Deputy News 

Dear Parents and families, 

What  a delight it has been welcoming everyone back to Sacred Heart. I am so pleased to be back doing what I love. A huge warm and heartfelt welcome to our new preps and all the new students and families across the school. The way everyone has settled in this week has been quite remarkable. It has been wonderful to witness our community coming together again and  embracing our new students and families.  We enjoyed seeing so many familes at our welcome assembly on the oval on Day 1 and at our Liturgy this morning. We have had a significant number of new staff joining us in 2024 and it has been a pleasure seeing them fitting in so well, like they've always been here. Setting up the routines within teaching and learning practices have just gone up another notch with explicit instruction, evidence based practices and high expectations across the school. e.g from the way we walk into class, to the way we sit, to the way we present our bookwork. The whole staff have embraced a team approach to be an incredible school that is calm and focussed. Our prep students have settled in remarkably well with their gorgeous teachers Miss Wood & Misss Maloney and one of our new LSO's (Learning Support Officer's),  Mary supporting them. Check out their smiles!

Transition back to school 

This week is always huge in every family as students and parents transition back into school, kinder, secondary school and work. I know personally it takes a week or so to get back into the rhythm of being back at school, getting uniforms organised, lunches packed and extra curricular activities back on the calendar. My suggestion is to try and ease into it and catch up on a few early nights and  rest over the weekend. It's quite a transition, especially for our prep students and new students, there is  a lot to take in. 

I acknowledge that the transition back to school isn't easy for some students and families and anxiety can take over when we are doing something new. From our Berry Steet training , we talk to the students about how their body is feeling when they are happy, excited or nervous and these are all normal feelings. I certainly had butterflies in my stomach on Day 1 and I've been doing this job for a long time. It shows you are doing something important and you really care. If any families need any support please reach out and contact me. 

Remember, 'It takes a village'. 

Plaese check out this article from Happy families which might resonate with you. 

LSO's-Learning Support officers

This year we welcome two new LSO's to our team to support our students with their teaching and learning. Both Sharon & Mary have come from St Joseph's Black Rock so it is  an absolute pleasure having you at Sacred Heart. We also welcome back our other LSO's. The LSO's will be busy this year taking Spelling Mastery groups and supporting students across the school, so all students can reach their full potential. Part of my role is to oversse and support the LSO's in the incredible work they do. We thank you all for your tireless work and investment in our students-Carol, Josh, Louise, Anne, Cat, Stacie and also Karin in her intervention role.

Buddy Time 

One of the most exciting parts of starting a new year for students  is finding out who your new buddy is going to be. It was certainly a hot topic of conversation as the amount of times I was asked about buddies on day one by parents and students was pretty incredible.  The Year 5 and prep students enjoyed some time together this week having  a snack and chat in the sunshine in our quiet area,  getting to know each other before the actual buddies are announced in the coming weeks.  The other buddies across the school will be our Yr 6 and Yr 1 buddies and our Yr 2 and Yr 4 buddies. Buddies form a very special bond and there is always someone to turn to in the playground, to offer a helping hand or take our juniors to first aid or the toilet etc. 

UNIFORM & LOST PROPERTY

It has been pleasing to see all students looking sharp and fresh this week with new haircuts, clean uniform and new shoes. Please ensure ALL UNIFORM IS CLEARLY NAMED. There has been an extraordinary amount of LOST PROPERTY left on the yard and in the breezeway, some from last year!  Please have a look in the big black trolleys in the breezeway if anything is missing, or even better, send your child to look! My ambitious goal this year is to ensure all students look after their uniform like it is gold and pick it up and put it away in their school bags. Wish me luck! 🍀

The good news is the new fleeces  and the ever anticipated Yr 6 Rugby jumpers have arrived. A huge thankyou to Tarn and Amanda, our amazing parent volunteers in the Uniform shop.

 Welcome to our new teaching staff 

A big warm Sacred Heart welcome to our new teaching staff- Miss Wood, Miss Bull, Miss Bulte, Mrs McGrath and Mrs Maddocks 

Miss Tench's 24 hour Marathon

If you are available tonight or tomorrow please pop down to the Sandringham Club to Support Miss Tench who is playing tennis for the  Family Life Charity. She will need support and cheering on to get through a 24 hour marathon. You can have dinner or lunch down at the club and enjoy the community atmosphere. Good Luck Miss T!

When I popped into Yr 2, Emily surprised me with her writing about her trip to Merimbula. We had  a good chat as I'd just been to the Sapphire Coast over the holidays too! 🌞⛱

Have a wonderful restful weekend and well done for getting through week 1, we are excited in anticipation for such a wonderful year ahead,

Brigid Pennington 

Deputy Principal & Learning Diversity Leader