Reflection

As we approach Holy Week, this will be our final newsletter before this most sacred time in the Church. Let us take a moment to reflect on its profound significance. Having journeyed on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in December 2018, the events of Holy Week now hold even greater meaning for me.

On Holy Thursday, we are invited to relive the Passion narrative of Christ. It was on this day nearly 2,000 years ago that Jesus gathered His friends for what He knew would be His last meal with them. That night, He was arrested while praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. During our pilgrimage, we had the privilege of praying in this garden and walking the Via Dolorosa, the path Jesus would have taken through the Old City of Jerusalem, forced by Roman soldiers on His way to crucifixion on Good Friday. This experience is etched in my memory. We rose at 4:30 am and walked in darkness through the Damascus Gate of the Old Jerusalem wall to follow the Stations of the Cross. Each of us took turns carrying a cross and reading aloud, singing between the stations. The journey concluded at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where we climbed the stairs to the Rock of Calvary, venerating the altar located directly above the very rock where Jesus's cross stood. We then celebrated Mass at the site of the tomb where Jesus was buried and resurrected. The spiritual significance of these experiences was overwhelming.

The events of Holy Week evoke a wide range of human emotions. They remind us of Christ's suffering on the cross, His mockery, and the beating He endured from those who could not accept His divinity. For believers, it is a time of rejoicing, as Jesus defeated death and rose to new life. We must first confront the betrayal of Thursday, the pain of Friday, and the grief of Saturday before we can truly celebrate the joy of Easter Sunday. The Easter message is one of hope, proclaiming that those who believe in Jesus can have eternal life; it conveys the promise of a living and loving God. As stated in the Catholic Mass, in the Preface of the Eucharistic Prayer II, “He opened His arms on the cross… and revealed the resurrection.” The resurrection is God's ultimate 'yes' to a life surrendered to Him.

Let us pray:

"Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me food; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; a stranger and you welcomed me; naked, and you clothed me; ill, and you cared for me; in prison, and you visited me." - Matthew 25:34

Holy Week promises to be a rich and meaningful experience. May the Easter ceremonies deepen our sense of belonging to our faith community and strengthen our solidarity with one another. Wishing you a Happy and Holy Easter! 

Lily R and Natalie S, our 2025 Christian Leadership Chairs, share their reflections on their time with the IMPACT group and their excitement for the future.

Lily R: “This term I have enjoyed the opportunity of being a part of Breakfast Club, run by our HSC IMPACT group, where we provide free breakfast for those in our HSC community, staff or students, who have not had a chance to have breakfast before school. Muffin Break Caneland generously provides muffins, much to the delight of our students. Breakfast Club also provides a social environment for students of all year levels to come together every Monday and Wednesday morning.

I have enjoyed the opportunity to participate in the prayer life of our College. This includes attending Chapel Mass on Thursday mornings and the honour of being a part of the Official Opening and Blessing of the New INTAD Precinct with Bishop Michael." 

Natalie S: “Term 1 has been an exciting time helping to make a positive difference within the IMPACT group for our community. Our annual Project Compassion fundraiser has been wonderful to focus on, with a goal of raising $3000 to purchase 10 sewing machines for Irene in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Helping at the Swimming Carnival sausage sizzle in Week 7 and the upcoming stall at Cross Country provides an excellent opportunity to showcase how IMPACT helps those in need.

I have enjoyed contributing to the behind-the-scenes work for IMPACT, including prayer for the College, brainstorming fundraising ideas, and assisting with College events while connecting with a variety of students along the way."

Thank you to Lily and Natalie for leading our Christian Leadership Group – IMPACT throughout Term 1. Let’s hope that we reach our target for Project Compassion to provide 10 treadle sewing machines for Irene in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Let’s unite against poverty - “THREADING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER”

End Poverty | Promote Justice | Uphold Dignity

Lesley Fraser - Assistant Principal (Mission)

From the Deputy Principal

College Photo Day 2 - MSP Photographers

MSP Photographers will return to our College on Thursday, 3 April 2025 to take photos of Year 7 and Year 9 students and any students absent on Monday, 17 February 2025. Sibling photos can also be taken at Recess 1.

A reminder that all students will have their photo taken whether you are purchasing any or not.

Please be reminded that all students are required to wear their full formal uniform on this day, including ties for boys. Makeup, hair and jewellery rules as per the Student Diary will apply on these days.

Camille Morris - Deputy Principal (Administration)

Welfare News

2025 ANZAC Day Morning Parade

Holy Spirit College has a fine reputation of supporting and remembering those who served our Country, especially those men and women who lost their lives.

As schools are an important part of Mackay’s ANZAC Day services, all HSC Students and Staff are invited to march in Mackay’s 2025 ANZAC Day Morning Parade on Friday, 25 April 2025.

Dress: Students are to wear full formal dress uniform (including ties for boys). The College broad brim hat or bucket hat must be worn. Sports caps are not permitted.

Assembly Point: Students are to assemble in the Caneland Central ground level carpark at 8:00am (Row G08), with the March commencing soon after.

Route: Exit the carpark, move into Victoria Street at 8:35am, then right into Wellington Street, left into Gordon Street, right into Macalister St, then right into Alfred St for dispersal.

The Mayor and Special Guests representing the ANZACs (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) will review the parade at the dais in front of the Civic Centre in Gordon Street.

Please Note: Wearing of Medals

Citizens and students are encouraged to wear service medals of deceased, close family members and direct ancestors. While veterans wear their medals on the left breast, medals worn for a family member are to be worn on the right breast. Veterans cover their medals with their right hand after laying wreaths and when reciting “Lest We Forget” at the end of “The Ode” (to cover any awards or decorations the Fallen may not have received).

Medals worn on the right breast for another person may be covered by the left hand.

The Holy Spirit College Leaders will be laying a wreath at the Mackay City ANZAC Day Service.

Is my teenager ready to stay at home alone all day?

With the Easter school holidays fast approaching, I am sure a number of Year 7 parents are faced with their student begging them to not send them to vacation care or Grandma’s house over the holidays. After all, they insist they are "old enough to stay home and look after themselves now that they are at high school and all their new friends are staying home alone over the Easter holidays". No doubt your student will put forward the argument that “All my friends' parents let them stay home alone all the time!”

Every year before Easter holidays, I am asked by a few ‘first time’ Year 7 parents “Is my son/daughter old enough to be left home alone?” I recall thinking about this myself when my children first attended high school.  Luckily being a teacher, I was able to supervise my children during school holidays; however, I understand some parents feel under pressure to leave their children at home during school holidays because the amount of annual leave at your workplace nowhere near matches the number of weeks of school holidays.    

Interesting to note, if the McCallister's from the 'Home Alone' series lived in Queensland, Kevin’s parents might have joined the Home Alone Bandits in jail.

In Queensland, if you leave a child under 12 years of age for an unreasonable amount of time without supervision, you have committed a criminal offence. Even if your child is mature enough to be home alone, you are still responsible for their wellbeing and safety at all times.

Legislation

Queensland Criminal Code Act 1899 (QLD) - Section 364A

When deciding whether the time left alone was unreasonable, the courts will consider things like the age and capacity of the child, the length of time the child is left unattended, the presence or absence of shelter, food and water, and the reason the child was left unattended

What constitutes an unreasonable amount of time and reasonable supervision and care will depend on the circumstance(s).

So, when asked by high school parents “When is my child old enough to stay home alone”, once they are over 12 years of age there is no right or wrong answer because children mature at different rates.  You may have a 13 year old who you feel confident to stay home alone and cook the family dinner safely, or you may have a 16 year old who you are still unsure you can trust to leave alone and not burn the house down whilst cooking toast.

As parents, we are responsible for our children and to make reasonable decisions about their safety at all times.  This means you need to use your judgement about leaving students home alone after the age of 12 in Queensland.  Think about whether your child can cope and make reasonable decisions if required and always have a safety plan in place.

Here are some questions you might like to ask before you make the decision with your student to leave them home alone:

• Who can they call on if they need something? Organise an emergency contact – neighbour, friend or grandparent. Have their numbers near the phone.
• What are the rules about using technology (how many hours a day?)
• Can they use the stove, oven, washing machine, iron, dryer etc? Don’t assume they know how to use them or the rules for using these.
• How are they expected to help around the house now that they have time to spare and no schoolwork to do? Do you give them a list of chores to complete?
• Are friends allowed over during your absence? Who is allowed? Do their parents know that there will not be an adult at home?
• Can they leave to go to a friend’s house? Will there be an adult present? How will they get there and back?
• Are they allowed to leave the house to go to the shops, park, movies etc? Have them tell you their plan for the day and encourage them to let you know if it changes.
• Do all the siblings get along, especially if they are left home alone together… without a referee?
• Consider what is available in the house (eg. medication, alcohol) and decide if they need to be kept out of reach.
• Discuss what to do in an emergency (eg. someone became injured, fire, and intruder).

Only you and your teenager can decide if they are mature enough to stay home alone. If the time doesn’t feel right, you will know!

Sandy McLellan - Assistant Principal (Students)

Curriculum News

Year 12 Students - Confirmation

Year 12 students studying General Subjects will have already completed their first assessment, IA1 (Internal Assessment 1), which counts towards their final Year 12 result in each subject.  In some subjects, students will have already also submitted their IA2 (Internal Assessment 2). Students will have received their results from their teachers for all IA1; however, this mark is provisional until it has been ’confirmed’ through the Confirmation process which will occur in April.

QCAA requires that all schools advise students and families of the following:

“All results for Units 3 and 4 Internal Assessments (IA1, IA2, IA3) in General Subjects are provisional only and subject to change until they have been finalised through the state Confirmation processes”. (QCAA advice)

Students’ results may stay the same, go higher or lower. This process is very similar to the Verification process in the old system where there was always some movement in results across subjects.

All IA1 results are uploaded to QCAA who have advised all Queensland schools of the students who have been selected by computer to have their actual exam or assignment reviewed. A group of teaching staff in Queensland who have been trained to ‘confirm’ work in each subject, will gather in Brisbane or online to go through each assessment submitted.

Once each student’s results have been confirmed, the results will be released to schools and will also appear in the student’s QCAA online Learning Account. Later in the year, results from IA2 and IA3 will also be uploaded for a second session of Confirmation. Then all three of the four results that count towards the final senior result in each subject will be recorded in the student’s Learning Account. The final result will come from the External Exam in Term 4.

Free Online Tutoring to Improve Reading

Does your child struggle with reading?  Students 8-14 can access Free Online Tutoring for 6 months through Griffith University.  Students must be available 2-3 times per week for 30 minutes. Griff Linc Reading Research team has developed a new tutoring method for middle years students struggling with reading. 

Please see the flyer with more information attached and apply through the email listed.

Anne Miles - Assistant Principal (Curriculum)