Holy Spirit Community School, Ringwood North VIC
Gender
Co-Ed
Years
Prep-6
Enrolments
530
Established: 1976
Principal: Mr Duncan Arendse
Address: 120 Oban Road, Ringwood North 3134
Key Information
Staff
N/A
Fees
See website (Primary)
Languages
Italian
About our school
Holy Spirit Parish, North Ringwood, was established on 22 February 1972. Four years later on 2 February 1976, Holy Spirit Community School opened its doors in a two-room portable building. After 24 years, with the school growing to over 530 students so much of the original spirit remained. The site is still used by local community groups. The church is used for numerous school activities including school assemblies, physical education programs, drama etc. The Parish House, the Out of School Hours Centre and the North Ringwood Community House are on the Parish grounds. Holy Spirit School is only part of numerous activities that touch the lives of the people in North Ringwood.
The relationship between students and staff has always been valued. This is reflected in the use of Christian names of staff. The Sacramental Programs are parish-based emphasizing the relationship between the parish and school. The Parish Priest maintains a close presence in the school through class masses, paraliturgies and other class visits.
The construction of a computer facility has heightened the role of computers throughout the curriculum. The educational programs are constantly monitored to ensure their suitability and effectiveness. Literacy and effectiveness are seen as vital in the development of each child.
Holy Spirit is a CLaSS school. Other programs include specialised music, Seasons Loss & Grief program and Gifted and Talented. Holy Spirit values parental contribution with the running of our programs.
Open Days/School Tours
A school tour is a great opportunity to see us in action, Please see our website www.hsringwoodnth.catholic.edu.au or call the office on (03) 9876 1103 for more details
Principal's Message
Welcome and thank you for visiting our website. Holy Spirit is an excellent school with many opportunities for all who attend. Over seven years you will see amazing growth in your child as they learn, grow and develop to their full potential. The journey both you and your child have will be a most exciting one.
Holy Spirit is a Catholic school and Catholic schools are an extension of the Catholic home as we strive in our combined efforts to develop our faith with our children. The basis of all our teaching at Holy Spirit is underpinned by Gospel values. By living out these values, we believe our students will grow into well rounded, socially just and active participants in society.
At Holy Spirit we focus on the total personal development of each individual child – physically, spiritually, academically and morally. Education is far broader now than ever before. Teaching the basics will not equip our students for the future. They need to develop skills that are broad and allow them to delve into all areas of human endeavour.
The full name of our school is Holy Spirit Community School. The staff values the incredible support that is offered to us by our families and are working to improve the partnerships with them to improve student progress. Our continual aim is to improve relationships based on teaching and learning.
Groups including School Board, Parents and Friends, Class Coordinators, classroom and parish helpers all add to the fabric of our school. It has long been acknowledged that parents are the first educators of their children. The staff at Holy Spirit encourages parents to be engaged in the educational process.
Holy Spirit has a well-earned reputation as being an excellent school. As Principal, one of the things I am particularly proud of, is the rapport between the students and staff. This rapport, underpinned by a first name basis for all members, is exceptional and watching as they work together is a pleasure. The students enjoy coming to school and even when they have left Holy Spirit to enter secondary school, they continue to see themselves as belonging to Holy Spirit.
Become involved in school life however you can. Your child’s school is also your school. Enjoy the journey.
Duncan Arendse – Principal
Quick Facts
- Straight Grade Classes -We have 18 classrooms with a structure of straight grade levels. This structure benefits our students compared to composite classes with point of need learning with less range of composites and a consistent cohort of peers to connect and form relationships with.
- Individual Camps for Grades 3, 4, 5 and 6 – Each year, each year level attends a year level camp. Traditionally school have a Grade 6 camp only, and with new Education EBA school camps have become challenging to run in many schools. We remain committed to providing these opportunities to our students for each year between Grade 3 to 6.
- 10+ years as a Positive Behaviour School (PBL/PBIS) – Our school has worked for over 10 years in establishing policy, routine and a culture of positive behaviour. This includes implementing explicitly teaching behaviour expectations regularly, collecting behaviour breach data and analysing it to improve the safety and wellbeing of our students and managing behaviour in a respectful and positive way.
- Learning Support Staff Member Designated in Every Classroom – In every one of our 18 classes, each class has at least 1 learning support staff member supporting our classroom teacher in learning. These staff members are invaluable in supporting learning for all students to ensure learning is even more effective than the traditional classroom with just the classroom teacher.
- Berry Street Education Model Trained Staff – Our school is trained in the Berry Street Education model to implement social and emotional practise that supports student wellbeing and learning in a way that is effective, backed by evidence and research.
