NEWSLETTER NO. 13 - 26.8.2025
- SCHOOL CALENDAR
- PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
- ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
- REC NEWS
- LIBRARY NEWS
- SPORTS REPORT
- CLASS IN REVIEW - 3M
- CLASS IN REVIEW - KM
- EISTEDDFOD NEWS
- MERIT AWARDS - Week 4 Assembly
- FATHERS DAY BIG BREAKFAST
- RUOK DAY @ HFS
- BOOKCLUB
- P & F NEWS
- PARENT ENGAGEMENT NETWORK (PEN) NEWSLETTER
- CANTEEN
- SUPERVISION AND PICK UP REMINDER
- ON-SITE AFTER SCHOOL CARE - Contact Details.
- LOST & FOUND
- COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Week 6
26.8.25 - 9.05am Kindy Eisteddfod. 9.30am Years 1 and 2 Eisteddfod. BMEC
27.8.25 - Kindergarten 2026 Transition Day 4
28.8.25 - 10.00am ICAS Maths
29.8.25 - Year 3 Pre Eucharist Retreat. MacKillop
29.8.25 - 2.15pm School Assembly. Hall. All welcome
Week 7
2.9.25 - 7.30pm-8.30pm P&F Meeting. Staffroom. All welcome
5.9.25 - 6.30am-9.00am Fathers Day Big Breakfast
In 2025 our parents have access to the Google HFS Parent Calendar.
Click on the link below to access the Google Calendar.
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
As Term 3 unfolds, I’m reminded of the joy and strength found in our Holy Family community. From the colour and laughter of Book Week to the cheers at the finish line, Holy Family is a place where hearts are open and opportunities abound.
We are blessed with so many pathways for growth—academic, physical, spiritual, creative—and increasingly, these pathways extend into the digital world. Our students are engaging with social media, online platforms, and digital tools more than ever. With this comes a shared responsibility: to guide them in using these spaces with kindness, accountability, and integrity.
Responsibility doesn’t begin and end at the school gate. It’s something we nurture together, in classrooms, in homes, and in hearts. When families and schools work in partnership, we help children understand that their words matter, their choices shape others, and their actions reflect who they are becoming. A simple conversation at home about kindness online, or a moment of reflection after a disagreement, can be powerful steps toward forming young people who lead with love.
This weekend’s Gospel from Luke 13:22–30 reminds us that “those who are least will be the most important.” It calls us to look beyond status, popularity, or perfection, and instead to embrace humility, quiet strength, and service to others. These are not just Gospel ideals; they are the foundations of our shared vision at Holy Family.
When we try to walk this path alone, we glimpse only a fraction of God’s love. But when we walk it together, as a faith-filled community, we begin to see His grace more fully, in the kindness of a classmate, the patience of a teacher, and the courage of a child learning to lead with love.
Here are some simple ways families can bring this week’s Gospel Challenge to life at home:
- Kindy–Year 2: Talk about what it means to be a good friend. Celebrate small acts of kindness and help children notice when someone might be feeling left out.
- Years 3–4: Encourage children to reflect on their words—online and in person. Ask, “Did I help someone feel included today?”
- Years 5–6: Discuss humility and leadership. Explore how being a leader doesn’t mean being the loudest or most popular, but being someone who lifts others up.
This is why we choose a Catholic education: to nurture not only knowledge, but faith, compassion, and character. To help our children see Christ in one another, and to remind them and ourselves that we are never alone on the journey.
Mrs Alison Curtin
Principal
HFS COMMUNITY MESSAGES & REMINDERS
Road Safety & Parking Reminders
Families are responsible for travel to and from school, and once students arrive, school staff assume the duty of care. The partnership with families and our local community to support safe travel for all is important.
Together, we keep our children safe—
on the road, in the car, and on the bus.
🚗 Car Drop-Off & Pick-Up in French Smith Place – Parents must remain in their vehicles to ensure a smooth and safe flow of traffic.
🚸 Road Safety: We’ve had several near misses since school resumed this term—reminders of how vulnerable young children are around traffic. Children under 10 need active adult supervision at all times near roads and car parks.
Please reinforce these key safety messages at home:
● Hold a grown-up’s hand when crossing the road
● Hold a grown-up’s hand on the footpath
● Hold a grown-up’s hand in car parks
🚲 Bike Safety – Riding to school is a great way for students to stay active and build independence. Please remind your child to follow road rules and ride safely.
Top Tips:
✅ Ride on the left-hand side
✅ Wear a helmet
✅ Use footpaths where permitted
✅ Dismount before entering school grounds
✅ Lock your bike securely during the day
Note- The school has provided bike racks to support active travel, but this privilege comes with the expectation of safe and responsible riding. For everyone’s safety, students must disembark upon entering school grounds and walk their bikes to the racks.
🚌 Bus Safety Reminder- We ask all families to reinforce the importance of staying seated at all times while travelling on the bus. This is essential for student safety and allows drivers to focus solely on the road—not on managing behaviour. Please note that school buses are equipped with internal cameras, which record unsafe or disruptive behaviour. When incidents are captured, the bus company may issue consequences, and the school fully supports these.
OOSHC Reminders – Afternoon Pick-Up
🕒 Please remember that Holy Family and Centacare OOSHC are two separate entities. If your child’s afternoon arrangements change — for example, if you’re picking up a sick child early — it is the family’s responsibility to notify OOSHC directly.
To help us manage end-of-day transitions smoothly, please ensure any changes to afternoon pick-up are communicated by calling the school office before 1:00 pm.
Fire Drill
🔥 As part of our regular safety procedures, Holy Family conducted a fire drill last week to ensure students and staff are well-prepared in the event of an emergency. We’re pleased to share that the drill was carried out calmly and efficiently. Thank you to all our students for showing maturity, listening carefully to instructions, and moving safely throughout the process. Practising these procedures helps us stay ready, confident, and safe—no matter the circumstance.
Supporting Safe Online Behaviour
As children explore the digital world, it’s vital we guide them with care and consistency. The eSafety Commissioner offers practical resources for families on screen time, social media, and online challenges.
Together, we can help our children make wise choices online. 🔗 Explore resources- Click here
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Building a Love of Reading: A Foundation for Lifelong Learners
At our school, we believe that reading is more than a skill—it's a gateway to imagination, empathy, and lifelong learning. From our youngest learners in Kindergarten to our confident readers in Year 6, we are committed to nurturing a love of reading that lasts.
K- 2: Building the Foundation with DRA Phonics
In the early years, we use the DRA Phonics program to lay the groundwork for strong reading habits. Through daily practice in phonemic awareness, decoding, and fluency, students gain the tools they need to become independent readers. This structured approach ensures every child builds confidence and mastery, setting them up for success as they move into more complex texts.
Years 3- 6: Deepening the Love of Reading
As students grow, so does their reading journey. In Years 3–6, we focus on:
- Rich, diverse texts that challenge thinking and spark curiosity—from novels and nonfiction to poetry and global literature.
- Classroom discussions that encourage students to share ideas, ask questions, and connect personally with what they read.
- The Renaissance program, which helps us track progress, set goals, and ensure every reader feels successful. With personalised reading levels and access to engaging books, students are empowered to choose texts that inspire and challenge them.
This balanced approach ensures that reading remains joyful, meaningful, and inclusive for all learners.
How You Can Support Reading at Home
Here are three simple ways to keep the momentum going each night:
- Make Reading a Ritual Set aside 15 minutes for reading together or side-by-side. Whether it’s a picture book or a chapter from a novel, consistency builds habit and comfort.
- Talk About Books Ask your child what they’re reading in class or what they liked about a story. These conversations deepen comprehension and show that reading matters.
- Celebrate Progress Whether your child finishes a book, learns a new word, or reads aloud with confidence- celebrate it! Encouragement fuels motivation.
Together, we’re growing readers who are not only skilled, but passionate. Thank you for being part of this journey.
Mrs Amanda McGinnes
Assistant Principal
REC NEWS
Loving God,
As we farewell the final days of winter,
we give thanks for the quiet moments of rest and reflection
the cooler season has brought us.
As spring begins to blossom,
we are reminded of Your promise of renewal and hope.
Help us to embrace the beauty of new beginnings,
just as the earth awakens with fresh growth and life.
May we find joy in the lengthening days,
gratitude for the warmth of the sun,
and wonder in the unfolding of creation around us.
Bless our families, our school, and our community
as we journey together through this season of change.
May we grow in kindness, love, and care for one another,
and always seek to nurture the gifts You have given us.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen
Year 3 Eucharist Retreat Day at MacKillop College
Our Year 3 students will attend a special Eucharist Retreat Day at MacKillop College, this Friday, 29th August, accompanied by their teacher, Mrs Tilburg, Mr Hardy, and SLSOs Ms Boer and Mr Taylor. The retreat will be led by Year 10 students from MacKillop and Stannies, and through group work, videos, drama, games, craft, and quizzes, the children will explore the significance of the Last Supper and the Sacrament of Eucharist.
The day begins at 9:30 am and concludes at 2:30 pm. Year 3 students are reminded to bring their morning tea, lunch, a water bottle, and a hat. Meal breaks will take place in the MacKillop playground, where students will be supervised by their teachers and enjoy the opportunity to engage with the MacKillop community.
It promises to be a meaningful and enriching day for our students, and we thank Dr. Amber Calleja, REC: Mission and Faith Formation, from MacKillop College, for the organisation of the day.
Class Liturgies Coming up:
Stage 3 - Years 5 and 6 Wednesday 10th September at 2:15 pm in the HFS Chapel
A Faith-Filled Journey: Sacraments of Penance and Eucharist
Over the past few weekends, many of our Year 3 students have joyfully celebrated their First Holy Communion (Eucharist). It’s heartening to see so many students also visiting the presbytery and receiving the Sacrament of Penance, nurturing their spiritual growth and strengthening their connection with God.
We kindly remind families to finalise their registrations with Cathy O’Brien at the presbytery and ensure all required forms and payments are completed for the Sacraments of Penance or Eucharist. Please note that 16th November is the final weekend for bookings. The following week, the Priest Retreat will take place in preparation for the Feast of Christ the King.
Let us continue to pray for our students as they embrace this important chapter in their faith journey, drawing ever closer to Christ through these sacred Sacraments.
Mass Times: For the latest up-to-date Mass times, please click below:
Mrs Louise Davies - REC
LIBRARY NEWS
Book Week Celebration: A Joyful Community Gathering
Last Thursday, 21 August, our school came alive with the celebration of Book Week, themed "Book an Adventure". It was a truly fantastic day where our community came together to share the joy of literature and the written word, affirming the importance of reading in nurturing young hearts and minds.
Our Book Fair was an enormous success, and this was only possible thanks to the wonderfully supportive families and friends of our Holy Family School community. The children delighted us all by dressing as their favourite book characters or embracing the Australiana theme, with our dedicated teachers joining in the fun. This creative spirit extended into classrooms, where the Book Week activities enriched our school’s reading programs and brought stories to life.
The Book Week assembly was a highlight, with such overwhelming support from families that there was hardly any standing room left! Our Year 6 students shone as leaders, proudly presenting their Australian-themed board games—designed during Term 2 library lessons with Mrs Windsor—to students in Years 1 to 4. Their creativity and effort were a testament to the value of collaboration and learning through play.
I take this opportunity to thank the following students and staff who so generously sponsored a shortlisted book for our school library - a gift that will give for many years to come: Felix McCulloch, Ava Cummings, Ivy Harper, Indi Lewis, Olivia Cummings, Jack Nixon, Dominic McGinnes, Skyla Conroy, Mrs Munro, Ryan Curry, Patrick Montgomerie, Thomas Montgomerie, Mrs Wardman, Charlotte Conroy, Kairi Cunningham, Oakley Cook, Riley Miller, Pranshi Patnak, Charlie Williams, Isla Nixon, Penny Arrow, Seraphina Malfroy, Theodore Walker, Linden Malfroy, Hazel Schumacher, Makenna Moss and Dream Ronquillo
We extend a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to Mrs Botham and Mrs Harper for the outstanding array of Australian-themed treats served during morning tea. A special mention also goes to our incredible staff, who generously jumped in to cook and serve a delicious BBQ lunch. A huge thank you also to our Classroom Assistants for their amazing help with the library displays and photography!
The day was a true reflection of our school’s Catholic spirit of community and gratitude. Together, we celebrated the joy of books, the gift of storytelling, and the power of imagination. Events like these remind us of the importance of fostering a love of learning and sharing it with one another.
Thanks again to everyone who made Book Week 2025 a wonderful success. May we continue to inspire our children to embark on new adventures through the pages of books!
Book Week Photos (to see more photos, please go to our Facebook page)
Premiers Reading Challenge
Over the coming weeks, we are on a reading ‘push’ to have all children complete this fantastic reading event. The last day is September 19th, extending the previous August date! I will start validating student records this week. Congratulations to our winners for 2025: Year One Maroon and Year 5 Maroon, who have all completed the challenge and logged their books—well done on this outstanding achievement!
Mrs Louise Davies & Mrs Katrina Windsor
Teacher Librarians
SPORTS REPORT
Diocesan Athletics Carnival: Last Friday, 37 students represented Holy Family at the Diocesan Athletics Carnival in Dubbo. The carnival was attended by schools in the Bathurst Diocese. Congratulations to the following athletes who will progress to the Polding Carnival to be held in Newcastle on September 12: Sonny Anderson, Bronte Booth, Keira Bosianek, Hudson Cronin, Rydah Cronin, Xavier Curtin, Harry Dawson, Milla Dennis, Mark Hunter, Hugh Hutton, Kalesita Kaufusi, Cruz-Izak Peters and Jett Thornberry. Congratulations to all students who attended, who were proud ambassadors for our school. A big thank you to Mrs Bowman, Mr Dennis and Mrs Curtin for their work supporting students and track events on the day. Also a big thank you to our dedicated parents for transporting students to the carnival.
Australian Flat Track Championships: Year 4 student Flynn Beard competed in rounds 3 and 4 of the Australian Flat Track Championships last weekend. He finished 6th on Saturday and took the round win on Sunday. These results take Flynn to 3rd outright in the series (just 3 points behind 2nd place) with 3 rounds to go. Go Flynn!
Mrs Blaire Clarke
Sports Coordinator
CLASS IN REVIEW - 3M
Book Week was a highlight for 3M, with students arriving in a colourful array of costumes inspired by their favourite book characters. The creativity, enthusiasm and joy on display made the day truly memorable, as students proudly shared their love of stories and reading with one another.
In addition to our Book Week festivities, we have also been immersed in our rich literature unit, Rowan of Rin. Exploring themes of bravery, imagination and growth, students were inspired to create striking dragon eye artworks. Each piece was unique and full of detail, showing the individuality and creativity of its maker. These artworks not only captured the magic of the story but also reflected the students’ growing confidence as writers, readers and artists.
CLASS IN REVIEW - KM
EISTEDDFOD NEWS
Our infants students have all enjoyed their experience on the 'big stage' at BMEC participating in the Bathurst Eisteddfod. Congratulations to all our students for their hard work and enthusiasm! A big thank you to Miss Tegan Taylor for her wonderful work with our infants students preparing them for their performances.
Our Drumming Group and School Ensemble also performed recently under the guidance and leadership of Paula Jackson. Thank you to Paula for all her hard work and dedication with our musical groups at HFS.
Results:
Kindergarten: 2nd Place
Years 1 & 2 Choir: Highly Commended
Drumming Group: 1st Place
Musical Ensemble: 3rd Place
MERIT AWARDS - Week 4 Assembly
Congratulations to our Week 4 Merit Award Recipients - Oracle Berrell, Dream Ronquillo, Liam Curran, Chad Kemp-Riley, Advit Pandit, Madden Kensey, Hunter Campbell, Ryan Curry, Kathryn O'Connor, Harper Pheils, Riyon Jayasinghe, Allison Fate Ronquillo, Rosie Ferson, Mason Smith, Evelyn Heness, Jenson Robinson, Maya Healey, Charlotte Moore, Eden Wood, Slater Beard, Noah Dunstan, Owen Williams, Remi Richards, Asher King, Maygen Johnson, Bronte Booth, Kymarni Whitby, Lexi Wilsmore-Smith, Reagan West, Reyan Khatri, Jacob Hutton, Hunter Smith, Mikayla Coleman, Matilda Dwyer, Harriet Carson, Abigail Rehling, Rosie Fearnley, Sahib Kaur, Olivia Windsor, Roczen Richards, Howard Sanderson, Matilda Burke, Flynn Beard, Lachlan Fahey, Blaire Harrison, Rydah Cronin, Piper Oakley, Emily Sinton, Matilda Robins, Tyrell Thomas, Jack Boyce, Layla Callaghan, Kalesita Kaufusi, Harlow Nelligan.
FATHERS DAY BIG BREAKFAST
RUOK DAY @ HFS
BOOKCLUB
Orders Due - Monday, 1 September.
P & F NEWS
Save the date for upcoming events in Term 4:
17th Oct. Colour Run
9th Nov. Bunnings BBQ (Volunteers needed)
14th 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, 2nd September 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.
Charley Fearnley
A message from Mrs Curtin:
Amplify is a software platform that enables teachers to deliver high-quality, sequential creative art lessons that meet compulsory curriculum outcomes in Music, Drama and Dance. It supports non-specialist teachers, providing all lesson material, including follow-up worksheets, assessment and differentiation tasks.
We’re excited to share that Tegan Taylor, our K–2 music specialist, will be trialing Amplify with students in Terms 3 and 4, following the Eisteddfod. With the generous support of our Parents & Friends Association, we hope to offer Amplify to all K–6 students in 2026, expanding into the dance and drama domains also available on the platform.
PARENT ENGAGEMENT NETWORK (PEN) NEWSLETTER
Please find below a link to the first edition of the Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst (CEDB) Parent Engagement (PEN) Newsletter for 2025.This newsletter aims to share information with Principals, parents, carers and families within the Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst schools and will be published twice yearly. A special thank you to the parents who have offered to be a parent engagement link, either through your P & F or your school’s Parent Reference, Engagement or Cultural Advisory Group. Please take some time to read the interesting information contained within the publication. Click here for the link.
For further information or questions please contact Vince Connor (Education Officer: Parent Engagement) v.connor@bth.
CANTEEN
Canteen Money: We request that any money sent to school for Canteen over counter sales be a maximum of a $10 note as our ability to provide change is limited. Thank you for your understanding.
Sushi Dates for Term 3: Sushi is supplied by Sushia and is only available for order via Flexischools (not available over the counter)
- Thursday, 28th August (Week Six - Updated!)
- Thursday, 25th September (Week Ten)
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!
LOST & FOUND
We have a purse with coins that has been found, please call the office to confirm if your child may of lost theirs.
There is also a baby beannie with the brand 'Mini' on the front. Photo below. Please contact the office if these items belong to you (6331 3279).
Please ensure all student items are clearly labelled each term.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
HELPFUL LINKS FOR OUR PARENTS FROM OUR HEAD OFFICE:
NURTURING STRENGTHS: UNLOCKING YOUR CHILD’S POTENTIAL: Wednesday 10 September 12.30pm – 1.15pm Click here for more information
SUMMER FUTSAL - REGOS OPEN!
We are so exited to announce registrations for Summer Futsal are NOW OPEN! There are two steps to the process:I'M REGISTERING AS AN INDIVIDUAL PLAYER AND NEED A TEAMYou need to complete the player registration form using the link below. Make sure to select "I'm registering as an individual and need a team" under PLAYER DETAILS on the form.https://form.jotform.com/
