Kellie & Kate's Message
Dear Families,
Just when we thought this term could not get any more exciting, last Monday we welcomed a new calf to our Holy Cross community, 'Shorty.' Who would have thought such a new little calf could bring so much joy. We have been fascinated watching his first week and our Sustainability leaders have kept a very close eye on him, alerting us and Alita of his every movement. I think you are in very good hands here at Holy Cross Shorty!
Our school captains interviewed Alita at assembly to find out more about our new family of Highland cows.
We've decided they should have their own page in the newsletter, check out all the photos there!
Welcoming Our Preps Full Time
This week we welcome our Preps full time at school, with only three weeks left until the school holidays, we are very proud of how well they have settled into their first term at Holy Cross. The midweek rest days on Wednesdays have been a wonderful opportunity for our Preps to recharge while also allowing our dedicated Prep teachers to spend valuable one-on-one time with each child and their family. These meetings have helped strengthen connections and ensure a smooth transition into their school life.
We must also congratulate the way our Year 6 children have supported our youngest learners. The friendships forming between our Preps and their Year 6 buddies are already evident, and it’s lovely to see these bonds grow.
Well done to our Preps on a fantastic start to their school journey, we can’t wait to see all they continue to achieve!
Lent
Last Wednesday, our school community came together to mark the beginning of Lent. We were pleased to welcome families and friends to our service as we reflected on this important season.
Our Social Justice Leaders distributed Project Compassion Boxes to each class as a reminder of our commitment to almsgiving during Lent. The school choir, which has grown this year under the guidance of our Year 6 teacher, Lisa Peake, concluded the service with a beautiful rendition of We Are by Kari Jobe.
Lent is not just a season of giving something up; it is an invitation to take something on, to deepen our faith and commit to acts of charity and justice. One way we do this as a school community is by supporting Project Compassion, Caritas Australia’s annual Lenten appeal. Every donation, no matter how small, helps provide education, healthcare, and essential resources to those in need.
School Advisory Council & Grants Works Update
Our School Advisory Council (SAC) plays a vital role in supporting the strategic direction of Holy Cross Primary School. Made up of dedicated parents, our Parish Priest and staff members, the SAC provides guidance and feedback on key school matters, helping to ensure the best outcomes for our children and families.
Last week, our SAC members met with the architect overseeing our grant-funded projects to review plans and drawings. It was an exciting opportunity to discuss the vision for these improvements, and we look forward to sharing more details as plans progress.
While we understand that visible progress has been slow, there is a lot happening behind the scenes. Over the summer holidays, land and feature surveys were completed, and initial designs were drawn up. Since returning to school, a traffic survey has been conducted, and we have met with landscape designers, engineers, and architects. On Tuesday, while students were off-site, a large piece of machinery was brought in to conduct a stormwater investigation, another important step in the process.
We appreciate the patience and support of our school community and will continue to keep you updated as we move forward with these exciting improvements.
Creative Arts Exhibition 2025 Student Entries
Under the guidance of our amazing Art teacher, Kathy Shelton, three of our talented Year 6 students from last year, Alice Guthridge, Harley Gaunt and Abigail Fergusson, have had their artwork accepted to exhibit in the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) Creative Arts Exhibition 2025.
The artwork is titled, "I am a Creation of Wonder" and will be displayed in the Celtic Hall, at the Catholic Leadership Centre in East Melbourne.
Anyone can attend the exhibition as part of Catholic Education Week. There is no cost to attend and you can book through trybooking via the link below. If you are in the city and would like to pop in, walk-ins are welcome, you will just be asked to sign in on arrival.
The exhibition will be open for public viewing from the 16th March until the 22nd of March. This is a wonderful achievement and we wish them well.
Bookings via TryBooking. https://www.trybooking.com/135...
Grade 2 Bake Stall
Once again, there was a lovely buzz in the air on Friday afternoon as our Year 2 families came together to create a fantastic spread for the bake stall.
Beyond the fundraising success, the bake stall has become a lovely opportunity for families to connect at the end of an exciting week and especially heading into a long weekend, to catch up and talk bout all things, including our new calf, (he had lots of visits after school on Friday!) Thank you to Mel and our Year 2 families for donating delicious treats, setting up and cleaning up after assembly, we are very grateful and so are our Year 2 children. Check out Holy Cross Happenings to see what our Grade 2's decided to do with the funds they raised.
The next bake stall, hosted by our Year 3 families, will take place after assembly next week.
Prep Enrolments 2026!
We have had a good response to our school tours, so far and we are looking forward to welcoming prospective families to Holy Cross.
If you have family or friends with a child starting Prep next year, we encourage you to invite them to visit and see our vibrant learning spaces and the great work happening in our school. There’s no better way to experience the Holy Cross community than by seeing it in action!
Thank you to everyone who has helped spread the word, we appreciate your support.
Harmony Day – Celebrating Diversity
Harmony Day, held on Friday, 21 March, is part of Harmony Week, a time to celebrate Australia’s rich cultural diversity. Throughout the week, from 17 to 23 March, we reflect on the values of inclusiveness, respect, and belonging for all Australians, honouring both the traditional custodians of the land and those from many cultures around the world.
With the motto ‘Everyone belongs’, Harmony Week reminds us to embrace our differences, celebrate our shared humanity, and promote respect for all, regardless of race, religion, or background.
To mark the occasion, we invite everyone to wear orange on Friday, 21 March. This is a chance to spark conversations, share stories, and show our commitment to inclusivity.
Neurodiversity Celebration Week
Next week, we will also be recognising Neurodiversity Celebration Week, a time to appreciate and understand the unique ways people think, learn, and experience the world.
Throughout the week, students will take part in lessons and activities that promote awareness, empathy, and inclusivity. These activities will help us celebrate the strengths and talents of individuals with diverse minds, including those with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other neurodivergent traits.
By fostering understanding and acceptance, we continue to build a school community where everyone feels valued and supported.
Thank you! Grape Harvest at Holy Cross
We are so fortunate to have the wonderful support of not only our families but extended families as well. We once again welcomed John Ellis, Sophia in Grade 1's grandfather, back to our vineyard this week. John has been keeping an eye on the sugar levels of our grapes by teaching the children how to use a refractometer. Well, this week it was time to harvest the grapes. We are very grateful to have an expert eye watch over the process as our children enjoy their Outdoor Ed classes and learning the fine art of grape picking. It wasn't a big yield, which we expected, under the advice of John and Ruth our vines had a very heavy prune last year, so we can expect a much bigger yield next year! Thanks to all involved, it is truly another unique Holy Cross experience that we can offer our children and families.
As we prepare to celebrate Catholic Education Week, Harmony Week, and Neurodiversity Celebration Week, don’t forget that St. Patrick’s Day is on Monday! We look forward to seeing everyone dressed with a touch of green to mark the occasion.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Kellie and Kate
What do you call a big Irish spider? Paddy long legs!
Knock-knock! Who’s there? Warren. Warren who? Warren anything green for St. Patrick’s Day?
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.