Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Welcome back to Term 2. It was great to see everyone enthusiastic and ready for a busy and productive term ahead. It is always good to recharge the batteries and spend extra time at home with our families. We are very much looking forward to the term ahead.

Last weekend we commemorated ANZAC Day. As a school community, we gathered during Friday’s Assembly as the Year 6 Leadership Team led us through a moving, reflective service to acknowledge the significance of the day. On Sunday, many children were able to join the Tatura ANZAC march and represent either their school or their local community groups. Parents, thank you for supporting your children to be there and participate in this very important day in our Australian story. It was wonderful to see the respect and honour our younger generation displayed as they participated in this important commemoration. A special thank you to Samuel Reid and Isabella Beggs for laying a wreath on behalf of Sacred Heart School community and to staff who were able to join us.

Enrolment period for 2022 is fast approaching. If you have a little one ready for school in 2022, or you know of anyone interested in looking at our fantastic school for their children, please let them know that they can commence enrolment processes soon. Sacred Heart Open Day will be held on Wednesday, 19th May, with student led tours throughout the day and a parent information session at 9:30am and again at 5:30pm. Anyone interested in seeing all our school has to offer is welcome to come along. Please go to our website www.shtatura.catholic.edu.au or phone the school for further information.

Well done to everyone on the way they competed in our Cross Country. It was great to enjoy this day once again and made all the more enjoyable by the beautiful Autumn weather. Everyone joined in the fun of the day, had a go and was determined to do their best, encouraging others and cheering them along. It was wonderful to see and hear the spirit of the day. Thank you, Matt Cameron, for organising the event, staff for helping and children for the way you competed. We will announce the winning House at Friday’s assembly. The first three placegetters in Yrs 3-6 have qualified for Division Cross Country on May 14th. Congratulations. Further information will be sent out to you soon.

Congratulations to our 30 children who have begun preparation for their First Sacrament of Reconciliation. This is a very important time for the children and their parents and our prayers are with them all. Next Sunday at the Children’s Mass, our parish will acknowledge these children as they are presented with their “Our Times Together” Reconciliation books. A reminder that Sunday is our Children’s Mass and everyone is invited to come along and participate in the Mass. We will also be able to wish Fr John Paul all the best as he celebrates the 10th anniversary of his ordination into the priesthood.

I am very disappointed to say that our very much loved Mother’s Day Mass will not go ahead this year. As this is always very well attended with mums, grandmothers and other family members we do not have the space to abide by the government’s capacity limits. PPR will take place and each team has organised a special Liturgy. I know how disappointed the children, families and staff are but if we all continue to do the right thing perhaps 2022 will see more of our special events recommence. Thank you all for your understanding.

Our Year 3/4s are currently enjoying their school camp at Billabong Ranch. I have had wonderful reports of how much all the children are enjoying themselves, participating in everything with enthusiasm and displaying our school values. Thanks to our Year 3/4 teaching team for their commitment, support and preparation to ensure our students had an experience they won’t forget. School camp is a wonderful opportunity to build independence and create great memories with school friends. In 2022 all our Year 5/6 will go to Canberra for school camp which is very exciting. There will be further information regarding this wonderful experience sent to families at a later date.

Beginning Monday, there will be changes to our daily timetable which will importantly support teachers in providing more explicit teaching time with less interruptions. So that we can focus on learning right up until the beginning of each break, eating time will be incorporated into the recess and lunch breaks. Staff will supervise children eating in the quadrangle from 11-11:10 and 1:40-1:50. Children will then have 30 minutes of play before the next block. Each class will continue their present arrangements for fruit time and lunch orders will come at 11am. This will be trialled during the coming term.

Our new daily times will be:

09:00 - 11:00	Learning Time
11:00 - 11:10	Eating Time
11:10 - 11:40	Play
11:40 - 1:40	Learning Time
1:40 - 1:50	Eating Time
1:50 - 2:20	Playing
2:20 - 3:20	Learning Time
3:20	Dismissal

We ask that families also support the learning time and help us provide less interruptions. This can be done with arriving at school in plenty of time and where possible making appointments outside school hours. We know your children will benefit greatly.

NAPLAN for all students in Grade 3 and 5 is on May 11th, 12th and 13th. NAPLAN cannot be studied for and students are not expected to do so. The best way you can help your child prepare for NAPLAN is to let them know that it is just a routine part of their school program, and urge them to do the best they can on the day. If you have any questions or concerns regarding NAPLAN, please contact your classroom teacher.

NAPLAN Timetable

Week 4

Monday 10th May

Tuesday

11th May

Wednesday

12th May

Thursday

13th May

Friday

14th May

Language Conventions

Year 3: 45 mins

Year 5: 45 mins

Reading

Year 3: 45 mins Year 5: 50 mins

Numeracy

Year 3: 45 mins Year 5: 50mins

Catch Up Tests Permitted

Writing

Year 3: 40 mins Year 5: 40 mins

A reminder that it is expected that all students will be in full school winter uniform by the beginning of Week 3 [next Monday]. Hats are optional.

Monday June 7th will be one of the allocated Student Free days. Staff will participate in Professional Learning on Reporting and Assessment.

Congratulations to Sienna O’Halloran on receiving the Principal’s Award. Sienna represented Sacred Heart and together with TPS, launched the Zero Carbon Tatura 2030. Sienna prepared and delivered a speech, displaying her passion and understanding of environment issues and shared her message with confidence and conviction. She is a wonderful ambassador for our school and the Tatura community. Congratulations Sienna, we are very proud of you and the changes you will make happen.

This week we farewell Laura Bradbury as she commences maternity leave. Laura has contributed in many ways to our school as a classroom teacher and in her Leadership role. We wish Laura and Matt every blessing as they await the arrival of their new baby and look forward to hearing their exciting news in the coming weeks. It is with much regret that I announce that Matt Cameron has decided to leave Sacred Heart at the end of the 2021 school year. We all know Matt’s contribution to Sacred Heart and the school community has been incredible and he will be greatly missed.

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus continue to watch over our school community and bless us always.

Pauline Hindson

Principal

School Cross Country Gallery