Dear Friends,

Today as Remembrance Day, we commemorate the end of World War 1 and honour all those who have served in both war and peace keeping missions throughout the world.  Our school community shared together a prayer celebration lead by our Christian Outreach Group, via the PA,  and power point display in each classroom.  We also created wreaths and poppies displayed under our flagpoles and in our front garden. 

Last Friday we celebrated the achievements of our Week 5 Term 4 Awards winners and also finally gave our Term 3 awards to each of the recipients.  Congratulations to all! 

Awards 

Thank you to families who have let me know if their circumstances are changing next year and they no longer need enrolment at Holy Trinity. We are now fully into the process of formulating our class lists for 2022.  Next week we will also be conducting interviews for some temporary staffing positions in 2022 and then I will be able to finalise teacher placements with grades.  In the last five years our enrolments have steadily increased, with the retainment of boys as a contributing  factor. This has enabled our class sizes in Year 5 and 6 to increase with both boys and girls.  Thus after consultation with the staff and our School Board (please see Scott's report of this meeting below)  we have decided to have two Year 5 classes and two Year 6 classes in 2022 and beyond. Next year we will continue with multi-aging in Year 3 and 4, however will look at the possibility of straight Year 3 and 4 classes after this, once our building Projects are completed and we have more learning spaces.

We are very excited, after much delay, to have Pier Projects about to commence the Stage 1 building works in the annex.  We have also been given another building  grant to enable the second stage of our planning to commence some time in 2022, (straight after stage 1)  with a fifth classroom to be extended at the top of the annex.  This area will  include a break out space and internal stairs and lift to the new bottom classroom in the annex. 

Thank you to our families who have liked and shared our new school Facebook page!  We will be posting about our Remembrance Day prayer celebration soon!

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HOLY TRINITY PRIMARY SCHOOL AND ELC CURTIN

Enjoy a relaxing weekend with your loved ones, after a few busy weeks transitioning back to school learning. Please do not hesitate to reach out for anything at all and continue to stay safe. 

Warmest wishes,

Philippa 

Dear Friends,

As this is my first contribution since our children returned to school from lockdown, I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge and thank everyone who contributed to our children’s remote learning over recent months. To our students, I commend you on your commitment to your studies, your engagement with learning activities and your determination to remain connected with your friends and teachers. To our parents, thank you for everything you did to support your children’s learning journeys during the lockdown period. I know that this wasn’t easy and that many families made significant sacrifices and stretched themselves to ensure that their children were supported and that other work and family commitments were maintained. And to our school staff, our sincere thanks for your dedication and commitment to all students during this period. I am sure that our school community recognises that your workload was significantly increased by having to deliver learning programs virtually, and greatly appreciated the efforts you put into the learning tasks and feedback you gave. I know that for many of you, this created difficulties supporting your own children’s learning. Please know that we are very grateful for all you did.

Return to school

I have to say, it was with much excitement that we learned of our return to school campus a few weeks ago (and it was not just the students who were thrilled to hear the news!). It is great to have our children back as school, reconnecting with their friends and teachers, resuming face-to-face learning and restoring a degree of normality in their lives. I know that the news this week of what has been happening across other Canberra schools has been unsettling and I would like to encourage all members of our school community to please respect and follow all the protocols in place to keep our school community as safe from COVID as possible. In particular, please remain vigilant and keep children who are unwell home and have them tested if they are symptomatic.

Board matters

On behalf of the Board I am pleased to report that Holy Trinity continues to be in a very good position financially, educationally and spiritually, and our enrolments remain very strong at all year levels, heading into 2022.

Building and facilities updates

Not unexpectedly, the building work associated with the new classrooms has been delayed by lockdowns. However, in better news, the building work for this project should commence in the next few weeks and the new facilities be ready for student use late in 2022. Similarly, the new playground plans for the ELC have been delayed, with work expecting to commence in Term 1 2022. Some other works in the ELC, such as the deck and bi-fold doors will continue and should be completed before the playground work commences.

Board membership

It is with some sadness that I let you know that two of our Board members are retiring from their roles: Board Secretary, Penny O’Connell and Parent Representative Jan Ridd. I would like to acknowledge the wonderful commitment that both Penny and Jan have made to the committee, Penny during 2021 and Jan over a number of years. Thank you for your significant contributions to our school community.

We are very pleased to announce that we have four new Board members that will be joining us in February.  Congratulations and thank you to Jane Baseby, Josh Hogan, Michelle Cains and Cath Day for your willingness to use your expertise and time for our school community.

Last newsletter for the year

Given that this will be my last contribution to the school newsletter this year, I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge and thank everyone who contributed to the learning and success of our school during 2021. Thank you especially to all our amazing, caring school staff; our outstanding school leadership group; and all the parents who have volunteered and contributed to Holy Trinity. Thank you also to my colleagues on the School Board and P&F who work to contribute to the betterment and progress of our school community. All the very best to our departing students and families – our very best wishes go with you for all that lies ahead. And thank you to everyone who extended generosity and kindness to other members of our community during a very difficult 2021; I know how much of a difference this made.

Scott

Remembrance Day

Today in our own classrooms we commemorated Remembrance Day. Although we were not able to gather together as a school community, we still would like to thank our current serving and ex serving Defence Force members within our Holy Trinity Community and thank them for their dedication in keeping us safe. 

First Eucharist

Due to Covid, our Year 4 students were unable to celebrate the Sacrament of Eucharist last term. Over the next 3 months, students will be celebrating their First Eucharist with their families and our Parish Community. To our year 4 students, may Jesus come to bless you on your First Communion Day. May you feel His loving presence in a very special way. And as you strive to follow in His footsteps may He bless your life with many graces.

School Mass

Tomorrow the Parish of Transfiguration will live stream a Mass led by Father John for the students at Holy Trinity and Saints Peter and Paul. It will be lovely to connect virtually with our sister school again this term! 

L'Arche

We will be holding our L'Arche Summer Fundraiser on Friday 3rd December (Week 9)

Students are invited to wear a Hawaiian Shirt and bring in a GOLD COIN donation. During lunch we will have a disco outside and enjoy an ice block together!

Remembrance Day

The ELC joined the school community in a Remembrance day liturgy (from classrooms). Many children in the ELC community have a parent, parents or grandparents serve in the Australian Defence Force so it was a meaningful and reverant liturgy. The children then placed poppies they had made in the garden.

Before and After School Care in the ELC 2022

The ELC is now taking bookings for Before School Care (BSC) and After School Care (ASC) programs for 2022. Places are limited and are open to children in Kinder and Year One. The ELC program provides individualised care and a safe environment, promoting agency and is based on the needs and interests of the children. It also offers a variety of learning, relaxing, recreational and sporting activities. The programs are an excellent way to transition to the Primary School. Children enrolled in the BSC and ASC program are assured of a placed in the onsite ELC school holiday program. Please click here for an enrolment form and click here for the ELC Handbook

The ELC currently has places; casual or permanent, in both the BSC and ASC programs. Please contact the ELC office elc.holytrinity@cg.catholic.edu.au for your booking needs.

Respond honestly to dishonesty