Dear Parents and Caregivers

It is great to be back and sharing our latest edition of the award-winning Holy Name Newsletter.  

When students returned this term, multiple handball courts had been marked as a result of their feedback.  As a learning community, I have previously written about the importance of student agency.  When we offer students a voice, it promotes ownership, belonging and engagement. 

In addition to empowering student voice, the courts also assist in diversifying play opportunities, promoting collaboration and the social skills required to navigate rules.  All important learning opportunities. 

In addition to handball courts, a capital development plan for Holy Name has been progressing since last year.  This plan includes the removal of the demountable Year Five classroom and the building of two new classrooms.

Contemporary schools provide much more than traditional classroom learning experiences.  The opportunities that an additional room provides are numerous, and I anticipate sharing more news as this progresses. 

As we continue to journey during the term, I look forward to serving the community and continuing to be a school where all members belong, learn and serve.  

God Bless

Ben Doyle
Principal

Attendance

Attendance at school is vital for our students. At Holy Name there is an ongoing trend of absences on Mondays and Fridays and with families taking holidays during the term. If your child is going to be absent from school for 10 days or more, an Exemption form (available at the school office) must be completed prior to the absent period and this needs to be approved by the Principal. If students are away due to illness, please notify the school either through the Compass app or by contacting the school office. If absences are not reported to school, we have to follow the Non Attendance Policy and procedure. If students have extended time off school due to illness a medical certificate may be required.

Learning is important every day, please support your child's education by minimising absences from school.

PB4L

Our Positive Behaviour for Learning focus for Weeks 1 & 2 was I Wear my School Uniform with Pride. Students were awarded surfboard tokens when they were "caught" wearing the correct uniform.

The class awards were awarded to:

Our Principal's Awards and badges were awarded to:

Our focus for Weeks 3 and 4 is I Can Move Calmly Around the School.

National Week of Action

Week 4 is the National Week of Action Against Bullying. We will start the week with an assembly in the hall to introduce the theme and the students will engage in learning in their classrooms around this topic. There are lots of resources available to families on the website.

Children's Day

On Friday, our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Years 2-6, along with Mrs Went, Mrs Morse and Miss Macy, walked down the road to the annual Burraydjarr Barayn “Childrens Day” event held at the Forster Civic Centre.

This day is dedicated to celebrating the strength, spirit and beauty of our children.

This free community event featured cultural dance, weaving workshops, Gathang language sharing, friendly farm animals and lots of activities for the students to enjoy.

ASPIRE

In Week 2, Year 6, with Ms Sheppard and Mrs Loring, travelled by bus to the annual ASPIRE musical performance at the Civic Theatre in Newcastle. This year's spectacular was titled The Rise of Bozz and our own Nanma Joy featured with a solo performance. We thoroughly enjoyed the show with it's captivating story and upbeat music!

Upcoming Events

Kyla Loring

Assistant Principal

HNS Forster

Our Holy Name students have returned from the Winter holidays refreshed and ready to kick their term 3 learning goals. The first 3 weeks have been busy with school events and our students have done us proud with the mature and enthusiastic way they have engaged with these occasions.

Annual School Visit

Last Thursday we welcomed 30 guests from the Catholic Schools Office (CSO) for our Annual School Visit, a valuable opportunity to showcase the incredible work happening across our school community.

Jarley Went and Ruby Clarke started our day presnting our Welcome to Worimi Country video. During the morning and middle session Mr Doyle, Mrs Loring, Mrs Williamson, Mrs Monks and Mr Mackay then led a presentation on our School Improvement Plan (SIP), sharing our achievements so far and our aspirations for making HNS even better.

As part of the visit, the CSO visitors conducted learning walks throughout the school. These walks gave them the opportunity to observe classroom practices and see how our teachers are supporting students to reach their full potential.

A variety of students from different year levels were also interviewed by the CSO staff. They were asked what they enjoy about Holy Name, challenges they face and how they engage with their learning. This was a wonderful chance for our students to have their voices heard.

Overall, the visit was a great success and offered us the chance to reflect on our progress, take on board feedback, ask important questions, and continue planning for a strong future. 

Celebrating 100 Days of Kindergarten! 

Last Friday, our Kindergarten students marked a very special milestone of 100 Days of Kindergarten! Since the beginning of the year, our clever little learners have been adding a sticker to their tens frames each day, eagerly counting up to this exciting moment. Reaching 100 days of learning is a huge achievement, and we knew it deserved a celebration!

To make the day extra fun, our students came dressed as 100-year-olds, complete with walking sticks, glasses, and grey hair! Their creative costumes brought lots of giggles and smiles across the school.

The day was filled with hands-on activities all themed around the number 100. Students rotated through a variety of engaging stations, including:

• Making 100 paper chains
• Writing 100 words
• Building towers with 100 cups
• Completing 100 fitness moves
• Dot painting
• Counting and collecting items to display on our “What Does 100 Look Like?” wall

Over the past two weeks, our Kindergarten students have been working hard on their counting skills, proudly proving that each collection really did contain 100 items. It was wonderful to see their confidence and enthusiasm grow!

One of the highlights of the day was decorating one of the 100 cupcakes with their Year 6 buddies. The bond between our Kinder students and their buddies is truly special, and it was heartwarming to see them celebrate together. We also welcomed our Kinder parents for a lovely afternoon tea, making the day even more memorable.

A huge thank you to our amazing Kinder aides and the Year 5 Mini Vinnies team, who generously gave their time to help run activities and ensure the day was a great success. Your support made all the difference!

Here’s to 100 days of learning, laughter, and growing together. We’re so proud of our Kindergarten students and can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings!

Responsible Pet Ownership Presentation

Today we had Lisa from ‘Living Safely with Pets Program’ come to Holy Name to present to our K-2 students. The program educates children on what it means to be a responsible pet owner and how to live safely with dogs. The Presentations were delivered using multimedia tools, role play, songs and story-telling which really engaged our students. The educator brought along a suitably trained Border Collie named Mac, who allowed the students to practise the safe way to approach and interact with a dog that is not familiar to them. Students practised these 4 steps: 1. Walk up slowly and stop. 2. Ask the owner if you can pat their dog 3. Let the dog smell your hand with your thumb tucked in. 4. Stroke the dog gently on the back. Students also learnt the signs and behaviours to notice on a dog that might be dangerous and how to protect themselves if they encounter an aggressive dog. We are very grateful to Lisa for taking the time to visit us and educate our students on how to interact safely with pets.

Granparent's Day Liturgy

On Friday 12th September at 11:30am, Kindergarten will lead us in a celebration for our Grandparents. This will be followed by Open Classrooms and a picnic lunch. We look forward to sharing this day with our school community.

Yours in learning,

Mrs Suzie Monks

Primary Coordinator

Mary MacKillop Feast Day

Honouring Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop – August 8 

Each year on August 8, we celebrate the Solemnity of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia’s beloved first saint. This day invites us to reflect on her extraordinary legacy and the profound impact she had on education across our nation.

Mary MacKillop devoted her life to making Catholic Education accessible to children in rural and impoverished communities. Her unwavering commitment to serving those most in need opened doors of opportunity and hope where few others dared to go. She was a trailblazer, a visionary, and a compassionate leader who believed deeply in the dignity of every child and the transformative power of education.

As we honour her today, may we be inspired by her courage, faith, and dedication to justice. Let us continue her mission by nurturing inclusive, compassionate learning environments that reflect her spirit and values.

Year 4 led our school in a reflective liturgy highlighting Mary's values and through prayer calling us to serve like Mary in our school, parish and wider community. Each class carried their MacKillop hamper baskets to our prayer space as an offering of what we can do together to make a difference to those in need in our own community alongside the works of the Forster Community Kitchen run by Catholic Care. Congratulations to Mrs Harrison, Mrs Quilter and Yr 4 for the great preparation that went into promoting and leading their Catholic Social Teaching Action Plan for "Preferential Care for the Poor"- MacKillop Hamper Drive and for connecting it with our faith through scripture, prayer and song. Our actions reflected that at the heart of everthing is Jesus Christ. 

Saint Mary MacKillop, pray for us.

Mary MacKillop Prayer

Ever generous God,
You inspired Saint Mary MacKillop
To live her life faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and constant in bringing hope and encouragement to those who were disheartened, lonely, or needy.

With confidence in your generous providence and through the intercession of Saint Mary MacKillop
We ask that you grant our request……………….

We ask that our faith and hope be fired afresh by the Holy Spirit so that we too, like Mary MacKillop, may live with courage, trust, and openness.
Ever generous God hear our prayer.

We ask this through Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Mackillop Cup

Our annual Staff V Yr 6 game of Basketball was held later in the afternoon. Both teams played strongly, the staff drew on their netball skills close to the hoop and Yr 6 never gave up the fight, scoring several amazing baskets from outside the key in particular from Bryce Quillan and Max Stephenson. We noted that it was wonderful to see how well the Yr 6 students played as a team, passing the ball around and really making the teachers work for their victory. Our students cheered enthusiastically for each team. Mary MacKillop's spirit was alive in the hearts of all- thank you Yr 6 and Staff!

Welcome Fr John Lovell

Fr John Lovell is replacing Fr John Vo Vien whilst on long service leave for the next two months. We warmly welcome Fr John into our school community and hope he enjoys his visit here in Forster Tuncurry. 

Fr John joined our school community today for the Mary MacKillop Liturgy and was presented the Staff with the MacKillop Cup. He has also visited Year 3 to discuss sin anf forgiveness and God's unconditional love he has for us all. At the end of his visit the class engaged in a reflective laborinth prayer exercise.

Classes Attending Friday Parish Mass

Term 3 sees classes returning to celebrate Friday's Parish Mass with the Forster Tuncurry Parish. Yr 3 celebrated this mass with Fr John Lovell. It was meaningful for our young students when Fr John directed them through the mass, supporting them through the rituals of the mass and unpacking the messages in the readings of the day. The Assumption of Mary is celebrated on Friday 15th August and Yr 4 will be attending this mass next Friday. Parents and friends are welcome to join them at 9:30am. 

Mini Vinnies

Genevieve Williamson

Religious Education Coordinator.

Students happily ran into the garden on the first day back at school after the holidays, welcoming Term 3 with lots of excited and happy talking, sharing of "what did you do in the holidays?" and eager to do what needed to be done in the garden.

Some children enjoyed the physical work of weeding, watering, digging and attaching more string to the stakes for the beans and peas to climb along, others enjoyed chasing those elusive butterflies, some were fascinated by the busy bees and ran to them, while others were frightened by them and ran away from them.  Some children also sat in the quiet solitude of their own company amongst the orange-coloured nasturtium flowers, calmly searching for seeds, and once found, picking them and putting them safely into their zip-lock bags to take home to their own gardens.

With an abundance of healthy produce grown during the holidays, the children enjoyed harvesting and delivering it to the Forster Community Kitchen and as always, being welcomed by the friendly volunteers who generously donate their time and effort in producing nutritious and delicious meals and also a friendly chat with others.

A reminder to HNS students that your garden needs some "TLC" from you, with lots of garden chores to be done, especially with the season of Spring fast approaching.  We hope to see you during 2nd lunch to join in the fun activities of HNS Garden Group and to keep our garden thriving with fresh produce for the Forster Community Kitchen.

"Don't waste your time chasing butterflies.  Mend your own garden and the butterflies will come."  

Kind regards
Mrs Jackie Amato
Learning Support Assistant/Garden Supervisor