Principal's Message

Dear Holy Family Parents and Carers,

As Term 3 draws to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on the many wonderful events and achievements that have filled our school with energy, creativity, hope and joy over the past ten weeks. We began the term with a focus on professional growth during the CSBB Religious Education Staff Development Day, followed by a warm welcome back to our students, ready to dive into another term of learning. 

Stage One kicked off the term with a fascinating excursion to the NSW Old School House Museum, sparking curiosity and conversations about Australia’s educational heritage. Throughout the term, our students have embraced a wide range of opportunities to grow academically, spiritually, and socially. From the North Shore Netball Gala Days and Athletics Carnival to the rich and engaging learning across all Key Learning Areas of the curriculum, our learners have demonstrated resilience, creativity, and a strong commitment to excellence.

We celebrated our faith together at the St Mary of the Cross Mass, the Feast of the Assumption, and our Family Masses, deepening our connection with God. Our strong partnership with the parish continues to flourish through regular opportunities for community and outreach, including the Children’s Mass every second Sunday, our welcoming Playgroup, and Coffee Connect mornings that bring families together. Our students and parents have also embraced the spirit of service through social outreach initiatives, such as making sandwiches for the homeless, living out our shared values of compassion and care.

Creative expression was alive and well during our SPARK Art and Claymation Days, Book Week Parade and Performance, and the many inspiring Musical Performances. These events showcased the incredible talents of our students and the supportive spirit of our community.

Our Year 6 students shone in the Public Speaking Competitions, representing our school with confidence and grace. The term ended on a high note with the Band Evening Concert, the Zing Activ Dancing Showcase, and the beginning of our First Holy Communion celebrations—milestones that remind us of the joy and growth that come from shared experiences.

Congratulations to all our students on a successful term of learning, discovery, and achievement. Your enthusiasm, kindness, and dedication continue to inspire us each day. A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful parent volunteers who have generously given their time and energy to support our school events, learning programs, and community initiatives. Your partnership makes a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and helps create the vibrant, caring environment we are so proud of.

Staff Development Day 

While students enjoy an early start to their holiday break, our dedicated teaching staff are engaging in professional learning focused on the new Mathematics syllabus as part of the Curriculum Reform. This important day allows our teachers to deepen their knowledge and build capacity to deliver high-quality, contemporary mathematics learning experiences for all students.

I wish every family a safe and happy holiday break. May it be a time of rest, renewal, and connection. We look forward to welcoming everyone back, energised and ready for the exciting journey of Term 4 which commences on Monday 13th October.

Kindest regards,

Pauline Dinale

Principal

Swimming Carnival Update 

As part of our commitment to enhancing whole-school sporting opportunities, we are excited to announce that we will be holding an additional swimming carnival this year on Monday, 24th November.

This decision has been made for several key reasons:

• Facilities: While PLC offers excellent amenities, it does not cater well to intermediate swimmers or those still developing water confidence.
• Student Support: By Term 4, teachers know their students well and can provide more tailored support during the event.
• Inclusivity: We have booked Lane Cove Aquatic Centre, which features a shallow pool and a grassed area—ideal for creating a safe and inclusive experience for all students.

Please note:

• For this year only, we will hold two swimming carnivals—one in Term 1 and one in Term 4.
• From 2026 onwards, the swimming carnival will be held only in Term 4 each year.

To help students prepare, Mrs Coco will send out a Compass event at the end of next week, encouraging families to use the upcoming holidays to practise swimming skills.

Swimming results from this Term 4 carnival will determine eligibility for the North Shore Swimming Carnival in Term 1, 2026.

We look forward to a wonderful day of swimming, fun, and whole school spirit!

Parent Engagement Workshop – Building Resilience Together

Following on from my article last week on resilience, I’m delighted to invite all parents and carers to a Parent Engagement Workshop, proudly supported by our P&F Committee.

This engaging and informative session will be led by a facilitator from The Resilience Centre, home of The Resilience Doughnut—a strengths-based, solution-focused model designed to help children, adolescents, and adults build resilience in both personal and professional settings.

What to expect:

• Learn how to identify the key factors that build resilience  

• Discover tools to cope confidently with challenges
• Explore how to use strengths to thrive during adversity
• Understand how to create opportunities for what works well
• Develop optimistic thinking patterns
• Learn to focus on solutions, not problems

This workshop will provide practical strategies to support your child’s emotional wellbeing and resilience development.

Date: Wednesday, 19 November (Term 4 Week 6)

Time: 6.00-7.30pm

Venue: School Library

Format: Face-to-face session (we are hoping to organise an online option)

We warmly encourage all families to attend and look forward to sharing this valuable learning experience with you.

Please CLICK HERE to read the Parents Charter from Catholic Schools Broken Bay.

CatholicCare’s September/October Vacation Care Program

Enrolments are now open for CatholicCare’s September/October Vacation Care Program.

Vacation Care offers a wide range of engaging activities designed to suit children of all ages, interests, and abilities. It is a stimulating, fun, and supportive environment where each child’s strengths and interests are nurtured—while also allowing plenty of time for rest and relaxation.

For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Ryan, OSHC Coordinator at Holy Family Lindfield:

📞 0481 601 904

📧 oshc.lindfield@catholiccaredbb.org.au

🔗 Vacation Care Information & Enrolments

We look forward to welcoming your child to an exciting and enriching holiday experience!