School News
School Review Term 4
As previously mentioned, this term we will be reviewed (as part of the four year School Review cycle). Our last School Review was in 2022.
In 2026, Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) have contracted review company VALAD to facilitate our school review, and our Reviewer is Kylie Graham.
Our School Review this year will solely focus on School Improvement, with the Compliance component of our School Review taking place next year (2027), as part of the VCEA (Victorian Catholic Education Authority) new school compliance schedule, which now operates on a five-year cycle.
This week we had our initial meeting with our School Reviewer. Kylie will return next month (Tuesday 10 and Thursday 12 November) for our formal School Improvement Review.
As part of this component, the reviewer will examine our school data, school improvement plan and our self reflection of the school improvement framework rubric. Kylie will all chat with all staff members, many students, School Advisory Council members and parent representatives from across the school over these two days.
In early December, we will receive feedback from the reviewer, where she will share her observations, insights and recommendations. This feedback will then direct our new School Improvement Plan for the next four years, as we work with our MACS Regional Education Excellence Team to set our four year improvement agenda, developing our next School Improvement Plan (SIP) and Annual Action Plan (AAP). We look forward to working with Kylie as we review the past four years and plan for the future.
Lunch Orders Now Available on Mondays
In addition to our usual Friday lunch orders, we are pleased to announce that lunch orders will now also be available on Mondays. Monday lunch orders will commence from Monday 12 October. If you would like to order lunch for your child, please log in to the Lunchfox app and place your order for either Monday or Friday. We hope this provides families with some additional flexibility when organising school lunches.
Sacred heART Show - Friday 16 October & Monday 19 October
Our biennial Sacred heART Show is back, and we can’t wait to share a magical celebration of art, creativity and imagination with our families and friends. The exhibition will showcase the wonderful work of our Sacred Heart artists and the creativity, care and hard work they have poured into their art throughout the year.
The Art Show helps to raise funds for our Visual Arts program, with a particular focus on supporting art incursions and excursions in 2027.
Families can get involved by purchasing raffle tickets, making a donation, bidding in our online auction for one of the beautiful collaborative year level artworks or our special guest artist pieces, or purchasing a pack of greeting cards featuring stunning Year 3 watercolours.
The online auction and raffle tickets are now available via the link below or scan the QR code which is attached
Auction includes:
- the collaborative artworks created by each year level and their teacher. Each student contributed to the final piece
- Two artworks by renowned local artists Dawn Tan and Graeme Peebles.
- Raffle for the Art Maker's Hamper:
ART SHOW RAFFLE - ULTIMATE CREATIVE ARTS PRIZE
One lucky winner will take home a $500 creative prize package packed with experiences and art supplies!
$150 Sip & Paint Voucher - East of Everything, Hawthorn East
4 Art Books - Readings Bookstore
2 Art Packs - Eckersley’s, with one for kids and one for adults
$50 Art Supply Case
Art Class for Kids - Art Island Studio, for ages 3–18
Perfect for families, budding artists, and art lovers!
Total prize value: $500Good luck!
https://www.32auctions.com/SHartshow2026
There are also plenty of exciting treats planned for students and families. Friday 16 October will be a free dress day, with students invited to come dressed in their favourite colour. The PA and our wonderful Year 2 families are also organising a special art themed lunch for students to purchase and enjoy on opening day. It will even include a handmade art inspired cookie created by talented parent Chelsea Bateman, a little work of art in itself!
Thanks for your support everyone.
Sport News
Hoop Time
On Wednesday16th September, 12 Seniors represented Sacred Heart at Hoop-Time.
After we arrived, we started practising shooting around the court and having a great time. All of the games started at about 10:30. The girls won their first game and so did the boys.
Before the next game, everyone had some of their recess food and watched the other schools play. Then both the girls and the boys had their second game, which they unfortunately lost. Then we all had a lunch break, and some of us went to the canteen where we all got hot chips! After a few more games, the finals commenced. The boys finished third on the ladder and the girls finished second. The girls won their semi final, but the boys didn’t win the semi-final so they were knocked out of the finals. The girls made it through to the grand final which they lost unfortunately. Overall everyone had such a fun day playing basketball and hanging out with their friends! Thank you Mr O’Shea for organising this day for us!
Polly S (Senior AP)
Canberra Camp 2027
Thank you to those parents who have indicated that their child will be attending the Senior Canberra Camp next year (Monday 15 - Friday 19 February). Thanks also to those families who have paid the $500 deposit. If not done already, please do this ASAP.
Please also ensure you complete the Participant Link for your child that was sent via nPortal.
PARENT & CHILD INFORMATION EVENING - Wednesday 18 November (6.30pm - 7.30pm)
All current Year Four and Five parents (and child/ren attending the Trip) are invited to an Information Evening which will take place on Wednesday 18 November at 6.30pm. This will be held in the MPR. All FINAL itinerary and information regarding the Canberra Trip will be presented to families at this time.
Congratulations, Sacred Heart Alumni
It is always wonderful to hear about the achievements of our Sacred Heart alumni as they continue their learning journeys at secondary schools across Melbourne. We are incredibly proud to see our former students embracing new opportunities, developing their talents and making a positive contribution to their school communities. While they may now be part of different schools, they will always remain an important part of the Sacred Heart community. Congratulations to the following students who have gained 2027 Year 12 Leadership roles:
Sarah Ryan (School Captain - Ruyton)
Alex Haslem (Douglas House Prefect - Genazzano FCJ)
Penny Stewart (Gerda House Prefect - Genazzano FCJ)
Tessa Ward (Stock House Prefect - Genazzano FCJ)
Tilly Smith (Arts and Communication Prefect - Genazzano FCJ)
Paul Ryan (Faith and Service - Xavier College)
Ned O'Sullivan (Student Voice - Xavier College)
Fitzy Gilbert (Year 9 Liaison - Xavier College)
Ollie Reynolds (Burke Hall Liaison - Xavier College)
Before School Clubs
Garden Club
Garden Club will commence next Wednesday 14 October. ALL children are invited to Garden Club on a Wednesday every fortnight from 7.50am. Please remember to drop your child around 7.50am as the Glenferrie Rd pedestrian gate will be closed by 8am. Mrs Mulhall and Miss Olney look forward to seeing everyone back in the Veggie Garden next week.
Run Club
All children from Years 3 - 6 are welcome to attend Run Club on Friday mornings (weather permitting) commencing at 7:45am with Mr O'Shea from this morning (Friday 9 October).
Please note that Year 2 students are also welcome to come and try it out this term.
Here's what you need to know......
- Children will need to bring their own water bottle and perhaps a small towel
- They will need to enter from the Glenferrie Road pedestrian gate
- All fitness levels are welcome
- Along with running, there will be some fitness circuits and health-related learning involved, including: stretching, breathing, tempo running, warm up and cool down (process), making use of smart watches and fitbit's
The goals will be to:
- increase running endurance
- increase sprint speed
learn how we warm up and cool down before and after exercise.
Full participation is expected from all children attending.
School Fees
School Fee notices were sent out via classroom tubs last term. Please check your child(s) bag if you cannot locate these. Thanks for your prompt payment and support.
Chris Comand (School Bursar)
Friday Afternoon School Assemblies at 2.30pm
Term 4 Assemblies:
Week 2 (16 October) - No Assembly
Week 3 (23 October) - No Assembly
Week 4 (30 October) - Assembly (Prep MW)
Week 5 (6 November) - No Assembly (Wellbeing Groups)
Week 6 (13 November) - Assembly (2HB)
Week 7 (20 November) - Assembly
Week 8 (27 November) - Assembly (Year 3)
Week 9 (4 December) - No Assembly (School Closure Day)
Week 10 (11 December) - No Assembly
Week 11 (15 December) - Final Assembly 11:15am (Year 6)
2026 Term Dates
Term Dates 2026 - (students)
Term One: Fri 30 January (Students begin) – Thurs 2 April
Term Two: Mon 20 April – Fri 26 June
Term Three: Tues 14 July – Fri 18 September
Term Four: Tues 6 October - Tues 15 December
2026 School Closure Days
As was communicated to families last year...
* Time in Lieu (TIL)
The current Catholic Education Multi-Enterprise Agreement 2022 (the Agreement) has a formal time in lieu (TIL) process for teachers. The Agreement provides that a principal may require a teacher to undertake work and attend a school activity outside the normal hours of attendance (i.e., in excess of the 38 hours or normal hours for a part-time teacher) and when this occurs, it will attract TIL.
Principals should prepare for the accrual and acquittal of TIL through their annual planning process. The timing of the acquittal of TIL is at the discretion of the principal, having regard to the operational needs of the school and causing the least disruption to the educational program of the school.
Principals may elect to acquit TIL through designating days during the year on which all staff and students are not required to attend school.
School Closure & Time in Lieu (TIL) Days 2026
Term 1
Thursday 5 March (Staff Professional Learning)
Friday 6 March (Staff Compliance and First Aid/Anaphylaxis)
Monday 9 March (Labour Day Public Holiday)
Term 2
Friday 5 June (Staff Professional Learning)
Monday 8 June (King’s Birthday Public Holiday)
Term 3
Monday 13 July (School Review preparation for staff)
Friday 28 August (TIL day for staff)
Term 4
Monday 5 October (Staff Professional Learning)
Monday 2 November (TIL day for staff)
Tuesday 3 November (Melbourne Cup Day Public Holiday)
Friday 4 December (Staff Planning for 2027)
Children finish on Tuesday 15 December at 12.45pm
Wednesday 16 December (TIL day for staff)
Thursday 17 December (TIL day for staff)
MACSEYE - Outside School Hours Care
Please see below for further information, including the MACSEYE Booking Link.
Kids Unlimited Chess Lessons Term Four
As communicated, we have partnered with Kids Unlimited who will run Chess Lessons at lunchtime on Tuesday next term. Places are filling fast. Please click on the QR code on the flyer below to sign up and pay for your child.
All Prep - Year Six are welcome to enrol in this program. Cost is $170 for 8 weeks.
Digimaker Coding Lessons Term Four
Please note that our Digimaker Coding lessons this term will take place at lunchtime on Wednesdays. See attached flyer for further details.
