Dear Families,

Thank you to all the families who were able to come and share in our Mother’s Day breakfast and prayer assembly last Friday. I hope all families had a wonderful day together last Sunday recognising and celebrating the gift of our mothers. This weekend we celebrate Pentecost Sunday, marking the end of the Easter season and recognising the strength of the Holy Spirit.  Let us pray for our Year 6 students and their families in our Parish as they begin Confirmation preparation, recognising the great gifts of the Holy spirit and their significance. 

It has been wonderful not only showing prospective families around our beautiful school and ELC over the last two weeks, but also listening to our Year 6 leaders and tour guides sharing their experiences of Holy Trinity.  The Year 6's spoke with great pride and knowledge about our school, sharing all the enriching opportunities that have been presented to them over the last seven or eight years. I thank our Year 6 leaders for the commitment they showed, and also to some of our Board and P and F members-  Louise Willis, Natalie Roche, Scott Pearsall, Jan Ridd and Carmel Brennan- who gave of their time to talk to parents, particularity about the PYP framework and our welcoming, supportive community. 

On Monday afternoon out staff were given the opportunity to meet with other teachers in the same year groups or specialisation from differing PYP schools around Canberra.  As the only Catholic PYP School in our diocese,  this is a great opportunity for us to be able to network and learn together from IB teachers in our local community.  This week has also seen our first experience with NAPLAN online.  I would like to acknowledge the efforts of all our Year 3 and 5 children using this new platform, and particularity thank the teachers, especially Katie Smith, for all preparation around NAPLAN online. There is currently much debate in the media and educational word about the validity of NAPLAN testing and whether this may even be the last year we use this testing nationally - let's wait and see...

Some food for thought as we finish Week 3:

“Reading changes your life.  Reading unlocks worlds unknown or forgotten, taking travellers around the world and through time.  Reading helps you escape the confines of school and pursue your own education.  Through characters- the saints and the sinners, real or imagined- reading shows you how to be a better human being.” (Donalyn Miller)

I hope through our inquiry approach to learning across all curriculum areas that we, as a committed teaching staff, are unlocking worlds unknown or forgotten to each and every one of our students.

With every best wish for a holy and peace-filled week ahead with your beautiful families,

Philippa

The New Child Care Package all our families are affected by the change to the Child Care Subsidy (CCS). It is imperative for EVERY family to update their details on myGov, failure to do so will result non-payment of the CCS from 2 July.

Parents accessing preschool from July will no longer be required to meet work/study activity requirements to support participation in preschool which makes our ELC accessable to more families.

Lost Property the ELC has a range of jumpers and items left here from the school holiday program. If you are missing items please come and collect from our basket in the front foyer.

Change of clothes please ensure children have a change of clothes (Winter clothes) to cover accidents or messy play. If you have any of our spare clothes at home we are VERY short of track pants and tee-shirts, and would love them returned.

Pentecost Sunday 

This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday. The following is a reflection taken from GPBS enews.

Recall a time when you’ve felt strengthened, guided, or inspired to act after meeting with one or more Christians.

When I think of the Holy Spirit, I think of Jack’s death. Jack was a young guy in our parish youth group when he died tragically. His death shook me up so much that I wasn’t sure I could minister to his family and friends. So I prayed for God to help me help them.

After prayer, I remembered that a good friend of mine, a priest, was in town visiting. So I tracked him down. We went for a walk. We talked about Jack’s death. I cried some. We prayed. Later I drove to the Jack’s family home, knowing God needed me to be there for Jack’s family and friends. As I pulled into the driveway, a calm feeling spread through me. I went into the house confident that I could bring some of God’s peace with me to share. The Holy Spirit was with me. I connected with the Spirit by praying for strength to do God’s will and by following the inspiration to connect with my priest friend.

The Holy Spirit is alive in our Church. It directs us when we seek guidance. It calms us when we face crisis. It strengthens us to be peace amid the world’s pain. In this week’s Gospel, Jesus gives that Spirit to his first followers. And Christian community is still where we find it. We find the spirit when we get together with other Christians to talk and pray about our joys and fears. The Spirit continually seeks to bring us together to guide us, strengthen us, and send us. You have encountered this Spirit. Take time this week to think about when and where.

Mother’s Day Liturgy

Thank you to Kindergarten for their lovely preparations for the Mother’s Day Liturgy. Thank you to all the special women in the student’s lives that attended last Friday. We hope that all Mothers, grandmothers, aunties and special women in our student’s lives had a wonderful day on Sunday celebrating with their families.

Sacrament of Confirmation

Last Thursday parents attended the Confirmation Information Night. This year we will have a new structure to the preparation nights, including a second session in June. Please add to your diaries the second preparation session for PARENT AND CHILD, June 7^th.

Global School Partner Teacher Dunk

Next Friday 5/6 will host the GSP Teacher Dunk! This GSP Event is the first of four events organised for this term. Next week the students will be able to buy a ticket for the teacher of their choice to be dunked. Each ticket sold will go into the draw. 5/6 will draw 4 names out of the draw next Friday.The tickets will be $1 and they will be on sale at lunch time next Monday until Friday. The teacher dunk will be at 2:30pm next Friday 25^th May.

Term 2 Dates to Remember:

• GSP Event- 5/6 Teacher Dunk, Friday 25^th May, 2:30pm
• Parish Mass: 2^nd June, 6pm
• Confirmation parent and child night: 7^th June, 6pm, School Hall
• GSP Event- ELC & Kinder Coin Line, Friday 8^th June, all day
• Confirmation date: 17^th June, 9am and 11am
• GSP Event- Year 1 & 2 Cake Stall, Friday 22^nd June, 10:30 & 1:10pm
• GSP Event- Year 3/4 Talent Show, Friday 29 June, 2:10pm

Hooray it’s a Fete Year!!!

Come along to our launch and information evening on
Wednesday 30^th May 7.30pm, School Library

…..there will be wine and cheese!

Come and join us for a glass of wine and chat about what the 2018 Fete will involve and how it will contribute to the school and the community.

Everyone is welcome – we need all your help and support – large and small.

Contact Lisa if you would like to know more

See you there!

Mark the date in your diary…

Holy Trinity Fete 2018 - Saturday 3^rd November 10am – 2pm

“Fun & Food”

9 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT 9 YEAR OLDS

BY MICHAEL GROSE

Ask many seasoned parents and they will tell you that the age of nine seems to be when things start to shift and their child seems to be leaving childhood behind and looking forward to the upcoming years of adolescence. Nine is considered the beginning of the “tween” years, the place where children launch into puberty.

Making the leap from one developmental stage to the next is never easy; it’s harder still when the move is from the relative comfort of childhood to the potential turbulence of adolescence. Being nine is an age of significant change, but it’s rarely recognised as such.

1. Puberty starts for some

This is also a time when girls and boys can be vulnerable to body image problems, so be aware of comments you make around clothing, appearance and weight. It’s also a time to watch your own attitude to food and dieting. Better to adopt a healthy, balanced approach to eating than be constantly dieting.

2 Getting ready for the future

Your nine-year-old needs nurturing, attentive parenting while at the same time being encouraged to take greater responsibility. Help your child develop basic competencies such as planning their day and introducing themselves to new friends. These will help later with secondary school success.

3. Starting the move from parent to peer

Nine-year-olds are usually keen to do things away from their parents and home. Sleepovers are increasingly common. However, peers can present a tricky proposition at this age. Many nine- year-olds have many BFFs – best friends forever – but these can change very quickly as good friends come and go. Girls (more than boys) often experience friendship difficulties at this age as the one thing they want in a friend – loyalty – can go missing.

4. Homework may rear its head for some

Homework can divide households at this age. Many boys struggle with the whole concept, while girls will often do it to please. Good homework for this age group has a set purpose, such as developing required planning and organisation skills. Find out from your school what they are trying to achieve with their homework policy and be led by their guidelines.

5. Regular pocket money will get a thumbs-up

Your nine-year-old will appreciate getting a regular allowance as well as the ability to decide how they spend it. ‘Guide, rather than decide for them’ is the parenting mantra with pocket money. Resist the temptation to top their pocket money up if they spend it all on one item and leave nothing for the rest of the week. At this age, your child is capable of learning from the consequences of their decisions, and such lessons will help them improve their impulse control, which should have started to develop by now.

6. Self-control needs to be modelled

Another aspect of self-control is the ability to handle frustrations and deal with conflict. By now your child should be able to understand that conflict resolution doesn’t need to involve physicality or put downs. Encourage them to talk through any issues involving a sibling with you as a referee, for as long as it takes, rather than resorting to uncivilised and unjust methods of solving them.

7. Prepare them for when you are not there

Discuss with your nine-year-old the behaviours that are appropriate when adults are not around. Reassure your child that they can say no to another child or adult if they feel uncomfortable about a situation they are in. Increasingly, your child will be in situations in which they have to decide the right thing to do on their own – at those times their understanding of your expectations will matter.

8. Look for supportive groups

Encourage your nine-year-old to be involved in positive activities and supportive groups such as a sports team, drama club, Scouts/Guides or the like. Attend these activities with your child and get to know their friends and their families.

9. Build on your relationship

Make the most of the opportunity that your child’s tenth year provides. Make sure they are actively part of your family through the contributions they make. And, of course, make sure they feel loved, valued and understood. The relationships you build now will help you stay close during the more turbulent years of adolescence ahead.

Athletics Carnival

An invitation is extended to all parents and friends of the school to attend our Athletics Carnival on Wednesday 23 May at Curtin Primary School Oval. As the students will be walking locally to the carnival and will not cross any roads,  a permission slip is not required for this event.

Each child will be placed into events according to age. Every child has two races and novelty events. Children can also run in the 400m (Year 2, U10, 11,12yrs) races. 800m races will be held before school from 8:30. We will hold the finals for the field events (Years 3 – 6) on the day of the carnival. Trials have been held in class.

We are very grateful to the parents who have offered to help on the day. A job list has been sent home to the parents who have nominated to assist.

On the day of the Athletics Carnival children in Years 2-6 will leave Holy Trinity at 9.10am. The events will begin at 9.30am. The ELC, Kinder and Year 1 will leave school about 10.15am to arrive at 10.30am then return for their novelties at 12:30. Children are to wear their sport uniform and house coloured T-shirt along with their track suit. If the weather is poor, a message will be given via our SZapp.  All children will return to school after 2.30pm. A guide to the times of the events was sent via message on our school SZapp on Wednesday.  

Please provide recess and lunch for your child/ren as well as plenty of water to drink. Sunscreen and a hat are also vital. Banners and coloured shirts are fine – within reason.

South Weston Cross Country

Permission notes have been sent home to the students who have qualified for this event on Monday 4^th June. Could all notes along with payment of $8 via QKR or cash be returned to school by the 25^th May. Congratulations to all the students who have qualified to represent Holy Trinity at the Regional Carnival.

Ride or Walk to School Day Friday 18^th May

Walk Safely to School Day (WSTSD) is an annual, national event when all primary school children are encouraged to walk and commute safely to school. It is a community event seeking to promote road safety, health, public transport and the environment.

As the students arrive to school on Friday music, games and various sports equipment will be available to promote healthy lifestyles. Please make get behind this annual national event.

Tennis

Students from K-6 are currently participating in tennis clinics once per week on Wednesdays and Fridays. The talented team from Tennis Canberra will teach the students essential tennis skills. If your child owns a tennis racquet they are more than welcome to bring it into school for their clinic. If your child wants to play tennis outside coaching and lessons can be made through Tennis Canberra. For more information visit www.tenniscanberra.com.au/competitions,

Contact, email play@tenniscanberra.com.au or call 0416 186 121

Dear Parents,

We are participating in Redgum Book Club this term and the catalogue has been sent home with your child. Every order will earn resources and books for our school. 

To view the current catalogue, open the link Redgum Book Club Term 2 catalogue

You will find more great titles to order this term on their website, with books starting from $2 www.redgumbookclub.com.au  Orders over $30 will receive a free Australian Geographic poster.

The catalogue is now open and closes on 21^st May.  Ordered books will be delivered free to the school week commencing the 4^th June. 

Books included in the current catalogue:

• Kensy and Max - A spy adventure series from bestselling Australian author Jacqueline Harvey.
• The Trials of Apollo: The Burning Maze - The third title in Rick Riordan's Trials of Apollo series - set in the action-packed and hilarious world of Percy Jackson.
• Ice Wolves: Elementals - New York Times bestselling author Amie Kaufman delivers heart-pounding adventure and breathtaking magical inventions in this unforgettable story about finding one's place in a sharply divided world.
• A Fortunate Life by A.B.Facey - A true classic of Australian literature, his simply written autobiography is an inspiration.
• Grace by Morris Gleitzman, Australian Children's Laureate 2018-2019 - A compassionate look at religion, freedom and rebellion.

How to place an order:

• Order and pay online by credit card or PayPal redgumbookclub.com.au
• Email your order form with your credit card details orders@redgumbookclub.com.au
• Fax your order form (02) 9997 5850.

If you have any questions about Redgum Book Club orders. 

Parents,  Bean Culture Coffee Cart will be selling coffee for a few hours at our carnival next Wednesday.