We have a call,

To be loved

and to love,

To be shown mercy, and to show mercy,

To be forgiven,

and to forgive,

To receive hope,

and to offer hope,

To know joy,

and to share joy,

To feel peace

and bring peace,

To be made whole

and offer wholeness.

We have a call,

Listen...

Listen...

Do you hear? 

Dear Friends,

The above prayer was shared with all Principals in our Diocese at our annual Retreat last week.  We focussed on the the theme of "In the Image of God", and were reminded to be mindful that we are all God's very own, made by God to be with God and for God.  Each one of us, uniquely made.  We also spent a day together in professional learning with our Director Ross Fox, where the new Catholicc Education Strategic plan was presented and discussed.   

This week we have begun NAPLAN testing across our Year 3 and 5 classes. It is important to remember that while the NAPLAN test provides a snapshot of our  students' learning, it should not be the sole measure of their progress. We use a range of other assessment strategies throughout the year to provide a holistic view of your child’s learning progress. For parents/carers of children in Year 3 and 5, please encourage your child to do their best on the day of the test, but also remind them that they should not feel excessively anxious or stressed about it. We want our students to approach the NAPLAN test with a positive and confident attitude.  We wish all of our students the very best of luck for the NAPLAN test, and look forward to sharing the results with you later in the year.

As a write this newsletter, I have just come back from attending the Year 6 Camp at Jindabyne.  This has been a fabulous three days with our Year 6 leaders who have enjoyed some adventures, risk taking, challenges and fun together.  I am sure they will have lots of interesting recounts over the last few days, especially the hike on the top of Mt Kosciusko!   A HUGE thank you to Stephanie L, Lisa B-W, Tom O'R and Prue S who organised and assisted the students through this educational experience at the Sport and Recreation Centre. 

Year 6 Camp 

Last week 2 Red shared some great learning from the first half of this term as follows:

We have been learning about our identity and how being unique is something to celebrate. Our differences make us interesting. 

We are all different in the way we look, the things we like, the way we play and the gifts we have.

When creating our Essential Agreement, we looked closely at the Learner Profiles to see how we could make our classroom a special place to learn and have fun. 

• Risk-takers try new things; they face their challenges, they are brave.
• Caring people help others, they make others happy.
• Communicators talk confidently with others, they share their ideas in many ways. 
• Thinkers try to solve problems and they learn from their mistakes. 
• Principled people try to do what is right. They are honest and fair. 
• Balanced people are healthy, sporty and have fun learning. 
• Open-minded people listen to others and they are happy to learn from others. 

We are all unique when we work together, we make an amazing team.  

Last Friday, Year 4 also shared with their parents, great learning from their first Unit of Inquiry, exploring many functions of the human body, as complicated machines. 

And some exciting news to finish-Last night the ACEL (Australian council for Educational Leaders) awarded the  Trish Wilks Award for Collaborative Practice to Tom O'Rourke, our new PYP Coordinator and Year 6 teachers.  Tom and two of his Year 2 colleagues from 2022 were awarded this great honour and we congratulate Tom for this achievement. 

Harmony Day

Next Monday, 20th March, Holy Trinity will celebrate Harmony Day. Students are welcome to come dressed in their traditional dress or wear the colour orange.

Year 4 Green will present our Harmony Day Prayer Celebration at 9:15am.

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, 31st March. Your child will be able to place their Easter donation into their class donation basket.

Thank you in advance for your donations and generosity.

Reconciliation Retreat

Next Friday, all students in Year 3 will partake in our Reconciliation Retreat Day with Sts Peter and Paul. Year 3 students are welcome to wear free dress and will need to pack their lunch. Please no lunch orders as we will be having lunch at different times.

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, either casually or permanently, please email elc.holytrinity@cg.catholic.edu.au.

Stay and Play

Stay and Play is a playgroup for pre-preschoolers and their carer each Wednesday in school term 9am-10am in the ELC Adventure Garden (weather permitting). All families and the broader community are welcome to attend.

The Holy Trinity Community express our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Ngunnawal Elder Aunty Agnes Shea. Her leadership and kindness were a great asset to the Canberra community and will be greatly missed.

Acknowledgement of Country

An Acknowledgement of Country is an opportunity for anyone to show respect for Traditional Owners and the continuing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Country.

Each day at Holy Trinity, we have an acknowledgement of country in Ngunnawal language at morning prayer and messages. 

First Nation's Family Breakfast

Holy Trinity Choir practices began last Thursday at lunchtime. At present the choir is working towards a performance with other Catholic Primary schools called the ‘BIG SING’.  The Big Sing will take place on May 24^th at Mother Teresa Primary School. We are all very excited about the performance as it has been cancelled for the last few years due to Covid. We are working on several songs including 2 songs from Matilda the Musical. Students from Years 3 – 6 are welcome to join the choir. Just come along to the hall on Thursday at lunchtime to join.  

Mrs Groom and Mrs White

Camps are an integral part of our teaching and learning program. They provide an important opportunity for our learners to experience personal growth, build friendships, and engage in hands-on learning. These transformative events play a crucial role in the lives of our students, acting as a rite of passage that fosters independence, resilience, and self-discovery.

A recent article by Happy Families highlights the importance of rites of passage in the lives of young people. Students can develop a strong sense of belonging by participating in such events, building meaningful relationships, and cultivating their unique potential.

At Holy Trinity, we recognize the value of camps to help our learners step outside their comfort zones through various activities and challenges and learn to work as a team. They also have the chance to reflect on their strengths and weaknesses, helping them grow emotionally and socially. Additionally, camps contribute to creating healthy communities by teaching essential life skills such as problem-solving, communication, and leadership. These skills not only benefit the students themselves but also have a positive impact on their families, peers, and the broader community.

You can check out the article by Happy Families here and explore other rites of passage and their potential to foster positive social and emotional outcomes.