Principal News 

WEEK 3 - TERM 3

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Dear Families & Friends,

It certainly has been an unusual week from my perspective checking in from Covid isolation. Whilst I have so dearly missed being part of the daily action and witnessing our beautiful Preps celebrate their 100 days of school, it is most affirming to know our school has been in such wonderful hands all week - why wouldn’t it be?  Keeping me in the loop with key happenings, I am most grateful to Mrs Pennington for her leadership and our highly supportive staff for their efforts throughout, covering the shortfalls in the absence of a good few staff and students this week.  I also thank my team who have contacted me asking after my wellbeing and offering to support with general school operations. This has certainly not been lost during this period and speaks to the professional culture we are building on at Sacred Heart. Thank you staff! 

Integral to our team and school administration, Karen Matthiesson and Ms McKay have also been out with covid (although working from home) and we sincerely hope they are on the road to a full recovery. The leadership team (offering up their release), LSOs and in particular, Ms Kehoe, Mrs McGrath and Mrs Hsylop have been our go to in many instances in recent months and we are indebted to these staff members for their flexibility in covering these shortages and holes across the school during this term - it's been a juggle!

Although, disappointingly, I have missed this week, we have all noticed a much more settled & calmer tone across all aspects of our school this term. A key contributor has been structuring our days in such a manner that promotes and enables these outcomes. I commend the staff for reinforcing these expectations around the predictable and consistent delivery of curriculum throughout the week. Essentially all levels teach the curriculum disciplines and content at a set and same time each week. This predictability, structure and best practice is indeed a key condition for a high performing school and promotes a calm and orderly environment. 

Another key focus for our staff in 2022 has been how we deliver/teach the curriculum i.e. pedagogy. Much of our professional learning this year has been around explicit teaching practices. Explicit teaching involves directing student attention toward specific learning in a highly structured environment. It is teaching that is focused on producing specific learning outcomes. Topics and contents are broken down into small parts and taught individually. It involves explanation, demonstration and practice.  We are most affirmed to hear our students recognising this practice and sharing this with their parents. 

This week we thank the impressive Sarah Rafferty (Junior Leader) for facilitating some brilliant professional learning around H.I.T.S (High Impact Teaching Strategies). H.I.T.S are a bank of 10 instructional practices that are internationally recognised as some of the most reliable teaching strategies for delivering learning outcomes. Sarah will continue to work with all staff on refining these strategies in their current practice and importantly building their capacity and ultimately the outcomes for our students. More great work from our multi-talented Junior Leader. In time, this will help shape our next phase of professional development on feedback and coaching. 

In keeping with the theme above, next week we look forward to Mrs Kate Stroud (MSL) continuing her wonderful work with the junior team as she leads the staff with more best practice in literacy, largely through an MSL lens and focus on the explicit delivery of literacy. 

Happy 100 Days!

Congratulations and Happy 100 Days of School to our most spectacular Preps. These amazing students have literally not skipped a beat since commencing school this year. Led so beautifully by their teacher, Miss Maloney and supported unconditionally by their families, they have truly been the most extraordinary cohort. 

Although I clearly missed the excitement and stunning festivities on Wednesday, it has to be said the effort and preparation for this special day exceeded my highest expectations. Many thanks again to Miss Maloney, Carol (LSO) and the many support staff and families for making this such a brilliant day for our most junior students. We must also acknowledge Miss Rafferty for documenting and sharing to our Instagram page. It appears I have some way to go with my technical and social media skills. You did such a wonderful job capturing this day for our families.

Displays

Noted by at parent teacher interviews, I once again commend all our staff and students for their efforts in preparing the learning spaces and displays for a fresh term ahead. The school looks great and as Ms Prosser put it, “It felt like the Pope was visiting.”  It was nice to see Mr Huff displays popping across all levels of the school. This is just a small sample of the brilliant work being done by Mr Brown in leading the Respectful Relationships Program from P-6. 

An interesting observation in my travels was watching the children reviewing other students' Mr Huff pieces and saying ‘that’s the same emotion or way I respond.’ When children can identify and articulate their emotions when they are not feeling great or things are not going their way, that’s a MASSIVE step forward with their wellbeing development and ability to self-regulate. 

Public Speaking Course

Often regarded as one the more challenging personal skills and confronting experiences for students and many adults is public speaking. We are thrilled that our Yr.5/6 students have commenced specific workshops this term on these key ‘life’ and ‘professional’ skills.  The staff have been blown away by their students and have already noted marked improvements in their confidence and capacity to speak in front of their peers. Coupled with opportunities at our weekly assemblies, liturgies and public gatherings, we think our students are being set up pretty well for their next step to secondary school. 

School Tours 

In recent weeks (even over the semester break) it has been terrific to take families around the school on tours. Either looking to join our Prep intake or enter at another year level, we have just loved this opportunity to showcase our school and share our story. Keep up the great work families as many families are citing your referrals #bestschoolinthebayside

Club Corner

We again thank the staff for offering up their precious time to run the various clubs throughout the week. As this is getting ‘Bigger than Ben Hur,’ we are starting to wonder if we'll have anyone left on the playground before school or at lunchtime.

• Coding Club - Miss Rafferty & Miss Healey
• Fitness and Stretching Club - Miss Mckay
• Running Club - Mr Brown and Mr Blake
• Art Club - Mrs Hyslop
• Reading Club - Mrs Brown & Mrs Harper
• Gardening Club - Mrs Collins
• Talent Show & Junior Choir - Miss Bryce
• Mindful Colouring -  Miss Prosser

New SAC Members Required

We are seeking expressions of interest for two soon to be vacated positions on the School Advisory Council. Typically there is one-two meetings scheduled a term for approximately one hour. Applicants can email principal@shsandringham.catholic.edu.au

Little Gems

Well done and congratulations to our many 3&4 Hoop Time teams who represented Sacred Heart so proudly this week. Coordinated superbly by Mr T and supported by our staff; the students always look forward to this day out. That said, it should come as no surprise given the extraordinary basketball culture at Sacred Heart. Whilst it was terrific to see a number of the teams progress through to the finals, perhaps the best measure of our success was the students outstanding behaviour over the day. Keep it up students! 

A special mention to the 3/4 All Stars on winning their grand final. What a wonderful achievement!

New Calendar 

Please note Karen has linked our school Google calendar to the school website. In addition to key dates in the newsletter, this live calendar platform reflects all key events in moving forward. We are updating this regularly.

Key Dates and Reminders

• 28th July - 3/4 Hoop Time
• 5th August - 5/6 Hoop Time
• 8th August - Maths Week
• 13th August - 3/4 Mass
• 16th August -House Athletics (Whole School) @ Sandringham Athletics Track
• 19th August - School Closure - Respectful Relationships Staff Training
• 22nd August - Book Week
• 24th August - Book Parade
• 30th August - Dendy Athletics (Gr. 3-6 students that qualify)
• 2nd September - Father's Day Assembly
• 3rd September - Dad's Footy Day

Camps 2023

• Yr.3 Zoo Snooze (Overnight)
• Yr.4 Camp Maldon - inclusive of Bike Ed (3 days) 6th - 8th Sept
• Yr. 5 Philip Island (3 days) 3rd - 5th May
• Yr.6 Canberra (5 days) 27th - 31st March

And finally...

Thanks again Mrs Pennington and staff for your understanding and support across the school this week. I've dearly missed our community and the much needed energy (and steps) and joy that comes daily from our students, families and staff.

It's been such a loooooong week, but I know the wait will be worth it.

Look out, I'm ready to hit the ground running and get my steps up next week,

Simon Collis

Principal