Life Link Sleep Out

Did you know that on any given night in Australia 1 in 200 people are homeless. This is a frightening statistic and one that we can't ignore! 

So, on Thursday August 15, Holy Cross students will once again sleep out to raise money for the Bishops Life Link appeal. This year, students have been asked to raise $75 for the appeal prior to the evening. At this stage, students have begun registering via Life Support for the event and are beginning to collect sponsors.

The event is very well supported by Holy Cross every year and I have no doubt that this year will be the same.

The event will begin at the College at 6pm on the evening of August 15 and students will attend school the following day with a whole school assembly the following morning to reflect and comment on the experience. 

Details will come home to parents when students are confirmed as attending.

On another note, any parents who may be able to help with the collection of boxes for the sleep out, please contact Mrs Walmsley at the college.

I look forward to another successful event. 

Mrs Walmsley

Year 8 Science Projects

Rain water tanks, solar panels, double glazing...the sustainable options for building a new house these days is endless!

Sustainability has been carried on from Big Ideas in Year 8 into the Science curriculum for Winter term. The students have been working on creating and designing their very own house of the future that meets strict sustainability targets.

Students used their knowledge from Big Ideas to help enhance their understanding of sustainability in the concept of a house design. The students have created some fantastic model houses and have produced a short commercial trying to sell their design to the general public.

Miss Kelly-Marie Bond
Year 8 Team Leader

Digital Citizenship

26 July 2013

With students living in an age where they spend a majority of their time online, it is important that parents spend time talking with students as to the dangers of social media. Different social media apps and websites are appearing all the time and some give students the ability to be anonymous in their communications.

While social media connects people in more ways than ever before, it also opens up ways for adolescent people to be negative to one another and more often than not to be anonymous in doing so.  To help facilitate students be good digital citizens, parents are encouraged to have an open line of communication with their children and know what they are doing online. It is also helpful to have conversations with your children about how they relate with others online.

Mr Paul Murphy

Assistant Deputy Principal

Practical Sustainability

On Thursday 4 July 2013, a group of Year 8 students conducted an excursion to the Ellenbrook shops as part of their Autumn Term, Big Ideas Project ‘Practical Sustainability.’ At the shops, students presented the findings of their project to customers in the form of a pamphlet and a short discussion. They attempted to influence shoppers to make their homes more sustainable. This was an outstanding opportunity for the students to present the results of their task to an authentic audience. 

Well done year 8 students. 

Miss Kelly-Marie Bond
Year 8 Team Leader

College car park

Pick-up of Students at the end of the school day

Parents who pick up students after school are reminded that they should not stop in the driveway as it causes a traffic jam out onto Strathmore Parkway.  Please find an available car bay and park your car. Parents may also use the Church carpark whose entrance is off Coolamon Boulevard.

Also of concern are those parents who choose to park in the drive-through drop off lane and/or on the adjacent footpath.  This presents a danger to students who are walking past.

It would be appreciated if parents could support the College in these matters.

Mr Ian Wilson

Onsite Information Evening - Tuesday, 30 July

When:              Tuesday, 30 July  Time:                6.30 - 7.30 pm
Where:             Chisholm Catholic College, Beaufort Street, Inglewood

Year 10 and 11 students who are interested in choosing a Vocational Education Training or TAFE pathway should consider attending this information evening.  Those who are unsure of their pathway would also find the evening useful as it is an opportunity to meet people from industry and various training institutions.

The evening will particularly benefit those students who think they might want a career in:

• Health Sector (Nursing, Community Services, Disability and Aged Care services)
• Building and Construction (including Trades, Drafting, Estimating etc)
• Child Care/Education (especially if not doing TEE)
• Electrical
• Plumbing

Holy Cross College has access to specialised training in these areas through our partnership with ONSITE. In these specialised courses ONSITE manages the work place training while TAFE deliver the qualification.

Students who complete one of these courses will graduate with a Certificate qualification from TAFE enabling them to gain employment, pre apprenticeships/apprenticeships or move on to higher level training in their chosen field.

To get into one of these courses you must attend this information night where you will have the opportunity to speak with many ONSITE/TAFE representatives who can help you find out more about the industry itself.

Remember, this is just an information night. You get to go away and decide whether you wish to apply for one of these programmes.

Reserve your place now by contacting ONSITE on 9443 8371 - leave name, school, year level, area of interest and number attending including yourself, or fax 9443 8370 or email onsite@aranmore.wa.edu.au by Thursday, 25 July.

If you are not looking to specialise in one of the above courses but would like to access work experience in an industry of your choice, please select ONSITE in your subject selection. This programme can help you identify which career is suitable for you before you leave school.

A map of the venue is available below.

Mr Ian Wilson

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS FOR COLLEGE PRODUCTION OF PETER PAN

4 JULY 2013

A huge effort went into producing this year’s College production of Peter Pan. The show was a fantastic success thanks to a dedicated team of staff, parents, friends and sponsors. Special thanks must go to the following people and businesses for contributing to this year’s production:

A big thank you to the core production team of Mr Chris McRae, Miss Emilie Reynolds, Miss Laura Kendrick and Miss Danielle Hodgson for all their hard work and dedication throughout the production process.

The staff of Holy Cross College particularly Mrs Colleen Azzopardi, Mrs Sherie Hope, Mr Peter Mazzini, Mrs Anna Amatulli, Mrs Christina Davini, Mr Dave McKern, Miss Sara O’Neill, Mrs Jacqueline Sanders, Mr Chris Gooch and all others who assisted in some manner. 

Holy Cross College parents:

Mrs Susan Van Der Merwe, Mrs Carolyn May, Mr Michael Bradley, 

Friends of Holy Cross

To Mrs Flavia Lenzo and all who assisted with the catering for the interval sessions over the three nights and to all the parents who provided the yummy food!

Our wonderful sponsors and supporters: 

Philip Beaman at Ellenbrook Painting Services, Sonal Parmar at Swan Hairdressers, Amanda Evans at Vines Pet Sitting, Marion Hughes at HKY Real Estate, The LWP Property Group, Julie Simcock at WA Metalcote, Justin Lowson at the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy, Anna Amatulli at Arte Burano Venetian Glass Jewellery, Jason Bancroft at Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School and Basil Lenzo at CLP Legal/Recreational Flight School.

Stagecraft, Matrix Productions, Try Booking and Origin Theatrical. Richard Thomas and IT & M Shows.

Mr Martin Firth at Embersketch Web Design for his work in producing the production programme.

The Family and Friends of our amazing cast and crew for promptly getting the students to rehearsals and performances.

The family and friends of the staff involved in the production for their love and support during the process.

It is fantastic to see the production growing every year and the Arts flourishing at Holy Cross College!

MS MANDY CONNOR

PRINCIPAL

Vinnie's Winter Appeal

Winter is well and truly here! If you think you're cold, think about those that don't have a warm bed to sleep in. How about those that don't have a hot shower? Or even a house to return to?
 
It is not your responsibility to look after the homeless, but it isyour responsibility to keep the human dignity alive. Helping those in need enriches the heart and compassion within each of us.
 
This winter, take a step forward and donate to the Vinnie's Winter Appeal. Boxes will be set up around the school for you to place your donations in. A list of items will be advertised in each HTG soon and keep an eye out for posters around the school too.
 
If you have old trackies that are too small for you or hoodies that are 'out of fashion', drop them into the Vinnie's boxes!

Thank you and take care.
Sarah Reyes (Student Faith Leader)
 

Year 10 & 11 - University and Tafe Open Days

Every year Universities and Tafe Colleges hold open days for future students. For your convenience, I have listed some of these here. It would be a fantastic idea to try to get to some of these. Check out the University and Tafe websites for some more details.

Curtin University - 4  August 2013 (Bentley Campus)

Future Students Curtin

Murdoch Uni - 18 August 2013

Murdoch Uni Future Students

Notre Dame -  18  August (Fremantle)

Notre Dame

Edith Cowan - 11 August

Edith Cowan Future Students

UWA - 11 August

UWA Future Students

Central Tafe - 18 September

Central Tafe - Open Day

Positive Well-Being

Cooperative skills, team work, belonging and friendship are key aspects of healthy student. 

The year 8 students have been partaking in some activities to build these and other invaluable skills. Through activities such as our newspaper protective armour (as pictured) students have investigated how they can bounce back from adversity, be resilient and deal with the stresses of life as a teenager in the 21st Century. 

Thanks to the Mind Matters Program, teachers at Holy Cross College are incorporating a whole school approach to the mental health and well-being of our students. Please stay tuned for further updates. 

Miss Kelly Bond 

Year 8 Team Leader