Principal News 

 TERM 2 - WEEK 7

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CAMPS 2024

*Updated Key Dates T2-T4 2024 - Including new dates for lightning premiership

Dear Families and Friends,

As we close out another busy and productive fortnight at Sacred Heart, it has become apparent that another wave of illness is rolling through our community, with a number of students home unwell. We have also experienced a highest rate of staff illness, unfortunately resulting in extended periods of leave, and we wish all a speedy and full recovery. While we strive to provide continuity in classes during these instances, it is becoming increasingly challenging to cover classrooms with the same replacement teacher for consecutive days due to shortages within our system. We thank you for your understanding under these circumstances, and in particular, our staff for stepping in when required. Our leadership team continues to 'plug' holes across classes, and this week Miss Wood has been outstanding in this role in the absence of Miss Maloney.

In light of this latest wave of sickness, we ask for your support in being vigilant. Please monitor for signs and symptoms of illness and keep your child home until they have fully recovered. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation with these community wellbeing matters.

MORE RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

A special call out to Jo Cusack, mum of Emily and Zara, who gave up their Friday to kindly to tend to our veggie patches during the recent school closure. Jo weeded, re-mulched, and planted new seedlings, while both Emily and Zara raked up 'yet more' leaves from around the grounds, filling both green bins. We are so grateful for this kind offer and the level of care and pride in sprucing up these areas.

Class Award & Value for the Week - Positivity

This week, I dropped into Year 3M as they were unpacking the value for the week, positivity, during their 'welcome circle.' Wow, the responses from the students were outstanding, particularly Nate Dooley, who also drew upon their recent topic of resilience - what an impressive connection. So impressed, I asked Nate to write down his thoughts so I could put in the newsletter: This week the school's value is positivity. It links to resilience, which means to keep pushing through tough times, to always be positive, and to always have a positive mindset. I firmly believe Sacred Heart can all show positivity."

Love your work, Nate!

Additionally, this week we have been unpacking our school rules in child-friendly and age-appropriate language across all grade levels. This is perfect timing as we prepare to transition to our new (temporary) and, in some cases, shared learning spaces. By revisiting these rules, we ensure everyone is on the same page and students understand the three levels of infringements, processes and logical consequences. These were shared by all grades at our upcoming assembly.  Many thanks to Miss Rafferty for faciliating this process and presentation on Friday. 

The underlying principle at Sacred Heart is that relationships are important, and when a harmful or disruptive incident occurs, the focus is on the harm caused to the relationship and the subsequent actions that will work towards restoration. 

Importance is placed on responsibility for actions and the effect they have on others in the community. 

At Sacred Heart we aim to build and maintain healthy, positive relationships and establish a culture of respect. This involves:-

• Promoting respectful relationships with self, others and the environment
• Utilising classroom mission statements
• Making things right
• Creating safe environments
• Building a culture of collaborative learners
• Modelling and encouraging empathy
• Explicitly teaching social skills to negotiate conflict and build relationships

At Sacred Heart our overarching expectations (right) is, everyone has the right to learn and feel safe at Sacred Heart.

Calm Club

Last week, we commenced our first daily 'Calm Club' session at Sacred Heart. Supported by our generous staff who have committed to additional supervision duties, this invaluable club provides students with an alternative option during our longer first break. The club offers non-physical play opportunities such as 'Elsie Brown' drawing classes, Lego, reading, and a range of quiet activities away from the more active playground.

Well done to our newly appointed Calm Club student leaders for making this happen and generously offering your time to support your fellow students during their break times.

Though we are only two weeks into this new program, we have been overwhelmed by the number of students regularly attending these daily sessions (e.g. Tuesday 68). We extend our gratitude to Mr. Brown for coordinating the club and to our staff for supporting this wellbeing initiative. Currently, the sessions are held in our decommissioned library*, but we expect to move the program to the hall in the coming weeks as we begin our building project.

*Please excuse the state of this pre-building space. 

Building Program Update Q&A #1

Although formal commencement has not yet begun, please find attached our first Building Q&A for 2024. We hope you will appreciate these updates.

Last Friday, Bowdens, our building contractors, were onsite for the day inspecting the school as they prepare various contractors for the upcoming program. This was perfect timing with no students or staff present, providing uninterrupted access to all areas. Additionally, this ensured a clear playground for our annual arborist maintenance and safety works on the larger trees on our boundaries and within the grounds.

The official commencement date for handover of the site is now confirmed: Monday 17th June.  Yr.2, 3, 4 & 5 students to their temporary learning spaces for the duration of this two-stage program. 

Staffing News

Our guest teacher for the week was Fr. Martin. As part of his VIT (Victorian Institute of Teaching) registration, Fr. Martin is required to complete a number of teaching hours throughout the year to maintain his status. From visiting the playground with his trusty four-legged companion one day, to now teaching in various grades, it’s been lovely to see Fr. Martin build these authentic connections within our learning community.

We are also pleased to announce, Lola Allen will be joining our LSO A-Team in the coming weeks to provide additional coverage and support with these invaluable staff across our classrooms. A passion for working with, and supporting students, Lola is going to be a stunning addition to our staff. After a highlighly successful induction on Wednesday, dare I say, we have struck gold again! And let's just say Ms Allen can hold her own on the basketball court. 

In the last week of this term and the first week of Term 3, I will be on long-service leave to spend some precious time with my family. As always, the school will be in great hands with Mrs Pennington and the leadership team during my absence, and I look forward to returning and seeing how settled the community is after the early stages of our exciting building program. Thank you for your understanding. 

My deepest regret is that I will not be able to bid farewell and sincerely thank Mr. Blake in his last week for his commitment to our community over many years. Additionally, I sincerely hope I'm not too late to spend a week or two working alongside Miss Rafferty before she begins her much anticipated maternity leave.

Baby News

Congratulations to Emily and Ash Harrington-Curry on the safe and happy arrival of another 'BLUE' boy for your family. We have a very proud brother, Harvey who is beaming with pride. I'd like to think it is because he has another Carlton supporter to cheer along with in the years to follow. 

Little Hearts of Sandy Playgroup

Another fabulous playgroup session on Friday. It was great to see some of new Preps for 2025 as they start to make some connections. 

Family and friends are most welcome to attend our Little Hearts Playgroup. Please note, there is no age limit on toddlers or pre-schoolers. We typically have about20 pre-schoolers and toddlers and it has been fabulous to see lots of new faces at these sessions. We'd love to see you there! 

• 26th July
• 30th August
• 18th October
• 22nd November
• 6th December

P&F NEWS

Well done P&F on the phenomenal response to the Ladies Day Out - 88! We dearly hope you had a spectacular and well-deserved day networking and celebrating. What happens on the 'day out' stays on the day out. 

SAVE THE DATE

LITTLE GEMS

Many thanks to Mr Brown for working with some of neighbouring schools to bring together a special and well-deserved AFL lightning premiership for our girls across these communities. Date set, a newly appointed coach and current AFL player, Ms Tench has already commenced training for our euthusiastic girls team. 

Congratulations to Emily and Michael for making it into the next round of cross country for School Sport Southern Metro Primary Region, placing 4th in her age category. What a truly wonderful achievement! 

Well done to the following students who impressively made the Beachside Cross Country: Spencer B, Edie C, Finn H, Emily H, Noah J, Odette L, Olivia M, Tilly M, Michael N, Marlow S & Amelia S

Thanks for dropping by my office Evie and Oli to share your wonderful efforts with reading and maths. These little exchanges throughout the day, continue to be the highlight of my week. 

It was lovely to hear from one of our beautiful ex-students, Elke, who is keen for some babysitting opportunities. Please don't hesitate to reach out, she is a superstar. 

These two gentlemen (Mr Brown & Mr Blake) were in their element on Friday afternoon as they coached our Year 5 and 6 students against each other at none other than the Trevor Barker Oval. What a privileged to play at this facility. Many thanks to Ant McCabe for organising; the kids loved it!

And finally....

Wow, it is indeed becoming a challenge to capture all the incredible happenings across our school community, as I simply run out of time (and dare I say, steam) - it's hard to keep up. This week, we have also been completing some termly assessments with our students. The uplifting reviews and indications of significant growth across all classes certainly make it all worth it. I am immensely proud of our students and their dedication, and I cannot thank my hard working staff enough for their tireless energy and commitment in driving this growth.

Please ensure you read the various leaders news sections, they definitely highlight and celebrate the remarkable efforts within their respective levels. 

Here's to another fantastic fortnight ahead,

Simon Collis

Principal

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