Wellbeing ~ Student News

Habit 8: 

How to Use Your Voice Nicely at School

 1. Speak Kindly

• Use polite words like please, thank you, and excuse me.
• Say nice things to others — compliments make people feel good!
• If you're upset, use calm words to explain how you feel.

 2. Listen First

• Wait your turn to speak.
• Listen carefully when someone else is talking.
• Show you're listening by looking at the speaker and nodding.

 3. Think Before You Speak

• Ask yourself: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it helpful?
• If it’s not, maybe it’s better not to say it.

 4. Use Your Voice to Help Others

• Speak up if someone needs help.
• Encourage your friends with kind words.
• Share your ideas in class — your voice matters!

 5. Use Your Voice to Learn

• Ask questions when you're curious.
• Answer when the teacher asks.
• Join in group discussions and class debates.

 SPARK Day – Mission Eggstronaut

Last Thursday four students from Stage 2 went to OLPS West Pymble for a SPARK day. We were very excited to do a whole day of STEM and meet new people. After an introduction, we headed off to the NASA spaceship. One of the most exciting things about the day was getting to use VR headsets. We were assigned to make a capsule for an eggstranout. We had to pretend we were the egg and then ideate. Once we had finished we had to prototype and test and then came the twist - it was hard boiled! We had to test all of our designs and check that the eggs didn’t crack. The SPARK day was a real surprise and we all enjoyed it so much.

Maddie and Sophia (Yr 3)

Parliament House

Four of our Stage 3 school leaders Vanessa, Charlotte, Oliver and Steven had the exciting opportunity to visit the NSW Parliament House for a behind-the-scenes look at how our state government works. During the visit, students explored the historic chambers, learned about the roles of elected representatives, and discovered how laws are made in New South Wales.

A highlight of the day was meeting local Member of Parliament, Matt Cross, who generously shared insights into his role and answered thoughtful questions from students. The visit deepened our understanding of democracy and leadership, and inspired us to use our voices to make a positive difference in our school and community.

This memorable experience was a fantastic way for us as young leaders to connect classroom learning with real-world civic engagement.

Thank you Mr Clarke and Mrs McCawley for accompanying us on the day. 

Vote for Our Students in the National Arludo Game Design Challenge

During Terms 2 and 3, our students participated in the National Arludo Game Design Challenge, where they designed and developed their own science-based games.

Out of 15 teams shortlisted from across Australia, three teams from Holy Family have been selected for the final round:

• The Lost Echidna – Charlotte, Josie, Janice, Sarah
• Super Circuit Kid – Luke, Irwin, Noah L

• Disaster Attack – Noah T, Isaac, Budhi

   

We are extremely proud of their creativity, collaboration, and scientific thinking.

To help our students reach the Top 10, we invite our school community to participate in the public voting. Voting is open until Friday, 21 November 2025 (11:59 pm), and each person may vote once per day per device using a valid email address.

Please take the time to view the students’ submissions and support their efforts by casting your vote here.

Let us show our Holy Family spirit by supporting our talented students in this national competition.

Have a lovely weekend!

Melissa Overton

Wellbeing Coordinator