Dear Community,

Welcome back for Term 2. Seeing everyone enthusiastic and ready for a busy and productive term was very pleasing. It is always great for us all to have a break from school, recharge our batteries, and spend extra time at home with our families. The weather in Canberra was magnificent, so I hope you enjoyed your time at home. Teachers have spent much of their holidays preparing and planning this term's teaching programmes and are enthusiastic and ready for the term.

A special welcome to three students who have joined us this term: Tom and Archie (Year 5) and Nicholas (Year 6).

We also welcome Chelsea Wills as a Classroom Support Assistant who will remain with us for the rest of the year.

This term, Mrs Amy Kelly will teach full-time in Year 6, Vanessa Miller will have an extra day in the library, Sarah Salter will be in Year 2 White on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and Catherine Wills will help in the library, too (all filling in for Aaron Fox’s absence). Mrs Laura Stumbles is the Acting Coordinator for this term.

The position of Coordinator from Term 3 has been advertised extensively, and we should have a decision mid-term.

Enrolment 2025

Officially, the enrolment period for Catholic schools started on Monday, April 29, and finishes on Friday, May 31. We will have an Open Day next Monday, May 6, from 9-11 am and 3:30-6 pm.  Please spread the word, and if you know families interested in Catholic education at Sacred Heart, please have them contact me—I am pleased to show them around our fantastic school.

Enrolment forms are available on our website and can be completed until May 31.

At enrolment time we stop and think about our school and what makes it different from other schools. I quote Dr Mike Gaffney, former Head of Education Services at the CEO: “Catholic schools are supposed to be different. Good Catholic schools are more than ‘good schools’ in the secular sense. In addition to academic excellence and equitable social support and community spirit, they provide genuine witness to God’s love to students, staff, parents and all who engage in the school. Pope Paul VI put it this way – that the proper function of a Catholic School is to create a special atmosphere animated by the Gospel spirit of freedom and charity for the school community.

In difficult situations then that arise, it is always worthwhile reflecting on What would Jesus do – in these circumstances? Our actions should really demonstrate that we are different.”

Mothers Day Breakfast

We look forward to our Mother’s Day breakfast next Friday, May 10th. Our breakfast will be held in the school hall from 8 am to 8:50 am and will include bacon and egg rolls, fruit salad, yoghurt, muffins, and juice.

After breakfast, we will have Mass in the Church at 9:30 am, you are all welcome to attend.

After the Mass, we invite all parents and guardians to visit the classrooms and engage in a learning journey with their child/children. This is a wonderful opportunity to see our students' progress and achievements.

ANZAC Day

During the break, we also celebrated ANZAC Day, when we remember all the Australian and New Zealand men and women who have served and continue to serve their country so that we can live in peace and security today. Many have suffered severe injuries or trauma from war or paid the ultimate sacrifice and given their lives for their country. As today’s generation, we remember them, lest we forget.

On Tuesday, our student leaders led a very moving ANZAC Day service, including the Last Post and Rouse. Thanks, Mrs Imbriano, for planning this vital service on the first day of term.

Semester Reporting

Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn (CECG) has communicated to schools regarding reporting to parents/guardians. CECG has advised schools that comments will not be required on Semester 1, 2024 reports but that they should prioritise parent/teacher conferences for every family in Term 2. These meetings provide the opportunity to discuss your child’s progress, their strengths, challenges, and future areas of focus. Parent Teacher Conferences will be held in Week 10. A Semester Report will be sent home as in previous Semesters, providing A-E grading and attendance information.

CECG has advised schools that Semester 2, 2024 reports will have a general comment for all children. This general comment will provide a summative comment for the year, areas of achievement and areas to focus on for the following year. A-E grading and attendance information will remain as usual.

We would encourage all parents/guardians to engage with their child/ren’s learning regularly, connecting with their class teacher/s regularly to discuss learning progress.

In faith and partnership,

David Austin

Principal

Harmony Day at Sacred heart Thursday 16th May

National Harmony Week was celebrated back in March. This year we moved our celebration due to clashes with carnivals.  Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds.It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.​

We celebrate ‘Harmony’ in two ways at Sacred Heart:

a) Students and staff wear clothing of cultural significance or the colour orange to school. We will have a short parade during our morning assembly at 8.55am. 

b) We invite families who have something to share about your family’s cultural heritage to talk to your children’s teachers. We would love for you to arrange a time for you to visit to share your culture. Activities you might like to share are dance, song, story, arts, games, language, or your family story. Your visit does not need to be on the 16th, but find a time and day that works for you and the teacher.

Term 2 Lunch Clubs

Our enthusiastic teachers are once again offering a range of opportunities during lunch time in Term 2.

Monday - Library is open with Mrs Miller (K-6)

Gardening with Mr Sweeney (Yr2-6)

Tuesday - Chess Club - Paid lesson with Sydney Chess Academy (see enrolment details in this newsletter) (K-6)

Karaoke  with Mrs Riley (K-6)

Wednesday -Choir at 8.30 with Mrs Riley (children need a signed permission form)

Tournament of Minds (TOMs) preparation with Mrs Wode. Any students wishing to be considered for inclusion in the TOMs competition next term, need to attend this term (Years 4-6)

Friday -  Library is open with Mrs Miller (K-6)

Typing with Mrs Morella (Yr2-6)

Yours in the virtue of Respect,

Compass Notifications

Please refer to Compass for the following notifications:

• Welcome to Term 2
• Peer Support Training Day
• Mother's Day Breakfast

100 Voices for People with Disabilities

Various choirs from around Canberra are coming together to sing. Mrs Hildegarde Mendoza will be playing the piano/organ.

On Sunday, 5th May 1:15pm at St Christopher's Cathedral, Manuka

Single entry $15, Family $30

More information Email

Chess at Sacred Heart

We have some great sporting activities planned this term, including 6 weeks of gymnastics for Years 3-6. Students are asked to please wear sports uniform on the following days each week. On other days students wear full winter uniform, with a couple of days grace to swap over this week if needed. Hats are required until the end of May:
Kinder - Tuesday and Friday

Year 1 - Tuesday and Friday

Year 2 - Weeks 1 & 2, Tuesday and Friday, Weeks 3-10, Wednesday & Friday.

Years 3&4 - Tuesday and Thursday

Years 5&6 - Tuesday and Thursday 

Tennis - Lessons for term 2 Lunch time $160.

Whizz Kids K-2 and Play & Train 3-6 

Please email Laura Stumbles your interest

 

Cross Country

A huge thank you to all students for the way they competed in our cross country and the wonderful sportsmanship they showed towards each other. Another huge thank you to our volunteers, those who were course Marshalls and those who helped Tracey in the canteen, we appreciate all your effort and support in helping us run the carnival.

ACT Swimming

We have 6 students representing Sacred Heart at next weeks ACT Primary School's swimming Championships on Tuesday.

 

Teams from Year 5 and 6 participated in the da Vinci Decathlon competition today. 

With ten categories of thinking and doing, the students had plenty of opportunities to stretch their brains. 

Congratulations to our students on their skills, behaviour and enthusiasm. Thanks to Mrs Kelly, Mr Sweeney and Mrs Wode for assisting the teams. 

Look at our wonderful Kindergarten students continuing to build their Gross Motor skills during PE lessons today!