🇮🇹 Celebrating Culture, Food & Fun on Italian Day 🇮🇹
On Monday, October 13th, Holy Spirit School came alive in a sea of red, white, and green!
The grounds were buzzing with excitement as Marios, Luigis, princesses, gondoliers and pizza chefs arrived at school.
Students immersed themselves in a range of engaging activities — from mastering the art of cannoli making to playing il calcio (soccer) and testing their precision in bocce.
We were also delighted to welcome back former student Alessio Scalpelli, now in Year 10 at St Monica’s College, who wowed everyone with his wonderful singing.
Adding to the excitement, Anthony Pantelidis, Luke Fiorenza and George Tsiorlas, along with their Manchester City coach from Parade College, ran soccer workshops that brought a professional touch to the day.
The celebration continued with a delicious Italian lunch and a performance by Spectacular Spettacolo with a show titled, ‘The Secret Ingredient’.
A heartfelt grazie to our wonderful parent volunteers who helped organise the delicious pizza and gelato lunch for everyone — our dedicated HSPA Committee members Kimberly Tsolakis, Voula Nuske, Peggy Tsigaras, and Egidia Govic.
Finally, a big GRAZIE to Mr. Costin for giving me the opportunity to coordinate this special day for our students.
I invited our students in each year level to reflect on the joy of the day — please enjoy a few of their reflections below.
With thanks – GRAZIE,
Signora Angela
Serena’s Italian Day Reflection
Yesterday, was Italian Day at Holy Spirit Primary.
First, we did prayer and the Costume Parade. At the costume parade Alessio sang some Italian songs for us and he was so good I almost cried!
Then we played soccer, il calcio in Italian, and then we played bocce. I got 5 and 2. It was fun!
Next, we did some Italian dancing called the ‘Tarantella’.
At the end of the day we watched a live show called, ‘Lingrediente Segreto’.
I love ITALIAN DAY!
Ted’s Italian Day Reflection
On Monday the 13th of October, we celebrated Italian day at our school. Our whole day was action-packed and full of fun.
In the morning, the whole school gathered on the basketball court and held a parade. While that happened, Alessio, a former student, sang for us. Everyone had amazing masks.
Next, we played soccer. Some people from Manchester City refereed the game. It was loads of fun.
After soccer, we did traditional Italian dancing. We learnt all different types of cultural dances. It was noisy but enjoyable.
After that, we made cannoli. It was loads of fun learning how to pipe the sweet custard into the crunchy shell. It was delicious!
Next up, we did Bocce. It was fun learning about how to play the game and play with our friends.
After lunch, we watched a show called ‘L’Ingrediente Segreto’. It was really entertaining watching and participating in the show.
I had so much fun. I can’t wait for this special day to happen again next year.
Peaceful Kids Program
We are delighted to introduce The Peaceful Kids Program to Holy Spirit Primary School.
Peaceful Kids program
‘Peaceful Kids’ is a Mindfulness and Positive Psychology based program to lessen anxiety and stress and increase resilience in children. The program gives children the skills, practice and support to utilise coping strategies that lessen the symptoms of anxiety and stress and to build resilience.
Program structure:
- Peaceful Kids is an 8 week educational program for children (max 6 per group)
- Sessions are for approximately 1 hour each week
- Sessions include learning a range of mindfulness strategies and meditations and positive psychology exercises.
- Children are guided through meditations daily online via the Peaceful Kids website: peacefulkids.com.au
- Peaceful Kids is not a counselling or therapeutic program, rather an educational program.
In Term 4, we will be running the Peaceful Kids program with a group of students from Middle School, with additional programs planned for 2026. The program is by invite only. The sessions will be facilitated by Giulia Olivieri, a trained Peaceful Kids facilitator.
General Messages
School Closure Day
Monday November 3rd is a School Closure Day – there will be no school on this day. Tuesday November 4th is Cup Day.
Scholastic Book Club Volunteer Needed
We are still looking for a volunteer to organise the Scholastic Book Club orders in 2026 as Emma Maguire (Liv in Year 6’s mum), who has been organising the Scholastic Book Club for the last few years, will be moving on. If you are interested or would like to know more about what is involved with Book Club, please let the office staff know.
School Fees
Final statements for school fees have been emailed. Please finalise your account as soon as possible.
Appointment of a new Principal for Holy Spirit
As you are now well aware, I will be taking leave and eventually retiring from Catholic Education and Principalship from the end of this year.
The process of appointing a new Principal is already underway and I am confident that MACS (Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools) will find the right person to continue the great work that is happening in our fantastic school.
On Tuesday this week a Senior Manager from MACS spent a significant amount of time in our school talking to people about the needs of the school and hence the skills needed by a new Principal.
On Tuesday, 22 children shared their ideas with the MACS Manager and clearly told her what they thought they needed in a new Principal at their school. The wisdom shared by these students was quite astonishing and they were very clear around what they wanted. I thank these children for their honest sharing.
MACS then spent time with our entire staff gaining an understanding of the needs of the school moving forward and hence what the school requires in leadership. An enthusiastic group of parents representing the community spent 1.5 hours sharing their thoughts on the attributes required of a new Principal as well. I am very grateful to these parents for their frank and insightful contribution to this process ensuring that parents have a voice in this decision.
The process is now simple:
- Given the knowledge that MACS has gained from our community, criteria will be set for a new appointment
- The position will be publicly advertised in the coming days
- An interview panel will have a conversation with shortlisted applicants and a decision will be made to appoint a new Principal as soon as possible
I plan to keep the community informed as the process progresses.
Many thanks for your ongoing support at this exciting time for our community.
Rob Costin