Students are catching the book worm at Holy Spirit St Clair’s, by being a part of its Early Bird Reading Program.
Designed to support all students by promoting the importance of reading and writing in our daily lives, this program offers more than basic literacy skills.
While improving their ability to read and write, the children spend lots of time with their peers in becoming more aware of others’ emotions, feelings and perspectives. It’s also offers a great opportunity to build positive relationships.
Reading is a major focus at Holy Spirit, as they believe success in life comes from the ability to read and understand complex concepts.
They take a whole-school approach to the teaching of reading, having strategies taught in English, as well as all key learning areas and other aspects of school life beyond the classroom.
In the classroom, children are encouraged to become active in the reading process by talking about what they are reading before, during and afterwards.
They are encouraged to understand the texts at a deep level, rather than just at the surface. This helps them develop life skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, analysis, and justification of their point of view.
Holy Spirit students and families know and understand the importance of reading at home too.
6 Tips for helping your child when reading at home
- Every child reads something he or she chooses… let your child choose the story.
- Every child reads accurately… be encouraging while helping them read the words correctly.
- Every child reads something he or she understands… make sure the story is relevant to his or her experience.
- Every child writes about something personally meaningful… encourage your child to write about his or her interests, or something they care about.
- Every child talks with peers about reading and writing… try to have a conversation with your child about what they learnt from their homework.
- Every child listens to a fluent adult read aloud… try to make time to read to your child or spend some time reading as a family.
(Based on six elements of literacy instruction – Richard L. Allington & Rachael E. Gabriel, 2012)
Holy Spirit Primary St Clair
www.hsstclair.catholic.edu.au
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11 Sep 2026
From Facebook
Year 6 Excursion to The Coal Loader, Waverton! Our Year 6 students had a fantastic day exploring The Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability in Waverton! The excursion provided students with a wonderful opportunity to learn beyond the classroom while discovering the fascinating history, sustainability initiatives and natural environment of this unique Sydney site. The students enjoyed exploring, asking questions, working together and connecting their classroom learning with real-world examples of sustainability.11 Sep 2026
From Facebook
Our Year 5 students had a wonderful day of learning and discovery at Barangaroo, exploring the deep connection between Aboriginal people, culture and Country. During our guided tour, students learnt about the significance of the land and how Aboriginal people have cared for and lived sustainably with Country for thousands of years. They discovered a range of native plant species and explored how different trees and plants were traditionally used for food, medicine, shelter and everyday life. The students also learnt about traditional tools and artefacts, gaining a greater appreciation of the knowledge, skills and resources used by Aboriginal communities and the importance of passing this knowledge from one generation to the next. Our final session brought together observation and creativity as students sketched the Sydney skyline, using the spectacular harbour and Barangaroo landscape as inspiration. And, of course, there was time to enjoy lunch and some well-deserved play, with the beautiful harbour as our backdrop! It was a fantastic day of learning beyond the classroom, connecting history, culture, nature and art in a truly memorable setting
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11 Sep 2026
From Facebook
Year 6 Excursion to The Coal Loader, Waverton! Our Year 6 students had a fantastic day exploring The Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability in Waverton! The excursion provided students with a wonderful opportunity to learn beyond the classroom while discovering the fascinating history, sustainability initiatives and natural environment of this unique Sydney site. The students enjoyed exploring, asking questions, working together and connecting their classroom learning with real-world examples of sustainability.
11 Sep 2026
From Facebook
Our Year 5 students had a wonderful day of learning and discovery at Barangaroo, exploring the deep connection between Aboriginal people, culture and Country. During our guided tour, students learnt about the significance of the land and how Aboriginal people have cared for and lived sustainably with Country for thousands of years. They discovered a range of native plant species and explored how different trees and plants were traditionally used for food, medicine, shelter and everyday life. The students also learnt about traditional tools and artefacts, gaining a greater appreciation of the knowledge, skills and resources used by Aboriginal communities and the importance of passing this knowledge from one generation to the next. Our final session brought together observation and creativity as students sketched the Sydney skyline, using the spectacular harbour and Barangaroo landscape as inspiration. And, of course, there was time to enjoy lunch and some well-deserved play, with the beautiful harbour as our backdrop! It was a fantastic day of learning beyond the classroom, connecting history, culture, nature and art in a truly memorable setting
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💛 R U OK? Day 💛 Today is a reminder that a simple question can make a big difference. Taking the time to check in, genuinely listen and let someone know you care can help create connection and remind others that they are not alone. Ask. Listen. Connect. Not just today, but every day. 💛
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From Facebook
🌿 Grandparents Day is coming! 💙 We are so excited to welcome our wonderful grandparents to Holy Spirit Primary on Friday, 21 August for a special day of learning, connection and celebration. 💕📚 From joining their grandchildren in the classroom to morning tea, our Book Fair and a special Grandparents Day Assembly led by Year 4, it will be a beautiful opportunity to celebrate the love and wisdom our grandparents bring to our school community. We can’t wait to see you! ❤️
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Today we celebrate Australian Primary Principal’s Day and recognise the incredible leadership of our wonderful principal, Mrs Garzaniti. From greeting every student with a warm smile each morning to supporting learning in classrooms and connecting with students in the playground, Mrs Garzaniti leads with compassion, dedication, and heart. She inspires our entire school community every day and helps every child believe in their potential. Thank you, Mrs Garzaniti, for your unwavering commitment to our students, staff, and families. We are so grateful for all that you do. Happy Australian Primary Principals Day!
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Action and Progress: Western Sydney Catholic Schools release 2026 Closing the Gap Report
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28 Jul 2026
From Facebook
🎨 Year 1 Art Adventure: 3D Art & Nature! 🌿 This week, our Year 1 artists explored 3D Art, Sculpture, and Photography, learning how 3D pieces are shaped to be viewed from all sides rather than staying flat on paper. We drew inspiration from First Nations artists like Lorraine Connelly-Northey, Yvonne Koolmatrie, and the Erub Arts collective, who weave and shape scavenged materials, sedge grass, and ghost nets into coolamons, woven animals, and marine life. We also looked at Andy Goldsworthy’s temporary nature sculptures captured through photography. Want to try a quick activity at home? Head into the garden with your child to gather leaves, twigs, and stones, build a 3D ground sculpture together, and snap a picture of their creation—feel free to share your photo in the comments below!