God of mystery, lead us on life's journey to places of sacred encounter.  Here your presence transforms our lives to see the wonders of your glory.  Open our ears that we might hear your voice calling us to follow Jesus our way,our truth and our life.  Amen

Lent is the opportunity to see beyond our typical concerns and preoccupations to discover what God is doing and what God is offering.  How am I open to God in my life this Lent? 

Dear Friends,

This year Catholic Education celebrates 200 years of schooling across Australia, a significant effort from the clergy,  religious and lay faithful who helped with the establishment  and continuation of these schools. The Bishops Commission for Catholic Education, launched a letter on 18 February in Sydney, acknowledging that throughout this time,  leaders and staff “understand, and are solidly committed to, the Catholic community of the school,  students are enabled to have a “personal encounter with Christ” and that Catholic schools are “Eucharistic communities” supported by the families and parishes. 

The bishops  also wrote that “the great champion of Catholic education” St Mary of the Cross MacKillop “would be well pleased with the scale and reach of Catholic schooling in Australia today”. 

The National Catholic Education Commission Chair, Nicholas Moore, acknowledged the support of successive governments of the past six decades and contribution of the Catholic community, particularly parents, who have contributed through school fees and fundraising. 

To celebrate this great mark in history, our Archdioceasan community came together on Wednesday at the Cathedral for Mass.  Kate O  and Declan I accompanied Katie Smith and myself to this occasion,  along with many NSW and ACT primary and Secondary schools and staff.

Certainly at Holy Trinity, we are incredibly blessed with the staff, and families here  who daily support each other, and ensure that our students are given the best education possible in a nurturing, Catholic environment.    

Dear Friends,

As this is my first entry in the School Newsletter for 2021, I would like to take the opportunity to welcome all new families to our school community, and welcome back all returning families. May you all have a wonderful, happy and successful year. I look forward to meeting new families and reconnecting with old friends at the school as the year progresses.

Our sincere thanks for exemplary service to the school community – Cath Day and Mark Bauer

On behalf of the school Board, I would like to acknowledge and sincerely thank our outgoing P&F President, Cath Day and Vice President, Mark Bauer. The contribution that Cath has made over the last two years as President, and Mark over many dedicated years as Vice President, has been truly magnificent. Their work in these important roles has significantly enriched our community, benefitting our children, Holy Trinity staff, parents and the broader school community. Thank you both for your enormous contributions to our community.

Parent Satisfaction Survey

Last year, due to the unusual year that it was, we had minimal participation from parents in our Satisfaction Survey- only 39% responded. Thus, the data from this is possibly not from an effective cross-section of our community.  Despite this, in each of the questions completed,  the data was favourable and the responses have been used to inform school planning.  The school will offer parents participation in a survey again this year and we once again encourage parents to participate, especially as our contributions are recognised and included in the annual improvement plan and overall strategic plan.

Swim and Survive Program Survey

At the end of last year we had 132 parents respond to this survey in regard to our Swim and survive program.  The result from this show that parents are still wanting this program to continue for their children in 2021.  Because of these positive responses, we will run this program in Term 4 again for students Kinder to Year 5, dependant on COVID restrictions. We will again,  at the end of this year, send the same survey home to families, to compare data and ensure we are offering a program that is relevant. 

Holy Trinity School Board

In my video for the Parent Information Evening I promised to provide an overview of the role and membership of the Holy Trinity School Board, hence the following.

The Holy Trinity School Board is an advisory board through which the members of the Board seek to represent the views of parents and provide advice to the school across a range of matters including finances, enrolments, school policies, the curriculum, building and maintenance.

As you may be aware, the Board works closely with the P&F (and the P&F President is a member of the Board) but it is a separate entity with distinct responsibilities. Whilst the Board assists with the governance of the school, the P&F coordinates and fundraisers (important things, such as the uniform shop, the canteen, the walkathon, the review night, numerous BBQs throughout the year, and so much more).

The members of the Board are always happy to receive feedback from any member of our school community. The members of the Board for 2021 are:

• School Principal - Philippa Brearley
• Assistant Principal and PYP Coordinator- Katie Smith
• Religious Educator Coordinator - Emily Capper
• ELC Director – Cushla Sheehan
• Holy Trinity Parish Priest – Father John Woods
• P&F President– tba after AGM
• Board Secretary – Penny O’Connell
• Treasurer - Kathy Barbatano
• Parent Representatives – Jan Ridd, Andrew Peereboom, Lucy Vincent and Natalie Roche
• Parent Representative on the Catholic School Parents - Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn – Natalie Colbert
• Board Chair – Scott Pearsall

If you would like to contact me at any point, or would like to raise any matters with the Board, please feel free to email me at sbpearsall@gmail.com .

Wishing you all the very best for the rest of this semester.

Scott Pearsall

Project Compassion

As we journey through Lent we are called to have a change of heart and spend more time in prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. When we think of almsgiving we often think of giving physically with donations of money or food to those less fortunate than us. As a Holy Trinity community, we are currently raising money for Project Compassion. Project Compassion works with local communities around the world to alleviate poverty, hunger, oppression and injustice. Each classroom has a Project Compassion box in their classroom. 

Parish/School Mass, Presentation of Reconciliation Candidates

On Saturday, 13^th March we will be having our first Parish/School Mass for 2020. During the Mass, the candidates for Reconciliation will be presented to the community. I invite all members of the community to join us at this Mass as we acknowledge these candidates and the progression they’ve made on their faith journey. 

Upcoming Dates

Week 6

• Saturday 13th March: 6pm - Reconciliation Presentation Mass

Week 7

• Monday 15th March: 2:30pm - Class Assesmbly - 3/4 Blue
• Thursday 18th March - Harmony Day
• Friday 19th March: - Reconciliation Retreat - All Year 3 Students

Week 8 

• Saturday 28th March: Sacrament of Reconciliation Commences

Week 9

• Monday 29th March: 2:30pm-  Prayer Celebration Palm Sunday 1 Green
• Wednesday 31st March: 2:10pm-  Prayer Celebration Holy Thursday & Good Friday  2 White & 5/6 Green
• Thursdat 1st April 2:30pm - Prayer Celebration Easter Sunday 1 White

Stay and Play

Playgroup for pre-preschoolers and their families. Wednesday mornings from 9am-10.30am in the ELC Playground (weather permitting). Parents, grandparents, carers and children are all very welcome. Please sign in using the Check in CBR app.

Before and After School Bookings 2021

The ELC have both casual and permanent places in Before and After School Care for students attending Preschool, Kindergarten and Year One in 2021. The ELC provides a warm, relaxing and fun environment for 4-7 year olds from 7.30am-9am and 3.10pm-5.45pm, as well as a school holiday program during the school term breaks. 

The After School Hours Care enrolment form can be found here. Please return to the ELC office. For further information contact the ELC Office Ph 6281 7428.

Welcome to a new year with the sustainability group at Holy Trinity.

At the end of 2020, we were presented with several awards from ACTSmart Schools for our sustainability efforts throughout the year. 

This Semester we have a few new leaders joining the sustainability team. Welcome to our leaders Edie, Lucy, Jenna, Sara and Emilia. These leaders will continue to work with Miss Meany on all things sustainable! They are excited to be involved in Waste Free events, Earth Hour, recycling events and fundraisers and of course Gardening Club!

Waste Free

Did you know, in primary schools, 16% of waste is recyclable paper and cardboard, 48% compostable organics, 22% other recyclable materials, and only 14% garbage?

This year we continue to encourage students and their families to choose a waste free lunchbox (every day!). When this is not possible, we ask students to place their rubbish into their lunchbox to bring home and dispose of, or recycle as necessary. This creates less waste in our bins as well as around the school grounds.

Gardening Club

A special mention is long overdue to a wonderful member of our community. For several years Moya Kimball (Isabella Kimball, Year 6 2020) has supported the Holy Trinity Gardening Club. She has generously offering her time on Wednesdays, weekends and holiday periods, donating plants and equipment, sharing her expertise with the Gardening Club, and patiently supporting and encouraging students to participate in caring for the garden. Moya, we are going to miss your dedication and kindness in 2021.

We are excited to be extending our volunteering opportunities at Holy Trinity to the Gardening Club. Each week we are hoping for several parent or grandparent helpers to assist at gardening club with planting, fertilising, watering, harvesting and all garden care. This support would also continue into the holiday periods, with chances for a couple of families to spend time tending to the garden while the gardening club are away from school. Gardening Club will commence on Wednesday at lunchtime from Week 6 onwards.

If you have, or know anyone who has, particular knowledge or experience with a vegetable garden please sign up to helping us on a Wednesday by following this link:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1s5_oLavE9iDFxF_PfVVEqGl6W-xBVQ8zG891sJOgqmY/edit 

If you have any thoughts, ideas or support to offer our sustainability team, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I look forward meeting some of you at Gardening Club this year.

Caitlin Meany

caitlin.meany@cg.catholic.edu.au

Grandparents as carers

Holy Trinity has decided to try Scholastic Book Club for 2021.

Catalogues for this term will be sent home with your child / children tomorrow.

Every order will earn resources and books for our school.

All orders need to be submitted through the Scholastic LOOP online platform. No cash orders will be accepted.

The Book Club LOOP platform for parents allows you to submit and pay for your order online. Your child’s order is sent directly to school and the books will be delivered to their classroom. You can place your child’s order via the Scholastic website or by using the LOOP app, which can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.

Please submit any orders by Friday 12^th March…..

SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHS WILL BE TAKEN ON:

Thursday 18 March 2021 and Monday 22 March 2021

School photographs are scheduled to be taken by advancedlife. As a school all ordering will need to be completed online to reduce administration and potential security issues related to the return of cash and envelopes on photo day.

Orders for packages and sibling photographs can be placed securely online at www.advancedlife.com.au using our school’s unique 9 digit advancedorder code. Portrait and group package orders are due by photography day.

Should you wish to purchase a sibling photograph online, the order must be placed no later than the day before photography day. Sibling photographs will only be taken if an order has been placed.

Should you have any queries concerning school photographs or online ordering, please contact us at www.advancedlife.com.au/contact

By now you would have received an electronic form to volunteer for school vacuuming.

So far I have received 12. I need at least 60 to fill out the roster over the year. I'm especially interested in finding out which parents from last year are still up for the task this year, as they form the bulk of the roster (and are obviously total LEGENDS for doing so, in my opinion).

If you ask ANY of our experienced school parents, vacuuming is clearly THE most fun voluntary task you will do all year, allowing you to contribute to the school's health and get fit at the same time.

My ultimate aim is to put together 13 teams of five or six people each, which would mean your effort is only needed three times over the whole school year.

Vacuuming is done on a Wednesday night during school term. Each team has a leader whose responsibility is to set a time for cleaning (usually between 6 and 8pm), ensure everyone is available and check that the job is completed.

It is a great opportunity to contribute to the school and foster friendships. So please consider doing your bit and click here to volunteer.

Thanks,
Paul Osborne
(Vacuum Coordinator and Year 5 Dad.) 

                         

St Clare's Come and Try Day

Plant Sale

Parentline

Girls Brigade