Principal News 

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CAMPS 2024

Dear Families and Friends,

It's hard to believe we’re already approaching the final week of Term 3—where has the time gone? As we prepare to close out this remarkable term, with so much to celebrate and be thankful for, I encourage all families to take the time over the coming days to read the reports from our leaders in the newsletter. While I aim to provide snapshots of the fortnight in my news section, these comprehensive reports truly capture the essence of what has been achieved across our classrooms. I also want to acknowledge the incredible discipline our students and staff have shown—despite the term’s end nearing, they have continued to stay focused and committed to their learning program without easing up! These habits formed over the past few years have never shone more brightly. 

This week, I met with our valued School Advisory Council. These scheduled meetings serve as an important forum to discuss key school matters, listen to feedback, and refine certain processes to improve the way we do specific things at Sacred Heart.

Looking ahead to 2025, our leadership team will be reviewing the senior student leadership program, particularly with the large cohort entering Year 6 next year. We recognise that not everyone can hold a formal leadership position, and assigning roles to every child can sometimes dilute the value of the program. It’s important to maintain the authenticity of leadership opportunities and prepare students for the reality that not everyone can always "win." The School Advisory Council (SAC) was supportive of this view and we look forward to sharing more details in the coming weeks as we prepare our Yr.5 students for their final year at Sacred Heart. Rest assured, our goal is to give the students the chance throughout the year to develop their leadership skills and, where possible, involve them in teams to drive student-led and whole-school initiatives, including opportunities at our weekly assembly. 

After consultation with the SAC, we will review how we charge for school buses, one of our largest curriculum expenses. In 2025, as is current practice, the school will continue to cover the cost of initial bus transport for key sporting events. 

If teams advance to the next stage of the competition, parents will either:

• Contribute to the cost of bus hire, or 
• Provide consent for personal transportation to and from the event.

This approach has been unanimously endorsed by the SAC as the most equitable solution in moving forward. More details will be shared later in Term 4 along with our annual fee structure for 2025 reviewed in consultation with SAC and MACS business manager.

A key part of these meetings is the Principal’s Report. This week, I once again proudly highlighted the remarkable efforts of our students and staff throughout the term, especially in adapting to the building program, temporary classrooms and admin spaces, and team-teaching arrangements. While we acknowledge that these changes and short-term challenges have been difficult for some, I couldn’t be more impressed with how everyone has responded, even exceeding my high expectations. With pleasing progress on site in recent days, we remain confident that our newly refurbished classrooms will be ready for handover in late 2024 as scheduled. There’s so much to look forward to in the coming months, with the stunning transformation taking shape—it will fly by, and the end result will be well worth the wait! In the meantime, we continue to embrace this unique and positive opportunity for growth and change.

RUOK Day

On Thursday, I had the opportunity to visit a few classes as they acknowledged R U OK Day. In truth, every day should be R U OK Day. The goal of this day is to highlight the importance of regularly checking in with our friends and peers to see how they’re doing. When working with children, our aim is to inspire and empower them to genuinely connect with their peers and teachers (including LSOs) and start conversations with those who may be struggling.

We’re also encouraging students to use the “5-finger prompt” to identify five trusted people they can turn to when they’re not feeling OK. It’s especially important that students know they can speak to a teacher or a member of leadership if something doesn’t feel right – whether it’s a peer behaving out of character or something that doesn’t align with our safety values. We want our students to feel confident raising concerns, worries, or observations before they leave school, so we can address them immediately.

Lastly, I want to congratulate our Year 4 and 5 students for the outstanding work they did in promoting R U OK Day. Miss Levy & Miss Bull did such an awesome job initiating positive discussions with their students. 

 You don't need to be an expert to reach out - just a good friend and a great listener, even if they don't fall within your immediate friendship circle. 

MACS New Vision for Instruction

In February 2024, Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) introduced a new plan to help every student succeed: our Vision for Instruction. We are proud to say that at Sacred Heart, we are well ahead of the curve, having heavily invested in these evidence-based practices for the past two years under the leadership of Sarah Rafferty and Kate Stroud.

Prep Magic

Apologies for the small sample size, but it offers just a glimpse into the remarkable work our junior students are producing during their literacy block. Without wanting to offend anyone, I can confidently say that the quality of work from our Preps is among the best I’ve seen in my 35 years of experience. Our structured and disciplined approach to literacy instruction is truly making a difference - it works!

DENDY DISTRICT BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Wow, what an incredible year we’ve had in sports, and Friday gave us even more reason to celebrate as our senior girls placed 3rd and the boys won the Dendy District Championship! While both teams were fantastic on court, their manner throughout the entire day was flawless. Noted yet again, we were most fortunate to have such strong support from a large group of parents courtside. 

Our senior students are making the most of these opportunities in their final years, and we’re proud to add another trophy reflecting their achievements.

A huge thank you to Byron and Jack, the two St. Bedes students who coached both teams, and to Mr. T for coordinating the entire day for the district. An awesome all round achievement!

MACSISS PARENT SURVEY

Last week some families received an information email about MACSSIS including login details to a survey portal.  The survey portal will open until the 20th September.

Our community’s opinions are critical to understanding how our school is performing – MACSSIS is a key data source for guiding the ongoing work to improve our school. We thank you in advance for taking the time to complete this survey.

Please note surveys will also be conducted by our Yr.4-6 students and all staff to ensure we capture all key stakeholders at Sacred Heart. 

Tinnies for Vinnies

Nearly there, with one last push for tins of food for our annual Vinnies Appeal. Closes Monday. Thanks for your generous support. 

STAFFING NEWS

We’re thrilled to share some wonderful news from our staff! Ms. Donnelly, our exceptional Year 2 teacher, and her partner are expecting their first child early in the new year. Ms. Donnelly will finish the school year with her beautiful class before starting her leave in 2025. While we wish them all the happiness as they prepare for this exciting new chapter, Ms Donnelly will be dearly missed next year!

Sadly, Mrs. Bunn (Bunn Sensei) has informed the school that she will be stepping away from her position in 2025 to focus on her family and pursue more flexible teaching opportunities, such as CRT work. After 35+ years of teaching, Jacqui has been a wonderful addition to Sacred Heart and our LOTE program in recent years. While she won’t be teaching Japanese next year, we fully expect to see her around the classrooms, covering various classes and leave entitlements. With her love for children, infectious energy, and signature laughter, we know we’ll still get our much-needed dose of Bunn Sensei in 2025. Congratulations, Sensei, on taking this well-deserved step toward semi-retirement!

Congratulations as Miss Bulte who will be representing Victoria in the Indoor Netball Super Nationals, held in Brisbane over an upcoming 8 day tournament. The competition is split into two formats: a fast-paced 6 a side version that features bouncing off nets and the excitement of 2 point shots, and a more traditional 7 a side version that reflects standard netball rules. Having been named co-captain, Miss Bulte is poised for a remarkable tournament and is ready to lead Victoria.

Wishing Mrs Pennington (LSL), Miss Maloney (Ireland) and Mrs McGrath (UK) happiest and safest travels as they will be on leave next week. We look forward to seeing our full team back for the commencement of Term 4. 

❤️LITTLE HEARTS PLAYGROUP💙

We had our biggest turnout yet for playgroup, with over 30 toddlers and preschoolers joining us at our last gathering. A huge thank you to our families for spreading the word—just as one parent said, "Build it, and they will come."

Next Session: 18th October, 10am

It's also worth noting that our enrolments for 2026 are filling up quickly, with several tours already completed or scheduled, and enrolment papers coming in.

🔨Building Update🔨

This week's progress:

New stairs poured!

A step closer with the sub floor laid.

The front steps and ramp are really starting to take shape.

P&F NEWS 

DAD'S FOOTY GAME

Unfortunately, the Dads' footy game scheduled against Sandringham East Primary will not proceed, as SEPS is unable to field a team.

The good news is that our dads have found an alternative opponent in Black Rock Primary.

As a result, the game will be played against Black Rock at Donald McDonald Reserve in Beaumaris on Saturday, 14th September at 1:30 p.m.

Organized by Black Rock, so there will be no fundraising associated with the event.

Looking ahead, the Dad's Club hope to turn this event into a community-style footy carnival in future years, involving at least four schools, with the possibility of inviting others—similar to the Mum's Netball Day, which has run so successfully over the past two years.

ANNUAL CLASH OF THE COURTS IS BACK

Ladies of Sacred Heart - it’s time to dust off your Netball shoes as we need you!

Player Registrations open next week.

• Round Robin Netball Tournament across two different competitions: The two competitions will enable a range of netball skills to be on display, from those who are still donning a netball bib each week to those who haven’t played at all before - All welcome.  

• Family-Friendly event - would love to see a large contingent from Sacred Heart cheering on their school

• All while raising much-needed funds for TeamSports4All (https://teamsports4all.com.au)

Keep up to date via Instagram @clashofthecourts 

LITTLE GEMS💎

Congratulations to Geneva C, James M & Sam M who has been selected to attend the West Ham United Australia National Camp on the Gold Coast next week! These students earned this opportunity after being selected at the Melbourne Foundation ID Camp earlier in the year. What a fantastic achievement! Keep an eye out—we might have a future Matilda or Socceroo in our village in the coming years!

There has certainly been a steady stream of students stopping by my office in recent days to showcase their amazing efforts and growth. Believe me, the students below represent just a few  who have proudly shared their achievements. Visiting classrooms and celebrating these moments remains a highlight of my week.

Oli & Xavier showcasing their sporting awards. 

Anna P & Felicity S shared their poetry, The Ant's Next Journey.

Check out Anna & Jake's handwriting. Our big focus on presentation and pride in book work is clearly working wonders in Yr.3.

I just loved Morris' Mulga Bill's Bicycle work. This classic poem was outdone by his smile. 

We are pleased to acknowledge two past students from Sacred Heart Sandringham, Julia Lo Bianco and Grace Marinelli have been elected to House Captain roles at Star of the Sea in their final year at secondary school. Julia as Ave House Leader and Grace as Fay House Leader. We are sure they will be wonderful ambassadors for Star, and for Sacred Heart as past students.

Grace dropped in to share her looooong story book she has been writing in her 'spare' time. Mrs Stroud, our literacy leader was pretty chuffed to read her fabulous story. 

Love your work Fergus. Not just kicking goals on the field.

Happy birthday Toby, soon to be joining our community in 2025.

And finally...

As we wrap up our final newsletter for the term, I want to extend my sincere thanks to our students, staff, and families for their unwavering effort, hard work, generosity, and support. Together, we are creating something truly special and unique at the best school in the Bayside.

Wishing you all a fabulous and well-deserved break.

Proudly,

Simon C

#nomorefinalsforme