Message From Our 

Principal

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we find ourselves in the heart of Term 3, I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to all of you as we continue our journey together at Sacred Heart. This term has already been filled with many exciting events and milestones, and I am thrilled to share some highlights with you.

First and foremost, I am pleased to introduce our new Grounds and Maintenance person, Mr. David Tartaglia. David joins our Sacred Heart community with a wealth of knowledge in the grounds and lawn care industry, along with a strong work ethic that is sure to benefit our school. David commenced his role this week and will be working part-time, three days per week. He has already shared numerous plans for improving our school grounds, and we are excited to see his vision come to life. Please join me in welcoming David to our Sacred Heart Professional Learning Community.

This afternoon, we had the pleasure of enjoying an incredible performance by Mr. Hooper and the Evening Bird's School Band. The band members have been practising diligently throughout the year and were thrilled to perform in front of an audience. For many of them, it was their first time performing, although you wouldn't have guessed it from their polished performance! Congratulations to Mr. Hooper and the band members for their outstanding effort. We eagerly anticipate their next performance in late Term 4.

We were also blessed to host our annual Grandparents Day event, which was a truly special occasion. Thank you to all the grandparents who were able to join us. The day began with a beautiful Mass, followed by open classrooms where grandparents had the opportunity to witness firsthand what learning at Sacred Heart looks, feels, and sounds like. The high levels of engagement and the joy on the faces of our students were truly heartwarming. The event concluded with a delightful morning tea, creating beautiful memories for all. It was wonderful to see the deep connections between our students and their grandparents.

I would like to remind you of the upcoming School Closure Days on Thursday 15th and Friday 16th August. During this time, all staff will be attending a Religious Education and Spirituality Day at Longleat Winery in Murchison. This is an important day for us as we continue to strengthen our understanding of the values and traditions founded by the Sisters of Mercy, which underpin the Catholic identity of our beautiful school.

On a personal and professional note, I had the privilege on Tuesday to be a member of the Principal Appraisal for Jacqui Partington, Principal of St. Monica's Primary School in Wodonga. It was an affirming experience, speaking with various stakeholders within the school community—staff, students, and parents—celebrating the school improvement journey under Mrs. Partington's leadership. It reminded me of the importance of ongoing collaboration and shared vision in achieving school success for the young people in our care.

I would like to extend my congratulations to Mr. Nilbett and our Year 5/6 girls for their sporting efforts last Friday at the Netball Tournament in Bendigo. Our students performed exceptionally well, showcasing impressive athleticism and sportsmanship throughout the day. We are incredibly proud of their achievements.

Finally, I ask that you continue to keep the Nation family in your prayers as we welcome Zachary and Eve back to school. The service for Kristy was a beautiful occasion, providing a meaningful opportunity for friends and family to come together and celebrate her life. Let us continue to offer our support and love to the Nation family during this time.

Thank you for your continued support. God bless, and I wish you all a wonderful rest of your week and a relaxing, enjoyable weekend.

Warm regards,

Jamie McDowall

Principal