday commencing with Mass at 8:30 am.

Week 1	Sunday  30th  July
Week 2	Sunday   6th  August
Week 3	Sunday  13th August
Week 4	Sunday  20th August
Communion Sacrament	Sunday 27th August at 8.30 am Mass at Holy Spirit Church in Kurri Kurri.

If you have enquiries please don’t hesitate to contact Cathy Brown either on mobile 0437457409 or email cathy51brown@hotmail.com

 

Thank you

Miss Phoebe Spencer

Religious Co-ordinator 

Sports News

U10s NRL Knights Gala Day

Our term of sport started with our Stage 2 NRL Team attending the U10’s Knights NRL Gala day at Morpeth. Our school team had a great day and displayed great sportsmanship and teamwork!

Congratulations to our team Lewie, Travis, Zac, Henry, Aymon, Kade, Eddy, Braiden, Jude, Dally, Jett, and Sophie M.

Polding Winter Sports Trials

Polding Winter Sports Trials were held in Tamworth this year on the first Friday of this term. We had four students Chaz, Allie, Aster, and Evie F representing our school in Diocesan teams at this trial for Rugby League and Netball.

Congratulations to Aster, for being selected into the Polding Netball team for this year. This is a fantastic achievement, and we could not be prouder of you! Aster will now attend NSWPSSA Netball Championships to be held in Port Macquarie in Term 3.

AFL Paul Kelly Cup

Two school AFL teams competed in the Paul Kelly Cup at Maitland. It was a fantastic day for AFL, with some of our students stepping out of their comfort zones to try a new sport. The boys’ team had some tough competition showing great sportsmanship and kicking some amazing goals. The girls team played two players short all day, with no subs showing great resilience and determination. After a tough last-round game, they progressed to the grand final to face an undefeated St Cath’s from Singleton. In a very tight and exciting game, the girls defended but finished the day in second place, going down 6-9.

A big thank you to Mr Patton and Teneisha for assisting our teams today. All students at to be congratulated on their efforts and the way they represented our school!

Diocesan Cross Country

Last Wednesday, our cross-country runners represented our school at the Diocesan Cross Country held at Maitland Park. Running in perfect sunny conditions, showing great resilience and determination, many of our students running their personal best times on the day. Congratulations to Xanthie Smith (4^th U10 Girls) and Audrey O’Brien (8^th U12 Girls) who finished in the top 8 in their events on the day. Both the girls will now progress to the Polding Cross Country to be held in Sydney later this term!

PSSA Primary All Schools AFL Championships

This week Audrey and Sophie represented our school in the Hunter and Mid North Coast Team at the NSW AFL Primary All Schools Championships in Broken Bay. 

Our two NSW AFL Primary Schools Champions

Congratulations to Sophie for her achievements in competing against girls much older than her as she is only in Year 4.

Congratulations to Audrey who was also selected into the 2023 NSW AFL representative team.

We are so proud of all your achievements.

Athletics Carnival

Our school athletics will be held next Thursday 25^th May at Maitland Athletics Track. We are looking forward to another great day like we had last year. Those students who have qualified for field events will be notified prior to the day.

Thank you to those families who have returned their child’s permission notes to school for the day. If your child has not received or lost their athletics carnival note can you please contact the office for a new copy?

U12s NRL Knights Gala Day- Date Change

The U12s NRL Knights Gala Day which was postponed at the end of last term will now be held on the last Thursday 29^th June at Baddeley Park in Cessnock. New permission notes and information will be sent home closer to the date.

Miss Amy Williams

Acting Sport Co-ordinator 

National Simultaneous Story Time

Next Wednesday, libraries, day care centres, and schools will be reading The Speedy Sloth!

At Holy Spirit, we will be reading this story in library lessons and students will have some slothful activities to complete at lunchtime. Year 4 has researched interesting sloth facts, and these are on display in the library.

We have also sponsored Luna and Sol through the Sloth Conservation Foundation.

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, family daycares, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops, and many other places around the country. Now in its 23rd successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy,

Book Fair – Week 10

We are thrilled to announce the highly anticipated Scholastic Book Fair, coming to our school in Week 10 of this term! Get ready for an exciting literary adventure filled with amazing books, fantastic stories, and boundless opportunities to nurture your love for reading. Support Our School: Every purchase made at the Scholastic Book Fair directly benefits our school. The funds raised during this event will contribute to enriching our school library.

Date: Tuesday 27^th and Wednesday 28^th June 

Location: Library

Parents and friends are very welcome to visit the fair before and after school on Tuesday or before school on Wednesday. The fair will be packed up after lunch on Wednesday.          

The 2023 NSW Premier's Reading Challenge

 This is an annual initiative designed to encourage students to explore the magical world of books. Whether your child is a seasoned bookworm or just beginning to discover the wonders of reading, this challenge is the perfect opportunity to dive into captivating stories and broaden literary horizons.

Our students have their logins and passwords for the challenge and have added books they have read this year.

Students can include any books read from the end of the 2022 challenge on their 2023 reading record. Key dates for the 2023 challenge are:
27 February 2023 - challenge opens for student entries
Friday 18 August 2023 - challenge closes for student entries

If you have any questions about the challenge – please check the website NSW Premier's Reading Challenge 2023 : Home (det.nsw.edu.au) or contact Mrs Pritchard

(lynette.pritchard@mn.catholic.edu.au)

Lyn Pritchard

Teacher Librarian

Dear Parents and Carers

The Burger Chef at Heddon Greta will kindly donate $1.00 from every burger purchased between the 5th - 11th of June 2023 towards the Year 6 End of Year Fundraiser.

Dear Parents and Carers

Athletics Carnival Lunch Pack and Sausage Sandwich Orders

If you or your child/children would like to order a Lunch Pack or a sausage sandwich for your lunch whilst you are at the Athletics Carnival next Thursday 25th May 2023 orders will close on Friday 19th May 2023.

Please order through the Holy Spirit Primary QKR APP.

NO ORDERS OR MONEY WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE OFFICE.

There will be limited extra sausages and drinks to purchase on the day.

To avoid disappointment please ensure you place your order by today 19.05.2023.

GLOWTASTIC DISCO PARTY 01.06.2023

The school is organising a GLOWTASTIC Disco Party on Thursday 01.06.2023 6 pm - 8 pm.

The brochures for the ONLINE Disco fundraising have been sent home. All proceeds will be used to cover the DJ costs, GLOW accessories, and decorations as well as the purchase of new playground equipment for all students to enjoy.

We are looking forward to a fun night.

Let's GLOW Crazy.

The $2 entry fee needs to be paid by 29th May 2023 via the QKR APP.

The entry fee includes 1 soft drink, 1 packet of lollies, and 1 packet of chips.

For catering purposes, we need to know definite numbers. There will be no money accepted on the night.

To avoid disappointment please pay the $2.00 by 29th May 2023.

Regards,

Jodie