RECONCILIATION

Last week Year 3 students received the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time.  This was a special time for the young people and their families.  Please keep them in your prayers.  Thanks to Fr Bona, Fr Alexis, visiting priests and staff who supported the students in preparing for the sacrament. 

NATIONAL SORRY DAY

On Thursday the College commemorated National Sorry Day in morning prayer.  This is a day of reconciliation for all Australians.

O God, Creator of all peoples, we thank you that you are found and worshipped in every land, in dance and community, in suffering and peace-making, in silence and singing and in the faithfulness of your people. Help us to build right relations with each other based on truth and justice. We ask this prayer through Christ our Lord, Amen.

JULIMAR CAMINO

Year 10 and 11 students completed the section of the Camino Salvado through the Julimar Forest on Wednesday.  They were the first students to complete this section of the Camino.  It is a really beautiful section of the pilgrim trail.  There was a great spirit a great students and staff and although this was quite a long walk - 24 kilometres, they made it in very good time.  Everyone enjoyed a treat at the Bindoon Bakery on the way home.

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING FOR STAFF

A reminder there will be no classes on Friday 3 June and Tuesday 7 June.  The College Office will be closed on both days. On Friday staff will be engaged in professional learning.  The extended long weekend is good opportunity for students to have a break, as well as to catch up on some homework and to complete Giving Life hours. 

CELEBRATING A LIFE OF SERVICE

Saturday marked the 25th anniversary of the death of Sr Irene McCormack.  On 21 May 1991 Sr Irene was executed in Peru by Shining Path terrorists; her crime, handing out Caritas food parcels.  On Saturday morning I was privileged to attend the 25th Anniversary Mass at St Columba's Parish in South Perth.  I was accompanied by Mr Harry Muller, Ministry Coordinator, Mrs Carla Pastorelli, McCormack House Coordinator and seven student leaders.  Hensy Patel - McCormack House Captain, and Noel Vella - Year 6 Faith Leader, carried the McCormack House banner in the opening procession.  Max Hughes  - one of the College Captains, read one of the General Intercession prayers. The Mass was a beautiful celebration of Irene's life and it was moving to hear Irene's family and members of her congregation, who knew her well, talking about this vibrant woman who loved life and who committed herself to a life of service. 

CAMINO SALVADO

A number of year levels are progressing in their Pilgrimage along the Camino Salvado, during these few weeks.  On  Friday, Year 8 students walked from Guildford to Bells Rapids and Year 9 students walked through lower Chittering; the country side is beautiful at this time of the year.  On Wednesday Year 10 and 11 students will walk through the Julimar Forest. Thank you to Mrs de Courcier for the enormous amount of work she has done in organisational aspects of the pilgrimage walks.  Thank you also to coordinators for the Years 8 and 9 walks, Mrs Christina Davini and Mr Simon Falcone and to all staff who assisted.  It was great to have a parent and grandparent joining the Year 8 walk and we appreciate their support.  This year the Friends of Holy Cross are organising two parent Camino walks. The first will be held on Friday, 24 June; Friends of Holy Cross will be sending out further details soon.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

On Wednesday Year 3 students will be receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time.  Please keep the students and families in your prayers at this significant time in their faith journey.  Thank you to Mrs Antonia Ravenscroft, other staff and the Parish Sacramental Team for their  work in preparing the students.

APPLE DISTINGUISHED SCHOOL

 Holy Cross College has again  been selected as an Apple Distinguished School for 2016–2017, a two-year designation.  It is pleasing to be be recognised as an exemplary learning environment for innovation, leadership, and educational excellence. 

BUILDING PROGRAMME

The ground is now being prepared for the new Junior School and Performing  Arts facilities. Last week, before the work commenced, Fr Bona blessed the site.  This was an important ritual in the commencement of Stage 5 of our Capital Development  Plan.

A GROWING COMMUNITY

PARISH SACRAMENTAL PROGRAMME

Students in Years 3 and 4 have participated in Sacramental Retreats during the last two weeks.  Year 3 students are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Year 4 students, the Sacrament of the Eucharist. These are very important steps along their faith journey.  The Parish Sacramental Programme is Family-focused, Parish-based and School-supported.  Thank you to Ms Melissa Bonatto, Miss Kylie Henderson, Mr Harry Muller, Miss Antonia Ravenscroft and Miss Courtney George for their work in supporting the sacramental programme.

STAFFING

This week we welcomed  Mrs Irene Platis to the College to teach Mathematics in Middle and Senior Schools.  Mrs Vanja Basell will also be teaching one day a week in the Junior School.  Mrs Basell is a foundation staff member of the College and is returning from maternity leave.  

NAPLAN

This week students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are sitting NAPLAN tests.  NAPLAN tests skills in reading, writing, spelling and numeracy.  They are one of the tools used by teachers to measure student progress and to support students in continuing to progress in their learning.  The College and parents will receive NAPLAN reports during the latter part of Winter Term.  Recently I received a letter from the Executive Director of Catholic Education acknowledging that Holy Cross College has been recognised by the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA)  as achieving above average gain in the 2015 NAPLAN compared to schools with similar students. In the letter Dr McDonald noted, “Whilst acknowledging NAPLAN results are one element of a flourishing school, I would like to congratulate you on your leadership and the staff at Holy Cross College for the significant work that has contributed to these results.’”

EXAMS

Students in Senior School commence exams next week.  Students have received examination timetables and these have also been sent to parents.  In Year 11 and 12 students completing ATAR courses and all Year 10 students will  sit examinations.  Year 12 students studying General courses complete an Externally Set Tasks for the first time this year.  These tasks are set by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority and make a significant contribution to students’ final marks. Please keep Senior School students in your prayers during this important time.

MOTHERS’ DAY ACTIVITIES

Last week mothers and grandmothers received lots of attention in preparation for Mothers’ Day.  A thanksgiving liturgy was followed by a College Breakfast on Wednesday and it was fantastic to see the large number of people attending.  Thanks to Mr Harry Muller for organising the liturgy and Mrs Cathie Lewis and Mrs Samantha Vagg for preparing the delicious breakfast.  Mums were also pampered in the Early Learning Centre with opportunities for hand and foot massages and nail painting, which extended to the fingers in many cases.  Thanks to the Early Learning Centre staff for organising these events.

LOVING FOR LIFE

Year 7 students and parents participated in the Loving for Life programme last week.  Loving for Life is a Christian sexuality and relationships programme which we run in Middle and Senior School Years.  Year 11 students will participate in a Loving For Life workshop on Thursday, 26 May.

BUILD

On Wednesday we met with representatives from Absecon to formally commence the building of  Stage 5 of our Capital Development Plan.  This is an exciting time as we look forward to the addition of some excellent new facilities - a Year 2 - 5 Learning Centre and Performing Arts facilities.  You will have seen that fencing has been installed and this has an impact on parking and drop-off.  Please stay informed regarding parking via the LIFE@HCC blog.  We are in a complex phase of building, with two large building stages overlapping; however, the outcome will be some great facilities.

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING DAY

Friday, 3 June is a Professional Learning Day for staff.  There are no classes on this day.  A reminder also that Tuesday, 7 June is a leave day for staff in Catholic Schools granted by Catholic Education WA.