School Policy

Discipline

Holy Spirit Catholic School believes that self-discipline is about individuals choosing appropriate patterns of behaviour.

Children learn the skills of self-discipline best when they are seen modelled by significant adults. Therefore parents and teachers should model effective conflict management skills and self-discipline.

Children are not born with social skills. They learn them within a caring home and school environment.

Each child brings unique experiences and gifts to social encounters. There will be differing levels of skill in negotiating conflict resolution.

The establishment of a happy and safe school environment is the shared responsibility of students, staff, parents and guardians. Therefore, the disciplinary behaviour expectations and procedures of Holy Spirit School shall be clearly communicated to all members of the school community.

Action taken to resolve inappropriate behaviour patterns is based on the Gospel values of respect, forgiveness and justice.

Homework

Homework is an integral part of Australian schooling.

Holy Spirit School recognises this and seeks to provide homework opportunities which support the wider school curriculum. Homework shall reinforce and shall indicate the learning in the classroom.

Homework provides opportunities for

• a glimpse to families of the school's formal curriculum.
• positive interaction about school at home.
• building an educational partnership (between school and home).
• the development of study skills necessary for learning.
• the development of a positive attitude towards study.
• the practice and reinforcement of the work covered in class.
• purposeful out-of-school learning.
• a variety of ways to challenge the student.

Principles

Homework time should be a positive part of family life. Parents, as partners in learning have a major role to play at homework times as encourager and supporter.

Homework may comprise routine homework (eg. writing sentences, basic operations), major tasks (eg. project/assignment work) and verbal tasks (eg. oral reading, number facts).

Teachers shall set homework that:

• reflects the regular curriculum.
• is seen as an opportunity for parents to communicate with their children.
• allows for some independent learning.
• is appropriate for the varying abilities in the class.
• is corrected and feedback is provided.

Expected Outcomes

At the beginning of each year, grade level homework requirements will be clearly set out for all parties. Homework will normally be set during the school week and not on weekends. All teachers will set homework on a regular basis for all classes from Years 2 - 6. Major tasks (long term assignments/projects) will be restricted to the Upper School Years 5 - 6 and shall replace regular class homework for the duration of this major task.

Board Policies

Statement of Special Religious Character

Holy Spirit Catholic School recognises its special religious character as culturally significant to its future. We acknowledge our place on land once in the possession of the Bindal and Wulgurukaba indigenous peoples. They have passed onto us respect for the gift of creation and an affinity with this land.

Our history abounds in Catholic Faith and Tradition which we will continue to foster. In particular the Redemptorist Fathers Fr. Marty Brannigan, in particular have given us a special love of Mary and an enjoyment of Catholic Ritual.

Another significant religious congregation from our past, the Sisters of Mercy have taught us to "Know God's loving kindness and share it with others". Our parish has involved us in special liturgical and sacramental practice that has a family focus.

We believe that daily prayer, relevant ritual and liturgical celebration together with merciful outreach to others will foster "Strength in the Spirit" of Jesus. We identify our present religious charisms as:

• Our hospitality;
• Our concern for each other;
• Our love of learning;
• Our respect for individuality and diversity;
• Our striving to do our best;
• Our outreach beyond the school;
• Our ‘Catholicity' in word, ritual, action;
• Our care for creation as co-creators;
• Our collaboration, relationship, involvement as community.

We are committed to the maintenance and development of these special religious characteristics.

Stewardship Policy

The virtue of Stewardship will be demonstrated through the wise caring and creative use of school resources.

The values

• Caring for the gifts and blessings of Creation
• Nurturing of Talents
• Sharing with others
• Celebration of the community's gifts
• Justice for all
• Accountability

Holy Spirit School will comply with the Catholic Education Office financial and maintenance direction.

Relationships and Spirituality Policy

We are committed to the development of relationships for the community based on Gospel values. Holy Spirit School community acknowledges the sacred and relational nature of the human person.

Each person is the clearest reflection of God among us. We acknowledge that respect for the dignity of each person needs to be upheld at all times. We believe that promoting relationships based on Gospel Values, is an expression of our spirituality and Catholic tradition.

The school is inclusive and recognises the background, welfare, potential and circumstances of every applicant. Each person has the right to feel equally as worthwhile a person as any one else.

Holy Spirit Catholic School is committed to an education that is holistic with spiritual, academic, cultural, physical and social components.

Privacy Policy 

We consider all personal, sensitive and health information of parents or caregivers, students and prospective employees to be private and will only use information collected and recorded to fulfil the educational mission of the Catholic Education Office of the Diocese of Townsville.

• Privacy Policy
• Collection Notices

Code of Conduct for Parents 

All system schools in the Townsville Diocese have adopted a Code of Conduct for Parents, and all parents/carers are asked to abide by the rights, responsibilities and ethos outlined in this document.