Message from Mrs Meyer 

"Strive to enter through the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able." Luke 24:22

This Sunday's Gospel reading, which calls us to enter through the narrow door, can feel like a challenge. While some have historically used this passage to create a sense of who's in and who's out, the message is actually a universal invitation for all. It's an invitation to a different kind of life that requires us to let go of the all that holds us back from truly living the life God dreamed for us.

The fact that this reading occurs during ordinary time in our liturgical calendar is no coincidence. It reminds us that life isn't just about the big events and Instagram worthy moments; it's about the small, everyday moments. This idea is central to our faith, reminding us to find God's presence in our daily lives, as well as during significant occasions.

Think about Book Week or the Year 2 Camp. While these are major events for our community, what really resonated with so many of us was the laughter, shared smiles, the learning and resilience of our students, as well as the the simple connections made in our community. These small details are what truly reflect God's dream for us.  

I invite you to please visit our Holy Cross Happenings and Outdoor Education pages and see some of the moments from the last fortnight.   Additionally, on the Helping @ Holy Cross page you will see some new opportunities to help including a unique workshop opportunity with John Ellis in our vineyard.  We will be in touch to reschedule the working bee.

Lord Jesus, 

Help us to open our hearts to the everyday blessings that surround us.

May we find joy in the simple moments, gratitude in our daily experiences, and peace in the knowledge of Your presence.

Teach us to recognise Your gifts in the ordinary, and inspire us to share our blessings with others.

Amen.

Many Blessings,

Eloise Meyer

In the loop this week...

For a full run down of what's coming up, visit our Dates for your Diary Page

• Monday, we will host our first SRC meeting.
• Tuesday our Hen-sational Junior Chefs compete in Round 2 at SHC
• Wednesday all year 4 families are invited to attend the First Eucharist evening with Mrs Meyer 
• Thursday our Book Fair will Open to the public from 4.15 to 5.15 pm. 
• Friday as part of our compliance schedule our whole school will be participating in a lockdown drill which will be run by emergency management staff from MACS. Further information will be sent to families early next week. 
• Also on Friday we will also be hosting a vine pruning workshop with John Ellis (Hanging Rock Winery) and having an after school clean up.  
• Saturday we will have a school Open Day. 

SUNSMART 

With summer on its way, (soon we hope) it's a great time to start thinking about sun safety.

Here are some ways to be SunSmart at school:

• Hats: While hats aren't mandatory until Term 4, we recommend that children begin bringing them to school now.
• Sunscreen: Please help your child practice applying sunscreen. This will help them feel confident when they need to apply it at school.
• SunSmart Tools: We have installed a SunSmart widget on the staff home page so we can keep track of the UV index.  SunSmart also has an app that alerts you when the UV Index reaches 3, which is when sun protection is recommended, or provides times on how to be SunSmart.

The Big Prune

Ever wondered what it takes to produce award-winning wine? Join us in the Holy Cross Vineyard on Friday 29th August as and learn the art of pruning grapevines from one of the best in the business, winemaking royalty, John Ellis.

John has been an incredible guide and support to us for many years, and this hands-on workshop is a unique opportunity to get an up-close look at viticulture and vine maintenance. You'll work alongside our students and gain practical skills that are essential for ensuring a bountiful harvest for years to come.

Whether you're a wine enthusiast, a budding viticulturist, or just curious about the process, this workshop is perfect for you. Don't miss your chance to learn from the best!

Visit our Outdoor Education page for details and to register. WWCC required. 

Open Day 

We're so excited to welcome more families to Holy Cross! To prepare for our upcoming school tour on the morning of Saturday, August 30th, we're looking for some wonderful volunteers.

We're hoping for a few helpers for a mini-working bee on Friday afternoon to tidy up the grounds. We also need some families to help show our new families around on Saturday morning.

An Operoo form will be sent out early next week to register for either or both. Your help makes a huge difference, please tell your friends.  We can't wait to see you there!

SRC 

We're thrilled to announce the restart of our Student Representative Council (SRC) this term!

The SRC will be a vital way for students to share their ideas, provide feedback, and participate in decisions that affect them. This process embodies our Catholic Social Teaching of subsidiarity—the idea that those who live with the decisions should be part of making them.

Instead of traditional speeches, we asked students to reflect on their classmates and choose those who demonstrate the best listening skills and would truly represent everyone's voice. The thoughtfulness of their selections is clear, and we're incredibly proud of the choices they made.

We are pleased to announce the following representatives. These students will receive their badges at this Friday's assembly, with their first meeting scheduled for Monday, August 25th.

Lining Up - Student Update

As we work to amplify student voice across the school, Noah G from 5 B offered this insight into our lining up routine. 

I find the new line a bit more chill. Before, without the line, everyone was yelling, playing tag, or even kicking soccer balls. Now, with the line, there’s less noise. It’s not so hard to go into the classroom, it flows like a quiet little stream. I like how nobody really talks too much, we just line up and get on with our day. Honestly, I find it quicker. Before, even when we were sitting down, people were still talking. Now we sit down and start the day off right.I feel like it helps the school be a little bit calmer, not as loud and we’re able to get along better. 

by Noah  G, 5B

All students attending Holy Cross Primary School have the right to feel safe. The care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people is a fundamental responsibility of all within our school.