Message from the
School Principal

Dear Sacred Heart Families,

A very wise educator once told me that parents/carers considering a school for their child's education should feel welcome and a sense of connection from the moment they encounter the school. And, if the choice is made to send their precious child to your school, they should feel a strong sense of belonging even before the school year starts.

On Monday, we held the first of our Prep 2027 Talk & Tours and shared with families what is important to us at Sacred Heart school, including our Purpose, Vision and Mission. Parents also learn about how children learn & programs and strategies that sets Sacred Heart apart from other schools, including our Ways of Being Together & Discovery program.

Later in the year, I will begin meeting with potential new students and their families and we will begin to lay the foundations for what we hope will become a partnership based on trust and a shared vision for our children.

Prep Nibbles & Drink Welcome Function

Last week, we celebrated an important event that aims to strengthen connections, engagement and partnerships between school and home which was our Prep Nibbles & Drink Welcome Function. It was a wonderful evening and was very well attended by both our new families to Sacred Heart and those with new Preps and siblings already at our school. A huge thank you to Caitlin McEwan, the Family Engagement Leader, for organising such a great event and also to staff who joined myself and Caitlin at the event including Eleanor, Bree, Traci, Penny and Rosy.

Picnic on the Yard

Our recent Picnic on the Yard was a wonderful success, with a fantastic turnout of families enjoying time together in the warm and welcoming atmosphere of our school grounds. Events like this provide valuable opportunities for parents, carers, students and staff to connect informally, strengthening the sense of community that is so important to life at Sacred Heart. It was lovely to see children playing together while families shared conversation and laughter and maybe even a sausage!

Thank you to everyone who came along and supported the evening. Your presence helps build the strong partnerships that make our school community so special. I would also like to sincerely thank our staff for their support in helping make the event possible and for the care they show in creating opportunities that bring our community together.

Introducing our new School Advisory Council Members

I am to delighted to introduce and warmly welcome the new members of the Sacred Heart Primary School Advisory Council. I would like to thank them for their generous commitment to our community and for their willingness to share their time, skills and perspectives in service of our school.

The School Advisory Council for 2026 is as follows:

Principal: Kaylene Carlin

Parish Priest: Fr Samuel (Custodian of Mission)

Parishioner: Marlene Monahan (Custodian of Mission)

Chair: TBA

Secretary: Caitlin McEwan

Parent Representatives: George Dimitrakopoulos

Camilo Pizarro

Gemma Smolenaers (newly appointed)

Glen Baird (newly appointed)

Ian Cunningham (newly appointed)

Justin Mulligan (newly appointed)

Joh Else (newly appointed)

Staff Members: Erin Stone (Deputy Principal)

Cath Palmer (Deputy Principal)

Caitlin McEwan (Family Partnerships & Engagement Leader)

Parents play a vital role in their child’s education, and the School Advisory Council is one important way families partner with the school to support learning, wellbeing and the ongoing growth of Sacred Heart. When parents are actively involved, our school community is stronger and our children benefit.

The School Advisory Council at Sacred Heart Primary School works in partnership with the Principal to support the strategic direction and long-term planning of the school. The Council does not manage the day-to-day running of the school; rather, it provides advice and feedback on important matters such as school improvement, policy development, community engagement and stewardship of resources. Through prayerful discernment and open dialogue, the Council helps ensure that Sacred Heart remains a vibrant Catholic learning community focused on faith, excellence and the flourishing of every child.

MACS Family Survey – Have Your Say

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) invites current families to take part in ashort online survey about school choice and their experience as a MACS family. The survey explores what influences families’ choice of Catholic education, what supports satisfaction and belonging, and what matters most at different stages of schooling.

The findings will help inform future planning across the MACS system.