Principal News 

WEEK 7 - TERM 4

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RELATIONSHIPS ARE EVERYTHING!

Dear Families,

As many of you may be aware, we have commenced planning for a proposed and much needed upgrade of our facilities at Sacred Heart. To date, we have formally engaged with architects, completed a Master Plan, successfully applied for additional funding (Supplementary Capital Funding - SCF) from MACS and last week had a project officer assigned to our school to support this process as we transition to a building program (refurbishment) in 2023. 

In addition, we are thrilled to acknowledge Sacred Heart was identified as a priority school in the bayside and subsequently the current State government have commited $3 million to support a building upgrade. Today, I am also pleased to announce after discussions with our local member, an elected Liberal Government will also deliver $3 million for necessary building and development works at Sacred Heart Primary School. 

We are grateful for this level of support and the certainty of this funding for the Sacred Heart school community. Coupled with pre-committed State funds (SCF & borrowing capacity) and our educational programs, such a financial commitment will be most transformational and ensure that current and future students have the very best facilities and Sacred Heart will remain a school of choice for our families. We look forward to keeping you updated with these most exciting and affirming developments in the near future.

In the meantime, just a reminder our hall space will be used as a polling both for the upcoming State election and we hope to run a sausage sizzle to coincide with this day. More details to follow. Don't forget to redirect families and neighbours our way. 

Please see attachment.

PLANNING 2023

Not surprisingly we are well and truly underway with our plans for 2023 and have much to share in the coming weeks, so we politely ask that you keep a keen eye out via our main communication platforms, the newsletter and Operoo for key pieces of information.  

Please note below some changes for 2023:

• New Bell Time - 8:53 bell for 8:55 start. This will support families during our busy drop off periods of 8:45 - 8:55. In addition, it will also support our teachers as many students currently arrive after 8:45am and this late entry into the classroom has become quite unsettling for classes. 
• All students will commence school Monday 30th January. Unlike previous years where certain levels have had a staggered start to support assessment schedules, all students P-6 will commence on Monday i.e same day. 
• A reminder our Yr. 5&6 students will move to a 1:1 chromebook program next year. These devices will be housed at school i.e. not taken home.  
• Most classes will relocate to different rooms in 2023 as we look to better streamline the P-6 classes. E.g Yr.6 will move upstairs and then P-5 will be ordered down the corridor. Our intentions are to create a better flow and rhythm for our school.   

KICKING MORE GOALS AT SACRED HEART

This year (and the years to follow) our mantra has been been consistency and sharpening best teaching and learning practices/programs, particularly coming off the back of two challenging years prior. Our collective focus has been to 'do less well', focus on quality explicit instruction and ensuring key content is delivered at the optimum time. 

Whilst we only have 4 weeks remaining in the year and 'most' schools are gently winding down their programs, it's still full steam ahead for our students. I paused in my tracks and stood in awe in the corridor this week as I heard 'all' junior classes simultaneously delivering their MSL sound packs and Heggerty phonics lessons.  This momentum and focus at this stage of the year reflects on this investment and our direction in 2023. Well done staff!

In other exciting news, it was brilliant to see Mr Brown (Wellbeing Leader) recognised last week at the Wellbeing Network for his efforts with the delivery and advocacy of the Respectful Relationships program. Mr Brown was asked to share our RR journey at Sacred Heart and highlighted the notable benefits and importance of this program.  We are incredibly proud of our journey at Sacred Heart, being recognised as a beacon school in the Bayside. 

In recent weeks, we have had staff from across our network visit Sacred Heart to watch lessons as they look to invest in this valuable program in 2023. All visiting staff have been astounded by the language and maturity of our students as teachers introduce the students to key content and learning. 

This week, the juniors focused on body parts, their understanding of, and using the correct language i.e. naming of body parts. The theme was, 'Respect my space, respect my body.' This led beautifully into personal safety, body awareness and boundaries when they may feel unsafe. Their body belongs to them and they have the right to say no and get help. Congratulations students, your manner and contributions to these discussions was extraordinary. Please make sure you read the junior school news containing more detail on these invaluable lessons. 

ROAR & SNORE

Last week our beautiful 3/4 students had their first camping experience at Sacred Heart with a sleep over at the Melbourne Zoo. Our students and staff had a stunning time and simply loved this unique 'over night' experience. We sincerely thank our dedicated staff for generously offering up their time, sleep and care for our students.Thanks Mrs Collins, Ms Levy, Ms Tench, Mrs Murphy, Ms Rafferty and Miss Prosser.

Nice work 3/4 students for your impressive recounts shared at assembly on Friday. 

STAFF TREAT

What a treat! We wish to express our sincerest gratitude to our generous parents for the beautiful lunch provided for our staff on Wednesday. Thank you so much to Caroline Tuohey for organising the collection and catering on the day. We are blessed to have such caring and thoughtful families at Sacred Heart.   

STUDENT LEADERSHIP

Congratulations and well done to our future senior leaders for their efforts in recent days preparing their speeches and videos for leadership positions for 2023. Students have been captured in all corners of the school recording these special presentations. Yr. 5, we cannot wait for you to share these and celebrate your expressions of interest. In the coming weeks, I look forward to meeting with our aspiring leaders as some will undergo an interview for the School Captain positions, the final phase of this process. Please note, we regard ALL senior students as leaders within our community, and simply throwing their hat in the ring speaks volumes. All leaders will be announced at our classing mass.  

PEER OBSERVATIONS 

This week, our staff commenced their first phase of peer observations and formal feedback practices, a process superbly designed and led by our impressive Miss Rafferty. The program involves teachers observing each other’s practice and learning from one another, focusing on teachers’ individual needs and the opportunity to both learn from others’ practice and offer constructive feedback to peers. Peer observation aims to support the sharing of practice and builds self-awareness about the impact of one’s teaching practice in order to affect change.

Miss Rafferty worked closely with all staff leading up to these observations, conveying the researched benefits of this practice and assisting with their professional goals and expectations when engaging in these observations. Peer observation enables teachers to build their individual capability and develop a shared understanding of effective classroom practice. It also allows teachers to build their capability in giving and receiving feedback. Research shows that when done well, peer observation, including feedback and reflection, has a high impact on improving professional practice and can be an important part of a teacher’s professional development. This aligns perfectly with the work undertaken earlier in the year by Miss Rafferty on ‘High Impact Teaching Strategies’ as part of her Masters of Leadership studies. Thanks again for your outstanding leadership as our newly appointed Learning & Teacher Leader for 2023. 

Prep Orientation 2022

New Digital Parent Handbook

Congratulations to our new preps for 2023 who completed their final orientation session last Wednesday. Once again, we were so thrilled at how well they presented on the day and comfortably embraced the trial routine under Miss Maloney's guidance. The new preps spent 2+ hours onsite, including some precious playtime on the yard with ‘all’ the students from P-6. It was also a gorgeous opportunity for them to spend some quality introductory time with their buddies for next year. We should have bottled this exchange as it was priceless and epitomized the value to this program.

"If you're happy and you know it.."

Little Hearts Playgroup

Next Session -  10am 2nd December

We have just one more ‘Little Hearts of Sandy’ session remaining before we close out the year. On Friday, we again had our talented LSO and accomplished musician, Carol perform for our Little Hearts on Friday. "If you're happy and you know  it..." Yes we are! Carol, we truly love your impact on these VERY special sessions with our families. This has been such a tremendous entry point for our newbies and beautiful way to brighten up our Fridays.  Thanks also to Karen and Mrs Pennington for supporting our families make these connections. 

MUM’S NETBALL MATCH

"Jump on board, take a ride, we're doing it for the kids..."

We extend a heartfelt congratulations to Amanda Molony and our fabulous mums (inc. players, team managers) for their inspiring efforts and stunning outcome for the recent Sacred Heart Vs Sandy East PS netball tournament; raising an incredible $2998 to support disadvantaged youth - TeamSport4All.  The atmosphere and collective efforts of our two communities on the day was simply outstanding and we look forward to building upon this in the years to follow, making this an annual event. Bring on 2023!

Played in the best spirits, it was terrific to see our super Sacred Heart mums take home the inaugural trophy in extra time. A special mention to Helen Lonsdale for her fabulous coaching leading up to, and on the day, Rob Simpson (MC) and Gabbie Lagan for taking home a special ‘drinkable’ trophy for player of the tournament. And finally, we once again remain indebted to Ryan Barton-Cope on the side lines for his exceptional medical support at our community sporting events this year. Personally, I could not have been more impressed to witness his 'court-side' manner and care as our parents gently wound back the competitive clock.

Christmas Play & Carols

8th December 6pm - 8pm

Our Christmas play and Carols evening is fast approaching, and this week an Operoo was sent to all families with a list of costumes. We ask if you could please ensure they are at school in a clearly named bag by Friday 2nd of December. 

This event will be held on 8th December at 6pm (Children are to arrive by 5:45pm). We again sincerely thank Ms Bryce and Mr Thiessens for their work in supporting the children with their preparation and rehearsals. This unique production was written by our multi-talented Mr Thiessens. 

STAFFING NEWS

Leadership Positions in 2023

Congratulations to the following staff members* who were successful with their recent leadership applications and aspirations for 2023-24. Collectively we look forward to implementing a strong and clear school improvement agenda to further enhance the outcomes for our students, families and staff at Sacred Heart. With a sharpened focus on evidenced based and best practice, we are in wonderful hands, and this will indeed be an exciting new chapter for Sacred Heart working alongside this dynamic team. 

It is with mixed emotions we announce Ms Louise Bryce will not be returning in 2023 as she has accepted a ‘full-time’ position much closer to her recently purchased home. Ms Bryce joined Sacred Heart in 2021 as a graduate teacher and enthusiastically and passionately embraced the performing arts role. This year, she has integrated music into the junior program, run a whole-school talent show and will finish with a Christmas Play and Carols production in the coming weeks. We sincerely wish her every success as she will take on her own class in 2023. In the coming days we will commence interviews for a performing/music teacher to maintain and build upon this valued specialist program.

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Mrs Jacqui Bunn as our new Japanese teacher next year. Mrs Bunn has an exceptional name in education delivering an additional language program. A passion and enthusiasm in working with students, we are confident Mrs Reed's wonderful program will be maintained in the years to follow. 

MORE SCHOOL TOURS 

Keep spreading the good word families as we had yet more tours this week with prospective families. Your messaging and positive endorsements are clearly working and we cannot thank you enough for this support. Please don't hesitate to redirect to the school website with links to book tours. This has been such a fabulous addition as families can now book tours online. 

Device Program 2023

In 2023, Yr.5&6 students will be provided with 1:1 chrome book access. Owned by the school, these devices will be kept at school and assigned to students. In time, the students will be provided with a contract/agreement of sorts to ensure these are used appropriately and well looked after i.e. if  damaged unnecessarily, families will need to pay for the repairs or replacement costs.  

An IT levy will remain in 2023, although this will vary slightly across our school depending upon the device management plan.  At this stage, we will be advising families to purchase a far more cost effective chrome book should a current iPad (Yr.1 - 4) be beyond repair. Typically chrome books can last 4-5 years without updating. No iPads are required in Prep! 

Please note, our new chrome book program aligns significantly better with the Google educational platform, school functionality and supports the transition to a secondary notebook/laptop program e.g. typing skills and applications.

Little Gems

They are indeed our precious hands and hearts at Sacred Heart. Thanks Preps for touching our hearts with your beautiful song at the closing of mass on Saturday evening and again on Friday at assembly.  It was perhaps not the way we intended mass to finish, but nevertheless our little ones certainly continue to touch the hearts of all members of our community. 

A couple of very proud students, Simon and Finn, from Miss Rafferty's class showcasing their fabulous writing samples from a lesson of sentence 'commands.' Modelled by Mrs Pennington, this approach is taken from the recent professional learning on the 'The Writing Revolution.' It is great to see this best practice in action across our school.  We are thrilled to note this writing approach is already being rolled out ahead of schedule, in 2023. Now that's buy in! 

An Irish Blessing

It should come as no surprise we would had another Irish celebration this week with a Gaelic Football Tournament against Stella Maris. Coordinated by Mr Blake, this was a wonderful opportunity to expose our students to this exciting Irish sport and again recognise the influence our Irish staff have within our communities.

An interesting observation across many schools within our network; most have at least two Irish teachers on staff (my previous school 3). Exceptionally trained, hard working and outstanding educators, our communities are all the better for their influence.

These two boys (Bowie & Archie) were pretty proud of their play on words for their measurement lesson using protractors. Welcome to Christian 'Protractor' (Petracca).

The Birth of Jesus Christ

Thanks Elodie for proudly sharing your RE work. The students had to review a piece of gospel scripture and pick out some key words or statements and create a unique piece of Advent art. Nice work Elodie. 

Capturing a gentle Friday afternoon to close out another BIG week of learning.

Key Dates and Reminders

Please note we have started to include some 2023 dates in the 'Key Dates' page.

• 25th Nov - Legoland 
• 1st Dec - 1/2 Sleepover. (Year 2 to stay the night)
• 8th Dec - Christmas play & Carols 
• 9th Dec - End of Year Mass
• 12th Dec - Moving Up Day
• 13th Dec - Yr.6 Big Day Out
• 14th Dec - Yr.6 Graduation
• 15th Dec - Students' Last Day
• 16th Dec - Staff Last Day

And finally...

What a stunning way to close out another fabulous and joyous week at Sacred Heart with a beautiful assembly to celebrate the wonderful happenings across our community and a gorgeous blue sky to match.

And now the countdown to our remarkable year closure begins - 19 days!

Thanks for your support and care,  

Simon Collis

Principal