Holy Family Catholic Primary School Kelso eNewsletter

SCHOOL CALENDAR

Week 10
23.9.25 - 10am Catherine McAuley Mercy Performance (Hall): Show 1 - 10am (3-6), Show 2 - 11:40 (K-2)
24.9.25 - 10am Mercy Day Mass - Srs of Mercy (Hall) All welcome
25.9.25 - 2.15pm Special Assembly: K-6 (Hall)
25.9.25 - Last day of Lessons, Term Three
26.9.25 - Pupil Free Day

Term Four, Week 1
13.10.25 - Lessons commence
14.10.25 - 7.30pm-8.30pm P&F Meeting in the Staffroom. All welcome
17.10.25 - 2.00pm-3.00pm P&F Colour Run. Bottom Ovals. All welcome

Future Note: Pupil-free day Wednesday, 17 December 2025
(last day of lessons for 2025 will be on Tuesday, 16 December 2025).

In 2025 our parents have access to the Google HFS Parent Calendar.
Click on the link below to access the Google Calendar.

Please click here to access our Google Calendar!

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

🌟 Finishing Strong – A Week of Reflection and Celebration

As we approach the final days of Term 3, there’s a sense of closure and anticipation in the air. Our students have worked hard, played with heart, and grown in ways both seen and unseen. This week, we’ve focused on finishing strong—not just academically, but emotionally and spiritually.

One of the most touching moments was the surprise visit from a group of former Holy Family students, now thriving in Year 12 at Kelso High. Dressed proudly in their 2019 Year 6 jerseys and Holy Family uniforms, they returned to walk the grounds that helped shape them. It was a moment of joy and quiet pride as we paused to celebrate their journey and the values they carry forward. Their presence reminded us that the seeds we plant here continue to grow long after students leave our gates.

This sense of pride was echoed in our current Year 6 students, who represented Holy Family with grace and maturity during their recent trip to Canberra. Their behaviour, curiosity, and respect were a credit to their families and our school community. We are so proud of the young leaders they are becoming.

As this term draws to a close, we are reminded that this time of year calls for gentleness. Our children are tired -emotionally and physically. A long sporting season is wrapping up, routines are shifting, and the holidays are just around the corner. It’s a time to slow down, offer encouragement, and notice the small wins. Whether it’s a quiet act of kindness, a moment of resilience, or a burst of laughter on the playground, these are the things that matter most.

Finally, as we head into the break, may we all find time to rest, reconnect, and reflect. We also take this moment to send our best wishes and prayers to all our former Holy Family students as they prepare for their upcoming HSC exams in Term 4. May they feel the strength of our community behind them and carry forward the values that were nurtured here.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We look forward to returning in Term 4 with renewed energy and a shared commitment to growing together - gathered in love.

Mrs Alison Curtin
Principal

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Exploring the Art of Teaching: Year 10 Work Experience Success

Over the course of this term, our school has proudly hosted a vibrant group of Year 10 students as part of a successful work experience program focused on exploring the teaching profession. All former Holy Family students, these aspiring young individuals brought enthusiasm, curiosity, and a genuine passion for learning to our classrooms.

In Week 4, we welcomed Isabelle, Chloe, and Milla from MacKillop College. Week 5 saw Morgan from the Kelso High Campus join our team, and this week, Rory and Vincent from St Stanislaus College have stepped into the teaching world. Each student immersed themselves in the daily rhythm of school life, gaining hands-on experience by shadowing our dedicated teachers and engaging with our primary-aged learners.

Their contributions have been invaluable- from assisting with reading groups and supporting our youngest students in the Lab and Library, to joining Physical Education lessons and taking part in our lively Book Week celebrations. Through these diverse activities, they’ve gained a well-rounded understanding of the joys and challenges of teaching.

We hope that this experience has sparked a lasting interest in education and perhaps even inspired them to consider a future career in teaching. It has been a pleasure to welcome them back to Holy Family and watch them thrive in this dynamic learning environment.

Mrs Amanda McGinnes
Assistant Principal

REC NEWS

Loving and Merciful God,
We gather in gratitude for the Sisters of Mercy,
Who have answered Your call to serve with faith and compassion.
Inspired by the vision of Catherine McAuley,
They have dedicated their lives to educating the young,
Caring for the sick, and uplifting the poor and vulnerable.

We give thanks for their unwavering commitment
To bring Your tender mercy to the world,
And for the countless lives they have touched through their love and service.
May their example guide us to live with courage, humility,
And a deep trust in Your providence.

Bless the Sisters of Mercy who continue this sacred mission today.
Renew their strength, deepen their faith,
And fill their hearts with the joy of serving You.

As we honour their legacy,
Help us to follow in their footsteps,
To act with compassion, seek justice, and share Your mercy with all.
Through the intercession of Catherine McAuley,
We pray in Jesus' name.

Amen.

Today we will join the Sisters of Mercy and Mercy schools around the world in celebrating Mercy Day. This special day commemorates the opening of the first House of Mercy in Dublin, Ireland, on 24 September 1827. It is a time to honour Catherine McAuley’s vision of educating women, caring for the sick, and supporting the poor.

Celebrating Mercy Education is both humbling and inspiring. Catherine McAuley, along with the many remarkable Sisters of Mercy, has laid a strong foundation of living out the Mercy values, which continue to guide us today. We give thanks for the rich legacy of the past while looking with hope towards the future.

As Catherine McAuley reminded us:
"The tender Mercy of God has given us one another."

Yesterday, all students across the school had the opportunity to participate in the Starr production of Catherine McAuley’s Mercy. The play beautifully portrayed Catherine’s determined spirit—political, practical, and spiritual—as she worked tirelessly to fulfil her dream of educating the poor, especially women and girls. It also highlighted her strong and dynamic character and her warm Irish humour, which helped her overcome the many challenges she faced.

Thank you for your continued support as we honour and live out the Mercy values in our everyday lives.

Sacraments ……….
A gentle reminder to families to register with Cathy O’Brien at the presbytery and ensure all necessary paperwork and payment are completed for the Sacraments of Penance or Eucharist. The final weekend for bookings to receive the Sacraments will be 16th November. Please note that the Priest Retreat will take place the following week, leading to the celebration of the Feast of Christ the King.

A MESSAGE FROM THE BATHURST CHANCERY OFFICE

Accounts/Administrative Position Available – Bathurst Chancery Office

Are you organised, tech-savvy, and passionate about supporting mission-driven work? The Chancery Office of the Catholic Diocese of Bathurst is looking for a reliable and capable person to join our administration team.

Role: Administrative Officer – with a focus on accounts and mission work
Location: Cathedral Precinct, Bathurst
Employment: Full-time or Part-time (negotiable for the right candidate)

We’re looking for someone who:

Is highly proficient in Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Forms, Gmail, Calendar, Drive, etc.). Experience with Microsoft Excel is also an advantage.
Is experienced in MYOB, bank reconciliations, accounts payable and receivable.
Can multitask and manage competing priorities.
Has excellent communication and organisational skills.
Works well both independently and as part of a team.
Understands the importance of confidentiality and professionalism.

Join a welcoming team and help support the Church’s mission through effective administration and communication.

To Apply: Send a brief cover letter and your CV to: Financial Controller – finance@bathurst.catholic.org.au

For more information: Contact the Chancery Office on (02) 6334 6400.

Applications close Thursday, 31 October 2025.

Mass Times: For the latest up-to-date Mass times, please click below:

Cathedral Parish Mass Times

Mrs Louise Davies - REC

SPORTS REPORT

Polding Athletics Championships: In Week 8, thirteen students from Holy Family proudly represented our Diocese at the Polding Athletics Championships in Newcastle. Many of our athletes achieved personal bests, showcasing their dedication and effort on the day.

The following students will advance and represent the Polding Team at the PSSA Athletics Championships on the 22nd and 23rd of October.

Xavier Curtin (Holy Family, Kelso): 1st in the 200m, 2nd in the 100m
Harry Dawson (Holy Family, Kelso): 2nd in the 800m
Hudson Cronin (Holy Family, Kelso): 3rd in the 100m

Congratulations to Xavier, Harry, and Hudson on your fantastic achievements. A special thank you to our dedicated parents for transporting our athletes and to Mrs Curtin for her support with the Diocesan Team on the day.

Summer Sports Trials: Students in Year 4 and Year 5 have nominated for a sport they would like to trial for the Summer Sports Trials. These trials will take place at school in Week 1 of next term. We will then select a contingent from our school to attend the Diocesan Trials in Dubbo on the following dates.

Cricket, Softball, Touch - Thursday 20th November (Week 6)

Basketball, Tennis, - Friday 21st November (Week 6)

We will have more information for parents in the coming weeks.

Mrs Blaire Clarke
Sports Coordinator

CELEBRATING STAFF NEWS!

We’re thrilled to share some wonderful news from our HFS staff community!

First, a big congratulations to Angela Calvert, who celebrated her marriage to Ray Jackson last weekend. We wish them every happiness as they begin this new chapter together.

We’re also delighted to announce that Amanda McGinnes, Stephanie Tilburg, and Angela Jackson are all expecting babies in 2026! Amanda and her husband Ben are preparing to welcome their third child, while this will be the first for both Stephanie and Angela. We share in their excitement and look forward to supporting them as they prepare to welcome new life into the world.

Please keep these staff members in your thoughts and prayers as they embrace these beautiful new beginnings.

PUPIL-FREE DAYS - Fri, 26 Sept & Wed, 17 Dec

On our last day this term, Friday 26 September, our teaching staff will be involved in a Professional Learning Day focusing on the new HSIE Curriculum. The last day of lessons for Term 3 will be Thursday, 25 September.

At the end of this year, our staff will take part in a professional learning day focused on first aid training. At HFS, we have an increasing number of students with significant medical needs, and this training will ensure our staff are well prepared to support them both at school and on excursions. The last day of lessons for 2025 for our students will be Tuesday, 16 December 2025, followed by a pupil-free day on Wednesday, 17 December 2025 for staff training.

We sincerely thank our HFS community for supporting these valuable professional learning opportunities for our staff.

IGNATIUS PLACE

We kindly remind our parents and students to be respectful of the residential properties along Ignatius Place, Kelso. At the end of the school day, this area becomes very busy for both our families and local residents. If you or your child use Ignatius Place, please help us by ensuring that you:

Do not park across driveways
Do not walk through gardens
Do not touch houses or knock on windows

Your support helps us maintain positive relationships with our neighbours and keeps this area safe for everyone.

CLASS IN REVIEW - 2M

2M has been busy learning and sharing in many exciting ways this term! This past fortnight, students have taken turns delivering fascinating news items to the class. We’ve heard about much-loved pets, speedy motorbikes, fun holiday plans, caring families, and even some very interesting cows on the farm! In Maths, 2M has been working in small groups to solve division word problems, using arrays to show their thinking clearly and confidently. Our artistic talents have also shone through, with students sketching amazing southern cassowaries and placing them in beautiful Daintree rainforest backgrounds. In health, we’ve been learning what to do in an emergency. Students practised through role play, acting out different scenarios to build confidence and life skills. From creative storytelling to problem-solving and real-world safety, 2M is learning in ways that are both fun and meaningful!

YEAR 6 CANBERRA EXCURSION

Our Year 6 students recently enjoyed an educational tour of our nation’s capital. Throughout the excursion, students engaged in a range of programs designed to deepen their understanding of Australia’s history, culture, heritage, and democracy.

The Australian Government acknowledges the importance of all young Australians visiting Canberra as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To support families with the cost of the excursion, the Government provides funding through the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) program. Under this program, our school received $30 per student, paid directly to the school after the trip was completed. This assistance reduced the cost to our parents for this excursion.

Highlights of the trip included visits to the Australian War Memorial, Parliament House, Old Parliament House, the Electoral Education Centre, Questacon, and the Australian Institute of Sport. A fun evening at Zone Bowling added plenty of laughter to the experience.

It was a busy two days, and the students remained focused and involved throughout, asking insightful questions and supporting one another with care and maturity. Their respectful and reverent behaviour at the War Memorial was especially moving, and a credit to both their families and our school.

Thank you to Mr Joel Hartmann, Miss Erika Dwyer, Miss Tegan Taylor, Mrs Leisa Barnes and Mrs Alison Curtin for their care, energy, and guidance throughout the camp.

MERIT AWARDS - Week 8 Assembly

Congratulations to our Week 8 Merit Award Recipients - Kolby Whitby, Oracle Berrell, James Vella, Sam Windsor, Lenny Putland, Phoebe Toole, Ebony Marks, Sethumi Dahamsa, Carson Worboyes, Phoebe Hart, Skylar Manvell, Joshua Adams, Lincoln Beckers, Olivia Mierczak, Max Oakley, Nate Crofts, Ivy Arnold, Sam Stokes, Violet McLean, Memphis Robinson, Annabel Locke, Hamish Ford, Olivia Campbell, Benjamin Mannix, Jaeger Cuff, Aryan Nair, Clementine Windsor, Walker Smith, Quinn Ross, Alexandra Sinton, Airlie Sharp, Nixon Manvell, Matilda Miller, Jaxon Hagney, Cruz Giddings, Jax McClintock, Farrah Johnson, Bentley Williams, Hunter Allman, Indi Harper, Hayley Lawson, Mia Moxon.

P & F NEWS

Save the date for upcoming events in Term 4:

17^th Oct. Colour Run
9^th Nov. Bunnings BBQ (Volunteers needed)
14^th Nov. Disco (Volunteers needed)

Keep an eye out on socials and school announcements for more details and events.

Our next P&F meeting will be held on Tuesday, 14 October in the staffroom. We would love to see you there.

Colour Run Fundraiser

The kids had such a great time last year that we have arranged for the P&F Colour Run fundraiser to be held again this year on Friday, 17th October. Money raised from this fundraiser will help purchase Amplify for our school. A fun and exciting creative arts curriculum that our kids will enjoy. Let's get registered and start fundraising, lots of prizes and fun guaranteed.

We really need volunteers - this is incredibly important for ensuring the day runs smoothly and the kids have a blast! We need volunteers to help set up and to help run the event - who's keen to spray coloured powder at their kids?!

Obstacles - we would love to make the obstacle course a little more interesting for the kids. Does anybody have anything they'd be willing to drop off on the day that could work? We're thinking hay bales, old tyres? Open to suggestions!

Please reach out to the P & F (via their Facebook page: Holy Family School, Kelso Parents & Friends)

Charley Fearnley

CANTEEN

Canteen Lunch Orders Reminder
As our school continues to grow, we kindly remind families that no late lunch orders can be placed directly through the school or canteen. Lunch orders must be submitted by 9:00am using Flexischools. Please note, if you forget to order in time, we do have sandwiches (fresh or toasted) available to be ordered up until 10:45am using Flexischools. Thank you for helping us keep everything running smoothly!

Sushi Dates for Term 4: Sushi is supplied by Sushia and is only available for order via Flexischools app

Week 4 - Thursday 6th November
Week 7 - Thursday 27th November
Week 9 - Thursday 11th November

Lunch Orders: Download the ‘Flexischools’ app to order your child’s lunch online. Full instructions can be found on our website and are also available via the link below. Please do not forget to order sauce along with the order.

Parents must order online for their child’s lunch order.

Open: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday
Closed: Tuesday & Friday

If you have any queries or would like to Volunteer please phone Vikki on 0439 964 462.

SUPERVISION AND PICK UP REMINDER

Supervision and Pick-Up Reminder

This is a reminder to families that school supervision begins at 8:35 a.m. each morning. Students arriving before this time must remain seated in the courtyard until staff on duty arrive. This is an important part of ensuring student safety.

The school day concludes at 3:15 pm, and there are several options available for student pick-up:

Walkers 1: Students walking home or being collected on foot from the front gate.
Walkers 2: Students collected from the bottom of the hill near the CEDB building (Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst) are escorted to this designated collection point.
Car Pick-Up: This is a drive-through option. Please note that drivers must remain in their vehicles at all times. In the afternoon, this is especially important as we operate on a 5 cars in, 5 cars out system to ensure safety and efficiency.
Park and Collect: Families may park in the Visitors’ Car Park and collect their child from the Multi-Sports Area.

Staff fully supervise students catching the country bus each afternoon until the last bus departs and all students are safely on board.

Thank you for your cooperation in supporting the safety and well-being of all our students.

ON-SITE AFTER SCHOOL CARE - Contact Details.

This is a continuing service available to our families. Care is available from 3.15pm - 6.00pm (or part thereof). Centacare is our provider and you can express interest by contacting:
• Mobile: 0491 147 453
• Email at: holyfamilyoshc@centacarebathurst.com.au
The team can answer any questions you may have.

Expressions of interest for 2026 are now being taken!