Dear Lord,

As we step into a new academic year, restore our Spirit, renew our passion for sharing your wisdom and nurture our compassion for those in our care.  Open our minds and hearts to the Good news of justice and peace. Help us listen to the Wisdom that calls us to the Kingdom of God. 

Holy Trinity, Hear our prayer. 

Dear Friends,

Welcome back to Holy Trinity for 2020!!  It has been a wonderful start to the year, especially welcoming so many new students, families and staff.  There is a lovely feel and exciting buzz around the school, with everyone settling in well.  This is particularly important after such a challenging and disruptive holiday break with so much tragedy and sadness.  We as a community continue to prayer for those lives who have been horrifically affected by tragedy during the break and also give thanks for how the worst of nature has brought out the best in humanity. We also pray for the Spry family in our ELC (Vinnie)  who tragically lost their dad, Simeon, over the Christmas break and for other families who have experienced loss and great sadness leading into the new school year. 

Fr John has written a very pertinent article in this month's "Catholic Voice", emphasising that Catholic Schools further the mission of the Church and thus , the mission of Jesus: 

 "Catholic schools are evangelising communities, founded on Jesus Christ, where faith and a way of life in a Catholic ethos are proclaimed and experienced in the pursuit of educational excellence for the fostering of 'integral human development.'" 

Holy Trinity will continue throughout 2020 to ensure our students are given every opportunity in a nurturing Catholic community to be the best they can be, whilst enabling learning experiences to enhance progress and strive for excellence. 

Holy Trinity's strategic goals for 2020 and beyond are as follows: 

• Improve student outcomes through the  effective evidencing of learning
• Empower students to be actively engaged in learning
• Increase student agency to foster life-long learners

These goals will be further explained at our Parent Information Night next Friday night 14th of February, beginning in the school hall at 5:30pm.  Please note Kinder parents will meet at 5pm in the Kinder classrooms before joining the rest of the community in the Hall. Staff for 2020 will be introduced, the P and F president, Cath Day, and the School Board Chair, Scott Pearsall will address our community and I will elaborate on the above strategic plan and other initiatives for 2020 and beyond.  Child minding will be  provided for ELC families, and all other children are invited to join us in the hall.  The night will conclude with a Welcome BBQ, hosted by the P and F at 6:30pm. 

Safety for our students remains an important focus, with continual monitoring of air quality and of course, bush fire preparation.  Our school has prepared a bush fire readiness evacuation plan and an air quality incident action plan, of which all staff are aware of, and which will be discussed with our students.  

There has been a few projects happening around our school during the Christmas break (some still continuing) including the following:

• New artwork displayed outside the ELC entrance
• Refurbishment in the 5 /6 area to allow for another classroom, due to increased enrolments
• redesigning of a section of the courtyard area, to allow for an effective outdoor learning space for all students (donated by the P and F and a community grant 2019) 
• Minor works in the tuckshop to allow for a new initiative to begin in the following weeks (will be further discussed st the Parent Information Night)
• Car park works

I have had a great deal of positive feed back in regards to the resealing and marking of the car park.  This project has also included a new drop off and pick up zone, to separate cars parking and reversing out from the area where children are being dropped off or collected.  Currently there are temporary bollards in place until the permanent ones arrive and we are still waiting on some signage.  A new concrete path has also been placed on the ring road to enable families to safely move to Theodore st.  Please ensure you are not using the sloped garden area to access this street. When driving into the drop off and pick up zone, can I please ask that cars use the left lane, which allows space in the right lane to move over  into when leaving, if cars ahead need to stop for a moment. 

You will notice in this first newsletter edition, that there are no weekly awards winners published. This is because we will  be instigating a new awards system this year, based on continual feedback from parents, staff and students.  We will be having an awards assembly in Week 5 and 10 of each term-  this will be further explained at the Parent Information night next week. 

On Saturday evening at the 6pm Mass, Fr John will be commissioning our school staff for 2020.  It is an absolute privilege working with the staff at Holy Trinity.  They have been working tirelessly to ensure  your children's start to the 2020 school year has been successful.  All parents will have an opportunity to speak with each class teacher over the coming weeks at a Parent Partnership Meeting and information about this will be given out at the information night, along with curriculum overviews for Term 1 and other information pertinent to each class. 

With every best wish for a holy and peace-filled week ahead with your beautiful families,

Philippa

Welcome!

Welcome to another wonderful year at Holy Trinity Primary School, and to all new families, a very warm welcome to what I’m sure you will see is a beautiful community to belong to.

Staff Spirituality

On Thursday 30^th – Friday 31^st January, the Staff of Holy Trinity Primary School and Saints Peter and Paul Primary School gathered together for a Staff Spirituality Retreat at Greenhills Conference Centre. The staff spent the retreat unpacking our Scriptural theme for 2020 which is “On this rock I will build my church” Mt 16:18. We discussed how this theme can guide us throughout the year, as we unite our two schools from the Transfiguration Parish.

Opening School Mass Leadership Ceremony 

On Tuesday 11th February at 9:30am, we will be celebrating our Opening School Mass for 2020. All classes will be attending Mass, and all parents and carers are warmly invited to attend. 

Grace Youth Minister

We are very excited to welcome our Youth Minster for 2020 Grace Lustri. Grace will be with us each Thursday and will assit in establishing our Youth Ministry team this year and support students throughout the Sacraments. Welcome Grace!

Hello Holy Trinity Primary community,

I am your new 2020 Youth Minister! My name is Grace, I graduated from St Clare's College in 2017 where I was the Music Ministry leader. I not only found a love for sharing my faith during college but doing so through music. After finishing Year 12 I started working in Before and After School Care.

Now I am excited to take on this new role working for CSYMA (Catholic Schools Youth Ministry Australia). This program started in Catholic high schools and has had a significant impact on the lives of so many students (myself included) so it has now been introduced to primary schools too!

For me, joining a youth ministry team at such a fragile time in my teenage years, not only gave me the love and support I needed but was influencial in growing my faith as a young person in this modern society and helping me to find the strength and hope in something beyond myself, God.

My goal this year is to build relationships with students, not just to be a mentor but a friend like Jesus was and hopefully share my faith journey and encourage them in theirs.

I will be working with your Religion Coordinator Emily Capper and our Parish Priest Father John this year on sacramental preparation, spiritual retreat days and our Year 5/6 Youth Ministry Team! This group will be held on Thursdays at lunchtimes and all are welcome. You'll also see me around the school on Thursday assisting teachers in religion lessons and prayer time.

I look forward to meeting all the students and families!

God bless,
Grace 

Class Masses Term 1

Each term, every class will attend Mass with the Parish. You are very welcome to join your child's class. Please see dates below:

Upcoming Dates

Week 2:

• Monday 2:30pm – Prayer Celebration: Whole School Theme
• Tuesday 9:30am – Mass: Opening School Mass

Week 4:

• Monday 2:30pm - Prayer Celebration: Lent - 3/4G
• Tuesday 6pm – Reconciliation PIN

Parent Information Night (PIN) & Welcome BBQ

ELC families are warmly invited to the Holy Trinity Parent Information Night on Friday 14 February at 5.30pm. The ELC staff will provide child minding in the ELC from 5.15pm to enable families to attend the PIN in the School Hall. Please stay afterwards for a BBQ hosted by the P&F, for an opportunity to meet other families and build community.

Parent Coordinators

Each of our three preschool classes are seeking Parent Coordinators to facilitate practical and social events for the class families. The class coordinator receives support from our P&F coordinator of coordinators (yes, that is a true role!). If you are interested in being involved, please contact the ELC office. elc.holytiinty@cg.catholic.edu.au

Stay and Play

Playgroup for pre-preschoolers and their families. Wednesday mornings from 9am-10.30am in the ELC Playground (weather permitting). Parents, grandparents, carers and children are all very welcome.

Before School Care (BSC) and After School Care (ASC) in the ELC

The ELC offers permanent and casual bookings for both BSC and ASC for preschoolers, Kinder's and Year 1 students. Contact the ELC for an enrolment form and availability.

Please note that the ELC closes at 5.45pm.

Welcome preschoolers of 2020!

Our new preschoolers have had an amazing start to their school life. The children have settled quickly into their new classrooms, teachers, friends and routines. We are so proud of them. Congratulations to mums and dads for preparing your children so beautifully for school.

Dear Parents and Carers,

My name is Kate Dean and I am a Student and Family Counsellor with CatholicCare Canberra and Goulburn and I am excited to be working at Holy Trinity in 2020. I will be at the school every second Tuesday on even weeks and half days on some Wednesdays.

My role is to support the emotional and social wellbeing of students and their families. As a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers I offer a professional service and I provide safe space to talk about any issues your child is experiencing. Please feel free to contact me through the school office if you have any concerns for your child, or you can speak with your child’s teacher and they can refer you to me. You will need to fill out a referral form and I will make contact with you when I am next at Holy Trinity.

It has been a tough summer break this year with bush fires, smoke and high temperatures. I have included a few links to support you with helping your child through this time.

https://www.psychology.org.au/getmedia/9cd44a11-cdcd-41e6-bd13-70a704716b54/Helping-children-affected-bushfires.pdf

https://www.psychology.org.au/getmedia/5c0d043b-11b4-467e-be7c-f56743b366b0/Preparing-children-for-the-threat-of-bushfires.pdf

http://earlytraumagrief.anu.edu.au/files/Preparing_children_for_the_threat_of_bushfire_ACATLGN_APS.pdf

https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/10-ways-to-support-your-child-during-the-bushfire-season/

It’s also really important to look after yourselves as well. These resources may be useful if you are needing further support.

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/ptsd-trauma/coping-with-bushfires

https://www.96three.com.au/bushfire-trauma-12-expert-tips-for-helping-someone-whos-struggling-to-cope/

If you find you are still struggling or concerned about your child then I’d be happy to have a chat with you.

Kind regards,

Kate Dean
Student and Family Counsellor
CatholicCare Canberra and Goulburn

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A CLASS CO-ORDINATOR?

We are seeking parent volunteers to be class co-ordinators for 2020.   The main purpose of the role is to help build a strong sense of community spirit within our school through various school and social events as well as providing support to families.   If you are interested or would like more information about the role, please contact Kim Beaumont (kimmiebowie@gmail.com or Ph: 0409 746 936) or Sarah Collins (nathansarah@bigpond.com or Ph: 0478 877 819).

We regret to inform you that the Canberra Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon has been cancelled.

Following weeks of air quality monitoring and consultation with a range of professionals, it is with regret that we are announcing the cancellation of the Canberra Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon this weekend, 9 February. The health and safety of participants, supporters, volunteers and event staff is of utmost importance. We understand that there will be disappointment for participants, however, this decision was not made lightly and has significant implications for all.

We will be providing a full refund of entry fees, courier fees and Super Sport Images photo purchases. These refunds will be made automatically on Thursday the 13th of February, direct to the credit card you used when entering. Please allow up to a week from next Thursday for the refund to show on your credit card. If your card has not changed since you entered, you do not need to contact us.

If you have changed credit cards or your credit card has been renewed with a new expiry date since you entered, please contact us at info@tryathlon.com.au with the following details before Wednesday the 12th of February.

Subject: CANBERRA – Update of details for refund.
1. Participants name.
2. Your mobile number.
3. The bank account (NOT a new credit card) that you want the refund paid to.

We regret not being able to bring the TRYathlon to Canberra this summer and look forward to the 2021 event at the same venue.

Thank you for your understanding and we apologise for the inconvenience caused.

Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon Team