Learning and Teaching News
Curriculum updates in Religious Education, English, Mathematics and People, Place & Purpose
Year 3 Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
Proposed Dates: Thursday 29 October or Friday 30 October (final date to be confirmed)
This year we are considering a different format for celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Rather than holding the celebration in the evening, Sacred Heart School and St Joseph's Parish are exploring a collaborative approach that allows children to celebrate the sacrament during the school day. This model has been used successfully in a number of Catholic schools and provides a calmer, more reflective experience for children while reducing the pressure on families' evening routines.
Children will celebrate Reconciliation in small groups, accompanied by their classroom teacher. Each group will spend approximately 30 minutes at the parish church, allowing each child time to celebrate the sacrament individually with the priest.
To assist our planning, we would appreciate your feedback on the two possible formats below.
Which format do you prefer?
Option 1 – During the School Day
- Children celebrate Reconciliation between 11:30 am and 3:30 pm.
- Students attend with their class and classroom teacher in small groups.
- Parents are welcome to attend if they are available, but attendance is optional.
- Students return to school with their class after celebrating the sacrament.
Option 2 – After school Family Attendance
- 3:30pm-4:30pm Parents attend with their child for their allocated time (parents/carer must attend)
We invite all Year 3 families to complete the following Google Form to select their most preferred option:
Creating Curiosity Through Learning
As we begin a new term, our students are also beginning a new People, Place and Purpose (PPP) unit. The beginning of a new unit is an important time for us to intentionally create learning experiences that capture students' attention and inspire them to want to know more.
Rather than simply telling students what they will be learning, we carefully design opportunities to hook them into the new topic. This might be through a powerful picture, a thought-provoking question, a short story, a piece of music, an intriguing object, a dramatic scene, or a real-world challenge. These experiences are designed to ignite curiosity and encourage students to wonder, ask questions, make predictions, and connect with what they already know.
Research tells us that students learn best when new learning is connected to prior knowledge. By activating what children already understand and inviting them to think deeply from the outset, we help them build stronger understanding and develop a genuine sense of ownership over their learning.
These intentionally created learning spaces are much more than engaging activities. They provide students with the opportunity to think, question, discuss, and become active participants in the learning journey ahead. Curiosity is a powerful driver of learning, and when students are curious, they are more motivated to investigate, explore, and make meaningful connections.
Throughout this term, we look forward to seeing our students embrace new ideas, ask thoughtful questions and continue to grow as curious, confident learners.
Book Bags Welcome!
If your family has a book bag that is no longer being used, we would greatly appreciate it if you could donate it back to the school.
Please drop any book bags in good condition to the school office so they can be used by other students in Years Prep - 2
Thank you for your generosity and support.
Learning and Teaching Team:
Sue Burke
English Leader
sburke@shnewport.catholic.edu.au
Kim Dalmau
Mathematics Leader
kdalmau@shnewport.catholic.edu.au
Cath Palmer
Deputy Principal
Catholic Identity & Pedagogy