Principals Report

We are already into Week 3, and the mid-year holidays are now a distant memory! As the term starts to get busy, please take note of the upcoming events on our calendar.

This Week

Grandparents' Day – Thursday
Bishop's Installation (Bendigo) – Thursday
Lightning Premiership – Friday

Next Week

Pupil Free Day (Staff Spirituality Day) – Wednesday
Feast of Mary of the Cross MacKillop – Saturday

Looking Ahead This Term

Feast of the Assumption with Sacred Heart College (Week 5)
Parent Faith Formation Night #2 for Reconciliation (Week 7)
Learning Conversations (Week 8)
Father's Day Stall and School Celebrations (Week 8)
First Reconciliation Ceremony (Week 9)
School Athletics Carnival (Week 9)
R U OK? Family Breakfast (Week 9)
Last Day of Term 3 (Week 10)

Our first Reconciliation Parent Faith Formation Meeting was held last Tuesday evening. We have 24 students preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (also known as Confession or Penance), and we ask that you keep these students in your thoughts and prayers.

Can you remember your first Reconciliation? Lining up in the church pews, waiting nervously to enter the dark confessional booth, sliding open the little window and confessing your deepest sins to the faceless priest on the other side, all while hoping you wouldn't be assigned too many Our Fathers or Hail Marys as your penance... or maybe that was just me! As Meegan shared on Tuesday night, the process is a lot gentler these days.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a special opportunity to experience God's mercy, forgiveness and love. Through this sacrament, we reflect on our actions, acknowledge the times we have fallen short, and receive God's grace to begin again. Reconciliation teaches children the importance of honesty, responsibility and forgiveness, helping them grow in their relationship with God and with others. As families, we can support this journey by encouraging reflection, forgiveness and acts of kindness in our daily lives.

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32

On Tuesday, we had our school's hardware and internet infrastructure upgraded. I understand the challenges that a pupil-free day can create for busy families, and I sincerely appreciate your support and understanding.

Tomorrow (Thursday), we celebrate the Feast of St Anne and St Joachim, the parents of Mary and grandparents of Jesus, at our Grandparents' Day Liturgy. Thank you to Mrs McInness for coordinating this special celebration, particularly the grandparent photo slideshow. I hope all grandparents enjoy a wonderful morning as we celebrate the important role they play in the lives of our students.

Unfortunately, Bec and I will be unable to attend as we will be in Bendigo representing our school at the installation of our new Bishop, Bishop René, the ninth Bishop of Sandhurst.

We round out the week with the Lightning Premiership for our Year 5 and 6 students on Friday. Good luck to our T-Ball, Soccer, Netball and Football teams. We look forward to seeing you represent our school with pride and sportsmanship.

Friday is also the date we have asked families to submit 2027 Prep enrolments so that we can begin planning for transitions and class structures. We will, of course, continue to accept enrolments after this date; however, having enrolment numbers as early as possible greatly assists our planning.

Calling all Dads!! This year at Sacred Heart, we will celebrate Father's Day in the same way we celebrated Mother's Day earlier in the year. The day will begin with a special Father's Day liturgy in the MPB at 10:00 am, followed by a shared morning tea back at school. Dads, step-dads and special father figures will then have the opportunity to join their children in the classroom for some fun Father's Day activities.

Please save the date: Friday 4 September.

We look forward to welcoming as many dads, step-dads, grandfathers and father figures as possible to celebrate this special occasion with us. We hope you can join us!

Have a wonderful week, everyone.

Kind regards and God bless,

Jarrod

Term Ahead - Term 3 - 2026
Week	Dates & Items
3	Tues 28/7 - (Pupil Free Day) Network Hardware Update Thurs 30/7 - Bishop’s Installation Bendigo Thurs 30/7 - Grandparent’s Day Celebration Fri 31/7 - Lightning Premiership (Yr5&6) Fri 31/7 - 2027 Prep enrolments close today
4	Wed 5/8 - (Pupil Free Day) Staff Spirituality Day
5	Mon 10/8 - Work experience students begin – Alyssa and Maddi Fri 14/8 - Feast of the Assumption
6	Mon 17-Fri 21/8 - Dental Van Wed 19/8 - Principal Network Day @ Shepp - Jarrod
7	Tues 25/8 - Faith Formation Night #2 (Reconciliation) @ 6pm Wed 26/8 - Child Safeguarding Officer Training – Jarrod, Bec and Tim (11-12:30pm) Wed 26/8 - MultiLit school visit Wed 26/8 - SAC Meeting @ 6:30pm Thurs 27/8 - Yr6 Beechworth Excursion Fri 28/8 - Catholic Mission Month (TBC) Sun 30/8 - Reco Presentation Mass @ 9am
8	Wed 2/9 - Father’s Day Stall Wed 2/9 - Classroom Mastery – drop in Thurs 3/9 - School Athletics Carnival Fri 4/9 - Father’s Day School Celebration Sat 5/9 - Reco Presentation Mass @ 5pm
9	Tues 8/9 - First Reconciliation Ceremony 6:30pm Fri 11/9 - RUOK Day – Family breakfast @ 7am
10	Fri 18/9 - Last day Term 3

Term Dates for the Year:

TERM 1: January 27 to April 2

TERM 2: April 20 to June 26

TERM 3: July 13 to September 19

TERM 4: October 5 to December 18