Lent is a journey away from the bustle of daily life and taking time to contemplate our lives in Christ.  It is a journey up a mountain to see a new vision that will stay with us a lifetime.  Perhaps a vision of a new world; perhaps a place of peace.

Dear Friends,

Welcome to Week 7, Sabbath Week, where we try to do something during the week to re centre, re focus  and listen.  Last week, I attended a Principals' Conference and Retreat, facilitated by the Archbishop. During the retreat, His Grace talked about the increased amount of time we spend on activity, rather than being.  Do we give ourselves opportunity to be still, silent and simply listen? 

Next week our Parents and  Friends Committee will meet again and I sincerely thank those who have offered to be a part of this for 2022. The Holy Trinity Parents and Friends Committee has a long history of achievement. The main role of the P&F is to provide parents an opportunity to help shape the school community through organising special school events to encourage family involvement. This includes many community events that we hope to reinvigorate, beginning next term, depending on the continual easing of restrictions. Some of the planned events will be as follows:

• Special tuckshop days
• Mother's Day and Father's Day stall
• Kids Disco
• Wine tasting night = very similar set up to last year's event 
• Community Fete- March 2023, with the Raffle set up for Term 4 this year. 

The P&F also contribute to local and overseas charities. At the start of the year the P&F publishes a School Directory, with invaluable contact details of parents and school community leaders, as well as tips on how to contribute to the community. I encourage you all to ensure you are a part of this directory. 

The P&F also runs the Uniform Shop and organises special treat days.  Both of these  support families and also raise significant funds to contribute to facilities at the school. Over the past decade, the P&F - through generous contributions and fundraising by parents, students and sponsors - has provided over $500,000 for projects. Certainly this year, funds raised will contribute to our building works, that is anticipated to be completed by October.  This will then enable our Year 5 and 6 students to move into these new classrooms and open art area for the last term of 2022. 

Below are the positions that people have volunteered for on the P and F for this year.  As you can see, we are still without a President and Vice president.  If you would like to know more about these positions,  or about becoming a general member,  please feel free to contact Paul Osborne at posborne@aap.com.au or myself at philippa.brearley@cg.catholic.edu.au

There is also the option of shadowing a current P and F member who may consider the President's role for this year, with the opportunity to then step into this role for 2023. 

2022 Holy Trinity P and F Association

It is anticipated that ACT schools will remain with current COVID restrictions for the remainder of this term.  Of course, we are hoping that Term 2 may bring some easing of restrictions and the opportunity for our community to be allowed on our grounds.  I am very aware that for many of our families the last two years ' limitations has resulted in a feeling of detachment from each other.  As discussed above, we are a very welcoming, inclusive and supportive community that have always celebrating events together.  I hope that this may continue  soon and that all in our community will once again be able to physically come together. Please see below for our daily COVID reporting. 

17_March_ACT_COVID_Reporting_Requirements_Families.pdf

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I will conclude today with some wonderful news about an incredible achievement from one of our students, Angel A ( 3/4 Green).  Angel  started writing when she was in Kindergarten, with Miss Capper, and now, her biggest dream has come true!  She has published her own book of poems titled "Far Can Be".  

 

It is about to be release worldwide in the next couple of week and  is currently available on all ebook platforms. Well done Angel!!  We are so proud of you! 

Have a wonderful weekend and a peace-filled week ahead with your beautiful families.  Please do not hesitate to reach out for anything at all and continue to stay safe. 

Reconciliation Presentation Mass

This weekend during the masses at Holy Trinity Church (Saturday 6pm, Sunday 9.30am & 5.30pm), our 2022 Reconciliation candidates will be presented to the Parish community. This is a special occasion where our Parish community join together with our Reconciliation candidates and their families, in prayer and support as they engage in their final preparations for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. All are welcome to join us for mass.

Reconciliation Retreat Day

On Friday, 25th March our Reconciliation candidates and Year 3 students will participate in a Reconciliation Retreat Day. Due to current Covid restrictions, only students from Holy Trinity school will be able to attend. The Retreat Day will begin at school and then continue at the Parish Centre. Candidates and Year 3 students are invited to wear uniform free, in exchange for a gold coin donation that will go towards our Lenten appeal, Project Compassion. The Retreat Day is a special time for our students to continue to prepare and reflect on the meaning and importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Thank you to families and the Year 3/4 teachers for their continued support of our Reconciliation candidates.

Reconciliation: Baptism Certificates

Students who are making the Sacrament of Reconciliation are required to provide a copy of their Baptism Certificate to the Parish Office before the Sacrmanet. Without this, students will not be able to receive the Sacrament. Students who were baptised at Holy Trinity do not need to do this. A copy of your child's baptism certificate can be dropped in at the Parish office or emailed to Catherine at wodennorth@cg.org.au

Year 3/4: Easter Raffle Donations

It is that time of the year again when we are preparing for our annual Easter Raffle! The proceeds raised from the Easter Raffle ticket sales will go towards our fundraising efforts for Project Compassion. We are asking Year 3/4 families if they could kindly donate something Easter for the raffle prizes. Easter themed items could include:

- Easter chocolates such as eggs and bunnies

- Bag of Easter lollies

- Easter colouring in books

- Easter art and craft sets

- Easter stickers

- Easter toys

Please send any donations into school with your child no later than Friday, 1st April. Your child will be able to place their Easter donation into their class donation basket.

Thank you in advance for your donations and generosity.

Harmony Day

This year, our Year 6 Service Leaders will be hosting Harmony Day on Thursday, 24th March. All students are invited to wear orange pieces of clothing or a traditional piece of clothing to celebrate Harmony Day. This is not a free dress day so you do not need to bring in money to donate. If you do not wish to wear orange or traditional dress, you will just wear your school uniform to school. There will be a colouring competition and a Harmony Day video for Kinder and Year 1. Year's 2-4 will be making flags and paper dolls. Year 5's will be making Heritage Hands. Year 6's will be making a heritage family tree. 

Important Dates:

Saturday, 19th March & Sunday 20th March: Reconciliation Presentation Masses

Friday, 25th March: Reconciliation Retreat Day for Holy Trinity Reconciliation candidates and Year 3 students

Saturday, 26th March: Sacrament of Reconciliation commences

Parent Partnerships

As we approach the end of Term One we would like to invite our ELC families to meet with their child's teacher to share learning and re-visit goals. Please click here to book a time with your child's teacher in Week 9, (28 March - 1 April).

We value partnerships with families and are always available to meet to discuss your child's needs or progress.

Covid Update

A reminder for families that if you have a COVID-19 case in your family, to please notify me via email  - cushla.sheehan@cg.catholic.edu.au

This applies to both Preschool families and families whose children attend Before and After School Care.

ELC children required to quarantine due 'close contact' of Covid-19 through a family member will continue to have the gap fee waived on their account. This fee waiver is applied retrospectively, so will not appear on you statement until the next fortnight.

Children who are test positive to Covid-19 and are isolating at home are considered absent due to sickness, and from 14 March, 2022 the gap-fee will no longer be waived in this instance.

Covid exposure at the ELC is now subject to new regulations and children will no longer be classified as high risk contacts when attending school. Families will be advised by email when a positive case has attended the ELC and children can continue to attend preschool as normal provided they return a negative Covid test in the 48 hours prior to returning to school. 

School Holiday Program

Preschool finishes on Friday 8 April 2022 and will resume on WEDNESDAY 27 APRIL (due to ANZAC Day Public Holiday 25 April, Staff Professional Learning day Tuesday 26 April) but the ELC will remain open for the School Holiday Program on 11-26 April.

The aim is to provide a relaxed atmosphere where the children will be able to play, participate in a variety of fun activities and interact with their peers in a safe and supportive environment. The holiday program will operate from the ELC but also make use of our local environment too.

Bookings must be made before the ELC office by Wednesday 6 April. Cost is $110 per day. Children will need to bring morning tea, lunch, hat and water. The ELC will provide afternoon tea. The ELC opens 8am-5.45pm in school holidays.

Spaces are limited and priority is given to current ELC families, please book early to avoid missing out.

If you would like to book your Preschooler, Kinder or Year One child please click here.

NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy – important skills that each child needs to succeed in school and life. The NAPLAN tests are designed to help us make sure students are on track with their literacy and numeracy development. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in NAPLAN tests for reading, writing, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.

On Thursday 24th March our school will participate in NAPLAN Practice Tests, which are designed to give students, teachers and systems an opportunity to practice administering and participating in the online testing environment. The practice tests consist of a Writing Test and an Omnibus Test (a combination of reading, conventions of language and numeracy) for Years 3 and 5. As this is intended to practice participation, the questions are not equivalent to NAPLAN testing in May, and no results are available from the Practice Tests.

Please ensure you have downloaded the NAP LOCKDOWNBROWSER on your child's device. 

Due to precautions around coronavirus, please ensure that each student has their own headphones to undertake the test. 

To see the types of interactive features of NAPLAN Online, visit the public demonstration site.

If you have any questions about NAPLAN Online, please contact your child’s teacher.

For more info:

• How to support your child during NAPLAN
• Subscribe to ACARA’s monthly parent newsletter, Parent Update