Prayer for Harmony Day 2021

Dear Friends,

This week we celebrated together Harmony Day- a day which gives us opportunity to reflect on, embrace and celebrate the incredible diversity our country and our school has. As stated in our school philosophy,  our mission is to develop curious, inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who will be responsible for creating a compassionate and more peaceful world.  Our International Baccalaureate, Primary Years Programme is an engaging and stimulating curriculum that prepares our students to meet tomorrow’s challenges. The programme is part of our mission to impassion students to be internationally minded with an understanding of their responsibilities to themselves, to others and to the world.

Holy Week and Easter

In some ways it is hard to believe that next week we will be focus on the significant events of Holy Week and concluding Term 1 on Thursday.  We will also be publishing on this day our Inspiring Connections Edition for the term, which is always a wonderful sharing of all the incredible learning that has been happening across our school and ELC in the nine weeks of term 1.  

Holy Week prayer celebrations are as as follows: 

• Monday 29th of March: 2:30pm, Palm Sunday Prayer Celebration, 1G (Hall)
• Wednesday 31st of March: 2:00pm The last Supper 2W, followed by Good Friday, 5 /6 G (Hall & Church)
• Thursday 1st of April: 2:30pm Easter Sunday Prayer Celebration, 1W (Hall)

Please note that we are still asking only parents of the class facilitating each prayer celebration to come, signing in at the front office with the check In Canberra App. 

Pupil Free Days 

You may have noticed, when checking the school calendar, that there are two pupil free days scheduled this year – this means that staff attend but students do not. Both days have been added to the school holidays following Term 1 and Term 2. The first falls on Monday 19 April and the second falls on Monday 12 July. These days have been allocated by the Catholic Education Directorate to allow staff to engage in professional learning corresponding to a new system wide initiative called Catalyst that will be rolled out over the next 3 years. Catalyst empowers teachers with evidence-based professional learning in High Impact Teaching Practice,  quality curriculum resources and in-classroom coaching and mentoring.  Time will also be given on these two days to focus on our school wide Word Inquiry and continued PYP professional learning.

Cross Country Schedule for tomorrow

The students are asked to please wear their School sport uniform with their House colour shirt. They must bring a water bottle (with their name on it) and have on their broad brim hat.

An approximate timetable for the middle session of the day is:

• 11:45pm –  Assemble on the oval in House Groups
• 11:55pm –  7/8 yrs (Yr 2) (1000m) – Up the hill and back down
• 12:05pm –  Year 1 – Around the footpath
• 12:15pm –  9 yrs (1500m) – Up the hill and down and around the footpath
• 12:25pm –  Kindergarten – Around the footpath
• 12:35pm –  11/12 yrs (3000m) - Up the hill and down and around the footpath (entire course x2)
• 12:45pm –  10 yrs (2000m) – Up the hill and down and around the footpath (footpath x 2)
• 1:00pm   –  Preschoolers – Half a lap of the bottom loop
• 1:20pm   –  All students will receive a icy pole up the top under the shade cloth.

Parent Meeting re Coeducation at Holy Trinity

Further to my letter sent last week, about the benefits of coeducation at Holy Trinity, I would now like to invite any parent of Holy Trinity students to a meeting to discuss this.

The meeting will be held at Holy Trinity in the school hall on Wednesday night the 21^st of April from 7pm. During this evening, we will be exploring the many reasons why Holy Trinity is an excellent educational choice for both girls and boys, ELC to Year 6, and we will have some testimonials from ex-students. Opportunity will also be given to ask questions and have an open discussion together.

Please click here to RSVP if you wish to attend this evening.

Please continue to keep all our Reconciliation Candidates in your prayers as they begin receiving the Sacrament from this weekend. 

With every best wish for a holy and happy Easter and a restful break with your beautiful families.  

Philippa

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Last Friday, our Year 3 students enjoyed a wonderful Reconciliation Retreat Day and this weekend the first of our students will make their First Reconciliation. May we please keep our Year 3 students who are making the Sacrament of Reconciliation in our prayers over the next couple of weeks.

A big thank you to the Year 3/4 teachers: Caitlin, Rose, Ben and Lisa for all of their hard work and dedication in preparing our students. 

Holy Week Prayer Celebrations

Due to COVID Restrictions - we are only able to invite the parents of the class presenting to attend our Holy Week Prayer Celebrations. Please sign in at the Front Office or Church via the Canberra Check In App. 

Harmony Day

On Tuesday, we celebrated Harmony Day at Holy Trinity! Students came to school dressed in thier traditional dress or wore the colour orange. 

Easter Raffle

Tickets are now on sale for out Easter Raffle! Thank you to our Year 3/4 families for donating Easter Eggs! 

School Holiday Program

The ELC will run a School Holiday Program (SHP) from 6-16 April for preschool, Kinder and Year 1 children. The program will run daily from 8am-5.45pm. The cost of the program is $85 a day (less any CCS) bookings can be made on our link here.

Term Two - Pupil Free Day

Catholic Education has set aside two dates for systemic staff professional learning; the first day of Term 2 & 3.

The ELC will extend the School Holiday Program to include this date, MONDAY 19 April. If you would like to book your child into the ELC for the holiday care program, please email the ELC directly elc.holytrinity@cg.catholic.edu.au with your request.

The ELC will open from 8am-5.45pm, the day will cost $85 (less any CCS).

Stay and Play

Playgroup for pre-preschoolers and their families. Wednesday mornings from 9am-10.00am in the ELC Playground (weather permitting). Parents, grandparents, carers and children are all very welcome. Please sign in using the Check in CBR app.

Managing anxiety before it becomes a problem

The president of Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA) recently highlighted the enormity of the anxiety problem that children are facing. A survey of primary schools across Australia conducted by the APPA showed that 80% of school leaders regard anxiety as a significant issue for children.

Research shows that childhood anxiety left unmanaged will almost certainly re emerge, highlighting the importance of early detection and management of anxiety. Parents, as first responders, play an important role by minimising the impact of stressful moments before they lead to full-blown anxiety. Here’s how they can help.

Recognise anxiety triggers

Recognising the events that trigger anxiety is the first step in helping a child to manage their stress. Rapid or unpredictable change, new social situations, unfamiliar events and difficult experiences are the most common anxiety stressors for kids.

Know how it shows

Stress and anxiety show in many ways however most children display anxiety behaviours that are unique to them. Typically, anxiety shows through physical signs such as chest pains, nausea and headaches. Anxiety can be observed through behavioural clues such as avoidance of activities, aggression, concentration difficulties and constant fiddling and movement. Worrying, overthinking and catastrophising are also common in children who experience anxiety. Knowing how anxiety shows in your child will alert you to respond appropriately with support and understanding.

Give kids tools to manage their states

Once anxiety is experienced it never truly disappears. It’s always there in the background. Anxiety needs managing so kids can get on with their lives rather than become overwhelmed by stress and worry. Providing children with tools to manage their thinking, emotional and physical states prevents anxiety from becoming debilitating. Management tools such as deep breathing, mindfulness and exercise as well as techniques to help kids distance themselves from their anxiety-inducing thoughts help them minimise the impact of stress.

Help them understand how anxiety works

Children who understand what happens in their brains and bodies when they are stressed are better able to manage their anxious states. Providing children with a thorough knowledge of how anxiety works and how it shows empowers them to push their worries into the background while they get on with their lives. Managing anxiety takes practice, but it’s absolutely essential if children are to flourish rather than become overwhelmed by stress and worry.

In closing

Stress and anxiety have accelerated with the impact of the pandemic. The growing rate of anxiety is no one’s fault, however it does mean that parents need to become more knowledgeable about how anxiety works, how it shows and how you can help your children.

(Source: Parentingideas.com.au)

SMART Watches and Phones

We have noticed an increase in Smart Watches in the classroom and would like to outline the importance of having focused students at school. These devices are treated the same as phones at school when messages are sent to them. If text messages are received on smart watches, then children are required to leave them in their school bag. Messages for students can be received via the front office. We want to ensure that students are not being distracted from their learning during class by text messages and other notifications. As a school, we also want to be able to guide and support students in being able to solve problems with the support of peers and school staff whilst on the premises.

If your child contacts you during school hours please remind them of the appropriate method of communication. As indicated in our ICT Agreement, messaging during school hours may result in the loss of rights to use technology at school.

Thank you for your support,

ICT Coordinators

Camille Gerbich and Campbell Sloane

One week to go!

Want to take the stress out of organising your children’s birthday party. Then make sure you have tickets in the school’s major raffle.

Five lucky winners will choice from options like a movie party at Limelight Cinema, Nerf Battle party at Weston Indoor Sports, Potions class at Quizzic Alley or Teepee Sleepover party by Tiny Creatures & Co.

The prizes are suitable for both primary and high school children, and can be redeems until June 2022. The drawn will take place the first week of term three.

Please continue to promote the raffle as there is one week of ticket sales left.

All raffle booklets must be returned to your class room teacher by next Thursday 1 April 2021.

The Parents and friends committee appreciate your support in achieving our fundraising goals and helping to provide resources for the school.

Good luck.

Rowena Gribble

P&F Fundraising Coordinator

As previously advertised, we are still looking for volunteers for vacuuming.  It is really effective to be able to have at least teams of 4 people to make the job easier.  if we are unable to get more volunteers, we may need to go to a fortnightly roster, or engage the school cleaner, which raises school costs. 

Please click here to volunteer for school vacuuming. Otherwise you can send me an SMS on 0407519473

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 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 keep your eye out for the online volunteer form.

Thanks,

Paul Osborne

(Vacuum Coordinator and Year 5 Dad.)

Hot Cross Buns

To order your Hot Cross Buns please scan the QR code below or go The Knox website. 

Bookfair

Merici College Open Day

Holiday Happenings

Kids Biz OSHC - Deakin

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