School News
Budgeting in Catholic (MACS) Schools for 2027
Currently, all Catholic schools are working through planning and budgeting activities for 2027 to ensure we are well placed to support our staff, students and school communities in the coming year. This includes looking at how we can accommodate the changes likely to flow from a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) with school staff.
We recognise the significant financial pressures many households are facing, and we are making a conscious effort to ensure these costs are not passed on through significant fee increases.
We will continue to keep our parent community informed throughout this process. As always, our focus remains on maintaining strong school communities and continuing to deliver a high-quality Catholic education for every student.
Sacrament of First Eucharist
Over the past two weekends, our Year 4 students celebrated the Sacrament of First Eucharist with their families and parish community. It was a wonderful occasion as our students received the Eucharist for the first time and celebrated Jesus’ presence in their lives. We warmly congratulate all of our First Eucharist candidates on this significant milestone in their faith journey and thank their families for supporting them throughout their preparation. A special thank you to Mrs Richardson and our Year 4 teachers for their dedication, care and commitment in preparing the students for this important sacrament, and to Fr Tom for his support and leadership throughout the celebrations.
Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop
On Thursday 6 August, our school community came together to celebrate the Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop (August 8), Australia’s first saint. We give thanks for the inspiring example of St Mary MacKillop, whose life was dedicated to serving others, particularly children and families in need. We extend our sincere thanks to our Year 3 students for leading our beautiful paraliturgy and for sharing their knowledge and reflections on St Mary’s life and legacy. Their reverence, confidence and thoughtful participation helped make this a meaningful celebration for our whole school community.
Parent/Teacher Chats - Thursday 27 August
As previously mentioned, our Parent/Teacher Chats will be held on Wednesday 27 August, 2026. These Parent/Teacher Chats will take place ‘face to face’ at school.
BOOKINGS ARE NOW OPEN!
To book in your Parent/Teacher Chat time - please go to the following link
https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code/k2tv3
Or visit the website link below (and use the code k2tv3)
Bookings will close on Wednesday 26 August at 3.15pm.
All children will finish school at 12.45pm on this day, and the first interviews will commence at 1.30pm, finishing at 7.30pm. If you are unable to pick your child(ren) up there will be supervision provided by staff not engaged in the Parent/Teacher Chats until 3.15pm. After School Care will be provided as usual from 3.15pm onwards. A separate Operoo form will be sent regarding this.
The purpose of these chats is to meet with your child's classroom teacher, discussing with them, your child’s learning progression and achievement in Semester One. If you have more complex issues or concerns about your child please organise an additional meeting with the teacher.
Thanks for your continued support of all that we do here at Sacred Heart Kew.
School Closure Day - Friday 28 August
A reminder that Friday 28 August is a School Closure Day for all staff and students. It is a Time in Lieu (TIL) day for staff. TIL information can be found below.
Prep 100 Days of School
Last Friday, our Preps celebrated a very special milestone – 100 Days of Prep!
The celebrations began with a range of fun activities, all centred around the number 100. Students made delicious cookies decorated with the number 100, challenged themselves to stack 100 cups, transformed the number 100 into a creative picture, and even had a go at writing 100 words.
The celebrations continued in the afternoon when our Preps joined their senior buddies for some more 100-themed fun. Together, they created a picture of themselves as 100-year-olds before working up a sweat completing 100 exercises! Our Preps were also very lucky to be treated to beautiful cards and gifts from their senior buddies.
Congratulations to all of our Preps on reaching this wonderful milestone! Miss Wirth and Miss Cameron have been blown away by how much you have grown and learned this year. We are so proud of the amazing reading, writing and maths skills you can now demonstrate, as well as the confidence, independence and resilience you show each day. Thank you to all the parent volunteers who were able to help.
Sport News
3/4 Soccer Gala Day
Go to the Learning and Teaching page to read the Year 3/4 Class Captains' Recounts of this event.
Senior Hockey 7s Gala Day
The Senior students have been invited to compete in a Hockey 7s Gala Day on Friday 21 August at KBH Brumbies Hockey Club (Box Hill Hockey Club) on Elgar Rd.
District Athletics Day
On Wednesday 2 September, selected Year 3-6 students will participate in our District Athletics Day, competing in a range of track and field events, including the sprint and long distance races, relay races, long jump, high jump, shot put and discus. Students will be able to try-out for the different events at lunchtimes with Mr O'Shea. More information will be communicated in the next couple of weeks.
Hoop Time
This term selected Year 4 students will participate in Hoop Time basketball on 18 August and selected Senior students will participate on 16 September.
Book Week 24-28 August
Ideas for DIY costumes:
https://mumsgrapevine.com.au/2020/09/book-week-costume-ideas/
https://madisonslibrary.com/2021/08/01/book-week-easy-costume-ideas-from-things-in-your-wardrobe/
https://www.madeformums.com/toddler-and-preschool/last-minute-easy-world-book-day-costumes/
Scholastic Book Fair: 20 August - 25 August
We are very excited to host the Scholastic Book Fair this year from Thursday 20 August to Tuesday 25 August in the MPR.
Book Fairs are designed to give children access to more books they want to read, from relevant new-releases to classic award winners. Every book sold at the Book Fair earns free books for our school.
On Wednesday, 19 August, all students will visit the Book Fair and create a Wish List of the books they would like. The Wish List will be sent home for families to view.
The Book Fair will be open for families to visit during the following days and times:
DATE | TIME |
|---|---|
| Thursday 20 August | 8:30am - 9:00am 3:15pm - 3:45pm |
| Friday 21 August | 8:30am - 9:00am 3:15pm - 3:45pm |
| Monday 24 August | 8:30am - 9:00am 3:15pm - 3:45pm |
| Tuesday 25 August | 8:30am - 9:00am 3:15pm - 3:45pm |
Canberra Camp 2027
Thank you to those parents who have indicated that their child will be attending the Senior Canberra Camp next year (Monday 15 - Friday 19 February). Please complete if you haven't already done so. This will greatly assist us with our planning and preparation for the trip.
PARENT & CHILD INFORMATION EVENING - Wednesday 18 November (6.30pm - 7.30pm)
All current Year Four and Five parents (and child/ren attending the Trip) are invited to an Information Evening which will take place on Wednesday 18 November at 6.30pm. This will be held in the MPR. All FINAL itinerary and information regarding the Canberra Trip will be presented to families at this time.
Friday Afternoon School Assemblies at 2.30pm
Term 3 Assemblies:
Week 6 (21 August) - Wellbeing Groups
Week 7 (28 August) - School Closure Day
Week 8 (4 September) - Year 2 Spotlight on Learning
Week 9 (11 September) - Prep LC Spotlight on Learning
Week 10 (18 September) - No Assembly
2026 Term Dates
Term Dates 2026 - (students)
Term One: Fri 30 January (Students begin) – Thurs 2 April
Term Two: Mon 20 April – Fri 26 June
Term Three: Tues 14 July – Fri 18 September
Term Four: Tues 6 October - Tues 15 December
2026 School Closure Days
As was communicated to families last year...
* Time in Lieu (TIL)
The current Catholic Education Multi-Enterprise Agreement 2022 (the Agreement) has a formal time in lieu (TIL) process for teachers. The Agreement provides that a principal may require a teacher to undertake work and attend a school activity outside the normal hours of attendance (i.e., in excess of the 38 hours or normal hours for a part-time teacher) and when this occurs, it will attract TIL.
Principals should prepare for the accrual and acquittal of TIL through their annual planning process. The timing of the acquittal of TIL is at the discretion of the principal, having regard to the operational needs of the school and causing the least disruption to the educational program of the school.
Principals may elect to acquit TIL through designating days during the year on which all staff and students are not required to attend school.
School Closure & Time in Lieu (TIL) Days 2026
Term 1
Thursday 5 March (Staff Professional Learning)
Friday 6 March (Staff Compliance and First Aid/Anaphylaxis)
Monday 9 March (Labour Day Public Holiday)
Term 2
Friday 5 June (Staff Professional Learning)
Monday 8 June (King’s Birthday Public Holiday)
Term 3
Monday 13 July (School Review preparation for staff)
Friday 28 August (TIL day for staff)
Term 4
Monday 5 October (Staff Professional Learning)
Monday 2 November (TIL day for staff)
Tuesday 3 November (Melbourne Cup Day Public Holiday)
Friday 4 December (Staff Planning for 2027)
Children finish on Tuesday 15 December at 12.45pm
Wednesday 16 December (TIL day for staff)
Thursday 17 December (TIL day for staff)
MACSEYE - Outside School Hours Care
Please see below for further information, including the MACSEYE Booking Link.