Principal's News
Dear Parents & Carers,
This week in Australia we celebrate “Harmony Week”. Australia is one of the world's most successful multicultural countries and our cultural diversity is at the heart of who we are. Over half of Australians were born overseas, or have at least one parent who was born overseas. As recently as 2017, only 1% of our students here at Sacred Heart were from a home where the first language was NOT English, so around 4 children. In 2024 I am delighted to say that figure is now 9% (approx. 40).
Harmony Week is also about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, from the Traditional Owners of the land to our most recent arrivals. Celebrating that no matter where you come from, we're united by the Australian values of freedom, respect, fairness, democracy and equal opportunity.
We will be taking our whole school to Mass this Thursday 21st, at St Mary’s Church for the 10:00am-11:00am Mass to celebrate Harmony Week before returning to school to participate in some Harmony themed activities and art.
Children are encouraged to wear a “splash of orange” in support of Harmony.
KANA I can’t really recall a more pleasant stretch of weather in Colac. If only we could get a little rain, maybe during the night, to fill a few tanks and give our land and gardens a drink it might be described as perfect?
On Saturday, Kana joined a list of activities, weddings, sporting events that “couldn’t have had a better day for it.”
Thank you to our Grade 1 classes for representing us all in the Street parade on Saturday. Memorial Square was buzzing with activity and was the place to be for food and conversation under a shady tree afterwards.
Thank you to our staff who gave up part of their Saturday to ensure the kids enjoyed participating in this important community event.
RECONCILIATION Congratulations to all of the children who participated in the sacrament of Reconciliation last week. Thanks to our Spiritual Leader, Fr Michael who led this program and the many prayerful opportunities that he provided for families during the week.
SCHOOL PHOTOS School photographs will be taken this coming Friday, March 22nd. All children should wear correct summer uniform for the photos. It looks like it may cool off a bit by then, so parents should feel free to send jumpers along to school, we can sort it out as needed. Instructions for how to order photos are on 'page 4' of today’s newsletter.
SCHOOL UNIFORM Speaking of uniform, once again our “Lost Property” box is overflowing. Admin staff have sorted the unnamed items into sizes and are very keen to find the owners. If you have lost something please come and have a look. Whatever is left there at the end of this term (NEXT Thursday March 28th) will be donated to St Vincent de Paul.
Please remember to name ALL clothing, it is the only way we can get the missing item to the correct child. Encourage your child to follow up any lost property by checking the lost Property box in the senior hallway near the library entrance.
PLEASE ENSURE ALL ITEMS OF SCHOOL UNIFORM ARE CLEARLY LABELLED.
NAPLAN Our Grade 3 and Grade 5 students should finish this testing this week although Monday remains the last opportunity for children to “make up” any tests that they may have missed due to absence etc.
The NAPLAN Tests require an enormous amount of administrative work which Mrs Daffy and Ms Leonard, particularly have cheerfully done for us.
Parents will receive reports on their children’s performance in these tests later in the year.
SCHOOL LEADERS Last Friday our Gr 6 class spent time reflecting on the qualities that make great leaders. The children participated in a number of activities and thought provoking discussions before electing their Leaders and our Student Representative Council for 2024.
Congratulations to the following children:
Arundell (Gold Team) Macey Foster, Natalie Farquharson, Nash Charles, Zaiden Finn and Finley Geary
Marion (Blue Team) Grace Rey, Sophie Wheadon, Bodhi Baker & Dash Bannan
Mercy (Red Team) Alexis Perkins, Sadie Riches, Brady Hickey & Jack Seuren
SCHOOL COUNCIL Speaking of school leaders, our School Council held its Annual General Meeting last Wednesday. I am pleased to announce that Olivia Dooley is continuing in her role as Chairperson, Lauren Welsh was elected as a Deputy Chairperson and Jeremy Richardson continues as a Secretary.
Our Business Manager Emmalie Cain presented a very exciting opportunity that was unanimously supported by School Council where we will introducing an online “Shop” for parents to use in to order, and pay for, Canteen lunch orders on Fridays, school uniform etc.
Watch this space for dates and details.
RIDE TO SCHOOL DAY This coming Friday, March 22nd is National Ride To School Day. It is a day when children are encouraged to ride, scoot or walk to and from school. Given the traffic around our school in the mornings and afternoons this opportunity is one that I commend to parents to consider for their personal circumstances.
We all recognise the benefits in bicycle travel in terms of increased fitness and independence for the kids, less traffic on our roads and less pollution in our environment, however children must be confident and competent riders with a safe route planned for them by their parents and carers.
FIRST TERM will conclude NEXT Thursday, March 28th at 2:25pm. The children are permitted to wear Casual Clothes to school on this day and are asked to bring a Gold coin donation for Project Compassion.
Please note: Grades Prep to Grade Two will be conducting their Athletic Sports on this last day. Children will need to wear their runners and shorts for Sports. Please refer to the Sport’s page for more information.
Jack Lenaghan - Principal