Spirit News

At Holy Spirit School we Strive with Spirit in the pursuit of Christian truth and excellence. All members of the school community are encouraged to develop their potential and special qualities in an environment centred on Christ.

Loving God,

As we begin this new school year, we ask Your blessing on our students, staff, and families. Fill our school with Your peace and guide us in wisdom, kindness, and hope. May each day be a chance to learn, grow, and reflect Your love to one another.

Holy Spirit, be with us in all we do.

Amen.

As a community centred on the example of Christ, the following core values (CARE) underpin our approach.

Community

We value every member of our school community and we are committed to working together to reach our shared goals through mutual support, encouragement, and celebration of our Catholic faith.

Genesis 28:3 3 May God Almighty bless you, make you fruitful and increase your numbers until you become a community of peoples.

Achievement

We are committed to learning at every level to achieve our personal best.

Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Respect

We have personal and collective responsibility to each other and to the school’s success.

Romans 12:10: Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves.

Excellence

We promote excellence in all that we do.

Philippians 4:8: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.

Dear Community Members,

Welcome back to Holy Spirit for the 2026 school year. This year we welcome many new families to Holy Spirit and some who are rejoining us as parents after attending Holy Spirit as students! We are once again in for a very busy and exciting year, filled with lots of smiles and laughter. We have so much information below, so please keep reading to stay up to date with our latest news and information.

Strong Growth in Literacy and Numeracy

Last year we introduced two evidence-based teaching approaches: PLD (Promoting Literacy Development) in junior Literacy (Kindy to Year 2) and LTD (Learning through Doing) in Mathematics. The intention of the integration of these programs was to align our class programs with our Vision for Learning. Our standardised testing results at the end of 2025 show that these programs are already making a significant difference to student learning.

One way we measure growth is using a data measure called an effect size, which tells us how much progress students make over time. An effect size (es) of 0.4 represents a typical year’s growth for children from January to December. A 0.4 es represents a hinge point for assessing impact and denotes a positive impact of a program’s introduction into a school.

Our 2025 Average Effect Size’s across the school in Reading and Maths results were:

Reading (PLD): 0.68: Well above expected yearly growth, showing strong improvements in early Literacy.

Maths (LTD): 1.05: An exceptional result, indicating more than a year’s additional progress.

It is easy to brush past these results, but they are incredible and deserve high praise. In my 20 years as an educator and leader they stand as some of the best I have seen.

These results are the outcome of many hours of hard work and dedication from our teachers and students. They show that our whole‑school focus on high‑impact teaching is supporting students on average to achieve exceptional growth.

Hall Works Update

There has been great progress on our hall refurbishment. The builders have now removed the old lights and fans, and the demolition of the internal ceiling is well underway. Once this stage is complete, the team will begin removing the existing roof tiles. These will be replaced with a fully insulated Surfmist coloured Colorbond roof. Internally, the new ceiling panels will be perforated to improve acoustics. The result will be a more modern and thermally insulated space. As a result of funding limitations from the Federal Government, air-conditioning is not possible at this stage, however we are working to add in 2 x 6.1m industrials fans to help greatly with air circulation. The addition of these fans will also allow for split systems to be added and be effective and more energy efficient in the future. Please see below for progress pictures and I look forward to sharing further updates with you all.

SAC/P&F AGM Save the Date

Our Holy Spirit School Advisory Council (SAC) and Parents & Friends (P&F) Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday, February 19, commencing at 6:00pm in the library. The evening is designed to celebrate the achievements and highlights of 2025. All members of our community are warmly welcomed to attend.

I am very happy to report that we have filled all our spaces on the Holy Spirit SAC for 2026. However if you would like more information, please contact me directly via email at ben.will@cewa.edu.au or see me in person.

We are delighted to introduce and warmly welcome our new P&F Executive for 2026: Philippa Lawrence, Gemma Coyne, Michelle Kefford, Lateasha Kohl and Jenna McMahon. Each person brings wonderful experience, energy and a deep commitment to supporting our school community. They will be formally inducted at next week’s AGM, and we look forward to the community spirit they will bring to the year ahead.

School Fee Raffle

Our school fee raffle is back for Term 1 and tickets will go on sale very shortly. $50 will put you in the draw to cover 1 child’s tuition fees, worth almost $2500! More details to come, but you must be in it to win it.

Sei Kei Elementary School Visit – March 2026

After the wonderful success of last year’s visit, we are delighted to share that students from Sei Kei Elementary School in Japan will once again be visiting Holy Spirit School in 2026.

Their visit will take place in Week 8 of Term 1, from 23–27 March 2026.

This cultural exchange is a fantastic opportunity for Holy Spirit families to immerse themselves in Japanese culture, build international friendships, and provide a memorable experience for both our students and the visiting children.

If your family is interested in hosting a Japanese student, please call the school office (9341 2551) for more information.

Until next time,

Ben

Congratulations to two of our valued staff members who have taken on new roles this year. We are delighted to welcome Mrs Elisha Martinovich as our new Assistant Principal. Elisha will be based in the office from Monday to Thursday and will also be teaching our Year 5 class on Fridays.

We also warmly congratulate Mrs Kamilah Spiccia, who has stepped into the role of Pre-Primary teacher on Mondays and Tuesdays. We wish both Elisha and Kamilah every success in their new roles and sincerely thank them for their ongoing dedication, care and commitment to our Holy Spirit school community.

We are also absolutely thrilled to welcome two amazing educators to Holy Spirit!

Mr Nikk Wright – Our new Year 6 teacher! Mr Wright comes to us from Iona Presentation College Junior School and brings with him a passion for learning and a dedication to nurturing young minds. We're so excited to have him join us!

Miss Monique Lewis – After a fantastic stint as a teacher-in-training at Holy Spirit, Miss Lewis is back with us, now as our new Year 5 teacher! She returns to us from St Joseph's, Albany, and we couldn’t be more excited to have her in the classroom again. She will also do Phys Ed with the upper school students! Her warmth and enthusiasm will surely make a positive impact on our students!

Be sure to say hi and a warm Holy Spirit welcome if you see them around the school!

PP: Ava Baumgartner

Year 1: Olivia Finlay and Harry Wright

Year 2: Zoe Eastwood and Amelia Arena

Year 3: Nathan Rogers and Leo Bower

Year 4: Huxley Ryan & Hazel Kwon

Year 5: Angus Traynor

Year 6: Indi Barry and Lachlan Mulcahy

We kindly ask families to please click on the links below and complete the relevant forms. These help us with organisation and ensure students can participate in upcoming activities. Thank you for taking the time to complete them. The forms include:

• Holy Spirit Opt Out of Social Media Form - Holy Spirit Media Permission Opt Out 2026 – Fill out form

• Join the Holy Spirit Choir - Holy Spirit Singers Year 3-6 Choir for 2026 – Fill out form

• Year 3 to Year 6 Guild Swimming Carnival Enrolment Form - 2026 Holy Spirit Years 3-6 Guild Swimming Carnival – Fill out form

• 2026 Incursions and Excursions Acceptance Form - 2026 EXCURSIONS & INCURSIONS – Fill out form

We really appreciate your support and cooperation.

Follow our school calendar here: https://holyspirit.wa.edu.au/events/

Its not too late to sign up

Holy Spirit Running Club begins tomorrow morning and due to interest, will run on MONDAYS ONLY for Term 1.

Get your kids moving and building confidence this term with the Holy Spirit Running Club! A fun and supportive way to improve fitness, develop running skills and prepare for Term 2 Cross Country.

DETAILS

🗓 WHEN: Mondays during Term 1

Starts tomorrow - Monday 9 February

📍 WHERE: Bent Street Park

(Children will be escorted back to school after each session)

⏰ TIME: 7:45am – 8:30am

COST

$63 – Mondays only

👟 WHO: Years 1–6 students

WHAT TO EXPECT

Throughout Term 1, students will work on:

- Running technique and drills

- Balance and coordination

- Stretching and injury prevention

- Building fitness and endurance

Sessions are designed to be fun, inclusive and challenging, with children grouped by age and ability to ensure everyone is supported while reaching their potential.

REGISTRATION

To register your child or for more information, please contact:

Jasmine R – jasmine_892@hotmail.com

⚠️ Spots are limited, so be sure to secure your place early!

Get ready for another exciting season of winter netball! Registrations for the 2026 Winter Netball Season will be opening soon. Whether your child is returning to the court or keen to give netball a go for the first time, we’d love to see them involved with the Holy Spirit Netball Club. Keep an eye out - more details about registration dates and teams coming soon!

A reminder that our closest Catholic Co-Educational High Schools (John XXIII College, Newman College and Sacred Heart College) are highly competitive and often have large waiting lists.

They run their enrolment process 3 years prior to start i.e. current Year 4 families are working through this process.

Each school’s enrolments process is different, so please read their website's enrolment page to ensure you have all the information to make an informed decision.

CBC Fremantle warmly invites parents and caregivers to our Discover the Journey Evening on Thursday 12 March.

Designed for parents and caregivers of boys currently in Years 3 and 4, this evening provides an opportunity to learn more about how CBC Fremantle supports boys in becoming the best version of themselves.

Our Principal, Mr Domenic Burgio, will share the College’s unique point of difference and the philosophy behind our rites of passage framework.

Guests are invited to arrive from 5.30pm to enjoy a relaxed grazing table with pizza, refreshments, and beverages, prior to the presentation commencing at 6.45pm.

Please note this is a parent-focused event and boys are not invited to attend. Boys are encouraged to attend any of our other College Tours.

Registration details, including a link and QR code, are included on the attached flyer.

We welcome all Kindy to Year 6 families of Holy Spirit School! Kids Academy Out of School Hours Care is a WA privately owned Child Care. The owner Sharon Soares has been in the industry for many years and is passionate about delivering the highest standard of care and service to children and their families which includes before school care, after school care and vacation care. Kids Academy Before and After School Programs cater for children aged 4 – 12 years, outside school hours. The programs focus on age-appropriate and creative play activities through a variety of choices which encourage children to extend their social development and build friendships in a secure environment.

Activities may include sports, reading and cooking. Children may also do their homework for a limited period during their Before or After-School care.

Child Care Subsidy calculator HERE – Child Care Subsidy Calculator

BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CARE PROGRAM

Kids Academy will provide OHSC services onsite at Holy Spirit School.

DETAILS
Monday to Friday

• 6.30am to 9.00am – Before School
• 2.30pm to 6.00pm – After School

FEES & CHARGES
Before School Care – $43
Afterschool Care – $48

To enrol your child into Kids Academy BEFORE or AFTER school care, click on the enrolment link – Kids Academy Online Enrolment Form

Addresses, Emails, Mobile numbers, Doctors, Employers, emergency contacts? Please advise the office to enable us to have the most updated information to ensure your details are up to date.

We'd love to hear about your child's achievements, no matter how big or small, especially as they reflect our CARE values of Community, Achievement, Respect, and Excellence. Recognizing their success and acheivement helps celebrate their hard work and inspires others. If you would like your child's achievements celebrated through our social media pages, please contact us via email - admin@holyspirit.wa.edu.au

NORMAL OPENING HOURS

Mondays 8:00am to 8:30am

We understand that not everyone can make it to the shop during opening hours, however

WE KINDLY ASK THAT YOU DO NOT ENTER THE UNIFORM SHOP WITHOUT PERMISSION.

Even if the door is unlocked, please speak with the front office before entering the store.

We welcome your donations to sell at the shop. Please just drop them at the office.

Exciting news! Locavora School Lunches has officially rebranded as Lunchbox Hub! 🎉

No need to worry – your existing account is still active! Simply log in with your same email, but please reset your password to get started with a fresh experience.

Rest assured, all your funds have been securely transferred to the new system, so you’re all set!

For details on how to place lunch orders for your child on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, please check out the attached information.

https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:AP:ff6a49da-8d9e-4239-843d-be54ba79cdbe

"Hi Families, we wanted to let you know of a fantastic new healthcare service for kids - Kinkaya is WA's first purpose-built kids and family urgent care centre that has just opened around the corner at 17 Wotan Street Innaloo (opposite Bunnings). We're sure this will help put a few minds at ease, especially with winter sports and flu season upon us! Open 8am-10pm 7 days a week, they have kid friendly pathology and will be opening their on-site X-ray in the coming weeks. There is a QR code on the poster attached if you would like to save their details for when you need them. They are purpose built for kids but the centre is open to all ages."

Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School is committed to the pursuit of Christian Truth & Excellence. All members of the school community are encouraged to develop their potential and special qualities in an environment centred on Christ.

Email: admin@holyspirit.wa.edu.au
Website: www.holyspirit.wa.edu.au
Location: Corner of Bent Street and Brompton Road City Beach WA 6015
Phone: 9341 2551
Facebook: facebook.com/holyspiritprimaryschoolcitybeach/

Instagram: @holyspiritpscitybeach