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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21 Apr 2026
From Facebook
To begin Term 2, our Stage 3 students led us beautifully in an Easter Prayer Liturgy, guiding our community in reflecting on the joy and hope of Jesus’ Resurrection. In this season of Eastertide, we are reminded that Jesus is alive and present among us, calling us to live with faith, love, and compassion each day. Through thoughtful prayer and reflection, our students helped us recognise what the Resurrection means for us now. We thank our Stage 3 students for leading us in such a meaningful and prayerful celebration
20 Apr 2026
From Facebook
🌏 Staff Formation Day – Living Our Faith: Catholic Social Teaching in Action Prayer, reflection, and action shaped our Staff Formation Day. Through collaborative experiences—including discussion, creative tasks, jigsaw learning, photo analysis, poetry, and script writing—staff deepened their understanding of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) in action. These experiences invited staff to reflect on how the principles of CST—Human Dignity, the Common Good, Solidarity, the Preferential Option for the Poor, and Care for Creation—call them to live their faith authentically in their daily practice as educators. The day concluded with Mass, presided over by Father Percival, strengthening our Catholic identity and renewing our shared mission to serve with compassion, justice, and hope. 🙏 Faith in action begins with us. We look forward to welcoming our families back tomorrow for Term 2, continuing to grow together as a community shaped by faith, hope, and love..
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21 Apr 2026
From Facebook
To begin Term 2, our Stage 3 students led us beautifully in an Easter Prayer Liturgy, guiding our community in reflecting on the joy and hope of Jesus’ Resurrection. In this season of Eastertide, we are reminded that Jesus is alive and present among us, calling us to live with faith, love, and compassion each day. Through thoughtful prayer and reflection, our students helped us recognise what the Resurrection means for us now. We thank our Stage 3 students for leading us in such a meaningful and prayerful celebration
20 Apr 2026
From Facebook
🌏 Staff Formation Day – Living Our Faith: Catholic Social Teaching in Action Prayer, reflection, and action shaped our Staff Formation Day. Through collaborative experiences—including discussion, creative tasks, jigsaw learning, photo analysis, poetry, and script writing—staff deepened their understanding of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) in action. These experiences invited staff to reflect on how the principles of CST—Human Dignity, the Common Good, Solidarity, the Preferential Option for the Poor, and Care for Creation—call them to live their faith authentically in their daily practice as educators. The day concluded with Mass, presided over by Father Percival, strengthening our Catholic identity and renewing our shared mission to serve with compassion, justice, and hope. 🙏 Faith in action begins with us. We look forward to welcoming our families back tomorrow for Term 2, continuing to grow together as a community shaped by faith, hope, and love..
16 Apr 2026
From Facebook
03 Apr 2026
From Facebook
Yesterday, our Stage 3 students reverently led our school community in a solemn Good Friday liturgy. Through prayer and reflection, they helped us enter more deeply into the significance of this sacred day. We are grateful for the way our students guided us in remembering Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice and love, inviting us all to pause, reflect and pray together as a faith community. We are proud of all our students who participated respectfully in liturgies throughout Holy Week, showing reverence and a deepening understanding of this sacred time. 🙏
01 Apr 2026
From Facebook
31 Mar 2026
From Facebook
This afternoon, we continued our journey of Holy Week, led by our Stage 2 students, focusing on Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane and His arrest. Through their thoughtful reenactment and moving liturgical movement, our Year 3 and Year 4 students helped our school community reflect on Jesus’ message of faith, courage, and trust in God. This experience is an important part of continuing our Holy Week journey as we prepare our hearts for Easter. Thank you to our Stage 2 students and teachers for leading us in such a meaningful and prayerful reflection. ✝️ More photos will be available in this week’s newsletter.
31 Mar 2026
From Facebook
This afternoon, we continued our journey of Holy Week, led by our Stage 1 students, focusing on the Last Supper and the Washing of the Feet. Through their thoughtful reenactment, students helped our school community reflect on Jesus’ message of love, humility, and service. This experience is an important part of continuing our Holy Week journey as we prepare our hearts for Easter. Thank you to our Stage 1 students and teachers for leading us in such a meaningful and prayerful reflection. ✝️. More photos will be made available in our weekly newsletter.
31 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Yesterday our Kindergarten students helped us begin Holy Week with a beautiful reenactment of Palm Sunday. 🌿 The children joyfully waved palm branches and called out “Hosanna!” just as the people did long ago. Through this simple and meaningful liturgy, our students remembered how the crowd welcomed Jesus with love and praise. It was a special moment for our school community as we begin the journey of Holy Week together and prepare our hearts for Easter. ✝️ Thank you to our wonderful Kindergarten students and teachers for sharing this joyful reminder of faith with us. More photos will be shared in our newsletter this week.
30 Mar 2026
From Facebook
🏃♀️🏃♂️ Ready, Set, Go! 🏅 Our Kindergarten superstars have been busy in Physical Education, building their athletics skills and having so much fun along the way! From running races to jumping and throwing, our little learners are showing great enthusiasm, determination, and teamwork. It’s wonderful to see their confidence grow as they try new challenges and celebrate their achievements together. We are so proud of their efforts and positive attitudes! 🌟 Keep an eye out… we might have some future athletes in the making! 💪 Clic here for more photos https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1qp6uAIBTxn_ZnQp9IFcc3C31woVkkQOO?usp=sharing
27 Mar 2026
From Facebook
🌧️ Splashing Into Science at Featherdale! 🐾 Who says a little rain can’t be part of the adventure? Our Year 1 and Year 2 explorers proved that they are true "Habitat Heroes" during our trip to Featherdale Wildlife Park! Despite the drizzly weather, our junior zoologists were out in full force, investigating how living things eat, sleep, and play in their homes. From the soft fur of a kangaroo to the scaly skin of a lizard, the students didn't miss a beat (or a puddle!). Parents, we’ve captured some truly "wild" moments from the day. Please take a moment to scroll through the photos to see your little explorers in action! 🤳👇 https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mtuHusT2zR-0_lQHerj63EBxAF44H2PS?usp=drive_link #FeatherdaleAdventures #Year1And2 #LivingThings #RainOrShine #FutureZoologists #SchoolExcursion
26 Mar 2026
From Facebook
During ZING this term, students have been developing their athletics skills in preparation for the upcoming Athletics Carnival. 🏃♂️ Year 4 students have been focusing on improving their reaction time when starting a sprint race, learning how to respond quickly and confidently off the starting line. In field events, they have also been practising the correct technique for launching a shot put, building both skill and strength. Throughout the term, students have thoroughly enjoyed the engaging activities led by the expert ZING teachers, and it has been wonderful to see their confidence grow and their skills improve in these key focus areas. Bring on the Athletics Carnival!🏅
25 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Today we were blessed with beautiful weather for our Big Walk for Water. All the students from Kindergarten to Year 6 participated, carrying buckets of water, walking in solidarity with those facing water scarcity in Fiji, Tanzania and Bangladesh. The students were able to relate in small ways to Sisilia who had to walk long distances each day until, with the help of Project Compassion, water taps were installed in her village and school. We are happy to announce that to date, we have raised $694 for Project Compassion. 💧💙 We are getting so close to our target of $1000. We would also like to take the opportunity to thank Minchinbury Bunnings for donating 80 buckets for us to use today. #faithinactioncspd #ProjectCompassion #BigWaterWalk