The religious life of our school immerses students in the Catholic tradition and provides students with:

• Opportunities to know, understand and celebrate our Catholic faith
• A rich Religious Education curriculum
• Celebrations of the sacraments
• Faith in action activities and opportunities
• Experiences of a rich liturgical and prayer life:
  • whole school prayer each morning
  • weekly assembly prayer
  • liturgical celebrations
  • weekday parish Masses and feast day Masses

Our staff are committed to student learning growth. Learning and teaching programs are designed to engage, challenge and support our students to reach their full potential.

• A school-wide approach to the teaching and learning of literacy and numeracy using evidence-based practices
• Large range of classroom reading resources
• Regular assessment and monitoring of student levels using the National Literacy and Numeracy Learning Progressions
• Gifted Education – and students with high potential – programs and support
• Intervention programs in literacy and numeracy
• Specialist physical education and music teachers
• Robotics and coding clubs
• A 1:1 iPad program integrating technology into Key Learning Areas
• A Positive Behaviours for Learning (PB₄L) framework

Students with a disability or additional needs, are supported with:

• Personalised learning plans
• A dedicated diverse learning needs coordinator and support staff
• Regular parent meetings to monitor student progress

High achievers, gifted and/or creative students have opportunities to:

• Enrich their capacity through differentiated class programs
• Participate in the SPLICED diocesan high achievers units of work
• Enter the CEDoW Christmas Story Art Exhibition and Competition
• Participate in University competitions
• Represent in sporting opportunities at school, regional, diocesan and state levels

We recognise the importance of preparing our students for the future and the role technology plays in achieving this.

All classrooms are fitted with Apple TVs whilst students benefit from our school-wide 1:1 IPad Program. iPads in K-2 are school-owned, whilst students in Years 3-6 bring their own iPads. Students use a range of apps to enhance learning including Google Classroom and Seesaw.

Our students are also provided learning opportunities in STEM, coding and robotics.

Holy Cross offers a great range of co-curricular activities for students – including creative arts opportunities, sports, leadership and environmental initiatives, and more.

We also have available for students, on-site before-school and after-school care services operated by Camp Australia through their 'Your OSHC' program.

At Holy Cross we promote the growth and development of students as individuals in relationship with others and within the community:

• Positive Behaviours for Learning (PB₄L) – Our school-wide 'Positive Behaviours for Learning' approach supports students as they learn the expectations of our community and to get along with each other.
• Our School Rules – Be Kind, Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe.
• Transition to Kindergarten Playgroup and Buddies – Students new to Kindergarten love our playgroup program. The sessions are run in the November before they start school. Kindergarten students are also supported by their Buddies in Year 5.
• Awards – At Holy Cross, we encourage and acknowledge our students’ achievements in all areas of learning and school life. Awards include class awards, fortnightly Merit Awards, Principal’s Awards and Environmental Stewardship Awards.
• Structured Playground Games – Structured playground games are facilitated during each lunchtime for students in K-2. Participation is always voluntary.
• Library - our Library is opened at lunchtime each day.
• The Friendship Bench – Located on both playground spaces, students happily look out for those who need a friend to play with on the playground.

Holy Cross is a welcoming and inclusive community. Students and families are encouraged to become involved in many aspects of parish and school life.

We come together as a community on many occasions:

• Whole School Masses
• Grade Masses
• ANZAC Day Service
• CAFE Club
• Grandparents Day
• Mother’s Day and Father’s Day Breakfasts
• Catholic Schools Week
• Book Week
• Literacy & Numeracy Week Celebrations
• Kindergarten Orientation & Welcome to Kindergarten Morning Tea
• School Fetes

Our parents and carers are very engaged with the school and take up opportunities such as P&F events, information evenings, parent/teacher meetings, liturgies and masses. Our volunteers also assist in classrooms and library support.

The students at Holy Cross engage in a variety of social justice initiatives throughout the school year, including: Clean Up Australia Day, World Environment Day, Caritas' Project Compassion, Catholic Mission Month and St Vincent de Paul's Winter and Christmas Appeals.

Our School Environment Management Plan (SEMP) also provides opportunities for students to be involved in stewardship and environmental initiatives:

• The School Garden and Gardening Club
• Compost Program
• Trash-Free Tuesday

Catholic schools strive to keep fees as low as possible so that more families can choose a Catholic education for their children. Even when school fees paid by parents are included, Catholic schools, on average, operate with only about 90% of the income of government schools, meaning Catholic schools consistently achieve more with less.

In keeping with Gospel values, no child is refused a Catholic education due to financial inability or difficulty.

New or existing parents who find themselves in this situation are encouraged to discuss fee concessions with the school principal who will treat the situation with understanding, sensitivity and confidentiality.

It is the expectation that families with the capacity to contribute do so, so that our schools can maintain the high quality of education that Catholic education is known for and our families expect.