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Last Sunday’s Gospel…
Jesus headed to Jerusalem and the story has important messages for those of us who claim to want to follow Him. Two people who told Him they would come had things to do first and Jesus was quite dismissive of them. It was because he could see that they weren’t sincere. It’s completely up to us whether or not we follow Him but it takes courage, just as it took courage for Jesus to go to Jerusalem where He knew the Jewish leaders were very unhappy with Him. Jesus never promised it would be easy. You may have seen the Australian family on the news this week in Rome who lost three of their children when they were hit by a car along with their cousin. Their message of forgiveness to the driver of that car is a perfect example of following Jesus and it would have taken great courage to do so. We received the gift of courage at our Confirmation just as the apostles and Mary did at Pentecost. God gives us what we need even at times of greatest trial. We have to try to remember that He does and always walks with us.
From the Principal...
Parent teacher interviews have been ongoing this week and we very much appreciate how many of you have been able to come and talk about your child’s learning. It has been pleasing that we have had a relatively smooth year so far although staff shortages have made things challenging at times. For your information, our Catholic Education Office has put on hold all professional development for teachers when they are required to be out of the school due to the lack of casual teachers. This has eased the burden on classes and we are finding creative ways to continually support teachers become better so they can have greater impact on student learning.
We are also busy preparing to celebrate 40 years of Holy Family on Friday with you all. I look forward to seeing you then!
Confirmation classes have started. We had the first session on Wednesday night with the next one the Monday after the break. Please remember that Monday 18th July is our Staff Spirituality Day and no-one will be onsite at school that day.
As you are aware members of the Independent Education Union are stopping work this Thursday. Supervision will be provided at school for those of you who need to send your children but no usual classes will be held. If you had parent teacher interviews booked that day, they should have been rescheduled by now. If you have any questions about that, please make contact with the office.
I hope the holidays give you plenty of time to do all you want to do with your children free of restrictions. Take advantage of the time to make lots of memories with your children. Looking back now with my adult sons, it is often holiday times we talk about when we have a series of “Do you remember?” conversations. We did learn some valuable lessons in Covid. The times together do not need to be expensive or flashy. The walks and bike rides, puzzles and board games are all important. So have fun, and we’ll see you all again safely back next term!
God Bless,
Mrs Michelle Rolfe
Principal
The end of Term 2 is here! To help in sifting through all the fun activities, we have compiled a list of 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! See below for information by council area:
EVENTS BY LGA:
Camden – Check out a range of great events:
· School Holidays:
o See flyer attached Approved Skate poster and Julia Reserve Drop in Flyer
o 30+ Things to do for under $20,
o https://www.camden.nsw.gov.au/
o Check out Camden Kids for more activities for events eg events at The Y and Virtual reality experiences
· NAIDOC WEEK: https://www.camden.nsw.gov.au/
Campbelltown – Check out a range of great events for all ages at
· School Holidays:
o https://www.campbelltown.nsw.g
o · 30+ Things to do for under $20
o Check out a bunch of events for children, young people and the family at https://www.campbelltown.nsw.g
· NAIDOC WEEK events - https://www.campbelltown.nsw.g
Liverpool – Check out all the events listed for all ages at
· School Holidays:
o https://www.liverpool.nsw.gov.
o FREE: Hoops Connect Basketball clinics, Hexagoal Football events, Lawn bowling, Skate and scooter Jam, GAMES2U interactive session, Social Chess, introduction to Dungeons and Dragons, Podcast workshop, Flappy Parrot Coding Challenge, Coding electronics, create from the collection, School Holiday Resonances Kids Trail activities, Collingwood Kids, Wintercraft, and Photography workshops,
o https://www.liverpool.nsw.gov.
o See attached July 2022 School Holiday Flyer – Core Community Services Holiday Programs
o The Street University: Check out whats on at https://streetuni.com.au/
· NAIDOC WEEK – Heal Country exhibition https://mylibrary.liverpool.ns
HER OFFERINGS for the Holidays:
· 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/s
· AASS – Harry Potter School Holiday Program – See attached flyer
· Active Activities School Holiday Programs : More here
· Check out your local Headspace centre for more ideas.
Also these free kids activities at Greg Percival library (book via Eventbrite):
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION REPORT with
Mrs Deanna David
Greetings and many blessings to you all. I invite you all to talk to your children about how they are celebrating the special liturgical celebrations at school.
Gospel Reading
In this week’s Gospel, just as the disciples set out to spread the good news of our salvation through Jesus, we are called to spread the good news. We are loved by God in the same way that a mother loves her child. We belong to God and we must show, by the way we live, that we believe that.
Some discussion starters…
Have you been sent on an errand?
What did you have to do?
In today’s Gospel Jesus sent his followers out with his message of good news. What was the good news that they brought to the people they met? We are also followers of Jesus who are sent out with the good news. How can we be Jesus’ messengers this week?
Sacrament Information
Sacrament of Confirmation
A compass message was posted last week alerting parents to information available on the parish website. Please see the message below from Fr Henry:
The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated in our parish on Friday 5 August 2022 at 6pm & 7.30pm.
If your child is in Year 6 or above, has been Baptised and has received the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, they are eligible to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
To enrol your child, the Candidate, for the Sacrament of Confirmation, please return the completed form & a copy of your child’s Baptism certificate (if required) to the Parish office via email or in person by 26 June 2022. (Please do not return to the school).
Please go to the Parish website at www.hfi.org.au to download the form (you do not need to print this form; it can be completed online), complete the form and return it to the parish office.
To ensure that the Candidate is prepared to receive the Sacrament there will be four preparation sessions.
Attendance by the candidate and an accompanying parent/carer at all sessions is required. Please be on time for each session. Payment of $30.00 will cover any expenses including the workbook, certificate and pin and must be made at the first Information Night (cash only and please have the correct amount).
27 June 2022 7pm-8.30pm Information Night/Session 1- has already taken place
18 July 2022 7pm-8pm Session 2
25 July 2022 7pm-8pm Session 3
1 August 2022 7pm-8pm Session 4
I look forward to meeting you and your children for our Sacramental Programme,
Yours in Divine Word,
Fr Henry Adler, SVD
Mass
Early next term we will share dates for Parish Mass that our classes will attend.
Feast Day
You are more than welcome to attend our Mass on Friday at 9am in the Church.
Podcast: Ripples
Ripples is a PODCAST developed for staff and parents on-going spiritual formation. It seeks to offer a space where people can draw on the wisdom of a series of guest speakers and can experience some treasured stillness through meditation. See the link - you can either download the files as podcasts or listen to them directly from the website.
Catholic Diocese of Wollongong - Home - Don’t forget to check out the Diocese of Wollongong Facebook page!
That the Sacrament of Confirmation is a sacrament of Initiation!
2022
| Thursday 30 June, 2022 | Industrial Action - limited student supervision |
| Friday 1 July, 2022 | 40th Birthday Celebrations! |
| Friday 1 July, 2022 |
Final day for Term 2 |
| Monday 18 July, 2022 |
PUPIL FREE DAY |
| Tuesday 19 July, 2022 | First Day for Term 3 - Students return |
| Friday 5 August, 2022 | Sacrament of Confirmation |
| Thursday 18 August, 2022 | Yr 6 Mass with Bishop at Rosemeadow |
| Friday 19 August, 2022 | Yr 2 Sea-life & wildlife Pk excursion |
| Friday 26 August, 2022 | Yr 4 Science Space Wollongong excursion |
| Friday 23 September, 2022 | Final day for Term 3 |
| Monday 10 October, 2022 | First Day for Term 4 |
*Monday 18 July, 2022 - Pupil free day. There will be NO staff at school*