Principal's Message

Good afternoon all, 

I hope all our families had an enjoyable mid term break over the cup weekend.  It was our official 125th birthday on Tuesday!  It’s incredible to think that 125 years ago 3 nuns came to Tatura and within 2 days started teaching and running a school!  We have come along way from this time, but there are some things that remain central to what we do at Sacred Heart.  The Mercy values are what connect us to our traditions and form a strong basis for our school culture. Just recently we had a new family commence at our school and it was wonderful to see how our students have, without being asked, supported the new students.  Compassion, hospitality and respect are clearly evident within our school environment. 

At last Friday’s assembly we were able to bury our time capsule for another 25 years.  The students also sang ‘Happy birthday’ to Sacred Heart in full voice which was wonderful!  There were many contributions made to our time capsule and these will be kept safe in our sealed bollard out the front of the school for another 25 years! 

Our school completed the school improvement review at the end of October.  This involved a panel of three coming into our school for three days and seeing, hearing and experiencing our school and how we deliver learning.  Over the three days the reviewers spoke with all our staff members, several students and a good number of parents.  We had some really positive feedback for our school which was very affirming for our staff and school community.  We also have some good recommendations of what we can do to improve our planning going forward.  This will form the basis of our future school improvement plan.  Once the report is provided to the school by the review team we will be able to share the summary findings with you all.  We are hopeful that this will be completed in the coming weeks. 

We are looking forward to the commencement of our foundation 2026 transition program which commences this Wednesday.  We have 36 foundation students commencing with us next year and they will be welcomed this week by their foundation teachers for 2026.  The program includes 4 sessions plus the orientation day in December. 

We are working towards completing our staffing allocations for 2026.  At this point there is very little change in staffing for 2026.  Most staff members will be teaching in the same year levels also.  This is to allow for consolidation of the learning programs that staff have worked hard to adapt to in 2025. Parents and students will find out their teachers for 2026 on orientation day and will have the opportunity to be with their teacher and classmates on this day. 

I’d like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the work of three dedicated staff members who will be retiring from their role at the end of this year.  Loretta Robbins has been in the role of Learning Leader for the past three years.  Loretta came to us after being a deputy principal in a large Catholic Primary school in Melbourne for 20 years.  Loretta has been instrumental in supporting staff to develop a clear and consistent pedagogical approach which has been adopted at the school.  This work laid a strong foundation for the implementation of Magnify Sandhurst this year.  We are very grateful for her work and dedication to ensuring that our students achieve the best possible learning outcomes.  In leadership meetings Loretta often points to data to give us the best information to make our decisions with.  Next year the Learning leader position will be filled by Felicity Bryant for Foundation to Year 2 and by Melissa Cassetta for Years 3-6.  Brooke Cimera will take over the role of Learning Diversity Leader from Felicity Bryant.  We wish Melissa and Brooke all the very best as they take on these roles.  

 We will also farewell Karen Nihill after 19 years of service to Sacred Heart Tatura.  Karen’s music role will be taken on by Matt Hooper and Italian will be taught by Sonia Laggozzino. Karen has been instrumental in supporting our school’s choir over the years and her contribution to our school will be missed.  Debbie Turvey is retiring only from the wellbeing officer role that she holds at the school.  Debbie will continue with the Secret Agent’s Society role and we are currently recruiting a wellbeing officer for the school. 

Yesterday our students reverently attended a remembrance service in the Mercy centre.  Our students learnt about why this occasion is so important for Australians to commemorate and remember. 

Below is one of prayers that our year 6 leaders used as part of the service yesterday.

Lord we remember those who have lost their lives during times of war. Grant unto them eternal rest. 

Lord Hear us 

May we always remember those who have sacrificed so much. Lest we forget. 

Blessings, 

Carolyn 

 STUDENT ATTENDANCE:

At Sacred Heart we expect and encourage 100% student attendance.  We understand that there are some circumstances where your child needs to stay at home.  Please be reminded that it is the parents' responsibility to notify school of any absence.  The best way to do this is through PAM or by ringing the school at 8.30am.  Unnotified absence requires follow up from the school as it is essential that we know where our students are each school day.  If you receive a text, please follow this up by calling the school to let us know the reason absence.  If no follow up is received then the school needs to make phone calls to parents which takes considerable time.  We appreciate your support in this matter.

FEE CONCESSION FOR HCC HOLDERS

Families with a Health Care Card and would like to receive the CESL Fee Concession are reminded they need to commit to paying $520/student throughout the year - preferably by school organised Direct Debit or by arrangement.  Please see Debbie in the office if you have any questions regarding this.