Message From Our
Principal
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
I am very excited to announce the staffing for 2024.
We were thrilled to hear of the announcement of our newly appointed Principal and look forward to welcoming Jamie McDowall to Sacred Heart School in 2024. Jamie is currently the Principal at St Philomena’s Moree and unfortunately, due to current commitments is unable to meet with us until the new school year. I have met Jamie and have told him how lucky he is to be coming to our beautiful school community. He is looking forward to meeting all the children, their families and staff in the new school year and I know he will be very welcomed by the Sacred Heart community. I would like to congratulate Jamie on his appointment and wish him all the very best as he commences his new position.
Felicity Bryant has been appointed Deputy Principal. Felicity is currently at St Mary’s Mooroopna where she has undertaken many roles, including classroom teacher, Acting Deputy Principal and Learning Support Leader. Felicity has been a highly regarded lead teacher in the area of Learner Diversity for many years, which will also be part of her new role at Sacred Heart.
Tony McDonald has been appointed as our Religious Education Leader and Wellbeing Leader in 2024. Tony is a very experienced teacher, having taught in a variety of settings in Catholic Education. He has held many leadership positions and is currently the Deputy Principal at St Luke’s in Shepparton.
We also welcome Melissa Connors, well known to us all at Sacred Heart. Melissa will commence her first classroom teaching appointment in 2024. It will be lovely to welcome back Debbie Turvey in the role of Wellbeing Support. Debbie will continue the work Sarah Langley has been doing this year. Jorja Basile, a past student at Sacred Heart, will commence a traineeship with the Apprenticeship Factory and be working with us in 2024. I congratulate all of our new staff on their appointments and feel sure that they will be a valuable addition to our school community.
We will celebrate the 2023 school year together with a Mass on Friday, at 9:15am. Following the Mass, presentations will take place. Leaving students, staff and families will be farewelled. Everyone is most welcome to come along and join us for this celebration.
As families are leaving us at the end of the year I would like to acknowledge and thank them for being part of our community. I hope you will always have fond memories of your time at Sacred Heart. We also farewell staff, Dom Poppa, Emily Slaughter, Lily Vincitorio and Sarah Langley. They have been a much valued part of the Sacred Heart community and we thank them for all they have given during their time with us and wish them well. Cath Basile will be on leave during 2024.
Orientation day will be held next Tuesday, 12th December. All students will have the opportunity to meet their new teacher, meet new friends and be in their new learning space. This day often brings many big feelings for our students, parents and teachers. Often our students feel excitement, joy, nervousness and worry with the changes they have in front of them. It is extremely important for all of us to acknowledge these feelings but then support and nurture our students to feel hopeful and positive about the changes. Our teachers have worked extremely hard to consider what each student needs to be successful for 2024. Year 1-5 will spend time with their new class and teacher during the second block. 2024 Foundation will be at school from 9:15am-11am, spending some time with their buddy and teacher. Our current Year 6 have the day at their new secondary school.
Teachers have been busy finalising assessments for Semester Two reports. Your child’s report will reflect their achievements during Terms 3 and 4 this year and will be released through PAM next Wednesday, 13th. Please spend some time together, reading and reflecting on the report as this clearly demonstrates to your child the value you place on their school life. Don’t forget to celebrate all their hard work, efforts and achievements after reading their reports! Please contact your child’s class teacher if there is anything you wish to discuss on their report.
Our Choir and Evening Birds Concert last week was fantastic. Thank you, Karen Nihill and Matt Hooper, and this talented group of musicians and singers who entertained our large audience. Congratulations everyone, you were sensational! The school choir will be performing again on December 13th at the Tatura Lions Club Christmas Carols.
Thank you to all who have so generously donated to our Giving Tree. All donations will be delivered to St Vinnies early next week for families within our community who need some extra support during this Christmas season. This is a beautiful way to teach our children about the joy of giving and the importance of sharing with others. If you would like to donate to the Giving Tree you still have a couple of days to do so.
A reminder that next Monday, December 11th is a 2024 Curriculum Day for all staff and a pupil free day for all students. Monday, December 18th is the final day for students. Children will be dismissed at the normal time of 3:20pm. All students will commence on Tuesday, January 30th.
May the Sacred Heart of Jesus continue to watch over our school community and bless us always.
Pauline Hindson
Principal
