Principal's Message

Hi all,

This week we commenced Advent which is a very important time for us as Catholics. In our religious education classes, and in our school, we are encouraging our students to think about what it means to ‘wait’ for the most important gift - the birth of Jesus. Whilst it is a time for gift giving, we focus on the intangible gifts that we can show toward others such as compassion, forgiveness and love. Last Friday our year 5 & 6 students led our whole school community in a beautiful liturgy where students learnt about the significance of the candles used during this time. We will continue to celebrate a liturgy each week until the end of the year.

Orientation day next week will be a good time for our students to experience their new class and teacher for 2026. The staff have spent a lot of time considering the requests of students, as well as needs and what will work best in placing them in classes for next year. Sometimes students can initially express disappointment, please trust that given more time they will more than likely adjust.

At present we are finalising timetables for next year. There are a couple of changes which will impact our students. These changes are in line with Magnify Sandhurst and are being rolled out across all 51 schools. There is an additional component to the MulitLit literacy resource for next year which will include a specific writing program InitialWrite in the junior classes and Spellex from year three. We will also have science delivered using the OCHRE resources from years 3-6. This will involve changes to our STEM program that we have had in place this year. Rebecca Farran will increase her time fraction at the school this year and will work predominantly with the 5/ 6 team. All three 5/ 6 teachers will be released to complete either a leadership role or to teach Italian so Rebecca Farran will support the classes at the time.

We have appointed a wellbeing officer for next year. Jessica Daniel will be with us one day per week. Jess comes to a us with a wealth of experience and knowledge as a social worker. She worked for many years in child protection and more recently in schools and private practice. Jess has been doing some casual work with us in recent weeks helping out some of our students and their families. We are really excited to see what Jess brings to our school next year.

Our art room is having the finishing touches in the coming weeks and will be ready for us to move back into ahead of next year. We will certainly be grateful when this is all finalised! Early next year we will commence our court refurbishment. At the end of the school holiday period the demolision of the old equipment from the court will occur during this time and a temporary fence installed in readiness for the works which will commence in February and conclude (weather pending) in March.

We have recently updated our parent handbook, and this is available on our school website. We will update our uniform guide in time for next year. The current guide on the website is accurate but there are some ambiguities regarding styles and footwear. If you are purchasing uniform in readiness for next year please speak with our two uniform suppliers ‘Tatura promos and logos’ and ‘The School uniform shop’ in Shepparton. If you are purchasing shoes please ensure that you have black leather shoes for non-sport unform. The socks should be navy or white for sport and with dress (no branding on these socks please). The updated uniform guide will have photos of uniform items and shoes. Both uniform suppliers are clear on what the uniform items are. Please do not purchase items which are not consistent with our school uniform. If you have any questions, please contact the school office.

The next couple of weeks will be very busy. We are looking forward to the Graduation Mass next Friday 12th. All families are very welcome to come and celebrate the great bunch of year 6s that we have had this year. Our Foundation students will also play a role in this Mass. This Mass will commence at 9.15am in our Church. Our choir has been busy practicing and will perform at the Tatura Christmas Carols on the 10th of December in Mactier Gardens at 7pm. The last day of term is Monday 15th. The day will commence with a liturgy followed by a day of fun and swimming at the Tatura pool. The day will end at 3.20pm to correspond with bus times for that day.

Our last assembly will be this Friday in the Mercy Centre at 2.40pm. Our choir will perform a Christmas song at this assembly.

I wanted to take the opportunity to thank all of you for the support you have offered to our school and to your children this year. We are blessed to belong to such welcoming and supportive community. I would like to wish you all the very best for the festive season. Although the time can be very busy, I sincerely hope you manage to take some time to be with your loved ones. It is a wonderful time to connect with the true meaning of Christmas with lots of events to support this. Sacred Heart Parish will have a Christmas Eve mass and this year we will have members of our school choir singing at this Mass (5.30pm 24th December). We warmly invite all our families to attend and share in this celebration of the joyous time of Christmas.

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.