Message from the 

School Principal

Dear Sacred Heart Families,

As we reach the midpoint of Term 2, it is wonderful to reflect on the many opportunities for learning, growth and community connection that have already filled our term. Our students continue to demonstrate enthusiasm, resilience and kindness in their classrooms, on the playground and through the many events and activities taking place across the school. I would like to thank our staff, students and families for the ongoing support and partnership that helps make Sacred Heart such a vibrant and nurturing community.

Reporting to Parents

At Sacred Heart, we value the reporting process as an important partnership between school and home. Student reports provide families with meaningful insights into each child’s learning progress, achievements, strengths and next steps for growth. They are designed to celebrate success, support ongoing learning and strengthen communication between teachers and parents. As learning and teaching continues to evolve, we are committed to regularly reviewing our reporting practices to ensure they remain clear, purposeful and responsive to the needs of our students and families. Through ongoing reflection and feedback from our school community, we aim to provide reporting that is both informative and supportive of every child’s learning journey.

In light of this and as part of updated reporting guidelines, the achievement scale used on student reports has been adjusted slightly to provide families with clearer information about student progress in relation to age expected standards.

The scale has changed from a 5-point scale to a 7-point scale. The new scale will look like this:

The updated achievement levels are outlined below:

• Well Above Age Expected Standard – working approximately 12–18 months above expected level
• Above Age Expected Standard – working approximately 6 months above expected level
• At Age Expected Standard – working at the expected level
• Beginning of Expected Standard – working approximately 6 months below expected level
• Below Expected Standard – working approximately 12 months below expected level

• Well Below Expected Standard – working approximately 18 months below expected level

   

You may also see:

• No Evidence / Not Completed – used when there has not been enough evidence collected to make an accurate judgement, often due to extended absences, holidays, illness or incomplete assessment tasks.

   

Semester 1 reporting updates will also include curriculum outcomes. Curriculum outcomes are clear statements that identify what students are expected to know and be able to do at a particular year level. These outcomes describe the knowledge and skills students are learning and they provide measurable goals for assessment.  Rather than teachers listing four separate achievements and areas for improvement, students will now be assessed directly against the outcomes listed in the report. Teachers will use the achievement scale outlined above to indicate each student’s progress and level of understanding in relation to the expected curriculum standards.

These reporting changes are designed to provide clearer and more consistent information about your child’s learning progress and achievement.

Please feel free to contact Cath Palmer (Deputy Principal - Catholic Identity & Pedagogy) at cpalmer@shnewport.catholic.edu.au if you have any questions regarding the changes to the student reports.

Thank you

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our wonderful parent volunteers who generously gave their time and support to assist with assembling our new basketball ring towers. A special thank you to Ian Cunningham and Titan Plumbing, courtesy of the Wilson family, for their expertise and contribution to this fantastic addition to our school grounds. The students are looking forward to enjoying the new facilities and we are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support of our school community.

Australia's Best Teacher - Nominations Now Open!

At the heart of each MACS’ school are teachers who create vibrant centres of learning – nurturing their students to grow academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually.

The Australia's Best Teachers campaign recognises exceptional educators in our school communities.  

An expert judging panel will shortlist nominations for recognition as one of Australia’s Top 50 Best Teachers, to be announced in The Herald-Sun and nationally in NewsCorp publications in July.

I am sure you can think of many Sacred Heart teachers who bring something extraordinary to their classroom and our school community and I'd love to see Sacred Heart teachers, who give so much, represented in the nominations. 

See below for how to nominate:

A Glimpse into the History of Sacred Heart 

Sacred Heart Newport in the Late 1990s and Early 2000s

The late 1990s and early 2000s were a significant period in the history of Sacred Heart Primary School, as the school community experienced growth, change and a strong sense of togetherness. 

Sacred Heart Primary School at this time was a close-knit Catholic school community, deeply connected to the parish and local families who had often been part of the school for generations. The school reflected the character of Newport itself — welcoming, hardworking and proudly community-focused. Families gathered regularly for school masses, sacramental celebrations, working bees, fetes and sporting events, creating a strong partnership between home, school and parish.

During this period, Sacred Heart was shaped by the dedicated leadership of the Sisters of St Joseph and, from 2001, by the appointment of the school’s first lay principal, Ms Joan Jansen. 

In classrooms, technology was beginning to emerge in schools, with desktop computers gradually appearing in classrooms and computer labs becoming an exciting part of student learning.

Faith and Catholic identity remained central to daily life at Sacred Heart. Prayer, liturgical celebrations and the values of compassion, respect and service shaped the culture of the school. Students were encouraged not only to learn academically, but also to care for one another and contribute positively to their community.

The late 1990s and early 2000s also marked a time when Sacred Heart continued to evolve to meet the changing needs of education and the growing Newport community. While much has changed over the years, the spirit of Sacred Heart — grounded in faith, community and belonging — remains as strong today as it was during that special period in the school’s history.

Have a lovely weekend. 

Yours in faith,

Kaylene

Kaylene Carlin

SCHOOL PRINCIPAL