Last Sunday’s Gospel

In Mark 5:21-43, there are two powerful stories of faith and healing. Jesus is approached by Jairus, a synagogue leader, whose daughter is quite ill. As Jesus makes His way to Jairus's home, a woman suffering from chronic illness reaches out in faith to touch His cloak, believing she will be healed. Her faith is rewarded as she is immediately cured.

Amidst the crowd and the delay, Jairus receives news that his daughter has died. However, Jesus reassures him, saying, "Don’t be afraid, just believe." Jesus goes on to Jairus’s house, where He brings the young girl back to life..

These two stories remind us of the importance of faith, even in the face of so many challenges. The woman's faith brought her healing, and Jairus's trust in Jesus led to his daughter's restoration. As we reflect on these miracles, let's be inspired to maintain our faith and trust in God, no matter what we face.

May we carry this message of hope and unwavering faith into our daily lives, encouraging one another to believe in the power of a relationship with Jesus.

Attendance Matters

You may be aware of a new school attendance campaign launched by the NSW government called Every Day Matters. This campaign aims to improve current student attendance levels to pre-COVID levels. Like NSW public schools, the Catholic Education Office Diocese of Wollongong, has a target of a 95 per cent attendance rate for students. This roughly equates to students being absent two days per term. 

The importance of attending school for students’ academic success and sense of belonging is well documented in research. Missing just one day of school each fortnight adds up to four weeks of lost learning a year. Over a student’s school life, this equates to an entire year of missed learning.

The Every Day Matters campaign aims to drive behavioural change among parents and students to:

• reduce absenteeism close to weekends and/or public holidays;
• reduce family trips during term;
• reduce arbitrary days off due to convenience or pressure from students.

I encourage families to help students reach their attendance goals by ensuring they attend school every day unless they are unwell, booking holidays during breaks and reaching out to your child’s teacher or to a member of the school leadership team for support, if required.

Netball Gala Day

Our Netball Gala Day was a wonderful day where about 80 of our students were able to experience the fun and excitement of playing netball as a team against other Diocesan schools. Many other schools commented on our Holy Family students’ school spirit, sportsmanship and respectful nature which makes us feel very proud!

Thank you to our parent helpers, Mr Tan, Mrs Carney and Mrs Shannon for their assistance coaching and to Mrs Maxfield, Mr Leibrandt, Mrs Roberts and Miss Soloman for being there on the day and to Miss Hay and Mrs Maxfield for their work behind the scenes.

Term 2

It is hard to believe that we are coming to the end of Term 2. It has been a big term full of faith and learning and many other experiences. As I stand at the gate each morning I can’t help but notice how much each student has grown in height and then I can’t help but think that they have grown spiritually, academically and socially in this time too. What a privilege it is to be in my position leading such a wonderful school community!

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our hard working and dedicated staff members who continually inspire me each and every day. Their commitment to improvement and to ensuring that your children continue to thrive in all areas of their learning makes my job so much easier. I know they will take time these holidays to rest and to reflect upon the term and come back ready to go in Term 3.

Please enjoy the school holidays with your beautiful children and rest up because Term 3 is looking to be another wonderful term full of faith, learning and opportunities for us to celebrate together. The Term 3 @ Holy Family Calendar is coming home with your children to help you plan Term 3!

For all things at Holy Family, give thanks!                       

Dear Families,

The end of term 2 is here! With the winter solstice behind us, here’s how to
make the most out of the longer days during the School Holidays. Look out for
your local NAIDOC week events too!

 
To help in sifting through all the fun activities, we have once again compiled a list of free/low cost activities and events across the region that might present opportunities for children, young people and families to have a chance to learn new skills, engage with the community and have whole lot of fun! Please feel free to share with your friends and communities to share in the fun!
 
Time away from routine and support systems can be a challenge for everyone, so it can help to have some ideas handy of positive connections and engagement opportunities that might be available for free, or low cost in the area.
 
See below for information by council area:
 
EVENTS BY LGA:
 
All SWSLHD: NAIDOC WEEK

* Check out the amazing NAIDOC Week events below in your area, or visit
https://www.naidoc.org.au/local-events/local-naidoc-week-events.

 
* Fairfield Family Fun Day: SAVE THE DATE! Tuesday 9 July 2024| 11:00 AM to
03:00 PM Location - Fairfield Showground, 443 Smithfield Rd, Prairiewood 2176
With children’s activities, stallholders, a free BBQ lunch, cultural performance,
arts and crafts activities, a sensory friendly space and information displays. No
registration required
* Bankstown NAIDOC WEEK Family Day and more
* Check out FREE monthly events with . https://outloud.org.au/events/
* Go 4 Fun programs for Term 3 are also open for registrations:

@ https://go4fun.com.au/
* FREE NAIDOC Week resources for fun activities you can do yourself –
* NAIDOC Week Differentiated Reading Comprehension Activity
* Rainbow Serpent Collaborative Colouring
* NAIDOC Week Cloze Worksheet
* Sharing Stories with Aboriginal Symbols Lesson Plan
* Connection to Country Artwork
* Visit the State library free exhibits, with Peter Kingston’s images of Sydney Harbour
Peter Kingston | State Library of New South Wales (nsw.gov.au), NAIDOC Week and get ready for the Olympics with the best stories from Olympic history.
* And check out your local library events for more!
 
 
Camden – Check out a range of great events:
 NAIDOC WEEK -
https://www.camden.nsw.gov.au/community/support/aboriginal-and-
torres-strait-islander-communities/naidoc-week/

* Go for a walk, and complete the Nepean River Scavenger Hunt to make it
interesting 

https://www.camden.nsw.gov.au/whats-on/community-
events/nepean-river-trail-opening-scavenger-hunt/
* Check out School Holidays programs with Big Yellow umbrella including
NAIDOC Week, Scrapbooking, Bingo, Art activities and more! At
https://www.yellowumbrella.org.au/community-wellbeing/whats-on-at-
byu/
* Check out all the events at the council website - https://camden-
events.bookable.net.au/#!/?startDate=2024-07-01&endDate=2024-07-31
* 30+ Things to do for under $20,
* https://www.camden.nsw.gov.au/whats-on/event-calendar/  - Camden Valley Inn fun days and more
* Check out Camden Kids for more activities

 
Campbelltown – Check out a range of great events for all ages at:

 Core Community Services Programs – “July School Holiday” – Bowling, laser
tag and movies
* Check out events at Lifeline Macarthur’s Hub
https://www.lifelinemws.org.au/suicide-prevention-hub

https://www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/WhatsOn?dlv_LV%20Public%20Eve
nts=(dd_Event%20category=School%20Holiday%20Programs) – Check out
School Holiday programs and events
* 30+ Things to do for under $20 
* Check out a bunch of events for children, young people and the family at
School Holidays July 2024 - Campbelltown City Council (nsw.gov.au) includes
events at Campbelltown Arts Centre, Campbelltown Library
* Active Activities School Holiday Programs : More here – Art , Sport and more
* https://www.pcycnsw.org.au/campbelltown/school-holidays

 
Fairfield - Check out a range of great events

 2023 NAIDOC Family Fun Day - Fairfield Showground Tuesday 4th July from
11am – 3pm
 Core Community Services Programs – “July School Holiday” – Bowling, laser
tag and movies
 Join The West Run Club – for a run and post run snacks at Adams Park – See
WSRC and WSRC1
 The Parks Community Activities: see TPCN Holidays 15th and 17 th July –
inclusive of children with additional needs and their siblings. Details on
flyers
* Join Headspaces Liverpool’s Free Across The Spiderverse Movie Screening .
Pizza and Snacks provided! Tickets at
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/feel-good-friday-movie-night-
youth-edition-tickets-924090498557 
* Inclusive Sports Day – Tuesday 16 th July, 10 am – 2 pm Fairfield
Youth & camp; Community Centre, 55 Vine Street, Fairfield NSW 2165

This event is open to all ages and abilities, fully wheelchair
accessible for everyone's enjoyment. Register here
* Check the Woodville Alliance Calendar for events -
https://woodville.org.au/events/month/2024-07/
* https://www.fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au/Whats-on/Events-Workshops-Social-
Gatherings - Lego, Arcade games, Sports, Family Movie Time and more
* https://www.fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au/Whats-on  
* https://www.fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au/Services/Fairfield-City-Open-
Libraries/Mayors-Summer-Holiday-Program
* Active Activities School Holiday Programs : Liverpool/Fairfield here
* https://www.thejunctionworks.org/service/school-holiday-youth-programs/
* https://www.pcycnsw.org.au/fairfield-cabramatta

 
Liverpool – Check out all the events listed for all ages at School Holidays:

 Liverpool School Holidays (PCYC)
 Core Community Services Programs – “July School Holiday” – Bowling,
laser tag and movies
 On Track Winter Holiday Workshops
 School Holiday Programs in Liverpool 

Check out the best of sport
activities with Whitlam centre Wheelchair rugby, Western Sydney
Wanderers Training event, basketball 3-on-3 comp, Basketball for Girls,
Free Rabbitohs Holiday Clinic (Michael Wenden), Family Fitness (Michael
Clarke Recreation)

* Join Headspaces Liverpool’s Free movie night. Tickets at
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/feel-good-friday-movie-night-youth-
edition-tickets-924090498557 
* Liverpool NAIDOC Family Fun Day - https://www.liverpool.nsw.gov.au/events/naidoc-
family-fun-day
* Check out other events hosted by council at
https://www.liverpool.nsw.gov.au/whats-on  
* Library activities: really good ones to check out for kids: WHAT'S ON |
Liverpool City Council - Library (nsw.gov.au)
* Active Activities School Holiday Programs : Liverpool/Fairfield here
* The Street University: Check out what’s on at https://streetuni.com.au/
* https://www.thejunctionworks.org/service/school-holiday-youth-programs/
* https://westernsydney.com.au/your-airport/school-holiday-program

 
Wollondilly – Check out a range of great events for all ages at School Holidays:

* NAIDOC WEEK Event - https://www.wollondilly.nsw.gov.au/home/whats-
on/naidoc-week-2024/
* Join a “Walk it Off Session” for males who might be struggling with life’s
pressures – Wednesdays at 5.30pm 
https://www.wollondilly.nsw.gov.au/home/whats-on/walk-it-off-
warragamba/
* https://www.wollondilly.nsw.gov.au/home/events/  or
* Check out the School Holiday Bucket list
https://www.visitwollondilly.com.au/plan/newsletter-and-blog/blog/school-
holidays-bucket-list/

* 30+ Things to do for under $20
*  https://www.wollondilly.nsw.gov.au/home/events
* https://www.ymcansw.org.au/centres/ymca-picton-oshc/ 
 

NEARBY /OTHER OFFERINGS for the Holidays:
 Parramatta Lions = KIDS BIG FUN DAY OUT – See attached
 NSW Office of Sport – FREE Holiday Break Camps : NSW Office of Sport For more information
on School Holiday Programs https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/sport-and-recreation-
centres/school-holiday-programs
 Active Activities School Holiday Programs : More here – Art , Sport and more
 Check out your local Headspace centre, PCYC, or Youth Centre for more ideas.
 Cumberland Council activities and care programs
https://www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/school-holiday-care
 
 
So with plenty to do, we hope you all have a lovely and safe school holidays.

Warm Regards,

Sarah