May the God of creation warm your heart like the campfires of old. 
Bring wisdom and peace as shown to the first peoples of this land. 
Shake off the dust from the desert plains by the refreshing rains
followed by the glow and warmth of the sun. 
Let the light of God show us the right path and stand tall like the big river gums drawing life from the ever flowing waters. 
(Source: Uncle Vince Ross)

To the Community of Holy Trinity School,

Yuma.

A very warm welcome back to Term 3 to all our families, and a particular welcome to the Morales Restrepo (Maria 5R) and Samdrup (Jigme 34B) families who are new to Holy Trinity this term.

We had very much hoped that Term 3 would see ALL school events back in full swing, as well as parents back in the school building, we now unfortunately find ourselves bracing for another challenging term.

As outlined in a COMPASS message sent on Monday, this term has begun with a detailed updated CECG COVID-19 Management Plan. This plan is based on ACT Health's prediction that the number of COVID and flu cases will significantly increase over the next few weeks. This in turn may cause a possible impact on staff availability and school operations. 

Key Details include:

• Continuation of COVID safe practices including maintaining good hygiene practices and staying home when sick/unwell.
• Reporting to the school if a student is COVID positive. Email katie.smith@cg.catholic.edu.au
• Close/household contacts do not have to quarantine if they have no COVID-19 symptoms but will need to comply with the following requirements for seven days from the first time the first person in the household test positive
  • Advise ACT Health
  • Students study from home, where is practical to do so
  • Parent/carers notify the school of their child being a household contact (email - katie.smith@cg.catholic.edu.au )
  • If it is NOT practical to study from home, students MUST undertake COVID-19 testing and return a negative result in the 24 hours prior to returning to school and then every 48 hours if ongoing attendance is required.
  • If a positive result is returned, the person must immediately comply with requirements for people who test positive for COVID-19
• Any school activity such as Overnight camps, Local (day) excursions and external sport carnivals should not proceed until further notice.
• All parent meetings should be remote; if occurring outside of school hours, parents may attend on site, by exception.
• Parents/carers are unable to enter the school building (unless by appointment, preferably out of school hours).  This includes the front foyer/front office area. 
• School canteen and uniform shop will still operate with COVID safety business checklist in place.
• Rapid antigen tests are available for distribution as needed (please email the office).

ACT CECG COVID Plan Term 3 2022

We will communicate when / if a significant numbers of COVID cases are recorded in our school community.  Should the need arise for any school closure during the term, we will endeavour to give parents/ carers reasonable notice. 

Despite all of this, Term 3 promises to be another productive term filled with opportunity, growth and challenges for all our learners.

Please do not hestitate to contact me if you require any further information or support. 

Wishing you a safe and peacefilled week ahead. 

Katie 

Sacrament of First Eucharist

The Sacrament of First Eucharist will be celebrated in our Parish this Term. Children who have already celebrated their First Reconciliation may be enrolled.

To enrol your child, please

1. Download the Qkr! App
2. Search for ‘Woden North Transfiguration Parish’
3. Click on ‘Parish Payments and Sacraments’
4. At the top, Click on ‘Sacrament’
5. Then select ‘First Eucharist’
6. Fill out the Enrolment form and pay the $40 (This helps to defray the cost of a workbook, commemorative certificate, medal and administrative costs. If you have difficulty meeting the offering, please contact the parish office for a confidential discussion.)

Why a Family-Based Program?

The Parish Family-Based program affirms the participation of parents in their child’s faith journey with the prayerful support of the Parish community. The program compliments but does not replace the religious instruction given at Catholic schools or through a School of Religion. Parents have found the program to be a graced time with their child and that has made the celebration of the sacrament all the more meaningful.

Hosting a Family Group

The program is dependent on the generosity of some parents to host or to co-host a family group. A ‘Host Nomination’ form is enclosed for your consideration. The role of a host is not difficult, with session notes provided. N.B. Hosts will be required to attend an Information Session via Zoom 5.30pm, Tuesday, 26 July followed by the Parent Information Night via Zoom at 6.00pm.

All hosts must have, or have applied for, a Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) card. There is no cost involved in applying for a WWVP card for volunteers. Further information as to how to apply for a WWVP card is found on the ‘Host Nomination’ form.

What does the program involve?

The program includes:

• An Information Night for hosts of a family group via Zoom at 5.30pm, Tuesday, 26 July.
• An Introductory Night for parents to receive an overview of the family sessions via Zoom at 6.00pm, Tuesday, 26 July.
• Four family group meetings for parents and children following the Introduction Night.
• Presentation Mass. Each family to attend one of the following: Saturday 27 August 6pm or Sunday 28 August 9.30am at Holy Trinity Church, Curtin.

At the Introductory Night, you will receive notification of meeting options for home groups and you will be asked to nominate your preference.

Celebration of First Eucharist

You will need to nominate a weekend Mass (Sat. 6pm, Sun. 9.30am or Sun. 5.30pm) on the weekend of 17-18th of September for the celebration. There will be a limited number of seats available for candidates, their families and guests, mindful of the need to accommodate other parishioners at each of these Masses. This will be further explained at the Parent Introductory Night.

What next?

If you would like your child to celebrate First Eucharist this year, you must register via the Qkr. Meanwhile, enquiries can be directed to the Parish Office (6281 3999 / wodennorth@cg.org.au ).

Emily Capper

Religious Education Coordinator

Adventure Garden and Deck 

The school holidays saw the finishing touches of the new ELC Adventure Garden and deck expansion, which is now complete. It is AMAZING. The preschoolers and our Before and After School Care children are thoroughly engaged in exploring the new environment; fort, cubby, sandpit, slide and gardens. The additional space for ball games and movement is most welcome. The deck area provides a welcoming outdoor 'classroom' space and seamless transition from our indoor space.

The ELC acknowledges the generosity of Mons. John Woods and the Parish of the Transfiguration for the acquisition of the Parish land. This has doubled the usable outside play space. Mons. John has also had to endure to noise and dirt of a build so close to the church building and his residence. It is a very practical example of the positive relationship that exists between the Parish and School and we are grateful.

Huge thanks to Johnny Noja and the team from Able Constructions for managing the Adventure Garden build sensitive to the needs of a fully operational ELC. Thanks to Leigh and the team from Complete Construction for their kindness in answering the endless questions and stares from their preschool supervisors.

Before and After School Care

The ELC currently has available places in the Preschool Plus/Before School Care and After School Care programs. If you would like to enrol your child please email elc.holytrinity@cg.catholic.edu.au for an enrolment pack.

Stay and Play

Due to the updated Covid Road Map for Term 3 and restrictions on visitors, Stay and Play will be postponed until Term 4.

HATS

Hats are required to be worn from 1 August as per our Sun Protection Policy.

Here at Holy Trinity, we are committed to working together in partnership with parents, teachers, and community members, to create an educational experience that fosters, strengthens, and enhances a variety of learning experiences for your child. 

Throughout the years gone by we have held numerous Parent Information Sessions. These sessions have been designed to support the journey of parents/ carers as they negotiate the education of their child. As we continue to navigate this ‘new covid norm’ we are excited to launch a new initiative SHINE (sending home information and news about education).

Commencing in week 2 and every even week following, our traditional newsletter will shift its focus to be a platform where we communciate news about education issues / concepts aimed at supporting you and your family in the journey of your child’s education.

This platform will give us a new and long-awaited opportunity to reconnect with our parent community by sharing strategies and suggestions for how parents/carers can further assist their child/ren at home.

Look out for next week's first edition of SHINE. 

The End of May spells Hats Off Day for ACT primary schools. From the Beginning of August is Hats On Again For All Of Us as UV levels start to rise again in Canberra putting sensible sun protection behaviour back on the radar.

Read more about UV exposure and the healthy balance for Vitamin D benefits here.

Sydney Academy of Chess is looking at running chess coaching at our school this Term. This class will run one lunchtime per week from 11.00am – 11.45am for any student in Year 1-6. 

If you are interested in your child taking part in this activity, please fill in the online expression of interest form which can be found at https://sydneyacademyofchess.com.au/eoi

Thanks and regards, Canberra Academy of Chess & Sydney Academy of Chess

In line with the Term 3 Roadmap distributed this week, the Uniform Shop will continue to operate for deliver-to-classroom (D2C) orders and in-store shopping.

We ask that families utilise the D2C option where possible to minimise movement in and around the school. Please note that Qkr! will only display two weeks worth of dates due to a system technical limitation. If all dates are greyed out, please try again the following week. 

Unfortunately we are unable to offer second hand items as part of the D2C service and families will need to come and visit our friendly volunteers during our opening times to purchase these.

As part of our COVID-19 safety protocols, where families are shopping in-store, we ask that family members (over 12) consider wearing a mask, in line with health guidance, and family groups continue to socially distance from other family groups. 

It is expected that this peak, overlayed with the flu season could extend into October. As such we ask that families consider their summer uniform requirements and place these orders as early as possible to minimise any impacts and delays. 

Size 8 green jumpers have arrived today. All other items are in stock and available to order. 

As mentioned in a recent Compass notification the opening times for the Uniform Shop have changed for Term 3. Opening dates/times and order cut off times are listed below.

As always, please reach out if you have any urgent uniform needs and we will work with you to ensure these needs are met. 

Katie (Hugh Y1G and Hannah ELC Black Cockatoos) and Ginny (Evelyn Y1G)

Uniform Shop Coordinators

holytrinityuniformshop@gmail.com