Dear Sacred Heart School Community,

It never ceases to amaze me just how busy schools are in Term 4, with much to celebrate and be a part of. The children are busily preparing for their Learning Showcases, highlight the amazing learning that has been taking place this term. The Year 5 students are also beginning to think and learn about what it will mean to be the student leaders of their school, writing speeches for leadership roles and planning possible initiatives for next year.

The weeks of Advent will be marked by lighting candles placed in a wreath, one each week, until all are lit and the joy of Christmas is here.

The first candle represents hope – the longing for the coming of Christ, who brings hope to a broken world.

The second candle symbolises peace – reminding us that through Christ, we are called to be peacemakers in our families, communities, and the world.

The third candle represents joy – a deep, abiding joy that comes from knowing God is with us.

Finally, the fourth candle stands for love – the greatest commandment given to us by Jesus himself, who showed us that love is the foundation of our relationship with God and one another. ‘Our fulfillment as human beings is found in love' (Francis 2024, n. 23).

So let us enter Advent in hope, even hope against hope. Let us see visions of love and peace and justice. Let us affirm with humility, with joy, with faith, with courage: Jesus Christ – the life of the world

(Boesak cited in Berrigan 2004, p. 211).

Leadership in a Catholic school context

Leadership Structure 2025

Leadership in a Catholic school context is unique as it combines educational leadership with the values and mission of the Catholic faith.

A Catholic school leader leads in all aspects of governance, including the spiritual dimension, ensuring the faith-based ethos permeates every aspect of the school’s life and those within it.

Whilst the Principal is responsible for the overall leadership of the school, the Faith Life leader, in particular, plays an essential role in ensuring our Catholic identity is interwoven through all we do, with Jesus Christ at the centre. A Faith Life leader also serves as a spiritual role model for all. Their visible commitment to living out the Catholic faith inspires others in the school community to grow in their own faith journeys. By embodying Catholic values in their interactions and leadership, the Faith Life leader becomes a witness to the Gospel.

With this in mind, I have introduced a new leadership structure beginning next year that will include a co-deputy model. I know you will join me in congratulating both Cath Palmer (newly appointed Deputy Principal) and Erin Stone (continuing in her role as Deputy Principal) on their appointments. I feel very blessed and fortunate to be working alongside these two dedicated, intelligent and passionate Catholic school leaders as we work together to ensure Sacred Heart is the very best school for your child and family.

Cath and Erin have both written a short paragraph below talking more about their role and why it is so very important to them.

Deputy Principal - Catholic Identity & Pedagogy

Cath Palmer

I am excited and honoured to be appointed as Co-Deputy Principal at Sacred Heart. With 25 years of teaching and leadership experience in Catholic primary schools, I bring a deep passion and enthusiasm for fostering holistic education based on the gospel traditions and teachings. As a lifelong learner, I am committed to staying informed about contemporary practices that address the evolving nature of education and the needs of our students. Within my current pursuit of studying my Masters of Religious Education at Australian Catholic University, I am particularly passionate about engaging students in conversations and methods that explore and strengthen their faith, helping them find meaning and relevance in real-life contexts.

I see each child as a capable, curious, and active participant in their own learning. I am passionate about developing student voices; encouraging them to ask questions, think critically, and engage deeply with their learning journey. I also take great joy in working alongside educators to cultivate a curriculum that nurtures exploration, curiosity, discovery, and a love for learning. Collaboration is at the heart of my leadership, and I value the importance of working together with educators and families to create a strong, vibrant community.

I look forward to continuing to build a school culture where students, educators, and families feel connected, inspired, and supported in their shared mission of education and faith.

Deputy Principal - People & Culture of Safety & Wellbeing

Erin Stone

I am honoured to be entering my 6th year as Deputy Principal at Sacred Heart. Over the past 5 years at our wonderful school, my greatest joy has been getting to know the students and families and working alongside so many of you to support your child’s journey.

I am deeply committed to fostering environments where every individual; students, staff, and families alike, feel supported, valued, and heard. I believe that a focus on wellbeing is foundational to success at school for our children. I see my new role as pivotal in creating a continued culture of care, respect, and growth and I look forward to working closely with all of you to further enhance the wellbeing of our Sacred Heart community.

In 2025 I will also be pursuing my Masters in Educational Leadership at Australian Catholic University. I believe this course will further enhance my ability to lead with a reflective, evidence-driven approach that aligns with our shared commitment to excellence in Catholic education.

I am dedicated to ensuring that our school continues to be a place where faith, wellbeing and learning are seamlessly integrated.

Senior Leadership Team

Principal: Kaylene Carlin

Deputy Principal/s: Cath Palmer and Erin Stone

English Leader: Sue Burke

Maths Leader: Kim Dalmau

Middle Leadership Team

Learning Diversity/Ways of Being Together Leaders: Nicole Harbach & Rosy Cubero (P-2) & Lisa Hibbert (Year 3-6)

Intervention: Michael Gowland

Positions of Leadership

Family Partnerships & Engagement: Michael Gowland & Caitlin Larosa

ICT Leader: Nick Rouse

Educator Coach & Mentor: Caitlin Larosa & Nick Rouse

Congratulations to all on your leadership appointments.

Class Lists 2025

The class lists for 2025 have now been finalised. The children will find out who their new teacher/s will be on the afternoon of 10th December, with Step Up Day on the 11th December. The Year 4 children going into Year 5 will have their Step Up session on the 4th December.

A great deal of thought & consideration goes into planning classes and groupings of students each year, with many factors taken into account. Thank you to those of you who messaged classroom teachers, myself or other leaders with information about your child. Whilst every request is considered in the decision making process, it cannot always be accommodated. We thank you for your understanding and appreciation, trusting that we make the best possible decisions with all that needs to be factored into the process.

Social Emotional Learning in the Catholic School Communities

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions (CASEL). The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) notes that promoting students’ social and emotional competency has direct and indirect influence on numerous scholastic factors including individual student’s attachment to school, better academic performance and success in school life.

Explicit Instruction of SEL

In 2025, Sacred Heart students will engage in one hour per week of explicit instruction in a social emotional curriculum as a specialist area of the curriculum, in addition to developing social skills through other aspects of the curriculum eg Faith Life Inquiry, collaborative learning opportunities and exploring the Ways of Being Together each day with their classroom teacher and peers.

This will be in place of the curriculum that was occurring in Library time. Students will continue to develop a knowledge and appreciation of literature through the English curriculum. Students will also visit the library with their classroom teacher at different times as determined by the classroom teacher. SEL lessons will also take place in the library. A library technician will be engaged to maintain the library, returns etc.

At the end of 2025, we will evaluate the program and determine if this a model we will continue with or explore other options.

Christmas Hamper - A collaboration between Sacred Heart & the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry

This year, the Year 6 Indigenous Perspectives Leadership group are organising a drive to collect donations that go towards support others in the community who are less fortunate than ourselves. The wonderful donations you provided last year were forwarded onto and gratefully received by Indigenous Hospitality House in Carlton North, an organisation that the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry (ACMV) has had a long association with.

After discussions with ACMV, we have again agreed for Christmas Hampers to be donated to Indigenous Hospitality House.

Beginning on Monday, 25th November, we will begin accepting hamper donations at school. Suggestions for donations include Christmas gifts for children of any age and adults. The organisation has also said that household items are also appreciated eg toiletries, detergents, tinned food, long life milk etc.

At the end of the drive, the items will be delivered to the ACMV in Fitzroy.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Yours in faith,

Kaylene

Kaylene Carlin

SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

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