Reflection

The Presence of the Holy Spirit in Our Lives

During our Opening Mass on Friday, February 28, Fr. Andrew Hogan delivered a powerful reflection on the gift of the Holy Spirit and the assurance that we are never alone. Drawing from Jesus' words in John’s Gospel, he reminded us that even in times of difficulty, uncertainty, or loneliness, God's Spirit is always present to guide and comfort us.

In his homily, Fr. Andrew reflected on St. Teresa of Calcutta's words: "The most terrible poverty is loneliness and the feeling of being unloved." He emphasised that through the Holy Spirit, we are deeply loved and supported. This gift, given to the disciples over 2,000 years ago, remains with us today, offering strength, wisdom, and renewal whenever needed.

Below is Fr. Andrew's homily from the Mass, inviting us to trust the Holy Spirit's presence in our daily lives:

From the Scriptures we heard this morning, we can understand that we are never alone and that we are most certainly loved. In the immediate context of the Gospel, Jesus was assuring His friends that although they would soon be physically separated from Him, they would still have the guidance and support of the Holy Spirit to comfort them. 

That gift, given to the disciples 2,000 years ago, continues to be available to us today. 

When life feels a little challenging, when the work in front of us seems insurmountable, when we feel that everyone around us is against us, or when we feel stuck in a rut, we can take comfort in knowing that the Holy Spirit is with us, ready to guide and support us. All we need to do is ask for that assistance. 

We may not receive what we ask for in the way we expect, but God will never disappoint us or let us down. He has already shown the depth of His love for us through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. Therefore, we can rely on God's assurance that the Holy Spirit is with us. 

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and ignite in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. 

O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit instructed the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and always enjoy His consolations. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

From the Gospel of John 14:15-16, 23B-26

Jesus said to his disciples:

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always.

“Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.

Those who do not love me do not keep my words;

yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me.

“I have told you this while I am with you.

The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”

Sourced from The Book of the Gospels (Archdiocese of Chicago) – Pentecost Sunday Mass during the Day Year C p179.

Lesley Fraser - Assistant Principal (Mission)

From the Deputy Principal

John “JC’ Coutis – the Definition of Resilience

On Monday 3 March, we were fortunate to have John ‘JC’ Coutis as a guest speaker for our entire College cohort as part of our Resilience Project program. John is an exceptional person, and his life story could be the definition of resilience.

John was born with a severe disability and after a shocking and horrendous assault whilst at school, he made the brave decision as a teenager to have both of his deformed legs amputated. John defied medical opinion by refusing to die. He now gets around on a skateboard and travels the world inspiring audiences to block out the negatives and be the best that they can be.

In 1994, John was the Australian Disabled Table Tennis champion. He was the first person with a major disability to play indoor cricket in Australia and has played cricket for the famous Bankstown Club, home of Australian cricket legends the Waugh brothers. John has gone on to inspire and motivate some of Australia’s greatest sporting icons like Samantha Riley, Susie O’Neill, the Australian Cricket team, Balmain and Parramatta Rugby League teams, the Collingwood Magpies and the NSW State of Origin League team.

John plays a significant role in Australian schools and youth leadership programs and is a hit with children of all ages, and his presentation, although confronting at times, is fun and interactive. His ability to make fun of himself and discuss the challenges he has faced in life is both powerful and thought-provoking. He challenges students, including those with disabilities, to set and write down their goals and strive for them. He encourages goals and ambitions by not only telling his own story but that of his son Clayton. Clayton, who despite having hydrocephalus, which is an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid deep within the brain, has become a pilot and works as a civilian with the Townsville police force, fulfilling both his goals.

John considers himself privileged to be able to impart his gifts and dynamic life experience to others and his invaluable messages encompassed respect for diversity, anti-bullying, inclusion, resilience, goal setting, tolerance, motivation, self-determination, self-worth and courage.

John spoke to our students about: dealing with disability, overcoming challenges & getting the best out of life, treating people the way you wish to be treated, and the need for resilience.

We thank John for offering to come to Holy Spirit College and speak to our students and we also thank the local businesses that have sponsored John’s tour of Mackay.

Camille Morris - Deputy Principal (Administration)

Welfare News

Uniform and Grooming Expectations

The Holy Spirit College uniform is an integral and important part of our tradition and identity. As a College community, we anticipate and expect our students will wear their uniform with pride. In wearing the uniform correctly, students express respect for themselves, and the wider College community.

The primary purpose of any school is to promote student learning and other key principles for living life such as respect, tolerance, understanding, discipline, compliance etc. so that students can become responsible, educated community members. Holy Spirit College’s function is not only to teach the curriculum, but also to shape our young people so they can become active participants in the disciplined society they will enter as young adults when they leave school and join the workforce, or attend university.

When a student disregards carefully established uniform and appearance expectations, they are signalling a key disrespect for the guidelines which have been established by the College. This action by the student creates a disruption which must be addressed by the teachers, Year Level Deans and College Leadership.

All schools in Australia have the right to decide on uniform and grooming expectations in an effort to maintain fairness and equity for all students and also to be able to focus on the matter at hand, which is providing an education. At HSC, our uniform and grooming expectations are clearly stated on pages 16-18 of the Student Diary. Please familiarise yourself with these expectations and note that the girls' formal skirt must be knee-length.

Please have any skirt that does not comply with this expectation altered to avoid your student being sent home, until the problem is resolved.

Appropriate hairstyles, together with the uniform dress code, are part of the College’s enforcement of discipline. Holy Spirit College students are expected to conform to these expectations and wear their hair and uniform in a way which reflects pride in the College, and their own appearance. Hairstyles should be appropriate to this image and more ‘eccentric/extreme’ styles are not acceptable as outlined on page 17 of the Student Diary. 

Hair should be clean, brushed and neatly groomed at all times. As a guide (but not limited to) the following haircuts/styles are not permitted: dreadlocks; cornrows; blended mullet; mullets; blade one or zero fades; mohawk fades; mohawks; less than blade three all over; spiked; undercut; tracks; horsey/rats tails; extreme variations to normal colour (including excessive bleaching). Hair longer than collar length should be tied back (boys and girls). If hair ribbons or small scrunchies are worn they must be white, deep red, yellow gold or navy blue, the College colours.

It is also documented on page 18 of the Student Diary, and in the Application for Student Enrolment, which is signed by the parent and student at enrolment, in all matters of uniform and grooming, the College reserves the right to ask students to change or adjust aspects of dress and grooming. Please familiarise yourself with the guidelines on pages 16 to 18 of the Student Diary.

The Year Level Deans will be ensuring that students' hair and uniform are meeting the above expectations and families will be contacted if changes are required. If the student does not follow the College uniform and grooming expectations, they are choosing to be sent home from school, as per the College Community Process, until they can rectify their behaviour.

If there are any doubts or questions concerning uniform requirements, students and parents should seek guidance from the Year Level Dean or the Assistant Principal – Students.  

Thank you to the students and parents who continue to support the College with our uniform and grooming expectations. Your support assists us in maintaining the high standard Holy Spirit College has in our community.

Mobile Phone Expectations

Mobile phones are not to be switched on, used, seen or heard from when the student arrives at the College in the morning until after the dismissal bell in the afternoon. In-phone cameras are not to be used at all including in inappropriate areas, such as changing rooms or toilets.

In the case where a student needs to bring a mobile phone for safety precautions after school, they are able to leave their phone at Student Reception upon arrival at the College. The mobile phone needs to be: (1) switched off, and (2) labelled with the student’s name for ease of identification purposes. Students can then collect their phones at the end of the school day. The College takes no responsibility for mobile phones that are not handed into Student Reception. 

During field trips, camps, excursions or other associated school activities, normal school rules concerning mobile phones apply. Arrangements will be in place for communication with staff members in the case of an emergency. If permitted on camps and excursions, students will be required to hand mobile phones to supervising staff overnight. Breaches of these guidelines could result in the confiscation of the mobile phone and other serious consequences.

If a mobile phone disrupts the teaching and learning in a classroom, the student will deliver the phone to Student Reception for collection by a parent/carer. This includes using the phone as a hotspot during class. If a phone is used, seen or heard during recess, staff will confiscate the phone and deliver it to the relevant Year Level Dean’s office for collection by the student after 3:00 pm that day. After three confiscations, a parent/carer will need to collect the phone from the College Office.

Mobile Phone and Spirit Café Payment Expectations

Mobile phones can not be used to purchase food or drinks at the Spirit Café.  If your student uses their mobile phone Bank App to purchase their lunch, they will have their phone confiscated by the staff on duty.  Students are encouraged to organise a plastic transaction card from their bank provider.

Students are also encouraged to order in advance. Students who have ordered lunch from the Spirit Café may collect their order at the start of recess from a special trolley located outside Spirit Café.    

Sandy McLellan - Assistant Principal (Students)

Curriculum News

Assessment and Feedback

Parents and students can receive results and feedback in individual subjects in the Orbit App under Curricular Activities.  Subjects that have been assessed have their status changed to “Assessed”. Parents were emailed with instructions on how to access these in Parent Lounge and in the Parent Oribt App. They are encouraged to follow the step-by-step instructions to see students' results and feedback on each assessment in Parent Lounge. Progress Reports will be issued on the last day of Term 1 with Parent Teacher Interviews scheduled for Week 3 of Term 2, Tuesday 6May 2025. Parent Lounge will open to book this important time with your student’s teachers.

Any queries, please contact the College Office for assistance.

Attendance and Assessment – Years 7-10

Holy Spirit College understands there are times when students are absent from school due to illness, sporting selections, important appointments, and significant occasions. 

To support students and parents the College provides a Weekly Assessment Calendar and Individual Class Assessment Dates for students in Student Café and Parent Lounge. This means students and parents can monitor the actual date and time (ie: which timetabled lesson) all assessment items, including folios, practicals, assignments and exams, are due. 

Parents should notify the school of absences and refer to the Assessment dates in Parent Lounge to ensure their student is following missed assignment and exam guidelines.  All parents were communicated by email with information in regard to absence policies for assessment, including extensions and missed exams.

Please contact the College Office with any queries.

Year 11 and 12 Students - AARA Reminder

A reminder, Year 11 and 12 students who are unable to sit an exam or submit an assignment must have an approved AARA under QCAA guidelines. The guidelines and application have been communicated by email, Year 11 and 12 LEP Sessions, and by Year Level Deans.  Further detailed information will be issued at the beginning of Term 2 to support Year 11 students progressing through Senior and to support their success.

Please note: Students are not eligible for an AARA on the grounds of:

• Unfamiliarity with the English language
• Matters the student could have avoided (eg misreading exam timetable, misreading instructions, not backing up files on a computer)
• Matters of the student’s or parent's/carer’s own choosing (eg family holidays)
• Matters that the school could have avoided

If there are any questions or concerns, please contact the school for clarification

Inspiration, Procrastination and Goals

The Academic Assembly in Week 3 served as an inspiration to all students and a recognition of students who achieved these high standards. It is also a wonderful goal for students in attendance, particularly our Year 7 students who experienced this occasion for the first time. As Year 7 transitions into high school and as many of our students are balancing sporting, cultural, work and family commitments, schoolwork is challenging and procrastination in doing homework and assessment can occur.  Often students are not lazy, rather they are avoiding the emotions that schoolwork can often provide. Setting goals to achieve or complete a certain small amount and rewarding this attention to schoolwork can assist. Students often need reminding, the short-term satisfaction of not doing the homework will be greatly offset by the long-term discomfort and effects later.

Focus for 2025

As we progress into 2025, students are reminded to set their goals and use the support systems in place at HSC. Our outstanding teachers can support you, tutoring in Maths and English is available weekly and other subjects as advised in our Tutoring Guide. Student success is our goal.

Reading is one of our focused priorities at HSC in 2025. Reading assists in student learning and students are reminded to utilise Reading Plus to improve their reading. All students at Holy Spirit College have this program available to them. It provides teachers with each student's updated reading level. It also provides students with an opportunity to not only read but assess their comprehension which is vital to success in all subjects. “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” Richard Steele.

Important Contacts from Curriculum

For Careers and Subject Guidance – see Mrs Eiser for an appointment at Student Services or email at Simone_Eiser@rok.catholic.edu.au

For School Based Apprenticeships, Work Experience, Apprenticeship assistance and queries – see Mrs O’Brien for an appointment at Student Services or email at Ailene_O’Brien@rok.catholic.edu.au

For Inclusive Curriculum – Parents would have received emails if a student has been assigned a Case Manager, please contact that Case Manager or if there are any concerns, HSC Equity Program Leader, Anna Berrigan at Anna_Berrigan@rok.catholic.edu.au

Important Information for Learning

Technology

A reminder that all students should have their laptops charged and at school every day. Student learning will be impacted if students do not have a fully charged laptop available.

Box of Books – Textbooks

Students have textbooks available through Box of Books in their Student Café. Online support is available for students and it allows students to do internet-style searching within a textbook. No excuses for not bringing a textbook home – they are available on devices.

Google Classroom

Students have a Google Classroom for each subject. Learning resources are available if a student misses lessons and to support learning in the classroom. If a student is absent, they can maintain their school work and homework using this information. Students are encouraged to email teachers with questions and a reminder, there is no place like learning in the classroom. Attendance at school assists success. Continued absence may affect access to the Google Classroom.

Students Working Part Time Jobs

The opportunity to work a part time job is advantageous for many students. It offers additional income, builds responsibility and also time management skills. For some students it is a pathway into a future career.

Students are encouraged to be mindful of assessment periods and the Queensland legislation, Child Employment Act 2006 which restricts the number of hours/day and week school aged children should be working. A school aged child is a child under 16 years of age.

A school-aged child should only work the following maximum working hours

Ref: https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/employing/taking-on-staff/employing-children/restrictions

It is recommended senior students limit working hours during assessment time.

Year 12 Students - Balance Student and Life

In 2022, the University of Queensland published a great paper on study tips to support Year 12. These tips are a great resource for students and parents to consider. Please take the opportunity to read these tips.

https://study.uq.edu.au/stories/how-to-balance-study-life

Striving for success without hard work is like trying to harvest where you haven’t planted. David Bly

 Plant your seeds Year 12, work hard and you will reap success!

Anne Miles - Assistant Principal (Curriculum)