On Friday, I had the privilege of attending the MACS Literacy Leaders Network alongside our Learning and Teaching Leader, Zoe Vandenhurk. This forum, featuring experts like Professors Rauno Parrila and Saskia Kohnen (ACAL) and consultant Emina McLean, unveiled MACS's new direction for reading and writing instruction.

The exciting news for us was that the recommended assessments, strategies, and explicit literacy instruction are precisely what we've already been implementing at Holy Cross! It's great to know we're on the right track and the strong results we're seeing, particularly in student writing this term, demonstrate the power of this research-informed decision making, planning and the incredible work of our amazing staff.

The celebration of the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica celebrated today links beautifully into our ongoing journey of growth and renewal. This feast is more than the commemoration of a magnificent church. It reminds us of our enduring connection across time: to the past that shaped us, the present we live in, and the future we continue to build together.

Like the Basilica, our Holy Cross community is made of “living stones.” Each person who has been part of our story has added something of themselves with contributions that remain visible today and will continue to strengthen our foundation for years to come. Our community is richer because of this shared and living legacy.

Looking ahead, while we anticipate some changes, please know that our collective commitment to our community and the foundational learning already underway will continue without interruption.

I invite you to reflect on the Prayer from Bishop Ken Untener often attributed to St Oscar Romero, to embrace the future with open hearts and be thankful for every moment, that has helped bring Holy Cross to life.

Many Blessings,

Eloise Meyer

Move to Composite Classes

After much consideration, Holy Cross will be moving to a composite class structure in 2026, a decision that was based on educational as well as social and practical considerations.

Like many schools, we face resource and enrolment constraints that make it no longer possible to run single-grade classes across every year level. Rather than seeing this as a limitation, we are embracing it as an opportunity to strengthen learning, teacher collaboration, consistency and student connection across our school.

This change helps us:

Reflect what our students value. SRC discussions have shown a clear desire for more opportunities to learn and work with students beyond their own year level.
Address identified educational, social, and emotional needs of our school community.
Create balanced class sizes that allow for richer learning, stronger teacher–student relationships and growth.
Provide opportunities for teacher collaboration working closely within teams and with leaders to improve student outcomes.
Create frameworks for increased consistency across the school, something our students have also requested through the SRC.

Additionally, this new structure will support a timetable change with the aim for all specialist classes spread over two days rather than the entire week. This helps to reduce transitions and interruptions throughout the week, leading to calmer days and more consistent routines for our students and families!

At Holy Cross, this change represents our commitment to doing the very best for our students within our resources, forward planning, and always with student learning and wellbeing at the heart of every decision. Whilst it may feel like a significant change, our teachers are already excited about the possibilities and we are confident that this shift will enhance the sense of community, belonging, and opportunities for every child to flourish at Holy Cross.

We’ve prepared a Q&A sheet that explains the thinking and research behind this change and answers many of the questions raised by our community. We’ll also share the final class structure soon.

As always, if you have any questions, please reach out.

Holy Cross Farewells

As we look ahead, we have some staff changes on the horizon. We wanted to share two very important announcements with you as soon as we possibly could.

Jill Cannon will be retiring after an incredible 46 years in education, including 21 years at Holy Cross. Jill’s care, commitment, and quiet strength have shaped the learning of countless students and left a lasting mark on our community and Catholic education as a whole.

Kellie McDonald will also be finishing at the end of this year. Kellie

will take leave in Term 1, 2026, to spend time with her family and explore what comes next, a decision that did not come easily but one that Kellie feels is the right one at this time. Kellie has been part of Holy Cross for over 20 years, as a parent, School Board member, and for the past decade as a teacher, leader and acting-principal who has given her absolute heart and soul to this community.

Both Jill and Kellie have contributed so much to the life of Holy Cross. Their warmth, generosity, and passion for each and every student is deeply felt by everyone who has had the pleasure of knowing them.

We look forward to celebrating and thanking them both in coming weeks.

Fire Danger Period

As we approach the official start of the fire danger period (17th November), we would like to draw your attention to our processes for Fire Danger Days including the requirement to close the school on extreme and catastrophic fire danger days. Please visit 'Fire Danger Days' for more information.

Working Bees

We will be holding a number of working bees in this weekend and next, and will need your help.

We'll be focused on three major areas:

Fire Season clean up - We need to cut back, clear debris, mow and tidy the school grounds to ensure fire safety.
Say Goodbye to Portables - We need some help give the portables a final, clean-out before they are removed.
Furniture Clean-Up, Stocktake & Sale: We’re sorting the two carpark sheds to work out what we have and sell unwanted furniture and create much-needed storage room.

Anyone attending these working bees will be able to claim their working bee discount from their fees. WWCC check is required.

Post-Assembly Stalls: Bake Sale & Produce!

Thanks everyone who came to last Friday's Bake Sale and produce stall especially those who baked and donated such an amazing array of goodies.

We can't think of a batter way to spend a Friday afternoon, catch up with friends, and support our school at the same time.

So don't dessert us and join us next Friday!

Date	Year Level Hosting
Friday 17th October	Year 4 - Thankyou!
Friday 31st October	Year 5 - Incredible!
Friday 14th November	Year 6
Friday 28th November	Year Prep

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.

Happy Birthday!