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Dear parents and carers
It has been another big week here at GSPS with Parent/Teacher Conferences occurring for most of the week. I am pleased to report that over 85% of our community attended these Conferences, which is a wonderful endorsement for our teachers of your support of their work, and of your commitment to your child's journey here at school.
We were delighted to host visiting educational leaders from Victoria, NSW, South Australia, and Catholic Education here in Canberra on Tuesday. These visitors were here to observe our teaching staff delivering explicit mathematics lessons and daily reviews. The Leadership Team were able to present our student growth data in Mathematics which we have been tracking since we commenced using the Catalyst High Impact Instructional Techniques (HITP).
Coupled with these pedagogical techniques, we have been working with our high-quality low variance Mathematics curriculum documentation. This rigorous attention to teaching instruction here at GSPS and our staff's continued efforts to work towards mastery of teaching and content delivery, is testament to the expertise we have in our school, and the positive results we are seeing for your children.
School photos 2024
School photos this year will be with a new provider: The School Photographer and will take place in May. More information to come.
School Fees - 2024
Thank you for your patience whilst we have been waiting for 2024 fee advice from the Catholic Education finance office. School fees will be sent to families on Friday this week. Further information regarding school fees will be sent via COMPASS on Thursday 22nd February.
For the diary:
Friday 23rd: Swimming Carnival Years 3-6 (and Year 2 students who turn 8) All remaining Yr 2 students have a normal day at school.
Friday 23rd: No assembly
Best wishes
Trazel Scott
Principal
In this first week of Lent, we should be focusing on two key components:
- to resist temptations that sway us from good, and lead us down a road of thoughts, choices and actions that take us away from being the best version of ourselves, which results in us turning away from God; and
- to spread the Good News about God’s unconditional love and his challenge for all of us to turn away from sin and poor choices, and turn towards God.
Lent is a time to focus on what is good in our lives and all the good we do – and keep doing that. It is also a time to truly look at ourselves in a deeply reflective and honest, way so that we can identify those choices, habits, attitudes, and behaviours we have that prevent us from who we are meant to be. In doing so, we need to be brave enough to name what it is that we need to change about ourselves, accept it, and do what we can to change for the better so we can turn our hearts and minds back towards God and his unending mercy and unconditional love.
Our conversion of heart shouldn’t stop there though. Let us help, encourage, and support each other to change for the better, so together in turn, we may go out and give others the great news of God’s love and mercy so that they might also change and grow for the better.
This week Project Compassion boxes were sent home with children. We invite you to, as a family, reflect upon all that you are grateful for. We also invite you to regularly prayer for others and where possible, act and help them by making small regular donations into your family Project Compassion Box during the Lenten Season. Together, talk about the significance and value in giving to others. At the end of Lent, a notice will be sent out asking for all families to send in their boxes with any money they have been able to donate.
Our local St Vincent DePaul Gungahlin Conference continues to accept, appreciate and rely on our compassionate and generous donations for the Food Pantry. These food items are bundled together into weekly and daily hampers to be given to those in the Gungahlin community who need extra help.
Thank you to all those who have been so generously donating already this year, it is much appreciated!
Our Vinnies team have put together a list to help us know what donations will help the grocery recipients best. However, we know that rising costs of daily living impact us all so we appreciate any assistance you can give, thank you.
PLEASE REGISTER ONLINE BY MONDAY 26 FEBRUARY
https://forms.gle/4zeJ8Vs333NTJWgX6
PARENT INFORMATION SESSIONS
Date: Tuesday 27 February 2024
Time: 1:00pm OR 6:00pm
Location: Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 93 Burdekin Ave, Amaroo
Attendance at one of these sessions is compulsory for one parent and the Confirmation candidate.
Important information about preparing for the Sacrament will be given to you at this time. The sessions will not be repeated.
Thank you for your ongoing support. Please email Mel Unwin (Sacramental Preparation Officer) at: mel.unwin@cg.catholic.edu.au if you have any questions.
Secretary/Administrative Officer | Permanent Part-time – Four days per week (23 hrs)
Tuesday to Friday – 9.00am to 3.15pm
The position of Secretary/Administration Officer at Holy Spirit Parish has become available.
This role has responsibility for a wide range of administrative and organisational activities in a busy Catholic Parish in the Gungahlin area and to ensure the smooth and effective operation of the parish office. The Secretary/Administrative Officer is often the first point of contact for people connecting with the parish and therefore is required to have an understanding of parish functions and groups, be able to answer a variety of general questions relating to parish life; be able to show compassion,
understanding and patience when dealing with a wide range of people.
Applicants are required to be enthusiastic and have the ability to contribute to building community, have excellent administration skills, be able to self-manage work priorities and projects and to work
effectively within a small team.
For the full job description and selection criteria, please visit our parish website.
Applications
To apply please provide a covering letter which includes your response to the Selection Criteria along with your Curriculum Vitae to Fr Troy Bobbin at recruitment@holyspiritgungahlin.org.au. For more information, contact Theivani on 0472 921 518 or 6242 9622 (Tuesday to Friday).
Every hero’s journey is marked by challenges, and for the children of our ADF members, their resilience often goes unnoticed. Not anymore. The Defence Member Family Support (DMFS) has stepped up to shine a light on the silent strength of these young individuals. The ‘Child of the ADF Medallion’ is more than a token—it’s a powerful recognition of the courage and support these kids provide behind the scenes. Imagine the pride in your child’s eyes, the joy in their heart, as they stand, medallion in hand, acknowledged not just as a member of an ADF family but as a pivotal part of it. This isn’t just about a ceremony; it’s about giving our children the honour they deserve for their own sacrifices and adaptability in the face of the unique challenges that come with ADF life. Whether they’ve moved schools multiple times, faced long periods without a parent, or supported you through your service-related challenges, it’s time their bravery is celebrated. The program is open to all recognised children, aged 3 to 18 years, of current serving full-time members. Don’t let their support go unrecognised. Sign up for your local newsletter to stay informed about regional ceremonies and take the first step in nominating your child for the ADF Medallion program. Let’s give our children the applause they deserve. For more information, reach out to your local area office : https://lnkd.in/gKeG9B5t or call the helpline on 1800 624 608 Let’s come together to celebrate the youngest heroes among us. If this resonates with you, or you know someone whose child deserves this honour, like, comment, or share this post. Let’s spread the word.
URGENTLY seeking - Canteen and clothing volunteers required
We are looking for some extra help to assist with the lunch order distribution on Fridays. If you have a spare 30 minutes to help between 1:15pm - 1:45pm, and also with filling clothing pool orders, please email your contact details to gscouncil1@gmail.com
Without volunteers, these services can't run - so please help if you can spare some time.
Gentle Touch
A gentle touch, a warm embrace,
Kindness written on every face.
In every act, small or grand,
Lies the power to understand.
Did you know that studies have shown acts of kindness release endorphins, the brain’s natural painkiller? This phenomenon, often referred to as the “helper’s high,” suggests that being kind not only benefits the recipient but also improves the well-being of the giver.