Principals Report

Can you believe that we are into Week 7 already. By my count, we have 16 more schooldays this term! (Reminder: Wednesday 2nd April is a Pupil Free Day). I hope everyone is enjoying the Lenten season. At school we focus the students’ attention on three main aspects of Lent: Almsgiving – doing something extra or giving to the poor through Project Compassion, Fasting – giving something up that would be considered a luxury by others to link in with the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made for us and lastly, Extra Prayer - helping us to become closer to God over this period of time. Last Sunday’s Gospel (Lk 4:1-13)saw Jesus spend 40 days in the desert where he was tempted by the devil. This reading is a reminder to us that we too are tempted daily to go against our beliefs. These temptations may include taking shortcuts, ignoring our responsibilities or neglecting those around us. The period of Lent, leading up to Easter, allows us to have renewed focus (and hope) towards becoming our best self. 

Thank you to all the parents who have attended PSG meetings over the last two weeks (with more taking place this week), and to Mrs Leary who has facilitated these meetings.  

A reminder that we have Learning Conversations next Tuesday (18/3) and Wednesday (19/3). Booking information has been sent out. Please contact the office if you have any issues booking a learning conversation. 

We have welcomed two new staff members into our Sacred Heart team. Darby Mullins and Tegan Powell will both take on roles as learning support officers, helping us meet the individual needs of each and every one of our students. We are thrilled to have two high quality human beings join our team. 

NAPLAN testing begins this week (and concludes early next week). All grade 3's and 5'swill participate in the reading, writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy assessments. These assessments provide the school with valuable individual and cohort data that we use to inform and improve our practice. 

I would like to publicly thank Faye, Mittsy and the ladies from St Vinnies that come to school early every Wednesday and Friday morning to provide toast and hot chocolate to our children. Their generosity and kindness are an example to us all about how we are called to serve others. 

Can I ask everyone to keep Heather Keenan and her family in their thoughts and prayers this week. Heather’s mum, Jean Wheeler, passed away last week and will be laid to rest this Friday. 

This week (beginning Thurs 13th Mar) Jennika will take over from Elise in the school canteen while Elise focuses on her health. A huge thank you must go to Elise for the work she has put into making our canteen such a popular success and giving parents an option to fuel our children! Thank you also to Jennika who will step up to the main role after supporting Elise in the past.

I know I’ve said this before but thank you to all the smiling faces and warm ‘hellos’ I receive from the parents I encounter. Please continue to introduce yourself to me when you get the chance (even if you’ve already done so). I am still learning ‘who belongs to who’ and I enjoy these encounters and making connections.

And lastly, I invite all mothers, stepmothers and female caregivers to make a note in your calendars on Friday 9th May. On this day we will be celebrating Mother’s Day from 10.00am at Sacred Heart College MPB for Liturgy followed by more celebrations back at our Primary School. More information will follow closer to the day, and we look forward to celebrating all that our mums do for us.

Take care and God bless,

Jarrod